NEW MEMBER building HOF auto collection (NOW 206/300)

[Cooptown]

So are you saying that you wouldn't be impressed with my collection of 69 HOFers?

I grew up outside of Cooperstown (hence the name) and was fortunate enough to get a bunch of guys cheap (or free) in the early 1980s when I was a kid. I wish I had more of a focus then...well...actually I dont even have one now either. I would sometimes get two of the same HOFer instead of one of two different players. And all on different "stuff".

So a few years ago, I decided to start collecting the HOFers again and concentrated on certified autos; just like you. I was knocking them off quickly at first, and then just like the other projects, got bored with it. Your post may motivate me to go back to that project!

One of the best collections I have seen on here. Are you living in an apartment now?

I went to an Ikea in Charlotte, NC last year looking for something like this. Must have missed them. How much do they cost? Do they come with lighting? Do they come built together like that, or did you have to put each one together? And finally, how do you affix the cards to the back of the cases?

Thanks.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

[QUOTE=Cooptown;1046255]So are you saying that you wouldn't be impressed with my collection of 69 HOFers?

69 is very impressive, a lot of collectors would be happy to even have half that. Unless I read wrong, where did you get the impression it isn't? Collecting HOF'ers is not necessarily 'cheap'.

[JimStinson]

Welcome Aboard ! I agree those display cases are magnificent , On putting together the rest of the collection, PATIENCE ! don't try and do it overnight. As you progress you may only add a name every three months , then six months , maybe even one a year. Thats OK ! Better to buy smart than buy quick.
I know alot of collectors that have been collecting for decades and have (almost) unlimited financial resources and they STILL don't have everyone in the Hall of Fame. The fun is in the journey not the destination
_________________________
Buying and Selling Vintage Autographs for over three decades
jim@stinsonsports.com

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

Welcome Aboard ! I agree those display cases are magnificent , On putting together the rest of the collection, PATIENCE ! don't try and do it overnight. As you progress you may only add a name every three months , then six months , maybe even one a year. Thats OK ! Better to buy smart than buy quick.
I know alot of collectors that have been collecting for decades and have (almost) unlimited financial resources and they STILL don't have everyone in the Hall of Fame. The fun is in the journey not the destination
_________________________
Buying and Selling Vintage Autographs for over three decades
jim@stinsonsports.com

+1

[whyconform]

Cooptown,

Family use to have property in the Catskills. Been to Cooperstown only once. NEED TO GO BACK ONE DAY!!! Jealous of people that were able to get autos back in the day for free or a small fee. Def. awesome. 69 is by no means a small collection and still very impressive. You need to show it off! Around there is about when I was starting to become obsessed lol

Oh yea, and back to the cases. I am just using a tiny tiny bit of 3M double sided tape to keep the card on the back. They're all either encapsulated or in magnetic cases and taped shut. You have to put the cases together, but it isn't hard. It's a bit annoying running the wires down the corners and zip tying them, and for the non-idea LED's, (cases 1,3,5), I had to extend the wires, so I had to run to Radio Shack and get wire...

[JimStinson]

Be careful on the type of lighting as LIGHT is an autographs worst enemy, I'm no expert on lighting so might be good to ask what type is best for autograph displays
_______________
Buying and Selling Autographs for over three decades
jim@stinsonsports.com

[isaac2004]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

Be careful on the type of lighting as LIGHT is an autographs worst enemy, I'm no expert on lighting so might be good to ask what type is best for autograph displays
_______________
Buying and Selling Autographs for over three decades
jim@stinsonsports.com

I concur with Jim here, if those are high watt bulbs (which I think they may be), your autos will look bad in a few years. I recommend you look at museum lighting, I have a friend who uses these guys

http://www.pegasuslighting.com

[whyconform]

Yea, I agree. The collection was in boxes for the 2-3 years. I only recently placed them into shelves as I wanted to enjoy them more. The lights are rarely on. Only if company is over or whatever. Cases are also situated in that they never see sunlight, and all windows nearby are shaded, so I'm pretty good. My bed is nearby, and no way in hell would I be able to sleep w/ those lights on lol

[whyconform]

And HOF rookie,

Impressive. I don't know how people try to assemble collections w/ strict parameters like yours. Even HOF postcard guys, ball only, or check collectors.... Cuz it is super expensive! That's why I stick to the cheapest medium, typically Cuts. To me an auto is an auto. I never understood why a single signed ball costs more than a team ball. I guess rarity, and for your to collect RC's, super rare!

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by whyconform

And HOF rookie,

Impressive. I don't know how people try to assemble collections w/ strict parameters like yours. Even HOF postcard guys, ball only, or check collectors.... Cuz it is super expensive! That's why I stick to the cheapest medium, typically Cuts. To me an auto is an auto. I never understood why a single signed ball costs more than a team ball. I guess rarity, and for your to collect RC's, super rare!

Thank you for the kind words Bill. I too am in my 20's and growing up around the Twins and getting 'graphs, cards and a team ball were just so simple to carry around, cards the "easiest" because you only needed a notebook or a small case.

What allured me to rookies was that I enjoyed seeing the players' first MLB issued card, or first largely manufactured card. They were also the most valuable do I thought if I was in a financial need, I can make more off of 'rookies' than base cards.

Joe Mauer started my craze when he got drafted I was in 8th grade. At TwinsFest he literally would sign EVERYTHING you had until he was called up. So I had a notebook with 9 cards on a page and he signed them all, and kept going back in line over and over again for years. Lo and behold, I have probably around 300-400 Mauer signed rookie cards.

[Mr. Zipper]

Just checked out those cabinets at IKEA. $64 each plus $349 shipping. LOL

[isaac2004]

Originally Posted by Cooptown

I went to an Ikea in Charlotte, NC last year looking for something like this. Must have missed them. How much do they cost? Do they come with lighting? Do they come built together like that, or did you have to put each one together? And finally, how do you affix the cards to the back of the cases?

Thanks.

I am interested in the display as well. Do they sell that on the online site?

[whyconform]

The display is Ikea's Detolf (5 of them, actually, side by side). They sometimes go on sale for $50 each, but normally I think $65. I am a car nut as well, and had some 1:18 scale models. Many people use them for the cars and even figurines.

They have two types of lights that go for $30 ea (4x lights, 1 per shelf). They have a dome shaped light and an LED strip, which I have. Ikea's lights use to be a cool blue LED, but recently changed to a warm yellow gross output. I'd have to see where I got mine, but the 2nd and 4th cabinet has Ikea's old bright white/blue LED's and, the cases on the ends and in middle (1,3,5) are from some other website I came across. Even brighter than Ikeas if you look hard.....

Overall, ~80-100 per cabinet w/ lights, and I have 5. Also, people but small U-bolts and get glass panels cut at a glass place to add shelves to the Detolfs. Google search it