Collecting "regions" in the US

[skelly]

I guess I always wondered, so why not ask. I know America is America, etc... but do anyone think that certain regions of the country are stronger, weaker when it comes to collecting, interest in the hobby, etc. Just curious.

[rainier2004]

I always felt that the east coast and Midwest were the strongest regions based on ebay purchases and the number of shows that I have been made aware of. Southern Cal seems to also be strong...then there's TX which is a world of its own (I find it interesting their state constitution outlines plans to split from the union) and seems to also be strong. The south and mountain TZ seem to lack the same passion for cards IMO. All that said, collectors are everywhere.

[kmac32]

Originally Posted by rainier2004

I always felt that the east coast and Midwest were the strongest regions based on ebay purchases and the number of shows that I have been made aware of. Southern Cal seems to also be strong...then there's TX which is a world of its own (I find it interesting their state constitution outlines plans to split from the union) and seems to also be strong. The south and mountain TZ seem to lack the same passion for cards IMO. All that said, collectors are everywhere.

Agreed, but even SoCal doesn't have that much and what it has as a persentage of total population is small

[philliesphan]

I can certainly attest to a regionally-biased collecting tint for all things PCL, something I rarely heard about in my first ~30+ years on the East Coast.

[Bocabirdman]

I think a that two or three generations ago there may have been some regional "hot spots", perhaps driven by cities with Major League teams. There was still that "I was born in this valley. I live in this valley. I will die in this valley." mentality, hanging on from even earlier. However, these days people go where their career takes them. Internet availability for almost all cards makes it possible from anywhere in the world. I think the collector population is well-dispersed. Just look at the addresses of the people you buy from or sell to..

[ynnek4]

Pretty much eight times out of ten I have sold on eBay (that is baseball card related) the buyer is from PA.

[t206blogcom]

No scientific data to back this up, but I've always felt PA, NY and MA were strong for baseball and card collecting.

[Ladder7]

Originally Posted by t206blogcom

No scientific data to back this up, but I've always felt PA, NY and MA were strong for baseball and card collecting.

Add Fla to the list. Cuz that's where those geezers go when the end is nearing.

[Writehooks]

I live in western Canada, but over the past 25 years probably 80% of my dealings (purchases, sales, trades) are with Americans. I'd like to give a shout out to the beautiful Pacific Northwest — especially the Seattle and Portland areas — for being particularly friendly for collectors of boxing and hockey memorabilia. Now if Seattle could just land an NHL franchise ...

[btkpath]

Hey Murr,

I am somewhat partial to the PNW, as well. Right now Seattle is working on regaining our professional basketball team, but I wouldn't mind a NHL hockey team in our future either.

There is still a strong cohort of collectors in the Seattle/Portland area. In fact, I believe the longest continuously running baseball card show in the country is held in the Seattle area (39 years and counting)!

[cobblove]

New york, CA, and Florida seem to have a lot of collectors

[MacDice]

Originally Posted by btkpath

Hey Murr,

I am somewhat partial to the PNW, as well. Right now Seattle is working on regaining our professional basketball team, but I wouldn't mind a NHL hockey team in our future either.

There is still a strong cohort of collectors in the Seattle/Portland area. In fact, I believe the longest continuously running baseball card show in the country is held in the Seattle area (39 years and counting)!

There is a lot of good junior hockey in the Seattle area. Ryan Murray who was the second overall pick is still playing in Everett thanks to the NHL strike