Why I Could Never Collect Modern
 

I saw this on a facebook thread and though WOW, how complicated! I don't think it was a joke, It's a Topps Online Redemption Card which reads:

WTF! :confused:

I used to say that too but somehow I've been sucked into collecting modern even though I know its a bubble that will burst due to manufactured scarcity. I just enjoy shiny cards lol

Not too complicated to prosper. That card will probably sell for a thousand bucks.

From about September to last month I found myself putting together a couple of modern sets and doing a little player collecting of guys like Jack Flaherty. Admittedly, I have scoffed at "the new stuff" for years, but there is some fun to be had and you don't have to spend a lot of money to do it in some cases. I understand that the cards that are of /50, /76, /99, etc represent manufacturered rarity, but it can be fun finding different colors of a favorite player. I won't be hunting 1/1s or anything crazy expensive though. The Real One autos are fun, too.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I get excited about autos and big pulls, but nothing can ever hold my interest in that area for very long. Since I couldn’t pull one, I once bought a Topps Heritage Nolan Ryan auto. I thought it was cool for a couple of days, but then forgot about it. Sold it a few months later.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Let me be clear
 

Let me be clear, if modern days cards EXCITE you like vintage does for me, I am very happy for you and say collect on of course. Also, some of the modern day products are VERY WELL produced plus the chase of certain parallels I get. I also think the limited numbers and auto/patch add-ons were a nice way to pivot out of the junk wax era.

That said, I still think it has gone WAY too far as illustrated in my original post and don't envy those who must decode all of these intricacies....

You can collect modern and not worry about the Jade Parallel Prizm Refractor Autograph 1/1 or whatever

I love the Topps Heritage, thats only modern I collect.

I actually have this card, but mine is the purple rainbow AUTO version #'ed/500 ... oh wait ... it also has a game-worn jockstrap on it as well! :D

Pat, John, I think I know where you guys are coming from. The modern stuff can be a fun change of pace for me as I mentioned above, but vintage will always be my wheelhouse. I think T206 HOFers and 1950s HOFers are especially my favorites. With the T206s, I always wonder where all the card has been, who has owned it, etc. When I buy vintage, it isn't always about the card for me as much as it is about the history and that card's place in it.

I got into Heritage in the early 2000s. I hand collated the entire 2001 Bowman Heritage set, including SP. I could probably put together a Master Set if I wanted to, prices have really come down on the Clemens and Rodriquez autos (I pulled a Bonds auto). That was actually one of my favorite projects.

Most of the Heritage sets are quite beautiful, with neat autos to pull.

If it was made after the early '90s, I don't have it and just can't get interested. If it was produced during the early '90s, I have too much of it (unfortunately the junk card boom was when I was in high school).

Thought about quickly going through it all to find the few '92 Bowman Riveras and '93 Bowman Jeters that are likely buried in those mountains of junk, but since any possible 10s probably wouldn't be graded as such anyway, it's not really worth it.

My collecting renaissance of only post war vintage instead has been just as fun as those days. So fun to collect that era now (and add it to all the '80s cards from my youth)

30 years ago there was a manufactured surplus (junk era). Now there is manufactured scarcity.

If you get joy out of this good for you, but I can't help but think too many are spending money beyond their means chasing this stuff. I don't think it ends well for a lot of folks.

30 years ago there was a manufactured surplus (junk era). Now there is manufactured scarcity.

If you get joy out of this good for you, but I can't help but think too many are spending money beyond their means chasing this stuff. I don't think it ends well for a lot of folks.

"Chrome Prospect Autograph Green Shimmer Variation Refractor Parallel"

If it takes you eight words to describe a card before you even get to the name of the player, year and set, you might be collecting modern.

(Said in voice of Jeff Foxworthy doing his You might be a Redneck routine).