Most Upside in Next 5 Years

[Rhotchkiss]

I acknowledge and respect there are many on here who view themselves as pure collectors and consider their "stuff" purely collectables. They apparently don't care about value and do not consider collectables assets. This thread is not for them/you, and I respectfully request that those fitting this description do not post here unless its constructive to the topic.

It seems to me that certain card-adjacent collectibles are becoming more mainstream/accepted as assets. Specifically, tickets, photos, game-used, and historical sports items that I will call ephemera (contracts, magazines, advertising pieces, programs, etc), all seem to be gaining in popularity, and value.

Here is my question: of these (or other) areas, including cards, which do you think is the best investment/has the potential for highest relative returns over the next 5 years, and why. Or, put differently, if you were given $10k and told to invest in sports stuff to generate the highest return in the next 5 years, which item would you invest the $10k in and why:

I believe the answer is tickets. I believe this for several reasons: (i) tickets are naturally rare and limited in supply (they only made one for each seat in a venue on that day; (ii) tickets are specific to a date, thus they represent the true rookie/debut event and/or reflects the occurrence of the actual event (vs a 1954 Aaron which of his entire rookie year); (iii) they are most closely adjacent to cards -- they are paper, they fit in normal PSA flips, they connect people to the sport in a personal and unique way, etc., (iv) despite that they are much rarer than cards, they are currently only a fraction of the price of cards, meaning there is embedded upside; one could argue that they should be worth more than cards, not just to equal or fewer multiples of card value, and (v) it is a fragmented asset-class in its early stages, which usually allows for upside as the asset class becomes more institutionalized, uniformly graded, and more widely collected bought/sold.

Cards are now an established asset class. At least once per day I hear them talk about cards, including Pokemon, on Bloomberg. Does this means that cards take off even more? Perhaps. Does it mean that card-adjacent things take off too, and perhaps more than cards because they are currently undervalued and less widely accepted? Perhaps. That's the topic of discussion.

[BearBailey]

I think it will still be cards. Just had this conversation with someone. I think the issue with tickets is they don’t make them anymore and once my generation dies off and all the ones before me as well most people won’t know what a ticket is because they don’t make paper tickets anymore. I asked my kids and the person I was having the conversation with, to ask our kids all of the kids said keep the cards get rid of the tickets they had no interest in them. Not that I plan on getting rid of any of it but I was quite disappointed, as I have kept every ticket to every sporting event and concert I have ever been to and bought several historic ones over the years, as much as they like the cards, they have no interest in tickets.

[brunswickreeves]

Great topic and well framed. I don’t have data to back this up, although I’m sure I could with time…But my gut tells me that it’s NFTs and Blockchain…as the world and economies become more digitized at exponential speed, younger technologically astute generations seeking to create wealth fast and with a lot of bandwidth, will explore and optimize these technologies.

I love cards and their economic opportunity because I grew up reading Beckett and dreaming of the high value vintage cards profiled in there. Likely many collect cards because their father’s followed the game or players in the ‘50s and ‘60s. And maybe their father collected cards because their father followed the game or players in the ‘30s and ‘40s. So there’s an emotional connection to the asset class to take a chance on it and invest in cards. Same may hold true for modern digital generations. They’re growing up with or embracing technologies they love, so may be emotionally connected to NFTs and Blockchain, and take risks to monetize via those platforms. And in doing so, contribute to that growing market.

Disclosure: I own zero NFTs, etc.

[sb1]

Originally Posted by brunswickreeves

Great topic and well framed. I don’t have data to back this up, although I’m sure I could with time…But my gut tells me that it’s NFTs and Blockchain…as the world and economies become more digitized at exponential speed, younger technologically astute generations seeking to create wealth fast and with a lot of bandwidth, will explore and optimize these technologies.

I love cards and their economic opportunity because I grew up reading Beckett and dreaming of the high value vintage cards profiled in there. Likely many collect cards because their father’s followed the game or players in the ‘50s and ‘60s. And maybe their father collected cards because their father followed the game or players in the ‘30s and ‘40s. So there’s an emotional connection to the asset class to take a chance on it and invest in cards. Same may hold true for modern digital generations. They’re growing up with or embracing technologies they love, so may be emotionally connected to NFTs and Blockchain, and take risks to monetize via those platforms. And in doing so, contribute to that growing market.

