Rank These Cards? Thanks.

[MattyC]

So I've drafted the following list of some of my favorite cards, based sheerly on aesthetic appeal-- which of course is highly subjective.

Because my collection has always been primarily Post-War (exceptions being US Caramel Ruth, 1933 Goudey Gehrig, and 1941 DiMaggio), I am not as well versed in the importance or market standing of these cards, or their prospects for holding value over the long haul.

I'm hoping that while aesthetic appeal is quite subjective, what will be less so are (A) the cards' relative importance in the hobby, (B) their desirability to collectors in general, and (C) their value prospects (i.e., if God-forbid you had to sell due to unforeseen events, which would be safest).

Some have said to me that as younger collectors enter the hobby and older ones move on, interest in older players (to whom younger collectors have no emotional connection) will wane. I don't know how much I agree with that, since I never saw Gehrig play and he is still a legendary, heroic figure to me. I would assume that Ruth at least is a "name" immune to such declining interest.

Given the immense wealth of knowledge here, I was wondering if anyone would help me by ranking the cards in terms of those criteria above, so I could better decide in what order to pursue them. Thanks so much.

M101 Ruth
D304 (Brunners) Cobb
T206 Cobb Bat Off
1914 CJ Cobb
1914 CJ Joe Jackson
1933 Goudey Ruth #53
1934 Goudey Gehrig #37
1932 US Caramel Gehrig

As a PS I would ask if it is better/safer to go for multiple cards from this list in lower grade, or just one in the highest grade affordable?

Thanks.

Best,

Matt

[E93]

Aside from maybe the US Caramel Gehrig, you have chosen some classic cards. The Ruth rookie has sky-rocked in price in recent years. Will it hold? Anybody's guess. I am not as worried as some who think the value of the older cards will not hold with a younger generation. None of us have direct emotion connections to anybody on this list. My collecting began in the mid-70's with Brett and Lynn rookies, Rose, Carew, etc. Other than having raw Topps sets from the '70's that is not where my collecting interest is at all.
JimB

1. M101 Ruth
2. 1914 CJ Joe Jackson
3. T206 Cobb Bat Off
3. 1914 CJ Cobb
3. 1933 Goudey Ruth #53
3. 1934 Goudey Gehrig #37
4. D304 (Brunners) Cobb
5. 1932 US Caramel Gehrig

[glchen]

My list would probably go like:

1. M101-5/4 Ruth
2. 1914 CJ Joe Jackson
3. 1914 CJ Cobb
4. D304 (Brunners) Cobb
5. 1933 Goudey Ruth #53
6. 1934 Goudey Gehrig #37
7. 1932 US Caramel Gehrig
8. T206 Cobb Bat Off

I have the same caveat that the Ruth rookie has run up the last year, so value-wise, there might not be much more room for improvement. The T206 Cobb Bat Off isn't one of my favorites. I prefer the Green or Red Cobb personally. The US Caramel Gehrig isn't a classic, but I think quantity wise, it's scarcer than the T206 Cobbs. I don't think you could go wrong w/ the top 4. However, 5-8, there's typically a lot more quantity or less demand (e.g., Caramel Gehrig).

[bn2cardz]

M101 Ruth
1914 CJ Joe Jackson
1914 CJ Cobb
1933 Goudey Ruth #53
T206 Cobb Bat Off
D304 (Brunners) Cobb
1932 US Caramel Gehrig
1934 Goudey Gehrig #37

[MattyC]

Thanks much for these replies and please keep'em coming: it is very helpful, especially when seeing the consistency about the top of the list. My concern wouldn't even be value appreciation as much as just maintaining value, esp re: the M101 Ruth.

Best,

Matt