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J Levinecollecting again in 1989, I focused soley on '50s and '60s...being a teenager and a punk back then, I found myself often trying to convince the dealer that I would like to see the "53 Topps Robinson" in his case and not steal him blind the second he unlocked it...Did I learn to dress nicer at shows...no, what I did was talk to dealers about cards for five minutes and the good ones soon realized that my knowledge and interest were good and my money was still green. When I started collecting pre-war stuff a few years later, I often asked to see something and was turned down with things like, "you don't even know what that is" or "show me the money and I will open the case" or "if you can tell me the issue and date I will let you hold it". This was frustrating but again, I educated myself and soon was helping dealers identify cards...nowadays, at least where I live, I have the respect of dealers and some collectors and am rarely questioned about my knowledge of cards, my intentions on looking at a card, or my dress. Granted, I dont dress like a punk but I still wear jeans and a sweatshirt...the money I save on slacks and ties I spend on cards...
-Joshua