Disclosure: I own zero NFTs, etc.

NFT's have already had their day and they failed miserably, many people lost huge amounts of money, others just lost everything they had put into them.

[Hankphenom]

And I'm not a card guy! Far be it for me to disagree with one of the whales of our hobby, but I can't see tickets, Ryan. I just think cards, for a number of reasons, will always be the 800-lb gorilla, assuming you pick the right ones, as you have. Vintage autographs might be some competition for the top spot, again assuming it's the right ones. Other than forgeries, there will be no more coming out from any players born before 1935 or so, so that pretty much guarantees appreciation as they get collected up. To summarize, I'd go with the tried and true unless one is inclined to gamble with the money.

[Rhotchkiss]

Hank, great point about autos. I totally forgot to add them to the poll. I have asked Leon to edit the poll to add them as another choice

[sb1]

While tickets might make a move up, I believe cards will still be king over them as well as autographs and other memorabilia. In a nutshell it is the visual aspect of the image on the card. Imagine the ticket which holds a lot of info and historical context on a Aaron or Mantle game and you could look at it or an early Aaron or Mantle card in your collection. As they say "a picture is worth a thousand words". Therefore, I believe the masses(which is what really drives any market), will still opt for the card. Sure a small percentage might opt for the auto, but it will be like many other areas of the market that are thinly traded, popularity trumps rarity.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by sb1

While tickets might make a move up, I believe cards will still be king over them as well as autographs and other memorabilia. In a nutshell it is the visual aspect of the image on the card. Imagine the ticket which holds a lot of info and historical context on a Aaron or Mantle game and you could look at it or an early Aaron or Mantle card in your collection. As they say "a picture is worth a thousand words". Therefore, I believe the masses(which is what really drives any market), will still opt for the card. Sure a small percentage might opt for the auto, but it will be like many other areas of the market that are thinly traded, popularity trumps rarity.

I tend to agree with Scott here, in particular as it pertains to key cards/grades. I think the market for HOF and higher graded cards will do well

[Snapolit1]

Cards. There is a defined market for most cards, prices are reported, population reports exist, and enough demand to keep prices up. Other than stubs, the rest of this doesn't have an easily defined population. Keeps prices down.

(Many stubs I am sure are not graded.)

I watched a piece of memorabilia just sell for 15K a few days ago. In 2023 sold for 35K. Happens more often than you'd think.

Many people buy cards as an investment. I'd guess that 95%+ of people who drop $25,000 on a piece of memorabilia really want if and aren't "investors" or even interested in a resale.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

Hank, great point about autos. I totally forgot to add them to the poll. I have asked Leon to edit the poll to add them as another choice

Sorry I called you Rich, yet another old guy moment to add to the growing list.

[Brian Van Horn]

Should be interesting the impact of AI shill bidding.

[CardPadre]

I will shit on tickets also (with the exception of a few mega-significant events). They generally don't evoke any kind of feeling or emotion or joy from just seeing them.

Seeing a card, you often get an immediate feeling based on who the player is, the art/design, the type/issue, your own experience with collecting or coveting it, just a lot of instant and positive reactions to a card.

Tickets...you look at one, and its significance is almost never immediately apparent. You can read everything on it, and then you have to look at the flip to see why PSA says you should be impressed by, and value, it.

NOT...FUN.

Like I said, a handful of extremely monumental events will be highly coveted, massively valued, and probably appreciate reasonably well. But I doubt the general ticket market does anything noteworthy to rise beyond its current status in the collecting world.

[Brent G.]

Cards, cards, cards. From a player standpoint, I still think Jackie Robinson has the most room for growth, in all things.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I completely understand why other people may get excited over tickets and their direct connection to a moment in time, but they're mostly bland in appearance and do nothing for me. The stubs are so often torn worse than a strip card and can look rather ratty as a result. Many were taped into scrapbooks, so lots of ugly yellow spots in many instances.

While I've hung onto ticket stubs from everything I've ever attended, I never even look at them.

Zero interest in tickets whatsoever, unless it was to turn a nice and tidy profit, but I could say the same thing about a truckload of sporks.

I don't have interest in unsigned photos, either, but if forced to choose, I'd much rather have an original photo of a certain event as opposed to a stub from the same date. While the stub "bore witness" to the event, it fails to convey any emotion, which is the strongest trait of the greatest photos. Emotion sells. With the photo, you yourself are able to bear witness to the event, even if you weren't alive to have been there.

