My collection is limited and focused to about 500 cards covering 100 years of baseball 1885-1985. I'll only collect hof players and specific ones within the set. Although I'm trying to complete a E98 Master Set and an E94 set I would say I'm an image/type collector and only specific years/issues, for example I don't collect 52 Topps but I do collect 53s, I like the 53 portraits so I have a dozen on my list but doesn't include Mays because I just don't like the look of the card. That also allowed me to sell my 52 Jackie so I could buy a 14CJ Cobb, a deal I would make every time.
It helped me to build a spreadsheet/list of my priorities so I could focus on what was important to me for my collection. Although I'm guilty of the occasional squirrel hunt like everybody else is I usually regret it and sell the card shortly after, same goes for condition, I try not to buy placeholders unless it's a rare card that I need for my Master Set. I can't buy it all so I have to buy what makes me happy and can afford. In no certain order in addition to the two sets mentioned above my collection consists of:
West Coast type collection
1910 T206 portraits
PC796 & 1921 Exhibits postcards
1914 Cracker Jack
E121 Caramel
1933 Goudey
Specific cards from the 30's & 40's
Specific Topps cards from the 50's thru 80's
That spreads it out enough to get the same thrill of buying an $80 card as I do buying an $800 or $8000 card. Sometimes I wonder what I'll do when I finish my list, probably remodel the kitchen...
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