Sad News: Bruce Dorskind Died

[Peter_Spaeth]

I disagree. One, let's be honest, very few people on this Board, much less anywhere, have the sort of material Bruce was looking for. Second, if your objective is to maximize your odds of finding what you want, alienating people and getting repeatedly tossed is not a rational way to accomplish that goal. We may never know what motivated Bruce to convey the internet persona that he did -- apparently in contrast to his much more likeable in person side. But I doubt it was rationally calculated to further his collecting goals.

[Kenny Cole]

I didn't get to meet the wonderful Brucii that folks are talking about here. What I got were really vile emails, to which I ultimately responded in kind.

I guess that whoever is in charge of sending souls where they need to go will get it figured out. Wherever he goes, I hope he gets the karma to which he is entitled.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by Kenny Cole

I didn't get to meet the wonderful Brucii that folks are talking about here. What I got were really vile emails, to which I ultimately responded in kind.

I guess that whoever is in charge of sending souls where they need to go will get it figured out. Wherever he goes, I hope he gets the karma to which he is entitled.

I, too, never met the Bruce described by many here.

I did, however, receive a lovely email, detailing Bruce's wish to sodomize my wife, while my son watched.
I think he's already received the karma to which he was entitled.

[David R]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

I, too, never met the Bruce described by many here.

I did, however, receive a lovely email, detailing Bruce's wish to sodomize my wife, while my son watched.
I think he's already received the karma to which he was entitled.

There was no excuse for his behavior like this disgusting email, which seemed to happen a lot around here from what I recall. I am surprised he has so many apologists.

[Jewish-collector]

I wanted to meet John (Wonka) at the National, but a friend of his said he didn't go.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by David R

There was no excuse for his behavior like this disgusting email, which seemed to happen a lot around here from what I recall. I am surprised he has so many apologists.

I've received plenty of vile emails from forum members who are still living. I didn't save them, and if I outlive any of them you won't hear anything about it. It's sad that some people feel the need to win internet arguments through attrition.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by Runscott

I've received plenty of vile emails from forum members who are still living.

I wonder why!

[Runscott]

Give up David. I'm not dead yet.

[the 'stache]

I've tried my whole life to treat the people I meet, whether online, or in person, with dignity and respect. I don't judge a person until I have had a chance to hear what they say, but clearly how you act online is a part of who you are.

Whatever might have happened in the past should be left there. Bruce's family and friends will be upset by his passing, and we should be mindful of their feelings.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Speaking of Adrian, a quick check of his ebay ID reveals some big dollar purchases over the past month, none of which appear yet in his feedback.

Item Start End Price Title High Bidder Seller
111043622300 Mar-31-13 Jul-14-13 21:50:48 US $5,950.00 1921 E121 American Caramel Babe Ruth Series of 80 PSA 2 Good Purchased on:
Jul-14-13 21:50:48
See All Buyers jwilson6204

350835724455 Jul-16-13 Jul-20-13 21:19:54 US $1,100.00 1926 W512 Babe Ruth #6 SGC Authentic HS49 Purchased on:
Jul-20-13 21:19:54
See All Buyers tbh39

350825834776 Jul-01-13 Jul-20-13 21:20:14 US $1,000.00 1921 W551 Babe Ruth Hand Cut PSA Authentic LG5 Purchased on:
Jul-20-13 21:20:14
See All Buyers tbh39

380680002035 Jul-16-13 Jul-21-13 11:50:14 US $875.00 1954 Topps #128 Hank Aaron Rookie PSA 4 VG-EX 18633 Purchased on:
Jul-21-13 11:50:14
See All Buyers cookiemonster501

370859317776 Jul-21-13 Jul-24-13 07:57:37 US $2,649.99 1948 Bowman Basketball George Mikan Rookie Card PSA 5 1952toppsmantle (*) vintagerookies

310711889160 Jul-24-13 Jul-24-13 15:57:55 US $1,800.00 1984 Star Basketball Michael Jordan Rookie Card BGS 8 1952toppsmantle (*) vintagerookies


321178163290 Aug-02-13 Aug-05-13 11:17:43 US $7,500.00 1888 N403 Yum Yum Tobacco: CAP ANSON SGC Auth (tr & partially skinned) Purchased on:
Aug-05-13 11:17:43
See All Buyers the_coop

[the 'stache]

/shake shake shake, "magic 8 ball, will all those high dollar items be paid for?"

"Not a chance."

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by David Atkatz

I, too, never met the Bruce described by many here.

I did, however, receive a lovely email, detailing Bruce's wish to sodomize my wife, while my son watched.
I think he's already received the karma to which he was entitled.

Wow. That's heavy.

[mark evans]

At the end of the day, Bruce was contemptuous of ordinary collectors and far, far worse, responded to criticism in the vilest terms. Notwithstanding his personal charm and contribution to the hobby, he is not someone I would have wished to call a friend.

May he rest in peace.

[HRBAKER]

There's no explanation or excuse for his board-related behavior and sadly that's his legacy to most collectors.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I disagree. One, let's be honest, very few people on this Board, much less anywhere, have the sort of material Bruce was looking for. Second, if your objective is to maximize your odds of finding what you want, alienating people and getting repeatedly tossed is not a rational way to accomplish that goal. We may never know what motivated Bruce to convey the internet persona that he did -- apparently in contrast to his much more likeable in person side. But I doubt it was rationally calculated to further his collecting goals.

I agree with Peter. Collecting is in good part a networking activity; you are only as good as your network of contacts and friends when it comes to tracking down items outside public sales. I had some items that matched some of the call-outs on the group's want list but 'they' were the last persons I'd ever have offered them to. I don't believe it is ever good marketing to associate your name with bad behavior. OJ Simpson got lots of publicity; I don't think it was to his benefit. Mussolini was world famous for all the wrong reasons. Now, am I saying the Brucii were equivalent to a murderer or a dictator? Obviously not. But to a large segment of the card collecting populace he was "that dick on N54 who refers to himself as 'we' and sends nasty emails to people." Not the epitaph I'd choose. A former boss/mentor once told me that it doesn't cost any more to be nice to people than to be a jerk.

[barrysloate]

Well, the funny thing about "America's Toughest Want List", in my opinion, was it really wasn't a want list at all. I can't tell you how many times I had something from the list that I offered him privately, and he passed; or had something in one of my auctions and he never placed a bid. In fact many of the items he wanted never even existed. For example, if the highest ever graded T208 was a PSA 5, Bruce would ask for "T208 in PSA 6 or better." I think at the end of the day that want list was there because he loved to be the center of attention.

Sure, he did put together a very nice collection, but probably did so the old fashioned way- bidding in auction like everyone else. The number of items he got from that want list were likely very few. But it did make him feel important, and that's what I think it was about. Bruce was Bruce, what can I say.

[David Atkatz]

The key item on "America's Toughest Want List" was this:

Bruce desperately wanted to be one of the "Masters of the Universe" he so idolized.

He never got that one, either.