restate your collecting focus

MajorDanby

I started posting here late last year. I was looking for a card forum that suited my collecting interests and had a forum population that was friendly and intelligent. I tried beckett, but that didnt last too long. I posted a few times at SGC...but, other than the comic book section, that place is a near graveyard. I thought about net54...but, i haven't collected too many prewar stuff other than a few t206's. i stumbled across this board. other than a few beckett like posts....this board seemed to fit my taste.

Since then, i have met many new collectors on this board...both new posters and old. Given this huge community of collectors that frequent this board....both off and on...i wanted to gauge what all of us collect. Not only is it interesting to find what each of us is focusing on at the moment (and hence discover the different eclectic tastes of this board)...but it also a good way to see any overlap...so, if someone is collecting the same thing i am..he may be able to help me out...and vice versa. This is also a good way for new posters to not only get a gauge of what this specific community of collectors collect...but it also allows them to get into this community by posting on this very post.

So, what are you collecting right now? Be as specific as possible. What sets...what players....whose autographs...what sport.....this could be related to the PSA set registry...or for your own collecting purposes...or both. If you dont have a certain focus...and you collect whatever looks cool...give us an example.

Let me start:

1951 Bowman Baseball
Pre and Post war HOF Rookies (if i cant afford a certain card, i collect the next best thing...the players card i find most aesthetically pleasing (hence, my purchase of 53 topps paige and not his 48/49 leaf))
Greg Maddux and Hank Aaron Memorabilia

Stingray

I am fairly new to this board also. I have been reading posts for a month or so prior to joining. I am re-focusing myself to just collect and hopefully finish the 1967 topps baseball set. I have began over the last couple of months to purchase what I can afford in PSA 8s and if I really have extra money PSA 9s. I go to cards shows every couple of months and was always just buying packs of new stuff, but after going onto the PSA set registery and enjoying looking at everyone else's sets, I decided to only focus on the 67 set and buy one card at a time. I really enjoy getting the card(s) in the mail and opening them up, even though there might have been a scan of the card at auction. It may be an impossible dream, but I will keep at it.

Stingray

RipublicaninMass

1955 Topps to 100%, grade isn't a super issue yet, just trying GPA of 7.
Nolan ryan basic, again just to 100%
Some other stuff
51 Bowman Red Menace
WOuld like to do 76 topps set one day, my birth year

MarkLee

As I mentioned in a similar thread, I have set my current overall universe to collect from as 1952-1991 Topps. I am interested in some of the pre-war issues but have not done anything with those. I just finished a 1976 raw set in EX-NM condition which now has me complete for 1976-1991. All of these are raw. Because of a lack of money to throw at graded vintage cards, I am sticking to raw for most of my older stuff. I have cards from every year in my universe, but am currently focusing on 1954, 1956 and 1957. Because the more modern sets are much cheaper, I kind have made it a new goal to complete a set each year going backwards also. This year it was '76, next year I'll go for '75, etc. On the graded front, I like to collect some of my favorite players from my youth. Right now I am doing base sets for Pete Rose, Tom Seaver, and Dave Concepcion. I don't have the funds to go for super high grades. PSA 8 is plenty for 1980s issues, PSA 7 for 1970s issues, and PSA 4-6 for 1950s and 1960s. I can also easily have my head turned by any real nice looking cards that I just happen to stumble across while trolling eBay. My three most recent purchases were a 1970 PSA 6 Pete Rose, a 1954 #1 Ted Williams - raw, and a 1971 PSA 7 Dave Concepcion rookie.

phreakydancin

It's hard to believe I've been on this board for over a year. Even though I'm not a baseball collector, I enjoy the chatter, and I've learned a ton since I joined.

As it says in my signature, I'm working on PSA graded 1981 Topps hockey and 1979 Venorlandus sets. I'm also in the early stages of a PSA graded Pele Master Set - just 3 cards so far, and I'm casually picking up non-graded cards of my favourite hockey player, Markus Naslund (far too many cards to attempt a graded collection).

Knuckles

My story of how I became a regular here is pretty much the same as yours MajorDanby.

I may be one of few hockey card collectors here but I still enjoy this forum very much and try and help out when I can.

My collection is focussed on pre-1970's rookie cards of hockey hall of famers, especially the goalies. I've also started collecting autographs of the pre 70's hhofers. I cut the autographs out and make my own 'cut autographed' cards. Two are in the hands of PSA/DNA at the moment.

packman

My primary collecting focus is as follows:

(a) 1952 Topps PSA 4/5/6

(b) 1953 Topps PSA 6/7

(c) 1956 Topps PSA 7

(d) 1957 Topps raw nm and PSA 7

(e) 1933 Goudey Indian Gum (non-sport) raw ex

(f) 1964 Topps Beatles cards raw nm-mt

I am also working on the following collections to a lesser degree:

(a) Unopened Topps wax pack run 1951-present. I currently have 1960-present with a couple from the 50's.

