The Future of Your Personal Collection
richtree
Posts: 1,501 ✭✭✭
I am having mixed thoughts with my colllection.
I quit collecting for 5 years or so and came back.
After 5 years of really being back into it, I have some really rare errors and variations.
More new than old (due to financial reasons) but some really rare and valuabe.
With a strong collection what do you guys do?
Do you display them ? (seems like too many)
Do you keep them stashed away ?
I loved the chase of getting tough cards like a Frank Thomas NNOF and grading it, but then what ?
I live in an urban area and don't have that much wall space for display.
I look at them every so often and it makes me happy.
I was just wondering what u guys plan to do with your collection?
At first, I used to thinking I would hold them until I retire and sell them to give myself a bouns check...
I just don't know ?
I ask because I am now making bigger puchases of more valuable cards ?
excuse the ramblings --- please comments !!!
what's your plan ?
I quit collecting for 5 years or so and came back.
After 5 years of really being back into it, I have some really rare errors and variations.
More new than old (due to financial reasons) but some really rare and valuabe.
With a strong collection what do you guys do?
Do you display them ? (seems like too many)
Do you keep them stashed away ?
I loved the chase of getting tough cards like a Frank Thomas NNOF and grading it, but then what ?
I live in an urban area and don't have that much wall space for display.
I look at them every so often and it makes me happy.
I was just wondering what u guys plan to do with your collection?
At first, I used to thinking I would hold them until I retire and sell them to give myself a bouns check...
I just don't know ?
I ask because I am now making bigger puchases of more valuable cards ?
excuse the ramblings --- please comments !!!
what's your plan ?
Buying:
Topps White Out (silver) letters Alex Gordon
80 Topps Greg Pryor “No Name"
90 ProSet Dexter Manley error
90 Topps Jeff King Yellow back
1958 Topps Pancho Herrera (no“a”)
81 Topps Art Howe (black smear above hat)
91 D A. Hawkins BC-12 “Pitcher”
Topps White Out (silver) letters Alex Gordon
80 Topps Greg Pryor “No Name"
90 ProSet Dexter Manley error
90 Topps Jeff King Yellow back
1958 Topps Pancho Herrera (no“a”)
81 Topps Art Howe (black smear above hat)
91 D A. Hawkins BC-12 “Pitcher”
0
Comments
<< <i>I keep mine in a box in the closet and I look through them all the time. They are not visible to people looking inside decideing ifd they want to break in and they are still protected by plastic sleeves and/or graded sleeves. This also is the same box that i kept them in when i collected as a kid. >>
Whats your plan though ?
Many people say pass to there kid ? Any other ideas ? Buried with some ?
?
Topps White Out (silver) letters Alex Gordon
80 Topps Greg Pryor “No Name"
90 ProSet Dexter Manley error
90 Topps Jeff King Yellow back
1958 Topps Pancho Herrera (no“a”)
81 Topps Art Howe (black smear above hat)
91 D A. Hawkins BC-12 “Pitcher”
Shane
I know what you mean about buying cards and then what. I have so many cards its not even funny! Cards all over the place and I find myself trying to get organized all the time... I do take them out every once in a while and just enjoy them, but what more can we do with them? I guess hold on to them and keep telling ourselves we're going to sell some day but we never do
Still looking for my first Frank Thomas NNOF if anyone can help....Thanks!
<< <i>I am having mixed thoughts with my colllection. ME TOO
I quit collecting for 5 years or so and came back. ME TOO!!!
After 5 years of really being back into it, I have some really rare errors and variations. ME NOT SO MUCH
More new than old (due to financial reasons) but some really rare and valuabe. MORE OLD THAN NEW, SOME VALUABLE, NONE RARE
With a strong collection what do you guys do? I PLACED ALL MY CLEMENTES ON THE FLOOR IN COOL PATTERNS AND SCREAM AT THEM
Do you display them ? (seems like too many) NO
Do you keep them stashed away ? AS FAR AWAY AS THE WIFE COMMANDS
I loved the chase of getting tough cards like a Frank Thomas NNOF and grading it, but then what ? SIT DOWN TO A NICE PULLED PORK SANDWICH, WAFFLE FRIES AND A TALL COOL BUDWEISER AND CELEBRATE
I live in an urban area and don't have that much wall space for display. ME TOO!!
