How old are you?

[Leon]

Lets do a poll to see where this board falls for age groups. IN another thread I stated it was around 43-44 yrs as an average for our membership. I think it might go down a yr or two, but we will see. No one will see your answer and please answer honestly.

[novakjr]

32

[soxinseven]

42

[BearBailey]

36

[matty6]

40

[Leon]

woops, I was re-doing the categories, so please vote in the poll and we will see how it goes. Sorry about that...

[nolemmings]

a few days older than Keith Olbermann

[Leon]

a few days older than Keith Olbermann

I think there will be more 45-55 yr olds than any age but we will see...I tried to split them up to make sense but there is no perfect way with only 10 options...

[whitehse]

48....geez I cant believe I am actually 48!!

[fkw]

41-49 is going to win, not because its the average but because the window is much wider (9 years)

[zljones]

31!

[Leon]

41-49 is going to win, not because its the average but because the window is much wider (9 years)

I think there is no doubt about that. The interesting part will be how many are over or under that age group.

[Matthew H]

31

[e107collector]

29

[19cbb]

Right in the middle :rolleyes:

[gnaz01]

49

[alanu]

51 but I don't feel a day over 50

[Bigb13]

51

[Jason]

32 and im surprised there are so many of us.

[sportscardpete]

22 - see contrary to reports there are a few young people that'll help the "future" of the hobby!

[frankbmd]

Your truly,

Little League Baseball, originally founded in 1939 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, organized the first ever Little League World Series tournament on August 21, 1947.

Wembley favorite "Bronco" Wilson didn't get to celebrate on August 21, 1947, but the scored program verifies that the Wembley Lions rode to victory that fine night.

frankbmd born the same day and still looking for a vintage Wembley helmet.

[deebro041]

29 for the thirteenth time!!:D

[kkkkandp]

Thanks for starting this poll now rather than two weeks from now.

The fact that I get to vote in March places me in a category that makes me seem chronologically younger than I really am. :D

Now if I only felt that way!

[christopher.herman]

35 y/o over here.

[Big Six]

39...at least for a few more months...

[tedzan]

41-49 is going to win, not because its the average but because the window is much wider (9 years)

Frank

The "wider window" is certainly a factor here. I'll add another factor that is is very influential here. This BB card hobby enjoyed it's greatest growth years during
the 1980's.....hence, 30 years ago. I recall large numbers of kids attending BB card shows back then (especially the Willow Grove Show).

And, most kids start collecting sports cards about the age of 10.....therefore, I'd really be surprised if the 40's age bracket didn't win this poll.


TED Z

[HOF Auto Rookies]

25

[zljones]

Frank

The "wider window" is certainly a factor here. I'll add another factor that is is very influential here. This BB card hobby enjoyed it's greatest growth years during
the 1980's.....hence, 30 years ago. I recall large numbers of kids attending BB card shows back then (especially the Willow Grove Show).

And, most kids start collecting sports cards about the age of 10.....therefore, I'd really be surprised if the 40's age bracket didn't win this poll.


TED Z

Indeed back in 1991 I was 10 years old and we were ecstatic over cards. I remember the massive craze over Frank Thomas 1990 Leaf, and 89 UpperDeck Griffey. I also remember the 1991 Donruss Elite craze. We always loved post war but could never afford it. There wasnot any prices for prewar listed in any of the beckett magazines at the news stand, which was our main source of knowledge of sets and cards. Now it is great to finally learn about prewar and finally collect those cards. A lot of us will eventually return to the hobby just like I have, now we make adult money and can afford those vintage cards we drooled at over those glass cases at the baseball card shops. It's nice to HAVE instead of WANT.

[ScottR81]

31 and getting younger.

[batsballsbases]

Im 54:(

[wonkaticket]

37 going on 14 (still laugh at fart jokes)

[rdixon1208]

32 for me. I think you'll see a lot of us in my age group because cards were so popular when we were kids. All of my friends collected cards. I even moved around as a kid, but there was a shop in every town, and I was always able to make new friends that also collected cards. I would expect that many of the new members are in my age group, just getting back in the hobby that we loved so much as kids. We'll keep the hobby strong for a long time. After that....who cares.