I could certainly understand people's appreciation of having the trifecta of the photo, the stub and autographs of all pertinent parties to create a nice framed piece. Nothing wrong with that idea whatsoever, and each item compliments all the others. Throw a scorecard in there, too!

[MVSNYC]

Hi Ryan, great post.

I voted tickets as well. They've really gained steam in recent years, for the reasons you mentioned- rarity, pinpointed to a specific event (the catch, called shot, perfect games...), special record, rookie debut, etc. They very often have cool typography/graphics design, and are easy to store/display.

My kids collect with me now, and when I acquire a new ticket, I'll often pull up the video of the moment/game to show them, and it instantly gives them a memorable visual to go with the ticket.

Edited to add: I see that Autographs have been added to the conversation. I also see them making a big move up, especially PSA graded Autos on cards.

[Casey2296]

Can you even get a printed ticket from a modern game today? Seems like everything is done electronically now. If younger collectors can't get an Ohtani 50th home run ticket for example, does that generation lose interest in them as collectibles?

[raulus]

If I knew, I wouldn’t tell my own mother.

I do think that there are strong arguments for most everything on this list, along with lots of arguments against.

While there are obvious investing elements associated with collecting, there are also serious emotional aspects, as many of us collect what makes us happy, and the financial aspects come along for the ride. I know you don’t want to dwell on this sentiment, but it’s difficult to ignore, and it certainly can have an impact on returns as well, as an emotional connection drives popularity and value.

My guess is that if you collect nice pieces from top flight players from any of these categories, you’ll do fine. Obviously one group might outshine the others, particularly over a short or mid-term window. But whether the return is 4% or 7% or 15%, other than collecting NFTs or ultramodern stuff, my guess is you’ll make money as long as you aren’t looking to flip it in super short order.

[calvindog]

Tickets largely bore me, especially when compared to cards. However, Ryan asked about a five year horizon -- and tickets have just started picking up steam. Over the next five years I wouldn't be surprised if tickets outperform cards. Twenty year horizon, different story.

[Rhotchkiss]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Can you even get a printed ticket from a modern game today? .... does that generation lose interest in them as collectibles?

As Jeff correctly pointed out, the question is the NEXT FIVE YEARS, meaning the next generation is largely irrelevant for purposes of this thread.

And no worries Hank, I have been called much worse!

[scooter729]

Since cards seems to be the most popular answer, I'd love to hear from folks about what sports have the most potential upside in that same five-year window.

I know most of us on this page are going to be biased towards baseball, but if we ruled out baseball, where do you see the most growth potential? Basketball (which saw exponential growth during Covid, much of which crashed back to earth quickly)? A sport like soccer with global appeal? Something else?

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Rhotchkiss

As Jeff correctly pointed out, the question is the NEXT FIVE YEARS, meaning the next generation is largely irrelevant for purposes of this thread.

Duly noted.
So if we take:

A Joe Jackson ticket like the ones in your collection.

A Type 1 Joe Jackson photo

A 1914 CJ Jackson

IMHO they will all appreciate in the next 5 years, maybe 2x but that's just a guess, but I think the CJ appreciates a bit more than the other two.

[Schlesinj]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Can you even get a printed ticket from a modern game today? Seems like everything is done electronically now. If younger collectors can't get an Ohtani 50th home run ticket for example, does that generation lose interest in them as collectibles?

Isn’t that a similar argument as none of us witnessing Babe Ruth or someone like me never seeing Mickey Mantle hit a baseball live, but I would much rather own their card vs Aaron Judge.

We now have audio books, but people love to grab a hard copy to read. People collect records and some prefer listening to them too. Nostalgia is nostalgia.

To Ryan’s original question if I were to invest 10k into a sub-section of this class I think vintage of the greats has highest floor. Pokémon highest ceiling (own none) but witnessing “regular” shows and local shops the kids are very much interested in that space.

I am personally enjoying and see beautiful tickets from 30s-60s. Great colors. They present very well and are great to mix and match with type 1 photos, scorecards and art. Great story telling.

*One digital art comment, I read Christie’s shut down that category recently from their platform.

