10 tips to a greater enjoyment of your collection
 

I read with great interest the recent thread on collecting: journey vs. destination or in other words hunt vs the kill. While I have and still enjoy the journey, I decided a number of years ago to try to increase my enjoyment of what I have. Here is what I've done and it has kept me active in the hobby for many years.
1) Collect what you will enjoy owning and showing off.
2) Display if memorabilia and occasionally or frequently look at your cards
3) Research the players on the cards you collect or the card sets themselves
4) Show off your collection with interested persons
5) Have a collecting buddy or two, who appreciate your collection and appreciate theirs
6) Start a blog or read a blog of someone who has common interests.
7) Explain to a non-collector how the ungraded card you have is worth a fraction of a graded card that sold for $$$$ at a recent auction
8) Tell anyone who will listen stories behind some of your favorite acquisitions
9) Collect something related that is inexpensive and fun such as a bobblehead or magazine ad of your favorite player
10) read Net 54 threads especially when it touches on something you collect

what a well thought-out list of pointers.

Well done!

Thanks for sharing!

I 10000000000000% agree with this, and cannot stress it enough. There are so many little-known facts about each player, especially Pre-War, that are FASCINATING.

My first ever T206 was a Neal Ball (Cleveland). I researched and researched and researched to find a player with a cool story behind him. Ball was the first person credited with an unassisted triple play. Cy Young was the pitcher, and Shoeless Joe was in the OF. Ball was the only player to run off the field, as everyone else stood in dismay, confused by what just happened.

Get to know the players on your cards - you never know what you'll learn.

+1

Kyle that is what I did with my first T206. I went with Harry Howell because the story of how he ended up ban from baseball is really funny when you get into the fine details. Now every time I buy a prewar card baseball or other sport I try to find out as much as I can about the players behind the card.

Collecting rules to live by. Nice list!

I might also add

11) Attend a local card show when you can, and, if possible, attend the National Convention which is held every year.

My uncle bought me a Harry Howell this past Christmas, and I immediately dug into his background/story.

My fiancee actually spent hours the other day researching 10 different players, looking for ones with cool stories to buy me. She knows I like players with stories, and with my collection being comparatively small to many, it helps me stay focused and on track.

To expand upon this point, frequently read the backs of your old cards. So many little pieces of cool (and sometimes bizarre) info is found right there. Good stuff!!

For example, I learned a lot about Eskimo Women by reading the back of this non-sports card

OMG! Seriously, every once in a while this hobby reminds me of how badly people were treated 100 years ago ( think Dummy Taylor, Nig Clarke, or anyone called Chief). :eek:

It makes me wonder how we'll be seen in 2117.

Here's hoping the "Eskimo Women" cornered Albert Operti near a glacier and allowed him live his final hours on an ice floe.

I couldn't agree more as well. When I began collecting again, early last year, I was on a mission just to collect as many 52 Topps as I could.
When Frank on here listed/PM'd me about some of his cards, he mentioned he would like to keep his Waitkus card due to what was written on the back about the "Crazed girl"
I told him I had never heard/read that story so I Googled it and read the back of the card. Needless to say, despite Frank's wishes, :D I purchased the card as I also thought that would be a great card to own. I now try and read every card back I receive, and am still going through the ones I already own.

With my collecting slowing down somewhat, I am now spending more time organizing, reading and researching the players on my cards, which has lead me to read some pretty great stories!

Or sometimes you can find recipes for dinner.

Hi Taylor - That card came to my mind as well. Just couldn't bring myself to post it, so I stuck with the Eskimo Woman!

Cheers,
Patrick

Highjacked by Eskimo women
 

I see my thread has been hijacked by Eskimo women ! Nevertheless, great comments and am glad we are having fun with our hobby.