[btkpath]

47 for me........at least I am above average in something.

By the way fart jokes are still funny at 47

[E93]

Interesting poll. By the shape of the curve it does not look like the vintage card hobby is in danger of dying anytime soon.
JimB

[39special]

45 next month

[sago]

46 but I tend to act my shoe size at times.:p

[t206blogcom]

33

[Cardboard Junkie]

Sexy One.....opps....I mean sixty one. dave

[7nohitter]

36....today!

[t206wagner]

40 today but will be 41 on Thursday.

[yanksfan09]

29

[GoldenAge50s]

The REAL horserace is between my group & the 19-25ers!

[sbfinley]

28. Also my wife (26), brother (15), and brother-in-law (14) are not members but check the board daily to weekly.

[Wymers Auction]

42 and holding

[Jason Carota]

32

[CharleyBrown]

30

[margoaepi]

32 for me. I think you'll see a lot of us in my age group because cards were so popular when we were kids. All of my friends collected cards. I even moved around as a kid, but there was a shop in every town, and I was always able to make new friends that also collected cards. I would expect that many of the new members are in my age group, just getting back in the hobby that we loved so much as kids. We'll keep the hobby strong for a long time. After that....who cares.

Completely agree. I'm 32 and grew up opening packs of Topps ('86 being my first and favorite set of all time). Fell out of it when I hit high school, but now that I'm older and have some $$, I'm back in head first.

[E93]

Almost 75% under 50.
JimB

[terjung]

39 here

[talkinbaseball]

55, and still love the hobby alot.

john

[novakjr]

Completely agree. I'm 32 and grew up opening packs of Topps ('86 being my first and favorite set of all time). Fell out of it when I hit high school, but now that I'm older and have some $$, I'm back in head first.

Exact same story here. 32. I remember opening '86 packs from the concession stand after t-ball games. But '87 was my favorite set. Came back when I realized I could afford the cards I always wanted as a kid, and then the pre-war bug hit almost immediately.

[Jacklitsch]

68

[barrysloate]

Hi Steve- glad to see you post! Hope you are well.

[Texxxx]

53 here. I am still young at heart but my cards cost a LOT more than when I was 10.

[mikeakac2]

23 here looks like I'm in the smaller age range on here.

[Ronnie73]

38

I didn't know that a poll was limited to 10 choices. Maybe there should have been two polls, one 8 to 40 with ten or so choices and another poll 41 to 80 with ten or so choices and just label them poll 1 and poll 2. Maybe next time when we have a poll that needs more than 10 choices, that could be done. Maybe like a poll of how many T206's we each own. Might need more than two polls for that question. :D

[asoriano]

20

Started collecting the new stuff (primarily Soriano, Pujols, and Ichiro) in late 2001, but made the switch to pre-war after purchasing a well-loved Cobb green in '04 for $100.

Haven't looked back since.

[abothebear]

I wonder how the shape of these results would compare to other established vintage collector hobbies? Would antique furniture collectors distribute similarly, for instance? I sort of think they might.

[ethicsprof]

60

best,
barry

[Den*nis O*Brien]

As they say in Russia... I am in my 65th year. I have hazy memories of opening '55 Bowman packs but vivid memories of tearing open '58 and '59 Topps and getting a sore jaw from jamming in so much of that memorable gum.

[skooter]

Age 69 most of the time. When I'm sniffing my cards, I'm 12 again.

[Theoldprofessor]

60

best,
barry

Man, you can't be that old. Or maybe you can. When were you at Davidson?

I'm one of the True Geezers on this board right now -- I'll be 70 in August -- and I love collecting as much as ever. And I'm delighted to see all the responses from people half my age.

For those who study ancient history ...

My first pack was a '48 Leaf, with Ruth on top. I was 6, of course, and wanted nothing to do with old ballplayers, so I traded him for some current player, probably of the Mizell Platt sort. When I finally got a second, he was more expensive.

Best memory -- opening a BOX of 53T hi #s, which I got for my birthday. Including 5 Mays cards.

