One Card at a Time

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Posted By: Rob

What does everyone suggest someone do if they are trying to build up a respectable collection, but can only afford to do it in very small doses?

Some of the highlights of my collection so far (all purchased raw, pretty much cards that I have had the luck of getting at a bargain.)


T205 Rube Marquard - SGC 50
1954 Bowman Mantle - SGC 50
1970 Topps OJ Simpson - SGC 88
1940 Play Ball George Kelly - SGC 84
1948 Leaf George Stirnweiss - SGC 84
1970 Topps Ted Savage - SGC 98
1979 Topps Ozzie Smith - SGC 92

About 12 T206 cards graded between SGC 10-50

A few 1933, 1934 Goudey HOFers SGC 30-50

Also trying to put together a 1964 Topps Giants SGC 88+ set

I know these pale in comparison to the cards and collections I have seen in these forums, but what can you guys recommend I do to jolt my collection without costing me an arm and a leg?

Thanks so much for your help!!

Rob

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Posted By: boxingcardman

enjoy what you have and don't worry about others' collections. Some of the people here (like me) have been collecting for 30-40 years and have lots of cards that they could not afford to amass today; others have (had) jobs or businesses that allowed them virtually unlimited buying budgets. It sounds like you already have some nice prewar cards.

Collecting on a budget can be frustrating at times but also very rewarding. Just keep scouring the listings on Ebay, the BST, auctions, etc., and firing away.

Consider trading into cards you might want more.

Consider lowering the technical grades of what you collect. I find I am just as happy with a presentable good or vg card as with a higher grade card.

The National can be a great source of inexpensive cards, especially lower grade postwar. So, if you can get to Cleveland, save up for it and give it a shot.

Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc

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Posted By: Rob

Thanks, that makes a lot of sense!!!

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Posted By: Doug

It sounds like you are doing a pretty good job to me. Even if you are adding one card at a time, given long enough you are going to end up with a pretty large collection. Just think quality over quantity...the best collection is the one you are happiest with!

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Posted By: Al C.risafulli

That looks like a very nice collection to me.

The '64 Topps Giants is a heautiful set. Oversized cards, in general, are beautiful, and don't seem to carry the price tag that some of the more popular prewar sets carry - the 1930s Goudey and National Chicle premiums remain some of the best bargains in the hobby, and are loaded with Hall of Famers that can be had for a fraction of the cost of their mainstream counterparts.

If budget is a concern, there are also lots of beautiful prewar cards of second-tier Hall of Famers that are very affordable.

I can't say enough about the fun in assembling a Hall of Fame type card collection. Many collectors do it, and it's a great way to stay engaged in the hobby while your budget may not be able to accommodate a Ruth, Gehrig or Cobb. There are 70 years' worth of Hall of Famers, many of which are affordable, and most of which have a huge array of available cards that suit every budget out there. As your collection evolves, you'll find some bargains that will enable you to trade up, and as your lifestyle evolves, you may find that your budget becomes more able to accommodate the bigger-name HOFers.

Either way, though, I agree with Adam about not comparing your collection with others. The best part about this hobby is that there are no rules about how to approach it. Collect what you like, enjoy what you collect, and have fun.

-Al

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Posted By: Mark Anderson

I actually limit my hobby budget quite a bit, and here are a couple tips:

* Accept off-grade cards. I collect Gehrig and Ruth, neither of whom is cheap. However, if you are fine with cards that present well, but have a pencil mark on the back, a glue spot from being in a scrapbook, etc., there are tons of bargains out there.

* Branch out from cards. Again, with Ruth and Gehrig, I am able to find wire photos, vintage magazine covers, books, Sporting News guides, and other related memorabilia with these guys on the cover, for $20 to under $100.

* Look for unpopular sets. What is unpopular and underpriced now may well be the bargain of the future. For example, one of my favorite sets is 1936 S&S. Look hard enough, and you might find this complete set, loaded with Hall of Famers, for $250-$500. W strip cards are another example of great values, as I see some HOFers sell for less than $20.

Mark

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Posted By: Fred C

I concur with what Adam and all others have said. It looks like you have cards from many different eras. I don't see a 19th century card in there. An N172 or N28 would fit in pretty nice and your collection could span the history of baseball cards.

Condition is nice if you can find it in your budget. Truth be told, I'd rather have several cards of Ruth, Gehrig, Cobb, Wagner, Matty, etc., in lower grade than only one higher grade example of a more obscure HOF player.

