Is Now The Time To Buy Vintage Basketball Cards? They're More Affordable Than You Think!!

[@cardboardandplastic9267]

1971-72, 1972-73, and 1988-89 Fleer are three of my favorite sets in basketball. Love the bright colors popping on those white backgrounds. 6/7's for those 70's cards are great deals. There are not many our there raw in that type of shape. I know, I look all the time!

[@MidLifeCards]

I think vintage basketball is best to buy graded. They're so affordable, it's not worth dealing with the risk of buying raw and having them graded.

[@cardboardandplastic9267]

@@MidLifeCards I have done extremely well with raw to graded, but I have experience grading. Anyone that is inexperienced with grading should just buy slabbed since people think cards are higher grades than they are and the $15 grading mistakes pile up pretty quickly.

[@vintageonvintage817]

Love vintage basketball! Just got the 71 Maravich back in an SGC 9 super stoked!

[@ACD1994]

Congrats. Great card and grade

[@vintageonvintage817]

@@ACD1994 thanks!

[@MidLifeCards]

Wow. That's awesome. I absolutely love that card, and that's an incredible grade. Congrats.

[@alltimesportscards]

This was so great. Thanks for sharing!

[@MidLifeCards]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for watching. I really love vintage basketball cards a lot. I just wanted to share my excitement about them.

[@RatedRookie]

Fantastic vintage hoops showcase!

[@MidLifeCards]

Glad you enjoyed it. Not too many channels talk about vintage basketball, which I feel is sad, because there are some great cards that go overlooked by many.

[@steveoh9285]

Great video! Especially appreciate your flashing the values (at the time). You have some terrific cards.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks so much for that feedback....and for watching!!

[@Kiwitakimago]

I stated collecting vintage basketball 1969-1989 about 2 years ago. Now I’ve moved into set building, finishing my 71-72 set now. I just picked up the Wilt so all I need is the Lew and West cards! The 71-72 set is the most amazing set ever IMO.

[@MidLifeCards]

I LOVE the 71-72 set.

[@comebackcardcollector]

So affordable, and even cheaper raw. I like the league leaders cards, more bang for the buck. Thanks for sharing.

[@ACD1994]

The league leaders cards are, always less expensive for, some reason. Even in vintage baseball, too.

[@MidLifeCards]

I have a few ungraded league leader cards. I think they're great.

[@PickerJimS]

Beautiful group of cards! Crazy how inexpensive cards of some of the games greatest players are!

[@MidLifeCards]

I totally agree. Vintage Basketball is severely overlooked.

[@jimmason2080]

I agree with you...these are way undervalued...the 71's and 72's----they have that funkiness as well---

[@MidLifeCards]

They feel undervalued and super awesome to me. I'm happy to have them.

[@ACollectorsDream]

Great video. I’ve got the entire 70’ set, got a few graded. Most are so cheap that they aren’t worth grading. Thanks for sharing

[@MidLifeCards]

Great point. They're so affordable, instead of buying them raw and grading them, just buy them graded. Kind of crazy how cheap they are.

[@Kiwitakimago]

With vintage basketball condition is a very real thing! Centering is an issue with these.

[@MidLifeCards]

Centering during many of these years was awful...for all sports, really.

[@edamescua8591]

Hey Graig, it was good seeing you at the Sacramento show. I’m Ed they guy with the boxing cards. Thank you for sharing all your knowledge it’s my favorite KZbin channel to listen to, Thank you for all your great information.

[@MidLifeCards]

Ed!! It was great seeing you as well. I really enjoy looking at your boxing cards and chatting. You've got some great stuff. I've enjoyed getting to know you and look forward to many more conversations in the future. I'm hoping you're at the Fairfield show again at the Solano Mall next weekend.

[@KevinKauffman-jf9ex]

Thank you so much, after watching your video I find myself searching on EBay for the 1971 and 1972 Alcindor/Jabbar, Chamberlain and Maravich. Just did a buy it now 1972 Jabbar PSA 6 for $110. I am just so shocked how low the prices are for these mega stars. Thanks so much for getting me back in the basketball!!!

[@MidLifeCards]

That's a really good deal on that Jabbar. It's one of my favorite cards of his, and it's so affordable.

