Showing your collections/room off to others

[Brick442]

Hi all, I have been wondering about this for a while. I have a larger room in my house dedicated to my collection, walls lined with signed baseballs and also have some older sets there. I finally have the room close to where I want it visually, but I am always reluctant to post pics or show people in person unless I really know them.

I guess now that I have all of this stuff, I'd like to show if off more, but worry about theft and other issues. Anyone else think like this? I feel like in todays age you can not be too careful, but then I feel like what's the point of having this cool stuff if people can't see it.

[ullmandds]

Aside from showing my collection to Hobby friends if they happen to be in my house... the most frequent way I enjoy my collection is via scans on one of my devices and every now and then I get the urge to hold the genuine article in my hand.

[jingram058]

If I know the person or people, fine. But I don't mention or discuss my collection with anyone I don't know. And if someone comes in the house to perform work, they don't come into the man cave.

Decades ago, when I moved out of the house and got my own apartment, I was freely showing off and bragging about my stereo...Yamaha receiver, Techniqs turntable, Paradox speakers. Sure enough, one day while I gone, some jackass(es) broke in and stole it. Ever since, if I don't know you very well, you don't need to see or even know about my stuff.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by Brick442

Hi all, I have been wondering about this for a while. I have a larger room in my house dedicated to my collection, walls lined with signed baseballs and also have some older sets there. I finally have the room close to where I want it visually, but I am always reluctant to post pics or show people in person unless I really know them.

I guess now that I have all of this stuff, I'd like to show if off more, but worry about theft and other issues. Anyone else think like this?

I'm also very careful about letting anyone know about my collections for security reasons. Generally there's no point in showing my stuff off to the uninitiated anyway. Unless a house guest also has the collecting gene, the conversations would typically go something like this:

GUEST - So how much is all of this stuff worth?

BALTICFOX - What does it matter? It's not for sale. And it's never been about the money for me anyway.

GUEST - But what are you going to do with this stuff when you die?

BALTICFOX - Nothing. I'll be dead. I won't be doing much of anything then.

GUEST - I mean have you ever thought of selling your collections now to buy something you can enjoy?

BALTICFOX - That's actually why I have these items. I enjoy having them! They bring me satisfaction and delight.

Oh, and by the way, what would you propose that I do with the money I get for my collectibles? Spend it on beer, wine and pot like you do leaving nothing other than a few more dead brain cells?

Originally Posted by Brick442

I feel like in todays age you can not be too careful, but then I feel like what's the point of having this cool stuff if people can't see it.

To please yourself!

[NiceDocter]

“Loose lips sink ships”

[Brent G.]

I know a guy with a KILLER collection that he keeps in a giant safe. I just can't do that -- I want to see these things daily. For peace of mind, I got my collection added to my home/auto insurance -- at a very nice rate -- just in case the worst happens.

That said, I'd never let anyone near that room who could ever be a threat, and that includes service providers.

[raulus]

I think it’s a good idea to take reasonable precautions. And when talking to others, it’s rare that my collection comes up, even with really close friends. For a collection worth good money, getting insurance is probably a smart idea.

But I’m not afraid to share it with others around here or through various YouTube videos and interviews, etc.

Beyond that, life is too short to be worrying about it beyond those reasonable precautions. It’s just stuff, and most of it can probably even be replaced in the event of catastrophe. And in that event, you can use the insurance proceeds to get newer and better stuff.

[packs]

I keep my stuff in a safe in a coat closet. Even if you find it, good luck getting it out. Does make it annoying to put my new cards into it though. I get lazy and always have a card sitting around. Right now I've got a Satchel Paige signed RPPC sitting on my book shelf.

[Jewish-collector]

Whatever the hell you do, don't let this happen to you.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/20/us/ne...rnd/index.html

[Brent G.]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Whatever the hell you do, don't let this happen to you.

https://www.cnn.com/2021/05/20/us/ne...rnd/index.html

That truckload pic is amazing -- along with his $5 million Ruth, he still had loads of junk wax.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

I'm also very careful about letting anyone know about my collections for security reasons. Generally there's no point in showing my stuff off to the uninitiated anyway. Unless a house guest also has the collecting gene, the conversations would typically go something like this:

GUEST - So how much is all of this stuff worth?

BALTICFOX - What does it matter? It's not for sale. And it's never been about the money for me anyway.

GUEST - But what are you going to do with this stuff when you die?

BALTICFOX - Nothing. I'll be dead. I won't be doing much of anything then.

GUEST - I mean have you ever thought of selling your collections now to buy something you can enjoy?

BALTICFOX - That's actually why I have these items. I enjoy having them! They bring me satisfaction and delight.

