Are Million-Dollar Cards Actually Smart Investments?

Summary

Collector Nation Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Are Million-Dollar Cards Actually Smart Investments?
Date: February 27, 2026
Hosts: Ryan Alford & Brian Ludden
Producer: Bella

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Episode Overview

This compact Friday edition of Collector Nation delves into the phenomenon of high-value trading cards, with a special focus on whether seven-figure card sales, like the $5.2 million 1909 Honus Wagner, represent solid investments or inflated risks. Hosts Ryan and Brian discuss market trends, the impact of mainstream attention on the hobby, collector backlash to recent Topps lists, authenticity concerns, and the ongoing evolution of collectibles. Alongside insights, the team engages in banter about fandom, industry events, and personal collecting philosophies.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Million-Dollar Cards & Hobby Health

Segment: [01:00-04:59]

• Honus Wagner Sale as a Market Barometer

  • The recent sale of a PSA 1 1909 Honus Wagner card for $5.2 million becomes the episode’s focal point.
  • Ryan questions if these numbers are getting normalized:

    "Sometimes we throw these numbers around and I think people get skewed, like, oh, 5 million, not much. That's a lot of damn money for a card." – Ryan ([01:07])

• Are Such Cards Worth It as Investments?

  • Both hosts agree that long-term, iconic vintage cards should retain value if the market is healthy.

    "If they don't, you and I are doing the wrong things. Right. Because it would mean vintage is going down in the long term... that would mean the whole industry probably isn't doing great." – Ryan ([01:20], also reiterated at [04:17])

  • Scarcity and legend status (the “GOATs” and “iconic” cards) hold particular investment appeal.

2. Mainstreaming Collectibles: Headlines and Hype

Segment: [04:59-06:17]

• Media Coverage Spurs Market Growth
  • High-profile sales like the Honus Wagner and big Pokémon cards generate broader interest.
  • The hobby is benefiting from increased visibility; brands and traditional media are taking note.
  • Mainstream figures (example: Kevin O’Leary—“Mr. Wonderful”) are now frequent voices on the hobby’s expansion.

3. Modern Collectibles & Gary Vee’s V Friends

Segment: [06:17-11:27]

• V Friends Stickers Get Store Time

  • The team discusses the appeal and innovation of V Friends, with Ryan praising the modern approach:

    "They have positive messages, they're fun to open and they, they lean into everything that's kind of fun about the new, like modern cards, parallels, numbers, like, they grab your attention." – Ryan ([07:12])

  • Product review: sticker packs are “fun rips” featuring numbered cards and new characters.

• Pushback from Traditionalists

  • Some old-school collectors are defensive (“curmudgeons”), grumbling on forums about V Friends as not being “real” cards.

    "There's like these curmudgeon people in every industry... Go to Blowout Forum and then just put like V Friends in there and you'll just get on. And I'm sure that's not collecting. That sucks." – Brian ([08:31])

  • Defending innovation:

    “He’s a great self-promoter and a great marketer, but the dude’s real. He’s in it. He knows the culture.” – Ryan ([09:16])

4. International Hobby Trends & Toronto Show

Segment: [11:27-13:59]

• Ludex Goes International
  • Brian shares how the hobby is expanding in Canada, spotlighting the Toronto Expo (“70% hockey, 20% Pokémon, 10% everything else”).
  • Growing potential in non-U.S. markets and acknowledgment of event organizers.

5. Hobby News: U.S. Hockey Upset & Olympic Card Tie-Ins

Segment: [13:10-16:40]

• U.S. Beats Canada in Ice Hockey

  • Excitement about a major U.S. win despite seeming like long odds (“another miracle on ice”).
  • Hobby impact:

    "It'll be interesting to watch. What's the halo effect from this?" – Ryan ([15:25])

  • New card releases tied to the event: Upper Deck hockey blasters, Topps Now Jack Hughes card (even joking about game-used “tooth relics”).

• Does Buzz Drive Long-Term Interest?

  • Short-term upticks in hockey card sales noted; question remains if it sustains past the immediate news cycle.
  • Hockey stays “below Magic” for volume, reflecting its niche status ([16:40]).

6. Authenticity in Memorabilia

Segment: [17:01-21:19]

• Ryan’s Dilemma: Buy an Unauthenticated Gordie Howe Jersey?

