Playing in a smaller sandbox

[nolemmings]

Great ideas and showings thus far. I’m sure it will become a matter of refocus, which I have done beaucoup times over the years, so I’m familiar with the process (if not very good at it).

I recently won an auction for a 1962 NBA playoff game between the Pistons and Lakers, because for some unknown reason I have always liked the Pistons and this one had West, Baylor and Gene Shue. That brings my basketball memorabilia collection up to one item. I like nearly all the pre-war minor league sets, and the foreign ones hold interest too– I have a handful of Victor Starffin cards.

Phil, that is a gorgeous Gibson, and $300 is well within reason– heck I can see spending ten times that for a card----very sparingly
Alan, cold ones in Chicago next year. I will probably keep it simple, with no microbrews and no description beyond light or dark.
The stuff mentioned and shown is attractive, although I will confess that collecting cards like Brian’s partial Mono would be an acquired taste for me.

Anyway, here are a few more I have somehow not lost or sold, starting with Starffin:




Each of these were selected not only for type, but because of the player.

Here are some HOFers that I bought for type:

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

The stuff mentioned and shown is attractive, although I will confess that collecting cards like Brian’s partial Mono would be an acquired taste for me.

It is an acquired taste, but hopefully not one that you will end up losing your head over.

Brian

[Leon]

Here is my big pick up lately. Tom Mix, 1920s, playing baseball. Collecting on a budget! About 8 dollars each.

[timn1]

As usual you are among the most thoughtful of us all... I've struggled with plenty of similar feelings without really reconciling them.

Responders above have given some great advice and thoughts. Like some of them, I find it a lot less interesting to look at one more mega-priced Ruth or Mantle card than I do to dig out something really obscure (and hopefully not too pricey).

couple of strategies I've enjoyed:

1. I've picked a little-known but not crazy-expensive set I thought was cool and gone for it. I'm currently closing in on the Blue Ribbon Malt Cubs ansd White Sox, which I think are just beautiful. I am egotistical enough to like the idea that I have one of the few, or the only, complete set anywhere.



2. I have a "player wantlist" where I seek out cards of obscure players that aren't represented in my collection. When I acquire one of them I'll look into his background and career so he comes alive beyond the often thin MLB stat line.

Here's part of the current player wantlist:

M101-1: Bergen, Doyle, Hahn, Hamilton, Lange

E91-C: Hughes

Topping Postcards: Speer

B18: Dolan, Robinson, Dee Walsh, Gus Williams

T204: Jim Ball, Bancroft, Burkett, Kahoe, Murnane, Newton, Reilly

E286 JuJu Drums: Cheek, Mullen

W514: Dilhoefer, Risberg, Shean, Williams

E120/W573: Barnhart, Callaway, Crane, Fuhrman, Johnston, Bob Jones

1923-24 Exhibits: Barnhart

1925 Exhibits: Brooks, Wings [Wingo]

1926 Exhibits: Huber, Munson, Spurgeon

1929-30 Exhibits: Holloway, Richardson

1931-32 Exhibits: Boley, Gooch, Sweeney, Webb

Baguer Chocolate: Boley

R318 Batter-Up: Gabler, Bud Hafey, Mickey Haslin

U1 Matchbooks: Crawford, Goldstein, Roy Haslin, McLaughlin, Muller, Quigley, Rensa, Rip Sewell, Sullivan

U3 Matchbooks Cain, Roy Haslin, Hinkle, Holbrook, Leggett, Michaels, Milligan, Saltzgraver, Tietje

[rhettyeakley]

Great idea for a post and great thoughts by those that have chimed in.

The history of the game and finding new information about a long-forgotten ballplayer are some of my favorite aspects of this hobby!

It was with this mind that I began my Zeenut card run. So many players that had long careers that are now largely forgotten.

I have always been drawn the less mainstream stuff and have enjoyed learning about the off-the-beaten-path types of cards & players. It does absolutely nothing for me to see my 1,000th 1952 Mantle or T206 Cobb… zero! Seeing an example of those same players in a crazy rare set, however, does do something for me. Seeing an obscure player from a ridiculously rare set also does something for me. Just a different personality type I suppose and I realize that I am in fact the “strange” one that doesn’t like the “common but collected” sets but prefers the “uncommon but who-cares” sets!

