O/T but may be somewhat helpful [Archive]

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11-02-2006, 05:43 PM

Posted By: DaveWith so many longtime regulars here and then a few of us "newbies", I thought it may be helpful to start a thread for those interested in giving some background on themselves. If nothing else, it may help to keep the arguements down to a minimum if we know a bit more about each other, I understand the longtime posters pretty much already know each other. anyway, I'm Dave, 30 years old, married with three kids, live in atlanta, i'm a project manager/estimator for a paving contractor. I used to like everyone my age collect cards back in the 80's then got out of it when I found girls. I've enjoyed the past few months getting back into it, and after originally getting back into it by collecting 1952 topps, just found it too hard to stay away from the older stuff. Cheers.

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11-02-2006, 05:54 PM

Posted By: barrysloateI'm 54, married with no kids, live in a state of existential madness and sell baseball cards to make a living. When I feel stressed out I go onto network54 and realize I'm not the only crazy person out there... a little tongue in cheek, but I just seem to find many absurdities in everyday life. And I like to listen to a lot of music- 60's rock and 50's jazz, that helps me chill out, too. I'm a hippie from the 60's who never quite grew out of it.

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11-02-2006, 05:58 PM

Posted By: Turner EngleI'm Turner and I am 15 with no kids from Colombus, Ohio. I like baseball cards and Nationals. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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11-02-2006, 06:21 PM

Posted By: ScottIngoldScott, Commercial fisherman from southern NJ. Little Egg Harbor to be exact. Married with 2 children ( 6 & 10 ) and never grew out of my pre war card thing. I dabble in real estate and work at a bait and tackle store in the off season to stay busy. Hey John.....That be tUckerTOwn. The town with 3 teeth. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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11-02-2006, 07:01 PM

Posted By: jay behrensi'm Jay and I am a baseball card terrorist, all around bad guy and misanthrope. I've moved down in the world from nuclear engineer to common laborer. I've done a little of everything in my life. I threw raves in SF in the 80s (known as underground clubs back then), owned a gaming and comic book store in Sacramento for a 3 years in the late 90s and drove limos for 10 years. I've collected just about everything at one time or another. I've traveled the world, visiting 40 countries and 44 states. I grew up in MN and moved back there 5 years ago. I have one son, 16 years old, who is 6'5, still growing and has an IQ 25 points higher than mine. My collecting goal is to acquire one card of every major leaguer that appeared on a card as a major leaguer from 1908-45. Jay I love pinatas. You get to beat the crap of something and get rewarded with candy.

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11-02-2006, 07:40 PM

Posted By: Dan BrettaHi everybody, my name is Dan and I am addicted to vintage baseball cards and memorabilia. <img src="/images/wink.gif" height=14 width=14> I have lived my entire life (39 years) in Lincoln, Nebraska and have collected cards since I was about 12 and memorabilia for about the last 8-9 years. I am married and I have a 5 year old boy who doesn't quite yet share my love for cards, but he loves to play baseball. I own an independent video store and we're going on our 22nd year in business and still going strong. My major focus is memorabilia, but I do collect cards too. I focus on Lincoln minor league items and items from the Nebraska State League. I also collect vintage photographs with a focus on fan-taken photos (snapshots). Some of my eclectic interests can be seen on my photobucket site here: <a href="http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b331/nudan92/" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://s22.photobucket.com/albums/b331/nudan92/</a>

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11-02-2006, 07:59 PM

Posted By: MikeMy story is similar to yours Dave. Also 30 years old, married and we have a 2 year old. Living in Southern California after moving here from Austin, TX 8 months ago. I'm the Director of Construction for a small homebuilder. Collected from '86 until I started college in '94. Just got back into the hobby about 5 months ago. Vintage collection consists of mainly T206 and Diamond Stars. Also trying to collect the 1970s Topps sets ungraded when I get the urge.

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11-02-2006, 08:01 PM

Posted By: Steve DawsonMy name is Steve Dawson. I'm 43 years old, single, no kids, and have been in the U.S. Air Force (enlisted) for 22 years. I grew up in San Diego CA, and the Air Force has taken me to Columbus MS, Stuttgart Germany, Colorado Springs CO, Great Falls MT and San Antonio TX (twice). I've been collecting baseball and football cards seriously since 1975. I bought my first pre-WW2 cards (three T206s) in 1978, and have had a fascination with them (pre-WW2 cards in general) ever since. Steve

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11-02-2006, 08:41 PM

Posted By: barry arnoldBarry Arnold, 55, married to an opera singer and music teacher,no kids. I've been a professor for nearly 25 years---presently Professor of Philosophy and Allied Health/Life Sciences and Director of a Center for Health Care Ethics. authored/co-authored/edited 13 books in the areas of ethics and psychoanalysis...... But i now am a T206 scholar. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> Like Barry S. i'm still a bit of a hippie and was lucky enough to find a vocation which lets me be relatively free. best, barry

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11-02-2006, 08:45 PM

Posted By: Jon CanfieldI'm 25 years old, living in Manhattan. I'm unmarried and without kids. I'm, as Jason Miller says, one of those damn lawyers that he never wants to be.

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11-02-2006, 08:49 PM

Posted By: PaulMy name is Paul & I'm 45yrs old. I live with my wife, 3 kids, mother in law, & a dog in Austin, Tx. Been out here for 5 years, & I'm an equipment maintenance technician in the semiconductor industry. I've been collecting on & off since about 1970, & pre war starting in 1998. My favorite cards are deadball era postcards. Other family hobbies are martial arts. My two boys are both black belts in Kuk Sool Won, & the oldest was just crowned grand champion last month in a Kuk Sool world tournament <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> Before moving to Texas, I lived in Arizona. My favorite pro teams are the Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals <img src="/images/sad.gif" height=14 width=14>, & Phoenix Suns.

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11-02-2006, 10:11 PM

Posted By: john/z28jdHey Scott i know you live in Tuckerton but where do you go to get the electricity to use your computer? <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> Maybe you can answer a serious question about your area.What town on rt 9 has the big old house with the chair on top the roof? I remember seeing that alot when i was a kid but my mom couldnt remember the name of the town.Frankly i was shocked she had me that close to Tuckerton,but she said its close.

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11-02-2006, 10:35 PM

Posted By: BrendanI'm Brendan, 23 yrs old. Long-time lurker. Grew up on Long Island, played baseball nearly year round (they have "winter ball" in NY if you can believe that), huge Yankee fan. Went out to california for college, studied molecular biology, which apparently prepared me for my current job as an analyst for a buy-side asset management firm in San Diego. Go figure. Collected a bunch of shiny stuff when I was a kid, but now I have a handful of pre-war cards: a T206 Matty, and the Dizzy/Daffy Dean Rice-Stix set. At this point, my card-picking abilities are much better than my stock-picking ones <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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11-02-2006, 11:52 PM

Posted By: Zach S.I'm Zach (S. not R.), 26 yrs old, single for the most part w/ no kids. I'm in the Navy and currently stationed in Italy. I live on a small island off the mainland so the only collecting contacts I have are ebay and you guys here on the board... I don't think vintage American baseball card collecting has caught on here just yet. I should be back in the States near the Washington area next year.

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11-03-2006, 02:27 AM

Posted By: Aaron CowanI'm Aaron Cowan and I'm 23 years old. I recently graduated college with a BS in Engineering Physics. I moved from Kentucky to Boise, ID in August this year when I got a job with Micron (they make semiconductors). I've been collecting cards since I was a kid but about 5 years ago got interested in T206s. Now, my goal is to put a T-type card set together of all St Louis players (Browns and Cardinals). I also collect some Albert Pujols cards but only the vintage looking ones. If anyone else on here is a Cardinals fan, they probably share my shock of them winning the W.S. Obviously, the rest of the world thought the season was over when the New York teams were defeated... Aaron Cowan acowan19@gmail.com

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11-03-2006, 03:40 AM

Posted By: ScottIngoldJohn, That would be Parkertown. Right between manahawkin and us. Actually a tree service company owns that property now and they totally refurbished it. But the chair is still there. Damn i had to get the wife up early this am to answer you. What with the whole electricity thing. I still have to hook up the bicycle generater thingy. But it works. Plus it gives her good exercise. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> When the kids are bigger i figure i can electrify the whole downstairs.

