What cards present you with a moral quandary?

[paulcarek]

I've always admired the beautiful Sanella Babe Ruth card, but have resisted buying one because of the poisonous environment in which it originated. To a (far) lesser extent, the prospect of purchasing a card featuring Pete Rose is, for me, somewhat less than appealing.

What cards have you stayed away from, and why?

[kcohen]

None. One thing that attracts me to collecting baseball cards is that it is an amoral act. To be clear, I'm speaking strictly of collecting, not the business side of it.

[D. Bergin]

Never really thought about it like that regarding the German cards. They made tons of really beautiful sports and non-sports sets during that time period.

Curiously, as much as Jesse Owens embarrassed Hitler, Jesse and other African-American Athletes were featured heavily throughout the various German sets.

[wonkaticket]

None, I collect cardboard. These can include ball players, historical figures, places etc.

Owning a card of somebody or someplace to me doesn't mean you are endorsing or embracing their beliefs, social issues, or in some cases warped historical and political views.

To me if you start to trim down your collecting based upon applying your personal beliefs you’re going to limit yourself to pretty much no cards at all.

Cheers,
John

[Ladder7]

I understand how you feel. I have a friend from Berlin. When he came over here for vacay, he was mystified by our patriotism. About displaying Old Glory, "We wouldn't do that". Seems many Germans are ashamed of their history, understandibly.

Except for the brown spikes, the Sanella shot is gorgeous, as is that entire book. But I stay away from it due to the numbers. There seems to be just too many to have weathered all those assaults, incendiary attacks and general hardships. Unless they chewed on raw sticks of margarine night and day that year, I believe it was produced well beyond 1932-33.

[Matt]

Taking this thread in a different direction, I own an N300 Ewing that I acquired with sharp 45 degree clips to all 4 corners. Given the age of the card, I made the decision to round the corners out so it didn't look as odd. It's in an SGC Authentic slab and I highly doubt, even if cracked, anyone would think that was natural wear, but intentionally 'damaging' a valuable card was a bit of a moral quandary.

[Leon]

I have never cut up an intact, vintage strip card. I just can't do it.

[abothebear]

For moral reasons I try and stay away from Cubs cards, and Steinbrenner era Yankees cards.

[mark evans]

I have no interest in owning an O.J. card as it would offend me to view it. I would probably have one were he not a murderer.

Mark

[Bridwell]

I have an N300 Mayo in beautiful condition, except that it has 3 black corners and one white corner tip. I really wanted to touch it up with a marker, but somehow I held off. Eventually, I sent it to PSA as is and got a 6 on it which is still pretty good for a Mayo.

[bobbyw8469]

Ditto the OJ card.....not quite sure how I feel about that one!

[k-dog]

Originally Posted by paulcarek

I've always admired the beautiful Sanella Babe Ruth card, but have resisted buying one because of the poisonous environment in which it originated. To a (far) lesser extent, the prospect of purchasing a card featuring Pete Rose is, for me, somewhat less than appealing.

What cards have you stayed away from, and why?

I have many times wanted to buy Pete Rose cards...but have yet to put one in my collection. I don't really understand why. I don't hate the guy, I think he is one of the best hitters that ever played...yet, there is something that doesn't let me spend the money.

[HercDriver]

While not a baseball card, I have something similar. I have a Ku Klux Klan pocket knife with a clansman featured on the side. It's a very cool knife that was in my grandfather's extensive collection, although it feels a bit evil just holding it. When he died, I took a couple of his knives to include the KKK one since it struck me as being a piece of history. I've thought about selling it once or twice, but I'm not even sure Ebay would let it be be listed and what comments I would get. Maybe someday I'll use it to teach my kids about the dark side of our history...

Take Care,
Geno

[Peter_Spaeth]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Updated-KKK-Klan...-/320663516868

This is not on any moral grounds, but on financial. I will not buy any Black Sox 1919-21 w514's. There are seven, but only one or two worth owning (Shoeless Joe & Eddie Cicotte) in my opinion. The others are WAY overpriced, I mean $1,000 for a VG-EX Lefty Williams, really?

A pet peeve of mine is when someone lists the other White Sox in that set as conspirators, players such as Red Faber, Eddie Collins, Ray Schalk, or Dick Kerr. I'd rather have the Reds, Indians, or Giants. At least they won the series 1919-21.

[Section103]

I guess I should have thought of this sooner...Im ashamed I didnt - but basically anyone who ever played on the Dodgers represents a real moral quandry. I get a little sick to my stomach thinking about each one I buy, but they inevitably show up on my collection needs list. I really wish I could just avoid them.

[E93]

Originally Posted by Section103

I guess I should have thought of this sooner...Im ashamed I didnt - but basically anyone who ever played on the Dodgers represents a real moral quandry. I get a little sick to my stomach thinking about each one I buy, but they inevitably show up on my collection needs list. I really wish I could just avoid them.

I feel the same way about Yankees.