My Hobby Mentor

[MVSNYC]

I noticed i was approaching 1000 posts and thought it would be cool to take this opportunity to recognize a good friend of mine, and a hobby legend...Jay Wolt!

As many of you know, he's had his health issues, but i'm really glad he's doing better and playing with cards again...He was my mentor when i started collecting 25 years ago, and it meant a lot to me.

I have bought so many cool things from him over the years- from some of my very first T206 cards, to a signed Fred Snodgrass letter...BUT, the real special piece is my original Yankee Stadium seat, that originated from his collection.

So...who's your hobby mentor?...and if you have an item acquired from that person, please post it below!

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

I don't have one. 8(


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[h2oya311]

Although I probably started collecting around the same time as him, my card-collecting mentor would probaby be Mr. Phil Garry.

I imagine that 25 to 50% of my collection was once in his possession. I'm happy to know that a handful of the cards in his collection came from me at some point as well. Ironically, we've had at least a card or two change hands between us multiple times. There are a few that I'm sure he would love to get back from me.

Regardless, I am grateful for the hard work and research he put into the "rookie" checklist. Although he's migrated to Negro League memorabilia, he's still a "rookie" collector at heart.

Here's one that's changed hands a few times:

[wonkaticket]

So now we have a name to assign blame to for unleashing Sarno on us all it was freaking Wolt!! Jay is a top notch guy and one would have a hard time finding a better guy to show you the ropes.

For me I had a few guys and haunts that kept me in the hobby. The person who exposed me to vintage cards outside of a Beckett was Dan McKee Sr. I remember all to well the trips to the house in MD to get the few I needed from my want lists as a kid. I also remember the trips to the basement to look thru piles and piles of cards, sets and unique treasures from the past. He always took time to not only share but point out things to look for like fakes and altered things etc. if there is one person that I would say that helped sparked my passion for this hobby it was Mr. McKee.

Later on in life I added the Jr. McKee to my list of hobby pals and mentors he was too busy chasing skirts when I was around the house early on. I will say Dan has been a good friend but even he knows if the house is on fire and I can only make two trips.....I'm grabbing pops and the Washington Times set.

Now as I've progressed as a collector I can say that I still have hobby mentors and folks who have taught me things or have just added even more enjoyment to the hobby for me. Folks like Jay Miller, Jim Blumenthal, Henry Moses, Barry Sloate, Scott Hassell, Jerry Totino, Mike Sarno, Tony Andrea, Al Crisafulli, Rob Lifson, Johnny V, Leon and so many others.

Great thread Mike, and no the Knight isn't for sale this week....

Cheers,

John

[Peter_Spaeth]

When I got back into cards in the early 90s I bought and learned a lot from Pete Lalos.

[teetwoohsix]

Hi Mike,

Congrats on your 1,000th post!! Cool thread so far too.

I didn't have a mentor, but gained a wealth of information from many collectors on this board. Some of them aren't posting much anymore, but their information was always enlightening and fun to read. So, I guess the fine folks from Net54 were the closest thing to a hobby mentor that I've had.

I've dealt with so many awesome dealers and collectors on this board and am proud to own little pieces of their collections-thank you to all of you (I won't name names only because my memory isn't the best and I wouldn't want to offend anyone by accidentally not including them-but if I've bought from you or traded a card with you, this means YOU! ).

Three people stand out to me, as far as always helping me with information about T206's, advice, etc.- that's Jantz, Johnny V., and Tim C.- no question "too dumb" and always willing to discuss anything I bring at them- thanks guys!!

Sincerely, Clayton

[Blunder19]

I have to give a big shout out to Johnny V... he helped me understand the T206 error market ...and guided me to several great T206 Error pick ups...

Recently we did a 3 way trade in which he gave me the near impossible to find cobb Sov 460 to help me with my run..... thanks Johnny.... appreciate all the guidance you provided over the last 6 years....you are the man!

[Jay Wolt]

to take this opportunity to recognize a good friend of mine, and a hobby legend...Jay Wolt!

Hobby Legend!?
Dunno about that, But I appreciate the sentiment.
When the weather warms up & I'm allowed to go outside, c'mon down to Gettysburg
an Ernies dog & a cold beer awaits!
And congrats on your 1000 post!

[MVSNYC]

Originally Posted by wonkaticket

So now we have a name to assign blame to for unleashing Sarno on us all it was freaking Wolt!! Jay is a top notch guy and one would have a hard time finding a better guy to show you the ropes.

