My Favorite Cards In My Collection, Collecting Vintage Autographs, And More!! MidLife's Midweek Q&A

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My Favorite Cards In My Collection, Collecting Vintage Autographs, And More!! MidLife's Midweek Q&A

Рет қаралды 2,663

7 ай бұрын

Your five questions this week were so much fun. I genuinely enjoyed sharing my opinions on these topics, which included the future of centered vintage cards, my favorite cards in my personal collection, and collecting autographs. Another fun question is which $50,000 card would I most want if I could have one given to me. Also, I make a fairly big announcement about my first whatnot sale!! Please don't hesitate to ask a question for an upcoming episode by simply typing it into the comments below.
Here is a link to the ‪@Bluejacket66‬ video I reference in the video: • Are your autographed v...
Don't miss out on my first ever Whatnot sale on Friday, December 29th at 9pm EST. If you still have a credit on your whatnot account, you can still use it. If you don't have a whatnot account, you can sign up to receive a free $15 credit to be used at any time.
Use this Link to get $15 free credit on Whatnot: whatnot.com/in...
If you're interested in trying the Market Movers App, you can get a 14 day free membership and a 20% discount off of an ongoing membership by registering with the promo code: Midlife
Here is a link to register if you're interested. You just need to remember to use the promo code of Midlife. www.sportscard...
Using the promo code Midlife will activate the discount for you. Again, the promo code is: Midlife
(Ad) FYI- I do receive a small payment if you register using my promo code
Some of my other recent videos:
PSA's CEO Shares Big Changes at PSA: • Several Big Changes an...
Multiple Pickups at an Epic Card Show: • The Best Card Show I'v...
Has the Card Collecting Community Lost Their Minds: • Have Card Collectors L...
Avoid this Common Card Collecting Mistake: • Card Collectors Can't ...
Why to Buy the Card and Not the Grade: • The Best Advice: "Buy ...
Buying HOF RCs Before they're HOFers: • Buy Their Cards Before...
A Recent May 2023 Card Show Vlog: • Rocklin Card Show Vlog...
Going back in time to see what vintage cards were worth in 1986: • Baseball Cards Have Go...
Why We Should Be Buying PSA 1s: • Here's Why I Think You...
Better understanding the supply and demand of sports cards: • How to Predict the Fut...
A Recent Card Show With Tons of Vintage and t206 Cards: • This Card Show Was Loa...
My Analysis on whether Rookie Cards are Overrated: • Are Rookie Cards Reall...
My Dad's Estate Sale Find of a Lifetime; A Shoebox of Vintage Cards: • Finding a Shoebox of V...
Why PSA is Still Beating SGC: • The Reasons Why PSA is...
Top 5 Undervalued Vintage Rookie Cards: • Why Are These 5 Vintag...
Consider following me on other platforms:
Twitter: @MidLifeCards
Instagram: @MidLifeCards
TikTok: @MidLifeCards
Email me at: MidLifeCards@gmail.com
#vintagecards #baseballcards #sportscards #thehobby
All statements and opinions shared in this video (and all of my videos) are for entertainment purposes only, and are not investment advice. I consider Sports Cards to be a hobby, and not an investment. If you're interested in investment advice, I recommend connecting with a certified financial planner.

Пікірлер: 102

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Please take a moment and type your question for next week in the comments below!!

@forourtroopssake7373 7 ай бұрын

Beautiful cards! I work with Vets, who battle PTSD. I’ve introduced them to the hobby, because hobbies are amazing, for them. When I can get them cards, we get together, and watch your videos. They love your cards, and learn a lot! Sir, thank you for helping me, help them. Regards, LT Quinn Mallonee🇺🇸

@Brian-pf7qq 7 ай бұрын

Sounds like your doing good and rewarding work, keep up the good work,

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

That's awesome. Thanks to the Vets!! Without them, we wouldn't have what we have today. We owe them everything.

@forourtroopssake7373 7 ай бұрын

@@MidLifeCards yes, Sir. Thank you🇺🇸

@davidlapointe7446 7 ай бұрын

Awesome and thank u forourtroops

@jamespinette9403 7 ай бұрын

Graig, Hope u r enjoying a nice Christmas holiday with family and friends. Just adding a note on the first question you answered. Imo, u absolutely slayed that answer. I couldn’t agree with you more. A nice eye appeal card doesn’t have to be perfectly centered. If they r slightly off center but have clean registration and solid corners, that card is winner for me. However, I tend to lean toward more better left to right centering. Too to bottom centering takes less of the eye appeal factor than right to left. Happy New Years to you and looking forward to your 2024 offerings. Happy card hunting.

