when is it too much?

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by theshleps

I started collecting autographs from 1965-8 doing visiting team hotels in NYC as well as Smallings list and buying from one of the few dealers back then. Lost interest and sold it all for $250 (easily worth over $1,000,000 if I still had it).
Anyway started again with my son in 2002 doing 6 weeks a year IP at AZ prespring training games (autographs are best post report date but before games start) and Fall league- the goal being getting as many different signed cards as possible. When we reached 65000 signed it started to seem like too many especially when I might have had say 80 different Clint barmes cards etc. Also lots of using Harveys list and started buying for some legit dealers- Stinson, Gordon, Corcoran etc and then ventured into Mastro, Clean Sweep etc.
The quantity became pretty overwhelming and I decided I had to set parameters and get rid of the rest. The parameters have changed over the years but basically I now collect every pre 1970 signed card I can get of a HOFer (this is the bulk of the collection) as well as a signed HOF plaque of each player, and every pre WWII signed exhibit of a HOFer. Also 1960-61 Fleer sets and 1960-1 NuCard. On post 1970 HOFers I try to get 5 signed cards. So at present I have about 4000 signed cards not including exhibits and plaques. So I may have say 5 Tom Seaver as most of his career was post 1969 and 40 Mantle (since there are many pre 1970 cards etc). I have just turned 73 and thinking of changing parameters. Do I really need 5 signed of the recent HOFers? Should I cut down on some of the guys I might have 40 pre 1970 cards of like Brooks Robinson etc. Sometimes I feel like a hoarder, sometimes not. And at 73 years old- how long do I stay active and keep doing auctions etc. These are things I ponder. Those of you in similar circumstances how have you changed parameters, downsized etc or just stayed the course. I do not need the money from selling and my kids are in decent shape. Just wondering which of you have thought about these issues, what you have come up with and what advice you may have. Sorry if I sound alittle neurotic

If money is not important to you or your children as you stated, then just enjoy the hobby the best way you can.

I am a little younger and more of an investor/seller than collector, but I can assure you my wife nor daughter want to be left with a large holding of cards, autos, and memorabilia when I pass.

I try to keep the inventory down to a manageable level although each year it seems to grow. Discretionary money always bought the "stuff" so I guess nothing ventured, nothing gained if I pass with a large amount of dollar value that will not translate to the same cash for my estate.

I do keep a costed inventory on the more valuable items that my wife and daughter know about so they will not be completely in the dark as to value.

I have also given my wife and daughter contacts to liquidate the inventory should I pass suddenly. It will result in the least amount of lost cash. That is the least I can do for them.

And the reality is, I like the buying/selling platform so the enjoyment I have obtained possibly trumps the loss of value at some point in time.

I have an older friend who is 80 and going through your same questions. He has no close family to leave his estate to but does have a niece who will get it and he does not want to have a bunch of memorabilia for her to deal with, so he is holding onto the parts of his collection he really enjoys and is slowly liquidating the part he rarely looks at.

This might be a good approach.

With today's life expectancy, you may well live another 15-20 years, so enjoy what you have spent a lifetime obtaining would be my advice.