Displaying your collections

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Posted By: Dan Paradis

There was a thread to "show your displays" a few months ago. I've updated mine quite a bit since then. I had so many questions in my recent response to Peter C's "Graded card display" thread I decided to start a new thread to answer the many questions.

First, thanks for the interest. When we have guests over we get comments like "What's new in the Baseball Museum". It's nice to hear, but nobody really knows what they are looking at. Comments from the experts in this forum are even more appreciated (even negative ones).

I started collecting MLB HOF rookie cards two years ago. I bought my first card (Koufax RC) in Sarasota just for the heck of it. I somehow decided it would be fun to try and get a RC for every MLB HOF'er. I had no idea what I was getting into (determining pre-war RC, the expense, etc.). For the pre-war RC I get as close as I can get (i.e. sometimes choosing Fan Craze over E107 due to the cost). I've bought most of the cards on EBAY. However, I've been to Reading, Hofstra and the recent National in Cleveland. Obviously I have the full support of my wife. She even gets upset if I sell a card!!

So here goes. The room is a family room in my basement. It is arranged in order by era (starting with pre-1900) and goes around to the present. I also decided to have displays for the 300 win, 3000 hit and 500 HR club. In some cases I have to get more than one card (i.e. Hank Aaron: 500 HR, 3000 hit and HOF'er, so I need 3 of his cards). I also have a room dedicated just to the Red Sox, the NFL HOF and the NBA HOF, none of them are as far along as the MLB HOF room.

Oh, for the most part I'm displaying real cards (yes, I have insurance). However, some of the more expensive cards are copies (E107 Nap Lajoie, Mantle, Mays RC). I bought some of the display stands on EBAY (sorry, can't remember the companies name). We custom built most the display cases and installed lighting for each. Each case also is hooked up to a 24x7 burglar alarm and there is recorded video in and out of the room. I have a home automation system that makes it easy to set the display lighting (it also automatically plays baseball related stories and music with the touch of a button).

I am also getting a custom painting to display as you enter the room (HOF theme). It is not done yet, I displayed it as it stands now at the end of this thread.

I hope you all enjoy the photo's! If you are ever in the CT area, you are welcome to visit.

Dan

When you first enter the room it starts with Pre 1900. The pictures to the left of the card display are just copies. When I learn more about what to look for I will try and get real pictures. The table contains 1950's stuff which will be replaced someday!




Next I display MLB RC for 1900-1919. The openings in the case are for players I either don't have yet or for players who are in another case (i.e. Honus Wagner is in the 3000 hit case). And yes, Peter C, someday I'd like to have all these cards graded by one grading company.


The next display case is for 1920-1929. It works out well because of the various sizes for these cards.


Next is 1930 - 1949. There is one card in there from the 1950's (Ted Williams, his RC is in the 500HR club case).




OK, 1950's to the present (some future HOF'ers also).


More possible future HOF'ers...


300 Win Club (missing a couple):


3000 Hit Club (Bonds is waiting):


500 HR Club (it hurt to put Bonds, Palmeiro, etc) ahead of my childhood hero's):


Other Displays:




Room Display:




Painting in process (it will be displayed as you walk down stairs):


Some of the displays from my office (the Red Sox room, NO Yankee stuff allowed unless it is a picture of someone with a catchers mitt in their face):

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Posted By: barrysloate

Dan- great display! And I'm equally impressed with the number of walls, shelves, and cabinets you have - they seem endless!

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Posted By: Dan Paradis

Barry, if you look closely you'll see the Fan Craze Kelley I just purchased from you (3rd picture).

I also looked at the closing of your most recent auction. I wish I knew about it, I would have bid on a few lots. I'm looking forward to your next one.

Thanks!

Dan

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Posted By: dennis

it looks like you are really having fun doing this room(s) and is always a work in progress. love the pictures!

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Posted By: Mark T

that picture of Varitek shoving A-Rod in the face!!!

Classic...

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Posted By: Phil Garry

Dan:

Awesome collection and displays!!! I have the same collecting interests (minus the Red Sox stuff) and can appreciate the amount of work (fun really) involved in putting that much stuff together. Great job!!!

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Posted By: Leon

awesome...thanks for sharing.

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Posted By: dstudeba

Very cool. I have that Life magazine with Yaz framed in my card room.

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Posted By: Dan Paradis

Mark T: Yes, my daughter has the same picture in your room. Red Sox fans have to love ARod. Not only did he not win anything with the Yankees, but without him starting the fight with Tek, I don't believe the Red Sox would have ever turned their season around in 2004 (that means the Yankees would have been the World Champions, that has to hurt)!! I really believe that the fight was the turning point in 2004.

Phil: I believe some of your cards are in there also, thanks! I use your book almost everytime I buy a card. I'm no where near as knowledgeable about vintage cards as the rest of you. One of the challenges in collecting RC's is that you have to learn about many types of cards. I think that is one of the things I like the most.

Dan

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Posted By: Leon

"One of the challenges in collecting RC's is that you have to learn about many types of cards. I think that is one of the things I like the most."


YOU are a type card collector at heart. It's ok we are starting a self help group to try to kick the habit....You are cordially invited...