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11-03-2006, 06:26 AM

Posted By: Trae R.Hi Dave, I'm Trae. 25 Years old, soon to be engaged, currently living in the Greater Daytona Beach, FL area. I own a small business (Thinkable Inc.) doing web application programming and project management. I graduated from a private college in Tampa, FL with an AS degree in Interactive Media in 2001. In short, I'm a nerd... but you wouldn't know it if you met me on the street. I have 15 tattoos and I surf a few times a week. When I'm not working or spending time with my girlfriend I am doing something relative to T206's whether it be shopping on eBay, browsing Net54, or doing some web/print projects with the ole' White Borders. As a "kid" (some would argue I still am...) I collected shiny crap... baseball and basketball until I was 11 or so and got back into collecting at 21 buying up a bunch of 50's & 60's Topps stuff until I came across T206's and I quickly sold all of the crap and focused soley on them. I've handled about 1000 in 3 or 4 years which has been lots of fun. I still haven't completed any group of cards that would be considered a set or sub-set. I buy and sell often, however I am finally sitting on some mid-grade cards I have deemed "house savings" - but I don't know how I am going to part with them when the time comes. I'm trying to focus on portraits only right now, but for my "keepers" collection I've been contemplating a low-grade full set attempt and I see you are as well. We'll see how that goes. Anyhow, that's the nutshell version of who I am. Cool thread idea by the way. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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11-03-2006, 06:35 AM

Posted By: Steve M.Hi Dave: I'm Steve. A young 63. Lawyer still in practice. Married 32 years. Three kids (all on their own in San Francisco, Blachly, Oregon and Chicago). Two cats. Collecting for 30 plus years. For more see my website: <a href="http://www.freewebs.com/jacklitsch/" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.freewebs.com/jacklitsch/</a>

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11-03-2006, 06:41 AM

Posted By: Davemy father in law is 63, nothing old about him either

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11-03-2006, 06:55 AM

Posted By: Mike CampbellI am 52 years old, married to a great lady. (I definitely married up). Wife is a school teacher. I was a commercial banker for 23 years with US Bank, and then Wells Fargo. Left two years ago, and started my own real estate investment company. I was written up in the Old Cardboard two issues ago. Things are great. Two kids, daughter 24, son 22. Both are college grads, who are well on their way to success. Daughter was two time fast pitch all conference shortstop in high school, and one time all state selection, and went on to a Div. 2 school and was also all conference. Came in second in home runs in her Senior year to a "rather large girl" from the University of Minn.) My son is great, and is with Medtronics here in the twin cities. I have been collecting cards since I was 5. My goal is to collect everything, cards, mags, pins, series tickets which he played in, anything relating to Jimmie Foxx. I would guess I am half way there. I am only missing one mag. as far as I can tell. I have all the pins. Including one that is uncat. Who knows if I will ever make it. All cards are graded, by the big three. I also collect a bit of Hack Wilson, and a bit of Black Sox. Former SABR member. Active in local Rotary. Board member of three other civic groups, one of which is the Historical Society. I live on a large lake. Beautiful view every day. I prefer waves and water, to looking at ice. I am a possessed collector, for which there is no cure. I am truly crazed. But loving it....Thanks to all the forum members who have helped me locate cards. I tend to fly under the radar. Thanks much. Edited to add: I also collect foxx wire photos and news photos, and personal non-baseball related Foxx photos. I love the ones where is like sitting by his Christmas tree with his kids... feeding some geese with Goose Goslin etc. etc. I have about 50 originals of him.

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11-03-2006, 06:57 AM

Posted By: peter ullmani'm pete ullman...i'm a single, dentist living in st paul, mn. i've been collecting cards since a little pup...vintage seriously for 20 or so years. i've always been a type collector but considering changing my focus as type collecting has become ridiculously expensive...if not impossible to complete! pete

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11-03-2006, 07:27 AM

Posted By: Bill KI'm 33, married and a father of two (3-1/2 y/o boy & 8 m/o girl). They are my true passions. I've been collecting pre-war now for about 4-5 years and wish I didn't blow my allowance in the 80's on Topps & Fleer cards (but back then I loved them). I am a IP Communications Consultant in Madison, WI. (GO BADGERS!) I grew up in the Twin Cities (GO TWINS & VIKINGS!) My vintage collecting has gone from just Polar Bear backed T-206's to T-206 HOF Portraits, to E95's, back to HOF Portraits, to now just getting cards that a) I really like the looks of & b)fill a void in my type card set (which is really small now). I'm not a fan of MLB, but love the deadball era. Other hobbies include golf, basketball, bar-league sand volleyball, and wood working. I can also create the coolest Thomas the Tank Engine track designs for my son (after years of practice). Once I stop paying $20K/year in child care I'll have a bit more disposable income to put towards cards (I hope!) <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> Bill My personal collection - <a href="http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f176/fkm_bky/" target="_new" rel="nofollow"><a href="http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f176/fkm_bky/</a" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f176/fkm_bky/</a</a>>

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11-03-2006, 07:32 AM

Posted By: DaveOnce you stop paying the childcare, then comes the more expensive years. Daughter 11, son 9, and daughter one year old. I cringe at how expensive things are about to get.

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11-03-2006, 07:35 AM

Posted By: Mike CampbellBill, I got news for you, it never ends.....never. College.....first car....wedding....first house.....

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11-03-2006, 07:42 AM

Posted By: Kevin CummingsI am 55 and live in Closter, New Jersey. I work as the Director of Order Processing for book publisher, Pearson Education. Married to a phys ed/health teacher. Have 3 needy kids (I need to eat, I need to go to college, I need that Ipod, I need to go to soccer camp) that cramp my collecting style. I was out of collecting for 20 years until 1983 when my son was born. I had the bright idea to use ex-major leaguer Jim Bouton's company to do his birth announcements, which looked like baseball cards. I bought wax packs of 1983 Topps and inserted my son's card with the rest before handing them out. Unfortunately for my wallet, that whet my appetite to get back into the hobby. I started out as a type collector, then a HOFer, but have now drifted to pretty much exclusively 19th century, primarily Old Judge. Some day I hope to have as many as John Dreker. P.S. Scott - if you think electricity is great, wait until you get indoor plumbing in Tuckerton like we have on Long Beach Island! <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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11-03-2006, 07:45 AM

Posted By: DarrenHello my name is darren and i've been a vintage collector for 30 years now. I'm 36 and live in a small town (Cut Off) on the gulf coast of louisiana. I went to college for 7 years collecting multiple degrees including History, English, Business, Chemistry and Microbiology before deciding on a career in medicine. We're a family of three myself, me lady, and me daughter who turns four on Sunday.

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11-03-2006, 07:49 AM

Posted By: SeanTo keep the Minnesota streak running... My name is Sean. I'm 28 and live in the beautiful city of Minneapolis (in the Minnehaha/Highland park area) with my wife who works for Land O' Lakes (she makes the $$) and our cat (no kids yet). Hobbies are sailing, scooters, EPL (English Premier League(Blackburn Rovers)), T206 and long walks on the beach. Like so many before me my colleting started when I was 10 or 11 buying 1986 Topps packs and it continued to grow until I was 16 or so and decided it was better to save my money for traveling and that stuff. I used to record music at a studio in Cannon Falls called Pachyderm (Nirvana, Mudvayne, and PJ Harvey just to name a few) and after some problems with the studio I left to return to Minneapolis. Well 5 years later I came across a Minneapolis T206 card on an eBay search and the rest is history. Now I'm starting to work on a Minor League T206 set. Sean BH

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11-03-2006, 07:59 AM

Posted By: Mark TylickiHello- I am 32, engaged, with a wedding planned for May 27, 2007. She's a Gator and I'm a Buffalo. I graduated from CU with BA degrees in Anthropology and Latin American Studies, and received an MBA from University of Phoenix in 2000. I'm a first generation Pole - been to Poland three times - I love traveling. De La Soul, The Rapture, The Cure, Rolling Stones, and The Faint are currently my favorite bands. I love the Denver Broncos. Collecting HOFers, snowboarding and swapping bottle caps worldwide are three of my passions. I am an SAP Global Trade Services (Denied Party, Embargo, Export/Import) and Materials Managment consultant currently staffed at Merck & Co. in Lebanon, New Jersey. And, I also enjoy messing around with my website - selling a card every once in awhile. Regards, Mark ------------------------------ MY COLLECTION: <a href="http://www.rustywilly.com/MYCOLLECTION.htm" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.rustywilly.com/MYCOLLECTION.htm</a>

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11-03-2006, 08:07 AM

Posted By: leonI think most on the board knows my name but for any new lurkers, it's Leon Luckey. I am 45, definitely married up- to a wonderful wife named Kim...have a 9yr old daughter that is the love of my life. As someone else mentioned in another thread she also likes to watch the prices go way up at the end of ebay auctions. I live right outside of Big D on a few acres.....very small community and most people know each other and are very friendly. I sell technology for a company called MoreDirect, Inc...part of a much larger company PCConnections. I have been an addicted type card collector for almost 10 yrs and on the message boards almost as long. I volunteer every week at the Salvation Army and it's very rewarding. It really feels good when you help someone and they can get back on their feet because you kicked them in the rear a little bit. I also play softball as much as possible, coach my little girls team, and am on the board of directors as the umpire scheduler (and just volunteered for next season too). If it weren't for rainouts it would be pretty easy. I enjoy moderating the board and have tried to help almost anyone that has ever asked. I believe I am extremely accessible and believe communication is the key to success, in anything we do. I like studying the way collecting used to be too and like reading about the pioneers of our hobby... (I have also failed miserably at buying some restaurants and they are still kicking my behind.....but things are getting better) edited spelling

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11-03-2006, 08:16 AM

Posted By: Mike ErnstI'm Mike Ernst--59 years old--Lutheran Pastor--Milwaukee, WI, area. Collected as a kid, then again in late 60's to about 1977, again a bit in the early 90's, and again the last couple of years. My wife is an RN, we have 4 daughters, now all through college--in Rockford, IL, Sacramento, Houston, and Washington DC--two played NCAA Div. 1 volleyball on full rides (my favorited daughters!!??) I completed T206 (less the big four), T205, Bowman and Topps (less the 51's) in the mid 70's. Had about 110 e cards since. In the past two years have filled in and completed e98, e101, e90-3, and all but three e95's. Still play softball two days a week--spend too much time at church (congregation is 7500+ members)--life is good, except my Cornhuskers (I grew up in Lincoln) lost to OK state last weekend!

