The Net 54 100
 

The Net54 100


Whilst there have been a few books and occasional article on the country’s top baseball card and baseball memorabilia collectors, we think it would be interesting, fun and informative to establish The Net 54 100.

This list would include the names of the most important and knowledgeable collectors and a look at their specialty.

General criteria would be the breadth and depth of the collection- quality and condition, and rarity of the material. Also we would include those collectors who have a true expertise in a particular arena and a world class collection to support their expertise. If we uncovered the names of the top 3 folks in each of these areas that would give us nearly half the list. The other names would be collectors with a deep knowledge of an area, but a limited collection, set collectors not listed below, unique specialty collections.

Finally, we should have an annual award for the best card collection and the best memorabilia collection and, of course, an award for America’s Most Important Collector.

Categories Include:
Baseball cards
19th century baseball cards
T 206
Pre WWI Tobacco cards
E cards
1930-1940’s R Cards
Regional Issues
1950-1960’s R Cards
Baseball Memorabilia-
Advertising Display Pieces
Negro League Material
Dead League Material (Union, Players, American Assn and Federal League
Pacific Cost League- pre 1960

do the recipients get trophies...or ribbons?

Does anyone else think this is not a good idea?

Bruce: Please do not email me as any will be deleted beore being read.

In before this thread becomes a trainwreck!

What's the point?

it seems to me that most "regulars" on here know who the experts are if need be...perhaps a roast of sorts at the annual dinner at the nat'l would be more appropriate than this idea?

Not a good idea Bruce. Collectors tend to be private. How many times have people asked you to show scans or ask for more information about your collection, only to get no response?

You have one of the best Federal League Collections, or so you say. May I ask you to go first? Please tell us about all your Fed League pieces.

Barry beat me to it. Almost exactly what I had typed word for word before pushing send...

Tony- it was the natural response. Bruce has a fine collection with many areas of specialization, but is very private about it. Why would he expect others to share unless he is willing to do the same?

We think that this is a pretty silly idea.

The irony of his proposal is so fantastic considering he has shared less than 3 images of his own collection. What a total clown...

I would like to nominate myself for finest collection of 1988 Donruss cards, packed in monster boxes in a back closet and awaiting the relaxation of fire codes in my community.

Sign
 

Me up for '90 Upper Deck :)

There's a Seinfeld moment applicable to every thread.:)

Will there be a red carpet at the awards ceremony? (And, free parking goes without saying.)

Whats the point?

We all know Archive has the best collection!

Jantz

If the purpose of such a list is to provide collectors with a resource by naming experts who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with others, then I think it is a good idea. If the purpose is to recognize and heap praise upon those advanced collectors who are already pretty good at tooting their own horns, then I am not interested.

I think a better thread well served would be.
Asking all N54ers what's their area of expertise that they collect as opposed to the top 100

It was pointed out in another one of these threads that this is more than likely an attempt to find out "who has what" so "they" can solicit certain collectors for the things "they" need for "their" want list.

Anyhow-how about it Bruce?Start the list by showing us some of your "group's" collection??That might entice people to subscribe to your idea?Just a thought................

I nominate Bruce Dorskind for #1 SUPERCOLLECTOR OF THE UNIVERSE. He certainly is the most knowledgeable and by far has the best collection.

VOTE DORSKIND!!!1

I have no problem with the concept Bruce proposes--it is essentially already done by PSA on an annual basis, although with the obvious tie-in to their products. However, that right there might explain why I am doubtful it would work here.

The collecting mentality is for the most part different here. Although there is certainly no shortage of cutthroat competition among us for cards we want, there is still a general sense of collegiality by which we appreciate all collections, large or small, niche or general, high condition or no, graded or not. I get the distinct impression that those with the "greatest" collections here do not want to be recognized in that way, and do not need to be. I also would bet that in saying so, I am preaching to the choir.

