There are lots of 1/1s out there these days, especially with some of the Topps and Panini sets being built around rare content with no discerning special factor other than serial numbers on the backs of the cards. In fact, contrived scarcity has become so common that serially numbered cards in general have decreased in value to the point of being worthless.
Although NFL shields and logo patches still carry huge value in a lot of cases, there are other “special” chase cards that have really fallen through the value floor as a result. Player worn letterman cards, as well as signed player worn letterman cards are experiencing the most of this fallout, even though their rarity would normally determine that they are extremely valuable. This is most likely a combination of the general devaluing of rare cards and the fact that close to 25 jerseys are worn per player at the rookie premiere every year. Its never really stopped the value from being high in previous years, but these cards are now not as valuable.
Check out what I mean:
2011 Topps Inception Jake Locker Letter Auto 1/1
2011 Topps Triple Threads Blaine Gabbert Letterman Book Auto 1/1
2011 Topps Inception Ryan Mallett Auto Letter 1/1
Additionally, game used veteran letters have dropped in value too, seen by the cards created for this purpose in last year’s Topps Supreme, Five Star, Triple Threads and Panini Limited. Looking back to three years ago, these cards could command hundreds on top of the normal autographs we would usually see each year, to the point where they themselves were the chase cards in some products.
I believe that it goes without saying that some practices, such as cutting out excess material around the letter has decreased the collectability of these once highly sought after pieces of memorabilia, only made worse by poor design decisions. I used to want to collect the letter autos because I thought they were part of the holy trinity of 1/1 style cards, but now I dont feel like they are worth my time at all.
Like any good idea in the hobby, they are vastly overdone, which contributes to the need for manufactured letter autos like in Upper Deck’s products this year and Panini’s played out Threads set
. In its place, collectors have started to clamor for autographs with elaborate inscriptions, a great idea that even I think is worth exploring further.
One would think that eventually card manufacturers would get the point, but they never do. They always think its better to beat a dead horse to a bloody mush instead of cultivating more creative ideas. That is where I think we need a huge change in things, if not only to foster growth among the people who have given up on new products.
Overproduction is a relative term. In the case of what was once a “rare” hit, means that we have more of these cards out there for sale, than we have buyers/collectors. In the 90’s, cards numbered to 1000 were considered “rare” because we had 1,000,000 (just guessing) collectors wishing to own this card.
Card design and “fresh ideas” are very important to retaining existing customers. And, I thank you for your efforts. The card companies have all done a good job to do better. But there is still room for improvement.
The bigger problem remains getting back lost collectors and bringing in new collectors. Improved design and fresh ideas are important, but it will take much more to solve this complex problem.
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