Are you always looking for HOFers?
 

I guess this assumes you are not a set builder. When you guys are buying and navigating through all the different prewar sets, is your aim usually fixed on acquiring a HOFer from a given set, or are you just as focused on getting a HOFer when you can and aiming at various backs and variations of various sets even if they aren't HOFers? I am about to turn 46 and am really just getting into prewar after collecting other eras, and I just feel behind. [emoji2957]

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Not sure it answers your question, but for prewar, there are certain HOFers I collect, and for them, I buy the cards I like the most regardless of the set. Now as it works out they're frequently from the popular sets, but that's really a secondary consideration.

Thanks, Peter. I asked a clumsy question. You are getting at part of what I am wondering and considering. There are soooooo many E sets that I like, but there are only a few players that I feel like I have to have. In prewar, I want to make sure I have a few Cobbs in my collection, along with a Wagner or two. Beyond that, I look at Mathewson, Young, Lajoie, and Walter Johnson. In time, I would like to obtain at least a couple of cards of each of those players. It's just funny how it works out. I like some sets, but of the players I mentioned, I don't like all of their cards in all sets. For example, I like E95, and I like Mathewson, but I don't especially care for the E95 Mathewson.

I suppose that's what my Chase thread is about. As much as I would love to buy a card from the above list, to get quantity and to be able to play with backs found in various issues a little, I am not going to be able to do that with HOFers. Just wondering if others made similar decisions.



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HOF = yes
 

Yes I am a HOF collector.

I do sets as well, but I try to focus my sets on those that have high percentages of HOF cards. I won’t start sets like T206 partly for that reason.

I started a Type Card Collection years ago, just getting any player.
Then I started collecting a “playing years” HOF Collection.
Those were exclusive until I sorta merged them to be getting a HOF in each type card that I can.

So now my primary collection is HOFERS in as many unique sets as I can get them. Prewar primarily. Finding a HOFer in a non-mainstream set is my favorite!
(See my SGC link below)

You may find that what you start as your collecting focus may change frequently through the years. It’s a great hobby. Collect what ever makes you happy and don’t feel bound if that changes sometimes!

Yes, as an eclectic type card collector HOf'ers are usually the first choice. But the best advice would be to collect what you enjoy. That way no matter the financial situation you are enjoying your hobby.

I hear ya, Leon. That's pretty much my approach. I picked up a Mathewson from a guy just yesterday. You might know him...[emoji2957]

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Generally I'm more interested in the card type than the player. To the extent that I am interested in some players more than others I would say I focus on underrated players, some of whom are in the Hall.

Thanks for that point. This was part of what I was trying to say. You summed it up very well. I pick up selected HOFers when I can. However, I find myself interested in different card types and guys like Hal Chase. He pops up in a lot of issues and isn't as pricey as a HOFer. I envision being able to pick up examples of quite a few sets and backs this way.

I enjoy a good story or finding out new things and often with some of the lesser known players/teams/leagues I can find out new things that keep me interested. I would rather have a card of a new player that I didn’t know of before than my 10th Chick Hafey card.

There is no wrong way to do it, HOFers will always be more popular, the price disparity between a common and a HOF player in a given set has only gotten more extreme over the past 30 years. Back a long time ago there was always a premium for a HOF, but maybe only a 25% boost, now the conventional wisdom is a “common HOFer” will be minimum 2-4x the value of a common.

I have found it best to start with HOFers. There are occasions it doesn't work out, then you get the most interesting player you can find...somebody like Greasy Neale. The good thing about going in that direction is if you decide to go for the set, you immediately have some good pieces to plug in. If you get dupes, they are easy to trade or sell. While not vintage, I recently had a chance to buy the bulk of a 1955 set. I already had the Koufax and the Clemente and contacted the seller about what he would take less the two key rookies. He gave me a healthy discount as he knew he could sell them pretty immediately, I got a great buy on my (now complete) set and it worked out for everyone.

For me, good or reasonable deals on unique or rare issues of any HOFer for me that I can afford (I want to have one of each eventually, but the 19th century stuff is darn near impossible). That sometimes means less "popular" issues or quality that is a little lower than some of the big boys here, but I am happy w/ it. If I see something that I haven't seen before and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg I try to get it and squirrel it away.

Everyone's collections are different and every collector has vast preferences to how and what they collect. For this reason, dont worry about being behind. Collecting is not a race -go at your own pace and enjoy it.

Sounds a little like type card collecting. Still my fave way to do it. And if they are rare enough I will gladly take commons.