A Tribute to Bob Fisk

DanBessette · June 11, 2015 12:20AM

I'm probably late to the party, but I just finished reading the collector profile of our own Bob Fisk (bobsbbcards) in the July issue of SMR. It was a great read about somebody who's not only a tremendous collector, but a terrific guy too. Bob, I think you and I are kindred spirits, since I was at least as excited, if not more so, about your shelves and boxes and organization as I was about your cards. You're a real asset to this hobby and it's been great getting to know you a little. Well done, sir.

I have a hard time briefly explaining my collecting passion to noncollectors, but Bob did that for me in the article, better than I could have: "My cards are a connection to a simpler time. They take me back to something I did as a kid that I just loved. They provide this never-ending echo of my childhood.... that never goes away." Well said, Bob, and congrats again.

Ironmanfan · June 11, 2015 12:25AM

linky to article for those of us who don't get SMR?

Thanks

IMF

DanBessette · June 11, 2015 12:32AM

<< linky to article for those of us who don't get SMR? >>

Great idea!

link.

Ironmanfan · June 11, 2015 12:42AM

<< 

<< linky to article for those of us who don't get SMR? >>

Great idea!

link. >>

Thanks Dan!

I look forward to reading it later in the day!

IMF

RedRomad275 · June 11, 2015 2:58AM

Thanks for the link. That's a great article.

Red

bishop · June 11, 2015 3:21AM

Now if Bob can only locate all his stuff and open all his unopened packages. He needs help.

Best postwar collection of anyone I know and great source of hobby knowledge. But the stuff about him being a terrific guy may be a stretch.

bobsbbcards · June 11, 2015 7:25AM

<< But the stuff about him being a terrific guy may be a stretch.

>>

May be? Wow, nicest thing you've ever said about me.

Thanks, Dan. The author captured the flavor of what I was saying in the interview, but as Al might attest--it doesn't really sound like me. I don't think I've ever said "never ending echo"......oops, can't claim that anymore.

Things I said that the author left out:
1) I'd trade my children for more cards.
2) My wife is great about letting me buy cards--I suppose she figures that if she isn't okay with it, my third wife will be.
3) I wish my grandfather had collected tobacco cards. Why couldn't he have been a smoker like all of his friends? Stupid grandpa.

As you can see, "never ending echo" was a much safer way for the article to go.

bobsbbcards · June 11, 2015 7:26AM

I did say the first two sentences that Dan quoted. That much is true.

flatfoot816 · June 11, 2015 7:35AM

Bob--great article indeed. A true asset to the hobby. And obviously a funny man too--trade your kids for more cards---good stuff man

I mean you are kidding right??

amazing collection--and one of the smarter ones for saving your childhood collection.

Hope to see you at the Natty if you are going

dennis07 · June 11, 2015 7:46AM

Nice article and a great collection.

bobsbbcards · June 11, 2015 7:56AM

<< I mean you are kidding right?? >>

Of course. No reason to trade them all at one time. Keep one or two to sweeten the deal later.

Stone193 · June 11, 2015 8:05AM

<< 

<< But the stuff about him being a terrific guy may be a stretch.

>>

May be? Wow, nicest thing you've ever said about me.

Thanks, Dan. The author captured the flavor of what I was saying in the interview, but as Al might attest--it doesn't really sound like me. I don't think I've ever said "never ending echo"......oops, can't claim that anymore.

Things I said that the author left out:
1) I'd trade my children for more cards.
2) My wife is great about letting me buy cards--I suppose she figures that if she isn't okay with it, my third wife will be.
3) I wish my grandfather had collected tobacco cards. Why couldn't he have been a smoker like all of his friends? Stupid grandpa.

As you can see, "never ending echo" was a much safer way for the article to go. >>

Now that's funny!

For those who haven't read - Bob is the most organized guy I've seen next to Al aka Bishop who - blindfolded - can locate any and all his cards in his collection.

Both - as collectors - are the real deal - those who collected before it was perceptibly profitable or sheik. I always thought I had the "collector gene." If so? Then Bob and Al have the "super gene" - my hat's off to you both.

bobsbbcards · June 11, 2015 8:16AM

<< Al aka Bishop who - blindfolded - can locate any and all his cards in his collection. >>

I can too, but it's because if I were blindfolded I'd trip and fall on them.

Does anyone remember the comic book shown towards the bottom of the next picture? It was my favorite comic from back in the day. Donald and his nephews go with Unca' Scrooge to a viking boat in one story and to the City of Cibola (sp?) in the other. Great stuff.

This next picture is one that I wish the author had included. The background story is about the first pack I ever bought. Got it for a nickel at Zinecker's Drug Store in the summer of '67 for my brother (I didn't collect at the time). I remember watching him open it and showing me the cards like it was this morning. The cards in the picture, although not the EXACT same ones, are what was in the pack. Lordy, what I would give to return there for just one day.

bobsbbcards · June 11, 2015 8:17AM

The brown albums in the top photo, 3rd top bookcase from the left, second shelf, are the ones that contain my kid collection. I cut up some of the 1982 K-Mart MVP cards to use as labels.

vintagefun · June 11, 2015 8:24AM

C'mon Man! Incredible. That's the type of organization I aspire to. But I keep ripping and no longer enjoy sorting like I used to.

Just waiting for the kids to get old enough to help.

Laughed out loud at the remarks not included.

