I'm kind of done with cards. . . .
 

Just seems so much more satisfying at this point to own an amazing piece of memorabilia or a great photo.

A rare Negro league photo or cap. A cabinet photo from over 100 years ago.
An amazing signed contract. Some genuine rarity from the Ruth - Gehrig barnstorming days. A real picture postcard of Cobb or Mathewson. A great scorecard from an important game. An old jersey. Even a nice piece of baseball related art.

Realize there will probably never been the liquid market for such things like what cards have. But for someone who just loves baseball so much these things just seem to pack a satisfying punch that I don't get anymore from putting cards in a plastic holder in my safe or safe deposit box.

There's some old time memorabilia that I would love to own but don't necessarily have the funds for. I definitely understand the feeling of being "done" with cards. I'm strongly considering moving in that direction myself. Especially when it comes to allocating funds towards certain things.

I've always eyed a Mantle Signed Baseball and a 500 Home Run Club signed Ball. There are also a few signed photos and other baseballs that I wouldn't mind owning as well. So I'll have to make a decision eventually. Signed Scorecards as well, was another thing I was thinking about.

Decisions, decisions. I don't think there's a wrong one though. Gotta collect what makes you happy.

Agree 100%

I agree also. I still buy a few cards but have been mainly buying memorabilia for the last 2 years. The best part is memorabilia hasn't had that insane price gouging like cards over that time.

Game used items are tangible. You can hold it and in your minds eye, place yourself at an event. You know that the person wore a hat or jersey, hit a ball with a bat, hit the ball. A picture captures that place in time for as long as that picture exists.

A baseball card, does not come close in many ways to recapture that feel. One could argue playoff or World Series cards, but they don't hold the same effect as a photo or a game used/worn item do.

I have a few game used bats, baseballs, and jerseys of players but they were all from minor league AAA games. Not too much of a market for them. But, they were used in games I saw and was lucky enough to get that item from the player after the game. That is cool stuff for me. Plus I have a lot of cards that I got autographed by the players and coaches (many if not all, ex major leaguers) at the games I went to too. More cool stuff for me.

The strike back in the 90's was cool and opportunistic too. All the major league coaches and manager of the Rockies came down to watch their AAA team. I had a picture of Don Zimmerman as a Senator. BOOM! now it is autographed. Don Baylor was sitting next to him and ragged on him that he looked old in that picture too! A memory I get to keep and remember when I see that picture.

My sister going to the last game of the Washington Senators and giving me those tickets. Documents of an event that happened in the passed. Nothing like it IMHO.

I still buy a card or two now and then, but I especially enjoy putting my memorabilia on display. There is a thread here somewhere with pictures of memorabilia displays/rooms. It has a large number of views, especially relative to the number of posts. I love looking at this stuff and I think that many others do as well.

I've been in the same boat for a couple years now. I still buy cards from time to time but I much prefer to collect memorabilia/photos/art as opposed to cards.

I buy cards occasionally but I invariably seem to sell them to fund memorabilia purchases. I have never been able to hold on to a Mantle card for more than a couple of months.

I'm leaning away from cards as well. Once I finish putting this '67 set into the binder I don't see myself trying another set chase. I tend to favor publications and photos over memorabilia such as gloves and balls but the idea is the same.

For what I spent on the '67T I could have easily picked up the last two Orioles media guides I lack and had plenty left for some vintage paper I've been wanting to add to my collection.

I've always picked up paper ephemera as an adjunct to cards. I am particularly drawn to snapshots. Some of my favorite pieces:

Satchel Paige snapshot from the team photographer, ca 1949:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ap%20Paige.jpg

1920s Biz Mackey snap from a Cal League season:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi.../NL%20snap.jpg

Velox snapshot of Jimmie Foxx with the Cubs:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20Hartnett.jpg

Cubbies at spring training on Catalina snap, doing the Seven Dwarves routine:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...20Catalina.jpg

Ernie Harwell, too cool for school, outside Ebbetts Field

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ze/Harwell.jpg

QB Marshall Goldberg at a 1939 all star game:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...nd%20Weiss.jpg

I also appreciate AP News Library photos from the 1960s. They are about PC sized and have data and dates right on the front, which I appreciate:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...%20Hornung.jpg


And don't even get me started on team issues; like crack for me.

1958 Cleveland Browns TI Jim Brown rookie year:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...am%20issue.JPG

This one took me years to find; 1971 rookie year Dr. J:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...e%20Erving.jpg

Images are from a pre-season exhibition against the Bullets, Wes Unseld defending. Not well; Dr. J lit him up for 30.

1959-60 Hawks TI, many HOFers:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...am%20Issue.jpg

1960-61 Celtics TI Bill Russell:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...am%20issue.jpg

1968-69 Minnesota Pipers Connie Hawkins

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ebsize/014.jpg

MJ rookie year Bulls TI, small version:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ize/image.jpeg

1963 Cassius Clay mail response photo, w/mailing letter:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...ebsize/005.jpg

Love how they misspelled "resurrector"

That’s some amazing stuff, Adam. The one I’m most envious of is that Connie Hawkins team issued photo. I’m a casual Hawkins collector with not much more than his cards and a few programs in my stash.

Great Stuff - I like cards! Just that I like really old photos too!

Good luck with your search

My favorite boxing photo! 1919 Ringside!

Jimmy

Another:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi..._%20Connie.jpg

For me it is mainly bats of my favorite player, Wade Boggs. I have everything from little kids tee ball bats to a 1/1 All Star game bat. I blame this collection on a fellow member. He kept emailing me pics of all his amazing bats and got me hooked.:D

Here is a pic showing the top half of the display I made. I now have enough bats I need to build another one. One for gamers and one for store models.

My awesome wife lets me keep it in the living room and it brings me more joy now than all but a few cards.

We need more pics in this thread so post some:)

Some 40's stuff
 

All from the mid 40's from a newspaper photographer from the Philadelphia Bulletin, if I remember correctly. (My mom should know his name).

Always thought these were cool. :)

Pretty sure football is from Franklin Field.

Hi

I am glad many can and find joy in memorabilia

I wish I could say that I am done with cards.

But for me it is a joy and an addiction. Always looking for the next card.

My version of "branching out" was starting to collect post cards.

I have a few items that are not cards/postcards but nothing that as yet can take the place for me.

'36 Gehrig Type 3 batting composite photos
 

I know (now) that I WAY overpaid for this several years ago, but it's one of my favorite photo compositions. I framed it between conservation glass and archival plexi, with a double mat (back to back) so the back/paper caption can be seen, etc. and allows for some air circulation.

I walk by it every day and smile. And it's much more appreciated (in presence and in quantity) than going to the safe and sitting down at the table (which I do still enjoy), but do not get to do everyday.

I was fortunate enough to meet a fellow collector (who ended up becoming a very good friend), who traded me for the newspaper to go with the photographs.

Great stuff, keep it coming!

Beautiful piece. Love it.

A couple of pieces on the home office walls I'm happy to look at every day. . . .

Great thread and starting to feel the same. I have branched out into ticket stubs from monumental events or events I remember from my childhood. I like that they were in the stadium and they are fun to get signed. Alas, more and more people are getting in to them and they are getting pricey.

I collected memoribila years ago. Had a Large walkout finished basement. Many moves & downsizing sold most of it. Had a complete run of Detroit WS programs & tickets, plus many displays on walls. Still have a few things.

Great photo. I got my copy of it over 30yrs ago, but never came across the newspaper. I was also fortunate enough to get the matching Ott photo at the same time as the Lou. I framed them myself.


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