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Totally agree. Happy Holidays to you as well, and I genuinely appreciate all of your contributions to the channel over 2023!!

@ken-pr2df 7 ай бұрын

Graig, Thanks for answering my question. I enjoyed listening to your stories about your favorite baseball, football and basketball card. I love the story on how you obtained the Clemens rookie card. As a kid that had to be an unbelievable experience that you will never forget. It was easy to see from the excitement in your voice and the expression on your face how special these cards are to you!! Ken

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Thanks Ken. Appreciate your ongoing support of the channel.

@craigs.t.3321 7 ай бұрын

Great video Graig. Curious why your thought process differs for the 1984 Clemens as far as submitting for grading? Yet you still submitted the Montana and bird grail cards even tho you have no intention of ever selling?

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Good question. I can try to share my thoughts on that question this week.

@kellymelonekellymelonekard3087 7 ай бұрын

Another great vid!! Maybe try to show more cards if you can. Will try to attend your Whatnot sale on Friday, I think Chasing Cardboard is also selling on Whatnot Friday. I hope they are at different times

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the kind words!! Chasing Cardboard ran at the same time, but it's all good.

@tonyleebrick9050 7 ай бұрын

The PSA 3 ‘52 Mantle you showed was my card! I bought it on Dec 5th. It is my pride and joy! The card I have dreamt of for 42 years (I’m 54). Thanks for choosing my card!!

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

That is awesome!

@robertflatow676 7 ай бұрын

Congrats on the Minoso rookie, Graig! I just picked up his Topps rookie but plan to add the Bowman at some point, too. I definitely agree with you that Bowman is the nicer card, but a good deal on the Topps presented itself so I went for it. And it's funny the different things people prioritize with cards. For my part, I couldn't care less about corners. Would gladly get a discount because of bad corners and get a centered card with a clean surface/good colors (basically what my Topps Minoso is).

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Awesome. The Topps one if a beauty as well.

@RobSchroeder_ 7 ай бұрын

Question: In graded comics, they list the color of the paper - white, off-white, cream, tan, etc. I don’t hear this discussed too much in the card hobby. It mainly applies to the white borders, but I’ve seen some yellow or dirty borders on higher grades, where I would rather have a lower grade centered and white.

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

I think that's a great question and is the tip of the iceberg of some of what grading companies should be doing. I'll share my thoughts on this topic soon.

@RatedRookie 7 ай бұрын

Fantastic 84 Fleer Update Clemens story!

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Thanks. I remember it like it was yesterday.

@timothylittle8876 7 ай бұрын

Hey Graig, just checked out your whatnot store. That's some good cards and autos you've got planned to run. There goes my budget for January. Lol

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

You got some very good ones!! I packaged them up today and they'll go out when the post office opens after the new year.

@chrisolivo6591 7 ай бұрын

Graig, since you are a 49ers fan who grew up during their dynasty. Did you embrace Steve Young at first after they traded Montana in ‘92? I can imagine how conflicted the fanbase was in the 92 NFC Championship and losing to the Cowboys while a healthy Montana was the backup that game? Or did you want them to keep Montana and trade Young instead?

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Wow. Brutally tough question. I'm happy to share my take on this one soon.

@ACollectorsDream 7 ай бұрын

Beautiful Minoso rookie, looks great congrats. Always enjoy your thoughts. Great choice on the Mantle 😊

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Thanks Orlando. You have one of the nicest Mantles on earth. I'm jealous. :-)

@brandonerhart687 7 ай бұрын

I have always enjoyed imagining the "what-if" scenarios. People like to think "what if i won the lottery? What if we had done this, etc." So, as a younger man getting into vintage cards, I come across cards that I wish existed, but do not. I know that whether it be due to a player serving time in the war, or having signed a contract to a specific card manufacturer, there are cards that would be really cool to have if they existed. For me, I wish there was a 1954 Red Heart Al Kaline (I collect Kaline), a 1952 Topps Stan Musial, and a 1952 Topps Ted Williams. If you could pick a few cards you wish existed, what would they be?

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

This is a really fun question. I'll take a shot at it soon.

@alltimesportscards 7 ай бұрын

1974, 1975, and 1976 Topps Clemente. Because I wish he could have finished out his career and played until age 40 and that he could live a full lifetime.