Thanks for sharing guys.

lahmejoon · June 11, 2015 8:34AM

Great read. I have a dumb question, though - what kind of storage boxes are those on your shelves and how are the cards stored in them? Are they as long as set boxes, or do you stack cards in there a certain way? The way those boxes display is very clean and uniform.

calaban7 · June 11, 2015 8:51AM

Great thread

Bob and I , as well as others , have very similar collecting taste . In most of my sets , Bob's sets are there too .

What I really like is most of his sets , if not all , includes pictures of the cards . You talk about a trip down memory lane .

Many , many thanks for how you represent this community .---- Sonny

bobsbbcards · June 11, 2015 9:19AM

<< What kind of storage boxes are those on your shelves and how are the cards stored in them? >>

BCW Super Vault (For Graded Cards) - Corrugated Cardboard Storage Box. They used to hold 86 cards, but now that the slabs are a little thicker, I'm lucky to get 82 in there.

bobsbbcards · June 11, 2015 9:22AM

While I had my camera (telephone) out taking pictures of the cardboard boxes, I snapped a few other collection pics.

Has anyone else had problems with the new slabs and '75 Minis tilting when stacked? All of my recently graded ones do. It's disconcerting.

This last one shows that the hallmark of any card collection is a Stewie ice cube tray (and maybe a self-help book).

jackstraw · June 11, 2015 9:35AM

Bob that was awesome! Thanks for sharing... Wow!

lahmejoon · June 11, 2015 10:07AM

I never knew those storage boxes existed. I like how you organized them with pack images on your shelf.

Oh, and holy graded stacks, Batman!

cardbender · June 11, 2015 1:52PM

Wow, what a great collection.

Very impressive Bob!

grote15 · June 11, 2015 2:08PM

Very impressive assortment and very nicely organized, too!

ThoseBackPages · June 11, 2015 2:44PM

What an amazing read!

dennis07 · June 11, 2015 10:26PM

Bob, On those tilted stacks- if you turned say every 4th or 5th card in the "wrong" direction they should stack straighter. But I know then
it might be worse just knowing some of the soldiers are not lined up properly!

Bosox1976 · June 11, 2015 10:51PM

+1 for Stewie ice cube tray... you never know when you'll need one.

Beautiful collection

BostonAmericans · June 11, 2015 11:10PM

Holy smokes what a collection!!!

Dboneesq · June 11, 2015 11:27PM

UnFrigginReal ... WOW ... don't know what else to say. Thanks for sharing.

Kid4hof03 · June 12, 2015 12:18AM

Bob, thanks for sharing the collection pictures! It is great to actually see parts and pieces of what you have put together.

heritage · June 13, 2015 11:29AM

After reading about your collection Bob I need to toss my collection in the trash,

flatfoot816 · June 13, 2015 7:54PM

What amazes me is the fact that this tremendous collection is sitting there on Bob's shelves. Am I the only uber paranoid collector that is afraid of displaying their valuable collectibles because of the "F" word----or good 'ol H2O---or shudder to think of theft. I am sure Bob like most of us with valuable collections have some type of insurance. But I only display 10% of my stuff for those reasons.

jackstraw · June 13, 2015 9:04PM

I assume he just doesn't let anyone in his room. I assume he has a security system and insurance you
don't amass a collection worth half a million dollars and not have the protection in place..

Gemyanks10 · June 13, 2015 10:07PM

Absolutely amazing, thanks for sharing the additional pictures. I love the organization of it. I know if it were me, you would need to get by the two secret service agents I have guarding that room if you felt the need to go in there lol. In all seriousness though, great stuff. I too would also be paranoid of flooding and other unanticipated occurrences.

Nathaniel1960 · June 13, 2015 10:08PM

I'm envious of all that basement space.

bobsbbcards · June 13, 2015 11:32PM

<< I'm envious of all that basement space. >>

When we first looked at this house, the basement seemed cramped. The previous couple were both teachers, and they had about eleventy-seven filing cabinets filling every inch of the space. Once they moved, and we returned, the basement looked more like an empty ice rink. My son rode his bike around the basement on rainy days and almost never needed to turn. Perfect for adding a card room.

The collection is quite protected (guard dogs, security guys with big f'ing guns, moats, dragons, etc.) I have to give a secret password whenever I try to get in to the room (it's "phlegm").

And as for the "F" word, did you not see that professional grade f-word extinguisher sitting amidst the chaos? That sucker would put out a forest f-word.

DanBessette · June 13, 2015 11:52PM

Between the SMR article, this thread, and conversations with WhiteTornado about his new man cave in progress, I've really got the itch. I've got an "office" that's more like a closet and I have to share that with my wife. We went on a road trip this weekend and we talked extensively (I brought it up) about redoing that entire floor of the house and including a nice space for each of us. Hopefully one day I'll have a suitable card room.

begsu1013 · June 14, 2015 1:39AM

did you just use the word "eleventy"? only like the twelfteen time i've heard somebody else use that!

the password is "new england clam chowder". it's deciphering whether it's the red or the white...

did give ya a shout out in that "10K" thread a few weeks back. guess it just took folks a while to put this 2 and that 2 together...to make 5.

but was definitely worth it's own thread.

congrats again!

bishop · June 14, 2015 3:08AM

I live in south Texas, what exactly is a basement ?

Also, I hope I do not get shot or drown up there next month .

The correct term for 11 is onety one

A Tribute to Bob Fisk

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