How Serious Are You

Boopotts

I was listening to NPR tonight and I caught a segment about a guy in Ohio who was obsessed with collecting vintage tractors. He has something like 100 of them, and the most expensive on cost him 80K to buy and another 100K in renovation costs. He called his tractors 'ladies', and when he talked about his favorite tractor he said (and I'm paraphrasing here) that 'it's one of those tractors that just loves to show off. You see it and the first thing you want to do is wrap your arms around it."

This piece piqued my interest for a couple reasons. First, it's not everyday that you hear from a guy who has an unwavering Platonic (at least I hope it's Platonic) love affair for farm equipment. But secondly, it occured to me that I don't feel this way about anything I own. I mean nothing. Save a few family photos, and some stuff I got from my Dad's estate after he died, there's nothing in my house that I wouldn't sell-- and I wouldn't miss it for five seconds. And yes, that includes cards. Now in truth I don't own many high end cards. I've owned some expensive ones in the past, but I've always sold them at the first opportunity. I like to get them, look at them for a few days, and then get rid of them. I've considered putting together a registered set, and at some point I probably will put together a '63 Topps hockey set (love the design), some kind of low grade T 205 set (love the Matthewson), and probably a 1983 Topps St. Louis Cardinals set (my favorite baseball team of all time was the '82 squad). But when I do these sets it will be partially out of a dim sense of obligation to actually 'collect something', and not because I have an abiding passion for any of these sets.

Now I know that not everyone approaches card collecting in this manner, so I have to wonder-- does anyone here feel a real attachment to their collections, on par with this tractor guy's feelings about his tractors? I'm not looking to laugh or snicker-- we're all different people, with different priorities, and I completely respect that. But that NPR interview, coupled with Cleve Carp Fan's (sp?) recent ramblings, made me appreciate the fact that there are people out there who have a genuine passion for sports cards.

So, sound off! I'd really like to hear how people really feel about their collections.

Stingray

If my kids piss me off enough in the 30-50 years I have left on this earth, they are going 6 feet under with me.

Stingray

DirtyHarry

Boopotts - that was a good read. The tractor dude must have deep pockets and be a large landowner. Imagine -- I can display my 30 most treasured cards in a case, but that dude needs a few acres of land for his collection!!

As far as things I would never part with...my grandfathers gold watch, my fathers retirement watch, about 30 baseball cards (I already disposed of my football cards, including the Namath Rookie), and a couple of basketball cards. I do have an affinity for sports memoribilia that I have obtained in person autos on and would only dispose of duplicates. Regards.

Stone193

Boo
We have had some similar type talks in the past and it seems to vary from person to person.

On my collectibles in general - I have gone thru my OCD periods in the early years of collecting - from about 1985-93 - and I came to one simple conclusion:

If I hold onto my things too tightly, they wind up holding onto me.

Once I bought into my conclusion, I found myself enjoying collectibles way more.

And finally, I'm way more serious about enjoying myself than serious about collecting/becoming an expert/cornering the market/being a "king" etc.

Good question!
mike

detroitfan2

Boo,

What a thought-provoking question. This probably wasn't always the case for me, but there's very little that I wouldn't sell right now if the price is right. In fact, most of my PSA registered sets I plan to sell once they're finished, but only to put the $ right back into other cards. Maybe that means I'm collecting the wrong things for the wrong reason. I just finished replying to rbd (?) who has the #1 1976 Topps set, and he's still working on it. Maybe I need to find something like that and go after it. My problem is, I like everything, from T205's to Topps Heritage to Upper Deck Golf to 1970's RC Cola cans and Hostess cards to 1972 Sunoco football stamps. I know sometimes I enjoy the thrill of collecting to finish a set more than I enjoy the set itself.

Interestingly, the things that have the most sentimental value to me are practically worthless in the open market. I have some game used stuff from Tom Paciorek, who was a childhood friend of my father's. Also, I was way into Pete Rose when I was in high school. For my HS graduation (1983), my dad bought me a 1964 Rose (with the Rookie trophy) on it. It's probably PSA 5 quality at best. At the time, it was (by far) my prized possession. Now, the man repulses me, so it's bittersweet.

Finally, as I get older, I still collect cards and memoriabilia, but I'm much more into collecting memories. For example, I just spent way too much money to see the All-Star game with my dad at Comerica Park, but I'll have that memory forever. My dad went in 1971 when it was last in Detroit, and we spent much of this year's game talking about that game. Hopefully 30 years from now I can do the same with my son the next time the games in Detroit. Also, I'm working on my lifetime dream of a memoriabilia room, but my hopes are to use the room to again create memories by using it as a hang out to watch games and just talk about past memories and so on.

Sorry for rambling, thanks again for the good topic.

-Tom

joestalin

Modern card collecting is much to do with showing off your collection. I went to a show yesterday and there was one guy with two cases
of high end stuff. 6 autos on one card, low numbered stuff, one of ones, contenders rookies. I asked him about the contenders and
how much he needed and he said, "pretty much full book, because that is how much they go for on ebay"

He really didn't want to sell anything, just to show off what he had. You see this a lot at show, guys with cases like this...they just want
to show off what they have. It must be better than the next guy right?

Beckett's message board is like that too. Everyone trying to out do the next guy. two color patch cards used to be the holy grail of
collecting, now they are ho hum. Its about logos now.

whats sacred for me? Stuff that I collected with my dad probably. Pinnacle gold cans! A Mantle insert he gave me one year. My heritage
autograph set...sure its nice to look at, but it also represented a time when collecting was fun and not just an addiction.

180K seems a lot a tractor, but there are card collectors out there with 180K tractors too.

