What makes a great collector?

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Posted By: Frank Wakefield

Thank you, Jay, for your kind words; and you're an exemplary collector, yourself.

E, Daniel's point is valid. It isn't an issue of what is collected, or how that material is viewed by others. At one time I collected "Inspected By" slips. Those little bits of paper that are packaged with products, or in the pockets of apparel. I had hundreds of them. As I think about it, I recall that #14 was a pretty good inspector. Anyway, I could look at a slip and generally tell you the country of origin, and have a good idea of the product. Nowdays I pitch the slips, but once in a while I hold one for a moment, just above the trashcan, and think of the old days. Maybe for a while there, I was a great collector of "Inspected By" slips. And some kid who has every Ken Griffey Jr. card, knows their numbers by heart, knows approximate print runs, back errors and all, well he'd be a great collector of KG Jr cards, even though that genre doesn't appeal to me. So it seems to me that someone with only 8s and above could be a great collector, if he has the passion, knowledge, and a mentoring spirit; and a fellow who collects only beater E cards could be great, too, with those additional qualities. It isn't about quantity or quality of the cards... (although whoever up there wisely opined that Mr. Mint isn't a great collector would be correct, 'cause he doesn't collect).