What was your first pre-war purchase?

[Mutton Chop Yaz]

Purchased on eBay in late 2016 when I hit my mid-30s and realized I could realistically collect cards that would have seemed impossible to obtain as a kid (I didn’t even see cards like this at the local card shops and flea markets I frequented in the 1990s), prompting a return to the hobby.

At $385, it was the most expensive card I’d purchased or owned up to that point. Of course, it seems like a relative bargain just a few years later. The 2015-2020 period will stand as a golden age for older millennials who returned to collecting during that stretch. Goudey Ruths could be had for $1,500, I tell ya.

[oldjudge]

An old hooker on the upper West Side of Manhattan when I was 17 (just kidding &#129315

[StraightRaceCards]

When I first found pre-war cards, I was referred over to net54. eliotdeutsch was kind enough to give me a great deal on a group of 3 commons and he even included an extra beat up Jack Barry with a faded backstamp on it. Pretty awesome start!

I love all these cards, (Powers, Street, McGlynn, Barry), but something about the Powers all beat up with a slit on the bottom with the mask feels like the "first one"

Been an amazing journey in this first year of collecting and made some great friends along the way here. 32 / 520 so far and slowly working my way towards finishing the monster!

Thinking all the commons will go in an album, and will planning to get low grade SGC graded cards for the HOF'ers to display. I may splurge on a nice white cap Matty one day though

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Mutton Chop Yaz

Goudey Ruths could be had for $1,500, I tell ya.

How about $500 for Ruth AND Gehrig in 1988? My best friend and my sister both thought I was insane, and I thought it was rash (I also bought a 1934 OAL ball signed by Ruth, Gehrig and Cobb at the same time) as well. As I have said ever since, who could know?

[campyfan39]

My first and only prewar card.
Wanted a card of one of the blacksox

[MattyC]

The very d304 Cobb pictured below was my first pre-war card purchase a decade ago. I didn't know anything about it or pre-war cards at the time, yet the image was just so pleasing to my eye that I bid on it and won. I had actually sold it to a friend yet was so attached to it he allowed me to get it back in a later trade. Tough card to find, and too pricey for me in higher grades, so this was always "the one" for me.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

3 1933 Goudey's for $7.50 in 1987. Bing Miller, Randy Moore and someone else. I was always trying to get "the oldest card I've ever had" and that was my first foray into anything before the late 1950's.

[Zach Wheat]

Originally Posted by jingram058

How about $500 for Ruth AND Gehrig in 1988? My best friend and my sister both thought I was insane, and I thought it was rash (I also bought a 1934 OAL ball signed by Ruth, Gehrig and Cobb at the same time) as well. As I have said ever since, who could know?

Two events happened almost at the same time. First was, I bought a 1955 Koufax rookie and another rookie at the same time. I asked for a T206 Walter Johnson portait as a "throw in" and they agreed.

I don't even remember what the 2nd rookie card was but was captivated by the T206 Johnson portrait and never looked back 25+ years later.

Best throw in ever.

[Cmvorce]

Dark cap Matty. Still my favorite in the T206 set.

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Zach Wheat

Two events happened almost at the same time. First was, I bought a 1955 Koufax rookie and another rookie at the same time. I asked for a T206 Walter Johnson portait as a "throw in" and they agreed. I don't even remember what the 2nd rookie card was but was captivated by the T206 Johnson portrait and never looked back 25+ years later. Best throw in ever.

Some throw in! Who would do that?