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Posted By: Al C.risafulli

Of course I agree that the Dreiers are complete gentlemen, some of the most wonderful people in the hobby. The same can be said for many of the people at the "top" of the hobby, if you define "top" by size or dollar value of the collection. I tend to define the "top" of the hobby by knowledge, access to other collectors, willingness to share information, and overall approachability.

I suppose I would define "influence" differently than Bruce appears to be doing in the title of this thread. Perhaps "influential" was a poor choice of words. Obviously it's interesting and newsworthy when someone new enters the hobby with a lot of money to spend, and the actual post doesn't really question the buyers' "influence" as much as it queries who these new buyers might be. I think that's a worthwhile question to ask.

All that being said, it never ceases to amaze me that there is actually animosity in this hobby between various collectors that is driven by the way they choose to collect. I understand that Bruce has a lovely collection. I've seen Jim's collection several times, and it is also quite beautiful. I don't understand - nor will I ever - why there is so much smugness and animosity thrown around the hobby by the various people who consistently engage in this battle.

I tend to think it would be a hell of a lot more productive if everyone treated one another with a modicum of respect. I realize that's probably impossible, given all the past references to rotting in shacks, hobby backbones, slabheads and cert buyers. Imagine, though, what we could learn if we all decided to share our knowledge in a productive sort of way?

-Al