Quote:
Originally Posted by Exhibitman
It's frustrating but cyclical. I've collected through every recession since Reagan, every bubble since the early 1980s. That said, there are certain cards that are not likely to go back to the prices of a year ago, like the 1952 Topps superstars. On those I am just waiting for a reasonable dip before I go after them.
A bright fellow (well, Leon anyway) once told me not to sweat a few hundred bucks on a card I really wanted, and he was right. In the long run, good cards tend to appreciate. Several years ago I sold off some of my 'never sell' cards because I got a ridiculous offer--at the time. Today, they are worth even more that what I received, but so are the cards I purchased with the proceeds, so I am good with it. If you want a $2500 1952 Robinson, keep hunting and you will find one you can tolerate; they aren't rare. That's how I got my T206 Cobb red portrait: waited and waited and waited and eventually found a fair condition card that presented better and was for sale a a fair price. Today it would be a steal at that price. Good cards tend to appreciate.
On the bright side, many of the cards I already have are through the roof. My wife said "sell" and I said "Why TF would I do that with highly appreciated and appreciating assets that I cannot replace?"
Maybe try to make some trades? That might be a fun way to get some new goodies. "Trade you Jackie Robinson for Ted Williams"; yeah I am just a big ten-year-old...
Oh, and my cheap 1952 Jackie Robinson that I hunted for:
So FUGLY it is beautiful...and worth 10X what it cost me. |
You are right, just needing to exercise some patience. I need to get passed the fact that prices I dragged my feet on earlier this year are no longer the case in the short term. Passed up a really nice 52 Jackie PSA 5 for $3000 in January, so that stings. But, I do have some cards ready for the trade possibility you mentioned, so hoping a local show produces some options. I was searching for 48, 50B and 52T Jackie cards and was trying to be picky with their overall appeal, leading to some passed up options.
I was considering selling some cards a few months back, but had the same issue justifying it due to them steadily increasing and I’m attached to them.
I’m all about bargains like you found as well.