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Female Card Collectors

I was reading through the new SMR magazine and I found the article about the woman who started her Pokeman business in Japan really interesting. That got me thinking that I honestly do not know any female collectors and I wonder if they are going to be the next wave of new collectors in the hobby. And if so, will this increase interest (and $$$'s) in many of today's incredible female athletes. What do others think?

Comments

  • AFLfanAFLfan Posts: 1,272 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have encountered a handful of passionate female collectors on Twitter. They're very much into the hobby and are building fantastic collections. Of the people I have seen, they seem to be heavily centered towards modern baseball, though I have seen some nice vintage stuff as well.

    Todd Tobias - Grateful Collector - I focus on autographed American Football League sets, Fleer & Topps, 1960-1969, and lacrosse cards.
  • stwainfanstwainfan Posts: 1,533 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 15, 2020 7:10AM

    There are some WNBA cards. That are worth a good amount. Cards like these.


    I collect hall of fame rookie cards, https://www.instagram.com/stwainfan/

  • LarkinCollectorLarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Like Todd, the few I'm aware of are modern baseball player collectors or baseball team set collectors. I'd love to see more interest in the great female athletes past and present, the fact that there's no Babe Didrikson player set even created and only two people with Nadia Comaneci sets on the registry is not encouraging for any significant interest/demand.

  • 80sRockNut80sRockNut Posts: 67 ✭✭

    @doubledragon said:
    But I would like to say to the ladies of the hobby, that there's really nothing to see in the Joe Louis card section of Ebay. All the good stuff is in the baseball section!

    Another example of why I love these message boards so much ... it took me a second to get this and then I laughed for five minutes! Thanks, DD.

  • doubledragondoubledragon Posts: 23,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @80sRockNut said:

    @doubledragon said:
    But I would like to say to the ladies of the hobby, that there's really nothing to see in the Joe Louis card section of Ebay. All the good stuff is in the baseball section!

    Another example of why I love these message boards so much ... it took me a second to get this and then I laughed for five minutes! Thanks, DD.

    You,re very welcome. I like to add a little humor to the forum!

  • erikthredderikthredd Posts: 9,036 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @doubledragon said:
    I'm all for it, the more the merrier! But I would like to say to the ladies of the hobby, that there's really nothing to see in the Joe Louis card section of Ebay. All the good stuff is in the baseball section!

    Literally,lol. Are you able to see Joe today?

  • stwainfanstwainfan Posts: 1,533 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A few cards of the boss.



    I collect hall of fame rookie cards, https://www.instagram.com/stwainfan/

  • doubledragondoubledragon Posts: 23,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @erikthredd said:

    @doubledragon said:
    I'm all for it, the more the merrier! But I would like to say to the ladies of the hobby, that there's really nothing to see in the Joe Louis card section of Ebay. All the good stuff is in the baseball section!

    Literally,lol. Are you able to see Joe today?

    Yes, it finally straightened itself out this morning, and I'm happy to report, Joe and I are back together again!

  • erikthredderikthredd Posts: 9,036 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @doubledragon said:

    @erikthredd said:

    @doubledragon said:
    I'm all for it, the more the merrier! But I would like to say to the ladies of the hobby, that there's really nothing to see in the Joe Louis card section of Ebay. All the good stuff is in the baseball section!

    Literally,lol. Are you able to see Joe today?

    Yes, it finally straightened itself out this morning, and I'm happy to report, Joe and I are back together again!

    Rats, so ending my ebay bid play by play commentating career before it ever started. :'(

  • doubledragondoubledragon Posts: 23,269 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @erikthredd said:

    @doubledragon said:

    @erikthredd said:

    @doubledragon said:
    I'm all for it, the more the merrier! But I would like to say to the ladies of the hobby, that there's really nothing to see in the Joe Louis card section of Ebay. All the good stuff is in the baseball section!

    Literally,lol. Are you able to see Joe today?

