when is it too much?
I started collecting autographs from 1965-8 doing visiting team hotels in NYC as well as Smallings list and buying from one of the few dealers back then. Lost interest and sold it all for $250 (easily worth over $1,000,000 if I still had it).
Anyway started again with my son in 2002 doing 6 weeks a year IP at AZ prespring training games (autographs are best post report date but before games start) and Fall league- the goal being getting as many different signed cards as possible. When we reached 65000 signed it started to seem like too many especially when I might have had say 80 different Clint barmes cards etc. Also lots of using Harveys list and started buying for some legit dealers- Stinson, Gordon, Corcoran etc and then ventured into Mastro, Clean Sweep etc.
The quantity became pretty overwhelming and I decided I had to set parameters and get rid of the rest. The parameters have changed over the years but basically I now collect every pre 1970 signed card I can get of a HOFer (this is the bulk of the collection) as well as a signed HOF plaque of each player, and every pre WWII signed exhibit of a HOFer. Also 1960-61 Fleer sets and 1960-1 NuCard. On post 1970 HOFers I try to get 5 signed cards. So at present I have about 4000 signed cards not including exhibits and plaques. So I may have say 5 Tom Seaver as most of his career was post 1969 and 40 Mantle (since there are many pre 1970 cards etc). I have just turned 73 and thinking of changing parameters. Do I really need 5 signed of the recent HOFers? Should I cut down on some of the guys I might have 40 pre 1970 cards of like Brooks Robinson etc. Sometimes I feel like a hoarder, sometimes not. And at 73 years old- how long do I stay active and keep doing auctions etc. These are things I ponder. Those of you in similar circumstances how have you changed parameters, downsized etc or just stayed the course. I do not need the money from selling and my kids are in decent shape. Just wondering which of you have thought about these issues, what you have come up with and what advice you may have. Sorry if I sound alittle neurotic
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