@ken-pr2df 7 ай бұрын

How did your Dad start collecting cards? What are some of the first players and cards he collected?

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

That's a great question. I'll see if I can get him on camera sometime soon, to share.

@williampotts7205 7 ай бұрын

I hit it big one day in Oakland coliseum in 1988. Well at least my (then) wife did. I tried to get Fred McGriff's auto on my Blue Jay's hat, but he didn't give me the time of day. This is like his 2nd year.. but I then asked my wife to go try. Sure enough, a couple minutes later she comes back with it signed. In another story, in Oakland again (I lived in Sacramento) same kinda situation, I eagerly tried to get Mark McGwire's auto or Jose Canseco 's. Again I had no luck. Now my wife was an attractive woman and she came back with Mark's auto on my Oakland A's all-star game hat. This is when they hosted the All-Star game in 1988. So as to getting auto's that have a story, I firmly believe that that is the only way to have auto's. Of course I have many others but it's definitely the story that makes the memorabilia valuable. Look around nowadays and see how many signatures are happening. Sooo many auto's anymore, how valuable can they be unless you have a story to tell with it. Thanks for letting me rant. Great memories and a great topic.

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Funny how women have better luck with autographs than us guys. LOL.

@yycvintagecards 7 ай бұрын

Hey, I'm definitely going to tune in to your Whatnot show. Unfortunately your show time conflicts with Chasing Cardboard's big 3 hour Whatnot show also. Both of your shows probably have the same audience. Might want to consider scheduling at different times. Good luck!

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Appreciate you reaching out. We had a great time last night, and maintained about 50 people for most of the time. I was extremely happy with the turnout and how it went!!

@royakard8536 7 ай бұрын

I am very proud of your growing stance that YOU control what your card is graded. I think the monopoly and the control of eye appeal will wane heavily over time. Especially considering they don't even care to do a quality service. QUESTION: What is your prediction for the general direction of the card market in 2024 and how are you positioning for it?

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Good Question. I can try to tackle it this week...but I'm think everyone is just guessing at this point.

@returntocollecting 7 ай бұрын

Great video Graig! I agree on centering, the older and rarer, the less it matters. I've picked up some autographed cards recently, definitely would have been cool to actually meet the player. Personally, I think its worse than the junk wax era. At least then, everyone knew that they overproduced. There were some rare error cards, etc. These days everything is fake supply. People are paying premiums for numbered cards, even though there have been many videos about duplicate 1/1, etc. At least cards were cheap during the junk wax era. For $50k, I'd go with a 1936 World Wide Gum DiMaggio. My favorites are the Ryan rookie (card that got me back in to collecting), Unitas rookie (love the look of it), and the Jordan rookie (he's the GOAT and its one of the most iconic cards in the hobby). Fun video!

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

I get to see your Unitas RC over your shoulder whenever you're on!!

@dynastybasketball1 7 ай бұрын

I’m not the biggest Bird fan, I lean towards Magic, but I agree I absolutely love that Bird card. My favorite baseball card all time is my Rickey Henderson rookie card. It was the first “expensive” card I ever bought. I got it when I was 13 and will never ever sell it. Great card. Loving this video.

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Appreciate the kind words. In the 80s, it was either pro Bird or pro Magic. Totally understand why people would choose either of them. Both were insanely talented.

@davidlapointe7446 7 ай бұрын

I love the old pro set cards. It might b weird but 1990 pro set football is probably my favorite set of all time. I grew up w those cards Just inherited the Lombardi trophy hologram card from my dad. I will never sell that card , so not a big deal that it is In a screw down.

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Nostalgia is pretty awesome. The cards that bring us back to our childhood are certainly special.

@TarheelDiggin 7 ай бұрын

Another great vid, Graig - loved the story at the end about the Clemens card. That was classic! Here's my question this week: Some of my favorite memories in this hobby have to do with trading. With all the purchasing platforms in the hobby today, I think we're missing out on the art of trading. I mean, after all, they're "trading cards", right? Much of what you discuss in these videos is about purchasing. How do you feel about trading? Is the hobby headed away from trading?

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

This is a great question. I'll try to use it soon. I do have opinions on this, for sure.

@ken-pr2df 7 ай бұрын

What were your top ten favorite card pickups from 2023?

