[jchcollins]

I think the answers to a lot of these questions depend on if you are collecting for investment or for the pure joy of it. Just me personally, but I always had a hard time actually enjoying the cards when I knew I was eventually going to try to turn a profit on something. I would become obsessed by the nuances of professional grading, and spend time fretting over corners under magnification and that sort of thing. Since I gave all that up, the cards I collect anymore always have to fit into my budget - which for what I collect (1960's and older) generally means mid-to-lower grade. Yeah, the cards aren't likely to be museum showpieces anytime soon, but they remind me of the older cards I collected as a kid and make me happy. My new philosophy means that I rarely if ever have to sell anything, because I don't buy things I can't afford in the long run. That being said, I have a fairly limited budget for old cards - so I have to choose carefully. I can certainly understand those who have a larger budget where buying higher grade and getting involved with things like set registries, etc. would be enjoyable. I just don't have the time or budget for all that. Each unto his own. On the whole though if you like that cards because of their connection to baseball and history, there should be (in my opinion anyway) a goal of getting personal enjoyment out of the cards first and foremost. Some may require PSA 8 level cards to do that; I don't. Good luck!


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