[dabigyankeeman]

I collect Yankees from tobacco cards thru current, and am strictly a collector, not an investor.

I buy cards in conditions i can afford, its WAY more important to me to have a card then not have it because i cant afford it in nice condition. A "fair" Mantle from the 1950's in my album is an awful lot nicer than no Mantle at all in my album.

Speaking of albums, all my cards are in albums. I buy a lot of vintage cards in slabs to verify authenticity, but then i remove them from the slab and into my albums they go.

Vintage Cards Rule - thats so true, for even though i collect new cards, its the vintage cards i love. Plus you know what, a vintage card with some creases and defects is just looking its age, to me its what a vintage card should be. A vintage card thats in perfect condition is great to look at, but sometimes it doesnt look like a vintage card. So enjoy your lessor condition old cards, i know i enjoy mine.