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

I'm actually doing a video that will post on New Year's Eve with Darren from @returntocollecting. We're going to show off our top 5 pickups of the year and our top 15 targets for 2024!!

@ken-pr2df 7 ай бұрын

I look forward to that video!!

@LamarrVann 7 ай бұрын

When you hoisted up your fav cards from all 3 major sports it was like looking at my own collection of cards and your final all time fav was Clemens who just so happened to be from my same hometown on the back of the card (Dayton is where I reside) was nice to see a local fan favorite. My question for you is what's your favorite players cards from all three sports from your birth year? And for added fun what was your dads 3 favorite from his birthyear? Should be interesting to see both if not exciting and entertaining with the results.

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

This is a good question. I can check with him about this soon, but not sure I'll be able to get to it before this week's video starts up. But an interesting one for sure.

@mookiechillson 7 ай бұрын

“It’s assigned an 8!” Haha you caught yourself! I love it. And yes - Marv Albert and the NBA on NBC John Tesh music (I bet you can hear it now - I do!)

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

John Tesh. Good grief. LOL.

@mookiechillson 7 ай бұрын

@@MidLifeCards haha - maybe you were better off not learning an instrument

@Timrh23 7 ай бұрын

That Minoso is a beauty Graig:)

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Thanks. I'm thrilled to have it.

@PreWarGalore 7 ай бұрын

Let’s say you have an opportunity to buy a low grade T206 Cobb. Would you rather have a heavily creased and off centered 1 or an Authentic Altered that had a very slight trim, but was well centered and otherwise had great eye appeal?

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

WOW!! GREAT question.

@manfordlee9827 7 ай бұрын

Do you still have the Rick Barry RC ?

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

I sold it. Sorry.

@avragolando4185 7 ай бұрын

Hello, im a new collector and i really like your passion for the hobby. im from Greece and i love vintage baseball cards but unfortunately the big ones are too expensive for me. Whats your opinion about collecting authentic cards of famous players with good eye appealing? or good low grade t206 cards like mathewson and walter johnson?is it a good strategy?or im too late to get in the world of baseball collecting?thanks.

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

This is a great question. I'll use this one soon. Appreciate you reaching out- especially from the other side of the world!! Thanks so much.

@timsfgiantsmem9382 7 ай бұрын

Lee Travino my fav golfer. He was a Shark. He'll take your whole pocketbook if you play him for money.

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Trevino signs through the mail. I sent him a card and got it back signed in about a month. Look him up and give it a shot.

@phillipmichalec9486 7 ай бұрын

HAVE THE CLEMENS(UNGRADED),MONTANA PSA 8,AND BIRD IN PSA 8(YOURS LOOKS BETTER CENTERED) AND SGC 9. IF IT WAS PSA 10 IT WOULD BE WORTH 20 TO 21 THOUSAND. I DON'T HAVE YOUR MEMORY TO GO WITH THEM. GREAT VIDEO THANK YOU

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Incredible how a 10 is worth that much. Makes no sense to me.

@davidlapointe7446 7 ай бұрын

For sure we r in another junk wax era. Probably started in 2020 would b my guess.

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Certainly feels that way. Can't disagree.

@timothyniesen4879 7 ай бұрын

I am on card wagon. Just say no to what not. I am going to be selling on EBay. By March. Need a PC.

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

I get it. I've had really good experiences on Whatnot, but you do have to be careful of who you're dealing with.

@snowliondragon 7 ай бұрын

Hello Graig, i would love to see your pirate cards... sounds awesome... take care, Sincerely, David, Florida

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

I'll show some of them soon. I absolutely love them. I bought three in December, so I will share those when I do my December Pickups video.

@dynastybasketball1 7 ай бұрын

Hey I have a Matt Manning autograph rookie card. Where can I send it to you at?

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Awesome!! I'd love to have it!! Can you email me? If I put my email address here in the comments, youtube will take it down. But in the description of the video, I have my email address. Shoot me an email and we can connect!! Thanks so much!!

@jchcollins 7 ай бұрын

Factory authenticity lately is more important to me than factory perfect centering. 70/30 one way? Eh, who cares. It's how the card was in the pack, and increasingly with all this faking and trimming, that is going to mean something. I will take an OC card with pleasing color, and image focus / picture quality over those lacking in those departments with perfect centering. Every single time. At some point if not all of us can have perfectly centered PSA 8's and higher on vintage we have to start choosing, and image quality and color above centering and sometimes even surface and corners is where my head is these days.