  • Discussion on forgery rates (“40% of all memorabilia is forged”).
  • The hosts strongly prefer authenticated items; even a Michael Jordan jersey with a fake auto occasionally fools collectors.

    "I personally don't buy any whatever. Unauthorized." – Brian ([18:41])

• Fan Value vs. Market Value

  • If you wear or display it for fandom, authenticity matters less. For investment or resale, authentication is essential.

7. Debating “Most Iconic” Card Lists

Segment: [21:52-27:39]

• Topps’ “75 Iconic Baseball Cards” Controversy

  • Collectors criticize certain choices:
    • Paul Skenes 1/1 rookie at #5
    • Otani “random rookie” at #10
    • Mike Trout omitted entirely
  • The outrage proves that such lists always invite debate and drive engagement.

    “Lists are always created to be debated.” – Brian ([27:36])

• Defining ‘Iconic’: Value, Exposure, or Nostalgia?

  • Ryan lists his own iconic picks—1952 Mantle, Bo Jackson, Michael Jordan’s rookie, Griffey Upper Deck, Clemens ’86 rookie—and owns that it’s personal and generational.

    “For me like my era growing up and others. Roger Clemens 1986 rookie card... like a badass iconic card.” – Ryan ([27:07])

  • The point: Card legends endure, but “iconic” means something different to everyone.

8. Card Shows, Store Life, & Hobby Community

Segment: [28:12-32:51]

• Local Card Show Preview: GVegas (Greenville, SC)

  • Collector Nation team prepping to have a strong presence—booths, swag, outreach.
  • Bella, the producer, anticipates her first show, with comic banter about being the only woman in a “smelly” card show ([29:22]).
  • Running joke about mansplaining vs. “Bella-splaining.”

• Interactive Hobby: Team Challenges

  • Hosts set up a playful challenge for Bella to buy a card and share her experience next week.

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Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Million-Dollar Cards:

  "That's a lot of damn money for a card." – Ryan ([01:07])

• On What Makes a Card Iconic:

  "I look at iconic differently. Iconic are like the cards that stood the test of time." – Brian ([01:35], echoed at [26:17])

• On Hobby Expansion:

  "Anytime we get headline news like that... It just is, it's going to bring more. Anyone holds cards, they're going to go up." – Brian ([04:59])

• On the Nature of Lists:

  "Lists are always created to be debated." – Brian ([27:36]) "That's why every blog ever made... Five best cards, ten greatest rookie cards. They get you, they hook you in." – Ryan ([27:39])

• On Memorabilia Authenticity:

  "Honestly, 40% of all memorabilia is forged, and it's always going to be that way." – Brian ([18:41])

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:00-04:59] – Honus Wagner sale & million-dollar card investment logic
• [06:17-11:27] – V Friends product review & discussion of modern vs. traditional collecting
• [11:27-13:59] – Toronto Expo & Canadian hobby scene highlights
• [13:10-16:40] – U.S. hockey win, card releases, and market impacts
• [17:01-21:19] – Authenticity challenges, anecdotes about forged memorabilia
• [21:52-27:39] – Topps 75 iconic cards list, debate over ‘iconic’ status
• [28:12-32:51] – Card show prep, Bella’s first show, team banter

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Tone & Style

The episode is energetic, conversational, and self-aware, blending serious market talk with hobby humor. Hosts riff off each other and encourage audience interactivity. The team doesn’t shy away from poking fun at themselves, the industry, or each other—"Bella-splaining" being a highlight for inclusivity and levity.

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For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode of Collector Nation offers a rounded view on what’s driving the high end of the collectibles market—from legendary vintage to innovative disruptors. It’s a primer on the complexities of card investments, community squabbles over what’s “iconic,” the risk/reward of authentication, and the ever-evolving personality of the modern hobby. It’s both serious about the business side yet playful about the culture, packed with personal stories and actionable insights.

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Next Steps:

• Interact! The hosts actively solicit community feedback—especially from hockey collectors.
• If you’re near Greenville, SC, drop by the GVegas card show and meet the team.
• Follow up on Bella’s card-buying adventure in next week’s episode!

Transcript

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[Ryan Alford]

1909 Honus Wagner for a mere 5.2 million on a what? PSA1.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah. What do you think of that?

[Ryan Alford]

It seems like a lot of money to me. Sometimes we throw these numbers around and I think people get skewed like, oh, five million, not much. That's a lot of damn money for a card.

[Brian Ludden]

You think they make money on that investment?