Many here might think it elitist, but I have no objection to recognizing and acknowledging those collectors whose contributions and/or collections are exemplary. I also have no problem doing that privately and without ceremony. Makes no nevermind to me.

I wouldn't be in the top 5,000 but I always like a thread with a Seinfeld reference.

Since it is a fact that most collectors are private, I think that the idea is very unrealistic. It is nice to know that on the board we have our resident experts on T206, Old Judge, etc...and I think that is good enough for most of us.

Fantastic idea.

In Bruce's honor, I suggest the awards be called The Groupies.

(Jantz, that's a pretty offensive signature line you've got going there.)

Why only #1?

No one has actually determined how many collectors there are in the Dorskind group. Hell, they may take the all the spots.

Only tangentially related...I was reading a bit last night about Lionel Carter.

As many know, he had one of the greatest collections ever assembled and was (for a collector) fairly high profile. Around 2006 (from memory) he suffered a break-in and theft of part of his collection. He was in his late 80s at the time. He and his wife were so shaken up by it that he pretty much immediately set about selling the collection that he had taken a lifetime to assemble. Within a couple years, he passed away. Apparently after the sale he scarcely wanted to talk about cards and collecting anymore.

This story saddened me, but it made me understand why some collectors guard their privacy.

Cheers,
Blair

There would be no harm in citing the people who have expertise in certain areas, with the idea that if a collector had a question about a certain collectible, he could freely email one of these experts for advice. I know vintage baseball books quite well and I often get emails with questions about value and rarity. I even got one today. And I always try to answer and help out another collector.

But giving an award to the guy with the biggest collection is no doubt elitist and serves no purpose at all. If anything, it's just going to alienate the collectors who don't have the wherewithal to afford the rare cards and memorabilia.

I wonder if Bruce were asked questions about say Federal League pieces, advertising display pieces, or any other collectible he knew really well, if he would be willing to share his time and help out another collector. If so, then I would say this is a good thread. We have an archive at the top of the page that directs us to articles written about various areas of baseball collectibles, and that is a valuable resource. Having experts out there willing to field questions and help others get started would be equally useful. But I doubt that sharing information was the reason Bruce thought of this thread.

At the risk of sounding immodest, I'm going to go ahead and nominate myself. Now mind you, this is merely the penultimate 1909 Obak Carson extant in my cardboard empire. Obsequious fawners over my myriad memorable memorabilia acquisitions, the line forms to the left. Genuflectors, to the right:

of course
 

I saw this thread and responded within about 1 minute...then said nah, it will get handled, and didn't hit the reply button. I think it should be the Penultimate Collection!! And I vote for Bruce "the Group" Dorskind as the "be all end all". Are we done yet?:)

Seriously, I can't imagine anyone of us thinking "I have the best collection in the world, or even on the board." We tend to be proud of our collections but with a bit of humility. Hey, I show a ton of pictures of some of my cards but I know that my collection pales to others......and even if it didn't, I wouldn't make a big deal about it. I get excited for other collectors when they get excited about their new toys. It's a great hobby.

I'm your guy for 1982 Donruss. Now, what to wear on the red carpet?

Isn't 82 Donruss the set with the backward Warren Littlefield?

I thought it was 1982 Fleer and it was John Littlefield???

Then again...if certain collectors were labeled as "experts" in a given area of collecting...questions may go directly to these "experts" and the rest of the board will miss out on adding knowledge...and interesting threads may dwindle to nothing more than recurring t206 debates!:)

Darren- that's funny. Warren Littlefield was a program director at NBC who believed against the network's wishes that a comic by the name of Jerry Seinfeld was worth supporting even though his pilot tanked. John Littlefield was the pitcher. I have Seinfeld on the brain.:o

I suspect the "group" started this thread just to get a rise out of us. And it's working as were up over 30 posts in a few hours :).

It's proceeding at train wreck speed, but in a very orderly manner. It's making all the scheduled stops.

Train Wreck
 

...

This thread is good entertainment. :D
See you all at the National in Baltimore.

