Consolidate collection for a big card?

[blackbears86]

I've been pondering this for the last few years and will probably do it with both my comics/graded cards and unopened box collection next year.


Hoping to get down to about:

50 unopened boxes
10 graded cards
50 graded comics

[tmoore_25]

Originally Posted by hatchd

Did it and regret it not at all. If you have a chance to do it definitely go for it. Funded about half of this with sales and half with some stock. Would guess my actual cost basis is $6-7k or so.




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Originally Posted by Jeter1020

What’s the story behind the card?


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Tell me you're not a true collector without telling me you're not a true collector.

"Frank Thomas NNOF? What's it #'d to?"

[Jeter1020]

Originally Posted by tmoore_25

Tell me you're not a true collector without telling me you're not a true collector.

"Frank Thomas NNOF? What's it #'d to?"

I’m new, I’m trying my best


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[tmoore_25]

Originally Posted by Jeter1020

I’m new, I’m trying my best


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https://www.bighurthof.com/1990-topps-variations

[seanbros55]

This is my plan for 2025.

I don’t think I’ll be in the ballpark of any of these masterpieces, but I MUST acquire a 1939 Play Ball TW in respectable condition.

[ThoseBackPages]

dont forget that you can trade at the national (and other big shows)

if you have good stuff, you have options for sure

[hatchd]

Originally Posted by Jeter1020

Both!


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I had to ask because I just assumed everybody knows the NNOF story. The link from tmoore has all the details. Essentially a printing error that just happened to wipe the name off the Frank RC. There were probably 3-5 million of each 90 Topps card printed and there are probably only 300-500 of these out there (purely a guess, could be more). IMO if it happened to Rob Dibble and not Frank Thomas nobody would care about these and they'd be thought of as any other odd error card.

Story behind mine is I almost bought this card as an 11-12 year old for $50-100 at a show but passed because that was a ridiculous amount of money to spend on one card back in 93-94. When I got back into collecting in 2014 they were like $2k which was stupid to me. Then as my collection grew (along with my salary) I said screw it and just went for it. Almost bought the thing at $100, $2500, $5000 and $8000. Was tired of messing around. The key was selling a bunch of stuff first to make it real. I tried before to buy and then sell and could never pull the trigger. But I don't regret it for a second. I only sold 2 cards I cared about. I could probably buy those back for under $1k at the moment if I wanted to. If you have a chance do it. Just be selective about what you sell.


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[Jeter1020]

Originally Posted by hatchd

I had to ask because I just assumed everybody knows the NNOF story. The link from tmoore has all the details. Essentially a printing error that just happened to wipe the name off the Frank RC. There were probably 3-5 million of each 90 Topps card printed and there are probably only 300-500 of these out there (purely a guess, could be more). IMO if it happened to Rob Dibble and not Frank Thomas nobody would care about these and they'd be thought of as any other odd error card.

Story behind mine is I almost bought this card as an 11-12 year old for $50-100 at a show but passed because that was a ridiculous amount of money to spend on one card back in 93-94. When I got back into collecting in 2014 they were like $2k which was stupid to me. Then as my collection grew (along with my salary) I said screw it and just went for it. Almost bought the thing at $100, $2500, $5000 and $8000. Was tired of messing around. The key was selling a bunch of stuff first to make it real. I tried before to buy and then sell and could never pull the trigger. But I don't regret it for a second. I only sold 2 cards I cared about. I could probably buy those back for under $1k at the moment if I wanted to. If you have a chance do it. Just be selective about what you sell.


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Awesome story about acquiring the card! Also crazy to see how a printing error made it one of the most valuable cards of the 90s. Congrats on the card, it’s beautiful


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[Slvnumber2]

Some of the best advice I received from fellow collector/dealer years ago was as follows:

“Give up the good to get the great. You can always go back and acquire the good cards at a later date.”

[ThoseBackPages]

Originally Posted by Slvnumber2

Some of the best advice I received from fellow collector/dealer years ago was as follows:

“Give up the good to get the great. You can always go back and acquire the good cards at a later date.”

very true

its not always easy, but it can be rewarding

[kyle1707]

I actually do it every few years

I’m opposite of a hoarder

[daveyc1]

the last few years I have been doing just this. I set up at a local card show every 2 months and have been selling off the chaff to acquire more wheat. Been collecting since 87, and was never really a seller until 6-7 years ago. It was tough at first, but once I got started, it has become easy. Sell off cards that have been sitting in boxes for decades and get some really cool (expensive) cards that I love.

I have been working with a singular focus on completing the Tom Brady basic rookie set. because of the "sell off" I am currently at 28 of 44 with all of the key rookies already landed. I was also able to acquire the 2000 Bowman Chrome Refractor (even though it is not considered one of the 44 "base" rookies) I need most of the Pacific stuff and a handful of others. It feels like a slow slog because I will not go into debt over cards and only purchase when I have funds from sales. I am hoping to complete the set by summer 2026 if not before.

[ObanMontecristo]

I’ve done it on a smaller scale- was able to sell off a ton of small crap I didn’t need for my collection (random #d parallels and autos I had accumulated over time) and then went to a big card show and picked up a PSA 10 Trout Update RC, and a nice Bird/Magic rookie card I always wanted.

[Stech36]

I want at least one autograph of everyone, so there’s no real way for me to sell off most of my collection for one big card.

[DR Murph]

Totally missed this thread in the fall—I’m going through this process now to land a Goudey Ruth!