Posted By:
Marc S.Rhys:
You might consider that some of the board members here might be under 30 years old - and we are basing our opinion of the little we know about collectors, etc. based upon being in the hobby for less than 10 years. I was asked for an opinion - which I happily provided.
You are absolutely correct that there are a number of old-time hobbyists with vast collections and amazing amounts of knowledge. But, at the end of the day, if I've been lurking and learning for 5-7 years now, and I've never seen them publish a book, share any information, or somehow contribute to my knowledge of the hobby - then they don't make my list. I'm not suggesting everyone needs computers and needs to share their vast amount of knowledge - but I am suggesting that some of these very knowledgeable collectors may pass the ranks of the hobby one day only having been remembered by other knowledgeable collectors - and not by any new knowledge that they have individually contributed to the hobby as a whole.