Interesting video Graig. I see things slightly differently w/ Mays, Clemente, etc. Nice eye appeal cards seem to be doing “ok”. The lower eye appeal / value buys are the ones with steeper declines. Note: I do see Mantle price decline greater across the board (compared to other high profile players) except high eye appeal / high grade ones.

There's no way these images are going to pick up creases or surface wrinkles. So the exercise is pretty much pointless. Even the most mint looking card will grade less than 5 if it has a tiny wrinkle. So before we even guess, we would need full disclosure.

Enjoyed this Graig, great video to wind down into the weekend for me. 👊

Anyone who puts stock in PSA is a mindless sheep. News flash to the slabheads.... PSA is getting rich off of your misguided dependence on them. They are no more capable of grading than you are.

It appears to me with the dramatic fall in vintage card prices coupled with the high grading fees of PSA and SGC, not to mention more stringent grades in the last several years, the grading volumes for vintage cards should be dropping simultaneously and significantly. Something has to give if PSA specifically wants to retain their past performance and therefore profitability!

Graig, have the Mays rookies come down? What about a autographed version?

Comparing prices to the anomaly bubble of 2022 is pretty pointless imo… those insane prices do not make the current 60% down sales “bargains”. All it does is make the 2022 sales look absolutely foolish - it doesn’t mean the lower 2024 sales are great deals.

Good for collectors bad for flippers

Good video! As a Mays collector, I too have been surprised by how much his card prices have dropped, waay bigger drop than his contemporary HOF stars

The guy who paid $33K for the Broadway Joe will regret that in a decade.

Inflation is crippling people. This is happening in all hobby markets badly. Look at the secondary boat and trailer market! The people who came back into the hobby and drove it up in 2020 are starting to sell. Waaaay more sellers than buyers in the card market right now. Think downstream as well. If graded cards are showing a drastic fall less cards will be graded as a result as this continues. Then we should see some fall back in grading costs. Already some evidence of that with specials. Can’t wait for it to go back to normalcy and consistency like we saw from 2005-2018

Inflation is crippling people. This is happening in all hobby markets badly. Look at the secondary boat and trailer market! The people who came back into the hobby and drove it up in 2020 are starting to sell. Waaaay more sellers than buyers in the card market right now.

I believe it's the global economy dip, and housing crises --- over-valued, and now probable corrections. And I'm not sure nostalgia and working remote during Covid were the sole reasons for an uptick in card buying -- maybe these covid relief funds created discretionary spending. The Big cards still seem to be either remaining steady or going up in value. I've purchased several grails in recent auctions --- and will present them if I survive the hurricane heading this way... thanks, Graig 🙏🙏

Vida Blue should make the HOF one day, MVP, CY Young and 3x World Series Champ

Look at the economy 😮

Of course prices are down 40% compared to 2022. Prices were flat from 2000-2020.

But Graig..... would you be surprised to find these cards sell ungraded for $15-$20 less (the cost of grading)?

I think your theory on the drop in the prices of Mays cards is a real possibility. I believe a lot of people tried to cash in on Mays cards after his passing.

Enjoying this topic but it is leaving me a bit depressed about the future of the vintage card market. Can you possibly focus on the vintage cards that have achieved the best upside on a new podcast. Also WHY this is occurring. There are so many nuances and niches, instead of focusing on the negatives of much cheaper prices, let’s find and focus on the good news of the hobby. There simply have to be cards that are undervalued and will appreciate going forward. But we need some of your expert analysis with respect to the economics of our hobby as things have become much more volatile in terms of pricing, yet the enthusiasm at the National was unprecedented.

I love the video and the analysis, but I think you are jumping to the conclusion that Mays is down 50-60% based on statistically insignificant data. Example.. the 1966 Topps Mays for $30 was only one sale. When I look on 130point for recent auctions, I see sales of $69, $48, $49, $50, $76. In fact, I can't even find the $30 sale listed. There are several other BIN sales for even higher. Anyway, point is that we can't judge the market based on one anomalous low sale that could have been influenced by other factors like the listing quality, selling platform, eye appeal, etc. Certainly Mays cards are down, but I hesitate to say that it's 50% down. Someone got a great $30 steal, but I think I'd still be happy to pick up the card at $50-60. Despite this friendly criticism, I love your content.

I deleted my earlier post. No more political commentary from me!!!