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Good points. VERY good points. I totally understand why people are into sharp cards with good color. I totally understand both sides of the topic because I've been on both sides at different times.

@davidbobo9740 7 ай бұрын

Great Clemens story

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Thanks. It was a great memory.

@RandomEsports1 7 ай бұрын

thats not a 4, its a 5!!

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

I love it.

@jude999 7 ай бұрын

What is whatnot?

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Not sure if you're serious or messing with me. It's an online platform for live auctions for a variety of items, including cards. Highly addictive if you ask me.

@s.macintosh-jc9rf 7 ай бұрын

Hi Graig, Thank you for the great discussion! Hope that you’re having a wonderful Christmas Holidays, and I wish you a Happy New Year to you and your family. I have a friend who bought a ‘52 Topps Mantle for $25K USD. You would be surprised how little you get for $25K. It is a PSA 1 and it looks as if it was thrown in the laundry! Each to their own! Much respect, Peter

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

LOL. That made me laugh, Peter. I hope you have a great New Years and a terrific 2024.

@cryptonite8495 4 ай бұрын

Getting a card autographed in person is the best and most certain sort of authentication! But ... the authenticity starts and ends with you. You can never prove to someone else you watched the ballplayer sign it, unless you took a video of him doing it, with yourself in the video, which is sort of awkward. Naturally, most people who met the player and got the signature in person are probably not looking to ever sell it. But only YOU know for certain that in-person auto is real.

@MidLifeCards 4 ай бұрын

Totally agree. All of my most special autographs are the ones where I was there when it happened.

@deanjackson625 7 ай бұрын

What the name of your What not store name

@michaelvoyer3844 7 ай бұрын

Midlifecards

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

I'll post a link to the stream on my community page tomorrow. If you search for Midlifecards on Whatnot, you'll find it and should be able to bookmark the stream. :-)

@michaelmccorey3528 7 ай бұрын

like you Graig I have 100 to 200 autographs none authenticate but I know they are all real I got everyone signed in person. Back in the late 80's early 90"s I use to go over to Shea Stadium before the game and get visiting players who like to take the train to the park Sandberg and Biggio was big on that. Then about 5:00 go over to the press gate and wait for the team bus and go back to the press gate after the game and get the players not taking the bus back to the hotel. Best autograph Igot Johnny Podres getting off the Phillies team bus to sign his 58"s topps card he was the nicest man I had met him a few months back signing for free at the east coast national yes so like you every autographs has it own story.

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

That's awesome. None of my autographs have been authenticated. NONE of them. But almost all of them, I've witnessed with my own eyes as well.

@el4174 7 ай бұрын

💎✌

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

:-)

@timsfgiantsmem9382 7 ай бұрын

I could sell off my whole timmy pc for a 52 mantle but then i'd have to kick my own butt.

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

LOL. I respect your passion for Lincy.

@timsfgiantsmem9382 7 ай бұрын

@@MidLifeCards 😂😂Thx. You don't choose your PC. Your PC chooses you!

@fanstream 7 ай бұрын

best wishes to you and your family in 2024. I've decided to get out of the hobby. Actually I was never in the hobby, as I did all my collecting before the age of 13 -- and I had a formidable collection more beloved by my dad than I. Nearly every HOF baseball and football player before 1975 to 1927 .... never graded. The entire 1953 set. I purchased all of these cards from a lawn mowing business I had ... actually over 50 yards in the neighborhoods, I was making more money off my part-time lawn business than full-time workers in my family while I was 12 and 13. I hadn't even seen these cards in over 25 years, until returning to the USA after having lived abroad as first a professor, then documentary filmmaker then successful tech entrepreneur. I spent over 200 K on some rookie vintage cards and T-206 cards in August and September and i just have no more interest in the hobby, I consider it just more stuff to add to my assets for heirs to collect and quickly liquidate, as i had over 150 of these cards graded. I plan to donate them as I love sports, as a spectator and player, but I've become disenchanted with the whole biz side of the hobby --- Heritage is considering auctioning off all my cards in 2024 and I will donate all proceeds to the organization my wife works for, Doctors Without Borders. have fun collecting --- I'm headed to adventure trips around the world in 2024:)

@MidLifeCards 7 ай бұрын

Wow. I'm super sorry to hear that you've been turned off by some of the current events in the hobby, but I understand the frustration. Donating the proceeds to a great cause is incredible. Very commendable.