New Vintage Collector.. Help me get started

[jgannon]

Originally Posted by Shortstopguy12

Thanks for the responses everyone. I am looking to get some iconic cards. The ones that will be conversation pieces. Obviously, some of the big iconic cards are nowhere near my grasp at this time. I'm interested in the 4 major sports. Right now, I am looking for a high grade 1955 Jim Thorpe as one of my first pieces as his story fascinates me. Baseball is my true passion, so I will want a 54 Aaron, an early Jackie Robinson and many others. I am not in this to invest, but rather to build some history that I can share with friends and family. Graded is a must for me to ensure authenticity, and to keep it protected. I want people to be able to hold these cards. I am also a teacher, and would love to share this history with my students. I teach at an alternative high school where students struggle for every reason imaginable. Getting them into sports has literally saved many of their lives. I doubt any of them will get into card collecting, but some of them have developed a real passion for the game and its history. Thank you all for your wise words. If you have anything that you think might fit my criteria, please send me a message. Stay safe everyone!

Sounds to me like you already have answered your own question and know the direction you want to head in. That's such a great basis for wanting to collect. Purchase what you know about, and what means something to YOU. I myself am a retired teacher, and as I'm sure you know, while it's important to know your subject, it's also important to have a passion for it. That passion can reach your students. And if that's how you collect, getting cards about athletes that mean something to you and hold significance for you, those cards will help you reach your students. And so many great things can come out of that.

I would only say that you don't necessarily have to purchase graded cards, although I understand the concern. And some of the most historical cards, you might not always find in great condition. Also, some of the most soulful cards are not mint.