My Boston Store Collins McCarthy Dilemma

[steve B]

Pretty much all prewar sets I've had to realize that because of money and/or lack of focus I'll never complete them.

Getting into a niche in a different hobby has gotten me way more comfortable with that, the niche, despite being in a very mature hobby is sort of like card collecting decades ago, only a rudimentary "checklist" and even after way over 100 years there are still new discoveries. In a way, while "completing the set" according to the catalog may sort of be possible* it actually isn't.

So having a very good collection is about the best anyone can do. Yes, there are those occasional "superstar" items I won't ever be able to get because of the cost.

I've always been a very slow collector because I collect most sets. Some far more actively than others. I've been "working" on the 76 topps set since... 76. Added a few more back in November. Of course I could just buy the few I need, but where's the fun in that?

I'd say if you can afford to, keep both, and add as they come up. As others have said, adding to the Boston Store ones when you can, and maybe expanding into related brands if you need to have a bit of action in adding cards.

*
The catalog lists varieties that in one case haven't been seen since the 1930's and might be a different thing misunderstood, and in a couple others, varieties that are unknown today and the source for the listing is also unknown. Meanwhile there are common major varieties that aren't listed at all.... Making the "checklist" pretty much impossible to know if it's complete or not.
I have 3 potential candidates for two of the not seen in decades varieties, but need to find a second identical example to prove they aren't just random weirdnes.