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11-03-2006, 08:27 AM

Posted By: Dan BrettaMike, I share your pain. I lost my voice at the Texas game two weeks ago and last week I was glad I could barely speak because there was just nothing to say about the Okie state game. I'll still be at Memorial Stadium on Saturday rooting them on against Mizzou though. GO BIG RED CLASS OF 1992

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11-03-2006, 08:48 AM

Posted By: Ed McCollumI live in Omaha, NE, moving here two years ago after 20 years in Lincoln (I'm sure I must have visited Dan's video store many times, although he hasn't said what the name of his place is). My para-educator wife, who works with behavioral disorder children, 15 year old son and I live in an older part of town and I work as art director for a national and international non-profit provider of services for the mentally retarded and developmentally disabled. I started collecting baseball cards at 9; my grandfather, who bought me my first pack, couldn't figure out why a diabetic kid wanted baseball cards, thinking I wanted the gum I couldn't have. My parents, then wife and son probably wish he hadn't bought that first pack. Have complete sets of Topps from '72-current, and my wife bought my first vintage card as a first anniversary gift in 1989 (cobb/red back T206). I was hooked. Things went well until I lost a job in 2003, which forced a cut in pay that still has not been recovered. Plus, a 15 year old son takes a lot more to feed, cloth, transport than in previous years. So from 178 T206s in the first 14 years, I've been able to purchase only one a year for the past two years. Low grade commons to match all the other low grades in my collection. But I do have plans of living another 345 years so I can complete the set eventually. I appreciate the camaraderie and knowledge found on this board.

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11-03-2006, 08:49 AM

Posted By: Ted ZanidakisI am 67 and retired. After College and US Air Force (4 yrs) Radar Specialist in the early 1960's, I was with AT&T Bell Labs for about 30 yrs as a Senior Electronics Engineer. I designed the "modems" you are now communicating with and designed Hi-Speed data communications' Links in present day use. I'm married with 2 beautiful Daughters and 3 wonderful Grandchildren. We live on several acres in scenic Pennsylvania. I collected Bond Bread cards, LEAF's, BOWMAN's, and TOPP's as a kid from 1947 - 1952....I was very fortunate to re-discover all these cards in our old attic when I returned to the hobby in 1977. At first, I started to complete these sets from my youth. Then, in the early 1980's I became very interested in the real "oldies, but goodies".....19th Century, T205-6-7's, Diamond Stars', Goudey's, PlayBall's, and various Caramel cards. I love to collect BB sets in multiples....and have just started my 4th T206 set. Since the early '80s, I have written about the N162 set, 7 articles on the BOWMAN sets (BB & FB), and the LEAF BB set (in the current Old Cardboard magazine). TED Z

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11-03-2006, 08:54 AM

Posted By: TroyHello, I am a longtime lurker on this site. I am 30 years old, married with 2 kids under 2 so I am a little busy. I became a pre war collector in 2002 when Topps introduced me to T206. Prior to 2002, I collected the shiny crap, Mickey Mantle,Ted Kluszewski,and Thurman Munson cards. I work as an Operations Engineer for Northrop Grumman in Virginia. Troy

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11-03-2006, 08:58 AM

Posted By: Jeff PriznerCollected as a kid - 1989 Score football and ProSet got me into the hobby. (not counting my Garbage Pail Kids collection a few years prior to that.) Stopped collecting in high school but kinda got back into it in college (went to Texas) thanks to ebay and PSA. Sold off all my modern stuff after graduation in 1999 after seeing my friend's t206 Cobb red portrait and thinking how much cooler the pre-war stuff really was.

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11-03-2006, 09:15 AM

Posted By: Rich KleinI thought out beloved Moderator dude was going to get a Dallas area Net 54 folks get together going at one pt -- if so -- let's get it going soon before the Holiday season hits full bore <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> Rich

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11-03-2006, 09:23 AM

Posted By: JimBI am a professor of Buddhist philosophy, author (two books out, two in the pipeline), and translator (from Tibetan - including some translating for the Dalai Lama). I love to travel and have been to all 50 states and 25 countries. I lived in Nepal and India for more than two years, mostly in Tibetan refugee communities. I like all kinds of good music, especially jazz (from swing to free jazz), rock (from punk to classic rock) and enjoy seeing live music. I am a veteran of 80+ Grateful Dead and Dead related shows and still miss Jerry. <img src="/images/sad.gif" height=14 width=14> I am married to an incredibly wonderful woman. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> I enjoy films. That is probably enough for now. JimB

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11-03-2006, 09:38 AM

Posted By: martindl Martin here, 47 and semi-retired - I work a three day week for a technology company that manufactures Hardware and Software and provides services for the Restaurant, Retail, Convenience Store and Cinema industries. I head the Cinema division. I'm English and moved to the States 25 years ago and live in the Atlanta area. Married 22 years to a wonderful woman, two kids, both boys and two Grandchildren who are the love of my life. Our youngest son Jamie tragically passed away at age 18 almost three years ago. An event like that certainly gives perspective as to what is really important, which is why i'm semi-retired at 47. Thursday is normally my charity volunteer day, but they didn't need me today <img src="/images/sad.gif" height=14 width=14> I've been a collector of something since early childhood (it started with birds eggs) and my passions are chiefly around T3's, M101-2's, rare back T206's and early baseball memorabila. Southern Pottery is a current obsession also.

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11-03-2006, 09:42 AM

Posted By: Tom Boblitt3 months removed from still being in my 30's, so I guess I'm 40. Married a second time with 14 and 10 year old step sons and waiting desperately along with my wife and kids for a little girl in China. Likely looking at January-March next year before we get her. Then the kids experiment really kicks in.....work for UPS for last 22 years and last 2 years owner of a UPS Store. Wife is a nurse about 40% of the week (2 days) who, as a single mom, did a great job of raising two boys....Enjoy and collect lots of baseball issues, pinbacks, Louisville slugger and Louisville baseball team memorabilia, non-sports cards and a bevy of other crap I shouldn't have started to begin with.

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11-03-2006, 09:48 AM

Posted By: Mike HJeff P, I graduated from Texas also. Good to know there's another one on here. Mike

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11-03-2006, 10:13 AM

Posted By: Bill KMartin, My sincere condolences to you and your family. I can not imagine ever losing my little ones and I wish you the best. I read that and immediately my heart sank. Thoughts and prayers, Bill My personal collection - <a href="http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f176/fkm_bky/" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f176/fkm_bky/</a>

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11-03-2006, 10:15 AM

Posted By: leonMy sympathies are the same as Bill's. Nothing could be worse, imo. Best of luck ....

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11-03-2006, 10:24 AM

Posted By: Mark EvansI'm 57 and live in Falls Church, Va, with my wife and french bulldog. I have a step-daughter (31) and granddaughter (12), who is our first priority. I retired last year after 30 years as a lawyer with the federal gov't, mostly the Department of Justice. My wife retired as a paralegal at the FBI. Like the two Barrys (who I've not met), I feel somewhat a relic of the 60s. I took up golf last year and volunteer on Sundays at a local county course. I enjoy eBay, music, movies, reading, poker, pool, chess and Singha Thai beer (not necessarily in that order). I collect mostly the heroes of my youth (Mantle, Mays, Unitas, Chamberlain, etc.) but also chase vintage cards of Jewish ballplayers. I'd enjoy grabbing a beer with others who live in, or have occasion to vist, the D.C. area. I look forward to seeing and meeting board participants at next year's National. Mark

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11-03-2006, 10:28 AM

Posted By: AnonymousI as well extend my sympathy for that. It is nice to know however of someone else here in the Atlanta area. Seems few and far between, and I'm not even gonna mention the fact I never see a decent card show in town.

