Does your collection focus around a single Hall of Famer or a couple of Hall of Fame players? If so, who do you collect? What is your favorite card? Favorite item of memorabilia? Favorite story around obtaining an item for your collection? How about the one that got away? Current top 5 wants?
I'll start
I collect Roberto Clemente
Favorite Card is his 1967 Giant Stand up
Favorite piece of memorabilia is between an incredible photograph that makes me feel like Clemente is staring right at me when I look at it and what I believe to be his earliest known score card from 1951 - he was listed in the roster, but not yet assigned a number.
Story for obtaining an item - After going to the Robert Morris college show in Pittsburgh (starting with the second show held there) for a number of years I became friends with one of the local guys - he always found stuff for me - the pinnacle of which was a one of a kind Topps produced item.
The one that got away would be 2 - 1) A stunning 1958 Kahns card (later graded a PSA 6) that walked into the Pittsburgh show before I understood how incredibly difficult the card is and even more improbable in that kind of condition - I wouldn't pay the guy $250 against a $200 book price - He told me I didn't know what I was looking at - he was right - it's current owner has turned down an offer by a friend of about 10k
The second is a 1962 Sugardale card that the dealer wouldn't budge on his $800 book price on - later graded a PSA 3 (highest for that issue) and deserves much higher in my opinion. Oh well. I guess knowing where those cards are is better than nothing.
My top 5 wants:
1) Complete Bazooka boxes (except 1962-25 piece, 1965-20 piece and 1971 unnumbered)- top of the list 1960
2) 1960 Harmony dairy 8x10 card
3) 1968 Topps Disc
I know there must be more
but that's all I can think of for now!
Look forward to hearing about yours.....