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Hobby history collecting

I'm becoming more intrigued by our hobby's history. The Jefferson Burdick letters featured in SCD about six months ago were a great read, and various pre-1980 periodicles/books are also very facinating. I purchased the 1973 Great American Baseball Card, Flipping, Trading and Bubble Gum book and a 1974 Popular Sports feature on cards, and also dug up the 1981 issue #1 of Baseball Card Magazine. Not only are prices a hoot to see, but trends, dealer names, and listings take you on a nostalgic ride.

Anyone have pre-1980 issues of the Trader Speaks or old Baseball Hobby News and SCDs? I remember Richard Gelman adds in the late 1970's. Is he still alive?
“Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.” - George Carlin

Comments

  • magellanmagellan Posts: 2,099 ✭✭✭
    Andrew, I bought the Great American Tradin, Flipping...book too after the thread on it a couple months ago. I used to save all the hobby pubs such as SCD but ran out of room and tossed most everything. Think I have a few Becketts as well as some oddball mags left.

    I bought from Gelman as recently as the late '80's but no idea where he is today.

    Dave
    Topps Heritage

    Now collecting:
    Topps Heritage

    1957 Topps BB Ex+-NM
    All Yaz Items 7+
    Various Red Sox
    Did I leave anything out?
  • bobsbbcardsbobsbbcards Posts: 3,254 ✭✭✭
    Must have been something in the water. I also bought the Trading, Flipping book after reading that thread. Great book (makes you feel like you are about 8 years old).

    I have a batch of Renata Galasso catalogs from the late 70s that are fun to read (she advertised 74 Topps Puzzles in every issue). I also have a complete run of Baseball Cards Magazines (until it changed to Sports Cards Magazine and went in the crapper). The first few years of these had great articles on a variety of topics (60s and 70s cards especially).

    B
  • I remember that the magic number for the Wagner was $64,000, it was stuck on that price for awhile. Rather than think of a way to generate that kind of cash in 1981, I predicted that Valenzuela rookies and traded sets were the future.
    “Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.” - George Carlin
  • VirtualizardVirtualizard Posts: 1,936 ✭✭


    << <i>I remember that the magic number for the Wagner was $64,000, it was stuck on that price for awhile. Rather than think of a way to generate that kind of cash in 1981, I predicted that Valenzuela rookies and traded sets were the future. >>



    How did that work out for you? image

    Sorry, I couldn't resist. We've all done something similar!

    JEB.
  • bobsbbcardsbobsbbcards Posts: 3,254 ✭✭✭


    << <i>I remember that the magic number for the Wagner was $64,000, it was stuck on that price for awhile. >>


    I got my first Guiness Book of World Records in 1973 (if I recall correctly). They had a listing of Highest Priced Baseball Card and the Wagner was in there for $1,200. That seemed like all the money in the world. Of course, I rushed right out and bought 10 of them. Who is this Valenzuela guy?

    B
  • Speaking of Guinness, I purchased a 1955 second impression (first year of publication) last year, but no mention of cards. Fernando: I curse you!
    “Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.” - George Carlin
  • WinPitcherWinPitcher Posts: 27,726 ✭✭✭
    Gelman? as in richard? i think he went to jail
    Good for you.
  • BuccaneerBuccaneer Posts: 1,794 ✭✭
    Speaking of older price guides, I still have a few:

    CPU - Card Prices Update from July and December 1983 (Mark Lewis)
    Current Card Prices from late 83 and 84 (Richard Schawaroch and David Hornish)

    I blame these rags for the mess that we have gotten into the past 2 decades and for brainwashing every single kid in thinking cards are only worth what the price guides said they are worth. image Looking through them, I wish I could still pick up a complete 1964 Topps set for $180 (or $600 for the 1954 set for that matter).
  • rvcrvc Posts: 559 ✭✭
    what ever happened to renata galasso?

    bobby
    Bob
  • SCD has also been running a feature on old-time collector Lionel Carter and his letters. The articles give a unique insight in the card collecting world from the 1930's-late 1970's. Definitely worth a read.
    Baseball is my Pastime, Football is my Passion
  • SDSportsFanSDSportsFan Posts: 5,136 ✭✭✭✭✭
    I still have the first issue of Beckett's Baseball card annual priceguide.

    When I want a really good cry, I just look at the prices in it...how's fifty cents each for Ex-Mt T206 commonsimage


    Steve
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