Memories of collecting in the 1930s (in Ballcard Collector, 1973)
 

Here's a nice little item by Walter Willey about his memories of collecting cards as a boy in the 1930s. It appeared in issue #101 of The Ballcard Collector (July 1973).

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Thanks for posting this.
I think it's part of the fun that the first owners of the cards we collect were often an 8 year old kid from the era. Clearly the case with gum cards, and I imagine often with tobacco cards too.
I love my 1973 Topps, all procured in "got him, need him, got him, got him" fashion - often opened and bargained for outside the candy store.
My collecting practices at that time led to some "honest wear" but I wouldn't even consider trading my 1973s for a full set of PSA 9s.
With pre-war in particular, of course I like a nice looking card, but a bit of wear demonstrating that it was first collected by a kid in the manner intended adds some character to the card, for me anyway.

Interesting read thanks David.