What Was The Hobby Like Back In The Day?

[Seven]

Every so often, I'll see a post here or there on a thread talking about the Card Collecting Hobby years back. I know on the forum there are a number of collectors who have been around for a long time, so if you wouldn't mind me asking, What was it like back in the day? How were shows? The general community?

I'm in my mid 20's and I'll freely admit I feel a little overwhelmed nowadays, at least when it comes to the newer stuff, so I try to stick to vintage. Even with vintage though, some cards just seem like a pipe dream, at the moment, with the amount of money they can end up costing. Was it always like that? Or were there better deals to be made, 20, 30, 40 years ago?

I'll cease my rambling there. Regardless I love this community and would love to hear from the more experienced collectors what the hobby used to be like.

- James.