Cards that Matter; My PC Project

[MFaulkCollector]

With all of the new stuff coming out and the Panini exclusive... I started to think..... what is the hobby at this point and what will it be moving forward. The answer was not promising. Nearly every item depreciates in value over time, some items dive bomb in weeks after release. Good players don't hold value, HOF auto's don't hold value because they sign a million things (minus the super high end immaculate/NT/Flawless) stuff..... The majority of Rookie products are not well collected, and so many brands exist that they just blend in as one big pile of poo..... so what is even out there for people who like to collect; but also want to retain/gain value if they do ever need to sell? More or less, it was the idea of; How to be a smart collector?

*** I don't really care for vintage, so although I know that is a good field.... just not for me

*** High End 90's inserts is my other PC, they can be found in another thread. I think each and every one of them matters, haha

Then I decided on this particular project. I decided to start collecting "Cards that Matter" in the hobby. These are cards that have shown a history of increasing in value over time whether the player is hot or not. They are constantly on people's want list. They are all Rookie Cards. I decided on the guys I wanted focus on, I picked one or multiple items that would be the hot ticket for them moving forward. I generally don't consider anything numbered under 20-25 to be a "hot ticket" item. To a point the stuff needs to be available. I figure at a print run of 20-25 or so you should be able to a least locate the item within a few years of searching. Some of the guys don't have a clear cut "it" card, so I just made an executive decision. As far as the player choices..... sure fire HOF's and guys who are on that path are what this list is limited to.

This will be an ongoing thread as I am able to complete the "Cards that Matter" for particular guys (in my opinion) I will go ahead and post them here

2002 Ed Reed

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Ed%20Reed/115.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Ed%20Reed/115.jpg.html)

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Ed%20Reed/044_zps51pdhnv6.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Ed%20Reed/044_zps51pdhnv6.jpg.html)

2007 Adrian Peterson (I liked the chrome super better than the gold exquisite, so although numbered to /10 I went with the chrome)

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Adrian%20Peterson/001_zpsee380qeq.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Adrian%20Peterson/001_zpsee380qeq.jpg.html)

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Adrian%20Peterson/072_zpssj3qkfnd.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Adrian%20Peterson/072_zpssj3qkfnd.jpg.html)

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Adrian%20Peterson/008_zpsayrbcx0i.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Adrian%20Peterson/008_zpsayrbcx0i.jpg.html)


2007 Joe Thomas

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Joe%20Thomas%20PC/201_zpsngpeba8g.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Joe%20Thomas%20PC/201_zpsngpeba8g.jpg.html)

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Joe%20Thomas%20PC/001_zps6fruohtl.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Joe%20Thomas%20PC/001_zps6fruohtl.jpg.html)

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Joe%20Thomas%20PC/041_zpsfycjw0bj.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Joe%20Thomas%20PC/041_zpsfycjw0bj.jpg.html)

1998 Charles Woodson

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/1990s%20Inserts/083_zpshgsna2gh.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/1990s%20Inserts/083_zpshgsna2gh.jpg.html)

1998 Randy Moss

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Randy%20Moss%20PC/071_zpsrniodthf.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Randy%20Moss%20PC/071_zpsrniodthf.jpg.html)

2005 Demarcus Ware

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Demarcus%20Ware/011_zpsqk2bccet.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Demarcus%20Ware/011_zpsqk2bccet.jpg.html)

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Demarcus%20Ware/052_zpsrvltctet.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Demarcus%20Ware/052_zpsrvltctet.jpg.html)

1997 Orlando Pace
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Orlando%20Pace/005_zps3nv9erqn.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Orlando%20Pace/005_zps3nv9erqn.jpg.html)

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Orlando%20Pace/027_zps8f2bd501.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Orlando%20Pace/027_zps8f2bd501.jpg.html)

2012 Richard Sherman
http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Richard%20Sherman/039_zps7qtxts1e.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Richard%20Sherman/039_zps7qtxts1e.jpg.html)


2001 LaDainian Tomlinson (I have a contenders as well, just don't think it eclipses either of these)

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/LaDainian%20Tomlinson%20PC/006_zpsafmlcett.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/LaDainian%20Tomlinson%20PC/006_zpsafmlcett.jpg.html)

