$50,000 investment

[philliesphan]

I do not think there is a definitive way that will clearly make you a guaranteed return on investment. [obviously -- or others would do it].

It's hard to believe that anything postwar would justify such an investment.

Also, with the time and costs of moving material, it seems like buying fewer quality pieces would be the way to go.

There seem to be a handful of examples of cards that have realized significant gains over the past few years. The most recent example that comes to mind is the Ty Cobb Advertising back card, which now seems to be more firmly rooted as a ~$100K+ card, a significant step change from prior years and sales.

However, other cards do not seem to have similar acceleration. the T206 Magie, for example, has not seen much change valuewise over the past few years. You could invest in high-grade, low-population prewar cards, but oftentimes it is a very thin market of interested buyers willing to pay (significant) premiums for such cards.

Rare backs, overprints, caramel cards, etc. all seem to go through peaks and valleys.

I would recommend E90-1 Joe Jackson, or perhaps N173 Hall of Famers.

[Rob D.]

R306 Butter Creams, lower grade, 50-50 mix of commons and Hall of Famers.

[calvindog]

1 high grade Pete Rose rookie card. SGC 98.

Or maybe three of them.

[FrankWakefield]

Can't be done.

Invest in stocks, bonds, mutual funds, a home, real estate, an education for yourself, spouse or child...

[calvindog]

What can't be done? Investing in baseball cards?

Frank, how about I make you a million dollar bet: I say you can invest 50K in baseball cards, you say you can't. Are we on?

[ullmandds]

I'd buy one of the icons of the hobby...like the 33 goudey lajoie...or a t206 plank...or a t206 magie...or a run of t206 backs...or any super scarce...yet popular issue depicting one of the 1st class of hof'ers...i can think of many ways to spend/invest 50K on bb cards!!!

[3-2-count]

I'd go for 19th century and early 20th century cabinets and start with this one.