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11-03-2006, 10:38 AM

Posted By: Joe ToccoI'm Joe, and I'm a nuclear engineer in a small town about 70 miles south of Chicago. I was born in Detroit, grew up in Cleveland, and met my awesome wife (another "married up" guy here) while getting my Nuke degree in Cincinnati. We moved to Orange County CA and escaped back to the Midwest after 8 years. No kids yet, but this time next year I hope the answer to be different <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>. I've been collecting since 1980, and have dabbled in just about everything. Today I collect 90% football. Unlike most on this board, I did not jettison my modern collection when I started collecting vintage, although these days I limit my modern purchases mainly to Marcus Allen cards. I'm also working on a low/mid-grade SGC N162 set, a pre-1951 football type set, a high-grade PSA 1962 Fleer football set, and I just completed a PSA 10 1989 Score football set. I absolutely love the vintage stuff, but I love modern and semi-modern too... I just have so much love to give <img src="/images/wink.gif" height=14 width=14>. Joe

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11-03-2006, 10:48 AM

Posted By: Bruce BabcockI'm Bruce, I'm 55 and married to a choral singer, no kids. We live in Glendale, CA and serve as the staff for two demanding cats. Mike, my grandfather was a Lutheran minister for decades in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin and my uncle was a Lutheran pastor in Milwaukee. The Braves were my team. Many in the familiy went to St. Olaf. My wife's family, too. Uffda to all of you Minnesotan's out there! The family business was astro-physics on my father's side and the clergy on my mom's side so I did the only rational thing - became a musician! As I've said before here, I've worked with everyone from Angela Lansbury to Metallica. My collecting interests are remarkbly unfocused. Sets, type cards, 19th century, pre-War, you name it.

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11-03-2006, 10:52 AM

Posted By: Joe JonesGood Thread! I live in a small Northern Michigan town. I am 25 years old. I have collected baseball cards for as long as I can remember. I have been collecting prewar for 1 year now after Richard Lloyd directed me to this forum (Thanks Richard!). I am now a dedicated set collector after selling off all of my cards in the last few weeks that were not a part of the sets I am working on. I enjoy the live chat function on this board, so it may not seem like I am a regular poster on this forum, but I am chatting almost daily. <a href="http://www.imageevent.com/joejo20" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.imageevent.com/joejo20</a>

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11-03-2006, 11:09 AM

Posted By: Jason LI'm now nearly 35 years old (though sometimes I feel 42, for various reasons), married 11 years, w/2 kids under 5, we live in CT after having moved around from Chicago (grew up there), Sydney Australia, Washington DC, and NYC before this most recent stop... Employment: As an equity analyst, I used to pick small cap stocks for a mutual fund, and I was rather good at it, but it wasn't a sustainable environment for me - real fun at times, but too manic, not enough family time, just not a healthy fit overall for the long run...so I moved over into the Private Client side and now manage personal portfolios for wealthy folk...far more rewarding to directly help people become and stay wealthy, at least for me....I was right there on the ground for 9/11, and that too played into my decision to try and take a breath Undergrad: Indiana U Grad: Georgetown Die-Hard Cubs fan (to this, I only say, you can't pick your family)...I actually think that if they don't get the rings in the next couple years, MLB should seriously look at kicking them out of the majors...I mean, how can you have a 100-year loser? it's a disgrace....he said, before putting on his Cubs hat. Collecting interests: -Chicago stars (your usual suspects like Payton, Ditka, Sayers, MJ, Sandberg, Banks, Santo, etc) -Relatives - I had two cousins play MLB in the 30's and 40s, so I snap up anything I can of theirs -HOF rookie cards -Still developing my tastes in the vintage area, but the early interests thus far include tobacco Cubs cards, Diamond Stars, and 1940 Play Ball...I really don't have the budget for the area right now to do anything really fun, but I live vicariously through the rest of you. Having listed all of the above, please don't think that I have anything but a very modest collection...my most expensive card is still worth $500, maximum! (And no, I don't have dozens of $400 cards!) I have a fairly addictive personality, so it is a constant struggle to control my spending. This Board is a tremendous resource, and I sincerely thank all of you who contribute & monitor it, because it helps me manage my "illness!" far more than I intended to write...sorry... and wow, it looks like I should move to MN when I can afford to start collecting more!!!...quite a contingent in the Great White North! signing off, thanks for listening, Jason L

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11-03-2006, 11:16 AM

Posted By: barrysloateTo Mark Evans- I too like pool, chess (used to play tournaments) and beer; maybe that's a 60's thing.

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11-03-2006, 11:22 AM

Posted By: Brent ButcherMy name is Brent, 32 years old today, married, no kids BUT do have 2 very spoiled dogs(its her fault!) I live on the north side of Dallas, TX. I graduated from SMU with a degree in Mechanical Engineering about 10 years ago. I do contract design work for a company out of Houston that builds military vehicles and I also monitor/support all associated testing at the various Government test sites around the country. Since that only keeps me busy during the week I also decided to get into the gym business and currently own 2 gyms in the DFW area. Also own a financial company with my brother that specializes in debt negotiation/consolidation and bankruptcies. I enjoy all sports, Ebay, poker, chasing that rare 19th century boxing card and cars. My main collecting focus is vintage boxing, non-sports and football. I do pick up an occasional baseball card of a HOF'er from the T206 or T205 set. If I ventured into baseball I would probably choose the T204 set.

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11-03-2006, 11:30 AM

Posted By: Mike CampbellMy wife is an Olaf grad. 1979. Choral singer as well. And pianist and teacher. I spent a lot of time there as well. Regarding the Minnesota contingent, I know the powers that be in Minn, are doing their darndest to soak up all disposable income. So I am not sure what the answer to the high concentration might be. Must be something in the water that makes us all nuts. There is a lot of that around here.

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11-03-2006, 11:42 AM

Posted By: Jeff PriznerRich, Getting the Dallas area people together sounds great to me, looks like Brent is another! Maybe Vargha will make the drive from Ft. Worth and join us too.

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11-03-2006, 11:43 AM

Posted By: ScottIngoldKevin, Shush.... We've been making raids across the bay for all that there shiny copper pipe. Damn outhouse's keep blowing over. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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11-03-2006, 01:04 PM

Posted By: John SI'm 34 and have been collecting football and baseball cards since I was five (the first cards that I saved were the panels on the back of the Hostess boxes). I have been collecting vintage items since the early 80's. My primary areas of interest and collecting inspirations are Pirates, Tigers, and anyone I read about in the baseball biographies. I spend equal time/resources collecting vintage football. I am married and have a daughter (3yrs) and a son (6 mos). My wife is very tolerant of my collecting and actually expresses minor interest from time to time. I attended John Carroll in Cleveland and earned my BS in Science/Environmental Policy. I continued my education at JCU and earned a MS in Ecology with a focus on Herpetology and Ornithology. I moved to Boston to work on my PhD at Northeastern University. After two years I realized that I enjoyed teaching more than stomping through swamps chasing turtles. I dropped out of the PhD program and moved to Charleston SC and began teaching Biology and Chemistry and coaching football. While in Boston I met my wife (who also happened to be an Ohioan) who is a Marine Biologist. We made the move to Charleston together. After two years in Charleston we moved back to Ohio to be closer to family (I will retire in Charleston someday!). I currently teach high school Biology and Chemistry. I definitely am a flavor of the month collector. Currently I have been focusing on N302's, N28's, E254's and unique vintage football items like press photos and broadsides. Check in next week as the list will change. I blame the board for my capricious behavior as every new thread seems to inspire or rekindle interests. A great place!

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11-03-2006, 01:15 PM

Posted By: davidcyclebackI'm an art historian in Seattle, and maintain the website www.cycleback.com I was raised in Wisconsin,and have been many times to Minneapolis, Mt. Horeb and other Lutheran hotspots. My dad's family has been in Minneapolis since the 1800s.

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11-03-2006, 01:35 PM

Posted By: Judson HamlinI'm a 38 y/o married father of two girls (4 & 7), and have been collecting ever since I bought by first pack of cards in '75. I ordered my first vending boxes in 1977 from Renata Galasso, and it's been downhill ever since. My first vintage card was a 1939 Playball Luke Sewell that I conviced my grandmother to buy for me somewhere in north Jersey at the same time. I quickly became the kid that liked "last years cards", which prompted a couple of moms on the block to hand over boxes of cards otherwise destined for the garbage. Many of those I sold at a couple of shows in Jersey in the mid 80's. I was spoiled back in the day by the local card store, run by John Broggi, now of the National Convention group. Great store, and always something vintage in stock. I live in Metuchen, NJ (which is nowhere near Tuckerton, home of Summer teeth- some 'er here, some ain't) and have recently emerged from lurker status. I wrote a couple of articles for VCBC on T206 backs, 19th Century HOFers and the EPSCC shows, but generally prefer to fly below the radar. I colect pretty much across the board, but focus on T206 (501 down, 19 to go) and other pre WW2 cards. I also have a run of Topps sets from '69 on, as well as a few that are almost there. I can also boast that I have actually met Barry Sloate in the flesh (in Brooklyn) HA- just seeing if you're paying attention... I went to the University of Richmond and New York Law School (with a brief stop-over at University of Toledo Law School) and am an assistant prosecutor. My daughters have latched onto my other hobby- birdwatching- with much interest, but haven't shown interest in this part (yet).