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/LaDainian%20Tomlinson%20PC/008_zpsxotpga5v.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/LaDainian%20Tomlinson%20PC/008_zpsxotpga5v.jpg.html)

2012 Luke Kuechly (I prefer this to all the chrome because of the photo and eye appeal of this card versus the combine jersey and less than stellar pic on the chrome)

http://i1228.photobucket.com/albums/ee453/manningcollector1/Luke%20Kuechly/001_zpsj0cqq9gp.jpg (http://s1228.photobucket.com/user/manningcollector1/media/Luke%20Kuechly/001_zpsj0cqq9gp.jpg.html)


more player scans to come

[Shanksampson]

Awesome selection, that Moss Contenders though ����

[upsheez]

SUPER nice collection you have there :)!

[T4brilla]

I think you are onto something...this sounds fun probably exspensive but a great thrill chase

[88horsepower]

Good stuff, man. Love those 2002 BC Xfractor Autos.

[jbrandonw]

I agree with you completely man. I'm working on trading all of my football except for my favorites. The value just isn't there in football anymore and it's only getting worse. I'm starting to like basketball more anyways lately though, so that could be another reason.

[packerfan4200]

You've always got nice stuff man, gotta say that. LOVE the woody ex cred!

[Gustomania]

Love that idea some awesome stuff, those APs are amazing!!!!

[BoxingRobes]

This is pretty much what I've been doing for two years now. Just collecting cards that matter.

My 98 and forward focus in on your token Chrome, Contenders, some National Treasures...also depending on the year, SPA and Exquisite are thrown into the mix.

Hall of Famers or future Hall of Famers only. It really limits who and what you are going after...but...you're playing with the big boys so thing won't be cheap, especially if you're getting things slabbed.

I'm also into vintage as well. I've got 97% of 1970 to 1997 wrapped up in high PSA grade.

Still working through the 50s and 60s, but obviously, you need to pick your battles there. I'd say I've got around 40% of the Hall of Famers from the 60s era and growing. I'm really just getting started with the 50s and have around HOF RC from the era...but this will take a long while to finish.

I'm getting to a point where I've got to cost-benefit-analyze slabbed v. nice looking raw and roll the dice with a grade, just as finding high enough grade PSA that doesn't burn a paycheck is not only rare but patience runs thin sometimes and I kind of just want to have the card and I'll worry about an upgrade later. Sometimes need to throw the phone across the room as to not make a silly purchase.

[Tones]

awesome additions this far, my pickups have been pretty similar of late, hall of fame or future hall of fame, older topps or upper deck products. and only panini if it is on card auto and no material

[Edreedballhawk]

Awesome thread you've started. Love the Reeds of course, and that Ware is sweet too.

[49erRCCollector]

Mine is similar but it is cards that matter to me. After a while I started wondering what the point was and came to three conclusions.

1. I only care about 49ers-related cards. I don't care about collecting players not on the 49ers as an "investment". The best was to invest money is to literally INVEST.

2. I wanted a PC that had an endgame, but also could continue to grow.

3. I'm over parallels. Too many, not special anymore, etc.

So now I collect first/RC base cards for anyone who is on the team via draft, free agency. It dates back to the 1981 roster and is about 900 cards. Every year I add about 10-20 ore cards because of the draft, free agency, etc.

I have to feel personally connected to my collection, otherwise I might as well save my money. If I wanted to invest it would be those payers above (and similar ones) in PSA 9 or better ONLY.

[MFaulkCollector]

Just wanted to show a few updates

[phreak9]

Very legit post MFaulk.

[Sooner]

I think along similar lines. However I don't concern myself with what cards will go/down in value because I'm not building my collection with the intention of selling it. If I was buying things to sell later on, they certainly wouldn't be cards.

My line of thinking is this: If I were to build a trading card "museum" in 20 year's time, which cards would be in it? Those are the cards I buy. Simples.

[Gustomania]

Thats a great PC - love that AP.

[Umpy9]

Great cards as always. It's the same now as it always has been if we're being honest. The mediocre and scrub players are forgotten over time because their flash in the pan is over. The hall of fame players increase in value over time. It will be the same in 20 years, and your collection will most likely increase in value. Second safest bet here to HOF set registry. Arguably more fun too! If you're looking to invest though (as it sounds) I would consider moving to basketball. World wide interest compared to national interest. Or even soccer which may be rising in interest too, but the card hobby has essentially just started and who knows if it will take off for the sport.

