THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 14, 1994 TAG: 9408140189
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C13 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRIAN L. BIGELOW, SPECIAL TO THE VP/LS
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
Collectors are busily pursuing cards of football rookies during this 1994 preseason. It is the annual rush to obtain cards of those new players who will be the year's success stories, and hobbyists are understandably anxious to possess collectibles of the newest gridiron stars.
A lot of hobby dollars can be saved by the prudent early purchase of the athlete who will become the mid-season's top performer, since prices rise dramatically for cards of those players who demonstrate winning abilities.
The dollar-conscious collector in 1994 will be well-advised to pay attention to veteran players, as well. Quite a few seasoned quarterbacks have changed teams, are returning from injuries or are trying to repeat past triumphs. Others are simply trying to prolong successful careers.
Quarterback cards are among the most expensive football cards. The rise and fall of the card's value depends heavily on the player's on-field activity.
Quarterback card values to watch in 1994 include:
Dan Marino (rookie card: 1984 Topps (NU)123, value $65-70). Marino is seeking to put a brilliant career back on course after an injury-demolished 1993. His rookie card value already reflects card-investor confidence; a resumption of his winning will continue to support high prices for the popular star's cards.
Joe Montana (1981 Topps (NU)216, $200). Joe is a legend and a future Hall of Famer; from that standpoint, his card value is already vested. Nevertheless, the hobby will be watching to see if he is capable of even more great performances.
Brett Favre (1991 Fleer (NU)283 $2-3 and 1991 Topps Stadium Club (NU)94, $10-12). Favre's cards have been riding a roller-coaster of wildly changing prices and demands. Collectors are waiting for his future production to determine where Favre collectibles will ultimately stabilize.
Warren Moon (1984 Topps (NU)251 $18-21), Mark Rypien (1989 Score (NU)105, $2-3) and Bernie Kosar (1986 Topps (NU)187, $7-8) are examples of QBs who have been given new opportunities. Again, what they do on the field will help the hobby market decide the fate of their cards.
John Elway (1984 Topps (NU)63, $25-35) and Steve Young (1986 Topps (NU)374, $12-15) are two consistent winners whose talents are familiar to collectors. These players are widely expected to continue leading their respective teams; their card values will maintain their past patterns of gradual, solid growth.
Many other regular players' card values are subject to change this year. Collectors are certainly aware that it's good to buy the new players' rookie cards early, but it also pays to watch the status of hobby purchases that were made in earlier years. MEMO: Brian L. Bigelow is store manager and appraiser for Candl Coins &
Stamps, located on Independence Blvd. and North (Lynnhaven) Mall Drive
in Virginia Beach. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
What Bernie Kosar and Brett Favre do on the field will help
determine their card values.
by CNB