What helped you decide

[abothebear]

I chose the few things I focus on by nostalgic connection and feasibility. I like there be a story that is relevant to my experience as a fan attached to what I spend money on. And it needs to be financially completable (even if it takes me forever).

I gravitate toward popular players that I have some ready knowledge of, particularly of teams I follow, as well as players and cards from when I collected as a kid. I am slowly putting together a RC collection of the 1984 Tigers, a Topps run from my birth year til 10 yo, any affordable and nice pre-war hofers, pre-war Cardinals greats and team items as well as Musials, Reds, Marions, Gibsons, and Brocks. I am also working on an auravisions set, not rare, but very unique, with great photos and packed with stars.

[T206Collector]

If you have the collecting bug, you'll see it is like a journey. Some cards will just speak to you -- compel you to have them. If you force it, you'll end up bored with a bunch of cards you couldn't really care too much about.

My advice would be to enjoy the journey. Buy some things that catch your eye, and see if that leads to a deeper attachment. I didn't know that signed T206 cards were going to be my end-all/be-all until some time in 2007, which was about 10 years after I began collecting T206 cards.

Now, the unsigned ones don't do much for me, and I've been dabbling lately in unsigned 1933 Goudey cards. Not sure if that'll stick, but it is more compelling to me these days than many T206 options.

[buymycards]

My wife and I have been to Louisiana several times and we love it there. I collect the Coupons, Weil, Holsum, Kotton, etc. because they remind me of being in Louisiana. At this time I'm not collecting anything else. I don't care about the condition or any investment value.

[rainier2004]

I think there are a few of us that simply cannot stop thinking about certain cards, and for me the worst ever are Cjs. The obsession actually got worse the more cards I got. Its almost like the set chose me instead of me choosing it, I am 2 cards away and they still consume 80% of my time/energy in the hobby. Seriously, all I can think about are Ted's cards going up for auction this summer...just ask him.

[CW]

Curious as to how/what helped you decide on which sets and players you wanted to collect.

Mostly auction descriptions and puffery.



But seriously, for me it was an ever-changing journey. T206Collector says it ever so well, and these are good words of wisdom, so I'll just quote what he said, while implying a "+1" before the quote...

Yes, some cards just speak to you.

Originally Posted by T206Collector

If you have the collecting bug, you'll see it is like a journey. Some cards will just speak to you -- compel you to have them. If you force it, you'll end up bored with a bunch of cards you couldn't really care too much about.

My advice would be to enjoy the journey. Buy some things that catch your eye, and see if that leads to a deeper attachment. *snip*

[Cooper1927]

I have been like an epileptic cat. I have went from one thing to another, but what I think I have finally focused on is Pre-War NY Highlanders/Yankees so I can have a diversity of type, and for sets that do not have those players, San Francisco Seals, or Texas teams. For major league sets with none of those, I will go with cards that appeal to me.

This will appease my inner ADHD child.

[kmac32]

Chose E121 Yankees and Giants as a distant relative was in this set and he played in the 1921 World Series.

[steve B]

For me it's mostly been random opportunity. I've never really had the available cash to concentrate on one set, so I've bought a bit of everything. Sort of a type collector, but not necessarily stopping at one from each set.

I think doing that for a time could be worthwhile. You'd get a nice asortment of cards and eventually you'll find ones you keep going back to.

Steve B

[ullmandds]

I was a lazy type collector who started type collecting in the late eighties...mainly t206 backs and I always wanted to get a run of caramels and tobaccos like I had seen in the early sport americana price guide...examples of cards from the halper collection!!!!!

I had most of the T206 backs and a nice almost run of E's and T's...and many other types of all kinds. I guess by lazy I meant cheap...i had never spent more than $100 or so on any card until the early 21st century.

I began to feel stuck in that I "had" to have certain types to fill holes in my collection whether I liked them or not! This combined with crazy T206 back prices caused me to sell most of my t206's and many of my types...and I decided to focus only on cards that I loved...and wanted!!!!

I tend to prefer unique combinations...tougher backs...more obscure...rarer issues. I had an e94 experience in my early 20's that I blew...so I decided to go after an e94 set...and I'm also focusing on louisiana issues...mainly the tougher ones...T216, T213-1, a Dots Miller big glove collection...obscure babe ruth and ty cobb cards I like...40's-50's star cards I coveted as a child but could never afford!

I'm much happier now having thinned and narrowed my collection...

[Bwstew]

Thanks for the info! Being from Louisiana I would like to get a few of the cards for sure! I can only focus on lower grade cards, so I'm searching hourly on here and ebay. Haven't tried many AH's, pretty sure way out of my budget any way. Love the action shots in b/w of the zeenuts and t210. I keep looking and I'm sure something will get my attention! Thanks everyone for your time!

BW

[jimhopkins82]

I started collecting only t206s at first but thanks to this forum I discovered other sets that interested me and now collect whatever pleases my eye and my wallet can handle. I'm an A's fan so I place an emphasis on those players. Love the look of Cracker Jacks so that as well.