(b) 1972 Topps raw nm-mt. I like the design.

(c) 1976/1977/1979 Topps raw nm-mt sets. I was a child/teenager opening packs in 1976-1984. I am in the slow process of trying to complete these sets. The '76/'77/'79 sets are the last I need for those years.

My problem is that I enjoy alot of styles of baseball cards.

stown

Even though I just mentioned some on another thread, it would be more appropriate here:

1) 1955 Topps (97%) - See needs in signature
2) 1956 Topps (83%) - Missing Mantle but remaining are mostly commons
3) 1954 Bowman (95%) - All commons except # 66A Ted Williams SP
4) 1955 Double Header (72%) - Sigh
5) 1955 Red Heart (79%) - Another sigh

Caricon

Actually I just collect to give me something to do. It's always fun just saving up and buy a box
of this or that. I usually let my wife open the packs if she goes with me. I still have boxes that
I opened a couple of years ago that are still sitting on the shelf that haven't been sorted. I'll
get to them some day, I'm in no hurry. My latest buys were a box of 2004 Donruss, 2005 Leaf,
2004 Fleer Genuine Inside, 2004 Leaf 2nd edition. I just buy things I think I might like. And I
keep most everything I get too. I still have most everything I have ever bought in baseball. I
will trade or sell off my extras, or have gotten rid of things if someone really needs it to finish a
set or something and it's like the last card they need.

kingraider75

Well let me 1st say, that I probably have too many collecting focuses. I am not focused at all!!! Here is what I collect

1) Vintage Football sets- 1935 national Chicle, 1955 Topps All American, 1956-present Topps Football sets

2) Present day football set builder, all product money wise.

2) Probably non sports sets at this point in time. Some of the 1970's stuff like Charlie's Angels, Star Wars, and a lot of others to the present day wax that I break from Inkworks, Comic Images and sometimes even Topps and Upper Deck

3) Hockey 1970's through the 1980's sets mainly

4) Present day basketball set building, usually on the low end stuff. Too costly to build the high end sets with all the AUTO/JSY SP RC

5) Semi Vintage Topps Baseball mid 70's to about 1990

6) present day baseball, which is really a true distant 6th.

So I am not really focused at all. The vintage stuff in all areas is what I focus on the most. However, ranging from all era's in two sports, and time specific in another two is not focused at all. And if you throw in my non-sports stuff, I am truly all over the place in terms of collecting.

However, I don't collect singles, auto's or jerseys really. I am mainly a set builder in all of my card collecting endeavors.

charliehustle14

I've gotten into the 2005 Topps Heritage product in a big way this year, but my focus is mostly on '60's and '70's baseball. I'll get serious about these sets again very soon:

1) 1967 Topps: Mix of raw NM-MT and PSA 8 graded. About 60% complete
2) 1976 Topps: Graded stars mix of PSA 8 and 9, with mostly raw but beautiful mint commons. About 90% complete...I'll have this one 100% graded someday.
3) 1974 Topps: mix of raw and graded NM-MT or better. Lots of vending box cards in this one. About 80% complete.
4) 1957 Topps: Graded and raw Ex-Mt or better. Just getting started and maybe 10% complete.
5) 1970 Topps: mix of graded and raw NM-MT and better. About 75% complete. A few 9's on some key cards.
6) 1965 Topps: Now, this one is a lot of fun. My dad, who has pretty much given up on collecting, passed along a bunch of beat up '65's to me a couple years ago. I figured out I had 75% of the set. The fun part is finding cards that are G-VG, but have good eye appeal.
7) Long term, I'll be working on '55 Topps Ex-Mt or better and '56 Topps NM or better, as my dad is passing these down to me from his childhood collection. I have about a 50% start on each. Also, I'll be upgrading completed 50's, '60's and 70's sets as time (and finances) allow.
8) Always collecting nice examples of Big Red Machine players like Rose, Bench, Morgan, Perez, Concepcion, Sparky, and Foster. Big Klu too.
9) Somewhat into autographs, but not so much in recent years. I've got maybe 1500 autographs from players from the '30's to present day on gum cards and 3x5's, many of which I obtained personally or acquired when a friend of my dad passed away.