Hey Graig, Happy almost Friday to you! I looked briefly at some of the comments. I’m sure someone covered this, but my take on Willie Mays cards is he was the oldest living Hall of Fame and no doubt one of the best to ever hit/throw/run or field the ball! Personally, I was picking up as many of his cards before He was in the field of dreams. I think a flood of buyers did the same, now those of us that have those cards are not looking for those cards and prices are down. Have a great weekend! Coach said it’s a big soccer match! ⚽ 👍

I have been subscribed to since you started but never commented . So can you do a video on how get cards graded . Lightning took out my laptop n TV over a year ago ( I did get a new TV) . I do everything on my phone .I don't have a printer . So what do I do ? Western pa doesn't card graders at card shows here . I've been collecting sicec1970 and have a lot of cards n would like to get some graded but no enough about . Life ur show n keep doing what u do

Always necessary to convert some cards into cash we need for cards we want more! ‘53 Topps and Bowman is tough to beat for me. ‘54 is a good choice as well. Toss in Wilson Franks as well, one of my favorites. Post-National I didn’t take a break per se, but didn’t devote as much normal time to watching and commenting and went from one or two videos a week to one every ten days or so. You are so right that this hobby and community has become such a huge part of me that I couldn’t see ever leaving it behind. Card shows, especially with friends > all. eBay, all its negatives aside, is really an incomparable marketplace. I agree with your card pricing thoughts. I think we are at a point where demand is so high and people have so much invested in the current supply that I don’t see much changing. And that’s totally fine!

I think the higher graded cards of Mays are down closer to 20% versus 50% on the lower graded ones. There’s just too many lower graded ones that have flooded the market with so many cards getting graded the last few years.

The Mays card prices are insane. 60's cards as a group are tanking....People seem to be going earlier and earlier. 50's are holding fairly steady right now..

Supply and demand. In this crappy inflationary economy, I’m surprised these prices aren’t down even more. If it’s a choice between food, shelter, home heating or cards, you can be certain that card prices will drop. Rare cards will retain their value, but these are all Uber-common. If you go to a show, you’ll see multiples of these cards in every booth. I’m actually surprised they sell as many as they do.

I don’t think it’s Mays cards flooding the market after his death. I did notice all or almost all the cards were in auctions. Is that where the deals are now? It would be interesting to see if there are mantle cards also drifting lower. Maybe the market is finally getting to its true steady state after the pandemic bubble.

My Mays cards aren’t down. 😂 The low grade stuff is abundant

Has the pop report for these cards gone up in any meaningful way?

All the new people in the market seem to only want 2 things. New cards of players that is playing today. And only the rookie cards of said players. And "color" I see countless videos of the "ripping" packs and only looking at the borders of the pack of cards. If it doesnt have "color" they toss the pack to the side as a wasted pack. None of the new blood in sports cards seem interested in the set. Just the "chase" cards. And it is sickening. As it has drove many people out of todays market. Myself included.

Wish I had seen that 69 Unitas for sale, $40 is way under market value

My eyes are cross eyed from all those off centered cards 😂😂😂. Im just playing but also the hobby and collectors are realizing how common OC vintage cards are. If you did this experiment with dead and i mean dead centered same grade today vs a few years ago the cards would be very close and in most cases higher today than the past. The problem is it would take you 2 months to find comparable examples. Im not like you as far as researching goes I am basing this the only way I do things and that is through my experience with selling some incredible examples in low grade that I purchased during the 2022 peak and sold them this past year. My thoughts anyways and I do appreciate you doing these videos and the work you put in on them but I had to share my thoughts since you asked 😜👊🤙🤙

With thr bargain bin cards in the video, the low prices are due to the cards either being lower grade, or being AS or leader cards, which just don't get a lot of hobby love. With the lower graded cards, even with the Mount Rushmore players, there is just an abundance of supply. Go to any larger card show and you'll find dozens and dozens 65 Mays Topps in the 3-5 range. Also, With the 68 Mays for example, not only was it a lower grade, but this is a 1968 card....his rookie year was 51....you are talking about a card from the end of his career. So it's a number of factors.

I know my sales on eBay for vintage baseball have dried up since about March and I sell only collector-grade PSA. The one exception is Nolan Ryan. I assume the market will come back at some point but it is shocking these prices you are showing. Doesn’t give me a good feeling for the near-future.

Easy, he died. Everyone who wanted something bad enough bought near the top, now all thats left are a glut of people desperate to unload.

These are all non-rookie cards, as i would have no expectations of them ever really going up in value. These are great cards for collectors, but the masses in the hobby gravitate to rookie cards and 2nd/3rd year cards of players who have super expensive rookie cards.

Do not support or submit your cards to this highly corrupt and incompetent company. All they care about is separating you from your wallet.

