Hello everyone - An introduction

[UMTurtle97]

Hi everyone, I've been lurking but am still relatively new around here and I wanted to introduce myself to the community. I appreciate the expert advice, and have bought cards elsewhere from multiple sellers that turned out to be Net54 members.

Here's my story: I've collected in bursts since age nine and have plenty of 1985 to 1990 junk wax to show for it. I generally like vanilla: post-WW2 HOFs, Orioles, and 50s-70s Topps. I'm not really into modern stuff geared toward desecrating museum-quality jerseys or 1/1 rarities that the rippers want. Beyond the usual suspects my favorite players are Frank Robinson, Eddie Murray, and Johnny Unitas. My real sentimental favorites are guys like Art Donovan, Boog Powell and Tippy Martinez.

Around 2000, I built about 2/3 of an EXMT/NM+ 1960 Topps set, mostly because I liked the funky mid-century design. I collected very little for 20 years until the pandemic changed all of that. After rooting through the closet, and talking my wife out of selling it all like Marie Kondo, I was determined to finish that set.

I began the summer at 413/572 and I'm now at 566/572. I still need to find the Mays, Yaz, and the McCovey AS and also upgrade a dozen or so EX or less cards, but I'm almost there. Over time, I've gathered at least 1,000 dupes that I can part with once I ever get organized. I'd love to start another set, likely between '55 and '65, but I need to finish this one first. I'm tempted to cool my jets while prices skyrocket, but I'm absolutely feeling some FOMO.

Meanwhile, I'll keep reading because I've already learned a lot. There's a fine community here with a ton of knowledge and some downright stunning collections, so I'm just glad to be in the room.

Finally, IIRC, every post needs a card. Here's the first card I ever "bought" in 1989 or '90 at a show at Quality Inn in Towson, MD. It wasn't slabbed then, of course.