[@andrewsells5]

Awesome collection Graig, not a huge Bball collector, but some of those 1971s look amazing, definitely looking to pick up the Maravich and Johnny H

[@MidLifeCards]

The Maravich Rookie is such an awesome card. I'd love to get one someday.

[@andrewsells5]

@@MidLifeCards agreed! Those tall boys are pretty awesome

[@marthabrito503]

The 72 chamberlain all star is one of my favorites in my collection it was my first expensive card all the way back in the late 1990’s it cost me 30 dollars in an old lcs in Santa Rosa California.

[@MidLifeCards]

Awesome. I grew up about 45 minutes from Santa Rose in Vacaville.

[@beckpemberton4455]

Your channel is awesome. Really nice cards here. Just picked up a Maravich rookie earlier this week myself, but in addition to collecting the “household name” players like Wilt, Kareem, and Dr. J for what I also consider super cheap, for true fans of vintage basketball it’s almost criminal how cheaply you can complete entire player runs for all-time greats like Walt Frazier, Willis Reed, Elvin Hayes, Wes Unseld, Nate Archibald, Moses Malone, Connie Hawkins, Dan Issel, Bill Walton, etc., etc. Also, the card designs for 70s basketball are indeed gorgeous.

[@MidLifeCards]

I completely agree. The two unseld cards I showed were way less than the cost of grading when I bought them.

[@ACD1994]

Oh yeah. You already know my thoughts and where I stand with vintage basketball being undervalued in the hobby. If vintage football is 1A. Then vintage basketball is 1B. There's this perception that, Magic and Bird rivalry helped saved the sport or whatever. Because in the mid 60's through the mid 70's baseball was still in or not much further out from the golden era. There's so many great players from the 70's, though. Most people only know of Maravich and Erving. Of course, Kareem and Wilt, but there definitely some hidden gems which is, true for, football also. There's very little vintage football and, probably even less further content on vintage basketball. Honestly, if I was interested or passionate about making KZbin videos, this would be right in my wheelhouse. You might be only one that, would considering checking it out, lol. Awesome video Graig. You have a great collection.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks. I would definitely check it out, and I'm still waiting for you to fire up your channel. When you do, let me know, because I'd subscribe and recommend it immediately. :-)

[@ACD1994]

@@MidLifeCards Thank you

[@MikeHL78]

Nice cards! 10:10 -- Hondo retired the year I was born, 1978. '77 Topps was his last card.

[@MidLifeCards]

I was born a year later.

[@richardprice8951]

I wonder if you omitted talking about The Mikan card intentionally, because if there's a video regarding vintage basketball cards it's mentioned. Great video nonetheless ! Thanks for sharing your cards and insights.

[@MidLifeCards]

That is probably the most iconic Basketball Card, and it's one of the older ones as well. I didn't overlook it on purpose, I simply was trying to explain how the 60s mostly don't have vintage basketball outside of a couple of years, and the bookends are the iconic 61 set and 69 sets. But you're right, that is the grail for most Vintage Basketball collectors.

[@evanfraser64]

My favorite thing about late 70s cards is that everyone is playing the Bullets!! And, yes, I know why…

[@MidLifeCards]

A low photography budget. :-) I wonder how many people know that.

[@phillipmichalec9486]

GREAT WILT AND OSCAR CARDS .CAN'T SEEM TO FIND THE WILT CARD AT SHOWS SO I MIGHT HAVE TO GET IT THROUGH EBAY. I KNOW THERE IS THREE THINGS THAT CAN EFFECT THE BIRD/ERVING/ MAGIC CARD BUT A PSA 8 IS ABOUT $3000. THANK YOU.

[@MidLifeCards]

When I've seen that Wilt at shows, its very expensive, meaning dealers aren't really wanting to sell it.

[@s.macintosh-jc9rf]

Hi Graig, I think that basketball cards are really undervalued overall. I, unfortunately don’t know much about basketball and I shy away from things that I’m not familiar with. Anyway good for you having a love for basketball cards. Have a great weekend and keep up the wonderful work you are doing on KZbin. Respect, Peter

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks for commenting. Ultimately, we have to buy what we like, and if you're into Basketball cards, that's what you should stick with. I like how you know what you're into, so keep focusing on that!!

