"The Hunt" v.s. Enjoying what you have

[cubman1941]

I have been collecting since 1976 and used to put sets together but now concentrate on Cubs I need (pre-war). My "stuff" is mostly Cubs and I really enjoy, and sometimes get frustrated, by the hunt. I remember putting the 1954 set together. I spent 8 years finishing it and the last card was some common. I had no problem finding Williams, Banks, Aaron but those commons!! However, I put in in a box and it has never been looked at again. To me the "thrill of the hunt" for Cubs I don't have and, sometimes, thanks to this site, didn't even know they existed is the most fun. The demise of card shops in my area had diminished this and I don't get to go to Nationals anymore so my hunt is basically limited to antique shops when I go and on-line sites.

[Beatles Guy]

The Hunt is fun, but it also gets frustrating when you keep coming across the same overpriced cards.

[Howe’s Hunter]

Interested in where they come from, and then after finding them, it isn't so much about admiring them, but trying to figure patterns out.

How come out of 294 cards ...

there are seven Red Ames portraits, but no Joe Tinker portraits at all?

How come there are three Lundgren – Chicago but no Mathewson dark caps?

How come there are two Cobb green backs and a beautiful Cobb bat away (I don't own any of those, but I have hunted them down and have scans...) but no Cobb red backs or bat on?

Still guessing all the cards came from one store, but how come the tobacco packs sold there had so many of some, none of another. Mystery of life.

[DeanH3]

The hunt has always been a big factor for me. Especially since I think I'm pretty picky about the cards I buy. The recent rise of prices for the cards I'm searching for, has caused me to "hunt" for a lower technical grade but still retain really nice eye appeal I need. It's definitely been a tougher task but it has also caused me to appreciate what I have already aquired more than I did before.