The Collector - Profiling the Person

Stone193

We have all heard of "profiling" on TV about what "type" of person does this and that...
I had one psyche 101 course in college and remember one thing...everything I read, I was convinced I had it! LOL And, we may even have some phyche people out there?

So, in your opinion, what type of person collects things with our sense of devotion? MorrellMan gave me the idea for this thread.
BTW, my understanding is that I am a type "A" personality.

So, what are we? Obsessive/compulsive? Anal retentive? Passive aggressive? Or how about just plain nuts!

your friend
Mike

DataDriven05

Mike -

You could make cases for each, but I think O/C is the most prevalent.

Obsessive/compulsive is for the constant need to add or improve ones collection and the way we go about it. For me, I compelled to spend hours at the PC looking for the cards I wanted, or may want. When I find a niche I research the heck out of it, constantly read the price guides and closed auctions, I can't even snipe... I have to be present for the "kill". I plan how I can obtain these cards, how long it will take, and how much it will cost... then I won't deviate or stop until it's complete. It becomes ritualistic, but fun in everyway. I could go on but this isn't a filibuster.

Anal Retentive - I could see card conditions factor in here.

Passive Aggressive - When it becomes more about the thrill of winning the auction, and not the card you are winning. Sniping things simply because you can. Also, some set registry competition can exhibit some signs of this too...

Amatuer psychologist I am certainly not, but a interesting topic it is...

jaxxr

Plain Nuts best decribes me.

Collecting things with a sense of devotion, devotion prompted by what ??

Investment purposes, spare time filling, re-capturing childhood memories, competiton, love of the particular sport or sportsman, intrinsic enjoyment, statistical information, artistic pleasure, comradeship, or many other posiible motives to make us devote time, money, and energy towards our collections.

All of the above ? probably for me, but almost always with a constant change of importance or direction.

ctsoxfan

I think I fit the bill as well - a bit obsessive/compulsive, and a bit detail oriented. The type of business I run forces me to be very careful about numbers and details, and I think collecting cards (not just cards, but graded cards) is a byproduct of that. It also is a way for me to maintain a link to my past, as I collect cards I remember seeing when I was a kid.

Scumbi

Let me preface this by saying I majored in Psychology and did some post-graduate studies, however I am not an expert.

I don't think it's possible to lump all the personality components inherent in being a card collector together. There are a variety of factors we all share:

1) As mentioned, there is a touch of obssessive-compulsive behavior involved
2) There's usually a strong tie to sports in general.
3) Control issues are involved. The world is very complicated, however collecting cards sets a very specific attainable goal.
4) The collector will usually be filling some void in his life. His kids might have gone away to college, his marriage might have lost its pep, work might be tedious, etc... But, this is definitely a time consuming hobby and a replacement for something else you're missing in your life.
5) Card collecting can often begin when we get our first taste of mortality. Every man wants to leave some unique treasure. I think that's natural. Baseball cards are something that can be passed down. The costs are relatively inexpensive if you compare it to art, sculpture or first edition books.
6) The cards connect us to our inner-child. Things were simpler and childhood memories are often strong and pleasant. This is a way to stay connected to your boyhood.
7) Men have a hard time making close friends as they get older. They generally keep high school and college friends. However, these long term friendships often end. Baseball card collecting provides a body of potential friends with a very specific common interest.
8) The Registry shows that collectors are competitive individuals. I think many collectors were athletes at some point. I would guess high school was the extent of it. They weren't able to continue for a number of reason, but I'm sure lack of size and speed were often the central cause.
9) It's a form of idol worship. It's easier to believe in a Nolan Ryan fastball than religion when there is so much horror in the world.
10) I think most of the hardcore collectors are intelligent and fairly-well adjusted. I've been on these boards long enough to get to know some of the guys. Opinions are usually well-written. Answers are thought out. I don't think this is a hobby that's appealing to dummies. I think there are some modern card collectors who are dummies. They are more into the gambling aspect of pulling from packs. The real collector gambles, but that is not his main driving force.
11) Also, I would venture to say baseball cards are not the only form of collecting many of the people here adhere to strictly. Collectors seem to have a certain approach towards material objects and a respect for the past. I think they might participate in other types of collecting. Collecting is a challenge. I think collectors like to test the waters in other areas too to see if their theories hold up.