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, yeah, I think. Long term, I think so. If they don't, you and I are doing the wrong things. Right. Because it would mean vintage is going down in the long term, like 10 years, 15 years. And that would mean the whole industry probably isn't doing great.

[Brian Ludden]

It's always going to be debate, who are the goats? Who's this? But like I look at iconic differently, iconic are like the cards that stood the test of time.

[Podcast Narrator]

Welcome to the Collector Nation podcast here on the Collector Nation Network. Whether you're chasing grails or calling bluffs, we take you inside the hobby. Here are your hosts, Ryan Alford and Brian Lut.

[Ryan Alford]

What's up, guys? Welcome to Collector Nation here on the Collector Nation Network. It is Friday, February 27, 2026. Our Friday edition. It's going to be a condensed edition today. We got a card show this weekend, folks. Brian, his voice is teetering in and out, but he is. But this, this is what CAs do. They show up. They show up when they don't feel good. They put in the effort. They rock it. And he is Brian Ludden. What's up, Brian?

[Brian Ludden]

How you doing, buddy? It's always good seeing you. And I apologize to the audience for my voice. I'll say less and think

[Ryan Alford]

Ludex is more. There you go. We appreciate Brian for getting on. Yeah. With the voice. A little under the weather. I think he's even under the weather. But this is. He's powering through. So you have to listen to yours truly. Maybe a little bit more than you want. Let's just be honest. I know how it is. My wife says the same thing. But I'll be honest and say this. I'm just happy to be here. We appreciate you for listening. We know you have options with your attention and we're proud to be one of them. Hope you enjoyed Tuesday's episode. Our guest releases are on Tuesday. Brian and Ryan on Friday. Guest was just a little guest. I mean, maybe someone you've heard of. Brian. I don't know. Ken. Ken Golden. Golden was on.

[Brian Ludden]

Sold the big cards there. Right.

[Ryan Alford]

I know it was the first story of the day anyway. But topical, like, we're. We're tying this together, you know, the topical nature and then it's all working together. Yes. 1909 Honus Wagner. They. Golden closed this past weekend for a mere 5.2 million on a what? PSA1.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah. What do you think of that?

[Ryan Alford]

It seems like a lot of money to me. Sometimes we throw these numbers around and I think people get, I don't know, skewed, like, oh, 5 million. It's not. That's a lot of damn money for a car.

[Brian Ludden]

Let's copy for that.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah. One, two, zero. I don't know. You have to worry about scarcity on that one.

[Brian Ludden]

You think they make money on that investment?

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, I think. Long term.

[Brian Ludden]

I think so.

[Ryan Alford]

I mean, I don't see if they don't. You and I are doing the wrong things. Right. Because it would mean vintage is going down in the long term, like 10 years, 15 years. And that would mean the whole industry probably isn't doing great. And I mean, that's sort of the shiny example of. Of vintage and scarcity, right?

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah.

[Ryan Alford]

I mean, I don't personally have a lot of interest in it other than just the news of it. I mean, I. I don't know. Like, I. I don't say whether I could or couldn't afford that, but whether I could or not, it wouldn't be like on my list.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah, I mean, it's great for the industry. It's, you know, anytime we get headline news like that, even with the Pokemon that whatever Paul sold, like, that's the industry. It just is, it's going to bring more. Anyone holds cards, they're going to go up. Anyone who's vintage, it goes up. Anyone with Pokemon, it goes up. So I, I, I love the headline, the headline news. This industry needs more of it and it's getting a lot of, lot, lot of clickbait for sure.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah. Mr. Wonderful's on every other, I mean, I flip. I don't have time like now, you know, like I have had in the past where maybe I'm catching more of the news or watching, you know, news show. But when I do flip it on, it seems like I randomly catch Mr. Wonderful talking about a card or a story or something. So we're definitely in the mainstream. And you know, we had a call earlier. I won't name with who and you know, the media, media is catching on and, and I think the brands are catching on and all that. And I think that's great for, I think the visibility of the hobby overall as well as projects that you and I are working on. And so we're, we're thankful to be in it.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah, it's fun, Fun industry.

