shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,701
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Post by shaxper on Jun 27, 2015 23:33:44 GMT -5
There's little dispute on the point that comics from the 1990s collectors' bubble are starting to make a come-back, and a lot of former dollar bin fodder is suddenly in demand again. It's not hard to figure out why: the kids growing up then are adults in stable jobs with extra income in their pockets. They can afford to get nostalgic.
But tonight, I was looking through my old baseball cards and decided to see what they were worth. Sure enough, the values of baseball cards from the late '80s and early '90s Sports Cards bubble seem to have actually dropped further from where they were ten years ago.
So my question: what's the difference? Why are adults who were kids during both collectors' bubbles nostalgic and paying higher prices for the over-printed comics they grew up with, but not the sports cards?
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Post by Icctrombone on Jun 28, 2015 0:07:51 GMT -5
Baseball has dropped in popularity as compare to the other sports. Also, in the 90's there was a glut of Baseball card companies , which I believe killed the market.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2015 0:15:00 GMT -5
Only keys from the 90's are rising in value. A couple former dollar bin comics have become keys through movie hype speculation, but for the most part it's New Mutants 98 and Amazing Spiderman 300 multiplying in value while the surrounding issues are still worth cover price at best. Possible that what used to be a dollar comic is now a two dollar comic out of the same sort of price inflation that causes a gallon of milk or carton of eggs to increase in cost over the course of a couple decades, but I don't see an increased demand in them.
As far as sports cards, there's always potential for a comeback. Baseball would need the kind of hype Batman and Avengers movies are getting right now, but when Twitter goes NUTS for baseball, those rookie cards will be worth something again.Probably only the rookies and MVP's though, because it seems like with the digital age people are less concerned with collecting things in general. There's always going to be collectors, but when we were kids every kid had baseball cards. I think if baseball once again becomes the national pastime kids would rather spend their money attending games and getting autographed swag and possibly rookie cards than buying out boxes of the entire MLB lineup.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2015 1:05:41 GMT -5
90s and 2000s were the steroid era in baseball and a lot of fans feel betrayed by the players of that era, and do not want any memorabilia of those players. Kind of kills demand for the cards of the era, at least for the baseball cards. Clemens, Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, all the stars whose rookie cards from that era should be collectible, just aren't. Not the sole reason for certain, but another contributing factor.
-M
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shaxper
CCF Site Custodian
Posts: 22,701
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Post by shaxper on Jun 28, 2015 1:38:41 GMT -5
90s and 2000s were the steroid era in baseball and a lot of fans feel betrayed by the players of that era, and do not want any memorabilia of those players. Kind of kills demand for the cards of the era, at least for the baseball cards. Clemens, Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, all the stars whose rookie cards from that era should be collectible, just aren't. Not the sole reason for certain, but another contributing factor. -M Excellent point that I hadn't considered. |
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Post by MDG on Jun 28, 2015 10:01:43 GMT -5
Both booms were artificially inflated, not "natural." Buyers didn't bond with the books or the cards like those who bought them out of a true interest, if not love.
In the other hand, I believe Magic: The Gathering cards are having a resurgence.
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Crimebuster
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Making comics!
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Post by Crimebuster on Jun 28, 2015 10:31:35 GMT -5
One big thing I think is that comics have new fans coming in from the movies and TV shows, but there aren't really any new sports card fans. I mean, some maybe, but there's nothing really pushing it like with comics.
Back in the day, baseball cards and comics were kind of part of the same scene in terms of how and why you purchased them. You know, go down to the drug store, buy a comic for 12 cents and a couple packs of baseball cards. Just as distribution changed for comics, it changed it mostly the same way for cards. So without something pushing people to go seek them out, younger potential fans just aren't going to encounter it. Comics are a huge part of pop culture right now. But sports cards have nothing to generate new interest.
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Post by Trevor on Jun 28, 2015 10:49:40 GMT -5
My entire life as a collector was one of buying for the enjoyment of the book/card only, and never planning to re-sell....
Except for that year or two around 1990 when the market exploded and I joined in with the mass hysteria. I probably have 3 long boxes of comics and 10 bankers boxes full of card sets that are near worthless.
Sorry, to share my depression, move along.....
