Influence
My Mom was my biggest influence. She was a Detroit tigers fan and watched the games up until the day she died. I would go to the grocery store with her and she would let me pick out the Post cereal boxes. I could look at the backs and get the cards I needed. She also ate Raisin Bran which had some of the tougher cards. When I sold my collection (Topps 1955 to 1984) to buy a house with my 2nd wife, I kept the Post Cereal cards and restarted collecting later on.
That being said, I have met many great dealers and collectors along the way. Chuck Brooks, Lloyd and Carol Toerpe, John Stommen, Denny Eckes, Kevin Savage, Dr. McAvoy, Mark Smith, Johnny Hustle and JD Heckathorn. I have had a great many good experiences throughout my years as a collector.
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