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11-03-2006, 01:44 PM

Posted By: barrysloateJudd- A lot of people aren't sure I really exist...you are one of the few who can confirm it.

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11-03-2006, 02:26 PM

Posted By: Bruce BabcockI can also confirm the existence of Barry Sloate. Barry sightings are as rare as those of Sasquatch. Most commonly seen on the east coast, he may on rare occasions be seen on the west coast. Barry sightings within the heartland remain unconfirmed.

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11-03-2006, 02:31 PM

Posted By: Steve M.Barry with Lew at the National here in Chicago back around 98. (Might have been a little earlier). Chicago is in the Heartland, right? <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

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11-03-2006, 02:40 PM

Posted By: Jeff LichtmanBarry, what say we get a NYC contingent of collectors together sometime soon? I think there are more than a few of us.

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11-03-2006, 03:23 PM

Posted By: Jon CanfieldJeff and Barry - count me in on a NYC get-together.

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11-03-2006, 03:43 PM

Posted By: Bob Pomilla57 year old Brooklyn collector from the Yorkville section of Manhattan. Also some residue hippie left in me. Though I'd be a dwarf among giants at a New York collector conclave, I'd be interested too. Maybe I could just work the coat check or something.

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11-03-2006, 04:07 PM

Posted By: Scot ReaderHi Dave, I'm 38 years old, married to a wonderful woman who supports my card collecting habit and have two great kids--an eight year old son and a five year old daughter. My wife and I are in the process of adopting a baby girl from China who should arrive next year. We left L.A. in 2004 for 20 acres outside beautiful Boulder, Colorado where we built a nice house in the foothills. My son is the biggest sports nut I know--he'll watch anything from baseball to football to lacrosse to curling. I have my own patent law practice which allows me to troll the Web (most notably this site and eBay) on weekdays during often extended work breaks. After a near 20-year hiatus I started collecting cards again in late 2003. I became so interested in T206 that I conducted a long-term study of eBay transactions and published a book with many of my findings. It's available for free download at oldcardboard.com and t206museum.com if you would like a copy. I have set T206 aside for the time being and am currently trying to acquire one card of each hall of famer from their active days. My favorite cards are E93 Waddell, N162 Keefe and T206 Lajoie with Bat. Best of luck with your low-end T206 set, and welcome. Scot

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11-03-2006, 04:09 PM

Posted By: Dave ReyI'm 36 -- an old 36, as I have a 19 year-old daughter attending the University of Idaho on a track scholarship. While I started out collecting the same cards as my friends when I was 8-years-old, by the time I was 12 I started to trade for 1950s cards from one of my friends' dad. Still have the 1952 Topps Mickey Vernon that was my first pre-1977 card. While I now work as the media spinmeister for Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Wash., I spent eight years as a reporter and editor and most importantly, three years working at the now-defunct University Trading in Seattle after I finished up at the UW. While at U-Trading I got to see the best of the vintage stuff that would get dug out of attics, basements, garages and old houses in the Seattle area. I've spent the majority of my life trying to learn everything there is to know about baseball, so the job was a great way to advance that ambition. My collecting focus right now is to get one card of each of the 50 best players at every position, preferably a card contemporaneous to their playing career. I'm pretty much down to the pre-war guys now...

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11-03-2006, 04:09 PM

Posted By: barrysloateI'm in for a New York dinner, but maybe someone else wants to plan it. Will have to be after my auction unless it's on a weekend. Who wants to take charge? By the way, my Brooklyn neighborhood has great restaurants too but I do wander into Manhattan.

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11-03-2006, 04:13 PM

Posted By: Mark EvansGuys-- If a NYC meeting comes off, please keep me in the loop. I might be able to take the train up from DC, perhaps with my wife who could do some shopping, hopefully of the "window" variety. Mark

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11-03-2006, 04:19 PM

Posted By: barrysloateWhen should we do this and who wants to take charge? Since some people like Mark have to travel a good distance I'll make myself available any place any time. I eat everything too, not the finicky type....and also, I did have lunch with Bruce Babcock a number of years ago at the Disney studios, brought most of my family with me that day. It was a great afternoon.

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11-03-2006, 04:32 PM

Posted By: Jeff LichtmanI can set something up. We'll do it after Barry's auction and before the holidays. Weekend night is ok if that will make things easier. Feel free to email me with your availabilities and we'll settle on a date and place. We just need to find a place that will house a fair number of loud, obnoxious children - won't be a problem as I have twin 2 year-old boys and am in the know on which restaurants can tolerate us.

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11-03-2006, 04:42 PM

Posted By: ernest reyesGood day all. My name is Ernest, I'm 34 and live in Irvine, CA. I'm unmarried and without children. I started collecting in the early 80's and then found myself selling cards at local Southern Califronia shows while in high school. By my high school graduation and entrance into college in the early 90's I had stopped selling cards as the economy and card market fell apart. I had to get a regular job to support myself and then landed an internship in college with a boutique commercial real estate firm. Upon my graduation from college I stayed with the company and have been here ever since. Currently, I work in apartment real estate sales/consulting. I stopped collecting in college as the ladies and parties became more important. Then in 1999 I discovered eBay and made a decision to go after the cards and sets I always dreamed about having. I'm still working on most of those sets today. A couple of years later I discovered 19th Century cards and focused my attention on victorian trade cards. Lately, I've gone crazy for turn-of-the-century boxing cards. <a href="http://dodgersblueheaven.blogspot.com/" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://dodgersblueheaven.blogspot.com/</a> <a href="http://imageevent.com/ernestreyes" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://imageevent.com/ernestreyes</a>

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11-03-2006, 04:56 PM

Posted By: Ted ZanidakisJEFF L A great place with great steaks and noisy atmosphere and right in Barry's neighborhood. You guessed it.....Peter Luger's. For that I would make the trip all the way from Pennsy. Count me in.....you guys need an old "dinosaur" to round out the gang. T-Rex TED

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11-03-2006, 04:56 PM

Posted By: Craig HI turned 29 last month, and read this board frequently though I have only contributed to this board a couple of times. I work for a background checks company in Orange County, California. I've pretty much collected cards and attended conventions through high school and college without a break. Single and still looking for girls like I was before high school =). I've been collecting since 1985 and just finished off completing the 1938 Goudey set that I started as a 16-year old with no job. I'm primarily a 30's-'40's era collector though I have a few T206 cards with the different backs(scarcest--Broadleaf 350) and some N162s which are some of my favorite cards of all-time. I also acquired a 1942 World Series program and a 1947 yearbook of the South Bend Blue Sox AAGPBL team which are some of my favorite pickups. Craig

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11-03-2006, 04:59 PM

Posted By: Jeff LichtmanTed, you don't have to twist my arm to get me to Luger's - that would be great if you could join us there.

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11-03-2006, 05:03 PM

Posted By: fkwHi, My name is Frank, Im 40 as of 2 weeks ago. Born and raised in Kaneohe Hawaii, but have lived 1/2 my life in the Wine/Redwoods Country (Sonoma County) NorCal. Will be moving back to my native Hawaii (Windward side Big Island) early to mid next year if things go right. Never married (close 2 times), but with a great girlfriend now, no kids. My 15 minutes of fame.... Former baseball player (left handed pitcher) but never made it far (Drafted 4th round 85th overall Jan.1985 Expos). Also former butcher, and now just a seasonal County Regional Parks worker. Been into vintage cards on and off for about 27 years now.

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11-03-2006, 05:09 PM

Posted By: barrysloateKeep in mind that for Luger's we have to make a reservation more than a month in advance, especially for such a large group (they won't care that we are a bunch of yahoos) and we will be looking at around $100 a head. Best restaurant in the world, but it will take some effort and we have to get a head count. If people drop out and come in at the last minute we will run into some problems. I've eaten there maybe 50 times but I'm always ready for a 51st. But let's think it out.

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11-03-2006, 05:59 PM

Posted By: Judson HamlinI might be in for a NYC dinner- and I might be pilloried, but I prefer the Old Homestead or Ben Benson's over Luger's. Weekends are probably better. Please keep me in the loop.

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11-03-2006, 06:15 PM

Posted By: barrysloateOld Homestead is actually pretty good and might be more convenient if people want to meet in Manhattan, but what is Ben Benson's? Also, it doesn't have to be a steakhouse. But again, how do we coordinate this so it fits everybody's schedule?

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11-03-2006, 06:23 PM

Posted By: Jeff LichtmanWell, let's all set out weekend dates that are good and reach a consensus.

