2006 Topps 52 Matt Kemp Autograph

I've been reflecting on some of the cards that are already in my collection this week and have taken a bit of a break from the cards coming into my collection from trades.  So, this weekend it's time to catch up a little bit.  First up for the weekend is this great Matt Kemp autograph from the 2006 Topps 52 set.  This card is a dupe for my collection, but is one of the real underrated Kemp cards out there on the market.

The card is technically a second year year card for Kemp, but it's an on card autograph and is often in high demand.  I actually traded one of these cards earlier this year at the beginning of the baseball season and the card literally doubled in value the next week.  Maybe not doubled, but not far from it.  I have traded a few other nice Kemp cards from my collection throughout the summer, but I have also managed to add a few really nice pieces too often at a very low cost.  

The dynamics of how people value Matt Kemp cards has intrigued me this entire season.  Last year I owned zero Matt Kemp cards.  About half way through the year I added one copy of this card to my collection for around $10 and added a second for just under $20 towards the end of the season.  I was also able to buy and trade for several nice relic cards for little or nothing.  All the trades and purchases were made with dealers or at card shops in the Midwest, which probably added a little to the discount, but given the level of performance when Kemp has stayed healthy it's hard to understand.  

A quick glance at Kemp cards on Ebay offers a similar view.  On the lower end of the spectrum of Kemp autographs selling on the site is his 2009 Upper Deck Signature Stars autograph.  It's a fine card, but it's got a high run and is on a sticker.  Copies of the card have ranged from $12 to $25 in the past two weeks.  Did the value of the card double or half during that time?  On the higher end his raw Bowman rookie autograph has had a $60 pendulum over the past two months and the featured card in this post has had a $90 swing.  

So, what are Kemp cards really worth?  Given that Kemp was hitting over .400 at the beginning of May with an OPS over 1.300 and is entering the prime of his career at 27 I would bet it's towards the high end of the spectrum.  Kemp has had an injury plagued season, but the excitement his cards generated earlier in the season when he was healthy should be a sign to collectors to find the bargains available on Kemp cards and hold on for the long haul.