Curating a collection for my daughter

[Maverik]

My daughter turns 13 next month. I will spare a bunch of details as to why I am about to do what I am about to do, but the biggest thing - my kids' names are Catcher, Easton, Maddux (the daughter), and Fielder....they have had moments of acting interested in what dad enjoys, but overall, they could care less for cards.....until now.

My daughter, out of no where, has started love collecting. Getting into finding things she can hold onto for awhile, picking targets on eBay and being patient to get what she wants, and taking care of it. It's been a lot of fun.

For her birthday, I want to curate a small collection for her. I have some ideas, but interested in other opinions.

I want to get 10 pieces of players that are moderately to highly sought after, not highly speculative (i.e. unknown prospects). I want the pieces to be tradeable, recognizable - and liquid or tradeable - if she is so included.

I'd like to get one modern, one fairly modern, one not so modern, and then maybe a vintage each for basketball, baseball, and football.

I'd like to spend $150 to $300 on each card, but willing to go higher or lower, if it makes sense.

PSA 9 or 10s, lower for the big ones and vintage.

My goal is to give to her on her birthday any a similar suitcase that I have and she's always looking in.


Things I am considering:

1.) 90s Jordan - perhaps Metal Universe or Beam Team
2.) Acuna Auto - probably not rookie, but something cool
3.) Lower end Downtown - Maybe Gibbs, Bowers, Kelce, something like that
4.) MAYBE a Kaboom, but they get a bit pricey.
5.) CJ Stroud Rookie - probably PSA 10 Prizm
6.) Lower grade Lebron or Steph Rookie
7.) Shohei or Judge Rookie - Heritage or Chrome


My list lacks some creativity, so, excited to see what you guys think

[asujbl]

There is no way you actually named your kids that

[Maverik]

Originally Posted by asujbl

There is no way you actually named your kids that

lol, my wife is a saint

[MiamiMarlinsFan]

Originally Posted by Maverik

My daughter, out of no where, has started love collecting. Getting into finding things she can hold onto for awhile, picking targets on eBay and being patient to get what she wants, and taking care of it. It's been a lot of fun.

What is it specifically that she has started collecting? I’m assuming Pokémon?

[bbteamw]

I do like Maddux as a kid's name.

[Maverik]

Originally Posted by MiamiMarlinsFan

What is it specifically that she has started collecting? I’m assuming Pokémon?

Fair assumption these days, but no, basically this started when I was working deals on Veriswap. She started sitting down with me to discuss deals and started getting interested in what it appears people want over and over again......naturally, she wanted those too. Then we opened box of Donruss Clearly and hit a Jayden Downtown. She lost her mind and may be a lifer at this point.

I think she's enamored with the investment piece too...the idea that she'd have this collection of a bunch of stuff she likes to show off. She's my sports fan of the fam - although her brothers enjoy sports too, but she is the only one that's taken to cards

[Maverik]

Originally Posted by bbteamw

I do like Maddux as a kid's name.

Frustates me when people assume it's the Cubs Maddux....he's a Brave dammit!

[eastbayak]

Originally Posted by Maverik

My daughter turns 13 next month. I will spare a bunch of details as to why I am about to do what I am about to do, but the biggest thing - my kids' names are Catcher, Easton, Maddux (the daughter), and Fielder....they have had moments of acting interested in what dad enjoys, but overall, they could care less for cards.....until now.

My daughter, out of no where, has started love collecting. Getting into finding things she can hold onto for awhile, picking targets on eBay and being patient to get what she wants, and taking care of it. It's been a lot of fun.

For her birthday, I want to curate a small collection for her. I have some ideas, but interested in other opinions.

I want to get 10 pieces of players that are moderately to highly sought after, not highly speculative (i.e. unknown prospects). I want the pieces to be tradeable, recognizable - and liquid or tradeable - if she is so included.

I'd like to get one modern, one fairly modern, one not so modern, and then maybe a vintage each for basketball, baseball, and football.

I'd like to spend $150 to $300 on each card, but willing to go higher or lower, if it makes sense.

PSA 9 or 10s, lower for the big ones and vintage.

My goal is to give to her on her birthday any a similar suitcase that I have and she's always looking in.