[oldjudge]

As someone who once collected tickets (Roger Clemens wins--talk about bad choice) I can appreciate that collecting genre. However, tickets to events that were deemed significant at the time tended to be saved so I think there are plenty out there in scrapbooks yet to hit the market. Also, as someone already pointed out, they are no longer issued so it's not something people think about. I think type 1 photos from significant events offer better appreciation opportunities because there is the visual appeal that Jeff mentioned. Personally, I still think that cards are the best bet in the long term. Shorter term it could be anything based on hype.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Schlesinj

Isn’t that a similar argument as none of us witnessing Babe Ruth or someone like me never seeing Mickey Mantle hit a baseball live, but I would much rather own their card vs Aaron Judge.

-
Maybe. Even though we never saw Ruth we collected cards of what was current at the time, 50s to 70s, at some point we ended up jumping down the pre-war rabbit hole of the past and discovered the old timers. But we had a connection because we collected cards as a kid.

If there are no hard stock tickets for a kid to collect today I think you lose a generation to ticket collecting because there was no modern equivalent hook to set regarding tickets. Now that's not saying the younger generation can't find their way to ticket collecting but it's not a straight line anymore.

I'm not a photo guy either but is there a modern equivalent to a type 1 photo in the modern digital age? The same dynamic might play out there too.

[Kzoo]

Originally Posted by Casey2296

Can you even get a printed ticket from a modern game today? Seems like everything is done electronically now. If younger collectors can't get an Ohtani 50th home run ticket for example, does that generation lose interest in them as collectibles?

The Indianapolis 500 still has printed tickets each year and they've been attractive with great colors and graphics for over 100 years now.

[sb1]

Originally Posted by Kzoo

The Indianapolis 500 still has printed tickets each year and they've been attractive with great colors and graphics for over 100 years now.

I have near complete ticket/stubs runs of Indy 500 and Kentucky Derby from the 1920's on and of now, unfortunately, there is little demand it seems, I keep waiting for them to pick up, it seems they have to be graded to bring anything and ticket grading is not cheap.

[bcbgcbrcb]

From an investment standpoint, Marshall Fogel knows 100X more than I'll ever know about the hobby and I've heard him repeatedly state game used memorabilia has the biggest upside in the hobby so I voted for that. Wouldn't be where I would allocate my funds due mainly to lack of knowledge and challenges with the authentication process.

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

From an investment standpoint, Marshall Fogel knows 100X more than I'll ever know about the hobby and I've heard him repeatedly state game used memorabilia has the biggest upside in the hobby so I voted for that. Wouldn't be where I would allocate my funds due mainly to lack of knowledge and challenges with the authentication process.

That was my vote (and it wasn't even close). There is no form of memorabilia that brings you closer to the actual game than game-used Bats, Jerseys, Caps, Jackets and Equipment. It is the most fun and rewarding segment to collect, IMHO. I know other people who are feeling this, and (for the record) I collect every category listed in the survey.

To me it seems like cards are already at a high-point, and are perhaps due for a plateau or even a decline. Most "golden era" cards are just so plentiful when compared to other forms of memorabilia. But truly rare cards of HOFers should continue their upward trajectory. So instead of lumping all cards together as a single category, you pretty much need to segment them... 19th Century, pre-war, post-war, modern, ultra-modern, etc.

[UKCardGuy]

I was tempted to say memorabilia, but I went for photos. Technically, they're a subcategory of memorabilia.

Photos have the same viceral connection as cards but with greater detail and more rarity. There's something extra special owning a type 1 photo that was used for a card.

I don't get some of the comments about tickets though. It doesn't have a photo but for me a ticket is a direct connection to a historic event. That's the appeal of tickets for me.

[3-2-count]

My vote would be key type 1 photo's and key auto's on vintage cards.

[parkplace33]

Cards, specifically TCG and vintage non sports cards.

Non sports cards of Americana are very hot right now.

[darwinbulldog]

I assume if anyone else figured that out already the prices are now baked in, and cards are therefore no more or less likely to be a good investment than tickets or photos or anything else.

[nat]

I see three problems with equipment:

(1) a lot of it is large and hard to store. Even if I was in the market for a game used bat, I'd be in the market for, what, five of them? I've probably got room for one bat rack and then I'm out of wall space, or looking to move bookshelves or something. Jerseys take up closet space, and that's already at a premium. If you've got a big house with a dedicated man-cave you can make it work, but if you're pulling everyone without a dedicated man-cave out of the market, it's going to pull prices down.

