It was the purple parallel numbered /250. At the time it was going for triple digits and I thought about selling it but I took the easy way out and just stashed it. Around the start of Spring Training I decided to check and see what they were selling for and was pleasantly surprised. I decided to my card up with a highish Buy It Now price and see what happened. I got a couple bids that were the same, countered to the first bidder and the card was sold.
I decided to take the funds and go after some bigger cards that would be tough to secure within my budget. I decided to show these to you and see if you would trade the Ohtani for the cards I received in return.
I will share the cards in the order of least to greatest cost and also of note, after buying these four cards and paying eBay/PayPal fees I have about a blaster worth of PayPal left.
First up is a dual of two guys I collect:
I have bid on probably half or more of these and they kept going above what I was willing to pay. Interestingly enough I got this for a lower price than any of the others went for. Maybe it was the ding in the upper right corner but I don't care much about that - just happy to have this in my collection.
Next up is the second to last card I needed to complete my 1969 Topps set:
A Reggie Jackson Rookie! This is actually the second one in my collection and my Reggie binder has this card on page one. The condition isn't the greatest but I got a pretty good deal. I typically am not a fan of graded cards (too difficult to store and can't put them in my set binder) but as I build some of these vintage sets it seems like the safest way to go to ensure I don't get stuck with high quality reprints.
Next up, the final card for my 1969 Topps set!:
Mickey Mantle's final card from his playing days. I actually got the Reggie after the Mickey and have three cards on the way from COMC so until that COMC shipment comes in I can't celebrate the set completion. I can celebrate adding this great card to my collection and I am pretty happy with the condition, it is better than I thought I would be able to get. Same thing holds true on the grading as it does with the Reggie - better safe than sorry.
The final card in my trade
A 1955 Topps Willie Mays! Not only is this a great card of the best all around player of all time, it completes my 1955 Topps Giants team set. This card has some soft corners but boy does it look amazing. I have had an eBay search for this card for years waiting to find a good one in my price range. This was a splurge but I am so glad I made it.
When typing this post, I checked back to see the prices of current sales and after 3 HRs in 3 consecutive games and flirting with a perfect game, it appears the prices on the Ohtani have started to rise a bit but I am 100% satisfied with the timing of my sale and what I got in return.
If you had that purple Ohtani, would you trade it for the four cards I did or something similar?
What, no T206 Matthewson?
ReplyDeleteGood deal. I like Ohtani but it's smart to cash in now while he has very few cards.
Without question yes!
ReplyDeleteIn a heartbeat. Ohtani's great right now but you never know. If I could flip a retail box Refractor for three excellent vintage cards and a dual auto I couldn't complete that deal fast enough. Hell, I traded a rookie year Manny Machado Chrome Refractor years ago for a Rick Porcello autograph and other stuff and I still don't regret it.
ReplyDeleteI think you won that trade, but really all that matters is whether you're happy with your returns.
ReplyDeleteI'd take your haul in a heartbeat! Very nice!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely would have done this trade. I think you made out great .
ReplyDeleteYes!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOhtani is a great story but I'm a team collector. And since he's not on my team, I probably would have traded the card for one of those (but Ernie, Billy or Santo), let alone all four.
ReplyDeleteAnd as mentioned, good time to cash out.
I would definitely make that trade, and I've made similar "trades" in selling prospect cards for cash to buy vintage. Perhaps Ohtani's cards could increase in value, perhaps they've hit their peak. What matters is you're happy with the haul you got in return.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with the comments above, great work!!!
ReplyDeleteSmartest trade ever! I like Ohtani... and I'm rooting for him to succeed... but even if he went 30-0 and hit .350 with 50 home runs... you'll still walk away ahead.
ReplyDeleteEasy call. Maybe Otani ends up being an all-time great, maybe close, maybe not close. Mantle and Mays already are all-time greats.
ReplyDeleteThere's no question that I would make that trade. It was said earlier, but as long as you're happy with it, that is ALL that matters. I would be thrilled to get any one of those vintage for that Ohtani. Shows how out of touch I am with the going rate for his cards.
ReplyDeleteWow. What a trade! You definitely made the right call. Ohtani's cards are a potentially volatile commodity while the cards you snagged will certainly hold their value. Plus, they're so much cooler. Congrats in finishing the '69 set!
ReplyDeleteI'm on the Ohtani train, but I would've made the trade for those 4 cards. Without a second thought either.
ReplyDeleteAwesome haul! You can always get an Ohtani rookie later.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes -- a million times YES!
ReplyDeleteYeah, you have to make that trade. I would have done it in a heartbeat. Ultimately you want cards that are suited for your collection.
ReplyDeleteMY goodness...what a haul! I would make that trade 10 out of 10 times! Those are beauties!
ReplyDeleteI would make that trade every single time!!!
ReplyDeleteHoly crap that's definitely the right trade even before you factor in finishing up a set and a team set.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was done with Reggie! Adding those others put it way over the top. Would make a deal like that seven days a week and twice on Sunday!
ReplyDelete