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Post by The Captain on Jun 28, 2015 12:54:03 GMT -5
Both booms were artificially inflated, not "natural." Buyers didn't bond with the books or the cards like those who bought them out of a true interest, if not love. In the other hand, I believe Magic: The Gathering cards are having a resurgence. M:TG has pretty much stayed popular for the past 20 years. The "Power 9" cards, along with a decent number of key cards that certain decks use, all continue to rise in value due to the company's "no reprint" policy on those cards as well as scarce supply. |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2015 13:58:08 GMT -5
90s and 2000s were the steroid era in baseball and a lot of fans feel betrayed by the players of that era, and do not want any memorabilia of those players. Kind of kills demand for the cards of the era, at least for the baseball cards. Clemens, Bonds, McGwire, Sosa, all the stars whose rookie cards from that era should be collectible, just aren't. Not the sole reason for certain, but another contributing factor. -M Excellent point that I hadn't considered. For Example, Sammy Sosa Rookie Card  It's on ebay right now for $2.45! ... Far Cry at one time you can sell it for $150 to $250 in the mid 1990's. ebay link to the PictureMy oldest brother had one of these back in 1990 and sold it for $200.00 same condition about 2-3 years later; the Steroids Controversy sinks in and the value of his card went down from $200.00 to $21.00 overnight. Then right now most of them are around $2.50 to $3.30 in value. He sold all his baseball cards because everyone of his "stars" were caught using steriods. He lost undisclosed amount of money and felt that Baseball cards aren't good investments anymore. He uses to have 1000 to 1500 Baseball Cards and he down to a mere handful including a Derek Jeter and a Ken Griffey Jr.rookie cards. They have gone up. |
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Post by Icctrombone on Jun 28, 2015 14:01:54 GMT -5
My entire life as a collector was one of buying for the enjoyment of the book/card only, and never planning to re-sell.... Except for that year or two around 1990 when the market exploded and I joined in with the mass hysteria. I probably have 3 long boxes of comics and 10 bankers boxes full of card sets that are near worthless. Sorry, to share my depression, move along..... Ouch! I've been cleaning out my attic from all types of geeky stuff I've accumulated over the years. I must have over 25 sets of baseball cards that are unmovable. I also have Comic Book cards from the 90's that I don't know what to do with. |
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Post by pinkfloydsound17 on Jun 28, 2015 14:42:40 GMT -5
Step 1: Go up to any kid anywhere
Step 2: Say "Hey kid, here is an issue of Spider-Man #1 and here is Cal Ripken Jr. on a card. You can have either one".
Kid grabs Spidey and runs off. Or, man-child from the 90's will grab it and take it home to his kid(s).
Movies are the key. Everyone is jumping back on the hype. The economy is improving and people are taking notice of comics again. It amazes me that issue like X-Force #2 have sold for $10 or more! That is a $2 book and there are millions out there. If anything, I am happy that this era is getting some love. Older stuff is getting overlooked a little bit. Jump on while you can.
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Post by marvelmaniac on Jun 28, 2015 15:55:50 GMT -5
Back in 89/90 I bought complete sets of Topps and Score for my Son and Sister at Christmas.
A few years back(04/05???) my Sister was cleaning her place getting ready for the City Wide Yard Sale in Ocean City N.J. and she came across her Unopened, Complete Set of 1989 Score Baseball Cards with the Unopened Rookie/Traded Set.
We put them out for $25 and after about 2 hours there were absolutely No takers.
I went back to her apartment and checked eBay for the same sets and checked to see who was a Rookie then.
The sets were selling for $10 - $15 on eBay and there were No Notable Rookies.
We ended up selling the complete sets for $5 as the Yard Sale was winding down.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2015 19:48:25 GMT -5
One big thing I think is that comics have new fans coming in from the movies and TV shows, but there aren't really any new sports card fans. I mean, some maybe, but there's nothing really pushing it like with comics. Back in the day, baseball cards and comics were kind of part of the same scene in terms of how and why you purchased them. You know, go down to the drug store, buy a comic for 12 cents and a couple packs of baseball cards. Just as distribution changed for comics, it changed it mostly the same way for cards. So without something pushing people to go seek them out, younger potential fans just aren't going to encounter it. Comics are a huge part of pop culture right now. But sports cards have nothing to generate new interest. Yeah. The MLB would have to promote collecting as a hobby. Having signing events at the stadium. Free card days. Having 7-11 Slurpees with a free card. Get them in happy meals. |
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Post by MDG on Jun 28, 2015 19:50:35 GMT -5
There was also a huge flood of non-sports cards at the same time, Marvel probably being on of the worst culprits--my kids were actually buying them, but there seemed to be a dozen different series coming out. Also MAD, the (TV) Avengers, collectible toys, various 60s TV shows, Universal monsters, etc. I have a box of sets that don't think ar e worth anything.
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