Who had a positive impact on your collection ?

[steve B]

All three of the Halls from Halls Nostalgia.

I moved to Arlington in late 77, and asked a couple kids about older cards. Discovered there was a full time shop right in town!

So I went, and started hanging out there after school maybe 2-3 days a week. They'd occasionally set stuff aside for me, usually totally wrecked stuff at amazing prices. Beckley T206 with a huge tear and tape, but only 20 cents. A Sweet Caporal pin, also badly damaged, but free. I did sorting/set collating for them in 78 and 79, and the damaged stuff cheap got me buying older stuff. Of course, I had widely varied interests and decided against buying some stuff, but did buy other stuff. (Wish I'd gone for even one of the 33 Ruths they handed me saying "you should buy this, it's $X " )

Being there so much I got a few early chances at collections that came in. Got a few poor R300s once, I'd just read the book of lists that had them as some of the rarest cards and a small collection of beaters had a few - actually had to call mom to bring me the money for them.
Another time someone brought in a huge box of RC cola cans and asked if they were interested. They said no but that kid is and pointed me out. So I got most of both sets plus a bunch of the football ones for $6....Another call to mom...Hi mom, I'm at halls and - "do you need money AGAIN?! - No, just a ride for me and a big box of cans.

Come to think of it, Mom put up with a lot of collecting, so I think she's got to be on the list too.

[MattyC]

Thanks Chris and Jesse. Always a genuine pleasure talking cards with you guys.

My mom got me into baseball. My cousin got me into cards. So I thank them for helping me find the hobby I have enjoyed so much since boyhood.

My brother, Greg/GregC, and Joe T/Vintageclout really influenced my collecting philosophy of overall eye appeal being the North Star. Joe was also a tremendous guide into the PreWar space, always gracious with his time and vast knowledge. Sean Bassik has been a clutch voice of fiscal reason, reins me in, and makes it so easy when I needed to liquidate cards to obtain another.

[frankbmd]

I’ll say it if no one else will

Net54

My father didn’t give a damn about cards or baseball.

My mother threw out my childhood collection from the fifties.

My cousin who might have been a positive influence died prematurely.

My wallet tells me that a host of dealers had a negative impact.

Leon, if I’m wrong about the positive impact of this site, I gather that everyone who posted above me in this thread disagrees with me, since Net54 hasn’t been mentioned once.

[h2oya311]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

I’ll say it if no one else will

Net54

My father didn’t give a damn about cards or baseball.

My mother threw out my childhood collection from the fifties.

My cousin who might have been a positive influence died prematurely.

My wallet tells me that a host of dealers had a negative impact.

Leon, if I’m wrong about the positive impact of this site, I gather that everyone who posted above me in this thread disagrees with me, since Net54 hasn’t been mentioned once.

this. except my mom threw out my childhood collection from the '80's. I'm still thanking her.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

I’ll say it if no one else will

Net54

My father didn’t give a damn about cards or baseball.

My mother threw out my childhood collection from the fifties.

My cousin who might have been a positive influence died prematurely.

My wallet tells me that a host of dealers had a negative impact.

Leon, if I’m wrong about the positive impact of this site, I gather that everyone who posted above me in this thread disagrees with me, since Net54 hasn’t been mentioned once.

Hi Frank
Thanks for the kind words. It keeps me involved and is my honor and pleasure. I am very appreciative of all of the folks who enjoy the forum.
LL

,

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

I’ll say it if no one else will

Net54

My father didn’t give a damn about cards or baseball.

My mother threw out my childhood collection from the fifties.

My cousin who might have been a positive influence died prematurely.

My wallet tells me that a host of dealers had a negative impact.

Leon, if I’m wrong about the positive impact of this site, I gather that everyone who posted above me in this thread disagrees with me, since Net54 hasn’t been mentioned once.

Frank - I could not agree more! Here's to Leon and all his minions!

