Catalog idea I've had

[steve B]

Discussing the print errors and discussing the differences between print errors, variations and what I call varieties* has made me consider an idea I've been thinking about for a while now.

Would there be much interest in a catalog that was looseleaf and very detailed?

What I'm picturing is doing an introductory section that covers the production process and a few other technical details. Then a section for each set laid out with a basic checklist including recognized variations (perhaps less the ones that really aren't) , followed by a more detailed listing of varieties that are issues with the plate, then a final section with much more detail if it exists like very small but real differences between print runs etc. And with all the varieties pictured wherever possible (Not sure how I'd get pictures of the different UD holograms)

It would be looseleaf, so someone could pick up only the section for each set or maybe for a group of sets. Sort of a customizable catalog.

I have really detailed notes on a few sets and could gradually develop those for others.
I'd have to figure out how to include as much as possible without difficulties with people who discovered stuff especially if it's been published. A bit of a potential copyrights issue. (The notes I've done myself aren't a problem at all, some of it is stuff I haven't even posted about. )

Would there be interest? And at what sort of price level?

Steve B



* plate differences that are often minor and don't fit most common ideas of what a variation is.

[Rich Klein]

Yes to a dedicated few people on a print to demand format,

I'd say for full color photos. etc you'd be looking at a minimum of $49.95 if not more to make this even a break even proposition

And my guess is you might sell at the most about 500 copies

Rich

[Rich Klein]

I'll also say that print to demand for lets say T206, Topps, etc might reduce the price and make your life easier as well. and keep costs down

[steve B]

Thanks Rich.

I'm thinking print on demand or nearly that. The first few I'd probably print myself - good ink on heavy acid free paper.

And I'm figuring on doing each set individually. My notes on 81 Topps are I think 5-6 pages hand written and would be a good deal longer printed and including pictures.

I sure don't consider it something that would work any other way than self published. I also don't see it being a money maker. If I make enough for a few packs of cards I'll consider it a success. Anything beyond that would be fantastic. (Yes, low but probably reasonable expectations- I know a few stamp guys who have done books and they all say anything beyond break even is a huge win)

I'm sort of hoping the technical section would maybe do 50-100 units and each set I got done maybe 10-20. A loseleaf general catalog with little detail isn't something I picture working. There's so much available - Beckett, standard catalog, The big three TPG registries (Great for checklists! ) And a lot of websites like sportscardradio etc.

I'd also thought of making it in electronic format. A bit more prone to being copied, but far easier to update. I'd have to do it in some electronic format anyway.

Steve B

[ALR-bishop]

Great idea Steve. I will subscribe. I have several printed lists from several sources but personally have quite a few variant cards not on any of them. Any easily updated format would be great. I am personally interested in any recurring variants , whether they are viewed by the hobby as variations or not.

[steve B]

Looks like I need to start typing.

Main section plus 81 Topps first. Others later and in no particular order.

Steve B

[goheels]

I will subscribe and best wishes Steve

[Footballdude]

Being one of those "stamp guys" I fully understand the importance of having top notch reference books. They enhance the enjoyment of a hobby, in my opinion.

In the stamp world there have been literally thousands of such specialized reference works written over the years, many of which are considered essential reading.

Frankly, I am surprised the sports card hobby has gone as long as it has without reference books, beyond the yearly catalogs.

I for one would welcome anything of the nature that is being described. Although I probably don't collect many of the things that would be written about, there are certain topics that could be applied to almost any card set, such as the various printing techniques and production processes.

Over the 40+ years I've been collecting cards, I've noticed, to a certain extent, an unwillingness to share knowledge. I find it refreshing to see collectors who are so willing to share what they know. I have especially noticed this since joining this forum.

Some of the things I would find interesting to know about individual sets are:
- Are there common fakes to look out for (such as 1971 Topps baseball cards with Sharpie touch-ups on the borders) or commonly counterfeited cards.
- Which cards might be easiest/hardest to find in higher grades.
- Wrapper varieties and display boxes.
- How were they sold (such as wax packs, cellos, grocery trays, vending factory sets etc..)

I would fully support any reference material that pertains to any of the sets I collect. Please keep us informed if this project get's off the ground.

[Rich Klein]

I don't want to go into a ton of different issues but we are not as developed as the stamp issue in that way and the ONLY issue most people care about is:

"How much is this worth and can I make money with this?"

That's why the catalogs with pricing are the only aspect which have survived.

We've had tons of variation books, an counterfeit detector book from the 90's; and even a vintage price guide tome which is doomed to eventual failure because they are not adding enough new items and keeping the page count at just 700 pages.

There is such limited "educational" interest in cards at this time, that the pricing is the only thing that sells.

Rich

[steve B]

And I actually own many of those.

I have I think both counterfeit detectors. A bit dull as the "what to look for" is essentially the same for every card, but useful as a guide to what was done before making digital copies got so easy.

I used Ralph Nozakis variation list for years. Right up to the time the major price guides started listing a lot of what he listed.

I have to agree that the primary concern of most collectors is current pricing and maybe checklists of the brand new stuff. Until I found this board I referred to baseball collectibles in general as "the hobby that never grew up"

I've also wondered how much of that was the flip side of "if you build it they will come" ---If it never gets made there will never be any interest.

The more technical aspects of stamp collecting especially for some series is ridiculed by many even for mainstream items. And in a way they're right. Just because one stamp has more dots on Washingtons nose shouldn't mean it's worth more. Heck, you almost can't see the difference without a good magnifier. (Scott 533 -CV $95 used scott 534 - CV $9 used) Many people avoid the 1908-1922 issues for exactly that reason. And they're hardly the hardest to identify.



I figure I'll give it a go assuming it will be unprofitable. Like I mentioned nearly all the amazing specialist books in the stamp market are at best right at the break even point. And a real publisher would probably consider a sell through of the first and only printing in the 3-5 year range to be a total failure. So much so that some of those guides only get updated after a couple decades if ever. One of the best books about US stamps was first published in 1902. (Thanks Googlebooks for saving me a boatload of money by having it available as a PDF)

For the stamp guys, I'm picturing organization similar to the Michel catalog.

Steve B

[toppcat]

Dick Gilkeson did something like this in the 1990's but eventually stopped. It would definitely be a money loser, just like any hobby print project these days so you have to do it just for the sake of doing it. Almost any hobby project like this is a labor of love, as they say.