Posted By:
JoannDave,
My opinion on helpful resources, in no particular order:
1) This forum. This might be the best overall. Great for both general info and the more obscure knowledge. Also, a great (maybe the only?) source of info about the real world aspect of collecting - everything from prices to scams to paypal issues to scanning techniques to display methods to card insurers to tracking lost items through the USPS. The list goes on and on for the nuts and bolts practical knowledge. Also, the BST thread is awesome for buying selling and trading.
2) Printed materials. Lipset's Encyclopedia is a must. They are easily available still, but I do notice maybe not quite as available as several years ago. I've been considering buying a second copy to put in a strong box or something, just in case something happens to my current copy and I can't find another - it's that good. The magazines also good. I have all the back issues of VCBC Mag (near set usually available on ebay), and read them all years ago when I got them. But I still go back for rereads, and the info remains as valid and topical as ever. More recently, Old Cardboard magazine is outstanding. Great layout, easy read, and extensive information.
3) Web sites. Many many good ones - some of the best info and image sites are dealer and auction sites. The forum page has a "Vintage Links" tab at the top - most of the best sites are listed.
4) Images. You asked about where to find card images. The Old Cardboard site (oldcardboard.com) is adding new galleries all the time for various card sets - excellent. It is especially good for being able to see images from a set on a single page (or few pages), and get a feel for the overall look and quality of a set. CardPricer.com probably has the most extensive library of images - I still haven't looked for anything and not found it there. Kind of feels like playing "Stump the Band" after awhile. The Library of Congress (link in Vintage Links) also has many many images, but I really don't find it as user friendly in finding a specific image quickly.
5) Finally reprints. You did not mention it but one of the posters above did, and I think it's really very important. First, read each and every thread on this board about any kind of scam out there. That is the most valuable education. I also watch ebay for auctions that sell reprints (identified as reprints, not scam auctions). The seller 'carbs' in particular sells reprints regularly. I download all the scans I can find of reprint fronts and backs. I have a file of reprint scans of at least one card from many/most of the pre-War sets. Very helpful if I run across something I'm not sure of - can compare general appearance and see where the word "reprint" would appear - often scam cards have stains/paper loss/scuffs in this exact area.
Sorry for the long epistle. But I am not all that expert in cards and have really appreciated these resources myself.
Good luck.
Joann