Does Anyone Still Just Collect Cards?

[jingram058]

Not cards in slabs with bar codes.

Not cards that have to be worried over, if something has been done to them, or any of that.

Just cards of players you like reading about, and actually holding their old cards in your hands.

Not worrying about how much they're worth.

Not worrying about how much of a fortune you're leaving behind when you up and croak, because your family is actually well taken care of, and isn't looking to pay off the mortgage or go to college on baseball cards.

I know this kind of collector, like me, still exists because I have bought and traded with them, even on this forum.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Not cards in slabs with bar codes.

Not cards that have to be worried over, if something has been done to them, or any of that.

Just cards of players you like reading about, and actually holding their old cards in your hands.

Not worrying about how much they're worth.

Not worrying about how much of a fortune you're leaving behind when you up and croak, because your family is actually well taken care of, and isn't looking to pay off the mortgage or go to college on baseball cards.

I know this kind of collector, like me, still exists because I have bought and traded with them, even on this forum.

I own very few slabs and the ones I do own are special. The value vary rarely means anything to me and I really couldn't care less what happens to my collection when I pass. It is fairly large and has decent value but it means nothing to us in real life. I also love to trade and have made 100s of trades with members on here.

I get the flipping as I supported myself for a few years doing it. Had a lot of fun doing it. I'm just not interested in it anymore and consider myself just a collector. Now whenever I sell anything it is to buy something else.

[raulus]

When it comes to cheap stuff, absolutely.

The trouble is that the features in our little corner of the world that seem anathema to Jingram are inseparable with our collections once the dollar amounts get to a certain size. If I understand Jingram’s situation correctly, you are a veteran, in addition to being a collector. Allow me to genuinely thank you for your service, as I have a deep and abiding appreciation for all those who serve, as many of my relatives have done, including my own father for two tours in Vietnam. I’m guessing this also means that you probably have a military pension, which impacts your financial calculus in ways that are different than the rest of us. And without that kind of financial security, issues like value are difficult to entirely ignore, at least once values reach a certain threshold. For better or worse, values are incredibly high across the board for most everything in the vintage part of the hobby.

To give a couple of obvious personal examples of these principles in play, for my junk wax and modern collections, because that is the era when I grew up collecting, they are absolutely just for fun and largely raw. Values don’t matter, because they’re largely worthless. I probably couldn’t give most of them away.

But when it comes to my extensive collection of high grade Mays items, that’s just not a realistic option. Way too much value at stake to just ignore it altogether.

So I get the nostalgia for simpler times. I just don’t think it is realistic given most of today’s elevated values.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I'm not so sure this idyllic state where nobody cared about values ever existed. I remember price guides in the 70s. I think it's inherent in most collectibles.

[raulus]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I'm not so sure this idyllic state where nobody cared about values ever existed. I remember price guides in the 70s. I think it's inherent in most collectibles.

Maybe it's more about being a kid again?

Certainly those were carefree days, and for most of us, we weren't particularly careful with our cardboard. Ride your bike down to Safeway, spend a couple of bucks on some wax packs, check to see if you got anything good, stick them in your pocket, and watch your friends play pac-man for a few hours.

At the same time, I still remember values being a thing. The Beckett Price Guide came out around then, and my friends and I spent plenty of time ogling the prices for old cardboard that we could never afford, and yet coveted greatly. Sort of like how auction catalogs function today!

[G1911]

There's a ton of us; I never have a problem finding people to swap low grade raw with.

My investments are for making money, all of my hobbies are for my personal enjoyment and budgeted at a 100% fiscal loss.

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I'm not so sure this idyllic state where nobody cared about values ever existed. I remember price guides in the 70s. I think it's inherent in most collectibles.

I was going to say by the first time I went to a card show (back in '86) and saw the asking prices I started caring about what the cards were worth before (and after) I bought them.

[Balticfox]

In 1979-81 I was aware of only two comic shops in Toronto (Comics Unlimited on Keewatin Avenue just east of Yonge Street and Queen's Comics & Collectibles at the Beach) and Dreamland Comics on James Street North in Hamilton that carried cards. I later learned that there was also a stamp/coin shop in Hamilton just north of the comic shop that dealt in cards so perhaps there might have been a couple of other such shops in Toronto of which I wasn't aware.

Dedicated card shows didn't make an appearance in Toronto (and perhaps anywhere in Canada) until about 1986 and they were then really low budget affairs held in less than first class halls/meeting rooms. I remember being excited to learn that another (my second) card show was going to take place in far away Niagara Falls in 1987(?). Shortly thereafter newspapers and other media sources started running stories about the prices fetched by the T206 Honus Wagner and 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards and card collecting absolutely exploded in popularity with the general public.