[@mcap8396]

What I like about it is the iconic sets of 57, 61, and 69 are not large sets. Tons of hall of famers and pretty affordable outside of Russell, Wilt, high grades of others. Don’t have to collect 6000 cards to put together a decade of sets like baseball.

[@MidLifeCards]

Agreed. A lot of early basketball sets are pretty small. So, they focus on the more notable players and when people open wax, they get a lot of bigger names.

[@tedjarboe2101]

Thanks for the video. I collect 70’s HOFers in PSA 8 or 9’s and feel they are way undervalued. I picked up a 1971 Gus Johnson for $71 - he’s not a common - a 3rd year card of a HOFer! PSA POP reports are much lower for basketball cards - because I believe Topps print runs were considerably shorter. I personally can testify to that because growing up in the 70’s I collected so many more baseball and football cards because they were more plentiful - I loved basketball more just couldn’t find the wax in our local stores! Also side note - John Havlicek has cards also 72,73,74,75,76,77 - I have his 72 in a PSA 9 truly a great player who flies under radar of Chamberlain, West, Robertson, Maravich, Jabbar - But not even Jabbar can touch his 8-0 Finals record!

[@MidLifeCards]

Yeah, I had a brain "cramp" on the Havlicek comment. Sometimes when I watch my videos back, I mispeak from time to time. But, I try to do everything in one take and don't edit out all of that stuff. So, I do make mistakes.

[@danielfredericks6468]

Great collection of vintage basketball and always an interesting, well-thought out/reasoned, easy to understand/nicely filmed etc. vlog - much appreciated! I'm also a big fan of the 1971 and 1972 sets in particular b/c I think they look great. I'm curious though, b/c I didn't see any, what you thought of the 'extra large' 1976/77 cards? ( which I am also partial too!). TY

[@MidLifeCards]

I like them. The Dr. J in that set is especially cool looking. My only issue with them is that they don't fit size wise with the rest of my collection, similar to the 70s. But, yes...I think they've very cool.

[@calliopivogiatzis2235]

I didn't like the 1970 and 1980 "tall boy" cards for the obvious reason that they were incompatible to the standard sports binders

[@MidLifeCards]

I TOTALLY get that opinion.

[@drewhunkins7192]

That '70 Oscar looks undergraded. That could easily be a 7. Very nice card.

[@MidLifeCards]

I agree. PSA has been grading tough the last few years.

[@Kiwitakimago]

77-78 Topps was Hondo’s last card.

[@MidLifeCards]

Good point.

[@rickellsmore8731]

Thanks for sharing Graig! Totally agree with your take on Vintage basketball and football being undervalued in the hobby. I also feel there is value in vintage hockey and boxing. When you compare to HOF baseball stars, these are far cheaper and have less populations graded.

[@MidLifeCards]

Well said. Vintage boxing, especially, are some of my favorite vintage cards. Those guys were kings of the world in those days.

[@FatherSonVintageCards-Comics]

Awesome cards! We love our Basketball cards. Just sent in that 71 Maravich to SGC. 1961 Fleer Wilt #38 is next on our list. Very affordable in an SGC 1

[@MidLifeCards]

That's awesome. The 61 Fleer Wilt is one of my grail cards.

[@chrisolivo6591]

As much as I want to buy a Lew Alcindor rookie, I’m OCD and it won’t sit in uniform with my other slabs. Lol. Plus I have one of those Preza suitcases for my cards and it won’t fit in there standing up. Thank God Baseball cards never gave into the larger size cards of the 1960’s!

[@MidLifeCards]

I TOTALLY get that. And, I think that's one of the reasons that card isn't more expensive.

[@mikekeeler6362]

I have a 1969 Time Life Magazine Wilt Chamberlain and and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the cover really really neat I think it was 1969 was the date on the magazine

[@MidLifeCards]

That's awesome. Those magazines were great back in the day. My grandparents had a subscription and always looked through them.

