Prices for high-grade vintage sports cards, especially rookie cards, have been rising like a helium balloon over the past couple of years. Is it because they were undervalued for so long? Is it new collectors with money entering the hobby? Are prices being manipulated? Or are continuing low interest rates to blame?
One financial columnist with an eye on one card is suggesting the latter.
Writing for the Dallas Morning News, Will Deener says the Federal Reserve Board’s policy of keeping rates at what he calls “artificially low levels” has inflated demand for hard assets. He also spoke with one analyst who was wary of the skyrocketing prices for iconic rookie cards and other collectibles.
——
Earlier this week, we wrote about the 1984-85 Star Company Michael Jordan card graded BGS 9.5 that was making its auction debut. Just a couple of days after being listed, bidding had shot past $115,000.
It didn’t stop there.
Click here for an update.
——-
Amid the hundreds of items in Robert Edward Auctions’ fall catalog is a baseball that some may have breezed past. The signatures are faded, many not distinguishable to the naked eye but Babe Ruth’s name is there.
The story behind the ball and how it was dated and authenticated is the fun part anyway. Left behind by a family member and stored in a humble box inside an Ohio pastor’s home, it has a connection to a memorable name from baseball’s past. Read the story at Forbes.com.
——-
There is no baseball in Montreal anymore but it comes alive again with John Elias. A former batting practice pitcher for minor league teams there—and again during the Expos’ tenure—Elias has accumulated quite a collection of baseball memorabilia.
He owns hundreds of signed and game-used or game-worn items from players like Andre Dawson and Gary Carter, baseball cards and other memorabilia. Carter was a special acquaintance before the Hall of Fame catcher died of cancer a few years ago.
He spoke with CBC News about his time in baseball and the collection that he hopes will soon go on display.