What was the card that started it for you?

[tjb1952tjb]

Originally Posted by Puckettfan

I started collecting in 1988 (around 9yrs old) and was obsessed with Kirby Puckett. I tried to collect all of his cards as well as other stars of the day. The 1989 Topps set was the first set I remember trying to put together. However, the 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth 144 was the card that got me into vintage. And vintage has been all I have collected ever since.

My dad was not a sports fan and he did not care for baseball, but he understood value. He was the first to teach me about scarcity and the art of negotiating price. He used to begrudgingly take me around to shows and to every coin shop in the area (buying packs and wax boxes with my saved money). One of these trips he asked if I had any interest in a Ruth card behind the counter sitting by itself. He asked if I would consider having that ONE old card as apposed to some packs of new cards. I deliberated this because to a 9 year old having more is always better. Once I actually held the Ruth I was hooked. It was the coolest thing I had ever seen. He and the dealer haggled over price for quite some time but they finally agreed and I left with a card that is still in my permanent collection.

Nice father/son story......your dad was a wise man. A good decision made by you. Super '33 Goudey Babe Ruth.

[Puckettfan]

Originally Posted by tjb1952tjb

Nice father/son story......your dad was a wise man. A good decision made by you. Super '33 Goudey Babe Ruth.

Thanks Tim. Yup, the whole collecting experience after that profoundly influenced my life and and my relationship with my dad forever.

[jchcollins]

Thanks all for these great responses. Neat stories!

[irv]

Originally Posted by 71buc

Although I started collecting In 1971 it was until 1973 I became obsessed with cards. I was in the 4th grade, a chubby kid with a craving for chocolate milk traded me his older brothers 1953 Topps Satchel Paige for three small cartons of milk. He approached me the next day in a state of panic. He begged me to return Satchel. He said his brother threatened to kick his a$$ if Satchel didn't return home safely. I told him that was an a$$ whipping he was going to have to take.

Twenty-eight years later my wife made me attend my 20th HS reunion. While there I was approached by a very large and intimidating looking body builder with tattoos and a shaved head. It was fairly obvious that he recognized me. After a few minutes he realized I had no idea who he was. He then asked if I still had his brothers Satchel Paige. I confirmed that I still was in possession of Satchel. I also explained that if necessary I was prepared to take an a$$ whipping in order to keep him. Thankfully he laughed and didn't take me up on my offer. I still own that card.

Originally Posted by jchcollins

Thanks all for these great responses. Neat stories!

X2!

I particularly like the one above.

[CobbSpikedMe]

This was my first real vintage card. I picked it up when I was probably around 10 for $8 and stared at it for days afterwards. I think this was the vintage card hook that I bit and I've been loving vintage/prewar ever since.

AndyH


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