Flash Them or Keep Them Hidden?

[Exhibitman]

Hiding your cards away and looking at them all alone isn't collecting it is masturbation.

[atx840]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

Hiding your cards away and looking at them all alone isn't collecting it is masturbation.

username checks out.

[Jobu]

Chris, LOL.

Thank you for all of your responses so far. I should have clarified at the start - I do share the cards I have with the forum when appropriate and I am all for sharing. This place is great and openness is why. I have learned a ton and without this community's willingness to share I think I would have learned about 5% of what I have over the past few months.

I was more curious to see where everyone stood on this as I have heard both sides of the argument. I am glad to see that there are so many in favor of flashing them!

[GoldenAge50s]

The Wagner alone answers the question. Do you in any way believe that showing one over & over hurts the value?

NO, it only increases it!

[Leon]

A few folks in our hobby don't like to share their rare cards as they think it devalues them. Actually it is a thought. However, as someone who collects some rare items I have a different view. I like to share them and think the valuation is secondary with respect to showing them. To each their own though and I say "do whatever makes you happy".

[Huysmans]

Great Tommy Leon!

Hobby enjoyment vis-à-vis sharing should trump potential or future valuation concerns!

😁😁😁

[Exhibitman]

Speaking as a collector of oddball items I can say that there is a thin line between rare and obscure. Rare good. Obscure bad. Publicity on a rare card is never a bad thing for resale; if no one knows an item exists there is no demand for it. The only reason I know of to sit on a discovery is if you know of other items you can get on the cheap if you keep mum. That is what Larry Fritsch did with the T206 Doyle variation. He advertised to buy all Doyle cards without revealing the reason or the variation.