[Ryan Alford]

The. We got these in today. These are fun. We ripped these in the store yesterday. V Friends Super Sticker Spectacular series hanger packs. We have those at collector station. Just, you know, there's no shameless plugs on this, this show. It's just a plug. Oh, I'm getting it. Billa, our very active, very wonderful producer handed me this. So there you have it. You've got three, two packs in the VFriend super stickers and they're a fun rip. They've got some numbered cards, they've got parallels. Gary's doing it right, man. It's, it's, it's. I think they're spanning past just kids now. I mean, some of the cards are, they're coming up with new names, different stuff. It's all, it's fun though.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah, he does it right. We've talked about that. He's a genius. Only behind, only behind. My buddy Ryan.

[Ryan Alford]

Yes. Yeah. World class marketers. Gary and Ryan. Newest agency, Ryan and Gary. I need to, I, I'm gonna tell them. I'm gonna go first. Ryan and Gary, rng. But I like them because they have positive messages, they're fun to open and they, they lean into everything that's kind of fun about the new, like modern cards, parallels, numbers, like, they grab your attention. We've got them sitting on the shelf and I'll say this, we'll put some of this footage in if you're watching, get to see it. That's why you got to tune into the YouTube. They look good sitting on the shelf. Like, I. They were sitting over there. We had them kind of as merchandising for the packs. I was like, that's really sharp in the shelf. I think our wonderful executive producer Bella is coming back in to actually have them in hand. And you see the colors and the variations, lighting. Hopefully doing them justice. I mean, this shrewd shark reminded me of you, Brian. Look at that thing. The shrewd shark. Yes. CEO. I'm Brian. I'm eating up all the competition. Oh, and then. Oh, I forgot we had this. That's just my, you know, Gary signing my Chilchinchilla card from, you know, the original series. No big deal.

[Brian Ludden]

You know what else I like about the V Friends is when you ask, like a. You know, there's like these curmudgeon people in every industry. Oh, yeah, get off my grass. It's like, yes, the Blowout Forum. If you want to, like, see a bunch of old guys with opinions, like, million opinions, like, go to Blowout Forum and then just put like, V Friends in there and you'll just get on. And I'm sure that's not collecting. That sucks. Like, that's terrible. And I'm like, don't be so offended by, like, what are you offended by that? Why does that affect.

[Ryan Alford]

That's Steph Curry on. On a V Friend sticker.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah.

[Ryan Alford]

You ever heard of him? Maybe you don't like Steph Curry too, but, you know, like, come on.

[Brian Ludden]

They don't like anything except.

[Ryan Alford]

But that's. That is the curmudgeon crowd. And, well, it's so funny you bring that up. We were at the national and walking around and my. My buddy Gio, who does one of the best shows in the hobby, you know, sports card nonsense. We love Gio, Jeremy, all those guys. So walking around with Gio, and I noticed this too. Gary is on the floor early, walking around doing deals. Dude's real. Dude's in the hobby. He. You can hate him because he's a great self promoter and he's a great marketer, but the dude's real. He's in it. He knows the culture. He know. He's. He studied it. He's been collecting a lot longer than most people that are busting on him. And sure enough, like what you're talking about, we were doing a little promo with Gary and literally guy behind me with a camera. My. My camera guy was there. We're Filming Gary and one of our guys, this guy, like, he's probably like a 25 year old and he's like live blogging or something. And all he's doing is ripping Gary and I, he's nobody know where's Ville, you know, like, never heard of, never seen him. He's going, yeah, Gary's slipping on these stickers still. Let's see where else. Like, he's like live reporting, like, just trash talking. And I'm like, dude, do you not have anything better to do? Like, what is the problem?

[Brian Ludden]

People are the worst.

[Ryan Alford]

Like, I just don't get it. Like, you have to have something. You have to have a foil. You have to, have to have something to hate.

[Brian Ludden]

That's how it is. I mean, that's how, you know, that's the way it is. There's always a, a heroin and, and then that and the enemy or whatever they.

[Ryan Alford]

I know, yeah, I, I g. I've known Gary a while and even before, you know, I knew him, you know, following him and learning of him through social. Of course, like 10 years ago. But now, personally knowing him, I don't know many people that are more real than Gary. Like, you know, like it's, it's or is smart.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah, man. Mad respect. I mean, like he just, he does it like, he does it. He says it. He does what he say. Says like mad respect for him.

[Ryan Alford]

I know, but I love what you guys are. I think y' all are cooking things up together too with Lud X and different things here and there, projects. I've, I've heard you dropping names.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah, we got some things spinning up.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, I know you were in Toronto, so is that right or not or Canada or where were you? You were somewhere for something important?

