Cards to pennants and other memorabilia

[steve B]

Were once?

I've dabbled in pretty much anything baseball I can find for a long time. Not at all an expert on most of it, but I have a few of most things. Still do cards too.

Steve B

[icollectDCsports]

I started out with cards, and a card shop I patronized some years back sometimes offered non-card memorabilia such as vintage scorecards, programs, pinback buttons, pennants, ticket stubs, etc. Before long, I started to like that stuff more than cards, mostly because those items were more varied in type and appearance and many were part of the game itself because they were part of the fan experience at stadiums. I find a lot of that conveys more of the feel of the experience and history of the game. If you want to branch out beyond cards, I would suggest you start with items connected with a particular player or team and get a sampling of the types of items that strike you as the most interesting and appealing. Go with your gut and what makes you smile. To start with, you don't have to sink a lot of cash into finding some neat items that will be new to you but common to more advanced collectors. Some of the coolest items can be very affordable just because they're not very rare.

[cardswin53]

I collect St. Louis Cardinals cards and memorabilia. I keep my cards organized by year in binders and include ticket stub, scorecard ,schedule, team photo and other items from that year that fit in a binder. I also have a mancave to display pennants, bobbleheads, jerseys etc.

[mjkm90]

While I still have a ton of cards, I don't buy them any longer and have little interest in them since my switched to memorabilia exclusively.

I love that memorabilia is so varied, not all about a grade assigned by a third party, displayable, part of the player/fan experience, and just plain fun to look at, hunt for, and discover. I look at much of the early pieces I collect as art.

If you search, every day you can find a piece you didn't know existed. It's great fun to mix different types of memorabilia into a display that focuses on whatever you may choose, such as a team, player, era, or form (pennants, pins, figural pieces, and equipment for me).

Since most generalist antique dealers don't know the market for memorabilia and because there aren't monthly price guides, I believe there are far more bargains to be found as well.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by mjkm90

While I still have a ton of cards, I don't buy them any longer and have little interest in them since my switched to memorabilia exclusively.

I love that memorabilia is so varied, not all about a grade assigned by a third party, displayable, part of the player/fan experience, and just plain fun to look at, hunt for, and discover. I look at much of the early pieces I collect as art.

If you search, every day you can find a piece you didn't know existed. It's great fun to mix different types of memorabilia into a display that focuses on whatever you may choose, such as a team, player, era, or form (pennants, pins, figural pieces, and equipment for me).

Since most generalist antique dealers don't know the market for memorabilia and because there aren't monthly price guides, I believe there are far more bargains to be found as well.

Hey, Mike, I didn't see your post until after I posted. I can relate to a lot of what you said. I do get a little tired of the seemingly constant concern with the numerical grades of cards and the associated relative worth. Before I started this thread, I had went back and reread a lot of past Net54 posts with the same sentiments. Sometimes I think that once I have a sampling of cards from an era, I don't feel the need any longer to acquire more or "all of them." I am starting to want something a little less...scripted. Just a quick ebay search has revealed a whole new world to me...an exciting, overwhelming world

[mjkm90]

I'm glad you are fired up Robert!

You mentioned programs and pennants as potential areas of interest for you. Do you have a team, player, or era you are most interested in?

You mentioned football. I love football and have often felt the urge to dive into football memorabilia collecting, but finances and space have helped curb my enthusiasm. That being said, I have made football purchases on when I have stumbled upon a bargain I could flip to fund my baseball collection

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by mjkm90

I'm glad you are fired up Robert!

You mentioned programs and pennants as potential areas of interest for you. Do you have a team, player, or era you are most interested in?

You mentioned football. I love football and have often felt the urge to dive into football memorabilia collecting, but finances and space have helped curb my enthusiasm. That being said, I have made football purchases on when I have stumbled upon a bargain I could flip to fund my baseball collection

I will always have baseball in my collection. I am a Cardinals fan, and I also like the look of the Indians and Braves pennants for starters. Regarding football, I am really interested in the 19 60s AFL, especially the Los Angeles, San Diego, Los Angeles again Chargers. Later this year, I would like to buy some pennants, programs, etc. In doing some reading on the AFL, it was colorful and exciting!

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[mjkm90]

There are a ton of great Cardinals pieces to collect Robert...pinbacks, pennants, advertising, and even some figural pieces.

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Originally Posted by icollectDCsports

I started out with cards, and a card shop I patronized some years back sometimes offered non-card memorabilia such as vintage scorecards, programs, pinback buttons, pennants, ticket stubs, etc. Before long, I started to like that stuff more than cards, mostly because those items were more varied in type and appearance and many were part of the game itself because they were part of the fan experience at stadiums. I find a lot of that conveys more of the feel of the experience and history of the game. If you want to branch out beyond cards, I would suggest you start with items connected with a particular player or team and get a sampling of the types of items that strike you as the most interesting and appealing. Go with your gut and what makes you smile. To start with, you don't have to sink a lot of cash into finding some neat items that will be new to you but common to more advanced collectors. Some of the coolest items can be very affordable just because they're not very rare.

Thanks to those of you who have replied thus far. This post actually sums up what I have been thinking. I have pretty much always been a baseball guy. I will always continue to buy and keep baseball items. However, what I didn't mention in my OP was that branching out in memorabilia isn't the only change I find myself considering going through. I have become really interested in the American Football League (AFL) from the '60s. In addition to reading books about the AFL, I recently purchased a complete set of '65 Topps football and a partial set of '66 Topps football (22 commons shy of completion). These sets are 100% AFL focused, which turns off some collectors.

For better or for worse (usually worse ) I have been a Chargers fan since I was 8 years old. Lately I have been seeing some really nice '60s AFL Chargers (as well as other teams) programs and pennants for sale. The colors and artwork, especially logos are beautiful to me. I have been thinking that these items and maybe even some '60s bobbleheads might be a really cool and different way to go. I do have some game worn/autographed Chargers items from the '90s that could kinda sorta fit in with this.

Cardswin53 mentioned collecting Cardinals stuff. Well, I am a Cardinals baseball fan, too. Programs, pennants, bobbleheads, photos, etc. might be a fun way to go there as well. I also find myself drawn towards Cleveland Indians and Boston/Milwaukee Braves pennants from the 1950s and back. I think the visual appeal of the big Braves and Indians headdresses are absolutely awesome!

I really enjoy seeing the items you all come up with...they are inspiring! You guys are so passionate and knowledgeable! It will take a while for me to swallow the price of the '65 and '66 football sets in all honesty, but after that I hope to be a meaningful contributor to this board sharing my own memorabilia purchases. Thanks again!

Robert