Rare NFL Cards

I have approximately 12,000 football cards.  The oldest is two cards that are my favorite.  They are both baseball cards, something I don't follow.  It's the look and authenticy of these cards that attract me plus it's cool to own something that's over a hundred years old.  They are known as 1911 T-206 Tobaco Cards.  The rarest is the Honus Wagner.  They normally sell from "If you can find them", $600,00.00 to 1.5 million dollars.  This card is known as the Wayne Gretzky "Wagner" card.

If you'd like to see more photos, just let me know and I'll be more than happy to post them here for your viewing.  I'll also explain the cards value as well as financial value, as you can tell, I'm very passionate about my football card collection.

Toshi

Rare? That's one of the oldest BS line In the world of sports card collecting. I should know.

You see, I used to collect baseball cards during the 90s but got out of it soon after. Nowadays they're not worth collecting as they used to. Why? Too many baseball card companies flooding the market. The only cards that are worth anything are the chase cards.

You do have a nice set of cards but by no means they will hold their value for long. Baseball card collecting, be it football, hockey, basketball, is like playing the stock market. Values will climb one minute then crash/depreciate the next depending on the player. Autographs fluctuate the same way depending on the demand for it.

Remember Brian Taylor's rookie card back in the early 90s? He was a hot seller and a must-have. Now his card is worthless  - probably a nickel at best. Even Cal Ripken's Topps Traded Rookie card was highly sought after even to this day but not as expensive as it once was after being inducted into the HOF.

I should know because I played the baseball collecting game far too long. That's why I stopped collecting before I got married in 1994.as I mentioned before, too many card brands coming out and flooding the market. Topps, Fleer, Fleer Ultra, Topps Stadium Club, Donruss, Bowman, Topps this, Topps that, who knows what other gimmick special chase card company is out there now. It got so sickening and confusing to figure out who's got the better looking cards, limited run collection. I don't see baseball card collecting is as popular as it used to be. Baseball card packs are getting ridiculously expensive ($5 or more for a 8 card exclusive special edition pack) for the average collector. Some collectors peek by looking for that elusive chase cards in stores like Walmart or Target. trust me, I know how to do it and and how to tell by sight and feel. I've seen other people do it.

I laugh because I know what they're doing and I let them know I'm aware of their tricks. It embarrasses them without fail.  

Let's not forget about forgery and fakes. There's plenty of them out there and that's a huge problem too. Fake cards with fake signatures do happen quite often.

A strong word of caution when buying wax packs from the 50s - late80s, early 90s. Look on the back of them. If the seal looks tight, most likely the dealer cherry picks the superstars/rookies and replace them with commons. I know for I got burned by one dishonest dealer in my area. I got word from other collectors and they too got burned by him as well.

Back to how they seal their packs tight. Dishonest/greedy dealers carefully unwrap the pack, cherry picks the desired cards and replace them with common cards. They then fold it back and use a simple clothes iron to reseal them. Clever? Absolutely but the practice is out there.

My advice, be careful and only buy from reputable dealers. Pick up a Beckett's price guide at Barnes and Nobles or baseball card shop. look around and see what they're selling it for. Talk to the shop owner, get to know him. Ask questions. When looking to trade or sell, do not, I repeat, DO NOT expect to get face value of what the current market for that card is. The shop owner has to make a profit too. Negotiate a fair deal. Maybe package deal can be worked out or a trade up for something else.

I wish you the best of luck. I wish I can go back to baseball card collecting but my confident level with the industry is non existent. Why? One simple word: Greed.

To 214,

Yes, I agree that cards in the '90s were way overproduced.  You can't even give them away now, no one will buy them.  I've stuck with football legends that are retired and or in the Hall of Fame.  Their cards stays constant, like you mentioned, the active players tend to do well one year and fail the following year, hence the fluctuations you mentioned.  I couldn't agree with you more.  Thank you for your insight, I highly regard your opinion.

Toshi

I wanted to add, and to share with my fellow forum members, these cards are not high valued financially but are unique and some of my favorite players.  I just collect these to just collect, because I love the way they look unlike other 3x4 cards.

Toshi

I love these two cards, who am I kidding, I love any card of Brett Favre.

i personally own four of these triangular cards.  They just look so cool.  This ones numbered to only 15 copies in the whole world.  The player depicted is Marshawn Lynch, he was and still is playing for the Super Bowl winning team, the "Seattle Seahawks"!

This is Tom Brady's rookie card.  He will definitely go into the Football Hall of Fame here in Canton, Ohio.  Canton is only a 45min. drive from my home.  Yet I've never been there.  Shame on me!  LOL!

I'm lucky to live about. 45 minutes drive to Cooperstown and the baseball Hall of Fame. Every summer, usually the last weekend in July is Induction Weekend. Go on a Saturday HOFers play golf and fans line up to get free autographs; including newly elected HOFers. A word of caution, there are some HOF that won't sign and will play through. To name a few: Tom Seaver, Johnny Bench, Mike Schmidt, Eddie Murray (he is notoriously extremely hard to acquire to this day).

Over the years I've quickly learn there is one prime piece of "real estate" no one ever gets because that piece of prime spot is occupied by baseball shop dealers looking to get tons of autographs for free, mind you, to sell in their shop.