[Andrew1975]

Originally Posted by steve B

All three of the Halls from Halls Nostalgia.

I moved to Arlington in late 77, and asked a couple kids about older cards. Discovered there was a full time shop right in town!

So I went, and started hanging out there after school maybe 2-3 days a week. They'd occasionally set stuff aside for me, usually totally wrecked stuff at amazing prices. Beckley T206 with a huge tear and tape, but only 20 cents. A Sweet Caporal pin, also badly damaged, but free. I did sorting/set collating for them in 78 and 79, and the damaged stuff cheap got me buying older stuff. Of course, I had widely varied interests and decided against buying some stuff, but did buy other stuff. (Wish I'd gone for even one of the 33 Ruths they handed me saying "you should buy this, it's $X " )

Being there so much I got a few early chances at collections that came in. Got a few poor R300s once, I'd just read the book of lists that had them as some of the rarest cards and a small collection of beaters had a few - actually had to call mom to bring me the money for them.
Another time someone brought in a huge box of RC cola cans and asked if they were interested. They said no but that kid is and pointed me out. So I got most of both sets plus a bunch of the football ones for $6....Another call to mom...Hi mom, I'm at halls and - "do you need money AGAIN?! - No, just a ride for me and a big box of cans.

Come to think of it, Mom put up with a lot of collecting, so I think she's got to be on the list too.

I also went to Hall’s Nostalgia as a kid (mid 80’s). To me, it was the greatest place on earth. Used to BEG my mother to take my brother and me there. I can still remember the layout of the store and the rotating display case in the corner (filled with cards I could only dream of owning). Pulled a Mattingly RC out of a pack there in 1984. Will never forget it.

[obcbobd]

Originally Posted by steve B

All three of the Halls from Halls Nostalgia.

I moved to Arlington in late 77, and asked a couple kids about older cards. Discovered there was a full time shop right in town!

Maybe I was one of the kids you asked :-). Lived the first 25 and last 7 years of my life in Arlington. I was one of Hall's first customers in 75 or 76.

By 1980 I was graduating high school and on to other things, went to a few shows in the 80s/90s but was turned off by the high prices and greed in general.

Then around 1998 I found OBC (http://www.oldbaseball.com) a great group of guys into old beatup card board more for fun than profit. Made a lot of friends, completed or started all of the Topps/Bowmna sets and a few pre-war. Its been a blast!

[cardcountry]

Thanks Sam! Sorry to have cursed you with my OCD! lol

My dad and mom were huge influences on my collecting- as a kid we loved doing shows together, so the main reason I started buying cards again as an adult was so that we could do shows together.

The other big influence has been my wife, who strongly encouraged me to start up collecting again.

Jeff

[steve B]

Originally Posted by obcbobd

Maybe I was one of the kids you asked :-). Lived the first 25 and last 7 years of my life in Arlington. I was one of Hall's first customers in 75 or 76.

By 1980 I was graduating high school and on to other things, went to a few shows in the 80s/90s but was turned off by the high prices and greed in general.

Then around 1998 I found OBC (http://www.oldbaseball.com) a great group of guys into old beatup card board more for fun than profit. Made a lot of friends, completed or started all of the Topps/Bowmna sets and a few pre-war. Its been a blast!

That's really cool!

I was a year behind you, graduated in 81.
The kids I asked would have been other freshmen, as I was new and didn't know anyone yet.
I don't recall you, but I'm sure we must have run across each other at Halls. I was there often enough that they put me to work sorting sets in 78. Like 2-3 times a week.
I also bought cards from the little antique shop in Fabric Corner.


Steve B

[MVSNYC]

I could list many...here's a few...Jay Wolt, Scott & Hank Levy, Wonka.

A special mention of Derek Hogue, who, about 5 years ago, really impressed me with having only (about) a 10 card collection, but each one was a jaw-dropper (all were T206 HOFers with rare backs). I always employed the "quality over quantity" mantra, but his collection really inspired me.