Question about advanced collectors

At what point can one consider themselves an advanced collector? Does it depend on how long you've collected, how much you've acquired, or knowledge gained? A combination of all three? Really interested to hear everyone's thoughts.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by NewEnglandBaseBallist

At what point can one consider themselves an advanced collector? Does it depend on how long you've collected, how much you've acquired, or knowledge gained? A combination of all three? Really interested to hear everyone's thoughts.

Well, I can tell you what it's not:

It's not based on the size of your checking account after all mail has been delivered.

But seriously, I think when others begin to seek you out with questions could be an indicator.

Also, most 'advanced' collectors concentrate on one time frame, relatively speaking...for instance, most of our board members are very advance in pre-war materials, but not nearly as much with 'modern' releases. Which, of course, is by choice. The modern stuff, in general, is much easier to locate or investigate, but not as easy IMO to appreciate.

[abothebear]

The first rule of Advanced Collecting is never talk about Advanced Collecting.

[glchen]

I think it's generally the knowledge gained part and how that impacts your collecting. For example, if you know all of the different poses and variations for particular cards for the Old Judge set or you are familiar with very obscure sets that collectors don't know about. For example, an advanced collector might collect T206 backs down to the Factory Number while a regular collector of the set may not integrate that into their collecting. Or an advanced E98 collector would try to accumulate all of the colors while the normal collector would just go for one card for each player.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I thought it referred to advanced age, which would make Frank B. an advanced collector.

I would think the ability to identify all known vintage cards without needing to use any kind of a reference would make you advanced?

[frankbmd]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I thought it referred to advanced age, which would make Frank B. an advanced collector.

If you take the nonsense perpetrated by the likes of Peter S. with a grain of salt, you are indeed an advanced collector.

[swarmee]

Originally Posted by glchen

I think it's generally the knowledge gained part and how that impacts your collecting.

Agreed, an advanced collector to me is someone with additional depth. Think PSA Master Set Collector (all variations) compared to Basic Set.
It also shows that you've identified which cards and sets you like and you try to focus your collection more narrowly.

[wonkaticket]

Originally Posted by NewEnglandBaseBallist

At what point can one consider themselves an advanced collector? Does it depend on how long you've collected, how much you've acquired, or knowledge gained? A combination of all three? Really interested to hear everyone's thoughts.

It's sort of like AAA a monthly fee, you do get priority boarding on Southwest.

[Econteachert205]

I think there are multiple definitions of an advanced collector.

1. A specimen collector who either looks for perfect cards, or rare types, or variations.

2. A collector who spends a buttload of money.

3. A collector with advanced knowledge in certain areas of the hobby.

[barrysloate]

It's a combination of collecting for a long time, putting together a pretty big collection (that's subjective of course), and knowing a ton about the hobby and the history of what you collect. An advanced collector is the total package.

[clydepepper]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

If you take the nonsense perpetrated by the likes of Peter S. with a grain of salt, you are indeed an advanced collector.

You'll notice TED Z. staying out of this part of the discussion...

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

It's a combination of collecting for a long time, putting together a pretty big collection (that's subjective of course), and knowing a ton about the hobby and the history of what you collect. An advanced collector is the total package.

But where in the world is there in the world, a man so extraordinaire?
C'est toi?

[K-Nole]

Funny thing this topic comes up now.

I literally just got done getting advice and gaining knowledge from a main poster here.

I was so upset that I lost out on an auction that I wanted sooooo bad.

After talking to him, I found out the cards were fakes. I am so at ease now.

Thanks to the advanced guys on this board!!!!

[JLange]

you scroll through 192 listings per page on eBay in about 10 seconds flat because you don't see anything new, interesting, priced right, or even on your want list.

In that time you also spotted all the reprints or fakes and don't even need to go back and double check because you are not just a little sure, but absolutely positive, they are reprints or fakes.


I don't consider myself an advanced collector, but I know a few...

Thanks for the great responses. Much appreciated! 😁

[Bicem]

To me, just hobby knowledge.

[pingman59]

That pretty much covers it for me.

At the 1998 National in Chicago, I approached a well-known dealer in vintage cards (of all grades) if he had any 1947 Tip Top baseball cards. His reply was, "Oh, are you an advanced collector?" I then proceeded to disclose that I was looking for a 47 Tip Top of a player from my home town. His demeanor changed, as did his opinion of me. I was no longer an advanced collector. LOL!

