2011 Bowman Chrome has been on the horizon for a few months, with Bryce Harper as the understandable focal point. It was announced early that he would be featured as an on card chrome auto, and many collectors were salivating at the prospect of having another shot at his valuable signatures. The first few Harper cards have shown up on eBay, and as predicted, they are not coming cheap.
Here are the auctions:
Harper Chrome Refractor Base RC Auto – Completed
Harper Chrome Purple Refractor RC
Personally, I have no problem with prospectors, as I respect those that have found ethical ways of investing and making money in the hobby. However, I don’t think Harper is prospecting at this point, or any point for that matter. Investors are looking for the next Albert Pujols, but I don’t think there ever will be another prospect that takes the same path. Now that EVERY draft pick from the first few rounds has a lot of signatures, and other picks that come on as surprises have signatures almost immediately, there aren’t any more opportunities. Harper was valuable from the start, and that will not change any time soon. The only time it will change is if he falls flat on his face, or if he hits 8 home runs in his ML debut. Even after that, he would need to continue at a torrid pace for it to be worth any significant bump in his cards.
The odd thing is, people are still paying through the nose for his cards, even though he has alread had 2 other examples of Chrome inclusion. He had the USA card in 2010 and the earlier Chrome BCP1 card from 2011 Bowman base. No idea why his cards are still so expensive. Its not like football where every set contains rookie cards worthy of being called rookie cards.
At least the cards do look to be pretty nice. I really think that the design has some areas to be developed, in order to be on the level of previous years, but they will suffice. Is it a good time to buy in? I have to believe the risk of spending 600 bucks is far greater than the potential for gain. Harper will need to be a tremendous player on a sub .500 team to do anything worth keeping. Its hard to predict how well he will do, and though he may do well for a guy drafted where he is, that wont be enough to necessitate these prices.
People will say there has never been a talent like Harper to come through the league in a long time, and I agree. But talent has never equaled production in any substantial, undeniable way. It’s a combination of fifty million things. The chances are slim that he will actually be anywhere close to someone like A-Rod, Pujols or even Mauer.
I will say though, I love the throwback cards, and Topps has done very well to go back to their roots of success recently. If anything, it’s a reason to buy a box or two while you can. The auto checklist looks to be pretty strong.