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What is your niche collection focus?
It’s always fun to hear what niche people collect. Mine, while not completely rare, is pre-war Buffalo cards/memorabilia. What’s your super specific focus?
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Slowly but surely plugging away at obtaining a card of each player that served in the military. Well, those who have a card anyway.
The best part is reading up on all of these players, many of whom I've never heard of before, and what they did in both baseball and the military. |
not sure if it is a niche but mine is trying to get a card of each year that Babe Ruth and Joe Jackson played
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Heck, my collection is all niches. In terms of vintage baseball, though, I'd have to go with snapshots. I just love 'em.
Jimmie Foxx w/the Cubs: https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20Hartnett.jpg Gabby Hartnett in spring training on Catalina Island in CA: https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20Catalina.jpg The Cubbies do the Seven Dwarves thing in Avalon, the city/port on Catalina: https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20Catalina.jpg Biz Mackey during the California League season (an integrated winter league where he played 26 seasons): https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi.../NL%20snap.jpg Ol' Satch warming up, 1949: https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ap%20Paige.jpg Leo, from a Dodgers pre-season game: https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20snapshot.jpg |
I like the oddball, error, test printing items...the more messed up the better.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...4a041070_z.jpg |
I collect Buffalo (NY) cards, too. I do not have a ton but I believe I have all or most of the Buffalo T206 guys
I have some really old ones. Curious about what you have Quote:
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Nice cards, guys. I always gravitate to type cards or cards that are great (for me) to look at...
https://luckeycards.com/pe222awa.jpg |
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Pre-WWI Brooklyn cards...
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niche
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Trying to get a card, original photo or autograph of everyone who has played for the NY Yankees. Nice example is Thompson photo of Tacks Neuer. Played 7 games in 1907 as his entire ML career.
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In my quest for a career run for Mickey Mantle, I've developed a love and appreciation for his alternate issue cards. I try to collect them whenever I can, if I'm not trying to dedicate my money to finishing his career run.
Currently my two favorite issues from that subgroup are his Berk Ross card, from 1952 and his Red Heart card, from 1954. |
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T206 HOF Portraits and T206 Herzog Boston Back Run are my current niche endeavors. Kind of wondering what I'll tackle next as these get close to completion.
Love hearing about all the different preferences. Bill |
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I love cards that were issued in New Orleans -- and I am always amazed by how many sets they made there.
I lived there for a decade, arriving 12 months before Katrina. The place I lived was about half a mile from the site of Weil Bakery/Holsum Bread and 1 mile from 1036 Joseph Street where the original owner of my T216 Ty Cobb lived (I wrote about her here: https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=249451). |
niche
1952 Globe Printing obscure minor league cards with future major leaguers and mostly lesser known players.
Mark K. Bowers |
primary Niche = Roberto Clemente
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Currently have the #4 PSA master set including more unique items than any other set (PSA relegates most of the rarest test issues as "optional". My collection extends well beyond PSA and includes regional items, magazines with Clemente covers, Newspapers, store model gloves and tons of other stuff (mostly career contemporary).
To get my kids interested - I started collecting Pirates team sets with them. Started out as 1952-1973 Topps. Has currently morphed into: In addition to the Topps team sets; 1948-1955 Bowman 1948 Leaf T3 T205 T206 T207 1914 Cracker Jack 1915 Cracker Jack 1933 Goudey Topps Venezuelans from 1959-1968 We have made some great headway, but still have plenty more on the want list! |
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The nichiest part of my collection is my dots miller big glove run...need 1 for completion. Other than this I focus on Cobb, Ruth...yankees and other cards I like!!!
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Battery Mates.
https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=33349 https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=33113 https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=33170 Ben "I love baseball history backstory; especially when it involves cards." |
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Quite a few niches really, including a few that I doubt anyone else is working on, but one that I've been slowly building and I haven't discussed much is my U.S. rookie cards set. First card of the first player (with a card) from each of the 50 states. My avatar, Ned Garvin, is the Texas rookie card.
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So many niches to mention but first and foremost is probably PSHL-era Fresno Falcons hockey.
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Negro league/Cuban cards
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Sold my inventory earlier this year but kept the "hobbyist cards" I had squirreled away
I have a pack pulled autograph from when this was released. I suspect this one is after market but needless to say it's a personal favorite of mine and probably will go to the grave with me. This is not my card BTW. https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/2005...&size=original 2005 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites - Dr. Beckett #FF-JB - Dr. Jim Beckett [BGS Authentic] Courtesy of COMC.com |
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One card of all of the players in the Japanese hall of fame. I've got all of the post war guys. Pre-war is orders of magnitude more difficult.