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11-03-2006, 07:27 PM

Posted By: Joe DrouillardHello Everyone, My name is Joe Drouillard. I'm 55, happily maried with three grown sons. I'm a high school teacher and baseball fan. Teaching is a second career, I've only been working with young people for the last eight years, but it keeps me young. Collecting baseball cards for a hobby keeps me sane. I got started in collecting old cards a couple of years ago. Started with 1961 Topps, sort of reliving my childhood collection, but lately have been focusing on prewar, mostly T-206's but also some Obaks and Cracker Jacks--whatever looks like a good buy on ebay. I don't have a lot of disposable income, so I have to buy and sell on ebay to fund my collecting. But my collection is building quickly and I figure I will be able to suppliment my income by selling off the collection sometime after I retire. That is if I can bear giving up the little rascals. I've really enjoyed lurking on 54 and every once in awhile posting a question. I've learned so much in the last six months reading your posts. It has made my collecting experience a real joy. Best wishes, Joe

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11-03-2006, 07:34 PM

Posted By: DaveWell a thread I wasn't even sure of starting seems to have been a good idea. Brought alot of folks out that at least I never see say anything. Its cool to hear a bit about everyone's story. Maybe Keith Olberman will be the next one to post? LOL

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11-03-2006, 07:46 PM

Posted By: MikeWHey everyone... My name is Mike Wolf. I'm a 30 year old graphic designer currently living in Washington DC. Although, I will likely join Barry and the gang in NYC come January 1. I imagine New York's high priced living might cut into my collecting habit. Outside of card collecting, I am a musician and artist. A few on this board know that I am in a rock band and that I paint. I wonder if I'm the only "rock star" with a love for T206 portraits. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> ... oh, I guess it would be rude of me if I failed to mention I have no known offspring and or spouses. <a href="http://www.mikewolfgallery.com" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.mikewolfgallery.com</a>

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11-03-2006, 07:59 PM

Posted By: willStill recovering from a surprise 50th birthday party my wife of 26 years threw me 2 weeks ago. She used to teach adult ed, now looking for something else. I'm a health care consultant (Medicare/Medicaid) to nursing homes for the last 15 years. Born, raised and still in Baltimore suburbs. Three sons - lost my oldest almost 9 years ago at 16, middle one(21) a senior at U of MD and youngest(19) at community college. Semi-empty nested, but I'm sure they will be back. Sold off everything except the childhood (60's) stuff about 8 years ago. Collect everything Baltimore related, esp. 66 Orioles stuff. Been lurking/learning and occasionaly jabbing the last 2+ years. Bits and pieces of pre-war, but no focus (yet). William List Martin - if so inclined, send me an e-mail. Either way, my best to you and your family.

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11-03-2006, 09:47 PM

Posted By: AnonymousMike Campbell, You and I share practically the same bio. I too am a 52 year old mortgage banker, married to a wonderfull teacher for 28 years. I have 3 children, the youngest is a senior at the University of Alabama (but I always write War Eagle on his tuition checks). He will be attending graduate school seeking his MBA starting in the Spring, the middle is a first year 5th grade teacher. She graduated from Furman University. My oldest is an artiste, ie, National Merit Scholar/College dropout who followed Phish and String Cheese and moved to Boulder Colorado for 3 years and became a musician and recording engineer, most recently completing the 1 year guitar program at The Collective in New York City, on Daddy's dime. I, like my oldest son, am an artistic minded underachiever. I received my degree in English literature, spent a year in a creative writing MFA program and ended up in the unlikely field of banking. It is not my passion. I too misspent my youth in the rock and roll, surfing, marijuana counter culture. About as radical as I get these days is membership in the Democratic Party. As for collecting, I have always been a compulsive saver/sorter of almost anything. I collected 50s and 60s baseball cards as a youth, started saving complete Topps sets in albums in the early 80s and became a turn of the century card collector by inheritance in 1988 or 1989.

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11-03-2006, 09:50 PM

Posted By: AnonymousOh, and JimB, did I meet you at Cochrane's wedding?

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11-03-2006, 10:02 PM

Posted By: Zach RiceMy name is Zach Rice and I live in Columbus, Ohio (Pickerington to be exact). I started collecting vintage baseball cards probably just under five years ago with the goal of getting all of the 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1956 Topps set. This led me into other things and soon I was a Hall of Fame collector. I am currently at well over half but have recently (past 6-9 months) started to shy away from Hall of Famers and concentrate more on sets and type card collecting on the way. I am currently 31 cards into the second series of the T210 set (84 cards in total) 14 cards into the T209-2 set (222 cards in total), and 6 cards into the 1913 Voskamp's set (20 cards in total). I love collecting cards from esoteric issues, most of the guys very few people have even heard of let alone think a card of them exists. I also enjoy collecting anything related to Earl Moore. He was born where in the town I live in (Pickerington) and later died in a neighboring town. <img src="http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m84/mzm55cards/T210-2Woolums.jpg">

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11-04-2006, 07:18 AM

Posted By: Ted ZanidakisBARRY S and JEFF L 1st, if we are really going to get serious about this rendezvous....we should take it off this great Thread, and start a new Thread on this subject. OK, Peter Luger's is not a practical meeting place.....my suggestion for "plan B" is a very fine Greek Restaurant on 20th St.....PERIYALI. We have eaten there many times and have enjoyed the food and atmosphere. Also, it is no where near as expensive as Luger's. An early afternoon get together would be ideal, as it wont be too crowded and if we are a little "rowdy", the Greeks will not mind. It isn't a huge place, so an important factor is how many members are we expecting ? TED Z

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11-04-2006, 08:07 AM

Posted By: barrysloateTed- Sounds good to me and I'm always game for a little spanikopitas with tziziki (terrible spelling) on top, but not everyone may like Greek food. This is where planning may be difficult. Do you want to start a new thread and then everyone can give food ideas and their schedules?

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11-04-2006, 09:04 AM

Posted By: Eric BrehmI'm Eric Brehm, aged 49, married with three teenage children, living in a suburb of Boulder, Colorado. I worked for 20 years as a government consultant and research statistician in the computer engineering field and am now semi-retired. I re-entered the hobby this year after a 20 year hiatus, and have been working mostly on the 1933 Goudey set, and more recently have taken an interest in T206 as well. I collect cards for enjoyment but also view them as an investment of sorts; I certainly do hope they will hold their value in the coming years. T206 is particularly impressive to me. I realize that some veteran collectors might harbor a bump in their cranium about the excessive amount of attention that is paid to this particular set, often to the exclusion of all else. But it is what it is. It is to baseball card collecting what Mount Everest is to mountain climbing: it is there, it is big, it is beautiful, it is mysterious, it is the king of its domain, and it is very, very challenging. I can't imagine I would ever be able to collect the whole set but it is fun to work on it anyhow -- the journey in this case being perhaps more important than arriving at the summit. After 20 years away, I am amazed by how much the hobby has grown, pleased to see the emergence of professional authentication and grading services (not a perfect system, but it certainly makes it easier to buy and sell with confidence), and virtually stunned by the incredible growth in value that has occurred for quality material. I have made some new friends who have been helpful to me, particularly cmoking who has been very generous with his knowledge of the Goudey issues. And I am happy to see that Barry Sloate is still active and doing well -- I always thought among all the hobby people I dealt with years ago that he was about the most honest and decent.

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11-04-2006, 09:32 AM

Posted By: barrysloateThank you kindly Eric, and somewhere in the deepest recesses of my memory I recall buying a really sharp T206 red Cobb from you when you got out of the hobby in the 1980's. Am I correct?

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11-04-2006, 09:42 AM

Posted By: andrew whiteI am a longtime lurker and have only posted a few times but read this board several times a day to pass the time at the ole' workplace I am 42 and am married with 2 kids and live in Delavan, Wisconsin. My daughter is in the air force working with the NSA in D.C. and my son is a college sophmore. I currently work for a large HR firm that administers benefits for many companies probably including the one you all work for! After high school I decided to forget about college and instead took a job with the Chicago Cubs and worked in the front office for 7 years!! I have memories I will never forget but somehow think I should have gone to school now that I am older. I have collected since I was 8 years old and my 1st memories are of buying 1973 Topps baseball for a nickle a pack on clearance at the Ben Franklin!. My friends in school all knew I collected and many gave me cards from their attics....52 Topps, Playballs etc. I stated doing card shows in my area in 1981 before they were popular and people could not believe I would pay them for the shopping bags full of cards they had sitting in their attic. I had almost complete runs of Topps sets from 1955 to the present as well as many pre war and post war cards. I have since sold that collection....bought back a good part of it and sold it off once again. (kids get expensive) I have owned a card shop and closed it!! I am now trying to decide where I am going to go from here. I just wanted to thank everyone here for this board. You have all given me insight as to the hobby that i did not have previously. Most if not all of you are a breath of fresh air in this hobby world. Someday when I grow up I want to be just like you all!! Even Jay!

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11-04-2006, 09:58 AM

Posted By: barrysloateAndrew- very sincere sentiments, but don't grow up just like me!!