    Yes, it finally straightened itself out this morning, and I'm happy to report, Joe and I are back together again!

    Rats, so ending my ebay bid play by play commentating career before it ever started. :'(

    😂😂😂😂 If it ever happens again, you'll be the first one I contact, I promise!

  • blurryfaceblurryface Posts: 5,136 ✭✭✭✭✭

    A ton of ladies out there collecting soccer cards!

  • erbaerba Posts: 306 ✭✭✭✭

    I know of quite a few in the hockey collecting side.

  • AlanAllenAlanAllen Posts: 1,530 ✭✭✭

    I went to the National last year after not having been to one for 15 years, and I noticed a lot more female collectors.

    No such details will spoil my plans...
  • mrmoparmrmopar Posts: 1,051 ✭✭✭✭

    The assumption that women would collect female athletes primarily is probably flawed. I am guessing that if they developed an interest in collecting anything, many would collect what is popular like many men do.

    Lots of women in sports today (broadcasters, team front offices, etc), so they have enough interest in the game to work around it as a career.

    The hobby in general could use an influx of "coolness" any way it can get it. We need young blood, of any sex. Most people still probably think single nerdy adult white guy living in his parents basement when trading cards are brought up in the general population of non-collectors. Sadly, judging by the photos you see of the old shows/conventions and modern day, it's true and the two photos look very little different. The short sleeve button up shirts, ties and khakis have been replaced by cargo shorts, ballcaps and jerseys stretched to their limit! Yes, this is the same stereotype that I just mentioned, but damn if it isn't true most of the time. I still remember fondly a photo shared on one of these sites of a large show (basically 30+ guys and I think 1 woman) and a follow comment about the cargo shorts. I can't remember it, so I won't try to recreate it, but it made me laugh out loud when I read it.

    I collect Steve Garvey, Dodgers and signed cards. Collector since 1978.
  • bobbybakerivbobbybakeriv Posts: 2,186 ✭✭✭✭
    edited July 15, 2020 8:47PM

    I don't really know much about the female collecting world, etc. What I do do know is that Elena Delle Donne is beautiful inside and out. I sat next to her on a fairly long flight from NYC to Colorado Springs and she was super kind, humble, and drop dead gorgeous to boot. I am a huge fan!

  • blurryfaceblurryface Posts: 5,136 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @mrmopar said:
    The assumption that women would collect female athletes primarily is probably flawed. I am guessing that if they developed an interest in collecting anything, many would collect what is popular like many men do.

    Lots of women in sports today (broadcasters, team front offices, etc), so they have enough interest in the game to work around it as a career.

    The hobby in general could use an influx of "coolness" any way it can get it. We need young blood, of any sex. Most people still probably think single nerdy adult white guy living in his parents basement when trading cards are brought up in the general population of non-collectors. Sadly, judging by the photos you see of the old shows/conventions and modern day, it's true and the two photos look very little different. The short sleeve button up shirts, ties and khakis have been replaced by cargo shorts, ballcaps and jerseys stretched to their limit! Yes, this is the same stereotype that I just mentioned, but damn if it isn't true most of the time. I still remember fondly a photo shared on one of these sites of a large show (basically 30+ guys and I think 1 woman) and a follow comment about the cargo shorts. I can't remember it, so I won't try to recreate it, but it made me laugh out loud when I read it.

    You're just stuck in the blinders of your older forum environment. Not a bad thing but if you don't think there's a ton of new blood out there and it's simply old men at shows in cargo khakis still, you've got another thing coming. Poke your head out of your usual spots and you might just be surprised how much things have changed because I guarantee you'll never see a huge influx of the new breed of collectors, the kids and fellow female collectors around the old stomping grounds.

  • FINESTKINDFINESTKIND Posts: 374 ✭✭✭

    The few women that I've seen post on any sports card forum are usually basketball or baseball card collectors. Because, they think the players are good looking.