JS

Downtown1974

Well Boo, My collection has more sentimental value to me than a monetary value. I wouldnt sell a single card I own, not even a lot of commons. While my collection may be modest to some, it represents alot of time and pleasure to me. I dont collect cards with the plan to sell them later and retire. I collect because its a great hobby. On the other hand, I dont come home from work and run straight to my cards. My family is numero uno. Its hard to explain. Any passionate collector understands.

Stone193

<< <i>Also, I'm working on my lifetime dream of a memoriabilia room, but my hopes are to use the room to again create memories by using it as a hang out to watch games and just talk about past memories and so on. >>


Tom
I'm doing the same thing! And I'll tell you, sometimes the framing cost more than the item! I'm going to be looking for a few old display cases that hopefully light up, when wanted. One wall is getting a plasma screen - my thinking is by next yr or maybe 2 - they will be more affordable than ever.

I plan to take pics, create a "virtual" tour and make a nice web site.

mike

detroitfan2

Mike,

Sounds like a great plan. I can't wait to see your web-site.

-Tom

calleocho

I love those shows on NPR ...they had one about an Bob Dylan collector who was downright scary ...the guy had build a shrine.

I collect for fun and will hardly sell cards from my core collection althought i guess if somebody offered me 10X current value ...i might sell.

There is that moment when i come home from work, tired pissed at traffic etc... and it i have a packaged from ebay on my mail box ....it suddenly just makes my day.

SDavid

I just buy cards to sell them. I mostly enjoy grading cards and selling them. I haven't permanently added anything to my "collection" since I was 12. And, since I don't gamble on prospects much anymore, I don't hold on to them very long. The only cards that have any sentimental value to me are the vintage cards my dad gave me from his childhood collection.

However, if my financial situation were different, I'd probably build a small collection of keystone cards. I think it would be sort of a fun way to invest extra money, even if I didn't actually make money.

iamthegreatcornholio

I'm too young to be sentimental. That coupled with I can't afford all the cards I want, makes my collection a revolving door.

TimeMachine

My good friend Daniel is the senior web developer for NPR here in D.C.

NPR = National Proletariate Radio

I have seen who works there and listened to it enough that my gloss is entirely accurate... I love giving them a hard time

Buccaneer

As I am in my third phases of collecting cards, I don't think I have ever felt obsessed by them. To me, it's the journey. The time, effort and money I am spending now to build my sets are worth it. They will all be sold sometime and then I'll go onto something else, whether other sets or other hobbies than the few I have now.

kingraider75

I have felt consumed by my card collecting at times. That's why I have gone almost cold turkey for about a month now. There is just too much out there to collect, and I collected some of it all. Whether it was old or new, cheap or expensive, I would just buy and then sell some too. I think it's easy to get caught up in it. Best to sometimes get away and get refocused. There's also a storage space consideration lol

Onlypsahockey

He's one of those cards that just loves to show off.

Abbysdaddy61903

I collect for monetary reasons. NOT so much sentimential reasons. TONS, of vintage baseball cards and vintage autographs . Autos include Mantle (10 of them), Dimaggio, Williams, Maris, Ruth, Cobb, Foxx, Fox, Wagner, Aaron, Mays, Banks, Waner bros, Jack Norworth (wrote take me out to the ballgame), Elston Howard,Jackie Robinson, Ryan, Griffey Jr. Ripken Jr, etc,etc,etc, ( I have over 300 autographs in my collection)

Historical Autos.

JFK, Bobby Kennedy, Teddy Roosevelt,(My fave prez.) Mother Teresa, Bush 41, J. Edgar Hoover, Truman,


Hollywood Celebs

31 current hollywood celebs on individual 8 x 10 photos (ALL A-LIST STARS) Mel Gibson, Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Adam Sandler,Reese Witherspoon, to name a few.

Other sports autos

Jordan Basketball
Ali Gloves (pair signed)
Gretzky puck
Marino football
Woods golf ball

Best Regards,

Adam J. Moraine

I WANT TO RETIRE AS YOUNG AS POSSIBLE!

Gamed used items

Ken Griffey Jr single wristband
Todd hundley bat
Sammy Sosa cleats

Seraph

Boopotts,

I guess I am a serious collector (since the beginning of this year) because I don't do it for monetary reasons. Back in 1992 to 1999, I used to collect for monetary reasons, but it just led to so much distraught because it was so easy for last year's rookies to become yesterday's news. I thought that, in time, modern card and insert values would match those of vintage. Boy, was I wrong. I stopped collecting in 1999 and didn't look at my collection until January of this year. I decided to start all over again. About 80% of the items on my webpage was obtained only this year. I am happy with my new collection.

I still have to sort through the junk I got way back when I was insane.

Boopotts

<< <i>I'm too young to be sentimental. That coupled with I can't afford all the cards I want, makes my collection a revolving door. >>




This has got to be the quote of the month.

Knuckles

That's a nice lady Bob.


-Garret

2dueces

My collecting has gone in spurts. I dont know if its because I burn out from time to time or I get interested in something else. I started in 1966, collected for 3 years, came back in 1987 to 1991. 1998- 2001 and started again this year in March. Dont know how long it will last this time but I label myself as a serious collector. I have sold very little of my collection and dont plan on sellling the cards that I treasure the most. They are my T206's 1963 Fleer football, 1966 Topps football and 1967 Philly football. I have begun a 1961 Topps baseball and football sets. I just enjoy adding to it and searching for cards I need. It is very relaxing for me to come home from work and wind down looking at cards both mine and those on e-bay. There have been a few times in my life that I could really have used the money if I sold everything but I like the collection more than the money.