Late july pickup...finally got this

RICHIEHARRIS · #1 07-25-2025, 08:11 AM

I know.
I started collecting back when I was about 12 years old, which was only a little over 60 years ago. Apparently over a period of 60 years, players became unable to fully write their name out when signing.
Unfortunately, my collection is based on one theme, MLB Managers autographs. I never factored in the prerequisite as to their penmanship or whether they could spell out each letter or not.
Also, back when I started, players didn't charge either. I guess it's an understatement if I say 'times have changed'.

BillyCoxDodgers3B · #2 07-25-2025, 08:20 AM

Believe me, I completely understand that you have to fill that void, even when it's something illegible. It's part of the theme, and part of the collector mentality of "needing" things, even if and when they may repulse you, just in your attempt to complete a project. I finally moved past that by allowing myself to alter my project. Collectors have to always keep in mind that they make the rules. They are the rulers of their happy little hobby realms. Don't let your project run you. You're the boss. But if it doesn't bother you, that's even better!

If you want to put together a 1974 Topps set consisting of one Richie Schienblum card, there is no actual rule that says you can't proclaim your set complete! If, in your own mind, that set consists solely of Richie Scheinblum, then so be it! More power to you. Laugh and move on to the next thing.

Personally, I wasn't having any fun in collecting (let alone spending money on) these things that looked like they were drawn in a fit of rage by Koko the monkey. Sometime around 1996, I think, I said to myself, "Enough. I will stick with this nonsense until the year 2000, just for the sake of ending it on a very important-sounding year.". I did, and it was incredibly freeing. But those few years from when the decision was made until I could finally quit were a painful slog. There were so many times where I was adding pieces to the collection where I really wished I could just use them as toilet paper, but that would have been an insult to toilet paper.

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