O/T Sports memorabilia vs. other collecting options
 

On Tuesday I was a chaperone for my daughters 5 grade class on a trip to the Detroit Institute of Arts. It's amazing how many great works of art are housed there.

I have to admit my heart was beating a little faster than normal as I was closely inspecting a Vincent Van Gogh self portrait painting from no more than a foot away. Thinking about the incredible value of the painting got me thinking about other potential collecting avenues.

I was wondering if any members here have other unusual or different interests other than sports memorabilia?

I've always really loved art. I guess going to art auctions when I was a kid really had an impact on me. But my love for cards/memorabilia triumphs the art collection. I have recently gotten really gotten into a combination of the two. Sports art is really catching on and I love it.

-Nick

The centerpiece of my sports collection is a gorgeous Graig Kreindler painting.

His work is nothing short of amazing.

In addition to cards and memorabilia, I like to pick up watches to commemorate special occasions.

I hope to add one of Graig's pieces. Amazing artwork!

-Nick

My neighbor collects 1600s-1700s English silver pitchers and has a mantle that goes all around his living room (all the walls) that displays them. The only problem is he's an elitist snob with a prickly personality, but he'll give you a tour if you're interested and answer all your questions. He warms to you a bit when he finds out you're a fellow collector and will ask you about what you collect, even if it's baseball memorabilia.

I seem to collect all times of antiques especially primitives, tools, cameras, travel, books, lots of smalls..I could go on and on - anything that has some real history to it.

Too many things besides sports stuff.

Stamps, especially the 1870's ones issued for the cabinet level departments

Coins- Haven't been active is a while but I browse a bit now and then.

Old tools/machinery/science stuff especially if it's repairable or still working. But I haven't found a nice item I want at the price in a couple years.

Pretty much anything old that I take a liking to and can afford. Ephemera, decorative items, even the occasional piece of furniture.

My wife is into antique textiles, and other family and friends collect some different stuff so an antique shop trip usually means I buy more stuff for them than for me.

Steve B

I collect books about topics I like, including baseball, Lewis and Clark, Brooklyn Bridge, book collecting, Battle of Trenton and local history. Also favorite authors and favorite fiction titles.

I dabble in coins, arrowheads, Civil War artifacts, fruit jars, and old books on the smalls side.

Teddy Roosevelt - pictures, autographs and pins.
JFK - autographs, pictures and pins
Mark Twain - autograph and pictures
I also have one or two autographs of people whose performances I have enjoyed or people I admire in different areas - Clarence Darrow, George Carlin, Humphrey Bogart, The Founding Fathers, Lincoln and more.

Peter Max stuff and Rock and Roll Concert Posters of which I have about 5,000

Lots of San Francisco Bill Graham ones and Hatch Prints from Nashville. I really love some of the newer artist that are putting out great designs for newer bands.

I try to buy the original art from some of the poster artists that are in the Philly area

Oscars tickets, for the telecast as well as the Board of Governors Ball afterwards.

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...ars%20Show.jpg
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http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...ars%20Ball.jpg
http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...ars%20Ball.jpg

Nonsports cards of various types.

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I'll buy and sell pretty much any antique.

I wish I could collect paintings, but I have to enjoy them through museums. I consider my two Kreindler studies to be extensions of my vintage memorabilia habit. When I worked for an airline and could take day trips, one of my favorites was to go to D.C., have a hot dog from a mall vendor, slowly walk through the impressionist area, then just sit on a bench in front of a Degas painting. Nothing better to clear my head - I think it was mostly the hot dog water.

I went back to D.C. two years ago and they had moved my painting :(

I also collect pre-wwii pool cues and Edward Curtis photographs/gravures.

I custom make my own guitars and have a pretty sweet Beatles and Metallica collection.

Here's a replica I made and hand painted myself of George Harrison's "Rocky" guitar:
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...psd8952f82.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...ps41fd3f53.jpg

Here's George's playing the real "Rocky"
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...ps4a1e9ba9.jpg

Here's my "Joker" Gibson Flying V that I painted myself:
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...ps560dbda3.jpg
http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...psfa0571dc.jpg

I collect some Guinness Original artwork paintings. These were either turned into the final poster or was part of the development of them.

5,000????? :eek:

I have quite a few gig posters.....framed....but only of concerts I've actually attended.

I collect watches and have about 20. Last January I picked up my grail (an Omega Seamaster 007) for my 50th birthday. Since then, I rarely wear my other watches. I am looking for another grail in the next few years.

Jeff

I also collect rare bottles of wine and salt & pepper shakers like these along with a lot of other junk, I mean fine merchandise.

ephemara
 

I have always had a thing for various ephemera (which sports cards and memorabilia fit nicely in the category of). Mostly old magazines - all different subject matter. Stamps, postcards, trade cards, newspapers, photographs, etc. Something about the glimpse back in time that such artifacts provide that I just love.