I'm not really sure how focused I am, but those are pretty much the cards I most enjoy playing with.

Todd

Stone193

Interesting to read what everyone is doing - some really great stuff too!!
I'm reworking the focus - of course economics will make the final cut easier.

Definites:
1. 1963F BB PSA 8
2. 66T BB raw
3. T3 BB PSA 1-?
4. Sports related whiskey decanters
5. Topps Heritage
6. Topps original sports card comic art

I'm looking for a turn of the century B&W set like the 1928 Yuenglings e.g.

mike

Onlypsahockey

I didn't want knuckles to get lonely so I collect hockey also. j/k

I have a complete run of raw Topps & OPC hockey sets from 1968 up. I also own about 4 of the 1960's Topps sets raw.

Decided to build PSA hi-end hockey sets at the start of this year.

Here's what I'm working on now....(4 months into it)

Set Name / Grade / %Complete / Set Rating / ATF Ranking

1962-63 Parkhurst / 8.450 / 33.93% / 4.020 / 15
1963-64 Topps / 7.010 / 42.42% / 3.740 / 9
1963-64 York White Backs / 8.330 / 5.56% / .460 / 2
1969-70 O-Pee-Chee - Basic / 8.250 / 35.50% / 2.450 / 6
1971-72 Topps / 9.030 / 53.79% / 4.260 / 5
1971-72 Topps Boston Bruins / 8.590 / 38.46% / 4.220 / 2
1972-73 Topps / 9.150 / 43.18% / 4.250 / 7
1975-76 Topps / 9.440 / 7.58% /.720 / 3

If you like looking at older hockey cards as much as I do. Take a look at my sets on the PSA Registry. (Onlypsahockey) Lots of scans for your viewing pleasure!

Bob

lostdart58

See the list below.........

Currently 99% of my focus is to complete the 72 TOPPS set graded PSA 8 ++. I am now 61% there in only 4 and a half months.

I am always looking for raw NR-MINT cards to upgrade my 55 Bowman and 59 Topps sets.

jerster

Older hockey for me too! 1954 through 60 Topps, and 63/64 P.

A761506

Focus... haha... I'm blind when it comes to that...

There are only two things that I actually collect as a grouping, Rocky Colavito and Norm Cash cards...

After that, the sky is the limit. if I see something I like the looks of, or if a great deal comes along, I'll usually snap it up. I don't have the patience to build sets, I'd worry about missing out on something better.

bsfastball

I would have to call myself an investor rather than a collector. I constantly buy and sell graded rookies of current players and then (hopefully) flip them for a profit. I've dabbled a bit in buying vintage raw on eBay, submitting to PSA and then selling; I've done decent with that. Overall it's definitely a fun way to make money!

RedRomad275

Currently collecting:

1. 1974 Topps Reds PSA 8+ 30%
2. 1975 Topps Reds PSA 8+ 78%
3. 1976 Topps Reds PSA 8+ 37.5%
4. 1977 Topps Reds PSA 8+ 15%
5. 1978 Topps Reds PSA 9+ 67%
6. 1979 Topps Reds PSA 8+ 0%
7. Pete Rose Basic Set - 43%
8. Pete Rose Master Set- 10.45 %
9. Reds Team Cards 56-81 28%

I've been on the boards for a while but rarely post. Just read and learn. Tried a couple the other boards but always came back here. Seems more informative and mostly adult conversation.

goudeygold

Focused on 1938 Goudeys, just started on 36 goudeys, and still dabbling in the crazy priced 33 sport kings. I'm going for 6 or higher on the 38s and 36s, and will keep the 5s for my sport kings. The 38 set is my baby. If you stay focused you can really pick up a few investment grade cards instead of tons of "hope". I have to preserve capital. May not be your goal, but it is a must for me.

GG

bobbybakeriv

Hi and welcome. My primary collecting interests are as follows:

1975 thru 1980 Topps Baseball All-Stars
1976 & 1977 Topps Football All-Pros
1975 thru 1977 Topps Basketball All-Stars

There are many insightful and friendly members on this board. I think you will find it helpful and fun. Bobby

TheCARDKid

My primary interests are....

-Cards I collected as a kid/teen (and couldn't afford!). Singles and sets from 1975 to 1990 (working on Star Basketball now).

-Raw basketball sets from 1971/72 through 89/90 Fleer in NM-MT+.

-Vintage packs (pre 1975)

Eventually, I want to work on high grade Parkhurst sets (62/63, 63/64) as well as a 65/66 Topps set. In addition to several vintage baseball sets. There are alot of cards out there to enjoy.

1967topps

My collecting focus?

