What's your Collection number?

[HRBAKER]

Phil,
I guess that all depends what constitutes a "true" rookie.

[bcbgcbrcb]

That's true, Jeff, everyone will have different standards. I tend to be more liberal than most and include all catalogued traditional cards, postcards, cabinet cards, cdv's, premiums and team issues which picture no more than 4 players (no team cards). Also, I include minor league cards as well as foreign issues. I think that about covers it but I could have forgotten to include something.

Please feel free to post your numbers based on your own parameters.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by bcbgcbrcb

That's true, Jeff, everyone will have different standards. I tend to be more liberal than most and include all catalogued traditional cards, postcards, cabinet cards, cdv's, premiums and team issues which picture no more than 4 players (no team cards). Also, I include minor league cards as well as foreign issues. I think that about covers it but I could have forgotten to include something.

Please feel free to post your numbers based on your own parameters.

Using the "true rookie card" list that you had posted here
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=141603
and counting any "catalogued traditional cards, postcards, cabinet cards, cdv's, premiums and team issues"(no more than 4 players)that equally or pre-date what's on that list.

I also chose to count the 1930 Blue Ribbon for McCarthy(despite being 20 years after the Colgan's), since I believe it's the first year in which he appears a member of a MLB organization..

Sandberg and Ozzie were the only modern exceptions that I made for later dated cards. with Sandberg's '83 releases and Ozzie's '79 Topps..

Clarkson was the only exception I made for an item with more than 4 players. Because I believe the 1885 Harper's Chicago Woodcut is his earliest known collectible..

Anyways, counting those 4 exceptions, I'm at 138. Using slightly looser rookie standards, I'd be at 142.(but I'll leave myself at 138).

As far as members that I have at least 1 career contemporary card or collectible(only exceptions being members with no contemporary items). I'm at 261..

[bcbgcbrcb]

Anyone else?

[itjclarke]

Per the N54 rookie list I have fewer than 20%, and would be excluding several of my cards I'd bought as rookies and always considered rookies like the '48 Bowman Berra and the Leaf Jackie Robinson. Another, I'd considered a rookie was the N300 Kid Nichols since it's his first ML card.. At least I think it is.

I like collecting "rookies", but have no intention of trying to complete the full HOF list.. Nor do I think I'll attempt to pick up all the more obscure/regional issues like a Bond Bread Berra (however if there is something I like at the right price, I might grab it). I will probably just continue considering my '48 a rookie and be happy. I do think it's an amazing list to tackle or even attempt to tackle though! Best of luck to those trying.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by itjclarke

Per the N54 rookie list I have fewer than 20%, and would be excluding several of my cards I'd bought as rookies and always considered rookies like the '48 Bowman Berra and the Leaf Jackie Robinson. Another, I'd considered a rookie was the N300 Kid Nichols since it's his first ML card.. At least I think it is.

Ah, 1 other exception that I made, that I forgot about. Berra.. Looking back, I think I also counted the '57 topps for Frank Robinson. So I was at 138 with 6 somewhat reasonable exceptions. I think the '49s for Jackie is pretty reasonable too, but didn't apply in my case..

I also don't play the XRC/RC game, with Puckett being the prime example. I don't have the '84 Fleer Update, but have all the '85s. I choose not to count those..

[tonyo]

I counted mine up before I read the OP request again. I'm not a Baseball HOF rookie collector, but I'll report my results anyway. I had more than I thought I would : based on the list posted by Phil in Sept 2011, I have 32/300.

Based on David's "at least 1 career contemporary card" I'm at 226. I don't actively collect Managers, Umpires, Executives.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by novakjr

Ah, 1 other exception that I made, that I forgot about. Berra.. Looking back, I think I also counted the '57 topps for Frank Robinson. So I was at 138 with 6 somewhat reasonable exceptions. I think the '49s for Jackie is pretty reasonable too, but didn't apply in my case..

I also don't play the XRC/RC game, with Puckett being the prime example. I don't have the '84 Fleer Update, but have all the '85s. I choose not to count those..

I revise my number to 76/300 exceptions being some of the post cards and Bond Bread type sets. Excluding Bond/Tip bumps me up 4-5 via the '48Bowman set alone.. also added a couple others like the '57 Topps F Robinson. I like my new number.. I'm making progress!

[h2oya311]

I have created my own "rookie checklist" of sorts. I am at @ 40% under that definition. With a broader rookie card definition, I'm closer to 70%. I truly believe this will be a 40+ year endeavor. And even then, there will be gaps due to card scarcity and new findings. I think that's half the fun!!

Phil- regardless of your "number", that is one heck of a collection you have. Random grabs over the next few years will definitely be all you might be able to do since you are at a breaking point.

Best of luck to all who brave this journey!