It got so bad seen fights almost break out between them and other fans because they refuse to move out of the way for the kids. There are more stories about them and one time I've revealed to fans to crush them out of their spots for they're dealers looking to cash in on free autographs for profit. Just imagine the chaos I had caused innocently. They couldn't back up their claims because I know they're there every single year at the same spot. I even hear some of them complaining fans made them drop their newly signed ball into the mud. Do the fans care? No. Do those dealers deserve it? Yes for they are greedy individuals looking to make a few bucks without paying for autographs.

If any of you are have plans to head out to Cooperstown for the Annual Hall of Fame Weekend, look me up. I usually try to go every year and they're a lot of fun to go to.

Oh Wow 214, you're so lucky!  If I ever get the chance to stop by, may I take you up on that offer?  Thank you in advance!  

You'll love these next two cards.  They are from the infamous baseball card series called 1911 T-206.  The card on the left is Jim McGinley.  He was a pitcher in the MLB.

The card on the right is my favorite, Billy Maloney.  6/5/1878 to 9/2/1960 (82 yrs.)  this was my very first T-206.  214, do you collect T-206's?  LMK.  We can share our rare cards on this thread.  It's so great to know there's someone else of which whom has a passion for sports cards.

Heh - I wish I owned one of those extremely rare cigarette cards. Heck - I still want a Morgan silver dollar coin too! Trouble is, they're both so darn pricey.

I get that you collect certain players. I do the same myself. Ripken, Ricky Henderson, Nolan Ryan, to name a few. I've always wanted a Stan Musial card too. I almost got his signature as well. As also one of Scooter himself.  

Autograph balls I currently have:

Pete Rose

Brooks Robinson - 2 balls

Yogi Berra

Whitey Ford

Ferguson Jenkins

On paper:

Bobby Thompson

Phil Niekro

Brooks Robinson

I do have the limited edition Camden Yards baseball bat from Coopestown Bat Complany. The only autograph that's being reserved for is Cal Ripken Jr.

A side note - the year he was inducted, I was oh so close in acquiring his signature. A bummer I know. The consulation prize I got was an acknowledgement hello salute from Cal himself later that afternoon on his way back to the clubhouse after a round of golf.

That's just awesome!  Here in Cleveland in 2013,  my daughters boyfriend Brett and my daughter Allana purchased a ticket to go to the "National Card Show" as my birthday present.  I got to go to my very first card show and it was this show, "National Card Show" the big event that I'm sure you're more than aware of was my destination of choice and of course extreme surprise!  Ripken would have had been a great auto to have for your personal collection!  At the "National Card Show" I was seriously considering paying $120.00 to line up and obtain a Jim Brown auto.  My goal was to obtain his auto on his rookie card, the thing is, his rookie cards which I at least want a Beckett grade 5-8 would have been approximately a few hundred dollars, add that to the signing fee and I won't be able truly enjoy myself at the NCS. 

i did finally purchase a 2012 Panini Absolute Hobby Box and pulled out a incredible RPA of Andrew Luck.  It's the card that is pictured above this thread.  His cards are so difficult to pull, I also understand that if he becomes a wash out player, his cards will not be much more than 10% of his current value.  But he is my all time favorite active QB in the NFL and I have a good inkling that he'll be a HOF.  I did get a Peyton Manning auto card, I'll take a pic and post it below.  I now want to get a Tom Brady auto.

Of course, you know very well with your background in of that the auto cards and or their rookie cards of these players that I would like to obtain are as follows: Bart Starr, Joe Namath, Joe Montana, Steve Young, Jim Brown, and Terry Bradshaw.  I would like to insure that they are all PSA and or Beckett graded cards numbered to no less than 9.  214, thank you so much for your replies.  You've got me so excited once again in collecting football cards of specific players.  

As a novice collector, please note that I've only started my collection in 2012, if I may be so bold to ask you a question sir.  Or several for that matter.

1) Whom or where do you buy your rare auto or RPA card(s) from.  I love eBay, and I have yet to be disappointed as all my eBay purchases have been either a PSA/DNA or a Beckett certified card(s).

2) Am I collecting the right players in the NFL?  I love collecting proven veterans or HOF players if anything, I may not own the big ticket high financial cards, but I guess the most and key important factor is that I'm truly enjoying myself.  

3) Do you purchase any hobby boxes and if you do, is Blowout cards and DACARD World where you buy your hobby boxes from?  I have slowed down on purchasing hobby boxes as I feel in my humble opinion in that if I am going to spend anywhere from $75.00 to $150.00 on a hobby box, I would rather spend that money on two and only two things.  A star single, verified by PSA/DNA or Beckett.  A HOF proven NFL athlete or; hmmm, what else?  A model kit.  LOL. In all seriousness, that is what I truly want to or will purchase with the permission of the boss, AKA: Mrs. Toshi, the love of my life.  Any thoughts?  Your reply and knowledge are worth like Gold to me!

i own a few Morgan Silver dollars, some older American gold coins, and several commemoratives.  They are all in a safety deposit box.  This was a hobby in my teens.  I also collected in my teens as well, U.S. stamps.  Some are collected just because I liked them, and others because of its scarce rarity. 

Thank you 214,

Toshi

The Manning rookie card is a reprint, by itself, reprints are not something collectors would try to obtain.  The difference here is that this is a "2012 Black Friday" stamped card from Panini.  It's also numbered stamped as a 5/5.  I found this on eBay.  I think it's a very collectible card and I'm happy with it in my collection.  I've read and heard that there are collectors willing to pay between $100.00 up to $150.00 for this very card.  I payed an extremely low cost amount.  Like you emphasized clearly, this market is as volatile as the stock market.