Is there a market?

[oldjudge]

Bruce--I think there might be a business, but it would probably take a while to generate any significant earnings. You could provide low resolution scans in a data base that would require a small fee for use. High resolution scans of items could be purchased for an additional fee. This is what some libraries, and the American Numismatic Society, do.

[Leon]

I think Barry hit the nail on the head. It's an interesting conversation but at the end of the day very few collectors want to pay for anything on the internet. There is no doubt in my mind that this board has done well because it is free to all collectors. I think if I asked for a $1 a yr membership fee everyone would leave . (don't worry, I am not going that route, never will)

[barrysloate]

$1 a year...that's an outrage!

[Leon]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

$1 a year...that's an outrage!

Barry- If you would pay for a whole year in advance I would be willing to give a 65% discount. Would that help any? I could also have a payment plan, take paypal, Western Union and might even consider trades!!

[barrysloate]

35 cents a year...I could swing that.

[packs]

What do you think the incentive would be to join and pay a fee to look at images? I enjoy baseball cards and looking at other people's collections, but I don't think I would pay to see them online. It would be a different story if we were talking about opening some type of sports card gallery where the items were right in front of you like a museum. But even then it would likely be a one time trip. I would much prefer to spend my money on acquiring the cards rather than seeing them.

[ScottFandango]

did you consume large amounts of wine this Valentine weekend?

you are talking very strange....


are you saying people will PAY just to see rare cards?

a little tunnel vision you may have....

[teetwoohsix]

Scott-that was funny

First a comment then just a question for Bruce.

I am glad to see that you are posting some of your pickups. Neat items you are getting.

The question is wasn't it you that said:

We do not post any items from our collection for both insurance and logistical reasons.

I am sure that this may fall the same way for other collectors. Also some of the bigger collections may not be able to be stored by Archive

I have not had to many problems in getting board members to post a pic of a card, player, or item I was researching or point me in the right direction. I believe this board is actually just like you may be talking about except you have to ask for the pics you need.

[ChiefBenderForever]

I think a nice book of the worlds greatest cards and collections would be really cool. A history of high end and rare baseball cards and it's collectors, pioneers to present.

[bijoem]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHarmonica

I think a nice book of the worlds greatest cards and collections would be really cool. A history of high end and rare baseball cards and it's collectors, pioneers to present.

I agree.

A nicely printed, hardcover book would be great.

not on a schnook or schwindle..... a real book I could touch.

[Rob D.]

 

[GasHouseGang]

While I doubt you could make any money at it, I've thought about collecting almost like this. Maybe make a virtual collection. What would be ideal, is to have the fronts and backs of all the cards from every set on your computer or on a site you could access. I'm sure this will exist in the future if it doesn't exist already. Go to the nonsport side and you can see that the effort is already underway there. This is not only a great resource, but also it doesn't take up any storage space, you don't need to worry about theft, you don't need insurance, and it's totally portable. Granted, you don't get to hold the item in your hand, but you can still enjoy it. And if they scan it large enough, you can actually read it without your glasses! I think it's the future of collecting!