Graig, I started investing in graded Mays card in 1998 when EBay just started. I figured a great value when compared with Mantle. The problem seems to be twofold. First it appears others picked up on this and second, he lived to be 92. During Covid grading submissions skyrocketed with mostly lower grades. It would be interesting if higher grades are keeping their values. Thanks for all you do. Joe Escalante

It's not just Mays. Two things thing these comp videos continuously prove are if you want to lose maximum value as a seller/dealer/consignor - you sell at auction. If you want to find maximum value on iconic player's cards you wait to buy them... at auction. Far too many bidding options these days, so I put no value whatsoever in auction-realized prices anymore. I refuse to use any auction as a comp unless it's a highly credible & publicized auctioneer and the sale was 100% approved and legitimate... and that's only on highly unique items that were announced well in advance, if not months. If the right (multiple...) buyers all know about the card well in advance and all have the cash at the same time it can get competitive and highest prices can be realized. But everyday stuff at lower end grades is constantly going for well under it's true value for simply not being seen by enough Mays or Aaron bidders on that one particular day. This and your other videos prove it's not even worth using the biggest consignors for non-Rookie base cards or more common type cards. Like we all say, these 1950's and 1960's cards are not rare - at all. Now that everyone is grading, PSA/SGC 4-5's and lower are not going to hold value as well as the pops increase. And they will increase in the 3-5 range forever. Auctions are great for buyers, sellers need to be patient with their BIN's or they'll keep taking the L. Crazy to me is $33K for ANY Namath card. His career highlight with me will always be him blatantly hitting on Suzy Kolber on Live TV telling her "you're sooo pretty...." He was clearly drunk... 2001-ish I believe?

As I know you're aware the vintage market has distinctly shifted to low pop rare/scarce cards with pre war/oddball being the beneficiaries of that group think/herd move. Part of it is just the education curve as all the 2020 folks learn about these things and chase the "next hot thing". But as one thing becomes hot, the prior hot thing (golden era vintage) pays the price on the otherside with lots of sellers and fewer buyers.

For the prices on the Mays cards, could it be the centering? Seems like centering is such a big issue now that off centered cards are going for discounts. Just a guess.

I am a player collector (Mays, Posey, Marichal and McCovey) and thus I am looking to acquire a complete run of their cards in the best grades as possible. I typically only sell if I am able to upgrade that card.

hey Graig, here’s a question for you. With the proliferation of jersey/bat/memorabilia cards being produced in the last 30 years, do you think there will come a point when there will be a shortage of material to put in the cards? Maybe not so much with modern players but with older, long retired players. At what point do they keep cutting up Babe Ruth bats or Willie Mays jerseys? Will there come a time when decide to stop because the supply just runs low. Will this harm the legacy of the historical aspect of having those actual pieces of history? Love the channel. Best, Ed

Awesome video, Graig! I look forward to these every month. I definitely think prices have softened within the last year or so. I wish Mays' rookie card would soften by about 50%. I may be able to afford one then! 😂

It’s crazy how far prices have fallen in just a short amount of time. I recently sent you a 1960 Mazeroski and although it was a PSA 9 off center, I thought the price was incredible at $33 given the historical significance of that particular season to his career and the eye appeal of the card. I would also think that baseball card prices overall are dropping as we switch seasons over to basketball and football but even those vintage cards have dropped a tremendous amount. I’ve seen many graded Unitas and Gifford cards below $50 recently. I think a lot of people are speculating about new talent rather than focusing on past players until they are relevant in the news.

Great video Graig. Really liked your well thought out answer on if you ever need a break. I think it's not a black and white answer. Everyone's "hobby experience" is different. Yours might be a little deeper than most, considering you are a big part of the community. You aren't going to just shut off friends. Guessing for most, which I've done, a break from eBay sometimes, is not a bad thing. It can definitely be addicting, time consuming, and expensive if not managed properly.

As a Mays collector over the last decade, I have not noticed much of a drop (10-20% from the peak) on the higher graded cards or early 50's cards. I think the bigger drop in his cards is where the supply is much more plentiful (lower grades). Also there is a huge variance in prices even within the same grade depending on the eye appeal. At 1957 Mays in a PSA 8 sold recently for both 9900(Goldin) and 3400(Memory Lane) within 30 days of each other. The 9900 is probably an outlier as the more recent sales have been in the 4k range. If the market in the higher graded Mays cards has dropped significantly, I have not seen it in at least the prices I have had to pay.

Many collectors have seen the economy change and potential free falls. I know that I started the year saving for that “dream” card, but I can’t justify pulling the trigger. Buying opportunities are there, but at what expense?

Why would someone want low grade SGC holder cards from the 60’s ?