Investing in certain cards is not without risk. Take Rookie Cards- There are thousands of RC's out there that are basically worthless. Sometimes a Rookie ballplayer will live up to the hype, like Ken Griffey, Jr., but he's a rarity. I remember when his RC came out in the debut edition of Upper Deck, and his card was zooming up in value, a 'whopping' $9 at the time. Some people were scooping them up by the truckload, even at that price, but most folks figured he was another over-hyped Rookie. At the time some people around me were saying no card of an untested Rookie was worth $9. Well, of course they were wrong, as most of us were, because he has since put up Hall of Fame numbers.
Another speculative venture was Steve Avery. When I was doing card shows in the early 90's many collectors were buying his RC, and many dealers were hoarding them. But, alas, his career tanked, and lots of folks were left holding Steve Avery cards, kindling for the fireplace.
Then there's the story of Barry Bonds. Ever since the BALCO scandel broke I've been trying to dump everything Bonds, even if it meant selling the items for a fraction of the Book Value. And now that he's been indicted by a Federal Grand Jury, well, you can just use his cards as flippers now, because they are worthless. And just like Pete Rose, Bonds will never be elected to the Hall. Wait a minute, maybe never was a bad choice of wording- Maybe in about 100 years or so, after the current sportswriters have passed away, Bonds & Rose might get in. By that time perhaps the younger generation of writers will look back and forgive the cheaters.
Have fun, kids!