[Brian Ludden]

Well, Zodex went international, went to the Toronto show. I did not go up there because I was sick.

[Ryan Alford]

Well, I say you, I mean Lud. I mean Brian.

[Brian Ludden]

Lud X. Yeah, the community was there. Community doctor Collectible. Shout out to him. He gave us some tons of love. My boy Tristan was up there running the booth. Steve Menzie does an awesome job at the Toronto show. If you guys have not been there. End of April, the Expo in Toronto, that's their national. And if it's anything like what they showed me, it's probably, I mean, 70% hockey, 20% Pokemon and 10% everything else. So it's a show. I mean, it is an untapped market out there for opportunities. But Steve does a great job. He's up to 10 shows all through the country.

[Ryan Alford]

So I love it.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah. Great. So now we're. Yeah, we went international. Canada.

[Ryan Alford]

Oh, hey, well, we. I'm sorry we had to beat you in hockey, but we do love you. You're a good ally.

[Brian Ludden]

I mean, dude, we had no right to beat them.

[Ryan Alford]

That was no right. Are you kidding me? It's like the hall of Fame All Star team in their prime or close to it, versus some decent American guys who I love and respect the hell out of. But let's just be. Let's call it what it is. Right.

[Brian Ludden]

They got outplayed, like, in. Like, in every aspect of the game, the US and it was just a hot goalie, I guess you run into. Same thing. Run into a hot pitcher in the World Series. Like, I guess I don't know hockey that well, but, like, I get. I don't know. I didn't know that that could change the game that much. Like, that's what happened. And they got a little nervous, but we had no right to win that. But, dang, was it exciting?

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, it was exciting. I mean, proud to be in America, women's and men's, for the first time since 80. Right. I mean, in some ways, and I know the odds didn't seem. They were nowhere near as the miracle on ice, but in some ways, versus that Canadian team, it feels like another miracle on ice. Yeah.

[Brian Ludden]

I mean, I thought the odds were even too close when. When they came out and they played that way, it was like. It was like the ice was tilted wherever it.

[Ryan Alford]

Well, yeah. I mean, the odds were. I don't know. On paper. And again, I'm a cat. You and I are casual hockey guys. Like, we're not. I'm not a. I'm learning and getting more into it. I'm in the store and look at cards. But I am. I'm a lifelong basketball, football, baseball guy growing on the hockey side. So I'm speaking from, you know, lack of knowledge on every part of the game. But on paper, that looked like a bigger mismatch than maybe the odds were, but I don't know.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah, but who owns the jerseys? Like, I know upper deck hockey, but who has the Olympic contract? Who has the Nike. I know they had Nike on there.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah.

[Brian Ludden]

Who has that?

[Ryan Alford]

I don't know. I would imagine. I thought upper deck was, you know, had hockey pretty much cornered on every front.

[Brian Ludden]

We ripped some Olympic stuff.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah.

[Brian Ludden]

Like, during the Olympics. It was tops. But, like, man, what an opportunity. That's insane.

[Ryan Alford]

It'll be interesting to watch. What's the halo effect from this? Right. So does it last past like this little buzz here. You've got Upper Deck actually releasing hockey blasters this week. Um, so there's short prints around it. So smart. Jack Hughes is doing a Tops now thing. You know, he scored the last point in the game. So they're only available actually through today. So there's a one of one auto.

[Brian Ludden]

I'm sure they should put pieces of his teeth in there.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, like a. Like the bat relic. It's the teeth relic. Tooth relic. That's a interesting. Like a horror movie. The tooth relic.

[Brian Ludden]

They got the one on one coming now from Tops.

[Ryan Alford]

Now we've got the tooth relic of Jack Hughes.

[Brian Ludden]

But I think it. I think it plays out very similar to World Cup. Like it. It gets people excited for a moment and it will get people excited the next time it happens.

[Ryan Alford]

And then baseball kicks. Opening day starts.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah. I mean, is it good for the industry? Yeah, probably.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah.

[Brian Ludden]

But I don't think it's like gonna. I mean, we saw hockey scans pick up, there's no question over the weekend and after that game. But it's still significantly lower than, you know, any other. It sits. It's right, right below Magic for us.

