Posted By:
warshawlawalthough the wife doesn't think I'v ever gotten over childhood...
My 1971 Topps set is an extension of my childhood. It was the first set I really collected as a kid (I still have a few from back then, in atrocious condition, of course. Ditto for the first old card I ever received (1952 Topps Walt Dropo).
I think part of the disconnect some of us may feel with collecting is having to obsess over condition and value. Over the years, the money has taken an ever increasing role in collecting. First I found it necessary to justify my obsession to an unforgiving world with a financial incentive. One day, however, I woke up and realized I had a mid-five-figures investment where a collection used to be, and started thinking about marketing it rather than enjoying it. Believe me, I remain torn over the concept of keeping the valuable ones in the safe deposit box rather than selling them. I recognize that it doesn't make sense to have the expensive ones laying around the house, but if I can't see them, why have them?
Recently, perhaps in view of my looming 39th birthday, I've gotten into some of the non-sports cards I loved as a kid: Kung Fu, Star Trek, Bond, etc. These cards are available so cheaply that I can simply enjoy them rather than worry about them. Also, there are many really nice new "old" sets available. I got virtually every Yankee of my youth on autographed cards with the UD Yankees set, for example.