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11-04-2006, 10:08 AM

Posted By: Ted ZanidakisBARRY Sorry guy, but 1st, I'm just too far away from NYC to try to organize a get-together in the city, sometime in Nov. And 2nd, even if I wanted to, as you know it would be impossible for me to do so for a while. TED Z

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11-04-2006, 10:50 AM

Posted By: barrysloateAnybody want to email me with an idea about the best way to do this? I think Manhattan may be a little better geographically than Brooklyn, but who wants to join in, when is everybody free, and what is the best type of restaurant that would work for all? I happen to love sushi, but no way we are going to get everyone to a sushi restaurant. Anybody with ideas please get off an email to me. Hopefully it won't get too complicated.

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11-04-2006, 11:47 AM

Posted By: Eric BrehmBarry -- yes, you remember correctly. When I was ready to sell the last few cards I had in my collection (I was buying a house in Colorado at the time, and just starting a family) I called on you. I knew I would get a fair price. While I was collecting (1984-1986) I remember buying cards from you at Willow Grove, Pennsylvania and some of the other major shows that were the showcase hobby events of those times. Look forward to more business in the future. Regards, Eric

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11-04-2006, 02:52 PM

Posted By: Mark EvansBarry-- What is your e-mail address? I tried to send you a message re dinner but it wouldn't go through. Mark

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11-04-2006, 03:08 PM

Posted By: barrysloatebsloate@att.net

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11-04-2006, 04:18 PM

Posted By: Gilbert MainesTed Z.: if it is simply a geographical thing, I could hook up with you however, for a city run. Plus Id like to meet some of the fellows and Greek is fine, so long as we don't have to sit facing away from the table.

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11-04-2006, 04:27 PM

Posted By: gregHello Everyone, Greg Theberge from Rhode Island here. 45 year old Periodontist, happily married for the past 14 years to my beautiful wife Karen, and proud dad to our daughter, Kaitlyn, who was born in Korea. Avid, rabid, BoSox fan (as is my wife) who made a deal with the devil two years ago and still can't believe we saw our team go all the way that year. Theoretically I'm supposed to be happy with that one win for the rest of my life.... I primarily collect pre-1920 memorabilia from the Red Sox when it can be found for a reasonable (??) price (although we do have a base from game two of the '04 Series as a momento of times spent that year). Although I tend to have a preference for larger items that display well such as programs, pennants and pins of all sorts, I tend to pick up cards every now and then when they are affordable. I greatly enjoy reading the posts on this forum and wish I had more knowledge on the hobby so I could contribute more. Became interested in pre-war basebell as an offshoot to a hobby that I have shared with my dad for the past thirty years - collecting pre-prohibition (i.e. 1920, the year that booze became illegal and the Babe went to NY - to a brewer no less) brewery memorabilia from the state of Rhode Island (some of which is baseball and Red Sox related). Most of our collection is composed of one of a kind examples. Other hobbies include researching and reenacting the American Revolution, a hobby that I've slowed down in since becoming old and lazy. Thanks! Great thread. Greg <img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1162599683.JPG"> My crew at the Boston Rolling Rally Parade

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11-04-2006, 06:20 PM

Posted By: GeorgeMy contract does not allow me to divulge my age. However, I did see the Brooklyn Dodgers play in Ebbets Field and I did see the New York Giants play in the Polo Grounds. And I do remember Red Barber broadcasting the Dodgers games and Mel Allen doing the Yankees, when PeeWee Reese and Phil Rizzuto were the shortstops. (Reese was better.) Like Ted Zanidakis, I am a Senior Electronic Engineer, although, unlike Ted, I am not retired. In recent years I have designed circuits for satellites and space probes, including the Mars rovers and the Huygens probe, which went to Saturn. I have a few patents, and others pending, including some related to lithium ion batteries. I am an avid baseball fan, and a member of SABR. I have played baseball forever, although my skills are now fading. My teams have played in tournaments in Cooperstown for many years, and I am very proud to have hit nine home runs in Doubleday Field in these games. I collected baseball cards as a kid. I still have all of them, and they are the nucleus of my collection. I discovered T206 cards when I was in the Army, stationed at Fort Dix, and went to Philadelphia on a weekend pass. For some reason (was it fate?), I wandered into an antique store, found a shoebox full of T206's, and bought about 100 of them, mostly HOFers, for forty dollars. I was certain I was grossly overcharged, but figured I was entitled to the extravagance. Not until many years later did I discover what the cards were, that other people collected them, and that they were somewhat valuable. My favorite cards today are my T206 Eddie Plank, which is ungraded but might be a 5 or 6 if it were graded, and my 1951 Bowman PeeWee Reese, which was my first card. If the Reese were graded it would be a 0 (if that grade exists). I now have almost every card from 1950-1962, and almost complete sets of T205 and T206. I also collect other T and N cards, including baseball and non-sports.

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11-04-2006, 07:48 PM

Posted By: HolsteinMy name is Paul Holstein. I am 40 years old, am married to Robyn, who is mildly supportive of my addiction and I have two children - Paulie (2 years 5 months) and Casey (she is 11 months old). I have collected cards on and off since I was 9 years old. However, Leon is personally responsible for my interest in vintage cards. About five years ago, I found Leon's website on the internet and called him up to purchase a card. He was incredibly helpful, spoke to me on the telephone for a long time, and directed me to some great resources. He told me about this board and the rest is history. I have been an attorney for about 16 years and am currently general counsel for a federal agency. I collect mostly Ed Reulbach cards (I have most except for a Helmar Stamp, Plow Boy Tobacco, T215, Rose Company Postcard, and a Piedmont Art stamp), Chicago Cub postcards, and deadball era postcards. I have done deals with many of the board members, but I only post a couple times a month. I hope I can meet some of you in the future. Paul

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11-04-2006, 10:18 PM

Posted By: bruce Dorskind I began collecting rare cards in pristine condition in 1977. I was quite fortunate that two years after I began collecting to meet Sir Edward Wharton Tigar. Sir Edward was the foremost card researcher who ever lived. He authored five books on card collecting, and his own collection included over 20,000 top condition tobacco cards. We first met while we were indepdently conducting research in the private Print Room at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I then visited his flat in London on several occassions. His collection and vast knowledge served as a plaform for my collecting strategy. Only focus on the best quality material in top condition. Thus our first $500+ purchases included a Four Base Hit (now graded PSA 6) and Just So Chewing Tobacco. We acquired these treasures from a young ambitious high school senior named Rob Lifson. They still reside in our collection. I live alone in Manhattan on the Upper East side on the east river Business interests include a small M&A consulting and advisory firm and directorships of two private equity funds. Have been attempting to interest several fellow members of the Wharton Hedge Fund Group (they manage over $10 billion) to take a major position in rare baseball cards. Best, Bruce Dorskind America's Toughest Want List

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11-04-2006, 11:54 PM

Posted By: Ricky Y46 years young...single and residing is SF Bay area...work for a university auxiliary that focuses on helping to obtain research grants and contracts for faculty. Born in a US Naval base in Japan and moved to US as a child and immediately hooked on baseball cards. As a teen bought cards from a Sporting News Ad and subscribed to Trader Speaks and SCD. Went away from the hobby for awhile..but within the last few years rekindled my interest. Current focus is on collecting pre war baseball cards by type and exhibit cards of hall of famers...joining this board has been a blast so far! I've acquired some great cards from some members in the brief time I've been here. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> Ricky

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11-05-2006, 04:37 AM

Posted By: Martin NealI'm Martin Neal, 52, father of 5, 3 girls and two boys. I was born near Greensboro, North Carolina, did prep school in Greenwich, Ct. and I required 8 years to finish college. Partied and played rugby the whole time. At eighteen, I hitchhiked across the country to join the United Farm Workers union, picketed Safeways and picked asparagus in the Imperial valley (Calexeco,Ca). I can't believe my parents would let me go. Too young to really understand the danger. Worked as a commercial fisherman, scalloping, shrimping, beach seining and long net hauling. Spent a while working in Yuganik bay, Kodiak island. I lived in St. Thomas for a couple of years before getting married. I have owned a few video stores and currently am a realtor and build houses. I coach an excel league basketball team. I played full court twice a week until a couple of years ago (knees). I can't seem to focus on anything except vintage baseball cards. I was lucky to acquire about 125 t206s back in the eightees and really got serious in 2002. I am slowly trying to put together both the t206 (minus the big 4) and the t205 set. In a weak moment last year, I sold most of my Cobbs and pretty nice Matty portrait to a board member. I do want to say that I am grateful to the board for providing a great source of information and I am planning to attend a National one of these years mainly so I can meet some of you guys and gals.

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11-06-2006, 04:02 AM

Posted By: Larrie DeanHello All: My nane is Larrie, I am 64 and I acquired my first cards in the early 1950s...no my crystal ball was not very clear and I did not save my Mantle Rookies. I am happily married to a wonderful lady who tolerates my "card habit" so long as I sell enough to pay for my habit! We have five children...ages 27 to 32 and 4 grandchildren. My career was in higher education...first international education, and then, health-related education. I was an Associate Dean of a School of Allied Health and a Professor of Health Administration. Sports card collecting was my thearpy...my mental health activity. Other hobbies include stamp collecting and collecting of Lions Multiple District pins...I have been a member of Lions International for 32 years. Although my first 30 years were spent in Northern New York Virginia has been home for the past 33 years. We love to travel (45 states and 20 plus countries so far). My card collecting interest was initally high quality pre-1973(everything)! Over the years I have obtained hundreds of "in-person" autographs...I enjoy meeting the players, and no, I have not paid for their autographs. About a decade ago I developed an interest in the T206s and now focus on Pre-WWII cards.