Jay,

Get a hold of yourself. This is America. What we do, is rank things. It's the only growing part of our GNP.

Damn. This will not help my hoard of 1981 Fleer vendor boxes!

This thread offends me, and I'm sure no one wants to offend me, so please stop.

-Ryan

P.S. Don't quote me on that.

.

Ryan, just for the record if that is your signature line I am deeply, deeply offended.

that's it
 

Archive, be on notice. My lawyers will be contacting you shortly!!

I don't have any chance of actually getting a prize, but can I still get a certificate for participating? My young son always gets one of those just for showing up.

Self-Promotion
 

I second the notion that the sole purpose of this thread was to self-promote, both for the opportunity to brag about his/their own collection and also to learn about material from other collections that could potentially be acquired.

But I very much enjoy reading the fallout posts.

Mark me down as disappointed. I was hoping to make a batch of popcorn and sit down to watch an epic d*** swinging contest. :rolleyes:

I say trophies for everyone!

Bruce are the top 100.

(And then some.)

If you don't believe me, ask Bruce.

From Ronco, The egotists post preventer!

http://greatinventions.tv/products/i...lag_large1.jpg

Now its over 50 posts and no follow up from the Bruce's.
I notice they start a thread and just sits back to watch it derail
As suggested, perhaps that's the intended purpose.

This is a fascinating phenomenon...
 

Bruces posted a suggestion to rank collectors with an understood purpose to praise folks for their ability to spend money, and also that we get some use out of knowing whom to go to on certain issues should we have questions. Yet, he offered no such information himself, no one else has either, and no one has voted yet on the rankings, except to say that he takes all the spots...this place is fun!

The characterization I have of Bruce in my head is that of General Custer as portrayed in Night at the Museum 2, diligently counting his strokes as he brushes his golden locks while everyone else in the group debates the degree to which his declared plan is ludicrous.

I love this Board.

Also, I vote for myself as occupying #88 on the list, simply because the number 8 is my favorite number, so why not have two?

:D

The Net 54 100 Send In The Clowns
 

Whilst some of you enjoy attacking our ideas, the fact is that in this country, there are more than 100,000 rankings ranging from the Forbes 400 to most
charitable people (Town and Country) to listings of top coin collectors.
As for the feeling of elitist from those who don't have world class collections, we think that is a poor excuse for a bad self image. People read lists in many areas where they have no talent or access. Why is the 10 hottest bachelors one of the best selling issues of People or why is the Fobes 400 issue outsell every other issue. Certainly these magazines are not only to models and billionaires.

We also would like to point out a few lies- Greg from Bottom of the Ninth
once again speaks from his rear. We would like to bet $10,000 for every image that we have shared above three. For that matter we can't recall any images that Greg has shared.

We did not post to acquire items. We have plenty of sources and have added 50 important items to our collection in the past 10 months.

We have no problem listing some of our Federal League Material- albeit it is too large (in some cases) to scan

1. Federal League Ball in original box
2. Federal League Tobacco tin
3. Letter from one of two pitchers to throw a no hitter in the Federal League
4. Two Federal League Pennants
5. Ultra rare post card from the Chicago Feds
6. Four large team advertising photos
7. Programs from six of the nine Federal League team
8. Tickets from six of the nine Federal League team
9. 10 issues of Baseball Magazine with Federal League stories
10. 2 ultra rare pieces of Federal League Sheet Music
11. 15 CJ 1915 cards (all PSA 8)
12. Misc. E cards with Federal League players (10)


Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List

You talk about your Programs in the singular, but yourself in the pleural. Man, Im gonna miss you when you're gone.

Is that saddham hussein and ricky martin on the top left?

Exhibits A thru Z as to why I'll never post a photo of myself on this site.

John- cool picture. Glad I made the cut!:)

Bruce- thank you for listing the Federal League pieces in your collection. You might have described them a bit and added a little pizzazz, but I appreciate that you came back and responded.

