[shernan30]

As I closed out my first week as a member of Net54 yesterday I found myself making realizations about my collecting knowledge. Being able to look at a card from the 50's of 60's I was always able to tell someone the year and set plus list off the big hitters. As I got older and history became a huge part of my life, moving beyond the 50's to the 19th century and early 20th century cards has become very interesting to me. What research I had done prior to joining Net54 had me breaking the bank and I didn't even know it.

The members of this group are very knowledgeable about the pre-war era cards. Every thread I read I learn a little more about the hobby and the cards scattered throughout the country. The collections I have been able to see are second to none. The images of cards I've never known to existed give me only a small glimpse into what I will get to experience as I grow in the hobby. I only hope to find that one card another member has never put eyes on before.

As I start to build my collection I look forward to the pointers members can give me even if it is indirect. I've given myself a budget and my first set and type collection to attack, the 1934 Goudey in SGC 60 (5) or higher and my pick for the 100 Greats. I picked up my first 1934 Goudey card from a Net54 member and it arrived this weekend (thanks Brian, the card is awesome) and was able to get one of my 100 Greats from Baggers Auctions.

My wife is a collector too, only modern cards though. She is keeping up with the current game while I am teaching her about the game of the past. This is going to be a bad combination for the bank account, but, as bad as it sounds, its the most fun we have had together since we've been married (coming up on 4 years). We are also building our first website together, bailencards.com, to show off our collections. It should be fully populated by the end of the week.

Anyways, I just wanted to thank the members of Net54 for passing their knowledge to collectors like me. You may not always know you are making an impact, but you are.

Thanks,

Steven