[Ryan Alford]

I need. We need some audience interaction here. We've been get. Hey, if you're listening and you've been dropping comments, we love you. Keep doing it. I reply to as many as I get to. That is me, Ryan replying to those. Almost every one of them me or Bella. And so keep asking, keep asking questions. It shows us that you're listening. Those have been picking up every week. We had someone, Brian, ask, hey, he's trying to talk his parents into getting to the national. And if he gets in, he brought up the. I said, look, he's in Lux Lounge. We'll at least for one night. If he makes it there and mentions the show, we'll get him in, right?

[Brian Ludden]

Yep.

[Ryan Alford]

And then. But I want to get some feedback. Hockey, are we into it? Are we buying more hockey cars? Are we getting into it? Love your feedback. You know, inform us, entertain us. Do we have a hockey listening crowd or, excuse me, hockey collecting crowd out there? And we'll. We'll take that feedback because you can also get feedback on this. I've got access to a Gordie how Jersey signed. This is where I was going, Ryan, to get your opinion. I think he's universally kind of like that. You got Gretzky. And then I think he's in that second tier. But close. I mean, he's one of the biggest names. Hall of Famer I have access to that. It's unauthenticated, but supposedly would pass authentication with flying colors. So it's discounted, but I have access to buy it. What do you think?

[Brian Ludden]

Who's it from? Yeah, where did he get it from?

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, like Providence and all that.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah. And the big thing is like, you know, the studies show technology can help. There's some companies out there that definitely help. Honestly, 40% of all of memorabilia is forged, and it's always going to be that way. There's no companies out there trying to stop that. But I personally don't buy any whatever. Unauthorized. Yeah. Because it just doesn't work. We had a Michael Jordan jersey come in and the. To our. To our store, our office, which we're not even shocked. I was like, hey, can I bring this in? It's from one of Michael's games and blah, blah, blah. And so we took it. You know, we give it to, you know, Mike Baker and his, you know, his old partner Damian, and they're like, this is crazy. That like the company matched the jersey due to game, but it's a fake autograph. So the guy basically, whoever he had

[Ryan Alford]

gayboard a real Gay Moore jersey and then diluted it.

[Brian Ludden]

Diluted the value by putting. By doing a fake auto.

[Ryan Alford]

Crazy. That's what an idiot. Like, do you not think. I guess maybe thinking I got half of it. So it'll get. It'll fly. It'll fly, man.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah. I wouldn't buy it. I wouldn't buy it.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah. All right.

[Brian Ludden]

What do you guys think out there?

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, I know. Let me know what you think and what you'd pay or not pay. That was quoted. I was quoted 200 bucks. And I. And I looked it up and it looked like just. And I don't again, if I find out the jersey itself, where it's from and all that I can. And that has value. Like the upside there, but like just a basic one was like get one for like 550 authenticated. So I don't know.

[Brian Ludden]

Well, I think what you have to ask yourself are you will just wear it. Are you willing? Like, that's pretty cheap for a jersey.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, I know. I don't want to wear a autograph. Walking autograph. I guess I'm. I mean, maybe if it's a double xl, I'll throw that.

[Brian Ludden]

If you find fake, you get a hockey 200 bucks.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, true. One way to think about it, I mean, I guess the unauthenticated doesn't matter if you're gonna throw it up on your wall and it looks like it's real and you're a big fan of them to get it and to, you know, have it as a memorabilia, knowing it's probably not going to increase in value necessarily because it's unauthenticated, but it means something to you as a fan. It's not a bad way to do it.

[Brian Ludden]

That's a piece of art at that point. The jersey. Oh, bought the jersey at that point. But you have to get it. Like, I would never sell it without getting authenticated, you know.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, no, I would. I would buy it to authenticate it, to resell it. But anyway, I wear that.

[Brian Ludden]

Pond hockey.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, I wear it on trade nights or something. You know, I'll just get everybody that comes to sign it next to them. Be like whoever they are. They are. It was pretty cool.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah.

[Ryan Alford]

But topps ripped released 75 iconic baseball cards and people are not happy, basically. Look, you know the answer, Brian. When you put out a list of the greatest, the best, the most interesting, you get way more blowback on. Well, why'd you leave out that? Or who'd you do then? You do. Oh, yeah, that's definitely right. So the complaints are always louder than the praise, if you haven't figured that out. But they. Here's, here's what they were unhappy with. Paul Skeins rookie one of one being number five as one of the most iconic baseball cards.

[Brian Ludden]

Interesting.

