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If you were Bill Gates would you still collect cards?

BunkerBunker Posts: 3,926 ✭
in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum
I don't know if I would or not. I think part of the joy of collecting is building your set and the satisfaction that you get when it is finally complete, or saving up to buy that special card.

If I was like Bill I could bid to win every card at every auction and not miss a beat. That would probably get boring after awhile.

What do you think?
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My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)

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Comments

  • RipublicaninMassRipublicaninMass Posts: 10,051 ✭✭✭
    yes, but probably on a SMALLER scale. I would hold out for super high grade rarities and super tough complete sets, instead of mickey mouse set building and raw rejects back from PSA.
  • Ladder7Ladder7 Posts: 1,221 ✭
    I would hire a team of historians to do all the collecting.
    some cards
  • jradke4jradke4 Posts: 3,573 ✭✭✭
    Dam straight I would still collect cards. It would be one heck of a collection with a great place to show it off in and online. Not too mention that microsoft would be creating the best card collecting programs there could be.
    Packers Fan for Life
    Collecting:
    Brett Favre Master Set
    Favre Ticket Stubs
    Favre TD Reciever Autos
    Football HOF Player/etc. Auto Set
    Football HOF Rc's
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,438 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Good question - not totally sure.

    But, I think some would be tempted to put people like Gates into the "more money than brains" category if they were to outbid everyone because one can.

    Many people with genuine money don't frivolously throw it around - that's how they got that there in the first place.

    I think collecting is in one's blood and has less to do with money and more to do with the desire to connect with the stuff - I think there may be a "collector" gene?

    I'm inferring the idea of value thru diligent searching and working to complete a set - and I agree that's where the true value resides - if one buys a set of 500 cards in 10 e.g. - from a "collector's" POV - not much pride goin' on there?

    Too much chocolate cake and next thing ya know - ya eatin twinkies.

    Merry Christmas
    mike
    Mike
  • RipublicaninMassRipublicaninMass Posts: 10,051 ✭✭✭
    Mike,

    When does collecting become hoarding...I am worried image:image
  • BunkerBunker Posts: 3,926 ✭
    That is a good question. I crossed the line with my coins and realized I was more of a hoarder than a collector. I have since started to thin my"collection" down. It is an easy line to cross.
    image

    My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)

    JDRF Donation
  • BigRedMachineBigRedMachine Posts: 2,563 ✭✭✭



    << <i>If I was like Bill I could bid to win every card at every auction and not miss a beat. That would probably get boring after awhile.

    << <i>


    I'd take my chances.

    merry christmas, shawn
  • Carew29Carew29 Posts: 4,025 ✭✭

    Yes, because i know i would get the same grades as DSL and 4SCimage
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,438 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>Mike,

    When does collecting become hoarding...I am worried image:image >>


    Actually that's a really good question Ted.

    I'm a pack rat and a hoarder by nature - nothing wrong with that - as long as large amounts of money aren't involved.

    The key - that I have emphasized in my life - which is discussed all the time - is FOCUS.

    Most have admitted - when they set realistic Goals - and a Budget - collecting became much more enjoyable.

    Now, I don't want this to appear like I'm pontificating - I'm not - just trying to impart my experiences - now that I'm entering my 20th year of continuous collecting.

    People tend to be all over the place and will try to corner the market - and then there's choppy waters on the horizon!

    Merry Christmas
    mike
    Mike
  • 1989FleerBillRipkencollector1989FleerBillRipkencollector Posts: 4,590
    Oh Hell yea I would collect.

    Warehouse fully secured. Museum like setting. Open 5 days a week. $1 admission and every paid admission gets a random pack of cards with some great ones in the mix.


    vintage unopened
    high grade T206,Allen Ginter,Old Judge
    rare/unusual error cards
    Star Rookie cards
    GU/Auto section

    Not a single 88 Topps in there. But a few 87's would be.
    image
    imageimageimage
  • flyerfan27flyerfan27 Posts: 56


    Absolutely! I would have the best collection in the world! Wishful thinking!
  • ArnyVeeArnyVee Posts: 4,245 ✭✭
    Not only would I continue collecting, but I would open the SportsCard Museum of America!

    Purchase the highest grades of every known card and display them to the masses!

    The SportsCard Museum of America would also have a nice huge ballroom where there would be a National SportsCard Show every quarter and we'd give away tons of free packs/cards to all of the kids in attendance!