(2) it's hard to commodify. One thing that grading does is it turns every XYZ card in such-and-such a PSA grade into one that is (all of us "buy the card not the holder" folks aside) identical to every other copy in that grade. This does a bunch of things. First, it helps with liquidity, which brings people into the market. (Consider that one reason to buy shares in a blue chip company instead of a sketchy penny stock is that you know you'll be able to sell them if you want.) Second, it allows people to very clearly see what would be an upgrade for them. If you've got a PSA X and a PSA X+1 is available, you might be interested in it. But if you've got an item that is different from a second in some incommensurable way, you may not be interested in the other. It won't come across as an upgrade. Third, commodification allows for competition (most notably in the registry). Which drives up prices. Maybe you can commodify modern game-used equipment, where there's enough, like, Miguel Cabrera bats (just picking a name, I don't know about him in particular) that you can regard each of his bats as interchangeable with every other one (aside from grade). But you can't do it with rarer stuff.

(3) At least for the older equipment, it's rare. Econ 101 will tell you that this will drive up price, but only to the extent that rarity doesn't drive down demand. I think one problem is that older stuff is rare enough to suppress demand. Maybe you're a fan of the Tigers and would like a game-used glove of every Tiger hall of famer. Good luck. That, I assume, you'll never find a lot of them might discourage you from ever getting started. A card or a photo, however, is doable, and so you're more likely to set out on that project, just because it can be done.

[Exhibitman]

I think Mr. Keeler's wisdom is applicable: hit 'em where they ain't. Figure out what hasn't gone up, get in, wait, sell, repeat. Of course, the low-hanging fruit is already gone, so it isn't an easy lift.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by nat

I see three problems with equipment:

Football helmets or catcher shinguards maybe, but I disagree regarding GU baseball flannel jerseys (and pants/hats/stirrup socks.)

Originally Posted by nat

(1) a lot of it is large and hard to store.

A tote with 20-25 flannel jerseys weighs maybe one tenth of a similar size tote filled with slabbed cards. A box with 4 or 5 flannels, individually bagged, takes up about the same space as a card binder, or 50 slabbed cards, and the jerseys weigh far less. This matters when enjoying a collection, and when buying or selling.

Originally Posted by nat

(2) it's hard to commodify. One thing that grading does is it turns every XYZ card in such-and-such a PSA grade into one that is (all of us "buy the card not the holder" folks aside) identical to every other copy in that grade... But you can't do it with rarer stuff.

Jerseys are professionally graded all the time, by SGC (Grob) and MEARS (formerly Grob, also Troy.) Reputable AHs describe jerseys accurately, noting restorations, repairs, team number changes, or all original condition. There are at least 2 great websites that have exemplars for most year/team/home-road combinations. Many jerseys have identifying tagging, denoting player, year, set, original uniform number, size, and of course manufacturer. Not to mention, past results archives from the dozen or more major AH that sometimes offer GU flannel. So, if a 1966 Mets road flannel becomes available, and a similar shirt from, say, 1968 sold recently, it can be used as a viable comp.

Originally Posted by nat

(3) At least for the older equipment, it's rare. Econ 101 will tell you that this will drive up price, but only to the extent that rarity doesn't drive down demand.

Flannels are somewhat scarce, but, except for the pre-1940 stuff, not rare. If the price on a quality shirt, like the 1948 Indians flannel that brought $5700 at Goldin this weekend, is considered strong, that indicates hobby strength. If that number looks like a bargain compared to bits of cardboard and ink that sell for much more, then it's a great opportunity.

If you're in Baltimore and walk into a man-cave, what are you going to be drawn to first? The glass display featuring a 2 1/2" by 3 1/2" mass produced picture of Brooks Robinson, printed by Topps in 1967, that has pointy corners, or a 1966 flannel worn by Dave McNally?

[puckpaul]

Originally Posted by Mark17

Football helmets or catcher shinguards maybe, but I disagree regarding GU baseball flannel jerseys (and pants/hats/stirrup socks.)



A tote with 20-25 flannel jerseys weighs maybe one tenth of a similar size tote filled with slabbed cards. A box with 4 or 5 flannels, individually bagged, takes up about the same space as a card binder, or 50 slabbed cards, and the jerseys weigh far less. This matters when enjoying a collection, and when buying or selling.