[Ryan Alford]

Would you. Would you have beef with that?

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah, I mean, I wouldn't mind. I want to pull it, but yeah,

[Ryan Alford]

you love to have it. So sell would have been my list.

[Brian Ludden]

No way. That's marketing. You know, they know what they're doing.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, exactly. Otani rookie, again, being number 10 and it was like a random rookie card. It wasn't like what most people consider his better rookie cards. And Mike Trout was nowhere to be found on this 75 iconic baseball card list. So they were happy with those. They were unhappy with those three things. The most.

[Brian Ludden]

I mean, what's their definition of iconic? I guess is where we come down to.

[Ryan Alford]

I know it's like most valuable or most iconic. I mean, most popular. Popular.

[Brian Ludden]

Very popular.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, those are all. I mean, if you went and did. Because modern media, the impressions that the Paul Skeens Rookie 101 and got because of modern media and the time that it happened, it probably is like chart busting because, you know, they did a tour in freaking dicks. They had it at the freaking fanatics fest, you know, at the, at the Dick's, like lounge area. They had it on display. So it, it did a whole, the card itself did like a media round and then you know, once it's sold the whole value of the media there it's probably so like the value of the impressions of the media is more like what this, this.

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[Ryan Alford]

75 iconic.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah, I mean Dick's basically is like I didn't know Dick sold cards. I didn't know they were into cards and collecting and now, now you do. So a million dollars is nothing to them. And so I think it's a smart move. But I mean 75 anything you call iconic cards, like it's always going to be a debate who are the goats? Who's this? But like I don't know. I look at iconic differently. It's like iconic are like the cards that, that has sped the. I've tested and stood the test of time.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah. 52 I can name I can name like five for me. Like 52 man rookie. The bo Jackson card for me. Shoulders, baseball bat, Michael Jordan rookie card. Ken Griffey Jr. Upper deck rookie. I mean it's just for me. I'm going to get hate mailed now too Brian. But that's okay. I can take it. For me like my era growing up and others. Roger Clemens 1986 rookie card. Don't ask me why. I know it's probably wouldn't make many people's but like when I was growing up like that was like, like a badass iconic card. You know, like the greatest pitcher of the time, right?

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah. You look like him. I think you that's why you like him.

[Ryan Alford]

Do I? That's not a bad thing. I think Clemens is kind of a striking, strong, manly, iconic figure. Yeah.

[Brian Ludden]

Handsome.

[Ryan Alford]

I don't think I could throw 100 mile per hour gas heater though, you know, I mean my arm's not bad, but it ain't that, I'll tell you that. Geez, dude. Throw some nitro balls. But yeah, I mean those come to mind. There's others.

[Brian Ludden]

Lists are always created to be debated.

[Ryan Alford]

They I like that Brian. Created to be debated. It's called ClickBank. Yeah, that's why every blog ever made. It's a little marking lesson for everyone. Whether you want it or not. We'll blend in every article, the five best cards you can see at the national this year. We've got the 10 greatest rookie cards of all time. We've got the five most unappreciated pitchers from the New York Yankees.

[Brian Ludden]

Every article they get you, they hook you in.

[Ryan Alford]

Hey, yeah. It's like number one hook.

[Brian Ludden]

Did I hear there's a card show in South Carolina? In Greenville.

[Ryan Alford]

G. Vegas. Yes, baby. Oh yeah. Wilder. Mike Wilder puts on a great show. He does it here. It's the biggest show in the upstate does about every three months. Haywood Mall. Yours truly, the Collector Station. Collector Nation radical team will be there full effect, promoting the store Collector Station as well as this show, Collector Nation. We'll be handing out T shirts, kissing babies, smacking backs, you know, all kinds of stuff.

[Brian Ludden]

So Bella, are you going?

[Ryan Alford]

Bella is going. Bella is going. She is working in the background actually right now on some of our merchandising for the show. So Brian was asking Bella if you would be there.

[Bella]

Yep, it's baby's first card show. We'll see how overwhelmed I get and maybe I'll learn some things. Probably will learn some things.

[Brian Ludden]

It's pretty smelly.

[Bella]

A lot of dudes Oh, I already got the. The room spray ready to go. I'll just go up to people, you know. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. The direction I'm walking, just. Yeah, you'll. You'll smell my presence.

[Brian Ludden]

You might be the only female there.