Those days were certainly different, albeit not necessarily better. The internet has certainly done wonders to put collectibles and collectors together.

[Keith H. Thompson]

would appear to qualify. For some disturbing reason (to me, the lifelong Tiger fan) he comes over to my house with stacks of modern cheap cards of San Diego players and belabors me with their statistics and virtues. It should be noted, however, that Thaddeus has been to a World Series game and several All-Star games where he gets his cards through promotions at the Fan Fairs. The All-Star game itself is too expensive, but he and his father go to the Rookie Game where a kid can see who is coming.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by raulus

When it comes to cheap stuff, absolutely.

The trouble is that the features in our little corner of the world that seem anathema to Jingram are inseparable with our collections once the dollar amounts get to a certain size. If I understand Jingram’s situation correctly, you are a veteran, in addition to being a collector. Allow me to genuinely thank you for your service, as I have a deep and abiding appreciation for all those who serve, as many of my relatives have done, including my own father for two tours in Vietnam. I’m guessing this also means that you probably have a military pension, which impacts your financial calculus in ways that are different than the rest of us. And without that kind of financial security, issues like value are difficult to entirely ignore, at least once values reach a certain threshold. For better or worse, values are incredibly high across the board for most everything in the vintage part of the hobby.

To give a couple of obvious personal examples of these principles in play, for my junk wax and modern collections, because that is the era when I grew up collecting, they are absolutely just for fun and largely raw. Values don’t matter, because they’re largely worthless. I probably couldn’t give most of them away.

But when it comes to my extensive collection of high grade Mays items, that’s just not a realistic option. Way too much value at stake to just ignore it altogether.

So I get the nostalgia for simpler times. I just don’t think it is realistic given most of today’s elevated values.

Thank you for your comments, sir. You have hit the nail on the head.

Thanks also to everyone else posting here too. This is what I love about this forum, and why I wear my net54 shirt with a certain pride.

[jason.1969]

Raw till the day I die!


Jason
Twitter: @heavyj28

[Jeremy102175]

I like my pre-war stuff slabbed simply because I view the cards as pieces of history and art, and as with all art it's a shame when accidental damage occurs. Beyond that I only collect cards I enjoy looking at, and despite collecting for 35 years I've never sold a card nor viewed them as an investment. I will admit though that card collecting as a kid was probably the most I've ever enjoyed it, when there was never a worry about damage or value or any of that. I love where you're coming from but it's hard to go back to that mentality (at least for me).

[jetsetr1]

Originally Posted by Jeremy102175

I like my pre-war stuff slabbed simply because I view the cards as pieces of history and art, and as with all art it's a shame when accidental damage occurs. Beyond that I only collect cards I enjoy looking at, and despite collecting for 35 years I've never sold a card nor viewed them as an investment. I will admit though that card collecting as a kid was probably the most I've ever enjoyed it, when there was never a worry about damage or value or any of that. I love where you're coming from but it's hard to go back to that mentality (at least for me).

My sentiments exactly.

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by Jeremy102175

I like my pre-war stuff slabbed simply because I view the cards as pieces of history and art, and as with all art it's a shame when accidental damage occurs. Beyond that I only collect cards I enjoy looking at, and despite collecting for 35 years I've never sold a card nor viewed them as an investment. I will admit though that card collecting as a kid was probably the most I've ever enjoyed it, when there was never a worry about damage or value or any of that. I love where you're coming from but it's hard to go back to that mentality (at least for me).

I much prefer the look of raw cards, and I understand the benefits that some get from having slabbed cards, but you can easily and much more affordably place cards in holders for protection rather than slabbing by third parties.

[JollyElm]

TMI removal

[theshowandme]

If that is not how I collect, am I allowed to participate in the hobby?

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by theshowandme

If that is not how I collect, am I allowed to participate in the hobby?

My opinion is to collect anyway that makes you happy.

[Snowman]

I buy countless cards that are worth next to nothing simply because I like them. And yes, I clean those too. Again, because I like them, not because I want to flip them.

[brianp-beme]

The true test for the prewar era to determine if you are a collector foremost is the W9316 and 1943 MP & Co. sets. You might not collect them, you might think they are hideous or hysterically bad (check out the little dude ballplayer standing on Ruffing's ankle making a hand signal for a turn), but that you can understand others might find them interesting enough to make room to store them for the next generation of like-minded collectors down the road.

Instead of seeing them as a source for kindling.

Brian

[Fall1963]

Not on this board.

[G1911]

Originally Posted by Fall1963

Not on this board.

This appears to be demonstrably false.

[Tere1071]

Originally Posted by G1911

This appears to be demonstrably false.

