Set Registry "Immortality"
RayBShotz
Posts: 1,088
I can't say I have ever thought much about immortality. Even leaving a legacy has not been high on my list of priorities. On the flip side, I can fully understand and appreciate those who hold these thoughts close, and wish to think they or their deeds will, and can, be remembered fondly.
For the last 34 years the 1969 Topps Baseball set has been a part of my life; sometimes a very small part and at other times fully interactive in my daily thoughts.
For the last, almost 6 years, since I have gone to PSA grading for the set components it has been more of the later.
Some of us in this fine group of avid collectors have completed sets; some of you many sets and now according to the registry setup are eligible for "immortality" as my friend Neil Downey would call it. (Any registered set that reaches 90% complete can be retired yet also maintained in the list of All-Time Great Sets - In essence cardboard immortality). Seemed like a cute little addition to the whole registry idea and a permanent bookmark for a great achievement.
For some 90% comes quickly, amazing in its own right.
For me, however, it has been almost 6 years, and as of the next update I will have reached 90% on my 1969 Baseball set. It has been an amazing trip. In and of itself the immortality stuff doesnt mean all that much but it has caused me to take pause, and reflect on the journey so far.
Building a set over a long period of time, basically allocating all of the available small amounts of expendable income, to continue the march towards completion has given me the opportunity to enjoy every card in the set in it's own moment. I can remember dozens of transactions involving specific cards like they were yesterday; and in some cases years have passed. Most of all I remember and thank all of you, my valued collector friends that I acknowledge today. It has been your comradery that brings the joy to this journey.
The final 10% will likely take quite a bit longer. I have always felt this would be a 10 year plan. I am sure I will continue this quest with the same focus on fun and hobby friendship that has brought me to this point.
And for the record, the 69' group is one of the best bunch of class individuals I have had the pleasure to know in my life.
Hey Neil; I guess this means I'm "Immortal"!. :-)
Warmest thanks to all.
RayB69Topps
For the last 34 years the 1969 Topps Baseball set has been a part of my life; sometimes a very small part and at other times fully interactive in my daily thoughts.
For the last, almost 6 years, since I have gone to PSA grading for the set components it has been more of the later.
Some of us in this fine group of avid collectors have completed sets; some of you many sets and now according to the registry setup are eligible for "immortality" as my friend Neil Downey would call it. (Any registered set that reaches 90% complete can be retired yet also maintained in the list of All-Time Great Sets - In essence cardboard immortality). Seemed like a cute little addition to the whole registry idea and a permanent bookmark for a great achievement.
For some 90% comes quickly, amazing in its own right.
For me, however, it has been almost 6 years, and as of the next update I will have reached 90% on my 1969 Baseball set. It has been an amazing trip. In and of itself the immortality stuff doesnt mean all that much but it has caused me to take pause, and reflect on the journey so far.
Building a set over a long period of time, basically allocating all of the available small amounts of expendable income, to continue the march towards completion has given me the opportunity to enjoy every card in the set in it's own moment. I can remember dozens of transactions involving specific cards like they were yesterday; and in some cases years have passed. Most of all I remember and thank all of you, my valued collector friends that I acknowledge today. It has been your comradery that brings the joy to this journey.
The final 10% will likely take quite a bit longer. I have always felt this would be a 10 year plan. I am sure I will continue this quest with the same focus on fun and hobby friendship that has brought me to this point.
And for the record, the 69' group is one of the best bunch of class individuals I have had the pleasure to know in my life.
Hey Neil; I guess this means I'm "Immortal"!. :-)
Warmest thanks to all.
RayB69Topps
Never met a Vintage card I didn't like!
0
Comments
Wayne
Well said I will add nothing to it.
Dave
Well said I will add nothing to it.
Dave
What a refreshing post...
I think almost all of us are in the same mindset. Collecting new or old, big or little, gives us the oppourtunity to meet a lot of interesting people and spend some "quality time" on a hobby that, quite frankly, passes the rest of the world by.....
Take one of your treasured '69's down to the local grocery store and show it around...Most folks look at you kinda' funny. However, take that same card and show the Registry guys, and something truly magical happens......."Where in the world did you come up with that gem Ray"???...."Wow Ray"..."I know you've been tracking that one for a couple of years"..."Man O man Ray, I wish I had that card in my set"... The whole context of the hobby changes.
Three cheers for you on reaching your goals.
Maybe I'll start a '69 set if it will make me as happy and proud as you.....
Best of luck on the last 10%.
Larry
email....emards4457@msn.com
CHEERS!!