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Kenny wins...
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Riggs Stephenson
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E121-120 with Gertenrich Candy backs. 38/126 with a couple doubles.
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I have some pre war Hofers, I'll check my list tomorrow and send you a PM. |
My T206 focus has narrowed to just a Providence master set. I've got over 50 different now, but realistically won't get any Drums, BLs, or CBs. Still about a dozen AB, EPDG, Cycle, Tolstoi, and Sweet Cap Fact 25 to find.
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I also enjoy Japanese cards from the PCL Seals' tour in 1949 and the American tour led by Lefty O'Doul in 1951.
1951 Tour PC https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...r%20PC%201.JPG 1949 Tour bromide of Wakabayashi (HOF), Betto (HOF) and O'Doul https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...akabayashi.jpg 1951 bromide DiMaggio and O'Doul (sorry for the shitty scan) https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...our%20card.JPG[ Arky Vaughn: he didn't actually make the trip but some of the bromides sets included him: https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...aughan%201.jpg https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...Vaughn%202.jpg |
Crofts Cocoa
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I have a collecting thing for impure cocoa
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That is a tough but awesome collection |
Thanks Pete & Jeff.
After hitting a road block trying to put together a complete Crofts Cocoa backed E92 set, I started branching out into collecting Crofts Cocoa miscuts/freak prints of which there are many as you've stated. :D |
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Hmmm. Focus. Here, there, everywhere and then some. This is not extensive:
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T205 Cubs front/ backs……missing only the 2 Hindu backs
T207 Cubs front/ backs missing a few Napoleon backs T210 Jacksonville Jays missing only DeFraites E121-80 and E121-120 Giants and Yankees….my 1921 World Series set S74 Cubs different backs Elmer Miller cards/ memorabilia as he was my great great uncle |
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Right now it would autos, mostly due to the PSA prices and time getting cards back - have had better luck with PSA/DNA the last few years
Jimmy |
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At your request and not exhaustive:
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Now it's exhaustive:
Oops! One more added 4/27/2022. |
I collect pre-war or new sports cards of athletes in any sport with their first or last name of Hogan. Except Hulk Hogan. He's an idiot.
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/142640322@N08/51219810725/in/dateposted-public/" title="img064"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51219810725_cfb0d93538_z.jpg" width="422" height="640" alt="img064"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/142640322@N08/50995098026/in/dateposted-public/" title="img002"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50995098026_743f0cfa63_z.jpg" width="423" height="640" alt="img002"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/142640322@N08/51017782481/in/dateposted-public/" title="img017"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51017782481_06770483bf_z.jpg" width="346" height="640" alt="img017"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/142640322@N08/49864568928/in/dateposted-public/" title="Scan"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49864568928_938ee10636_z.jpg" width="410" height="640" alt="Scan"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/142640322@N08/49803972352/in/dateposted-public/" title="Scan"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49803972352_dae0d9a654_z.jpg" width="403" height="640" alt="Scan"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script> |
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Anything and everything related to Members of the 1971 Pirates produced between 1970-1972.
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Beyond the everpresent lure of postwar Topps superstars, which first sank its teeth into me at about the tender age of 11 - right now I'm on an extremely slow project to accumulate Bowman Chicago Cubs, 1948 - 1955. While not anywhere near as ambitious of a project as most you will find especially on this board - there are 2 reasons for me doing this besides the fact that I'm a 30+ year Cubs fan:
1. The subtle beauty of the Bowman sets, especially those from 1950 - 52 with that fantastic artwork. 2. In terms of financing, I'm tired of spending money. This is a project that I can subtly add to over a period of years without breaking the bank. Initially as a Cubs collector the question of course is why not Topps, but ok - really? I can save up another few years for a Banks RC, or I can in that same period of time and for less money likely add hundreds of mid-to lower grade Bowman Cubs commons. I do already have the '55 Bowman Banks - which all told is probably my single favorite Banks card. The desire to not have to worry about money in this niche is what makes it possible for me to even get out of the starting gate. I've already done the expensive card thing for decades now with other postwar HOF'ers and superstars. If nothing else I just need a different perspective with the ability to still add cards that are important to me. |
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Thank you Brian and Val. Ben "I love baseball history backstory; especially when it involves cards." |
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Pre World War 1 type collection. Still working it.
Got a few new items on the way. |
Next day newspaper article of no-no's and the pitchers rookie ephemera spanning the 20th century.
