What's more important, Supply or Demand?

[JollyElm]

When i think of supply and demand with baseball cards, my thoughts immediately turn to the 1973 Topps #615 Mike Schmidt rookie card. It's part of the high series, so the number of copies 'should' be limited, but check ebay any time, night or day, and there are too many cards available to count. Check the sold listings, and the numbers continually grow. Many sales are completed day after day (and this is an expensive card whether it's graded or not). Supply truly isn't low at all, but the demand (probably due to it being the key to the 1973 set) has always been through the roof. Take from this whatever you may.

[brian1961]

Darren, you're right-on with the example you give us. Mike Schmidt is one of the most beloved baseball players of all time, with an extra-strong (large) collector base. Gum card collectors relish rookies like no other, and even though Schmidty's is a 3 on 1 design, as they all were that year, that is his rookie, and the gum card bandwagon want it real bad. I'm sincerely glad for them the card may be easily had. Instant gratification, even though the card, as you mention, is not cheap.

Please, I have nothing strong against gum cards. Growing up as a kid, I would not have had much of a collection without them. I'll leave it at that, as I've already expressed my strong inclinations to pursue other items after I entered the growing adult hobby in 1972. However, while I was especially drawn to the regional / food and Topps test issues, I also was finally able to see and buy some 1952 Topps, both 1934 Goudey Lou Gehrigs, and a mass of different Ted Williams gum cards. I loved them all, but simply regarded as extra special the regional / food, and in particular among the Topps test their 1969 Super Baseball.

--- Brian Powell

[mrmopar]

It would seem that the 1/1 example could potentially settle the argument, at least in the small confined of the world of sports collectibles.

Every player in a set has a 1/1 card made of them, all equally scarce in supply. However, the price for each will be determined by the players popularity (or perceived potential). Lacking any real demand otherwise, any given common 1/1 card with no interest or potential might sell or even sit unsold for under $10. Well below what you have to pay for almost any copy of the previously mentioned 73 Topps Schmidt rookie card with possibly millions of copies to choose from, but great demand.

I guess anything could be wiped out value wise if enough supply was to be introduced though. Unrealistic examples, but interesting to consider. Would the discovery of 1 billion previously unknown, mint Schmidt rookies make this card equal to a Von Joshua card from the same set eventually? How many newly discovered T206 Wagner cards would it take to make it just another "common" T206 HOF card and not the holy grail of cards?