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

Great idea for a post and great thoughts by those that have chimed in.

The history of the game and finding new information about a long-forgotten ballplayer are some of my favorite aspects of this hobby!

It was with this mind that I began my Zeenut card run. So many players that had long careers that are now largely forgotten.

I have always been drawn the less mainstream stuff and have enjoyed learning about the off-the-beaten-path types of cards & players. It does absolutely nothing for me to see my 1,000th 1952 Mantle or T206 Cobb… zero! Seeing an example of those same players in a crazy rare set, however, does do something for me. Seeing an obscure player from a ridiculously rare set also does something for me. Just a different personality type I suppose and I realize that I am in fact the “strange” one that doesn’t like the “common but collected” sets but prefers the “uncommon but who-cares” sets!

+1 Rhett, and well said. I love the cards and the history behind them. And I cannot afford a mortgage and expensive cards. I am very fortunate, frankly, to have the cards I have.

[Leon]

I have collected movie lobby cards for a while. Most of them are relatively cheap and many are very interesting...And an 8 x 10 type one of the same..

[benge610]

Originally Posted by timn1

As usual you are among the most thoughtful of us all... I've struggled with plenty of similar feelings without really reconciling them.

Responders above have given some great advice and thoughts. Like some of them, I find it a lot less interesting to look at one more mega-priced Ruth or Mantle card than I do to dig out something really obscure (and hopefully not too pricey).

couple of strategies I've enjoyed:

1. I've picked a little-known but not crazy-expensive set I thought was cool and gone for it. I'm currently closing in on the Blue Ribbon Malt Cubs ansd White Sox, which I think are just beautiful. I am egotistical enough to like the idea that I have one of the few, or the only, complete set anywhere.



2. I have a "player wantlist" where I seek out cards of obscure players that aren't represented in my collection. When I acquire one of them I'll look into his background and career so he comes alive beyond the often thin MLB stat line.

Here's part of the current player wantlist:

M101-1: Bergen, Doyle, Hahn, Hamilton, Lange

E91-C: Hughes

Topping Postcards: Speer

B18: Dolan, Robinson, Dee Walsh, Gus Williams

T204: Jim Ball, Bancroft, Burkett, Kahoe, Murnane, Newton, Reilly

E286 JuJu Drums: Cheek, Mullen

W514: Dilhoefer, Risberg, Shean, Williams

E120/W573: Barnhart, Callaway, Crane, Fuhrman, Johnston, Bob Jones

1923-24 Exhibits: Barnhart

1925 Exhibits: Brooks, Wings [Wingo]

1926 Exhibits: Huber, Munson, Spurgeon

1929-30 Exhibits: Holloway, Richardson

1931-32 Exhibits: Boley, Gooch, Sweeney, Webb

Baguer Chocolate: Boley

R318 Batter-Up: Gabler, Bud Hafey, Mickey Haslin

U1 Matchbooks: Crawford, Goldstein, Roy Haslin, McLaughlin, Muller, Quigley, Rensa, Rip Sewell, Sullivan

U3 Matchbooks Cain, Roy Haslin, Hinkle, Holbrook, Leggett, Michaels, Milligan, Saltzgraver, Tietje

Tim, I can help ya on the E91C Hughes.
That is my Mom's maiden name so I took a dive on both Tom Hughes, AL and NL. I have an extra E91, so maybe we can work a good ol' fashioned trade.
We can PM to follow up on that when it works for us both; no hurries on my part; I got ya covered though.

Ben

"I love baseball history backstory; especially when it involves cards."

[peterb69]

I feel the exact same way. I picked up a lot of raw prewar cards in the 90’s. Today I could never could afford those cards. I’ve been picking up vintage cards of lesser known players just because I like the looks of the card. Getting type cards. At least it keeps me in the hobby.

[Casey2296]

Great story Ben, thanks for sharing. Hope you and your family are well.