N172 Old Judge Collectors - Age Poll

[Cardboard Junkie]

62.....feel like 25Dave. (Life long collector....but just dipping my toes in the 19th century water.)

[kkkkandp]

Like Dave, I was 62 on my last birthday.

Bought my first Old Judge (Tim Keefe) back on January 19, 1997 from Terry Knouse, Senior, at a Gloria Rothstein Show in White Plains, NY.

If I only knew then what I know now...

[Matthew H]

I just turned 33. I plan to stay this age for awhile.

[Joe_G.]

It's good to see a strong 30-something representation (so far). I do wish there were more collectors in their 20s and even some teens. I know I wasn't the only teen back in the 80s seeking these cards. Of course they were more affordable and that could be the main reason.

My first OJ purchase was Emil Geiss in fair condition from Southern cards in the late 1980s for $12. I also remember winning a small lot of cards in a Lew Lipset auction for an average price of $30 each (unfortunately no Detroits). The first Detroit Wolverine was from Lew Lipset in 1989; a Bill Watkins N172. I paid a healthy $130 for it back then at the age of 16. I have chosen not to upgrade the card as it is nice enough and has some sentimental value.

[RCMcKenzie]

Here's a later Watkins..




My first OJ purchase was on ebay around 1997-98. It was Al Maul and I sold it about 3 months later. Had it not been for ebay, I would have never resumed card collecting.

[z28jd]

I got my first OJ when I was 18, a Christmas present ordered out of the Larry Fritsch catalog, but I wanted one well before that. Saw a Ewing/Mascot in a book around the age of ten and always said I would get one. I didn't really start collecting the set until I was 26 though.

[Matthew H]

John, you have too many OJs for your age, you need to let some go.

I saw my first OJ at the 91' national... Wayyyyy out of my price range. Prices were pretty high back then. I left the show with some beater Cracker Jacks and Goudeys, I think I paid close to what they'd be worth today. I've heard that oj prices came down for awhile between now and then... I wish I knew, although I did lose touch with card collecting in high school.

[z28jd]

I'm just under 10 OJ's per year I've been alive, that's not even one a month. I've got some catching up to do

[Bosox Blair]

Originally Posted by Joe_G.

It's good to see a strong 30-something representation (so far). I do wish there were more collectors in their 20s and even some teens.

Hi Joe,

I think this is generally true of high-value collectibles. You need to have disposable income and interest to get involved. These days most folks don't have the cash to throw for these things before 30 (IMO).

There is also the factor that some vintage card collectors come to Old Judge later. Another person in this thread indicated this was true for him. That is my story...I collected pre-war (post-1900) for over 20 years before buying my first Old Judge cards pretty recently - over the age of 40.

Cheers,
Blair

[RCMcKenzie]

Originally Posted by kkkkandp

If I only knew then what I know now...

Sounds like a Bob Segar song. Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then...

[scooter729]

I better hurry up and answer the poll today while I'm still in the 30-39 category. If I wait a few more days I will skew the stats to the 40-49 category - ugh.

[markf31]

33.

I've picked up 4 OJs so far, starting on a Pittsburgh/Pittsburg set.

[Matthew H]

RC -- Nice Orr, He was one of the first cards I wanted to pick up... I still don't have one.

[piedmont150]

Just took the dive into Old Judges after reading the wonderful book you guys wrote.. Now working with Jay and others to feed my collection. I am now hooked.

Age 53.