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Posted By: barrysloate

One card at a time is a great way to go. You will appreciate your collection more if acquiring each piece is meaningful to you.

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Posted By: Rob

All you guys are right. Sometimes it is tough because you see so many amazing cards posted and my first instinct was to compare against what I have, but obviously that is the wrong route to take.

Thanks for your help, I have learned so much already just by reading some of these threads.

I figure the the 1964 Topps Giants set is easy enough to acquire and they do look pretty nice. Just want to have at least one complete set under my belt, even if it is a 60 card set from '64...hehe.

A high grade Koufax has been elusive...any thoughts?

Again, thanks so much!!

Rob

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Posted By: E, Daniel

Of course, it's always easier telling someone to have the agonizing patience to collect slowly when you already have a collection that largely satisfies - or have vanquished it and moved on to other things!

Me, I'm nearing the end of an 8 year journey that could take another 4 or 5 just to add the half dozen cards I've decided complete my version of a collection.
And perhaps, there lies the best suggestion I could give. And that is to try and get a grip on and define what you want your collection to finally look like, what it needs to represent to you, and what completion might feel like. That way, filling a spot in the collection can give a real feeling of achievement.

The only other thing that has helped me is having alternate collecting focuses.....pins are my go! They're much cheaper by large and you get to fashion other collection strategies and gain knowledge in new hobby areas.
It could be anything of course, but for me collecting sporting pins is a nice tie in to my vintage cardboard fetish .




All the best with your collecting.
Daniel

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Posted By: davidcycleback

I think you have a nice selection of cards.

You could look into odd balls and test issues. For example, the Kellogg's rookies of Dennis Eckersley and Eddie Murray are inexpensive but quality cards. A 1954 Johnson Cookies Hank Aaron would be great pickup, both rarer and a fraction of the cost of his Topps rookie. There are affordable 1930s Diamond Matchbooks of football, hockey and baseball Hall of Famers, from Bronco Nagurski to Dizzy Dean.

If you want an inexpensive and vintage Babe Ruth, the 1930s Senella Ruths are affordable even in high grade. Plus, they're better looking that many of Ruths more expensive cards.

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Posted By: Rob

How tough would it be to try and complete a low-mid grade 1933 Goudey Set?

I am at 13% complete including SGC 30's and 40's of Grove, Simmons, Waner, Lyons, Manush, Bottomley, Goslin.

Again thanks to all for your help.

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Posted By: ebrehm

As a general guideline, the total SMR value for the cards in the 1933 Goudey set (excluding #106 Lajoie) is $11,598 in Good 2, $17,947 in VG 3, and $29,095 in VG-EX 4.

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Posted By: TFerg

I've been picking up low grade 33 Goudeys on ebay $5.00-$12.00 for raw commons. Graded low-end HOFers for $40.00-$70.00 easily. My collection is scattered as can be, I like looking at a low grade 33 Goudey common as much as I like looking at my SGC 84 Mantle. The fun is in the hunt, enjoy and don't worry about others' amazing stuff you see here and elsewhere. Reading the posts and looking at others' fine cards is a nice time killer and you can learn tons.

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Posted By: Rob

I couldn't agree more Turd...I'm loving this website so far.

I am going to concentrate on completing 3 sets in moderation:

1933 Goudey, 1964 Topps Giants and 1970 Topps Football (I happen to like the set very much)

And of course I will pick up others here and there. Hopefully this will be a good place to trade/buy reasonably.

Thanks - Rob

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Posted By: davidcycleback

Sorry, Robb, but I already committed you to collecting the 1976 Kellogs Dennis Eckersley. Once you've bought that, then you can moved onto that Goudey stuff.

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Posted By: Rob

Sorry I have let you down Dave...I will keep Eck in my sights too I promise.

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Posted By: peter ullman

rob...good luck in your collecting futures. i've been collecting vintage bb for over 20 years...albeit very slowly and somewhat passively. i've passed on so many great cards in my lifetime because i thought prices were too high. since joining this board...prices have multiplied exponentially...and my goal of type collecting has become a fantasy. Seeing Leon's almost complete type collection...and many other great collections on this/other sites...is truly amazing and inspiring. But...unless you're filthy rich...you can't get caught up in others' collections too much as practically every significant card ever made is represented on this board. I decided to just start collecting what I like...not type's because I "need" them for completion. As prices have retreated somewhat I've somewhat returned to type collecting and I will always be one at heart.