Well, it has been fun.

Brian Van Horn · #1 08-17-2016, 11:46 AM

Gentlemen,

I have enjoyed collecting for 44 years, but the time has come to put it aside. I just don't have the same passion and I have been struggling with this decision for two years. I will still check out the board, but I'm done.

bnorth · #2 08-17-2016, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Van Horn

Gentlemen,

I have enjoyed collecting for 44 years, but the time has come to put it aside. I just don't have the same passion and I have been struggling with this decision for two years. I will still check out the board, but I'm done.

I understand, in my 30 years of collecting I have had to take a few brakes from just getting burned out. I wish you the best Sir!

Leon · #3 08-17-2016, 12:09 PM

Hey Brian
Many of us understand the sentiment.
Almost everyone goes through it. I sold my collection and started over. Much less stress this time.....Good luck and come on back as soon as you are ready whether that is today, tomorrow, next week or year. See ya and thanks for your great contributions and participation on the board (so far

) ..We'll leave the lights on.

EvilKing00 · #4 08-17-2016, 12:26 PM

GL brian, i have taken a few breaks as well, hope to see u back one day

Vintagecatcher · #5 08-17-2016, 12:30 PM

Best of luck Brian!

I certainly understand.

As want lists get smaller and smaller, and pickups are few and far between, it's hard to be passionate about the hobby. I have been taking a bit of a break myself, and enjoying my other hobbies.

Be well,

Patrick

Touch'EmAll · #6 08-17-2016, 12:41 PM

Good luck. I hear ya - tough to be hard at it 24/7 all year...year after year. Are you selling? Or just keeping what you have and let them be?

Right now I am not chasing any safe deposit box material. However, I am collecting Pokemon cards along with my 9 yr. old son - a lot less expensive and it fills the "need".

Orioles1954 · #7 08-17-2016, 12:44 PM

Although I still work in the hobby, I left the collecting end of it a couple years back. Much more happy and relaxed.

4815162342 · #8 08-17-2016, 01:36 PM

Brian, say it ain't so! But you've been picking up all those D381s!

Good luck to you, sir.

mrvster · #9 08-17-2016, 02:00 PM

just take a little hiatus

+ 1 steve n!

I am like Leon used to be.......

I am way too in love with my cards, but I'm a little different...

take a break, but keep up with the board!

Jobu · #10 08-17-2016, 02:49 PM

This might be the biggest understatement in the history of Net54

Brian, I wish you luck in your new pursuits!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrvster

but I'm a little different...

ls7plus · #11 08-17-2016, 03:10 PM

Thanks for all your posts--they were sincerely appreciated, and hope you return to contribute more. Personally, the only stressful part of the hobby I ever endured or endure was (1) not being able to participate the way I would have liked due to about $100,000 in annual income departing the household for several years; and (2) the fact that while I have intensely loved watching, playing and collecting baseball for more than 50 years, the wife hates it, and most often resents either time or $$ expended on my passion. Somehow, though, I persevere, and doing so brings joy despite the negative.

Best of luck to you,

Larry

FourStrikes · #12 08-17-2016, 03:57 PM

best of luck, Brian...

whether temporary or or final, I completely understand - and respect - your decision, but your knowledge/contributions will be missed by some, if not many (myself included) on this particular board.

been collecting nearly 40 years, and like an old fling, I've sorta fallen out of love with some of my stuff from time to time, and recently I've been going thru a "stuff I no longer want/can live without" phase...I've made some once-upon-a-time unheard of decisions to part with some items - yet my personal love of collecting (albeit vicariously - thru some of the things I see on this board) in so many cases is still intact.

IF with the love of collecting you're metaphorically *fried*, just like the "old fling" referenced above, let 'er go - make some $$$, and IF the collecting bug bites you again, dive back in at whatever level when/if you choose to.

not that anybody needs - or solicits - my voice, here or otherwise, but I can relate to what you're presently going thru - my personal collecting passion has dwindled as I don't NEED anything anymore, but lingering/lurking keeps me somewhat involved here, as it's still a great diversion from all of the everyday bullsh!t I/we all deal with.

best of luck to you and any others who may/may not be experiencing personal/financial/final - burnout.

regards,
DS

dougscats · #13 08-17-2016, 02:01 PM

Hope you get re-charged
and come back some day,
or that you find a new passion.

Net54 will miss you.

frankbmd · #14 08-17-2016, 02:19 PM

44 years passes so quickly. It seems like only yesterday........

carrigansghost · #15 08-17-2016, 02:40 PM

Only 39 years here, but am done also. Good Luck to you, Sir.

Rawn

Jason Carota · #16 08-17-2016, 03:45 PM

Best of luck with any new pursuits!

MartyFromCANADA · #17 08-17-2016, 03:57 PM

Who's going to start the monthly pickup thread now?

Thanks for selling me my favorite card. 1913 Voskamp Gibson.

Cheers, Marty

tschock · #18 08-18-2016, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Van Horn

Gentlemen,

I have enjoyed collecting for 44 years, but the time has come to put it aside. I just don't have the same passion and I have been struggling with this decision for two years. I will still check out the board, but I'm done.

Good luck, Brian. I have always appreciated your input here, and hopefully will continue to do so.

If you are going to liquidate, I would recommend finding your favorite 5 cards or some and hold onto them for the memories if nothing else.

The Nasty Nati · #19 08-18-2016, 10:47 AM

Not a bad time to take a break. Prices for pre-war and especially post WWII cards have really gone up across all grades and sets. Great time to sell, but not to buy IMO.

the 'stache · #20 08-18-2016, 10:51 AM

44 years is a good run, Brian. I know you said you'd still check in on the forum, but nonetheless, I wish you nothing but the best, and hope you're able to find another hobby that gives you the enjoyment this one used to.

kmac32 · #21 08-20-2016, 04:14 PM

So Brian,

Are you selling off your collection? Best of luck to you in your future endeavors.

Kmac

Tao_Moko · #22 08-20-2016, 08:22 PM

it feels good to let it go. I miss the old days of shows and trading, flea market pickups and lew lipset mailings. It's funner to just check the threads once a month or so. Best wishes.

itjclarke · #23 08-21-2016, 12:47 AM

I always enjoyed seeing the mixed bag of stuff that your monthly . All the best moving forward and am sure you'd always be welcome here if you eventually decide to get back into the hobby.

clydepepper · #24 08-21-2016, 01:20 AM

Wow Brian !

Who will take over your duties?

Who is worthy?

I cannot say I've been collecting 44 years...at least...not consecutively.

I'm sure you did not come by this decision lightly, so I feel pretty sure you have some idea of what lies ahead.

The main obstacle I have experienced is my health...which is much improved over the last six months.

Brian - I do hope that is not your reason for 'retiring'.

Whatever the reason, I thank you for your contributions to this wonderful forum - you have always been on your toes with you Ebay alerts and have great taste in the cards you have picked up...which I know because you are usually the first to share your newbies each month.

I guess some of us will have to take the training wheels off and try to keep up your standard.

-Raymond