[Skootown]

Sweet Jesus. Well done man!

Gonna be trying to do something similar and pare down my collection significantly to just a few pieces, though admittedly mostly a lot lower-end than what you have there.

Keep it up, definitely got some epic cards there!

[Hoop]

Awesome stuff man

[ays]

Some nice cards OP. I've always been a fan of the Crystal Atomic cards so I was glad when Panini started producing the Cracked Ice.

[Bassplayah101]

Good stuff, man. Love those 2002 BC Xfractor Autos.

Yup!!

[MFaulkCollector]

Great cards as always. It's the same now as it always has been if we're being honest. The mediocre and scrub players are forgotten over time because their flash in the pan is over. The hall of fame players increase in value over time. It will be the same in 20 years, and your collection will most likely increase in value. Second safest bet here to HOF set registry. Arguably more fun too! If you're looking to invest though (as it sounds) I would consider moving to basketball. World wide interest compared to national interest. Or even soccer which may be rising in interest too, but the card hobby has essentially just started and who knows if it will take off for the sport.

I'm not looking at this as an investment per se..... I am just trying to pick an area of the hobby that I really enjoy and if something urgent happens and I need to re-coup some money I will be able to. I like football more than any of the other major sports so moving to basketball or baseball just wouldn't be that much fun for me. With this I am trying my best to enjoy the high points of the hobby and have something that will be tangible for me if need be. I am not trying to double or triple up on my investment because the majority of these items will never see the light of day so long as I am around.

If I were going the investment route; I would move to PSA Pokemon or GCG Vintage comics. I feel like the global craze for those things would outlast any sport

[MFaulkCollector]

I think along similar lines. However I don't concern myself with what cards will go/down in value because I'm not building my collection with the intention of selling it. If I was buying things to sell later on, they certainly wouldn't be cards.

My line of thinking is this: If I were to build a trading card "museum" in 20 year's time, which cards would be in it? Those are the cards I buy. Simples.

I agree there is a time and place for not worrying about values...... but when you are spending at minimum triple digits on an item; and four digits many times...... you would like there to be a relative interest in the item as time passes.

At 5 bucks here and there, I could care less about the stuff being worthless...... but at 1500 I don't think any collector would hold their head high if the item was worth only 20 bucks down the road... no matter how much they "enjoyed" it.

As I posted in another reply, the value for me would only be in an emergency situation.... the likelihood of these items ever seeing the light of day again is slim to none and slim has probably left the building. However, it's nice to know you have some tangible value in items you have spend long periods of time searching for and lots of pride in

[Umpy9]

I'm not looking at this as an investment per se..... I am just trying to pick an area of the hobby that I really enjoy and if something urgent happens and I need to re-coup some money I will be able to. I like football more than any of the other major sports so moving to basketball or baseball just wouldn't be that much fun for me. With this I am trying my best to enjoy the high points of the hobby and have something that will be tangible for me if need be. I am not trying to double or triple up on my investment because the majority of these items will never see the light of day so long as I am around.

If I were going the investment route; I would move to PSA Pokemon or GCG Vintage comics. I feel like the global craze for those things would outlast any sport

Or stocks and bonds lol

[MFaulkCollector]

Or stocks and bonds lol

I was talking about collecting...... I have a bunch of that stuff in 401k..... this is supposed to be fun

[Umpy9]

I was talking about collecting...... I have a bunch of that stuff in 401k..... this is supposed to be fun

Yup I know, didn't mean it to be taken seriously.

[248rayment4343]

nice cards!! I agree with with you said for the most part. I have started to do the same thing over the past 2 years besides my lions pc.

not to mention im heartbroken over topps leaving football. not a big Panini guy. one of the products I use to love from Panini was limited and they don't make it anymore other then that contenders I will still buy and that's it.

[wonderbread2309]

I've bought into the same philosophy. I'm selling a lot of my collection to focus on items that are going to hold up over time. First to go are mostly crap Panini products.

[MFaulkCollector]

Yup I know, didn't mean it to be taken seriously.

haha, yea...... I just didn't want to get a bunch of posts from others with serious comments about Roth IRA's and the such.... thinking I am trying to make money with cards instead of using tried and true measures