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I have a Rube Waddell PC
They can be seen on Instagram under WaddellRube |
My focus is rather odd, because there is no focus on collecting anything in particular, per se.
If I find a T206 for $10 in an antique store, I buy it. Not because its cheap, but just because its an old baseball card...but I'm not actively building the T206 set. Same goes for Zeenut cards, T205s, Goudeys, Indian Gum cards, vintage non-sports cards, Salada/Junket coins, Armour coins, Rold Gold pins, 1970 Topps football cards, old ticket stubs, game used bats, and just about any other oddball vintage baseball / football item that catches my eye. I like the rescues....the weird, one-off baseball collectible that you find stuck in a book, or in a junk drawer at a yard sale. I'm not actively shopping eBay to finish off any set. I just like the randomness of finding some old baseball or football thing tucked away somewhere. |
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Ben "I love baseball history backstory; especially when it involves cards." |
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I have a number of Hostess boxes, wiffle ball boxes, pennants, unopened wax packs and boxes, ticket stubs and more. Most of my collection is post-war, but I've been building up more and more pre-war over the past couple of years. Probably my most niche set is the W554 set. Here's 16 of them, A few of these have been through (or with the help of Net54 members). I'm waiting on 1 to be delivered. I just need Lefty O'Doul to complete the set. |
I have developed anther side project; after a visit to downstate IL,
the "B-R-S Museum" (Bottomley/Ruffing/Schalk) in Nokomis, IL. When I run across a major league ball player who was born in my state of IL, add a card to the project. Another fun side to card collecting. https://www.net54baseball.com/pictur...ictureid=33353 Ben "I love baseball history backstory; especially when it involves cards." |
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Sorry... |
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Focus is one thing. Remembering all the examples?
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More:
Joe D: https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20snapshot.jpg Dom D https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20snapshot.jpg Artie Wilson, 1949 PCL: https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...er%20photo.jpg NLer who hit over .400 twice and is the last man in the majors to do so. Rocky Marciano at his training camp: https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...apshot%201.jpg Jack Dempsey sparring, 1919: https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20snapshot.jpg Joe Louis, 1935 https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...apshot%202.jpg Muhammad Ali https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...laroid%201.jpg QB Marshall Goldberg at a collegiate all-star game, 1939 https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...nd%20Weiss.jpg |
Thanks, gents. I was beginning to wonder if my collection was too random!
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Wow!
Just wanted to thank everyone who has responded so far! I’ve had a blast going through the post and have seen some really awesome stuff I didn’t even know was out there.
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My niche focuses are:
White/Black Sox W514 subset (just completed) Mickey Mantle Topps/Bowman (7x remaining) T206 520 Set (still 394x remaining) |
I have perhaps too many niche-collection focuses, which in order of current importance to me are:
- A Sam Rice master card collection (see current wants in my signature line below). - Walter Johnson cards, with emphasis on his black & white, real-photo cards. - Cards of all the other players on the 1924 Washington Senators WS Championship Team (including cards issued when these players were on other teams). - Pete Runnels & Mickey Vernon cards and memorabilia. These were my favorite Senators' players when I was a kid. Need 1962 & 1963 complete Jello boxes for Runnels. - Virginia League cards from these sets/subsets: E222 A.W.H. Caramels (need Lipe, Revelle, & Ryan), T209-2 Contentnea (need many), T210-2 Old Mill (have completed), and T206 (slowly working to complete). - Pre-War type cards, with emphasis on scarce issues with advertising. - Back run of non-T206 Hugh Jennings cards with his "ee-yah" pose and the red/orange background. Need E92 Croft's Candy w/red back, T216 Kotton Cigarettes with "NGO" back, and a blank back. - N172 Old Judge cards of Washington players, at least one pose of each. Need (card must show "Washington"): Daly, J.C. Healy, Arthur Irwin, Morrill, & Wise, plus 2-player cards of Gaffney-Shoch & Gardner-Murray. |
Pre war cards - sample type collection...its been reduced considerably now...but I have kept a small group.
Exhibit Type Cards (pre and post war BB and FB) - focus on HOF and short prints, color and back variations Post War Type Cards (focus on Topps including unissued proofs and test cards, looking for Hostess unissued proofs). Still have ungraded Topps BB set run (70-79 plus greatest moments set), 71-73 Topps FB set run. Topps ungraded Basketball set run (72-73 and 73-74) plus complete 86-87 Fleer Basketball set (Jordan and Barkley are graded rest are ungraded). OPC 71-72 ungraded Hockey Set. Ricky Y |
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