    Wow....that would be nice, wouldn't it?
    * '72 BASEBALL #15 100%
    * C. PASCUAL BASIC #3
    * T. PEREZ BASIC #4 100%
    * L. TIANT BASIC #1
    * DRYSDALE BASIC #4 100%
    * MAGIC MASTER #4/BASIC #3
    * PALMEIRO MASTER/BASIC #1
    * '65 DISNEYLAND #2
    * '78 ELVIS PRESLEY #6
    * '78 THREE'S COMPANY #1

    image

    WaltDisneyBoards
  • ChrisCChrisC Posts: 435
    Not only would I collect the best cards and memorabilia available, I would copy Paul Allen and pick up a few professional franchises image

    I believe Bill does collect more than money, I heard he collects art and remember hearing something about him picking up a notebook of Di Vinci (I think) scribbles for a cool 10 million.
  • Brian48Brian48 Posts: 2,624 ✭✭✭
    Bill is the da-man! The geek who would rule the world image
    image
  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,438 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If I were Gates?

    I think I'ld collect Hookers.

    image
    Mike
  • Downtown1974Downtown1974 Posts: 6,875 ✭✭✭✭✭


    << <i>If I were Gates?

    I think I'ld collect Hookers.

    image >>



    image

    MY GOLD TYPE SET https://pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/complete-type-sets/gold-type-set-12-piece-circulation-strikes-1839-1933/publishedset/321940

  • BunkerBunker Posts: 3,926 ✭
    Brian did you get that PSA/DNA certified... lol
    image

    My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)

    JDRF Donation
  • TheCARDKidTheCARDKid Posts: 1,496 ✭
    I'd hate to have the publicity Gates has. Everyone in the world knowing your net worth up to the minute?!?

    Cards are fun in our little world, but with Gates money, I'd be after professional sports franchises. One from each sport and maybe a few soccer franchises to round out the collection.

    I'd only buy the Lakers if Jeanie Buss came with it...
  • fsjeterfsjeter Posts: 1,390
    I would have the most ridiculous collection on the planet! image

    Scott
    Registry Sets:
    T-205 Gold PSA 4 & up
    1967 Topps BB PSA 8 & up
    1975 Topps BB PSA 9 & up
    1959 Topps FB PSA 8 & up
    1976 Topps FB PSA 9 & up
    1981 Topps FB PSA 10
    1976-77 Topps BK PSA 9 & up
    1988-89 Fleer BK PSA 10
    3,000 Hit Club RC PSA 5 & Up

    My Sets
  • RobMM77RobMM77 Posts: 610 ✭
    I would probably try to win the whole Memory Lane auction........just for fun..........
    "Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum"
    (If you want peace, prepare for War).........Semper Fi
  • frankhardyfrankhardy Posts: 8,143 ✭✭✭✭✭
    If I were Bill Gates, I would retire, and collecting would be all that I would do. Sure, if you only collected one thing, it would get boring after a while. But, if you mixed it up and collected different things (ie - cards, autographs, memorabilia), I don't think it would ever grow old. With cards, I would try to have every Topps set and be #1 on the registry in every one. I would try to get the T206 set in high grade. Then, I would go to Goudey's in high grade. I would try to get an autograph on baseballs from EVERY Hall of Famer that ever lived. That would be too cool. I think it would also be cool to have a vintage Topps set with every card autographed. Not sure if that's possible on a regular set. I did see one time a 1964 Topps Giants Complete Set with every last one of them autographed. That was one of the neatest things that I have seen in this hobby.

    To answer your question - yes, yes, yes! Without a doubt.

    Shane

  • Stone193Stone193 Posts: 24,438 ✭✭✭✭✭
    Wait!

    Are we talking literally?

    Then if so, if I were Gates?

    I'ld get an extreme makeover!

    image
    Mike
  • AllenAllen Posts: 7,165 ✭✭✭
    I would collect and I would go around the country to random small shows and shops and have a few million dollars worth of cards in a shoe box and ask if they buy just to see the look on their face.



    << <i> I think it would also be cool to have a vintage Topps set with every card autographed. Not sure if that's possible on a regular set. >>


    I have seen a large part of a few different 60's and 70's sets. The hardest ones to find would probably be the league leaders and multi player cards. but in that case you could just pay knuckles to cut a sig onto the card.
  • GDM67GDM67 Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭✭
    Barry Halper wasn't quite on that level, but he was quite wealthy and the size and scope of his amazing collection never seemed to dampen his love for the game and the hobby, so I think it's probably doable.

    I would have an entire mansion wing as my card room and spend hours a day looking at my sets with my housemates, Eva Mendes and Eliza Dushku.

    If you're gonna dream...dream BIG image
    My Sets
  • zef204zef204 Posts: 4,742 ✭✭
    After seeing Steve's BBCE warehouse, I know what I would do. I would have as many as needed to stock pile as much unopened material as I could get my hands on. I would tour the country in an RV that John Madden would envy to meet any and everyone that has a case or box of unopened cards.

    I'm fairly certain that I would still scour eBay, answer calls off ads and such, becuase there is no way that anyone I would hire would have the passion I have. I'm also fairly certain that I would be selective in what I buy because the quality we all want to have in our cards is what keeps us in the game.