Oh, and by the way, what would you propose that I do with the money I get for my collectibles? Spend it on beer, wine and pot like you do leaving nothing other than a few more dead brain cells?




To please yourself!

I am pretty much the same. I always say I couldn't care less if it is thrown in a dumpster or lit on fire when I die. The best part is the cheap stuff from the junk wax era is my favorite stuff. I can look at several Ruth cards and say yea I guess that is cool and thanks for repeatedly telling me what they are worth. Now hand me a handful of 80s-90s cards and you can't slap the smile off my face while looking at them.

I agree on the beer and wine but Weed always puts a smile on my face.

[vintagesportscollector]

I enjoy looking at my stuff, day and night. It brings me immeasurable joy - but then again nothing in my collection has much great monetary value beyond how it makes me feel.

[ALBB]

interesting topic,

I find very very few people/ friends/ family are even remotely interested in looking at baseball cards and such

Ha,..there they sit, alone..in plastic and cardboard boxes ! what joy they bring LOL

[darkhorse9]

Any non-collector would have a hard time knowing what valuable stuff I have.
That's why I have a section of my collection that I call the "uninformed cool" stuff. That's what I'll show them.
It's a type collection of cards from prior to World War 1. About 200 or so total cards. Mostly baseball, but some non-sports 1870-1880's They tell a really good story about how baseball card collecting started (everything from N342, trade cards, etc. through Old Judge, T206 up to Cracker Jack). But they're all commons and the entire thing looks better than it costs.
Anyone who knows nothing about cards would think it's cooooooool. Those of us here on the board would just say.."that's cool"
Non-sport are in a binder

[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

I show mine every now and then. I have a loud mouth dog, security system, neighbors around and a handy snub nose .38 and 1911 Colt 45 among other fire arms so if one want's to chance it so be it.

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

Originally Posted by vintagesportscollector

I enjoy looking at my stuff, day and night. It brings me immeasurable joy - but then again nothing in my collection has much great monetary value beyond how it makes me feel.

Damn Joe those cases are amazing! One of the best looking displays I've ever seen. The lights make the stuff pop.

[cubman1941]

I have a 13x20 room dedicated to my Cubs, Bears etc. If fact, this room is the reason we bought the house. My wife said she saw the look on my face when we saw this room while touring the house. Anyway it is filled to the brim with pennants on the ceiling, an 8 ft showcase and a 4 ft showcase filled. The walls are full and I have spilt over into another room. My wife has no idea the value of my collection. My son does as does my daughter. Fortunately no one has to go in there to do anything. When I have service people come to the basement, while the door has been taken off, you can't really see much. I used to share on sites like these, pictures, when asked, but now I do not. I do not talk about my collection and those friends that have seen it just say "Boy, you have a lot of stuff"" and I just agree. I see no value in talking about the value as it would just bring unwanted attention.

[LEHR]

Originally Posted by vintagesportscollector

I enjoy looking at my stuff, day and night. It brings me immeasurable joy - but then again nothing in my collection has much great monetary value beyond how it makes me feel.

Joe,

So I'm assuming you went to Ohio State?

In all seriousness, you have one of the best focused collections I've seen, and it's displayed beautifully. Your website is fantastic as well.

Thanks for sharing that.

[jayshum]

Originally Posted by vintagesportscollector

I enjoy looking at my stuff, day and night. It brings me immeasurable joy - but then again nothing in my collection has much great monetary value beyond how it makes me feel.

Joe, as a Cornell alum, thanks for posting the pictures of your collection. An amazing collection of early Big Red memorabilia.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by vintagesportscollector

I enjoy looking at my stuff, day and night. It brings me immeasurable joy - but then again nothing in my collection has much great monetary value beyond how it makes me feel.

Here are a couple of early Cornell athletes for you to view:

jones-jp-redo1.jpg

John Paul Jones - competed in several track events at the 1912 Olympics. He also played in the baseball demonstration game. His time in the mile in 1913 was the first world record recognized by the IAAF.

richards-&-brundage-redo.jpg

Alma Richards - gold medalist in the high jump at the 1912 Olympics. This shows him with Avery Brundage, probably after they competed in the 1916 AAU decathlon championships.

Lazarus, Joseph.jpg

Joseph Lazarus - competed in boxing at the 1924 Olympics. This is a part of a collection of 25+ personal photos taken in the Olympic village of the U.S. boxing team.

[vintagesportscollector]

Originally Posted by Michael B

Here are a couple of early Cornell athletes for you to view:

Thanks Michael for sharing those great photos of Jones, Richards and Lazarus. Here is a Paul Thompson Photo of Alma Richards, c1916, and the same sweater he is wearing. It’s not his exact sweater (although it possibly could be, but no evidence of who owned it).