2010 Standard Catalog...1st Impression

[John V]

The 2009 guide was about 2 1/2 inches thick. I have not seen the 2010. What does it measure?

[ullmandds]

I'd estimate it's 60-70% its former girth.

Barry...I see what you're saying...the checklists are certainly invaluable...I didn't really compare the prices from year to year to see if many went down...just an example that I remember because it is one of my favorite cards is the e90-1 keeler throwing card...listed at $400 in vg...down from $475 from the 2009 catalog...I still think that is much lower than you can buy the card for...but the decrease is an accurate indication that the value has come down comparatively to other cards in the set. E107 commons in vg listed at $2k...down from $2040 in 09'...seems overpriced to me...but down comparatively.

OK...never mind...pls delete this thread!!!!

[JLange]

I am a big follower of the standard catalog, and have owned many issues over the years, most recently the 2009 edition. I agree with Barry in that I have always only used the pricing as a guide, and looked to the market for current pricing. My real issue is the editorial decisions to remove sets previosly catalogued from The Big Book. I cite the 1975 jb robinson Cleveland Indians set, the 1963-69 Indians postcards, and the 1970s-80s Cleveland Indians photocards as examples, all of which were catalogued in previous editions but then removed. There has been reference made to possibly removing team picture packs in future editions. I understand that there are editorial pressures to balance size, scope, and salability, but I think of The Big Book as the collective wisdom of the hobby, and my first reference to turn to for any new pursuit. I expect it to catalog everything. Think of the Scotts Stamp catalogs (volumes of big books). How often is a stamp entry removed from those books? I understand the fringe sets don't appeal to everone, but that is my expectation and deciding factor for buying any future editions for my hobby reference library.

I apolgize to moving off topic. I can start a new thread as appropriate

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by JLange

I am a big follower of the standard catalog, and have owned many issues over the years, most recently the 2009 edition. I agree with Barry in that I have always only used the pricing as a guide, and looked to the market for current pricing. My real issue is the editorial decisions to remove sets previosly catalogued from The Big Book. I cite the 1975 jb robinson Cleveland Indians set, the 1963-69 Indians postcards, and the 1970s-80s Cleveland Indians photocards as examples, all of which were catalogued in previous editions but then removed. There has been reference made to possibly removing team picture packs in future editions. I understand that there are editorial pressures to balance size, scope, and salability, but I think of The Big Book as the collective wisdom of the hobby, and my first reference to turn to for any new pursuit. I expect it to catalog everything. Think of the Scotts Stamp catalogs (volumes of big books). How often is a stamp entry removed from those books? I understand the fringe sets don't appeal to everone, but that is my expectation and deciding factor for buying any future editions for my hobby reference library.

I totally agree. Are some sets on the CD that are not in the book though?

[barrysloate]

Jason- it's not off topic, but as you mentioned there are other considerations in the decision. Sometimes a book gets so large, with all the annual additions of card sets, that it becomes too big to bind. That happened with Leonard Maltin's movie guide. Every year he had to add another 30 pages or so to the book (which lists nearly every movie ever made). It reached the point where the book was too big to bind, so it was divided into classic movies and more current ones. Perhaps the Standard catalog has to deal with similar issues, as that book was starting to get really large.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Jason- it's not off topic, but as you mentioned there are other considerations in the decision. Sometimes a book gets so large, with all the annual additions of card sets, that it becomes too big to bind. That happened with Leonard Maltin's movie guide. Every year he had to add another 30 pages or so to the book (which lists nearly every movie ever made). It reached the point where the book was too big to bind, so it was divided into classic movies and more current ones. Perhaps the Standard catalog has to deal with similar issues, as that book was starting to get really large.

Due to costs and profit pressue it might not work but I would still like to see something that is, maybe 1980 and back, and 1981 and forward. That way all of the sets that the pre-war collectors like could be kept in and the newer stuff, which is still being produced (probably beyond demand) can keep being added. Just a wish. I haven't seen a 2010 book yet....guess no Santa for me this year .

[Mark]

They could publish a pre-1980 volume in even years and a 1980-beyond volume in the odd. If the markets are stable, as they seem to be, this wouldn't be a problem for collectors or dealers.

[cozmokramer]

Do they list the 1887 N172 Old Judge's in the book?