New Member Intro

[dembums]

Hello gentlemen, let me start off by saying that I’m a “long time lurker - first time poster,” if such a thing exists, and if that does not make me sound sketchy enough I also obsess over small rectangular pieces of cardboard (preferably between the years of 1947 through 1957). Furthermore, I fixate over a team I never did, nor never will, watch play – the Brooklyn Dodgers.

I have not been much of a poster on forums, as I usually like to listen (or in this case read). However, there are times when I would like to add to the conversation so therefore a formal introduction is somewhat necessary.
I’m perhaps a bit of a paradox as a collector because I’m a set registry guy, but specialize in “collector” grade specimens. Why the set registry? Or better yet, how can I detach myself from the stigma associated with most set registry people? Well, in a nutshell, from moving to just collecting the 1955 Brooklyn Dodger roster (which is how I started sixteen years ago), to my first TPG card of Jackie Robinson (holy shit look at how good that is for a 5!), the set registry helped to guide and enhance my collecting focus. It also helped to broaden my horizon as a collector – it introduced me to Wilson Franks, Red Hearts and Old Gold, 1950 Drake’s and the elusive but affordable (which is an oxymoron in my opinion) - r423’s. Also, from a collector who started in the hobby alongside the advent of ebay, TPG’s gave a baseline of assurance that you knew what you were getting without having seen the card in person. I’m sure this will come off to some of you as Fanboyism, and in a way it is, but it’s the real McCoy. I do not deal with the high-end, where yes indeed, they do print money. I will not say I know the difference between an “8” or a “9” (or a 10 for that matter). I’m just proud of a set that I’ve been diligently working on for over ten years which is only 45% complete.

To me EXMT is the “goldilocks.” If you’re not anal on centering, and I know a lot of you guys are, excellent-mint cards can look pretty damn good. You can even find them centered too.

I find the net54 community a true asset to the hobby, and I’ve learned a great amount by lurking here over the years. I love this hobby and I love this site.

In earnest,

Ben A.