Getting Back in the hobby

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Posted By: <b>Mike Ernst</b><p>Up to about 1975 I was into vintage cards, and not only put together Bowman and Topps sets, but completed T-205's, completed T-206 less the big three (and I understand now is the big 4 with the addition of Doyle), completed E98 and started E101 and E102. After my nearly 30-year hiatus, I'm interested in getting back in and completing the E101's. I'd appreciate input as to how to restart, where to find cards, who I can trust, etc. Thanks for any guidance that you veterans can share with a young old-timer.

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Posted By: <b>leon</b><p>Hey Mike,<BR>Welcome back into the hobby. I think I started getting into trouble in '75....would have made me about 14 going on 30. I sure wish I would have started collecting back then and kept going. I am not sure what the absolute best way is but most likely ebay will help you a lot. I believe it, and the internet, is what has fueled the hobby in the last 7-10 years (I've only been collecting for about 7 years, as an adult). From speaking with old timers there are more venues today (internet, auction houses etc) than there used to be to collect cards. The prices show too. You also want to check out the links at the top of this forum page. They are worth about 20 years of rooting around, themselves...(also the buy/sell/trade thread on this forum is good for finding stuff.)..good luck in your hunting

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Posted By: <b>Scott</b><p>Leons post is right on the money...<BR><BR>I am a collector who, like yourself, started in the mid 70s working on T201, T205 and T206 sets (among others) with my father after coming into a "find" and getting into the hobby before it took off.<BR><BR>I've been similarly dormant in collecting for the past 20 years due to life events such as college, marriage, kids, etc... and I now find myself just starting to get back into the hobby.<BR><BR>As Leon stated, the advent of the internet and eBay has certainly changed the hobby from what I remember of it 20 years ago. There are definately a lot of different channels to search for material that you are looking for. <BR><BR>Definately read up on this board before plunging into eBay as you will find there are a lot of counterfeit and/or doctored items on the market. Theres a lot of knowledgeable people on the board who point these out from time to time.<BR><BR>The other huge change in collecting which I'm still getting used to is the advent of card grading services. Stick around the board and you'll hear plenty about the pros and cons in this area. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><BR><BR>I'm pretty much just a lurker here but have learned quite a bit since I've found the board in the last three months.<BR><BR>Welcome and feel free to email me if you'd like to compare notes as it sounds like we have similar collecting backgrounds...<BR><BR>Scott<BR><BR>