Ol' Prof

[ethicsprof]

you were a young prof when i was at davidson from 69-73.
i remember you with jet black hair and black specs.
i didn't have you for a class---but did have Frey for physics who was also my freshman advisor.
i house sat for jack tate, sandy mckelway, and ed palmer. I suspect that
they are much older than you.
all the best, ole prof. who was once young prof.
barry

[Leon]

Well, I must say I am a little bit surprised but not a lot. I think a lot of the newer card collectors (a bit younger) have migrated back to our collecting of pre-warII cards. There are more 30 somethings than any other age group. That is quite refreshing. If this informal poll is any indication I don't think our vintage card hobby is tumbling in the next generation. Actually, not even in the next 2 generations. The best thing we can do, imo, is warm up to our young collectors, show them by example, and lead the way to a bright future. Yes, a bit of utopia, but if we all do our little bit the proliferation will keep up with the extinction :).

[MVSNYC]

37 going on 14 (still laugh at fart jokes)

+1

same age. same sense of humor.

[3-2-count]

45. And not only do I still laugh at fart jokes, I still cut em' as well.

[teetwoohsix]

41 and still finding fart jokes funny as well :D Nothing like a good crop dusting, right? :D:D

Clayton

[ullmandds]

I like fart jokes too...but having since cut out dairy from my diet...I hardly ever fart anymore?!?!? Not sure if this is good...or bad!!!!

[btcarfagno]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6dm9rN6oTs

The greatest fart scene.

Ever.

Tom C

[GoldenAge50s]

While we're speaking of farts, it appears the 19-25 age group is outdistancing us "old farts" in the poll now.

Being as how I'm one of the "Fearsome Foursome", do the other 3 want to list your birthdate so we can unite for greater power on this Net54 Board?:D:D

I'm 7-18-40

Who's next to come forward?

[mybuddyinc]

51 but I don't feel a day over 50


Same here, that reminds me (as do the fart jokes), I need to schedule a colonoscopy ....................... :eek:

[tcdyess]

43 here..... i may be the median......

[Cat]

49, but I look good!!!

[carrigansghost]

47, 24 on the field , 74 when the game is done and 14 when I get mad.
Rawn

[Woundedduck]

32 :)

[Bilko G]

35 over here

[Exhibitman]

They say I'm 46 but it is a dirty communist lie. My driver's license may say 46 but I'm 25.

FWIW, my wife thinks I have the emotional maturity of a ten year old...

[mintacular]

34

[Bosox Blair]

Well, I must say I am a little bit surprised but not a lot. I think a lot of the newer card collectors (a bit younger) have migrated back to our collecting of pre-warII cards. There are more 30 somethings than any other age group. That is quite refreshing. If this informal poll is any indication I don't think our vintage card hobby is tumbling in the next generation. Actually, not even in the next 2 generations. The best thing we can do, imo, is warm up to our young collectors, show them by example, and lead the way to a bright future. Yes, a bit of utopia, but if we all do our little bit the proliferation will keep up with the extinction :).

So far very close to 70% of the 412 respondents are 49 or younger.

Doesn't sound like a hobby on its death bed to me...

Cheers,
Blair

[g_vezina_c55]

30

[wolfdogg]

41 going on 16

[itjclarke]

35 with an achy left knee

[martin neal]

58 with no left knee

[itjclarke]

58 with no left knee

Tomorrow I'm visiting my Dad in Corvallis, he just had both knees replaced last week... I will never complain again:D

[D. Broughman]

65 years young :D

[Tomman1961]

I was 50 on August 16. Same date as the death of The Babe, and Elvis.

[pitchernut]

54 and glad to have health care coverage through the VA:o Just wish those hangovers would quit getting worse with every passing year:(

[vintagecpa]

40. Too old to be collecting cards but too young to quit.

[brianp-beme]

Let's just say I am a tweener...I am old enough to understand what a poll is, but young enough not to wonder if I have already voted or not.

Brian46-beme

[Blunder19]

only 8% is under 30.... I hope we get some more young guys or 50 years from now Ill be the only one left collecting the t206 errors :(

[zljones]

only 8% is under 30.... I hope we get some more young guys or 50 years from now Ill be the only one left collecting the t206 errors :(

On the bright side if that does happen at least the prices will be super cheap:D