[@kfordham281]

Sssshhhhhhh....don't get the word out about vintage basketball bargains. I'm still trying to complete my sets! I've been working on an upper mid-grade 61 Fleer set for about 5 years. About 80% complete for that. I always liked the color in that set, even going back to my childhood. I started going after a 69 Topps set late last year too, about 1/3 the way through that one. Picked up a nice raw Havlicek for about $80 last month. There are definitely bargins to be had in vintage basketball! Would love a 57 Russell too, but even low grades are very high. Loved the look through your collection! I'm going to take a closer look at the 71 and 72 sets. I do like the designs.

[@MidLifeCards]

I think you'll be shocked at the prices, and I think they're gorgeous cards.

[@oarancards4443]

Ive been buying vintage basketball for 30 yrs old news lol

[@MidLifeCards]

I think it is a great deal. So, I think that's a smart move!

[@Disgruntledveteran9122]

My father has three of those lew alcindors you have pictured in the thumbnail. Upon thousands of other cards. Wondering how much it’s worth

[@Disgruntledveteran9122]

He had them in homemade card protectors. Then put them in ultra pro loaders. I’ve never seen such clean older cards

[@MidLifeCards]

They're worth a LOT. You should consider getting them graded.

[@larrygitlin6017]

Really nice . Haven't seen a lot of these cards . Impressive all encompassing collection. They did seem to be undergraded by PSA.

[@MidLifeCards]

Glad you liked them. To me, Basketball is very underappreciated for some reason.

[@cardboardandplastic9267]

That is how PSA/SGC grades vintage now. They are just 1 grade tougher most of the time for 70's and earlier than they have been in the past. I hate when videos like this are made. This is the stuff I buy and I hate when I have more competition. :p

[@guitarlearningtoplay]

Would’ve been interesting to know the Pop on these

[@MidLifeCards]

I do my best to include relevant information and keep it moving as best I can.

[@guitarlearningtoplay]

@@MidLifeCards It’s relevant since vintage don’t have serial numbers and most people wouldn’t know the population of these cards

[@mikekeeler6362]

That's a nice card I love all the sports baseball football basketball hockey ards only problem is just so many to buy not enough money for all of them

[@MidLifeCards]

I totally agree.

[@mackymintle7806]

Top 5 best Armpit card …

[@MidLifeCards]

LOL. True. Which is part of a posed picture in the game of basketball, I suppose.

[@guitarlearningtoplay]

That is just a horrible picture of Oscar showing off his arm pits. They couldn’t have picked a better picture 😂

[@MidLifeCards]

Yeah. Not ideal. Same with Dr. J.

[@kevinclingaman6277]

Love the video. I collect 69-76.

[@MidLifeCards]

Such a great group of years for Vintage Basketball cards in that era.

[@doktorcopernikuss]

There is 6 more years of Havlicek cards, homie. The '71 card is actually early in his card run

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks for the feedback, homie.

[@checkmugged]

There are homie, there are.

[@timcluff993]

what does the east mean on the Kevin Mchale?

[@MidLifeCards]

My guess is the division.

[@woodman97]

Almost. Topps printed three distinct versions of cards 67-110, one each for distribution in the East, Midwest and West of the country. So there are two other players with cards numbered 75. Cards 1-66 were the same nationwide consisting of the perennial all stars and household name players.

[@jamesirwin2048]

Would you ever consider cracking some of those, and sending them back for better grades??

[@MidLifeCards]

At this point, I don't expect grading companies to get easier on grading. So, I plan on leaving them.

[@ACD1994]

@@MidLifeCards You're probably right. I wouldn't risk it either.

[@checkmugged]

What an oddly abrupt ending to the video.

[@MidLifeCards]

Thanks for the feedback.

[@Cool_Doctor_Money]

Very nice! I really thought you just didn't like basketball!

[@MidLifeCards]

Vintage Basketball is actually some of my favorite stuff.

[@junkwaxjunkie-1]

Stop being modest and show off that 86 Jordan man.

[@MidLifeCards]

I wish. Maybe some day.

[@ACD1994]

The 86 Jordan is a grail for sure. However, MJ Precious Metal Gems (PMG) had auction price that was close to a million. The highest price ever for, the Green variation, and it was Authentic. Not even a numerical grade. Sold for $915,000. It's possible this card might have gone down some, but still a very expensive card. I think the card was numbered only out of 10, too.