How do you guys find all the GOOD STUFF?

[Jewish-collector]

Networking is not really applicable anymore. Since everyone in competing, collectors don't tell other collectors, even their friends, anymore.

Honestly, you need to have a lot of disposable income and need to be aware of the large antique sports auction houses like Morphys, Hakes, Jullians, etc,... and/or go to a lot of the major sports collectibles shows. Plus, going to antique shops and antique shows doesn't hurt.

Unfortunately, I'm a poor slob, so I can't get anything good.

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Networking is not really applicable anymore. Since everyone in competing, collectors don't tell other collectors, even their friends, anymore.

100 percent untrue.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

100 percent untrue.

+1

[HRBAKER]

If you are a niche collector and have certain areas of emphasis and you make that be known often times people will alert you to the existence of and whereabouts of items they feel you may be interested in. A great deal of my best items and nearly half of what I buy now comes in non-auction transactions where a seller may have contacted me directly or through someone else.

Networking is absolutely effective and key.

[Republicaninmass]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Networking is not really applicable anymore. Since everyone in competing, collectors don't tell other collectors, even their friends, anymore.

This mentality will build a good collection, but networking will bring it from to to great. Don't be short sighted!

[slidekellyslide]

Picked up at the antique show today for a grand total of $45. Some of these items I got because of networking. There are at least 10 dealers that set up at every show that save sports memorabilia for me when they get it.

[murphusa]

And that's how you build a collection. A little at a time and then you take that pennant or nodder and sell or trade it for something that's fits your collection. That way you and your trader will always be on the lookout for each other.

Or you can be like eastonfalcon19' every week he post what he has found. He gets up every Sunday morning I'm guessing at 3 or 4 and goes out and finds it. It works

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by murphusa

And that's how you build a collection. A little at a time and then you take that pennant or nodder and sell or trade it for something that's fits your collection. That way you and your trader will always be on the lookout for each other.

Or you can be like eastonfalcon19' every week he post what he has found. He gets up every Sunday morning I'm guessing at 3 or 4 and goes out and finds it. It works

Exactly...none of this stuff above really fits my collection. Knowledge is power, know your stuff over a broad range and it's amazing what you can put together.

Two weeks ago I was at a local estate auction and picked up the scrapbook of a former Major Leaguer. It had real photo postcards of Brooklyn Superbas, a 1913 World Series ticket and other great stuff. I got it for next to nothing because I was the only one there that knew its true value. And once again networking came through for me, I knew this scrapbook was there because the auctioneer called me.

You should also be persistent like Eastonfalcon...you WILL find treasure in the wild if you stick to it. My best find ever was a Tris Speaker game used bat.

Now I have to go get myself ready. A local auction starts at noon with over 35 team signed footballs of the Nebraska Cornhuskers (no jokes please).

[ooo-ribay]

Thanks for all the great advice!!

As Joe mentioned, it's really, really, really tough to get in touch with people on ebay unless you buy from or sell to those people. It was great, back in the day, when you could contact the winner of a big lot and ask if he/she would be willing to sell a piece or two from that lot. I understand why ebay made the instant communication impossible, but I sure do miss it.

As far as garage sales and local auctions, I guess I don't want to devote that much time. I know my wife doesn't want me devoting that much time . Since Salt Lake has never had a major league team, I'm not sure my time would be well spent.

The tip about picking up "trade bait" when you see it is a good one!

[Republicaninmass]

If you've come across something you've never seen... BUY IT

[slidekellyslide]

Originally Posted by ooo-ribay

Thanks for all the great advice!!

As Joe mentioned, it's really, really, really tough to get in touch with people on ebay unless you buy from or sell to those people. It was great, back in the day, when you could contact the winner of a big lot and ask if he/she would be willing to sell a piece or two from that lot. I understand why ebay made the instant communication impossible, but I sure do miss it.

As far as garage sales and local auctions, I guess I don't want to devote that much time. I know my wife doesn't want me devoting that much time . Since Salt Lake has never had a major league team, I'm not sure my time would be well spent.

The tip about picking up "trade bait" when you see it is a good one!

Lincoln, Nebraska has never had a major league team, but I've found a game used Tris Speaker bat, former major leaguer scrapbook, and I once attended an auction of a former major leaguer that was not advertised as such and picked up nearly all of his minor league memorabilia (Jack Bruner). I talked to the family at the sale and they let me come in the house to view his major league memorabilia which included his White Sox uniform. Not sure why they let go of all of his minor league stuff, but they did, and I got it cheap. Salt Lake City is almost as big as Lincoln, I gotta think there is stuff out there. Plus they did have a minor league team in the PCL so I'd be searching for that stuff. Put an ad on Craigslist, you never know.

A few items I've found at the local antique show in the last decade include:

-2 1898 Cameo Pepsin baseball pinbacks in mint condition
- 1898 Cameo Pepsin boxing pinback of John L Sullivan that was previously unknown (same seller as above)
-circa 1910 Portland PCL cabinet photo that was huge...the largest cabinet photo I've ever seen.
-Dogs Head cigarette pack in immaculate shape

Another great place to look for sports memorabilia is the local postcard/paper show. We have one twice a year in Omaha and I've found incredible items there...most of the dealers are aware that sports related postcards and paper are desirable, but I once picked up a Superior, Nebraska minor league RPPC with Dazzy Vance pictured on it for cheap because the dealer had no clue that it contained a future major league hall of famer on it.

This stuff is out there ready to be found, you just have to go get it...it's not going to come to you.