what do i do with grandfather's rare baseball cards?

Question

my grandfather had a love for baseball he was the person who took me to many yankee games. i'm his only grandson and his daughter (my mom) wasn't interested in baseball so he loved to discuss the games with me when we went together. my grandfather recently died. In his will he left me his baseball cards that he never told me he had. Some family members left that all he left me was baseball cards. When i opened the wooden box with the key in it were 5 baseball cards. No ordinary baseball cards he kept them in MINT condition in individual plastic wrappers. one of them was a limited edition George Herman Ruth in his rookie year. The card is probably priceless today. another one was an autographed Joe Dimaggio from about 1941 black/white card also mint condition.

I always wondered why he told me stories of how he worked at the yankee stadium cleaning the fields and he told me of how he met certain players as a child. he told me he met Joe Dimaggio among others...

my grandpa never told me he had an autographed ball by Dimaggio or anyone else. i think he kept that a secret. His father took him to see games by Babe Ruth, before he died he told me my mom wasn't interested in baseball and he was happy that i was. He left me these 5 baseball cards that are no ordinary cards. HOW MUCH ARE THOSE 2 CARDS WORTH TODAY? I THINK THEY'RE EXPENSIVE, BUT I WOULD FEEL WRONG SELLING THEM because he kept them for over 50 years. WHAT SHOULD I DO??

i mean to say some family members LAUGHED not left.

Answer 1

Get them professionally graded and, in the case of autographs, authenticated -- if for nothing else, to assign valuations for homeowners insurance. If the cards are what you say and in the conditions described, yes, they may be VERY valuable.

Nothing you have is priceless (as their own artifacts; as keepsakes from your late grandfather, they are irreplaceable to you), but they may command very high prices indeed, and that's something you probably want to know on paper.

Answer 2

I agree they need to be appraised. I would go with Beckett because they are the best choice, tend to grade on a tough scale, and collectors trust their ranking. From what you told me they sound like a 3.8 or better on the Beckett scale out of 5. If there are no bent edges or bends in the card and only little discoloration, you could get over a 4 on each. They higher the rating, obviously the high you could sell them for. The collection would easily sell at auction for an extremely high price. We are taking retirement figures if one was to invest the money and not live to big of a lifestyle.

Answer 3

I would get them professionally appraised and insured for sure. You need to find an appraiser who specializes in sports memorabilia: one that is bonded and insured. Look up the antiques roadshow and see if they don't have a place for you to ask this question. Meanwhile rent a safety deposit box and lock them up. They are way way valuable.

Answer 4

I would agree with 55yrs comments. Definitely get them appraised and insured and store them someplace safe like a safe deposit box.

Sounds like a great gift you have received, not just for the financial value but the emotional value and your grandfather's gift was maybe his way of thanking you for the emotional bond he felt for you and maybe how you helped him relive the memories of his early years.

Answer 5

i wish i had those i would wait about 20 years and then sell them

Answer 6

sell them and buy a house

Answer 7

keep them those are priceless