  • skrezyna23skrezyna23 Posts: 908 ✭✭✭

    I have seen some on Twitter. One of them has a great Trout collection.

  • gemintgemint Posts: 6,102 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I've sold to several women on eBay. I'm not sure if they are buying for themselves or for their husbands or sons.

  • 2dueces2dueces Posts: 6,461 ✭✭✭✭✭

    There was an avid female collector on here oh 5-10 years ago. Time flies. She was very generous and semi knowledgeable. I think she kinda faded away after she joined a private board and thought she was the top knowledge only to be overwhelmed by the depth of knowledge.
    Also Joanne over at NET54 was extremely knowledgeable about prewar. Not sure if she’s still there.

    W.C.Fields
    "I spent 50% of my money on alcohol, women, and gambling. The other half I wasted.
  • mrmoparmrmopar Posts: 1,051 ✭✭✭✭

    I am sure you are right. I don't bother with card shows and the shops that were still alive pre-covid, were only a very small sample size. I would see a good number of kids and adults entering one shop in particular. That was encouraging.

    As far as the large shows, I can only go by photos I have seen in online articles, sites and what attendees share. Never been to anything larger than a local annual type show from one of the local collector clubs. It was dominated by old while males. I am right there in the middle of that category myself (I don't live in my parent's basement though!

    Not putting anyone down, but the card hobby has long been seen that way by outsides, like comics, coins, stamps and a fair amount of other collectible based hobbies. Obviously there are all kinds of different folks who like to collect cards, but the strong majority will probably fit into that category.

    @blurryface said:

    @mrmopar said:
    The assumption that women would collect female athletes primarily is probably flawed. I am guessing that if they developed an interest in collecting anything, many would collect what is popular like many men do.

    Lots of women in sports today (broadcasters, team front offices, etc), so they have enough interest in the game to work around it as a career.

    The hobby in general could use an influx of "coolness" any way it can get it. We need young blood, of any sex. Most people still probably think single nerdy adult white guy living in his parents basement when trading cards are brought up in the general population of non-collectors. Sadly, judging by the photos you see of the old shows/conventions and modern day, it's true and the two photos look very little different. The short sleeve button up shirts, ties and khakis have been replaced by cargo shorts, ballcaps and jerseys stretched to their limit! Yes, this is the same stereotype that I just mentioned, but damn if it isn't true most of the time. I still remember fondly a photo shared on one of these sites of a large show (basically 30+ guys and I think 1 woman) and a follow comment about the cargo shorts. I can't remember it, so I won't try to recreate it, but it made me laugh out loud when I read it.

    You're just stuck in the blinders of your older forum environment. Not a bad thing but if you don't think there's a ton of new blood out there and it's simply old men at shows in cargo khakis still, you've got another thing coming. Poke your head out of your usual spots and you might just be surprised how much things have changed because I guarantee you'll never see a huge influx of the new breed of collectors, the kids and fellow female collectors around the old stomping grounds.

    I collect Steve Garvey, Dodgers and signed cards. Collector since 1978.
  • blurryfaceblurryface Posts: 5,136 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited July 17, 2020 7:00PM

    I know you won't (and that's kinda my point here) but jump on instagram and you'll change your opinion very quickly. With the amount of content there and vast amount of "other" collectors, I hadn't even made it to any facebook groups or even twitter yet.

    Not only that, it kinda lays to rest a lot of the "bubble and has to be manipulation" talk that goes on on the boards. Sure, that stuff still happens but there's more evidence that the card markets are very, very strong and the valid competition is pretty stiff if you just step outside your own personal bubble.

    ETA: i'm actually purchasing more on IG than on ebay. not only that, located a card i have been looking for for 10 years in the first week there.

  • PatsGuy5000PatsGuy5000 Posts: 671 ✭✭✭

    I am not aware of any female collectors, although I have picked up a few Serena Williams cards

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