Jerseys are professionally graded all the time, by SGC (Grob) and MEARS (formerly Grob, also Troy.) Reputable AHs describe jerseys accurately, noting restorations, repairs, team number changes, or all original condition. There are at least 2 great websites that have exemplars for most year/team/home-road combinations. Many jerseys have identifying tagging, denoting player, year, set, original uniform number, size, and of course manufacturer. Not to mention, past results archives from the dozen or more major AH that sometimes offer GU flannel. So, if a 1966 Mets road flannel becomes available, and a similar shirt from, say, 1968 sold recently, it can be used as a viable comp.



Flannels are somewhat scarce, but, except for the pre-1940 stuff, not rare. If the price on a quality shirt, like the 1948 Indians flannel that brought $5700 at Goldin this weekend, is considered strong, that indicates hobby strength. If that number looks like a bargain compared to bits of cardboard and ink that sell for much more, then it's a great opportunity.

If you're in Baltimore and walk into a man-cave, what are you going to be drawn to first? The glass display featuring a 2 1/2" by 3 1/2" mass produced picture of Brooks Robinson, printed by Topps in 1967, that has pointy corners, or a 1966 flannel worn by Dave McNally?

Older flannels/wool jerseys are massively under appreciated except by those who have held them and collected them. Truly were a part of the game and the historical presence of the player(s). I think they are awesome.

I only have one baseball one (from Dummy Hoy bought thru Sotheby’s years ago) , but many hockey jerseys (where admittedly game worn jerseys are a world unto themselves and are massively popular). Below is the only known surviving jersey of the Brooklyn Americans (successor to the NY Americans, and original NHL team that folded after Brooklyn) from 1941-42 worn by Tommy Anderson who won the Hart Trophy that year in this jersey.

These are very rare, but my favorite thing that i have collected.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by puckpaul

Older flannels/wool jerseys are massively under appreciated except by those who have held them and collected them. Truly were a part of the game and the historical presence of the player(s). I think they are awesome.

That's why GU is the answer to the original question. Prices on quality cards (and modern, where quality is debatable) have already gone to the moon. Flannels are still pretty much at entry level prices. It's a better bet that they will begin to catch on, instead of card values going past the moon and on to the sun.

I only have one hockey jersey. The player went to grade school, junior and high school with me, just one year older, so he's a local hero. And the 1980 USA Olympic hockey gold medal run might be the sports story of last century. It's a practice jersey issued early on... the Olympic gamers go for something in the neighborhood of $100,000.00

[Snapolit1]

(4) a lot of it isn't particularly attractive. Jerseys the exception. Pants, socks, catchers masks, etc. . . . . just not that aestetically interesting.

Originally Posted by nat

I see three problems with equipment:

(1) a lot of it is large and hard to store. Even if I was in the market for a game used bat, I'd be in the market for, what, five of them? I've probably got room for one bat rack and then I'm out of wall space, or looking to move bookshelves or something. Jerseys take up closet space, and that's already at a premium. If you've got a big house with a dedicated man-cave you can make it work, but if you're pulling everyone without a dedicated man-cave out of the market, it's going to pull prices down.

(2) it's hard to commodify. One thing that grading does is it turns every XYZ card in such-and-such a PSA grade into one that is (all of us "buy the card not the holder" folks aside) identical to every other copy in that grade. This does a bunch of things. First, it helps with liquidity, which brings people into the market. (Consider that one reason to buy shares in a blue chip company instead of a sketchy penny stock is that you know you'll be able to sell them if you want.) Second, it allows people to very clearly see what would be an upgrade for them. If you've got a PSA X and a PSA X+1 is available, you might be interested in it. But if you've got an item that is different from a second in some incommensurable way, you may not be interested in the other. It won't come across as an upgrade. Third, commodification allows for competition (most notably in the registry). Which drives up prices. Maybe you can commodify modern game-used equipment, where there's enough, like, Miguel Cabrera bats (just picking a name, I don't know about him in particular) that you can regard each of his bats as interchangeable with every other one (aside from grade). But you can't do it with rarer stuff.

(3) At least for the older equipment, it's rare. Econ 101 will tell you that this will drive up price, but only to the extent that rarity doesn't drive down demand. I think one problem is that older stuff is rare enough to suppress demand. Maybe you're a fan of the Tigers and would like a game-used glove of every Tiger hall of famer. Good luck. That, I assume, you'll never find a lot of them might discourage you from ever getting started. A card or a photo, however, is doable, and so you're more likely to set out on that project, just because it can be done.

