More joy: complete sets or individual items

[Kemp1000]

After many years away from the hobby, I’m diving back in. I’m going to start working on a couple of baseball and football sets that are 70 - 80% complete. My dilemma now is how to minimize the financing of them. Trading off or selling duplicates is definitely the first step. Where I am struggling is, do I sell off / trade some 1 off things, ie, autographed memorabilia, hockey, basketball, rare albums, comics, etc. Assuming equal value, do I sell an autographed baseball for an equal amount in cards?

I realize that collecting can get totally out of hand if not keeping your emotions in check, but what brings more joy in the end? Completing sets or a variety of cool things?

Thanks for your thoughts.

[ullmandds]

i'd recommend you buy cards you like. I used to be a "type" collector...and after years of this I decided I wasn't happy paying thousands of dollars just for a common front with a rare back. My Dots Miller run kept my type collecting urge alive but I focused the rest of my collection mainly on cards I liked.

You'll never go wrong buying cards you like!

[Casey2296]

I've built pre-war sets, still working on a couple, but am a type collector at heart. Agree with Pete, I only buy cards I like so shy away from buying commons for the sake of it.

Your interests seem quite varied, for me I had to focus on what I really wanted, what I was willing to sacrifice, and get rid of everything that wasn't on my focused list. I buy pre-war rare cards and hofers which can run expensive so I have to choose wisely and sell everything else to budget for that.

Good luck on your project!

[doug.goodman]

Everybody has their own style

[z28jd]

I have gone through phases of collecting specific sets, individual players, team sets and just random stuff. I don't think I have any real regrets with the choices, other than passing on a few cards here and there.

Changing up your collecting habits keeps it more interesting. I know people who have gone months/years without buying any cards because they have a specific wantlist of tougher to find cards. That's probably the only thing I wouldn't recommend. You can still get the thrill of the hunt while maybe focusing on something else that doesn't cut deeply into your budget for those rare cards.

[Johnny630]

I prefer individual cards over sets and set building. Never been a fan of looking for cards of players I have no interest in or never heard of...Idk each has their own way to love the hobby which is cool by me :-).