I look at them every so often and it makes me happy. YOU ARE DESCRIBING MY FAMILY, AND THE FLORIDA GATORS BACKFIELD. MOODY WILL BE A BEAST THIS YEAR.
I was just wondering what u guys plan to do with your collection? SELL OFF ABOUT 2/3RDS, KEEP THE REALLY NICE STUFF, PROCREATE AT LEAST ONE KID WHO WILL JOIN ME IN THE HOBBY.
At first, I used to thinking I would hold them until I retire and sell them to give myself a bouns check...SELLING IS A PAIN IN THE ARSE, YOU WANT TO ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT, NOT WORK MORE
I just don't know ? YOU SOUND STRESSED, HAVE YOU HAD THAT PORK SANDWICH YET? THAT WILL HELP.
I ask because I am now making bigger puchases of more valuable cards ? THAT'S EXCITING. I RECOMMEND HIGH GRADE HANK AARON CARDS, LIKE HIS 55 TOPPS AND BOWMAN.
excuse the ramblings --- please comments !!! HOPE MY COMMENTS HELPS.
what's your plan ? >>
FOR STARTERS, I AM GOING TO WORK LATE TONIGHT, COME IN EARLY FRIDAY, AND THEN BAIL ABOUT 1PM, GRAB A 12 PACK, PLAY 18 AND GET FRIGGIN' RIPPED.
Kiss me twice.....let's party.
I have a lot of nice autographed items I acquired in person when I was younger. I don't know what to do with them.
That way, one can always "see" the cards no matter where one is.
You can send a link of your set to others (collectors, non-collectors, family, etc.).
You can add comments next to your cards inside your Registry Set.
Other collectors can leave comments on your set.
Your set will be ranked (whether or not you care) so you can compare it to others.
Registering your set will place it among collectors that follow the same collecting theme, and the resultant networking is rewarding, if desired.
There's no dollar cost for registering one's set.
There are more benefits, too numerous to mention.
One can always physically display the cards as well. Nothing compares with the benefits of placing your cards and scans on a Registry.
My collection has little definition at this point. The only absolute is Robin Ventura and Matt Luke, though I start other projects from time to time (on Fernando Valenzuela currently). Ventura is the first piece of cardboard that I ever purchased and I still own every single card of his that I picked up with allowance/trades as a kid.
The other major part of my collection would be things that were entirely unobtainable and iconic to me as a kid, but in PSA 9 or 10 only. Some examples would include: 1990 Leaf Frank Thomas, 1990-91 UD French Sergei Fedorov, 1992 Bowman Emmitt Smith Foil, 1992 Fleer Rookie Sensations Frank Thomas. Basically all the huge "hits" of the late 1980's and early 1990's that I could only look at in the showcases.
I am a huge fan of Prince, among other musicians (Roxy Music, Elvis Costello, The Kinks, etc..) so graded music cards has slowly become a focal point of my collecting budget.
As far as error stuff goes, there are about 12-25 error/variation items that I ultimately want to own in PSA 9 or 10 condition, but I'm far more interested in the discovery-of and appropriate cataloging of them than actually collecting them all, which is omething that I worked hard at for years but have since moved away from. At this point, I'd rather help someone find stuff for their collections.
I'm very excited to get rid of most of my stuff beyond what I've outlined above. A streamlined collection sounds really nice. As it stands, I have an entire bedroom full of boxes that aren't terribly important to me mostly comprised of an "inventory" of many 3200ct and 5000ct boxes of variation-related cardboard that I will be looking to find a home for shortly.
Collecting Robin Ventura and Matt Luke.