[drcy]

If, with eyes closed, you can identify the T206 back brand by the smell of the tobacco residue, you're advanced.

If you need to also lick the card, you're merely pretty advanced.

[irishdenny]

Advanced Collector = An Individual who has forgotten more about Prewar Cards than I'll Ever Know.

[Jeffrompa]

Growing up in a house with 2 million postcards I would say the advanced comes from the acquisition and the knowledge gained in being able to see all the variations . I know I am not an advanced collector for sure .

[Jewish-collector]

An advanced collector is one that goes to every National.

[basesareempty]

I would say that being an advanced collector has nothing to do with the size of your checkbook, despite what some might say. There are many "advanced" collectors that have assembled quality collections on a limited budget.

[iowadoc77]

Definitely not someone like me who keeps picking up new interests before finishing out previous interests
I have:
complete 1935 NAtional Chicle football set
partial 1933 goudey set
partial E98 set of 30 set
partial T205 set
Oh, and I pick up an occasional Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, or Mordecai Brown
Oh, and maybe i see something else I like so my collecting focus shifts
I guess you might say I have ADHD...

[Exhibitman]

Knowledge + Experience + Work = Advanced Collector

Knowledge: anyone can pick up a Standard Catalog or log into Old Cardboard and ID a card, but knowing enough about the issues to differentiate a fake from the real deal, or to spot a rare variation, that's the trick.

Experience: there is a school of thought that real expertise in a field requires about 10,000 hours of work in it. I'd say that goes for collecting too. You gotta handle a lot of cards in person. I'd not be surprised if many 'advanced collectors' have looked at millions of cards over their collecting lives.

Work: I learn new stuff about what I collect nearly every day. Heck, the guys who wrote the books still learn new stuff. Look at the Lemke blog, for example.

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Knowledge + Experience + Work = Advanced Collector

Knowledge: anyone can pick up a Standard Catalog or log into Old Cardboard and ID a card, but knowing enough about the issues to differentiate a fake from the real deal, or to spot a rare variation, that's the trick.

Experience: there is a school of thought that real expertise in a field requires about 10,000 hours of work in it. I'd say that goes for collecting too. You gotta handle a lot of cards in person. I'd not be surprised if many 'advanced collectors' have looked at millions of cards over their collecting lives.

Work: I learn new stuff about what I collect nearly every day. Heck, the guys who wrote the books still learn new stuff. Look at the Lemke blog, for example.

Agree! Nice concise accurate explanation imo.

[DaveW]

Advanced collectors are the ones who will pay good money for my cards. Novices are the ones who want to buy them cheaply. Or maybe it's the other way around ...

[ValKehl]

IMHO, Knowledge + Experience + Work are meaningful, but not enough to = Advanced Collector, because the word "Collector" implies (to me anyway) actually having a collection - And, "Advanced Collector" implies (to me) having a sigificant (but not necessarily a high $$ value) collection.
Val

[familytoad]

I will return to this thread after I lick a few more of my cards.
I would like to become pretty advanced .

Hey, I have a lot of Caramel and Gum cards, not just Tobacco...shouldn't be too bad.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by familytoad

I will return to this thread after I lick a few more of my cards.
I would like to become pretty advanced .

Hey, I have a lot of Caramel and Gum cards, not just Tobacco...shouldn't be too bad.

I don't know what advanced is but it probably has more to do with experience than anything, to me. I just want to have fun with my friends and collect baseball cards the way we used to. It sure was a simpler time back in the late 60s and 70s....
I should add, I was a young kid in those years....and I haven't collected pre-war except as an adult...but the essence and fun nature of collecting baseball cards is the point...

[Joshchisox08]

Originally Posted by familytoad

I will return to this thread after I lick a few more of my cards.
I would like to become pretty advanced .

Hey, I have a lot of Caramel and Gum cards, not just Tobacco...shouldn't be too bad.

This is the best damn quote on this thread hahah ! No but seriously I'm going to lick a t206 !

[packs]

An advanced collector is someone who can identify card types and authenticity on sight. They are also aware of fraud in the hobby and what to stay away from. They may also have intimate knowledge of set checklists and new discoveries.

