Set collectors: which school of thought do you subscribe to?

[Wildfireschulte]

It always comes down to collect what you like - otherwise, just buy Google stock and call it a day. I just spent yesterday culling thru and counting my T206's to figure out my Monster Number. Cards that I haven't looked at for more than 12 years (since my dad and I quit doing shows). Over this period I focused on more 3D items (bats, balls, gloves). None of the cards are graded and most are G-VG, but what fun getting reintroduced to them. After digging thru boxes, I was holding at 347 different cards - I flipped thru a binder of mostly non-sports and found my LaJoie portrait - a wrinkled mess with a pin hole above his head (I need to learn how to post pictures) - I would generously grade Fair - but an absolutely beautiful card. I remember paying $10 for it at a Cleveland National in the 90's and turning down offers of $30 on the same day. I am glad that I kept it because now I'm at 348 including that rosy cheeked LaJoie.

Obviously the guys that focused on quality 20 years ago were handsomely rewarded when slabbing companies systematically confirmed how rare the true Ex+ tobacco cards are, but that ship has sailed. Since that spike, the value of lower grade T cards has been pulled up and has proven to be a solid investment as well - not Google returns, more like AT&T. For me, I'm cool continuing the chase for VG- white (ish) borders.