Sometimes fortunes are found in unexpected places. In Toni Pappas’ case, a treasure trove of baseball cards was found in the walls of her old barn while contractors were working on restoring the house.
Among the 52 trading cards unearthed – all from the late 1930s to early 1940s – was a 1939 Play Ball rookie card of Boston Red Sox legend Ted Williams.
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“I immediately thought, ‘Oh my God, those were Billy’s cards,'” Pappas told WMUR-TV on Aug. 4. She and her late husband had lived in the Manchester, New Hampshire, house for many years, and he had grown up there, too.
“I can go back and imagine my husband at age 10 or 12. He would look at all those cards, play with them, trade them with other kids and probably dream of being a great athlete one day.”
Billy did indeed have an outstanding athletic career: he played baseball, basketball and football at the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and was inducted into the athletic department’s Hall of Fame. He also joined the Air Force, where he played football.
But aside from their value as precious memorabilia, the unearthed cards may also be worth thousands of dollars.
Why collectibles have a high value
Many people start collecting out of a fascination with a particular subject or out of passion. A sports fan might collect trading cards for the love of the game, while others collect high-end products like watches for their nuance and elegance.
Certain items can become desirable and therefore very expensive over time. The value of a collection can increase due to the rarity of the original production and the scarcity of the remaining items.
For example, rare baseball cards can fetch millions of dollars at auction. One of the most expensive cards sold was a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card in mint condition for a record-breaking $12.6 million in 2022.
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The value of a trading card can vary widely depending on its condition and print quality. Pappas says she had her newfound collection appraised when WMUR-TV reported on the story. According to card grading service Professional Sports Authenticator, the estimated value of a graded Play Ball Williams rookie card ranges from $3,000 (poor grade) to over $480,000 (mint grade).
Pappas told the local station she has no plans to sell the tickets anytime soon, preferring to enjoy their sentimental value. But if she does decide to sell them one day, the proceeds would likely go to a UNH athletic scholarship in Billy’s name, she says.
Can I create my own valuable collection?
Many collections have more emotional value than financial—but that doesn’t mean the right collection can’t add value to your portfolio. According to Cornell University, some collectibles can increase in value over time, including coins made from precious metals, jewelry and art.
Other items collected for their investment value include wine, comic books, toys, sneakers, and even Pokemon cards.
Before investing in a collection, do some homework. Start by researching the history and provenance of the collectibles you choose, the primary sources of these items, and how much value similar items gain over time on secondary markets. There may also be costs associated with storing and maintaining certain items.
Collectibles are a high-risk investment that can yield high returns or lose value without warning. If you don’t like what you collect, you may be disappointed with the return.
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This article is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