[Ryan Alford]

Oh, it's not that bad. There's a lot of Pokemon people.

[Brian Ludden]

Yeah, Pokemon.

[Bella]

I'll just gaslight a bunch of. A bunch of men and try to convince them that I know what I'm talking about.

[Ryan Alford]

How much mansplaining is Bella gonna get?

[Bella]

See, Little do they know, I. Bella splain. I've coined the term. Yeah. So don't you even worry.

[Ryan Alford]

Oh, well, have fun. It will be fun.

[Brian Ludden]

So Bill there, get some money from Ryan and buy a card.

[Ryan Alford]

I'll give her an allowance to go walk around, you know, like $1. No, you. More than that. I'll give you, like, a hundred bucks or something. You gotta go, like, really get something good, and you'll get a better deal. So you.

[Brian Ludden]

You.

[Ryan Alford]

Yeah, it's mainly like. Oh, they'll give you, like, it's my first card I've ever bought, and they're gonna give you like, a 200 card for my hundred. Then I'm gonna sell it and. And give you the 100 back and pocket the other hundred.

[Bella]

All right, deal.

[Brian Ludden]

Then I'm gonna try. I'm gonna try next week on what she bought. Like, what?

[Ryan Alford]

Yes.

[Brian Ludden]

Was it baseball, basketball, football?

[Ryan Alford]

We're gonna do this. Don't let us forget to do this. We're gonna be busy, but we're gonna do this.

[Bella]

Okay?

[Ryan Alford]

And we're gonna film it. Callin's gonna film it.

[Brian Ludden]

I gave my daughter a hundred bucks at the national and she came back with a C SGC 10 Taylor Swift card. Yep. Love it.

[Bella]

Sounds about right.

[Ryan Alford]

Hey, I bet you think it's probably gone up in value.

[Brian Ludden]

Probably.

[Ryan Alford]

You know, kind of like her bank account, you know? Yeah. Swiftly gone up that. Hey, short, short episode today. A little tight. 26ish minutes. Brian's voice is carried through, but probably doesn't have much left. He needs to get in bed. We've got to get back to work. We gotta get prepared for this show. If you're in the Southeast and you want to make the trip to Greenville's a great place to visit. Come to the show this weekend. We'll be there on Saturday from 10 to 4 at Haywood Mall. You won't be able to miss us. We're gonna have a 10 by 8. Huge. 10ft tall or 10ft wide. I don't know, banner you. We're gonna be the people with the marketing presence at the card show. Three tables spread out and we'd love to meet you. So if you are in the area local listening, come say hello and you know, tell us what you think of the show. We appreciate you for listening. Any final thoughts, Brian?

[Brian Ludden]

No, man. Have fun. I think in your future I think you're going to run partner with that guy and run the show and make it bigger.

[Ryan Alford]

Yes.

[Brian Ludden]

Those tr.

[Bella]

Don't give him any ideas. He already has too much going on. And for my mental sanity, Bella, that's

[Brian Ludden]

why we, we can't talk too much because we just.

[Bella]

Yeah, yeah. No.

[Ryan Alford]

Oh, I love it. I love it, Brian. Appreciate you, brother. Go get, get better get that voice healed up.

[Brian Ludden]

All right, brother. Love you.

[Ryan Alford]

Love you, man. Hey guys, the collectornation.com go check us out the apps out go to the Collector Nation app in the app store and while you're there, don't forget L u D E X. The best car scanning app right there. O' Brien's shirt. That's how you spell it. Gorgeous merch. My favorite hats that I wear every day on the desk here. I don't want to overpopulate it. That's why I got our collector nation hat on. He's got the ludic shirt on but L u D E X go in the app store. Let me tell you, collection management. I've saw some of the newest features today. Let me just tell you, constant innovation happening with Brian and his team helps you sell some cards on ebay quicker than anyone. Integration with other things coming planned and of course just that, digital collection management. So you know what you got, how much it's worth. All of those things. L u D E X Ludx. Proud to partner with them and for just. I'm just on the team, baby. I'm just happy to be on the team. So we appreciate you for listening. Check us out on YouTube. We'll see you next week on the Collector Nation.

[Podcast Narrator]

Thanks for tuning in to the show. Be sure to follow us on your go to podcast platform and catch the full video episode over on YouTube. Visit [e-mail] and follow Ryan on Instagram at Ryan Alford. Now get out there and collect yours.

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