Box of Twenty

[wondo]

Could anybody do this? The theory is that you collect 20 and only 20 cards. Over your collecting life you may rotate. These cards are the essence of baseball cards for you - rare or nostalgic or classic or aesthetic or .............anything you want. Price is meaningless and actually, so is sport - throw in football, hockey, basketball, curling. What is meaningful is the connection you have with the card. Sometimes it just happens when you see it. Sometimes it's a long-treasured common or that one card that just gets you.

My number one card is the 1967 Topps Al Kaline. As a six-year old in Detroit, he was the man. And yes, as a six-year old I was allowed to roam the neighborhood with my buddies talking Tigers and trading cards. I was introduced to baseball cards that year. Never understood why, after the third series, he never showed up in the packs.

Also included is the T202 Cobb/ Jennings 1951 Bowman Mays, 1956 Topps Clemente, N43 Ewing, 1967 Topps #215, 1990 Donruss Delucia, N150 Sullivan, and many more.

What ya think?

[Peter_Spaeth]

I would find that impossible, but forced to some not so obvious cards might make the cut just because I like them so much.

[cdn_collector]

In concept, it's a great idea. There have been threads on this board about it, with assorted variations. 30 cards, 50 cards, grow the number once a year on your birthday, etc.

And it's fun to think about what that list might be.

But in practice, for me at least, it's too tough to commit to getting rid of some cards. I settled on a very focused player collection *instead* of a set number card collection because I know I can't keep it to only 20 (or 30 or 50) cards.

I've gotta believe that anyone that succeeds at doing it would have one cool collection -- not just b/c of value or rarity, but because they'd have a great story for each card, too.

Cheers,

Richard.

[53Browns]

I only need one. A T227 Baker. Done.

[mechanicalman]

I recently forced myself to rank my top 20. It was both fun and excruciating. I love the idea, but I think the fewest I could do is 50.

[Butch7999]

However many cards we actually have currently, plus the next one, is the very least we could stand having.

[Snapolit1]

I think limiting my collection to some random number would kill a lot of the joy of collecting. Maybe I want 21 cards. Or 121.

[Alexcards]

I would have to include my 1910 Dixie Queen boxing set as 1 card... lol... and another must have would be the 1931 Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse card European issue... not expensive just very cool... just picked up a cool T206 PSA 1.5 Red Cobb Lenox back that would go in there!!!

[iowadoc77]

Wow! That Cobb! I think that is worthy of inclusion!

[Pat R]

Originally Posted by Alexcards

I would have to include my 1910 Dixie Queen boxing set as 1 card... lol... and another must have would be the 1931 Walt Disney & Mickey Mouse card European issue... not expensive just very cool... just picked up a cool T206 PSA 1.5 Red Cobb Lenox back that would go in there!!!

That was a great price on the Lenox Alex.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Pat R

That was a great price on the Lenox Alex.

I saw it too....very nice.

[Anish]

I am trying to do this with my soccer card collection - limiting the number of items allows me to appreciate each one more and put my funds into upgrades.

I am also limiting myself to 2 hockey card sets and that seems to be working out. I spend more time enjoying and upgrading the ones I have than trying to add to others.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by wondo

Could anybody do this? The theory is that you collect 20 and only 20 cards. Over your collecting life you may rotate. These cards are the essence of baseball cards for you - rare or nostalgic or classic or aesthetic or .............anything you want. Price is meaningless and actually, so is sport - throw in football, hockey, basketball, curling. What is meaningful is the connection you have with the card. Sometimes it just happens when you see it. Sometimes it's a long-treasured common or that one card that just gets you.

My number one card is the 1967 Topps Al Kaline. As a six-year old in Detroit, he was the man. And yes, as a six-year old I was allowed to roam the neighborhood with my buddies talking Tigers and trading cards. I was introduced to baseball cards that year. Never understood why, after the third series, he never showed up in the packs.

Also included is the T202 Cobb/ Jennings 1951 Bowman Mays, 1956 Topps Clemente, N43 Ewing, 1967 Topps #215, 1990 Donruss Delucia, N150 Sullivan, and many more.

What ya think?

At this juncture in collecting I don't think I can do it. Maybe later.
.

[BleedinBlue]

I certainly want to reduce the number of cards I have. Phases of my 40 years of collecting have come and gone and I would like to clear out a lot of the bulk junk I have that I no longer enjoy. 20 cards in my entire collection wouldn’t be any fun either. I enjoy set collecting and a 20 card limit would not work. I’m intrigued by the idea of a 20 card showcase though. I think I could enjoy that.