    Great thread, and whne I achieve Gates' status it will be a party for you all with a similar table as that Woolworth's picture and 1952 packs for all.
    EAMUS CATULI!

    My Auctions
  • stormsurgestormsurge Posts: 858 ✭✭
    If I had his money I would finally be able to finish the sets I've been working on for years. image
  • BunkerBunker Posts: 3,926 ✭
    Some of you guys had some great ideas. I didn't think about having my own card museum. It would be nice to have all your cards displayed where you could just slowly walk along viewing your cards in cases and looking at your memorabilia hanging on the walls.

    I also think it would be cool to have an RV to travel the county in hitting all the big card shows and buying up any and all unopened material along the way.

    The sad thing is even if we all threw our money into one big pot we wouldn't even scratch the surface of wealth that he has.
    image

    My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)

    JDRF Donation
  • MeteoriteGuyMeteoriteGuy Posts: 7,140 ✭✭
    One really has to respect Gates for what he does do with his money. That being said, hopefully my collecting funds would not change that much (Gates-wise), so that I could do things Gates does now.

    Mark
    Collecting PSA graded Steve Young, Marcus Allen, Bret Saberhagen and 1980s Topps Cards.
    Raw: Tony Gonzalez (low #'d cards, and especially 1/1's) and Steve Young.
  • JdurgJdurg Posts: 997 ✭
    Bill Gates obtained all his money because he is a very smart investor and is also able to avoid the pitfalls that many people encounter when they come across large sums of money; frivilous spending. Apparently Gates really likes to play poker, but only the cheap $1 or $2 tables because he doesn't want to throw money away just because he can. He says that it's more fun to play with real people and in spots where those you're playing against aren't worried that if they lose they'll never be able to make their mortgage payment that month. I think he's pretty spot on about that.

    Now if I had his wealth I don't think it would change what I collect. I'd still go and try and get every complete Topps set from 1980 through the present, but with that money I'd also be able to get the REALLY difficult parallel sets such as the Desert Storm 1991 set and various other insanely expensive parallels. I'd have all the cards in high quality, acid free pages in binders and stored in a giant room where I could just go, sit in a recliner, pull out a year's binder and look through all the cards without any fear of hurting them.
    I collect the elements on the periodic table, and some coins. I have a complete Roosevelt set, and am putting together a set of coins from 1880.
  • EstilEstil Posts: 7,128 ✭✭✭✭
    Oh geez, I'd get NRMT+ sets of every Topps set for starters! image Then I could get all the Donruss, Fleer, Score, Upper Deck, Ultra...
    WISHLIST
    D's: 50P,49S,45D+S,43D,41S,40D,39D+S,38D+S,37D+S,36S,35D+S,all 16-34's
    Q's: 52S,47S,46S,40S,39S,38S,37D+S,36D+S,35D,34D,32D+S
    74T: 241,435,610,654 97 Finest silver: 115,135,139,145,310
    73T:31,55,61,62,63,64,65,66,67,68,80,152,165,189,213,235,237,257,341,344,377,379,390,422,433,453,480,497,545,554,563,580,606,613,630
    95 Ultra GM Sets: Golden Prospects,HR Kings,On-Base Leaders,Power Plus,RBI Kings,Rising Stars
  • AlbertanDudeAlbertanDude Posts: 180 ✭
    It's a good question but yes, I do believe not only would I keep collecting but I would get into
    other sports ...I only collect Hockey at the present but I love to collect my heroes from Baseball
    and NFL Football.....and even Basketball which I am no fan of but love some of those old cards..

    I would simply just buy sets up instead of puttering around with buying one card here and there...

    I got cards in my blood...regardless of how much money I have, I do so enjoy collecting them....

    Alas, I make average money and am middle class (I mean, I'm thankful but I'm no Bill gates to be sure)
    so obviously I do have to use restraint with my finances.....but oh........if it were not so....

    Nice to think about eh lads......
  • originalisbestoriginalisbest Posts: 5,965 ✭✭✭✭
    Sweet, I sort of just glanced thru the thread, but I think zef is buying us all unopened '52 Topps packs! Thanks zef! And merry Christmas to you too! image
  • mikeschmidtmikeschmidt Posts: 5,756 ✭✭✭
    Collecting makes me happy.

    The amount in my collecting budget, whether in a fat or a lean year, has very little correlation to the happines I get from collecting
    I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
  • interchangesinterchanges Posts: 864 ✭
    Then you would let this bargain just slip by the wayside?
  • BunkerBunker Posts: 3,926 ✭


    << <i>Then you would let this bargain just slip by the wayside? >>



    I would leave that one for my fellow collectors, I mean I wouldn't want to be greedy, that would just be rude. image
    image

    My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 (2003). My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was 17 on December 31, 2009. We were stunned that another child of ours had been diagnosed. Please, if you don't have a favorite charity, consider giving to the JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)

    JDRF Donation
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