<< <i>(like my 2000 SP Authentic Albert Pujols RC Auto graded BGS 9.5/10 auto) but you have to do what you have to do......good thread! >>
You meant 2001 SPx AU/1500 or the 2001 SP Authentic SOTT AU.......I'd like to own either of those one day! My goal is to sell what I can short term and keep the good stuff for my sons to keep or auction off when I pass. There are some card sin my PC that don't have a whole lot of monetary value but the sentiment is priceless
I've done it twice before, sold some autographs in 2001 and bought a 1972 Porsche 911 Targa, sold some autographs in 2005 and bought a 2001 Porsche 986, and am beginning to get the itch again. Porsches are very addicting and have a way of putting a smile on my face no matter what else is going on. The air-cooled Porsche 993 Twin Turbo is my dream car, and I'd love to get one while I was still young enough to enjoy it.
Mike
I collect because I collect.....Because I have to, its a character flaw, some people shoot Heroin, I collect!
Years ago after being ripped off by an Ex-Wife and her attorneys for basically 1/4 million dollars worth of Comic Books, I went into a deep depression for quite some time and didn't collect anything, I call that my Lost 1/2 Decade!!!!.
Then when I got over the loss and started to collect again (Non Sports, Rare SF Paperbacks, 1st Edition SF Hardbacks, Oddball Advertising stuff, Some Sports) things are different. Then it was to Have....Now that I am 53 and looking at Retirement, I collect so that hopefully in 9 years when I retire they will supplement my Retirement and while the Ol Lady continues to Teach (She's 7 years younger), I will be sitting home during working hours a day or two a week conducting my E-Bay/E-Crater Business's, between Rides on the Harley!!
YeeHah
Neil
I still have about two binders worth of baseball cards, one vintage, and one with my childhood Don Mattingly collection. I take binders off my shel 3-4 times per week and flip through them, enjoying them greatly. One day I hope that my kids or grandkids will have an interest in my collections. If so, then I will hand them down the line. If not, then I imagine that I will enjoy them for many, many years to come. Then the kids can hopefully make a buck or two on them.
Way back in the old days, (1990), I would sort cards by dollar amount mostly. Commons went in a white 800 count box. Cards worth 25 cents to a dollar or two went in a box. Cards worth $2-10 went in card savers. Up to my most expensive in screw down holders.
Pretty much the same thing now. I've never been much into binders. I like card savers and semi rigids. The ones I would never sell would be the ones I wanted as a kid. Like 92/93 team leader basketball,(plus a 92/93 fleer rack box with the team leader inserts), and other late 80's, early 90's cards. Even a cheap set like the 1990 rookie sensations would be hard to sell. Also, star cards Ive pulled from packs would be hard to sell. And cards like 84 donruss mattingly, 90 leaf frank thomas.
I plan to keep them forever, look at them so often. Maybe eventually get some of my raw cards graded (although I dont really care, I dont think I have many possible 10's). I'm happy just looking through raw cards.
Keep them forever and stay 14.
I personally am flirting with unwinding my colletion. With the first of four boys going off to college, its time I put collecting aside. I certainly won't have any excess cash to be spending on anything.
I've been collecting since I was 8 and the only years I didn't collect where when I was in college myself. Selling my whole collection would be too traumatic. I can't imagine not having any. I could see selling all but a couple of sets that I've worked on for years that I really enjoy and a few special cards, but I just haven't been able to get there emotionally. Maybe once I receive my son's college tuition bills and I'm hit with their reality, this will become easier.
One thing that has helped immensely was the decision to buy a great scanner. I have my entire collection scanned and setup as my screensaver (the cards fade in an out, one by one). I can't sum up how happy it makes me to walk by my computer at any time of the day and see a card I spent time and energy chasing, without having to thumb through boxes.
My collection focus is narrow. I collect baseball stars of the 80s and 90s, including some of the iconic cards of that era: 1989 Upper Deck Griffey, 1983 Topps Traded Strawberry, etc.
I collect unopened material if I think it is significant to the hobby. Topps Heritage is very popular and I have factory sealed hobby boxes. The boxes are aesthetically pleasing to look at--no need to open it. I also like Bowman's Baseball Draft Picks and Prospects as unopened material.
I still do have some of the very cards I collected as a child (ie 1986 Topps). They are nice to look at for nostalgia reasons. I kept them in card savers because I thought they preserved the cards well with little expense. They are in the same card savers today too. Since they are well protected, I won't bother moving them into albums or anything like that--its the way I collected as a beginner and so it should just stay that way.
BST: Tennessebanker, Downtown1974, LarkinCollector, nendee
hopefully there are more !!!!
Topps White Out (silver) letters Alex Gordon
80 Topps Greg Pryor “No Name"
90 ProSet Dexter Manley error
90 Topps Jeff King Yellow back
1958 Topps Pancho Herrera (no“a”)
81 Topps Art Howe (black smear above hat)
91 D A. Hawkins BC-12 “Pitcher”
MY GOLD TYPE SET https://pcgs.com/setregistry/type-sets/complete-type-sets/gold-type-set-12-piece-circulation-strikes-1839-1933/publishedset/321940
My Registry Sets
<< <i>The easiest, most fun, interactive, inexpensive, secure, and rewarding way to display one's collection is by registering the cards onto an SGC or PSA Set Registry and adding scans.
That way, one can always "see" the cards no matter where one is.
You can send a link of your set to others (collectors, non-collectors, family, etc.).
You can add comments next to your cards inside your Registry Set.
Other collectors can leave comments on your set.
Your set will be ranked (whether or not you care) so you can compare it to others.
Registering your set will place it among collectors that follow the same collecting theme, and the resultant networking is rewarding, if desired.
There's no dollar cost for registering one's set.
There are more benefits, too numerous to mention.
One can always physically display the cards as well. Nothing compares with the benefits of placing your cards and scans on a Registry. >>
Sounds like a PSA ad - or public service announcement. Each to his own.
I don't have to pay any membership fee, postage or insurance to exhibit my cards right here on this forum. For my interests, PSA are unknowledgable in my field, their "registry has 30 Pele cards - my Masterlist has over 300 !
So the grading thing is just not for me.
cheers
I like collectibles that one can handle and display.
I've gotten into some non-sport areas like 50s sci-fi/horror/thriller lobby cards and toys I played with as a kid.
Baseball board games, continued interest in Hartlands e.g. - pretty much occupy my time - I also have found radios from the 40s/early 50s to be a fun area also.
In the last year i sold off the majority of my hockey. Just lost interest in the sport and for whatever reason was lucky enough to get a good price. But for the longest time i have been collection game used Yankees cards. I have debated getting rid of those,but because the market has been flooded with product i probably would get half what i paid. Plus i find it cool to have a piece of history in my hand, but i start to cringe when i wonder what part of Mickey Mantle's body did this chunk of fabric touch
Currently collecting 1934 Butterfinger, 1969 Nabisco, 1991 Topps Desert Shield (in PSA 9 or 10), and 1990 Donruss Learning Series (in PSA 10).
<< <i>Thought I would re-visit this. I wonder what some are planning to do now with your cards in spite of the rising inflation going on, and trouble in the middle east. My card buying has come to a halt. >>
My interest has waned significantly. I plan to sell of a large percentage of (admittedly not spectacular) collection in the near future. I want to reclaim the space and get a few bucks, too.
Tabe
Now, I'm planning on selling off all the multiple sets I have to get down to one of each. I'll also sell off the 1,000's and 1,000s of commons I have. Like some people mentioned earlier....I want to get it down to just my basic sets and some special star/rookie cards I have. I have no intention of ever having a huge collection again. Everything I have will fit in a couple big boxes on a shelf.
In the end, everything will have been hand-collected by me - whether as a kid or an adult. 99.5% ungraded. No registry. No paying $100's or $1,000 for a card whose condition was determined by some PSA dude.
If I die tomorrow, there is a sheet of paper tucked into my card collection explaining to my wife how to sell it all and what to expect (roughly) as far as money goes. Same with my bikes (I collect vintage bicycles). She has contact information for people who will help her sell the bikes. I told her to save what she wants or offer any of it to our daughter. If neither of them want anything...sell it all and enjoy whatever money it brings.