An advanced collector does not need to have an advanced collection. They just need to know their cards. It's not a universal application either. You could simply be a T206 guy and still be advanced. It's all about the knowledge in my opinion.

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Knowledge + Experience + Work = Advanced Collector

Knowledge: anyone can pick up a Standard Catalog or log into Old Cardboard and ID a card, but knowing enough about the issues to differentiate a fake from the real deal, or to spot a rare variation, that's the trick.

Experience: there is a school of thought that real expertise in a field requires about 10,000 hours of work in it. I'd say that goes for collecting too. You gotta handle a lot of cards in person. I'd not be surprised if many 'advanced collectors' have looked at millions of cards over their collecting lives.

Work: I learn new stuff about what I collect nearly every day. Heck, the guys who wrote the books still learn new stuff. Look at the Lemke blog, for example.

Adam

Well stated.


TED Z
.

[chipperhank44]

It's always better for others to say you as something than to declare yourself to be something.

Test:

Do others say you're an advanced collector? You probably are.

Do others see you as less than advanced? You probably are.


Also....

Do others say you're advanced but you still think you have a lot to learn?
You're probably super advanced.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by chipperhank44

It's always better for others to say you as something than to declare yourself to be something.

Test:

Do others say you're an advanced collector? You probably are.

Do others see you as less than advanced? You probably are.


Also....

Do others say you're advanced but you still think you have a lot to learn?
You're probably super advanced.

Excellent!

[4815162342]

I pulled cards like these directly out of Kraft singles packages when I was a kid. So I guess you can say, I'm kind of a big deal.

[wonkaticket]

Originally Posted by 4815162342

I pulled cards like these directly out of Kraft singles packages when I was a kid. So I guess you can say, I'm kind of a big deal.

Show off!

[tedzan]

If you collected these 1947 Bond Bread cards from their bread packages when you were a young dude, then I guess you may qualify as an "advanced collector"

Perhaps because you learned a lot in the process of completing 19th and 20th Century sets for 45 years of collecting. In between (1953-1976), I took a 23-year
break in collecting to be in the Air Force, College, early years of employment, and marriage.

Anyhow, these cards were my first BB cards....and, I still have my original set of 44 - Bond Bread BB cards.




TED Z
.

[Exhibitman]

Maybe it is like pornography: I can't define it but I know it when I see it.

[frankbmd]

[familytoad]

Frank, I don't think it counts when the "chicks" are only showing off their photos of their old boyfriends

I do hope she will refrain from any further foolish following of David (cycleback)'s advice about licking the cards. The more I think about it, he may have only been joking.

As for real advanced collecting definitions, I really like the post about when "others" consider you an expert. I have 45 years into this hobby, but I don't really count them as as expert years.

Thinking back to when us neighborhood kids gathered cards from the old candy store down the block and toted them around in shoeboxes or bicycle spokes is cool, but not expert level collecting. It's not as if we were dealing with preWWI Hall of Famers at that point.

At some point, I think money does have something to do with it. Maybe if you consider it this way...making a conscious decision to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on old carboard even when you are responsible for family, house , car, pets and life...
At that point you may have moved past casual collector and at least into early advanced stage. (Knowing what you are doing at that stage is an advantage, but not a requirement)

I'm a collector who is advanced when compared to the guy at the garage sale hoping to sell his fleet of 89 Pro Set FB and Donruss Diamond Kings, but pretty far down the totem pole on this board!!

I have always thought of advanced collecting as a mountain, and the advanced collector a climber. Some who ascend the mountain have maps, compasses, sherpas to guide them, or a group of like-minded climbers to whom they are tethered. Others are free-climbers who find the challenge of scaling a sheer edifice exciting, and even an adrenaline rush. Many never leave the base-camp. But, no matter how you get to the top, some peaks vistas are simply more impressive than others. As for me to paraphrase AA Milne, I'm not lost for I know where I am... still climbing.

[familytoad]

Yeah , that's good!

[gnpaden]

Based on knowledge and insight in my opinion. My LCS calls/asks advice on vintage collections that come in, so I consider myself "knowledgable"

[dabigyankeeman]

When almost everything I see now that I still need or want is too expensive for me to buy!!!!!

[conor912]

It's all relative. I have a group of friends who are baseball fans but not collectors. To them, my collection is mind-blowing and I am the resident card expert. On this board, my collection and knowledge are pretty ho-hum by comparison.