Yes, Forbes Magazine does have a Fortune 400, and lists are popular. But I have to think that asking people to brag about their collections on this thread somehow would backfire. That's just my gut feeling.

I'm heading out now but later I would be happy to add something about my rare baseball books.

is that Mr. Mint.....he kind of looks like Jerry Garcia in that pic LOL !

seriously though....has anyone ever come forward and identified themselves as being part of " the group" Bruce talks about

That's me in the upper right wearing the feathered hat...how did John know that that is my favorite hat?

Nice hat Barry! :)

Being a newbie I am not sure what to think about all this, but one thing is for sure, that picture made my day, thanks John!!!

1. Federal League Ball in original box EASY TO PHOTOGRAPH
2. Federal League Tobacco tin EASY TO PHOTOGRAPH
3. Letter from one of two pitchers to throw a no hitter in the Federal League EASY TO SCAN
4. Two Federal League Pennants EASY TO PHOTOGRAPH
5. Ultra rare post card from the Chicago Feds EASY TO SCAN
6. Four large team advertising photos EASY TO PHOTOGRAPH
7. Programs from six of the nine Federal League team EASY TO SCAN
8. Tickets from six of the nine Federal League team EASY TO SCAN
9. 10 issues of Baseball Magazine with Federal League stories EASY TO PHOTOGRAPH
10. 2 ultra rare pieces of Federal League Sheet Music EASY TO SCAN
11. 15 CJ 1915 cards (all PSA 8) EASY TO SCAN
12. Misc. E cards with Federal League players (10) EASY TO SCAN

I'm sure your mother taught you to share, Bruce.

What happened?

Who knew T-bob had that much cleavage?

I thought Leon weighed more than that...:D

There are a few people in the picture I don't recognize: I got Ted Z., Brian Cataquet, Cobb and Edwards, Jeff Lichtman, Rosen, Steve Murray, a very handsome Leon, Joe Orlando, and myself. I don't know the others. Can someone identify them all? That should be worth as good a prize as having a great collection.

Net 54- Sharing
 

David

We have not photographed or scanned any of the items

However, if you want to pay us $10,000 you are welcome
to come over and do so.

As for sharing, that is our decision, not yours


Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List

I thought Barry was more petite than that.

I find lists of this sort tacky and most lists are created by outside sources who may have an idea of what someone has (Forbes, etc.), to blatantly tell fellow collectors you have the best collection of some sort...why? Most great collectors want to keep it hidden and of course they will be overlooked because of privacy issues.

How about 100 Greatest Seinfeld episodes instead? (Top ten are...1) The Contest 2) The Soup Nazi 3) The Chinese Restaurant 4) The Pothole 5) the Dinner Party 6) The Chicken Roaster 7) The Parking Garage 8) The Marine Bioligist 9) The Puffy Shirt 10) The Pen.

Plus I have always wanted to have something labeled as "The Greatest" in the SMR and have thought about being the one who must have the best 1981Topps Phillies McDonald's (or is it Burger King set).

Also, did Fleer issue vending boxes early on?

DanC

John,
You are too funny. LMAO! :D
JimB

Looks like Gene Wilder w/ his Wonka hat on top

Hal Lewis is one.

Barry
 

that is me under you with the giant bald head and sunglasses...:eek:

Is that Hal to the right of the word "Attitude?"

Dan- how could you leave out "The Airport" episode, where Jerry flies first class and Elaine coach. That is at the very top of my list.

Thanks Jim. Who is that between you and Jeff Lichtman? And I guess that is Bob Marquette next to me? We're almost there.

A very sexy Trey Regan...:o

yes as to Hal

John- Trey is a young guy. That person looks older (but I believe you). How long does it take you to put that together?

That about 3 mins...that's Showtime At The Apollo level...nothing to be proud of..LOL :) 2 mins were on Leon alone...he's just got such great legs I had to take it all in...ahhh

However it took me 15 mins to find the thread with the pictures...search feature quickest way to shut Wonka down... :(