Overall, I think card collectors are a special bunch. They are accepting of newbies, quick to offer assistance and respectful. There are so many sets that we don't have constantly step on each other's feet. It happens, but I don't really detect any hardcore malice. Dealers are a different breed and rightfully so. Cards represent clothing for their kids and food on the table. Many started as avid collectors, but I don't think the pursuit allows an individual to play both sides of the fence. There are times when we all stretch for a card that is out of our price range. However, the cards retain a certain value so I don't see it as totally reckless behavior. Gambling or drug addiction demands the same finances and you are left with nothing. I think the next generation of vintage collectors will also fit this description. I don't believe the card collector can ever be adequately described. Why are some people golf nuts while others detest the game? There are a combination of elements that come together at a point when we have disposable income. I don't think sterotyping the group is necessary. It will be interesting to hear more from others on this subject.
This is a very interesting thread.

Happy Holidays,

Scumbi
(Back from taking a break and trying to lose my virginity)

Cubfan

Welcome back Scumbi. We were just reliving an old post from the PSAtan days a while back.

Being 45, Id have to say that I can connect to nearly every point mentioned above.

Stone193

Welcome back Scumbi!
I was thinking about you and a few others that have not been around much. Well written - you captured the whole arena.
One of the things that has captured my imagination is the obsessive behavior that breeds very nicely in the mix of collectibles where a checklist becomes everyones "Mt. Everest."

Now, if we can get guys like Aknot, Kallmalonesay etc. to chime in and we'll have a good ole fashion New Years reunion of sorts!

your friend
Mike

67standup

<< <i> what type of person collects things with our sense of devotion?

Mike >>






Maybe the kind of guy who had to wear a pretty red dress and stand in the corner. When the lambs stop screaming I'll elaborate.

stormsurge

Okay 67standup please stay away from me!

Stone193

<< <i>Maybe the kind of guy who had to wear a pretty red dress and stand in the corner. When the lambs stop crying I'll elaborate. >>

Buccaneer

What type of person? How about Nostalgic and Remembering the Good 'Ol Days?

MorrellMan

Good topic, Mike. As stated elsewhere, I think O/C is rife amongst us collectors, but there are other psyche states involved. I think the part of us that feels a connection to a simpler, happier time through a piece of cardboard are probably exhibiting A/R traits (difficulty in letting go, etc.). I'm also reminded that addict-able people are usually high achievers (unless their addiction brings them down) and thus amongst the most creative and affluent groups around.

Scumbi - hi; glad to hear from you again.

Re. pretty red dress: heh (all rights reserved, any rebroadcast without written permission is strictly prohibited)*


*now, Dr. Freud, what is that all about?

Stone193

Good points Mark
My belief is that a sense of nostalgia is a state of mind, an emphemeral moment in time...what "drives" us runs deeper into the psyche of an individual. As you have stated. I'm an over-achiever/type A - prone to being highly sensitive to trivial details...tack on a compelling desire to complete the circle of and you are there: one type of collector? Or is that part and parcel of the prototypical "collector?" Many people feel nostaligic at times, but they are not driven to collect the way we do. Now, I am also a "pack rat" - so by nature I save everything which is also a type of inherent collecting.

