Considerations while collecting

[williamcohon]

A fair question.

Collecting cards of admirable historic figures, or those with fascinating stories, is no less valid an approach than the set-building, team-building, or type-collecting, pursued by most on this board.

It's not far from my own approach, which is to supplement my hunt for Obaks with cards that fit into several sub-sets: Jewish players, early Blacks (between Jackie and Pumpsie Green), and funny cards (mostly tongue out, eyes closed, or bad hair).

As for avoiding cards of the players who were racists, criminals, or sleezebags, that's a trickier issue. I suppose if buying a Ty Cobb card were seen somehow to endorse his reprehensible traits, there might be a bit more resistance.

One could argue that buying pre-1947 cards celebrates racism. And (gulp) there may be a grain of truth to it. But surely baseball reflects the values of its time. Prior to the Second World War, our society and its institutions were a good deal more racist, sexist anti-Semitic, and homophobic than they are today. I think my collection documents societal progress.

Here's the thing: we're not perfect. Should we wait until we're perfect before we open a pack of cards? Still, if there's anyone you think needs to be cast out of the garden, it's your collection, and your decision.