For me I had a few guys and haunts that kept me in the hobby. The person who exposed me to vintage cards outside of a Beckett was Dan McKee Sr. I remember all to well the trips to the house in MD to get the few I needed from my want lists as a kid. I also remember the trips to the basement to look thru piles and piles of cards, sets and unique treasures from the past. He always took time to not only share but point out things to look for like fakes and altered things etc. if there is one person that I would say that helped sparked my passion for this hobby it was Mr. McKee.

Later on in life I added the Jr. McKee to my list of hobby pals and mentors he was too busy chasing skirts when I was around the house early on. I will say Dan has been a good friend but even he knows if the house is on fire and I can only make two trips.....I'm grabbing pops and the Washington Times set.

Now as I've progressed as a collector I can say that I still have hobby mentors and folks who have taught me things or have just added even more enjoyment to the hobby for me. Folks like Jay Miller, Jim Blumenthal, Henry Moses, Barry Sloate, Scott Hassell, Jerry Totino, Mike Sarno, Tony Andrea, Al Crisafulli, Rob Lifson, Johnny V, Leon and so many others.

Great thread Mike, and no the Knight isn't for sale this week....

Cheers,

John

John- ya got me...this thread was an elaborate scheme to finally get my Knight miscut back from you! (kidding)

Glad to see so many people respond, and share some insight into your hobby roots.

Lee, thanks for the mention, kinda cool to see Jay's lineage from him to me, to you...and i'm sure you've inspired other collectors as well.

[Cardboard Junkie]

Frank Nagy, Charlie Conlon, Ed Budnik, etc. etc. dead, dead, dead, etc, etc,.

[chris6net]

Dan Dischley. I also remember talking to a guy who was a few years older at me at the NY area shows who at the time was based in Oceanside Larry Gladstone. I know he posts on this board and actually lives very close to me but I have not spoken to him since probably the late 70,s maybe 1980 but Larry you were always what I considered cool at the few shows I talked to you at back then maybe because you were younger than most of the dealers but I still remember you
CN

[wonkaticket]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

Frank Nagy, Charlie Conlon, Ed Budnik, etc. etc. dead, dead, dead, etc, etc,.

Ummm...wow.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

Although I probably started collecting around the same time as him, my card-collecting mentor would probaby be Mr. Phil Garry.

I imagine that 25 to 50% of my collection was once in his possession. I'm happy to know that a handful of the cards in his collection came from me at some point as well. Ironically, we've had at least a card or two change hands between us multiple times. There are a few that I'm sure he would love to get back from me.

Regardless, I am grateful for the hard work and research he put into the "rookie" checklist. Although he's migrated to Negro League memorabilia, he's still a "rookie" collector at heart.

Here's one that's changed hands a few times:

Derek. I'm right there with you. I don't know if I'd go as far as mentor, but Phil has had a very similar effect on my collection. I too own a few of his castoffs. To be honest, I'm also often inspired by your collection as well. Your imageevent page is great to just browse through, and often gives me more ideas for some non-typical hof rookie-type items.. I really need to get organized and set one up for myself... My disorganization, would often make those people on hoarders cringe

I take great pride when, on rare occasion, I luck into something you guys don't have.

[Runscott]

wow - I feel deprived, as I can't actually remember having a hobby mentor. I got into this hobby as a result of scouring the internet for 1967 Philly Gum cards of the Cowboys. That led me to old Bowman football cards on ebay, which in turn led to Bowman baseball, which eventually led me to pre-wwi baseball lithographs and other pre-wwi items. Guys like John Drecker, Jamie L, Trevor, Leon, Barry, Steve (Jacklitsch), David (Cycleback) and too many others to name, provided the bits of information to further my interest. I just wish I had met someone back in the 1980's who could have given me an initial shove into vintage. I can't imagine the horror stories I could be able to tell now, of things I shouldn't have parted with, if that had occurred.

[shernan30]

A mentor would be a nice addition as I'm trying to get into Old Judge cards little by little. They are big investments compared to my 1934 Goudey set. I've been doing as much research as possible, but hearing from collectors with first hand knowledge would be great. Pointing me in the right direction and helping me avoid costly mistakes.

Okay enough about me. The stories about some of the members' mentors are great. Its nice to hear how some many collectors out there help each other.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

Originally Posted by shernan30

A mentor would be a nice addition as I'm trying to get into Old Judge cards little by little. They are big investments compared to my 1934 Goudey set. I've been doing as much research as possible, but hearing from collectors with first hand knowledge would be great. Pointing me in the right direction and helping me avoid costly mistakes.

Okay enough about me. The stories about some of the members' mentors are great. Its nice to hear how some many collectors out there help each other.

I feel ya. Who wants to be the lucky person to take Steven and I under your wing?

[sebie43]

All of you elder statesman are my Hobby Mentors :thumbup: