White Whale poll

NickM

Which of these best represents your White Whale of collecting?

bziddy

There are lots of cards that I'd like to own that are readily available (53 Paige, 63 Rose are two) -- it's just not prudent for me to spend the money required to get the grade I would like.

(I voted never had one)

VitoCo1972

One category that you may have missed which really only applies autograph collectors, "a card that may or may not exist, but you will spend your entire life looking for anyway."

Example: 1971 Topps signed Wayne Maki

itzagoner

never considered the one thing. or one whale. it's too much fun stocking the aquarium.

elronmckenzie

<< <i>...it's too much fun stocking the aquarium. >>



I agree!

MintMoondog

First, I love the term.
Second, I would suggest that it must refer to non star players...to me White Whales are unpopular but extremely rare commons that most people would look at you like you are a complete idiot for both chasing and showing excitement at acquiring for obscene money (IE> 1975 Mini Tommy Davis psa9 pop 1 for around 1K or 1975 Mini Gates Brown psa 10 pop 1 which happens to be my favorite card over many Star 10s from the 70s because I know how impossible it is to find this card in a legit 8 let alone a 10).

Edit: Example statement heard by a white whale hunter "You spent WHAT? and searched for HOW LONG? to get a card of a scrub player just because it is rare?, Do you know what you could have bought for that? You sir are completely mental."

BostonAmericans

I would say I have about 3:

Rose Rookie - He was my favorite player growing up and was SO disappointed when he got banned. Still would like to have this card though.
Bobby Orr Rookie - He was da man in hockey in the early 70's
1952 Mantle - what it symbolizes to the hobby

I am in no rush to get these, like others I am too busy stocking the aquarium (great analogy BTW!!!). The Orr would be part of my PC, and I am considering a Rose collection. But in any case - the money and the time (and the card) would have to be right. I won't get one just to say I got one.

Cool poll!

MrNearMint

I've never got a white whale.

id probably say my "white whale" would be a 51 bowman mantle BVG 1-2. It will probably be a while before I can pick one up.

hyperchipper09

I got it, don't have another in the card world.
In the comic world, a Captain America #1 from 1941 in the highest grade I can afford remains. When I get a nice one, I might as well pack it in collecting wise because there would be nothing left for me to accomplish

mygotta

a White Whale card I always thought was something you had saved up for your personal collection that either completed a part of the collection or a particular goal that had been realized. Particular cards themselves I never felt fit the description (even though a T206 Wagner or 52 Mantle would be for anyone).

Stadium1978

I voted for "a card that's downright scarce in any grade but isn't too widely sought after (e.g., '63 Pepsi Colt '45s John Bateman)"

A 52 Mantle is a "whale" of a card, but it's nowhere near as exotic as a "white whale" (e.g. 1989 Dale Murphy Key Food Disc).

bziddy

I was thinking about this today, and I have to change my mind...I do have a white whale...

It just doesn't come up in PSA10 -- there are 12 of them out there and about 200 have been subbed. I just need to be patient (and hope it doesn't go for more than 1.5x what I think it should go for).