Building a "Top Ten" Collection

[Jacklitsch]

Mine was an "Elite 100". Keepers, never to leave the collection.

When I started to count them I was up to over 175 so I just changed it to my "Elite 200".

Keeps me going.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Jacklitsch

Mine was an "Elite 100". Keepers, never to leave the collection.

When I started to count them I was up to over 175 so I just changed it to my "Elite 200".

Keeps me going.

Sounds like my elite 5478.

[goodtricks]

Jimi great topic. My situation is similar. I've been back in the hobby for just over a year and have really struggled to focus. After starting and eventually selling a number of sets I've come to the conclusion I'm just not a set collector. I respect those that are, but something about finishing the monster or another large set and having a bunch of cards sitting in my closet in a box doesn't appeal to me.

I do still have a passion for prewar cards though. What I have decided to do is rank the top 50 prewar players and get 1 card of each of these players. My eventual plan is to get a nice display case that holds 50 graded cards. This way I can always see/appreciate/show off my collection.

Everyone has a different ways they chose to collect, it's just about finding your sweet spot.

Good luck with your project.

[markf31]

Originally Posted by goodtricks

Jimi great topic. My situation is similar. I've been back in the hobby for just over a year and have really struggled to focus. After starting and eventually selling a number of sets I've come to the conclusion I'm just not a set collector. I respect those that are, but something about finishing the monster or another large set and having a bunch of cards sitting in my closet in a box doesn't appeal to me.

Steve, your story mirrors mine. I've been back into the hobby just about a year, in fact next Tuesday the 23rd is my one year mark here on Net54! I've also come to realize I'm not a set collector, I started 7 different sets but lost interest in all but one pretty quickly and sold them off to fund new endeavors. I'm still chipping away at a T209 B&W Contentea though, its the only set that has maintained its grip on my interest. Generally having a stack of George Mullin and Harry Howe type cards just didn't appeal to me as I attempted sets.

My only focuses right now are the previously mentioned T209s, Max Carey cards, and a loosely defined HOF collection that I'm assembling, in that any HOFer in any set/series if I like it becomes part of the collection. I've found a very zen and laid back approach to my collecting now as a result.

Find your happy place.

[AMBST95]

Jimi, the idea of owning only 10 cards is pretty sweet, but I could see myself wanting to expand it to a higher number. 10 cards is such a narrow focus that I'd drive myself crazy trying to decide which one gets the axe. Then i would find myself regretting decisions to get rid of cards down the road. The one good thing is that it should allow you to afford some pretty cool cards as your card budget wouldn't be spread as thin.

[jimivintage]

Originally Posted by AMBST95

Jimi, the idea of owning only 10 cards is pretty sweet, but I could see myself wanting to expand it to a higher number. 10 cards is such a narrow focus that I'd drive myself crazy trying to decide which one gets the axe. Then i would find myself regretting decisions to get rid of cards down the road. The one good thing is that it should allow you to afford some pretty cool cards as your card budget wouldn't be spread as thin.

Exactly, Adam! Sort of condensing the collection a bit in order to own some cards I normally couldn't have. I must admit though that my "Top Ten" has already expanded to a "Top 12" as there are 12 I just don't want to unload yet. I think that's the cool thing about it though for me. I'm ok expanding the list to 15 or 20 or even more as this project goes along. Someday I hope to have enough coin though to have an insane collection. Now is just not the time, my friend!

[EGreenwood]

I am loving the Top "n" collection concept, but I am afraid I would be in the same boat as Leon. Besides, how could I part with my Oscar Gamble collection?

[cdn_collector]

Originally Posted by jimivintage

Exactly, Adam! Sort of condensing the collection a bit in order to own some cards I normally couldn't have. I must admit though that my "Top Ten" has already expanded to a "Top 12" as there are 12 I just don't want to unload yet. I think that's the cool thing about it though for me. I'm ok expanding the list to 15 or 20 or even more as this project goes along. Someday I hope to have enough coin though to have an insane collection. Now is just not the time, my friend!

I've considered this idea many times over. 25 is probably the fewest I could do. And even at that, I think it'd be a 'Top 25' and side-projects x, y and z.

A slight spin put on the Top n, by a collector here a few years ago, was to increase n by 1 every year, on his birthday. I always thought that was an interesting idea.

Anyway, good luck with your to N's, folks. I'll be cheering you on from the sidelines

Regards,

Richard.