If you could start your collection from scratch, knowing what you do now...

[Runscott]

You should collect whatever you want at any given time. If you decided that, based on new info, you no longer wanted to collect photos, then time invested should be irrelevant - just keep what you have in photos and move on to your new passion....or don't.

If I could go back in time to my first days of collecting, then based on what I know now, I would certainly have bought different stuff purely for financial reasons, but I still would have primarily collected photographs. Those are the only items that I've always kept a few of, no matter what the situation. I guess I would have bought more of the Van Oeyen photos of famous players - there were some great ones really cheap 10+ years ago. Now I can't afford them.

[David Atkatz]

What I know now is irrelevant.

If I had to start from scratch now, I couldn't afford anything.

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

What I know now is irrelevant.

If I had to start from scratch now, I couldn't afford anything.

Well David... hardly anyone could afford your collection if they had to start buying now!

[Oldtix]

Jimmy, I've been thinking about your challenge question for a couple of days. I have to say I'm very comfortable with what I've chosen to collect. It's kept me entertained for over 40 years, and fortunately I never confused collecting with investing so I never took a beating when a market segment collapsed.

The one thing I would change, however, is the approach I followed to find the items I sought. I was a latecomer to ebay, and can't even imagine how many things I missed if I'd been paying attention earlier. I advertised in a few publications and attended conventions and antique shows, but I didn't take the time to travel the countryside and visit small towns and shops off the beaten path.

My biggest mistake, though, was not telling enough dealers what I was looking for. They knew I was a good customer and would regularly hold things for me - but by not making a stronger effort to educate them about the breadth of my interests, I missed out on some wonderful items.

The last couple of years have been among the most productive because I've adopted those strategies and tactics. Better late than never!

PS - That Beatles record is incredible.

[springpin]

I would have been wise enough to know the difference between the thrill of the hunt versus the more sublime gratification of the acquisition. The collection itself is the aftermath of many thrilling (and successful) hunts.

[brownscollector78]

I probably would have focused solely on vintagae pennants instead of spending my resources on so many modern, boring pennants. I have had to pass up a few great bargains over the past few years on vintage pennants due to over-spending on more modern ones.

I still enjoy the modern ones but not as much as the vintage. I would probably have purchased the vintage ones first and once I got them all, then bought modern.

[cpbronco]

As a new pennant collector, I am also learning this lesson. I missed out a few good vintage pennants because I spent my budget on several modern ones. I now realize I'd be much happier with one vintage pennant than several modern cheaper ones and I'd save precious wall space. My new rule is only buy modern pennants for big events (championships, all-star games).

Originally Posted by brownscollector78

I probably would have focused solely on vintagae pennants instead of spending my resources on so many modern, boring pennants. I have had to pass up a few great bargains over the past few years on vintage pennants due to over-spending on more modern ones.

I still enjoy the modern ones but not as much as the vintage. I would probably have purchased the vintage ones first and once I got them all, then bought modern.