Things I am considering:

1.) 90s Jordan - perhaps Metal Universe or Beam Team
2.) Acuna Auto - probably not rookie, but something cool
3.) Lower end Downtown - Maybe Gibbs, Bowers, Kelce, something like that
4.) MAYBE a Kaboom, but they get a bit pricey.
5.) CJ Stroud Rookie - probably PSA 10 Prizm
6.) Lower grade Lebron or Steph Rookie
7.) Shohei or Judge Rookie - Heritage or Chrome


My list lacks some creativity, so, excited to see what you guys think

Some questions (I have more but I don't want to overwhelm you):
- How are you defining "pieces"?
- How are you defining the following: modern, fairly modern, not so modern, vintage
- How much more (than $300) are you willing to spend? Honestly, it might even be better to decide a total amount to spend and then work from there.
- What's the main goal of this collection? Joy? Value? Liquidity? Etc?

Attacking your list:
1.) 90s Jordan - perhaps Metal Universe or Beam Team MJ might be the GOAT but if she's never seen him play, will she even care about owning a random insert of his?
2.) Acuna Auto - probably not rookie, but something cool Unless she's a hardcore Braves/Acuna fan, I'd pass on this
3.) Lower end Downtown - Maybe Gibbs, Bowers, Kelce, something like that Don't follow football enough to comment on this but I can see 13-year olds enjoying the Downtown design
4.) MAYBE a Kaboom, but they get a bit pricey. I can see a 13-year old enjoying the design but I personally think they're overvalued/overhyped and there's much better options available for the players listed in your post
5.) CJ Stroud Rookie - probably PSA 10 Prizm Don't follow football enough to comment
6.) Lower grade Lebron or Steph Rookie Great additions. LeBron is actually quite undervalued right now, you could even pick up numbered rookies (including true RCs) in that range, maybe slightly more. Can't go wrong with a Curry RC, and I'd recommend choosing a GSW jersey one over Davidson jersey one
7.) Shohei or Judge Rookie - Heritage or Chrome Great additions but only if priced right. Also be careful as they can suddenly drop off (see Trout), price/performance-wise, if having health issues in their later 30s

[Archangel1775]

Originally Posted by Maverik

Things I am considering:

1.) 90s Jordan - perhaps Metal Universe or Beam Team
2.) Acuna Auto - probably not rookie, but something cool
3.) Lower end Downtown - Maybe Gibbs, Bowers, Kelce, something like that
4.) MAYBE a Kaboom, but they get a bit pricey.
5.) CJ Stroud Rookie - probably PSA 10 Prizm
6.) Lower grade Lebron or Steph Rookie
7.) Shohei or Judge Rookie - Heritage or Chrome


My list lacks some creativity, so, excited to see what you guys think

First, I'd focus on sports she's familiar with. Second, I'd probably stick with active players and share with her the reasons you collected the players on the list you made, particularly Jordan. Finally, you're probably stuck breaking modern with her, though it'll be expensive, you can break down the monetary cost for her, with what you two pull even though the moment will be priceless to you. I'd also stick with the well known brands/inserts. Remember, they are going to collect how they want, not how you want. All you can do is be the beacon of information. Best of luck and you're lucky.

I'd recommend adding a card of you think is the GOAT of each sport.

Then just stick with the active players. Gotta have Ohtani, Judge & Trout as the vets for baseball. Then Soto, Witt Jr. and Elly as the young bucks

Football is QB's 100%

Basketball I'd add an MJ obviously, a Bird & Magic, a Kobe, a LeBron, a Steph, a Giannis and a Jokic. It gets expensive so 1 of each should suffice. Then finally Luka, an SGA & a Wemby.

[Maverik]

Originally Posted by eastbayak

Some questions (I have more but I don't want to overwhelm you):
- How are you defining "pieces"?
- How are you defining the following: modern, fairly modern, not so modern, vintage
- How much more (than $300) are you willing to spend? Honestly, it might even be better to decide a total amount to spend and then work from there.
- What's the main goal of this collection? Joy? Value? Liquidity? Etc?