[Snapolit1]

(4) a lot of it isn't particularly attractive. Jerseys the exception. Pants, socks, catchers masks, etc. . . . . just not that aestetically interesting.

Originally Posted by nat

I see three problems with equipment:

(1) a lot of it is large and hard to store. Even if I was in the market for a game used bat, I'd be in the market for, what, five of them? I've probably got room for one bat rack and then I'm out of wall space, or looking to move bookshelves or something. Jerseys take up closet space, and that's already at a premium. If you've got a big house with a dedicated man-cave you can make it work, but if you're pulling everyone without a dedicated man-cave out of the market, it's going to pull prices down.

(2) it's hard to commodify. One thing that grading does is it turns every XYZ card in such-and-such a PSA grade into one that is (all of us "buy the card not the holder" folks aside) identical to every other copy in that grade. This does a bunch of things. First, it helps with liquidity, which brings people into the market. (Consider that one reason to buy shares in a blue chip company instead of a sketchy penny stock is that you know you'll be able to sell them if you want.) Second, it allows people to very clearly see what would be an upgrade for them. If you've got a PSA X and a PSA X+1 is available, you might be interested in it. But if you've got an item that is different from a second in some incommensurable way, you may not be interested in the other. It won't come across as an upgrade. Third, commodification allows for competition (most notably in the registry). Which drives up prices. Maybe you can commodify modern game-used equipment, where there's enough, like, Miguel Cabrera bats (just picking a name, I don't know about him in particular) that you can regard each of his bats as interchangeable with every other one (aside from grade). But you can't do it with rarer stuff.

(3) At least for the older equipment, it's rare. Econ 101 will tell you that this will drive up price, but only to the extent that rarity doesn't drive down demand. I think one problem is that older stuff is rare enough to suppress demand. Maybe you're a fan of the Tigers and would like a game-used glove of every Tiger hall of famer. Good luck. That, I assume, you'll never find a lot of them might discourage you from ever getting started. A card or a photo, however, is doable, and so you're more likely to set out on that project, just because it can be done.

[clamendo]

edited

[perezfan]

Championship season tickets. Where are all these coming from?

I have been collecting programs, recently. Lot more information than on a ticket. But tougher to store. Also, would probably be tougher to counterfeit. Two very solid companies are now grading programs/magazines, CGC and PSA with reasonable turnaround times.


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Really sad, if it takes third party grading to "legitimize" these great segments of the hobby. Yes, let's immobilize the program, magazine or yearbook (so no one can ever flip the pages or look inside again). Sad.

Would love to see a poll like this on a neutral site. Cards would probably still win out, but not by the overwhelming margin you see in this Card-centric forum.

[bbcard1]

I am thinking Japanese cards have room, but a lot less than five years ago =.

[Mark17]

Originally Posted by bbcard1

I am thinking Japanese cards have room, but a lot less than five years ago =.

Baseball has been popular in Japan for almost a hundred years. But, other than players who also played in the USA, how many people can name at least 5 Japanese players, besides Oh?

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Mark17

Baseball has been popular in Japan for almost a hundred years. But, other than players who also played in the USA, how many people can name at least 5 Japanese players, besides Oh?

Just from my collection:

Kazuhisa Inao: 276-137 record and a 1.98 ERA, 42 wins in a season, 20 consecutive wins, and 1.06 ERA in his rookie year



Isao Harimoto: best player you've never heard of: .319 BA, 3,085 hits (#1 all time NPB), 504 home runs, and 319 stolen bases



Katsuya Nomura: 657 home runs, 2,901 hits, and 1,988 RBIs, 5x MVP and a triple crown



Masaichi Kaneda and Tetsuya Yoneda: Kaneda had 400 wins and 4,490 Ks. Yoneda 350 wins 3,388 Ks.



Victor Starffin: 303 wins, 176 losses, a 2.09 career ERA, and 83 career shutouts, the most in league history. He is the first Japanese leaguer to reach 300 wins and holds the record for wins in a single season with 42 victories in 1939.



Hint: he's the white guy. Russian raised in Japan.

And I know it isn't part of the challenge but I do like this Oh card:



1978 Yamakatsu