I try to collect cards in focus.

Unfortunately I mostly collect 1967 baseball and there are some cards that I never see in focus.
Sigh.

jrdolan

Bench master set -- 82%
Bench basic set -- 100%
Reds team cards, 1956-81 -- 88%
Postwar HOF Rookies -- 72%
500 HR Club -- 65%
Bench certified autos -- about 70 and counting
Various vintage Cincinnati memorabillia
1953 Topps PSA 6 or better

That's not very focused, is it? It used to be worse. I have broken up and sold player sets of Mantle, Aaron, Mays, Clemente, Williams, Koufax and '64 Topps Giants. Some of them were not too far from completion, and I actually did complete Koufax (retired #3 all-time). Not being Brian Siegel or Don Louchios, I periodically have to "refocus" just for financial reasons. The next to go may have to be 1953 Topps. It's nowhere near completion, but I have most of the big dogs. A pity, because I think that is Topps' most beautiful set, with all due respect to '52.

ydsotter

1- Walt Frazier master and basic 100% always upgrading.
2- Carl Yastrzemski, munson, ken dryden psa 8/9
3- jeter, tino, paul, bernie, pettitte, posada, mariano refractors and sp's
4- cards I owned as a kid... raw
5- PSA 9 Vintage Knicks

MajorDanby

nice guys! keep it going...

jrdolan....how did you do with the topps giants? Did you get most of your money back??

ctsoxfan

I don't buy nearly as much modern product as I used to (hardly any, actually). Right now, I am focused on 1966 and 1968 sets (PSA 8 or better), 1978 and 1979 (PSA 9 or better), and Red Sox and Steelers cards from the 60's and 70's.

But, that could change next week!

MajorDanby

just in case anyone didnt read this and wanted to chime in.

Buccaneer

Collecting focus is something we regularly talk about here and I think it is an interesting topic - not so much in what people collect but why and how that have changed over time. This is something that I personally struggle with on a monthly basis. As in my other hobbies and interest (like reading), I cannot be devoted to one subject matter (or one type of game or one card set). But I have always recognize the need to narrow my interest in collecting because of limited funds and time. Still, when I did this a year ago, I came up with 6 sets to work on: 1957, 1961, 1963, 1964 and 1965 baseball, plus the Sampler Set. Because I display my good cards all over my walls in my den, I constantly am reminded how scattered shot even that pared down list is. And because I am anal about databases and programming, I constantly look at my analyses (esp. financial) and see what I have done and where I need to go.

Since I started selling on eBay earlier this year, this opened up a whole new dimension for me - mainly being more aggressive in getting cards I want. The nice thing is that my sales have paid for everything so far this year even though I had spent a couple thousand dollars. This has led me to focus mostly on two sets the past few months: 1957 and the 1961 AS. What had helped is that I decided not to do the Sampler Set and to sell my (very) partial 1961 registered set (I broke even despite declining prices). As the result, I have picked up some really nice cards including my biggest card of all that just arrived today (I'll post the scan in another thread).

The other part of my re-focus is that I finally got back on board as a Platinum Club member and will persue getting my 1957 cards graded - that will be a new experience for me. Additionally, depending if I can get my act together and get the mid-1970s sets up for sale, I am aiming to complete my 1961 AS registered set by the end of summer.

As far as the other three sets: 1963-1965, I don't know. The 1963 and 1965 are about half done (10% graded, 90% raw) and the 1964 much less so. It is not financially prudent to get those raws graded in the condition that I am collecting (NM), so those years are taking a back seat as I focus on 1957 right now.

And then I have boxes and boxes of late 1970s and early-mid 1980s cards that I have no idea what to do with.

Finally, because I chose to try new things, I constantly think about what other sets to work on next. This was why I had started on the aborted Sampler Set. I had thought about upgrading my completed 1970 and 1971 sets, as well as perhaps work on a couple more 1950s or 1960s sets. But you know, right now I am really listening to my friend goudeygold and thinking about pre-WW2. I doubt it will be the Goudeys because I really abhor the color yellow in designs. Maybe I'll go earlier and find a nice early tobacco or caramel set that is not too huge or too rare.

Stingray

julen23

My sureshots:

1969 Topps
psa 8 White Letter Variations
psa 8 Error Card Variations

Resistance is futile...

Stingray

Stupid login crap! Anyway I was wondering for those who focused on putting one set together on the time frame of completing you set? I am putting or attempting to put together the 67 set and figure it will take years, several years (10+). Financially and finding all of the cards in PSA 8 or better will have take a lot to do.

Stingray