What are your specific quirks and habits with collecting?

[Snapolit1]

I am drawn to the artistic quality of certain cards. Realize that is of course entirely subjective. The first card I fell in love with was the 49 Leaf Jackie Robinson. Just took my breath away. Looked like something Warhol would have painted. Love the entire Leaf series for the bold colors. Just leap off the card. Goudeys the same. Just bought a Zach Wheat strip I found on eBay. Amazing colors. Having said all that love many of the older Exhibits which of course are black and white. Those suckers just tell a story. Bought a banged up John McGraw last week and love it. Guy's face looks like a catchers mitt. Some cards just reach out and grab you.

[bobbyw8469]

I will build and break the exact same set. I am on my third go round of building a Sport Kings set.

[poorlydrawncat]

Originally Posted by bobbyw8469

I will build and break the exact same set. I am on my third go round of building a Sport Kings set.

I find this very interesting. On the one hand, it makes total sense that the thrill is in the chase. For a lot of people owning a card is not nearly as exciting as the pursuit of it.

On the other hand, it seems like a sisyphean task that would cause a lot of regret and frustration. Can I ask why you collect this way?

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by poorlydrawncat

I find this very interesting. On the one hand, it makes total sense that the thrill is in the chase. For a lot of people owning a card is not nearly as exciting as the pursuit of it.

Funny you say that. I told my wife the other day that when I purchase something, I can't wait to get it. Once I get it, I'm pretty much over it after a day or two and then ready for the next chase.

[poorlydrawncat]

Originally Posted by 3arod13

Funny you say that. I told my wife the other day that when I purchase something, I can't wait to get it. Once I get it, I'm pretty much over it after a day or two and then ready for the next chase.

I used to be the exact same way, although I noticed there were a handful of cards in my collection that I was practically in love with. After a while I decided to only buy cards that I knew I could enjoy on a regular basis.

For me, it basically translates into having a small, consolidated collection of high-end cards. Which I actually enjoy because it keeps everything small and simple. I just have to constantly ask myself, "Will this be a card I compulsively take out of the box on a regular basis because I can't stop looking at it?". More often than not, the answer is no, even when I really feel like I want it.

It makes it pretty much impossible to try and go for a set though. Nowadays if I like a set I usually go for the stars I like or the cards I find particularly attractive.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by 3arod13

Funny you say that. I told my wife the other day that when I purchase something, I can't wait to get it. Once I get it, I'm pretty much over it after a day or two and then ready for the next chase.

I find I'm the exact same way, but with my movie collection. I order something like Day for Night, or The 400 Blows by Truffaut, and I'm all excited waiting for it to arrive. Then, I get it in, watch it, and I find myself looking for something else to buy. It's a viscous cycle.

I'm like that when I'm buying cards, too, but the ones I want are far more expensive. So, I resist the urge to buy another card right away.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by the 'stache

I find I'm the exact same way, but with my movie collection. I order something like Day for Night, or The 400 Blows by Truffaut, and I'm all excited waiting for it to arrive. Then, I get it in, watch it, and I find myself looking for something else to buy. It's a viscous cycle.

Ha, I bought the complete Antione Doinel Criterion box set for a small fortune about 12 years ago. With exception of 400 Blows which I've seen several times, I watched them each once and have since packed it away. I do tend to enjoy my cards (most at least) much longer though. Many acquired as a kid or a teen are still favorites of mine.

[Zach Wheat]

I find I don't like off center cards. I seem to settle for a corner with rounded corners rather than a severely off center card. I keep wanting to get my scissors out to try to center the card. It is an irritating habit.

This actually carries over to the business world as well...I find myself straightening picture frames in other people's offices when I walk by - even if they are only slightly tilted. Annoying habit I know.....

Z

[egri]

I'm likely in the minority here, but I personally can't stand high grade cards, probably for a couple different reasons. Number A is I'm lousy at putting numerical grades on cards. I was looking a 5 I had the other day, comparing it to pictures of a 10, and I honestly couldn't tell the difference. Also, if it's for my project, I'd rather have a rough card with a bold signature than the other way around. The beat-up cards also have more character to them; they were handled, put in bike spokes, flipped, won and lost. For all I know, the high grade cards just sat in a shoebox for forty years and never saw the light of day. Then of course there's always my paranoia that the high grade examples are really doctored cards that got by the TPGs.

[bobbyw8469]

Originally Posted by poorlydrawncat

I find this very interesting. On the one hand, it makes total sense that the thrill is in the chase. For a lot of people owning a card is not nearly as exciting as the pursuit of it.

On the other hand, it seems like a sisyphean task that would cause a lot of regret and frustration. Can I ask why you collect this way?

Not sure. Mental issue I guess. I guess the thrill comes in finding the cards and putting it together for as cheap as I can. Then I want to see how much I can get for it. Once it's gone, I realize how much I like the set and want to build it again. Hey - you asked for quirks!!