Some Positive Thoughts on This Hobby

[Bosox Blair]

I realized tonight I've been dwelling on some of the more negative threads on the Board lately, and it is dragging me down a bit. I thought I would share a few positive thoughts with anyone who cares to read.

Though some likely view me as a newbie because I had a bit of a hiatus in my collecting, I have actually been collecting vintage cards for over 30 years. In that time, believe it or not, most things about this hobby have improved dramatically for the collector. Here are a few you might relate to:

1. Access to material - largely due to the internet, this is light years ahead of what it was. I went to so many disappointing card shows over the years...I can't begin to detail. For a collector looking for something very specific, this was quite a daunting challenge 30 years ago. For people living outside a major city/metro area, it could be near impossible to build the collection you wanted to have. It is much, much more satisfying to collect today.

2. Card grading - as much as we all have beefs with the grading companies, trust me when I say the situation today is so much better than it was. Dealers back then pretty much all overgraded their material...a lot. And it was a bit like a joke - your cards were always EX and their cards were always Near Mint. None of it was true. Arguing over grade with a dealer was like repeatedly bashing your head against a brick wall. Buying a card through the mail based on the dealer's grading of the card was a uniformly disappointing experience. It might not be perfect now, but it is a heck of a lot better.

3. Market/Pricing info - so much better now...ready access to real sales results, completed auction sales, etc. The ability to check multiple dealer inventories online for asking prices. These things were just not at your fingertips as they are today.

4. Info about Cards/Sets/Players - some of this was out there, but for the most part you had to build a library of books to learn about this stuff (I still have many of mine, and they are heavy and dusty). The internet generally (and sites and bulletin boards devoted to these specific interests) allows us to have so much more information in a much more accessible and easily searchable format.

Anyways, I just wanted to post some positive thoughts about collecting today. Feel free to add some of yours!

Cheers,
Blair

[3-2-count]

Hi Blair. I agree with everything on your list, but would like to add one.

5. The appreciation of friends and acquaintances I've met in the hobby the last 15 years. Between N54 and a couple other forums I'm part of
it's hands down the one most important thing I treasure most and am thankful for.

Regards, Tony Andrea

[rc4157]

I agree with all of the above.
Without Net54 and it's many resources from it's members, I truly doubt I would still be pursuing vintage cards (that would have saved me some money!), but I would be missing out on cyber friendships and also the rekindling of my interest in old-time baseball.
RC

[Mrc32]

I would say the greatest thing about the hobby is access to cards that 15 years ago were almost impossible to find. I remember going to shows in the early 90s and seeing pre-war cards, like t206s, at prices that were way out of the reach of us mere mortals.

Today with the advent of the internet and eBay you can find cards that I once thought to be collected by a few, accessible to everyone.

[Rich Klein]

The availability of those items on the internet has driven down prices. Good for consumers, not so good for dealers. But the smart dealers have adjusted to the times.

Rich

[timzcardz]

One of the greatest things about this hobby, is the people, and the sharing with them of cards, information, and experiences.

The internet has certainly made it easier to "get together" with them.

I have some good friends throughout the country that I never would have "met" 30 years ago, and some of them I have actually met in person as a result, and others that I just haven't met in person yet.

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by 3-2-count

Hi Blair. I agree with everything on your list, but would like to add one.

5. The appreciation of friends and acquaintances I've met in the hobby the last 15 years. Between N54 and a couple other forums I'm part of
it's hands down the one most important thing I treasure most and am thankful for.

Regards, Tony Andrea

Great addition, Tony...very true.

Thanks for your responses guys!

Cheers,
Blair

[Writehooks]

All salient points, gentlemen. I'd just like to add that forums like Net54 have also, I believe, spurred a greater interest in and appreciation of sports history through the pursuit of cards and memorabilia. The relationship between the artifacts we collect and the history they represent has always been special to me. It keeps the passion stoked.

[Rich Klein]

If there is ONE passable show each year in the DFW area; that is a good accomplishment

Rich

[Jim VB]

Rich,


Is there even one? I've lived here close to 5 years and have never gone to a show locally.

There aren't even many non-passable shows around here.

[forazzurri2axz]

and not consigning anymore to auction houses that are (or have been) BLATANTLY unethical

[toppcat]

All good points above but I do miss having a choice of shows to go to every weekend.....