Your entire collection is gone....now what?

[mrvster]

to T206....I can't get it out of me veins

[EvilKing00]

Id start over and replace what i have, um minus the 80's and newer stuff.

[h2oya311]

Interesting that so many said "to hell with the hobby". Perhaps they feel there are better uses for the funds and aren't so much disillusioned by the hobby...well, at least I hope that's the case.

I suppose I wouldn't spend all my money on cards...I'd probably just buy a few great cards and use the other half for other life-related expenses (retirement, college fund, house downpayment, etc). I have quite a few one-of-ones, so rebuilding my collection would be impossible.

I agree, I certainly wouldn't have any modern stuff in my collection!!

[jcmtiger]

At my age I would be done, but still dabble.

Joe

[joeadcock]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

...I'd probably just buy a few great cards I have quite a few one-of-ones.......I agree, I certainly wouldn't have any modern stuff in my collection!!

Agreed.
Would be much more selective than I was in past.
Would also not be able to replace some probable unique cards.
Very little modern stuff.

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

I understand why you would consider walking away. It seems that most of you guys who have been collecting for a long time could never afford to replace your collections.

[Bestdj777]

I'd toss my safe, put the money towards a house, and live vicariously through net54.

[z28jd]

How would someone lose their whole collection at one time? I can't answer the question until I know how that happens. I seriously can't imagine someone taking the time to dig up all 100 shoeboxes of cards I have buried on my property and then ignoring my "not baseball cards, put it back!" sign I put on each box. I've tried digging on Wonka's property many times and couldn't find anything except pictures of him when he was on the debate team in third grade.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by h2oya311

Interesting that so many said "to hell with the hobby". Perhaps they feel there are better uses for the funds and aren't so much disillusioned by the hobby...well, at least I hope that's the case.

I suppose I wouldn't spend all my money on cards...I'd probably just buy a few great cards and use the other half for other life-related expenses (retirement, college fund, house downpayment, etc). I have quite a few one-of-ones, so rebuilding my collection would be impossible.

I agree, I certainly wouldn't have any modern stuff in my collection!!

That's exactly what I was thinking I'd do too. Knock out a coupla big boys, and keep collecting on a smaller scale(at least in terms of quantity). Then focus more on other areas of life.. Home remodel/upgrades, and the such. Probably re-invest. Maybe even still use all the money on cards, but more for flipping than pure collecting.. My collection could then be "self-growing" without taking any money out of my pocket, while applying all profits to other areas of life..

This is ideally, of course. More than likely, with me still being somewhat young at 34, I'd probably dive headfirst right back into the hobby full-bore...

[dabigyankeeman]

I am surprised at all the votes for not doing the hobby anymore.

I will be 66 years old in April, and I would dive all in to rebuild my collection, I love it. Age is not a factor for me in being in the hobby, its only a factor in that as I got older I specialized more in the stuff that REALLY intrests me. I cut a 60+ album collection down to an 11+ album collection, but I love that 11+ album collection dearly and would have to rebuild it.

[pawpawdiv9]

Theres too many factors.. If say what if a fire,, then it take the house as well (looking at the bigger picture)..I would say the cards be lesser importance. Still i would search thru the burnt/melted ruble for my Mantle Rc's (51 &52) in my safe.
Being middle-aged, i focus more on the future of retirement and health, and in some cases the family. Thats always #1.
You will always have the great stories and memories to share and perhaps get the next generation to share your love for the cards we love.

Oh, if it was a theft...there be no problem. My dog would lick and pee all over him.

[rdwyer]

I would hunt the person down, and do him like the dude in the movie: Law Abiding Citizen.

[dabigyankeeman]

I love my collection, and over the years have settled in on specialties, and once I collected the insurance money, I would have tons of fun trying to duplicate my current collection of Yankee cards from 1904 thru current, and other New York and Jewish cards too.

[williamcohon]

I can't imagine simply trying to duplicate a collection that was the result of twists and turns along the collecting path. But it's been a pleasurable journey, and I am pretty sure I would still enjoy looking at, and acquiring, cards.

Come to think, I probably wouldn't mind seeing some of the same scenery a second time. Yeah, I'm all in.

[ibuysportsephemera]

I just turned 50 and have been collecting/selling for more than half of my life. I have over 15k items in inventory (most publications) and they fill my office and 1.5 storerooms. My youngest daughter will start college in the fall. I feel like the publications could start to be a real anchor at some point. I would keep anything that can fit in a 3 ring binder and sell the rest. In fact, if anyone would like to purchase a great collection for resale on eBay, let me know..I am sure we could work something out.

Jeff