Many of the collectors on this board are "advanced," in their knowledge, collections, and in some cases income. Nearly 50 of my 53 Bowman Color are slabbed as some of my 1971 Topps Baseball. I'm satisfied that my cards: the 53 Bowman Color set
which is in vg/ex overall and the 1970-1975 Topps Baseball sets are in ex-mint condition. (The 71 Topps set has received more attention, and money, but it will be a collector's set as opposed to something that's an investment). On the other hand, the 1967-1969 Topps Baseball sets will be in fair to excellent condition because it is what I can afford.

I really don't care what they're worth, it's fun putting them together and just having something that harkens back to an earlier time. It would be nice to have more money to put more sets together, but if that never comes to pass, oh well.

Phil aka Tere1071

[Brian Van Horn]

Does Anyone Still Just Collect Cards?

Hello.

[BioCRN]

I don't care about the condition of my baseball card autograph collection or my Mark Grace player collection. Those are simply about the cards, themselves. I've bought graded autos and free'd them from their cases.

I have an informal "type" collection of raw cards with no specific focus except the type. It's nice to know what a card looks and (especially) feels like outside of a toploader or graded case. It's a reference tool as well as a collection in itself.

[Rich Falvo]

All except one of my 60 or so T206s are graded, as are a few "better" cards (Aaron rookie, etc).

My cheaper stuff is raw and is easily accessible to be viewed and enjoyed. I rotate a small display of cards on my desk that currently included a raw Griffey Jr Upper Deck rookie and a Xander Bogaerts card. I buy the base cards of a few current players each year just to have and enjoy.

[Mike D.]

Unless you happen to be quite rich, "just collecting" pre war is kind of tough.

Maybe if you want " cards of players you like reading about, and actually holding their old cards in your hands", the reprint sets is the way to go? Then you can hold a whole bunch of cards with old designs, old players, etc. for not a lot of money?

[jason.1969]

My Hobby budget is fairly modest so my approach is to spend 100% of it on cardboard and 0% on plastic.

I also tend to collect in the VG range, which means casual handling of my cards, which I happen to very much enjoy, isn’t likely to reduce whatever value my family will someday realize from them.

I can certainly understand what motivates others to collect graded cards. It’s just not something that holds any appeal to me. True even if the service were free and I trusted the graders.


Jason
Twitter: @heavyj28

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by jingram058

Not cards in slabs with bar codes.
Not worrying about how much they're worth.

I didn't reply originally, but from James and others - we seem to see this aspect of collector superlative tossed around from time to time. Are you a big wheel investor or otherwise who has this elaborate, pricey collection? Or are you doing things ostensibly with more purity by not worrying about the value and all kinds of other things. Whether you have the means and are just noble or something and can't be made to care about value, or that doesn't for whatever reason do it for you, or something different.

Not that either are mutually exclusive for one to be considered a "collector"; I would agree the definition can be very broad.

I started collecting at age 9 in 1986, and was if I'm remembering correctly already totally engrossed by the "old" cards I had discovered, anything pre-1980's - less than two years later.

Given the state of the hobby and when I found such things, there has never been a time I can remember where the value of cards just wasn't a concern at all. Those days were already gone. Even for new cards, and the Mattinglys and Cansecos we were looking to pull from Topps, Donruss, and Fleer packs when I started - it was understood that some cards are more valuable than others, and if you didn't realize that well, here came your friends with their Beckett Monthly's who quickly filled you in.

I started off with raw vintage, so to me a slab has more or less always been a vehicle to make sure you don't get ripped off buying something sight unseen, on ebay or elsewhere. If a pricey card - generally $100 or more, but I've bought slabs intentionally for lower value too - then if I target a PSA 5, I can usually be reasonably sure the card is not going to arrive with a hidden crease. But there is limited utility here. To me, a slab is just a holder with an opinion on it. Neither have to be permanent.

As the times change so do collectors and practices and attitudes and opinions. I can't stand them much now, but in the late 1980's - all my cards, whether in set or random order - were in binders. It's just what you did, everyone had a card album. Today I prefer organizing differently, but I also have boxes full of slabs. Had I been big time into this stuff before the retail hobby, maybe back in the 1930's - I'm sure I would have mounted cards in albums just like Burdick and Carter, and others did. So as it circles back to slabs, maybe it's just a "collector of the times" thing. We may think slabs are childish and stupid 50 years from now; who knows. I kinda doubt that, but it's possible.

As to the value, because it's again just how I grew up collecting - sure, it's of secondary purpose to me - because I collect due to enjoying nostalgia and I just genuinely like the cards themselves. But I would be in the camp that for some things I have, it would be foolish to just totally ignore value, and not to have a plan for these things in the future, etc. So that's what I do.