Observing a Card Buyer at an Antique Shop

[gonefishin]

First I don't know why I like this thread but I do.

I'm in my 70s and have collected most of my life, starting around 1959-60. I've seen a lot of collectors. We didn't consider ourselves collectors way back then, just kids that liked cards. Of course, Mantle and Musial were kings of the day.

Anyway, to this day I see on occasion people searching through 5K count boxes of cards from let's say 1987 - 1989. Every card they touch and do limited research on they think - this card is worth $5, this one $8, etc. etc. I know the entire box is not worth $5 to me as I can't stomach even seeing cards from that era and have nightmares of the bright yellow, bright red, and even the brown cards from 87!

My true story. I have a very nice young couple that recently purchased a house close to me. He stated that his grandfather really collected cards when he was young and still had his collection. He stated that he also had some cards that he collected and would swing by and show them to me. He came over with a briefcase filled with nicely stored cards, mainly all pretty modern star cards in toploaders etc. He wanted my opinion. I looked and told him they were nice and he should hold to them for a few years and enjoy them. He reached into the top of the briefcase and pulled out 2 cards his grandfather had given him as a present. One was a 53 Jackie Robinson (probably around a 6 if graded) and a 54 AAron in about the same condition. I told him those were extremely nice cards and had a lot of value. He said they did to him because his grandfather gave them to him! I congratulated him and told him to continue enjoying collecting. We, not once, put a monetary value on the cards.

Hopefully, he will one day have a collection like his grandfather - that's what it's all about, not what a 1988 Donruss common is worth.