$500 to spend on memorabilia...asking for advice

[zupster]

have seen some ruth balls in lesser condition that were all certified by jsa or psa/dna...i mostly deal in modern stuff so was wondering if one or the other is generally viewed as better certification on older stuff? if something is authenticated by psa but given a grade of 3 or 4 (auto ball) is it worth buying at that grade? obviously i know that a higher grade also means a higher price but how are lower grades seen? thanks

[Fballguy]

He should take the 5K and invest in a good computer so he can do the research (and/or ask the question) himself.

In all seriousness...If he's looking for cool display pieces, great. But to approach this for it's investment potential...with a stake of only 5K no less...He might as well go by scratch tickets.

[mr2686]

Rule number 1: Collect what you love and don't count on it as an investment or you'll end up disappointed.
Rule number 2: See Rule number 1.

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by mr2686

Rule number 1: Collect what you love and don't count on it as an investment or you'll end up disappointed.
Rule number 2: See Rule number 1.

Spot on, Mike!

[btcarfagno]

Originally Posted by zupster

have seen some ruth balls in lesser condition that were all certified by jsa or psa/dna...i mostly deal in modern stuff so was wondering if one or the other is generally viewed as better certification on older stuff? if something is authenticated by psa but given a grade of 3 or 4 (auto ball) is it worth buying at that grade? obviously i know that a higher grade also means a higher price but how are lower grades seen? thanks

Also forget about "grades" for autographed items. Baseballs can degrade or yellow over even a short span of time. Autographs can fade over time. A graded autograph is completely pointless. Authenticated sure no problem. But graded? No.

Tom C

[Topnotchsy]

if he picks items whose provenance is tight, is of a player(s) who will likely remain a focus for collectors and he picks nice looking items that are pretty normal items to collect, he should be fine. Will he make a lot of money? There's no guarantees.

Autographs of guys like Ruth, Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente etc fit that. Signed baseballs are pretty standard items though a picture, book or other option may be cheaper.

Personally I prefer items that have a historical component to them as well (like items tied to jackie robinson and the integration or ties to WWII). I do think that besides for my personal interest, they have cross market appeal to non-sports collectors and should sustain value but of course if there is a premium there it may already be built into the price.

If I was spending 5k some items I'd consider:
- 1947 Dodgers team signed baseball
- nice Ruth or Gehrig autograph

If he wants to really speculate, find something of an early player who he thinks the Veterans committee may vote into the HOF.

[bbcard1]

I think a nice Jackie Robinson, while not speculative, would be a nice centerpiece and still has room to grow.

Sheer speculation? I'd go after some MMA fighters stuff, basically the pioneers of MMA. It has a rabid following that is global.

[Snapolit1]

I wouldn't blow it on a Ruth autograph. Ruth autos are all over the place. The really high end ones may have investment value but they are a lot higher than 5K.

[packs]

Buy Mike Trout now, sit on it, profit later.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by packs

Buy Mike Trout now, sit on it, profit later.

Can't agree. I think Trout will end up by far with the largest number of refractors cards, blue refractor cards, red auto refractor cards, blue and red refractor cards, ad infinitum in the history of the hobby. Clean up someday by collecting something no one is smart enough to collect, not by collecting the thing everyone and his brother is hoarding.

I went to a card story down in south Jersey and half the room was Trout cards.