Sentimentality & cards - particular copies?

[jchcollins]

Trying to get some perspective on a dilemma I'm currently having; would appreciate some thoughts:

Earlier this year, after many long years of putting it off - I was finally able to upgrade my favorite card of all time, which is the '56 Topps Mantle #135. My original and new one are both gray backs. The "original" is an SGC A that I've had since I was about 13 years old, so for right at about 30 years now. As a kid I traded for it in a shop, and left the dealer with about everything I had. No regrets and I have loved the card ever since. The card is an A because it has some corner paper loss in the form of an erasure that doesn't look right to graders. No problems with that. But otherwise it presents like a nice 3+ or so, no creases, nice centering and decent color.

The card I upgraded to finally was an SGC 4 in an older label. Similar on the whole, except the color and clarity on this card is much sharper, and the centering is dead nuts perfect. I mean I rarely say that about a card, but on this one it's true.

Drumroll please - of course the question is, do I sell my original SGC A '56? I've never been one to hoard copies of the same card or take pride in dupes. At first I thought I never would sell it just in this one case, but now in the last few days I've been thinking about it to make room for other things, and of course now I can't make up my mind. The new card of course is great, and is a no-brainer in terms of better appearance.

Has anyone been faced with a dilemma like this? Does the actual COPY of the card matter? The first card was just the cornerstone of my collection for so long, it's hard for me for whatever reason to let it go. I am worried I may have some huge regret once it's gone, LOL. But I've also had other "key" cards from my childhood that are gone now, many replaced in the same fashion with what are now better conditioned copies. Thoughts? Ugh.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Trying to get some perspective on a dilemma I'm currently having; would appreciate some thoughts:

Earlier this year, after many long years of putting it off - I was finally able to upgrade my favorite card of all time, which is the '56 Topps Mantle #135. My original and new one are both gray backs. The "original" is an SGC A that I've had since I was about 13 years old, so for right at about 30 years now. As a kid I traded for it in a shop, and left the dealer with about everything I had. No regrets and I have loved the card ever since. The card is an A because it has some corner paper loss in the form of an erasure that doesn't look right to graders. No problems with that. But otherwise it presents like a nice 3+ or so, no creases, nice centering and decent color.

The card I upgraded to finally was an SGC 4 in an older label. Similar on the whole, except the color and clarity on this card is much sharper, and the centering is dead nuts perfect. I mean I rarely say that about a card, but on this one it's true.

Drumroll please - of course the question is, do I sell my original SGC A '56? I've never been one to hoard copies of the same card or take pride in dupes. At first I thought I never would sell it just in this one case, but now in the last few days I've been thinking about it to make room for other things, and of course now I can't make up my mind. The new card of course is great, and is a no-brainer in terms of better appearance.

Has anyone been faced with a dilemma like this? Does the actual COPY of the card matter? The first card was just the cornerstone of my collection for so long, it's hard for me for whatever reason to let it go. I am worried I may have some huge regret once it's gone, LOL. But I've also had other "key" cards from my childhood that are gone now, many replaced in the same fashion with what are now better conditioned copies. Thoughts? Ugh.

I am a hoarder but that is what I like on certain super rare cards.

If you have already though about selling it, sell it and add something new to your collection. Collect what/how you like and dont give a rats butt what anyone else thinks.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I am a hoarder but that is what I like on certain super rare cards.

If you have already though about selling it, sell it and add something new to your collection. Collect what/how you like and dont give a rats butt what anyone else thinks.

It's like I think I would remember the story of how I got it, and I would miss the card. But OH, here is THE SAME card in better shape. Is that enough? Is sentimentality a dealbreaker? For years also as an adult, I had regretted selling a '48 Leaf Ted Williams that I owned probably while I was still in my 20's. Last year I finally got another copy. Bud do I miss my specific copy of the old one? Not at all, no - of course not. I don't even remember many of the details about the condition it was in, except that my new one is technically not as nice. But strangely that does not bother me this time around.

[Exhibitman]

I have some cards I won't sell even if they are replaced with better ones, the cards I had when I was a kid. If you don't need the money, why not hold onto your old friend and enjoy the new one too? It isn't like you have to divorce it to get remarried...unlike (most) women, you can have more than one at a time and not feel like a douchebag.

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I have some cards I won't sell even if they are replaced with better ones, the cards I had when I was a kid. If you don't need the money, why not hold onto your old friend and enjoy the new one too? It isn't like you have to divorce it to get remarried...unlike (most) women, you can have more than one at a time and not feel like a douchebag.

LOL good analogy. Most of my cards from when I was a kid though were things like beat up '86 Topps with thumbtack holes from where they were on my wall in my childhood room. Those aren't ever going anywhere, but they also aren't worth much in that shape or even in mint condition. This Mantle is like the first card where the value of it is a consideration, I guess is why I'm asking.

No, I don't "need" the money right now. Part of it also if we are being honest is a bit of guilt from COVID-times overspending...

[cardsagain74]

There is no way I'd sell your original.

Even when we don't need our dupes, there can be exceptions to getting rid of something. Based on your story, this is definitely one of them.

It's an important part of your childhood, and I'd guess you'd regret getting rid of it. Especially since it's not a situation where the money matters.

[DeanH3]

I'd hang on to it. As a kid, I found a box full 70's cards in the garage that must have belonged to my older brother. Inside was a '75 topps mini Yount, That card had me hooked and I haven't looked back. It will be the absolute last card I ever sell. Sounds like you have a connection with the Mantle as well. Keep it for now and see how you feel about it later. You can always sell it. But, you may never find it again if you sell it now. Good luck!

[egri]

In a similar vein, when I started my signed 1953 Topps project, there were still about 40 players living who responded to my autograph requests. A lot of the signatures I obtained then were either in sharpie or had something else that detracted from their appearance. Since then, I've picked up, or had the chance to pick up, much nicer looking examples, including some vintage signatures, but I just haven't been able to upgrade from the original ones. The ones I picked up TTM have stayed in the set, while the purchased ones have gone into my duplicate pile. I think part of it is the direct connection to the players (most of who are now deceased), and that if I do get rid of the first ones, there won't be a way to get them back. So for now, I'm holding on to them, and if I get tired of lugging them around at some point, then I'll reassess.

[jchcollins]

Here are the two cards. I think my A looks pretty nice all things considered. It’s not trimmed or anything.




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