Just another thought.
Thanx for the replies. Oh, not writing a paper or anything.

your friend
Mike

Lothar52

The most interesting thing about personality disorders is that if you think you have them...YOU DONT...those individuals believe 100% that they have nothing wrong with them and that what they are doing is completely fine. An anal retentive person would be diagnosed with a personality called obsessive/compulsive personality disorder...even this is actually different from obsessive/compulsive disorder in that those with OCPD dont continually do something like shut the door or call there kids to ask if the grandkids are ok cause they have this compellling thought that they through them in the trash...which OCP's DO. Funny enough OCP's know that what they are doing is obsessive and compulsive but OCPD...they think nothing is wrong...and they are simply described as A-holes that must have the rules followed or they cant handle the situation...they make great a-hole office managers. There way or the highway...why are they called Obessive compulsive...not quite sure on that...... we should just call is ahole disorder

Collectors...who knows what drives us...here are my theories:

1- we need something else in our life and fill it with cards.....which are nothing but worthless paper that WE put value to. Some people collect stereo equipment however, which as soon as it leaves the store is drastically
dropped in value....least our stuff has the opportunity to INCREASE in value.

2- we have an exagerated need to save stuff for the future....possibly like our forefathers in Africa used to plant dried out plants full of water for the future insuring there survival and that of the human species. Seperating ourselves as the dominate species on the planet for millions of years to come.

3- cards symbolize something to us. I believe that is what it means to me. For me i collect 1956 and 1957 topps without a thought of selling it in the future for profit or whatever. Why??? Cause i Love the era...it takes me and and I just love to think about owning something a kid who is now 55 or older cracked open for me back in the day. I mean come on!! THATS COOL!!

4- make a quick buck and have others pay for our smaller collections (or larger)...thinking we pulled something over on someone (i know ive had quite a bit pulled over me thats for sure).

e

Lothar52

the other answers are also quite compelling....i think it needs to be judged on an individual case.


if you HAVE to beat someone out on ebay every night on ONE auction or you just dont feel right....and when u do..for whatever...you feel relief and can continue on with your life....which would otherwise be disrupted to the point of NOT FUNCTIONING.....then i would say you have an OCD.

Othewise I think your searching for something.........or just love cards....its up to you to find that answer out

ctsoxfan

The best thing about this thread so far is:

Scumbi is back! Cool!

helionaut

Once again, the Great American Card Flipping and Trading book comes through. They have classifications in there for the various types of collectors. I'll list them later when I find the book. But it's pretty funny.

I was about to say I'm not really competitive in collecting. There are always people out there with more money than me, able to buy nicer stuff and more of it. My interests in cards vary widely. Gem mint Bowman Chrome rookies one month, Mayo Cut Plugs the next. And I have collections of other things, too, plus I'm always working on something in my house. But when I look at where most of my money goes, it's the Registry. And when I look at my sets on the registry, I find that the ones I've put the most time and money into are the sets with the most competition. 1975 Topps, 1971 Greatest Moments, and then the rest. I don't dream of ever having the #1 set, but I'd like to be in the top 10. So I guess there's a sense of competition there, but it's more about keeping up than excelling or exceeding. I mean to me, what's the point in being so much better than everyone else that people don't care? Like Barry Bonds. Steroids aside, he was SO the MVP this year it wasn't even funny. The media and fans started to ignore him and debate about the MVP between Pujols, Rolen, and Beltre, forgetting that Barry had basically lapped them. When I look at a registry and most people have registered sets in the 8 range, and there's one guy with a 9.5 set, I admire it, but it's sort of nuts. It's hard to explain.

I'm not OCD, or anal retentive (except when it comes to word pronunciation, that drives me up a wall), far from it. My whole house is loosely organized, but my collection is all over. I'm whatever you call a "spreader" where my cards, my books, my clothes, my desks, all my stuff covers every available surface so that I can see it all and have it all within reach without rummaging for it. Instead of putting my loose cards in a monster box, I've got them in small stacks on shelves in my closet so I can always flip through them.

Basilone

Sorry for the hijack...but WELCOME BACK SCUMBI

crsportscards33

PSAtan, nice to relive the old days during this time for holiday reflection. You truly are one who needs to post more often!!