Attacking your list:
1.) 90s Jordan - perhaps Metal Universe or Beam Team MJ might be the GOAT but if she's never seen him play, will she even care about owning a random insert of his?
2.) Acuna Auto - probably not rookie, but something cool Unless she's a hardcore Braves/Acuna fan, I'd pass on this
3.) Lower end Downtown - Maybe Gibbs, Bowers, Kelce, something like that Don't follow football enough to comment on this but I can see 13-year olds enjoying the Downtown design
4.) MAYBE a Kaboom, but they get a bit pricey. I can see a 13-year old enjoying the design but I personally think they're overvalued/overhyped and there's much better options available for the players listed in your post
5.) CJ Stroud Rookie - probably PSA 10 Prizm Don't follow football enough to comment
6.) Lower grade Lebron or Steph Rookie Great additions. LeBron is actually quite undervalued right now, you could even pick up numbered rookies (including true RCs) in that range, maybe slightly more. Can't go wrong with a Curry RC, and I'd recommend choosing a GSW jersey one over Davidson jersey one
7.) Shohei or Judge Rookie - Heritage or Chrome Great additions but only if priced right. Also be careful as they can suddenly drop off (see Trout), price/performance-wise, if having health issues in their later 30s

Great questions and input - thanks!

- How are you defining "pieces"? She's new and I definitely think she'll discover her own flavor, but her primary experience is hanging out with me. She knows I love slabs and something worth of being in a one touch in my "tiny suit case", as she calls it. So, "pieces" would just be a slabbed card worth or her own tiny suitcase.
- How are you defining the following: modern, fairly modern, not so modern, vintage In this contect, modern is 2022-2025, fairly modern 2015-2022, no so modern is 1990s and 2000s, and vintages is 80s and below
- How much more (than $300) are you willing to spend? Honestly, it might even be better to decide a total amount to spend and then work from there. I dont want to go crazy, but I do want to give her a collection she'd be excited to have and would not be deemed an unreasonable investment. So, I think I'd top out at spending $3K, but would like to be around $2K overall - I can spend $1K on a card but it may be too disportionate
- What's the main goal of this collection? Joy? Value? Liquidity? Etc? I think the goal is two-fold, to feed this hobby that we've enjoyed together. I'd like for her to have a couple things she knows I'd actually want - if that makes sense. I'd also like to be able to take her to a show when she has an expressed goal and perhaps use her own collection to acquire what she's looking for. Liquidity isn't important, objectively speaking, but liquidity typically speaks, people want it. I'd like her to have things she knows people want

Thanks for the comments on the cards I'm muddling - super helpful

[Maverik]

Originally Posted by Archangel1775

First, I'd focus on sports she's familiar with. Second, I'd probably stick with active players and share with her the reasons you collected the players on the list you made, particularly Jordan. Finally, you're probably stuck breaking modern with her, though it'll be expensive, you can break down the monetary cost for her, with what you two pull even though the moment will be priceless to you. I'd also stick with the well known brands/inserts. Remember, they are going to collect how they want, not how you want. All you can do is be the beacon of information. Best of luck and you're lucky.

I'd recommend adding a card of you think is the GOAT of each sport.

Then just stick with the active players. Gotta have Ohtani, Judge & Trout as the vets for baseball. Then Soto, Witt Jr. and Elly as the young bucks

Football is QB's 100%

Basketball I'd add an MJ obviously, a Bird & Magic, a Kobe, a LeBron, a Steph, a Giannis and a Jokic. It gets expensive so 1 of each should suffice. Then finally Luka, an SGA & a Wemby.

Love the goat idea. Caitlin Prizm, although I realize not a goat, definitely on the list as well. She loves golf - wish they had more of that.

Just scooped up a couple Luka's - overall, really like the thoughts here. Thanks!

[livfreely]

Stay away from downtowns and kabooms. Way overprinted!

I agree on not getting the Acuna, and that LeBron is undervalued.

Ohtani and Judge are gtg…Ohtani more so


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[johnlocke36]

Fwiw when I give my son a hi end card or a grail
Card to him I’ll buy a few packs or a box and reseal a pack so he gets to rip it himself.

The only downside is a lack of understanding what a scam wax is, but otherwise it’s pretty cool. He pulled a Grayson Rodrigues superfractor RC (huge O’s fan) last time I did it and was pretty pumped

[quackhead]

Just a thought.

[Maverik]

Originally Posted by johnlocke36

Fwiw when I give my son a hi end card or a grail
Card to him I’ll buy a few packs or a box and reseal a pack so he gets to rip it himself.

The only downside is a lack of understanding what a scam wax is, but otherwise it’s pretty cool. He pulled a Grayson Rodrigues superfractor RC (huge O’s fan) last time I did it and was pretty pumped

Did this with my oldest son about 10 years ago. Was fun, didnt get the response I was hoping, but I think she's graduated to me being able to pull a fast one.

Also, I am projecting a bit on her, she hasnt asked for this specifically, so this curation is as much about me trying to build something that I'd enjoy with her - to a degree.