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11-06-2006, 04:31 AM

Posted By: DSGreenMy name is David and I am 30 years old. I live on the SC/GA border with my wonderful wife and three children (son recently turned 6, daughter just turned 1, and the third is due in April). I am a behavioral psychologist who works primarily with individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities. I've been collecting since I was a kid but became serious about pre-war cards while in graduate school. I am a huge Braves fan and my collecting, at this time, centers around that. My current collecting goal is to obtain a type card from every year that the Braves organization fielded a team. It is in memory of my grandfather (the reason I love this game), who passed away last year. I am currently working on a website for this portion of my collection but it isn't complete just yet. You can take a look at it here: <a href="http://home.gforcecable.com/graffiticloud" target="_blank">Forever A Brave Collection</a>

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11-07-2006, 06:00 AM

Posted By: Al C.risafulliThis is a fascinating thread, you're all so interesting. Thought I'd chime in. I'm Al. I'm 37 years old, married with three kids (11 year old son, 8 year old daughter, 6 year old son). For fun I coach youth basketball and baseball, go to NJ Nets games, watch the Yankees, and hang with my family. Baseball has always been very important in my family; I started collecting cards in 1977, buying packs and trying to complete sets. In 1979 or so, I started collecting what we called "oldies" - the kids in my neighborhood and I started looking for the oldest cards we could find. I fell in love with 1951 Bowmans and T206s at that time, my first T206 purchase was the attached Waddell, bought for a dollar. I would buy the vintage cards and then sit with my grandfather and he would tell me stories about the players. My grandfather was a baseball fanatic who coached in Hudson County, NJ in the 40s and 50s (probably early 60s, too). From what I'm told, he would choose the kids who were least skilled for his team, then win the league championship with them every year. Anyway, I collected pretty intensely until about 1985, then I discovered girls and music and whatnot. I got married right after college in 1991, and in the middle of a recession with no job, I sold most of my cards so that we could eat. I promised myself that someday I'd be in a financial position that I could start collecting them again. In the early 90s, I ran my own punk rock record label while I worked in marketing in the wireless industry during the day. Gradually I became more interested in marketing, and as my career grew I slowly re-entered the hobby. A couple of years ago I started buying cards on eBay, and as an outgrowth of that I discovered the hobby message boards, which helped take a solitary hobby and make it more of a social thing for me. Today I work for a small ad agency in New Jersey (and am lucky enough to have several awesome clients who are part of the hobby), and collect HOFers, 1938 Goudeys, W502s, T205s, and now Henry Johnson backs. I've also got a website where you can see some of my collection, and where I keep a hobby blog: www.swingbattaswing.com <img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1162821655.JPG"> -Al

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11-07-2006, 06:27 AM

Posted By: Rob NYCstands up Hi. My name is Rob. I'm 38. I live in New York City and I am still happy. <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> I work as a data center resource manager over in New Jersey. I've been doing prewar cards for almost over a year now. What first started out as a hobby became an addiction. sits down stands back up Thank you. bows sits down

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11-07-2006, 06:51 AM

Posted By: Jeff MohlerAs you can see from my creative log in, my name is Jeff Mohler. I live in Lancaster, PA (home of the e93 set). I am one of the many lawyers on the board, specializing primarily in real estate law. Like many here, I collected cards in my pre-teen years back in the 1970's and early 80's. I rediscovered cards about a year and a half ago when Joseph, my oldest child, got into baseball. My first pre-war card was an SGC 30 T206 Bresnahan w/bat. So far, one of my biggest thrills was attending a local estate auction about a year ago where "three baseball cards" were advertised. They turned out to be three blank backed Pinkerton postcards. I posted my find on the board, but I think some of the members were a little suspicious of a newbie who picked up something like that. I have been married for eleven years to my wife Rachel and have three wonderful children, Joseph (8), Emma (6) and Abigail(2). I hope to be at the Reading/Philly show and meet some of you there. Other than Keith O'Leary, I haven't met anyone else on the board yet. Jeff

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11-28-2006, 12:24 PM

Posted By: peter chaoDear Guys, I'm a newbie and I'm impressed by the amount of hobby information I can glean from the postings. I'm 50 and a trial attorney in the SF Bay Area and my proudest achievement in life is finishing my 1957 Topps set. At least I have my priorities straight in life. Laugh out loud. My wife doesn't quite share my priorities but sometimes you just have to be in the hobby to understand. I only have one 1933 Goudey card, Ott holding a bat. But my plans are to after the entire set. Thanks guys, for all the great information you provide me on the hobby. Peter

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12-04-2006, 08:37 PM

Posted By: peter chaoGuys, I've been the last post on this thread for a while. I can't believe that there is only about a hundred or so people that frequent this forum. That means the rest of you guys want to fly under the radar. If you guys insist that's fine with me, but I for one would like some biographical information on the rest of you. It's been interesting so far, so I doubt if you other guys would disappoint. So far, it seems like I haven't come across any women collectors on this forum. Is it true that only guys are crazy enough to collect prewar. Peter

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12-04-2006, 09:03 PM

Posted By: James FeaginA little bio and a picture! I'm a sprite 31 years of age, have been married for 3 1/2 years and have a beautiful baby girl named Elena (5 months). I have collected in one fashion or another for 23 of those 31 years. My collection really has no direction, and I like it as such. I'm a writer for Huggins and Scott auctions and I lovr it. It combines three of my passions; baseball cards, research, and writing. I also am a music fan (indie, punk, shoegaze, noise-pop, darkwave, and 1960's doo wop). Politically, I tend to be more of a "conservative liberatarian", although I voted Democrat and Green party during the mid-terms. I am a 1999 graduate of Towson University in Towson, Maryland, with a major in Mass Communications. I completed one year of post-graduate education. I love the Baltimore Orioles and Arkansas Razorbacks. I also enjoy art, Jan Van Eyck is a favorite of mine. Additionally, I'm also an active Mormon (Latter-day Saint) and have found much peace and knowledge in those teachings. I served as a missionary in Texas for two years (from whence this picture is derived). I also love slow-pitch softball, baseball and flag football. Here is a picture of me as a missionary in the beautiful West Texas Panhandle town of Dumas (pop. 12,000, 60 miles North of Amarillo). <img src="http://www.tfwm.org/imagethumb.php?w=500&h=600&s=photo/1609/scan0033.jpg">

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12-06-2006, 04:43 PM

Posted By: peter chaoJames, Great picture, I especially like the water tower (I guess) in the background with Dumas Demons. Let me take another guess, you probably thought about being a minister at one time. For some reason this forum attracts a lot of ministers and lawyers. Hmmmmmmmmmm...is there a psychiatrist out there that can give an educated guess as to why that might be true. Peter

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12-06-2006, 05:06 PM

Posted By: JimiI'm a 28 year old collector out of Apple Valley in Ohio. I am a 4th grade language arts teacher to 70 wonderful kids in Mount Vernon, OH. My wife teaches 8th grade language arts in the same district. My daughter just turned 2 years old over the weekend, and my wife is expecting another daughter in April. I'm also a percussion instructor during the marching band season, track coach in the spring, softball player in the summer, and oh yeah, I collect cards! My collection is constantly changing. Unlike many of you, I can't seem to ever stay collecting the same thing. I collect anything from N162s, N28s, to all the Topps cards from 1952 - 2006 including variations, sets for my daughter, and tobacco cards. I met several of you like Leon, Bill Cornell, Bob Marquette (tbob), Brett Hardeman, and many more at the Chicago convention last year. Brett and his papa were kind enough to ask me to be a featured collector in their OLD CARDBOARD magazine in their 6th issue, so if you want to read up on me, I'm in there on p. 10. My good buddy, Bryan Long, also an N54 member keeps me itching for more vintage. It's very cool to have an old childhood friend to talk about our new cards with! Cool posting! Jimi

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12-08-2006, 05:44 PM

Posted By: peter chaoJimi, Your collecting Topps from 1952-2006 as well as pre-war. That just about covers everything. How do you keep up with all the new issues...and where does all the money come from...you must have a printing press at home. Laugh out loud. As long as you love the hobby...that's all that matters. Peter

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12-09-2006, 08:40 PM

Posted By: JimiWell, the problem is, I can't ever decide what I want the most. I start collecting prewar, but miss the ease of getting a Topps card for a set, until I realize that I can't get the SP or high #....then I'm back to prewar. I only collect the regular Topps issues, plus the variations and sometimes Topps Traded or other Topps issue from any given year. I certainly do not keep up with UV stuff other than looking up the newest regular Topps issue. Jimi