What Was The Hobby Like Back In The Day?

[Exhibitman]

"I love the honor system that you spoke about in the story with the Ty Cobb checks."

You gotta remember, most everyone thought this stuff was crap, junk, and we were crazy to waste our money on it. They would give it you and be happy you were hauling it away. That was true of a lot of categories of collectibles. I once got paid for clearing out an archive of entertainment memorabilia. The stuff I salvaged from the trash was worth thousands over the years when I used to sell it at entertainment shows and auctions.

"I worked with a gentleman and once a month beginning in 1978 we used to drive out to the valley to work at a show that I believe was organized by All-Star Cards"

Yep, that's the one. All Star's owner started the club and show. It ran for a few years, then he sold the store and the monthly meetings became larger shows a few times a year.

"One thing rarely talked about (and not mentioned here either) in the history of the hobby was when football, basketball, and hockey cards became relevant."

Sooooo true. No one wanted it. I once traded a box of football cards to get a single prewar baseball card. The FB cards were worthless at the time. I probably threw away thousands in vintage FB that way. Every time I think of it I throw up a little in my mouth.