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Posted By: Jason L

Aside from the fact that I don't mind admitting that I am openly jealous of your collection, your wife's understanding, the amount of room and equipment with which you have available to display your collection, that photo of Varitek/A-Rod, I am utterly speechless. (That background noise you hear is the wind whistling through my ears as it passes through my head, which is otherwise totally empty as I sit here thoughtlessly entranced by the photos!)

I would like to offer up that I am a CT resident and I may be able to free up Sunday afternoons fairly easily!


Honestly, hyperbole aside, -very very nice stuff, and thanks for sharing. Two concerns:
1) concentrated light exposure at close range may hurt the cards over time? 2) You said this was in your basement, which looks great. You probably already thought about this, but below grade rooms can develop damp or wet spots, or otherwise have humidity troubles. If so, get a dehumidifier. Also, one of the pics looks like it has a window right above your 19th century case. If this window is close to level with the outside ground, you'll want to steer surface water run-off away from it with some grading work...I don't mean to sound offensively overbearing, but I have had my troubles with water in the past and thought it worthy of saying here...just in case.

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Posted By: Mark T

I also live in CT...great day for New England fans.

We should set up a New England get together...

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Posted By: JimB

Great displays. Great collection. Thanks for sharing.
JimB

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Posted By: Dan Paradis

Jason, my wife has been bugging me to get a dehumidifer. I'm going to get one tomorrow!
As far as water, all the cases are sealed. If you notice a little white thing in the right corner of the basement windows, it's a water alarm. I have about 6 of them! Thanks for the advice.

Jason/Mark and anyone else in the area. You're welcome to come over anytime. On Sunday's I usually am sitting home watching football. Maybe a quick look at my NFL HOF room will help get you here.





Dan

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Posted By: Mark T

The beers...Dan, you live in CT also?

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Posted By: JK

The cards were one thing, but now the home theater as well - Dan, Im really starting to dislike you

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Nice displays Dan...I always enjoy seeing how others display their items...I am more of a memorabilia guy than a card guy, but here are a few of my displays.

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Posted By: JK

Dan B,

Im not a memorabilia guy - but those are some very cool displays. I think some old gloves mixed in with some cards would make for a nice display even for us card guys.

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Posted By: Rob

Please don't say you live in Southeast CT, i may have to see the museum in person!!! Great stuff Dan! (its an understatement, I know.) Are yankee fans allowed in the Red Sox Room?

Rob

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Posted By: Paul S

I'm making my reservation on the Port Jeff ferry into Bridgeport right now. Dan, astounding! How could you possibly have asked for advice in the other thread? You should be giving it.

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Posted By: Jay

Great display-even a Yankee fan can appreciate that! What a pleasure to see cards out in the open for everyone to enjoy. I too live in CT and would love to get together with fellow Nutmeggers.

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Posted By: Dan Paradis

Dan B; fantastic! I really do enjoy looking at other displays. I actually got the idea of displaying my cards after visiting the Oriole museum next to Camden yards a few years ago.

Rob, I live in Southington. My best friends are Yankee fans. I love bringing them into the Red Sox room! Unfortunately I have a lot more Yankee stuff then Red Sox stuff in the family room (it hurt, but I had to be impartial in the HOF room).

I'd love to get together with any of you in the area. Here's my email, danp306@gmail.com. Email me and I'll organize it.

Dan

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Posted By: Mark T

I live 15 minutes from you...small world. I am in, i will Email you.

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Posted By: RC

Dan,

Nicely done, and yes I'm a little jealous.

You've got so much there and none of it looks cluttered. Not from CT though so I won't be visiting anytime soon.

RC

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Posted By: Frank C

All my cards are locked away in fireproof boxes. I feel like such an arse. Fabulous display...

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Posted By: nbrazil

Dan B: Wonderful display cases!!

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Posted By: DaveL

For a Red Sox fan, you're OK. (this from a disgrunted Yankee fan). My question: Do you worry about your cards fading from sunlight? I am paranoid about this and I squirrel my cards away from outside light sources. Am I crazy. What about the photos on the Old Judges? I'm sure you have it covered, but I am interested in your take on it.

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Posted By: Steve

Dan P, Can you direct me to the Billy Buck R/C please?.. Great display and congrats on the Title.

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Posted By: Paul

Beautiful display! Do you have any problems with fading?

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Posted By: Dan Paradis

Regarding fading: There's pretty much no sunlight entering the room. I have only 3 small windows and only 1 actually gets any light (the other 2 are under the deck). Over time I plan on making copies of the cards and locking away the originals. I've done this for a few cards (Lajoie, Mays, Mantle, etc.).

Believe it or not I buy cheap cards in the appropriate graded card display, bust the cheap card out neatly (very easy with PSA) and insert copies of the graded label and grade. This works well except for the time I sold one of the cards and almost mailed the copied card to the EBAY buyer (try explaining that one).

Dan

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Posted By: DMcD

Dan: Majorly cool! Words fail me.
The Jackie Robinson figurine caught my eye because I just saw it a few weeks ago at the BBHOF in the Barry Halper Gallery. They were showing the artwork of David Levinthal who took photographs of Hartland etc figurines in a realistic context. Interesting stuff. Wondered if you knew of it. (More info on Levinthal: http://tinyurl.com/2cauvk )

"

My very humble "Baseball Corner": http://www.network54.com/Forum/567138/message/1181363006

(Edited for domsheet English)

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Posted By: Joann

Dan P - Cool globe in the hallway.

J