steveottfan
Verified Trader,
Like many, 2020 proved to be a big year for my collection. New additions started before the pandemic. I had spent the last 15+ years focusing almost exclusively on my autograph collection. Now that I'm down to under 1,000 signatures needed (wantlist), it's been difficult to find those I need. They are mostly of the obscure and long decesed players.
Less autograph acquisitions meant more time and funds to direct elsewhere. A job promotion also helped. During the pandemic, I did some cleaning/organizing and sold much of my extra autographs and my old pokemon cards. I collected those during the first year of release in 1999 and since I also collected hockey cards, I kept them in meticulously good condition in top loaders and binders. Having stored them so well, I got a surprising return when I sold them earlier this year. I did keep three that I got graded (Charizard, Bastoise and Venusaur). Anyway, I injected those funds into hockey cards and really got into buying/selling just this year. Moved a good number of PSA 10s from early 90s guys along with some other iconic RCs like Mario's OPC. I guess years and years of following the card market finally paid off and I made out like a bandit simply buying and reselling hockey cards. Paid back most of my student loans with the profits, then reinvested in these cards.
So, all that to say, 2020 brought me on a long card collecting journey that has resulted in a handful of 'investment' cards that I also really, really enjoy owning. I've ended up with about 25 of these "investment RCs." Not included in my top 10 here but also added this year are Yzerman OPC, Messier OPC, Jagr Premier PSA 10, Plante '55 Parkhurst and Roy OPC. My line of thinking with these cards is that I can move them quickly and easily If I ever do need the money.
honourable mention
This one is super cool but doesn't fit in with the iconic RC theme here. I guess this is the RC of all rookies, the first 'hockey card' made. It was produced sometime between 1879 and 1882.
10. 1958 Topps Bobby Hull RC PSA 1
My intention is to keep the top 25 or so investment RCs I have as a static checklist but upgrade the cards as time goes on. I'm already on the hunt for a better Hull but this one actually turned out rather well after I got it back from PSA. Its been well loved.
9. 1937-38 OPC Toe Blake RC
This year I also completed the 1937 OPC set:
I got started on this set many years ago when I inherited a handful from my grandfather, so it has lots of sentimental value. I still want to find a wrapper and then frame them.
8. 1953 Parkhurst Jean Beliveau RC
This one is going to PSA with my next submission.
7. 1910 C56 Art Ross
From the first hockey card set every produced. The big names from this set are really starting to get difficult to find.
6. 1985-86 O-Pee-Chee Mario Lemieux RC
This was a big card for me this year. I scanned both because I'm still not sure which one I'm going to ultimately end up keeping. I also have a couple more to be graded but I will be keeping at least one copy of this card. I moved over 20 Mario OPC rookies this year and made a big profit on each one. Bought them raw and sold them graded. I owe much of this post to this card.
5. 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky RC
I moved a few Gretzky OPC rookies this year and this is the one I choose to keep. Even though its a low grade, I really like it thanks to the centering. It was likely the victim of a screw down case with some of the black ink gone.
4. 1951 Parkhurst Maurice Richard
3. 1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe
I actually acquired a set of '51 Parkies, all with these holes. Had these and the Sawchuk graded. I think demand for these two will continue to rise and when I bought this, there was still a selection of affordable low grade '51 Parkies available. Now, you couldn't get one of Howe/Rocket for what I bought the whole set for.
Side note, this year has made me realize that there's good money in buying sets and breaking them up to sell and that's there's no money in building them yourself.
2. 1966 Topps Bobby Orr
This is a strong PSA 3 and its presents really well. My father had this card when he was a kid but sold it the year before I was born. I actually paid the same for this as the one he sold in 1990, and his was in worse condition. The market has started to take off on these too and I don't see it slowing down.
1. 1911 C55 Georges Vezina
Like all the other graded cards here, I took a risk by buying this one raw. Its one of those cards that If I ever sold, I don't think I'd ever be able to replace. The C55 is easily my favorite vintage set.
Less autograph acquisitions meant more time and funds to direct elsewhere. A job promotion also helped. During the pandemic, I did some cleaning/organizing and sold much of my extra autographs and my old pokemon cards. I collected those during the first year of release in 1999 and since I also collected hockey cards, I kept them in meticulously good condition in top loaders and binders. Having stored them so well, I got a surprising return when I sold them earlier this year. I did keep three that I got graded (Charizard, Bastoise and Venusaur). Anyway, I injected those funds into hockey cards and really got into buying/selling just this year. Moved a good number of PSA 10s from early 90s guys along with some other iconic RCs like Mario's OPC. I guess years and years of following the card market finally paid off and I made out like a bandit simply buying and reselling hockey cards. Paid back most of my student loans with the profits, then reinvested in these cards.
So, all that to say, 2020 brought me on a long card collecting journey that has resulted in a handful of 'investment' cards that I also really, really enjoy owning. I've ended up with about 25 of these "investment RCs." Not included in my top 10 here but also added this year are Yzerman OPC, Messier OPC, Jagr Premier PSA 10, Plante '55 Parkhurst and Roy OPC. My line of thinking with these cards is that I can move them quickly and easily If I ever do need the money.
honourable mention
This one is super cool but doesn't fit in with the iconic RC theme here. I guess this is the RC of all rookies, the first 'hockey card' made. It was produced sometime between 1879 and 1882.
10. 1958 Topps Bobby Hull RC PSA 1
My intention is to keep the top 25 or so investment RCs I have as a static checklist but upgrade the cards as time goes on. I'm already on the hunt for a better Hull but this one actually turned out rather well after I got it back from PSA. Its been well loved.
9. 1937-38 OPC Toe Blake RC
This year I also completed the 1937 OPC set:
I got started on this set many years ago when I inherited a handful from my grandfather, so it has lots of sentimental value. I still want to find a wrapper and then frame them.
8. 1953 Parkhurst Jean Beliveau RC
This one is going to PSA with my next submission.
7. 1910 C56 Art Ross
From the first hockey card set every produced. The big names from this set are really starting to get difficult to find.
6. 1985-86 O-Pee-Chee Mario Lemieux RC
This was a big card for me this year. I scanned both because I'm still not sure which one I'm going to ultimately end up keeping. I also have a couple more to be graded but I will be keeping at least one copy of this card. I moved over 20 Mario OPC rookies this year and made a big profit on each one. Bought them raw and sold them graded. I owe much of this post to this card.
5. 1979-80 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky RC
I moved a few Gretzky OPC rookies this year and this is the one I choose to keep. Even though its a low grade, I really like it thanks to the centering. It was likely the victim of a screw down case with some of the black ink gone.
4. 1951 Parkhurst Maurice Richard
3. 1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe
I actually acquired a set of '51 Parkies, all with these holes. Had these and the Sawchuk graded. I think demand for these two will continue to rise and when I bought this, there was still a selection of affordable low grade '51 Parkies available. Now, you couldn't get one of Howe/Rocket for what I bought the whole set for.
Side note, this year has made me realize that there's good money in buying sets and breaking them up to sell and that's there's no money in building them yourself.
2. 1966 Topps Bobby Orr
This is a strong PSA 3 and its presents really well. My father had this card when he was a kid but sold it the year before I was born. I actually paid the same for this as the one he sold in 1990, and his was in worse condition. The market has started to take off on these too and I don't see it slowing down.
1. 1911 C55 Georges Vezina
Like all the other graded cards here, I took a risk by buying this one raw. Its one of those cards that If I ever sold, I don't think I'd ever be able to replace. The C55 is easily my favorite vintage set.
