The Net 54 100

[barrysloate]

There's a Seinfeld moment applicable to every thread.

[Jim VB]

Will there be a red carpet at the awards ceremony? (And, free parking goes without saying.)

[bigtrain]

If the purpose of such a list is to provide collectors with a resource by naming experts who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with others, then I think it is a good idea. If the purpose is to recognize and heap praise upon those advanced collectors who are already pretty good at tooting their own horns, then I am not interested.

[Jay Wolt]

I think a better thread well served would be.
Asking all N54ers what's their area of expertise that they collect as opposed to the top 100

[slidekellyslide]

I nominate Bruce Dorskind for #1 SUPERCOLLECTOR OF THE UNIVERSE. He certainly is the most knowledgeable and by far has the best collection.

VOTE DORSKIND!!!1

[Matt]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

I nominate Bruce Dorskind for #1 SUPERCOLLECTOR OF THE UNIVERSE.

Why only #1?

[martin neal]

No one has actually determined how many collectors there are in the Dorskind group. Hell, they may take the all the spots.

[Bosox Blair]

Only tangentially related...I was reading a bit last night about Lionel Carter.

As many know, he had one of the greatest collections ever assembled and was (for a collector) fairly high profile. Around 2006 (from memory) he suffered a break-in and theft of part of his collection. He was in his late 80s at the time. He and his wife were so shaken up by it that he pretty much immediately set about selling the collection that he had taken a lifetime to assemble. Within a couple years, he passed away. Apparently after the sale he scarcely wanted to talk about cards and collecting anymore.

This story saddened me, but it made me understand why some collectors guard their privacy.

Cheers,
Blair

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Matt

Why only #1?

I saw this thread and responded within about 1 minute...then said nah, it will get handled, and didn't hit the reply button. I think it should be the Penultimate Collection!! And I vote for Bruce "the Group" Dorskind as the "be all end all". Are we done yet?

Seriously, I can't imagine anyone of us thinking "I have the best collection in the world, or even on the board." We tend to be proud of our collections but with a bit of humility. Hey, I show a ton of pictures of some of my cards but I know that my collection pales to others......and even if it didn't, I wouldn't make a big deal about it. I get excited for other collectors when they get excited about their new toys. It's a great hobby.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by Jay Wolt

I think a better thread well served would be.
Asking all N54ers what's their area of expertise that they collect as opposed to the top 100

Jay,

Get a hold of yourself. This is America. What we do, is rank things. It's the only growing part of our GNP.

[teetwoohsix]

It was pointed out in another one of these threads that this is more than likely an attempt to find out "who has what" so "they" can solicit certain collectors for the things "they" need for "their" want list.

Anyhow-how about it Bruce?Start the list by showing us some of your "group's" collection??That might entice people to subscribe to your idea?Just a thought................

[Jantz]

Whats the point?

We all know Archive has the best collection!

Jantz

[nolemmings]

I have no problem with the concept Bruce proposes--it is essentially already done by PSA on an annual basis, although with the obvious tie-in to their products. However, that right there might explain why I am doubtful it would work here.

The collecting mentality is for the most part different here. Although there is certainly no shortage of cutthroat competition among us for cards we want, there is still a general sense of collegiality by which we appreciate all collections, large or small, niche or general, high condition or no, graded or not. I get the distinct impression that those with the "greatest" collections here do not want to be recognized in that way, and do not need to be. I also would bet that in saying so, I am preaching to the choir.

Many here might think it elitist, but I have no objection to recognizing and acknowledging those collectors whose contributions and/or collections are exemplary. I also have no problem doing that privately and without ceremony. Makes no nevermind to me.

[Robextend]

I wouldn't be in the top 5,000 but I always like a thread with a Seinfeld reference.

Since it is a fact that most collectors are private, I think that the idea is very unrealistic. It is nice to know that on the board we have our resident experts on T206, Old Judge, etc...and I think that is good enough for most of us.

[Anthony S.]

At the risk of sounding immodest, I'm going to go ahead and nominate myself. Now mind you, this is merely the penultimate 1909 Obak Carson extant in my cardboard empire. Obsequious fawners over my myriad memorable memorabilia acquisitions, the line forms to the left. Genuflectors, to the right:

[Rob D.]

Fantastic idea.

In Bruce's honor, I suggest the awards be called The Groupies.

(Jantz, that's a pretty offensive signature line you've got going there.)

[Jantz]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

(Jantz, that's a pretty offensive signature line you've got going there.)

Thank You Rob. I think you're right though. Its time for a change.

I apologize to the board if I'm derailing this Seinfeld thread. I would like to add something of my own, but since I've never seen a single episode of Seinfeld, I have nothing to add.

Great photo Wonka!

Jantz Morey

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

Fantastic idea.

In Bruce's honor, I suggest the awards be called The Groupies.

How about "The Celibates"? The trophy could be topped with a mirror so all the winners can see is their own reflected glory...

William Shatner: You know, before I answer any more questions there's something I wanted to say. Having received all your letters over the years, and I've spoken to many of you, and some of you have traveled... y'know... hundreds of miles to be here, I'd just like to say... GET A LIFE, will you people? I mean, for crying out loud, it's just baseball cards! I mean, look at you, look at the way you're dressed! You've turned an enjoyable little hobby into a COLOSSAL WASTE OF TIME!

[ a crowd of shocked and dismayed Bruces.... ]

I mean, how old are you people? What have you done with yourselves?

[ to "Bruces" ] You, you must be almost 60... have you ever kissed a girl?

[ "Bruces" hangs his head ]

I didn't think so! There's a whole world out there! When I was your age, I didn't collect cards and do nothing else, I LIVED! So... move out of your studio apartment! And try speaking to a real live woman, and GROW THE HELL UP! I mean, it's just baseball cards dammit, IT'S JUST BASEBALL CARDS!

Exhibit Man, you have clearly taken one too many boxing punches

We don't appreciate your stupidity or sarcastic comments

Our studio apartment is in fact. a large apartment in one of New York's premiere buildings

Our personal life is none of your business. Our baseball collection is
world class and museum quality.
For us, it is a great deal more than baseball cards

Perhaps they will issue a special exhibit card when you do the world a favor and end it all.. Looking forward to reading about your demise


.

Bruce

[barrysloate]

Bruce- Adam was doing a parody of an SNL sketch when William Shatner hosted the show. It was originally a spoof on Star Trek, and he just changed the words to baseball cards.

[barrysloate]

There would be no harm in citing the people who have expertise in certain areas, with the idea that if a collector had a question about a certain collectible, he could freely email one of these experts for advice. I know vintage baseball books quite well and I often get emails with questions about value and rarity. I even got one today. And I always try to answer and help out another collector.

But giving an award to the guy with the biggest collection is no doubt elitist and serves no purpose at all. If anything, it's just going to alienate the collectors who don't have the wherewithal to afford the rare cards and memorabilia.

I wonder if Bruce were asked questions about say Federal League pieces, advertising display pieces, or any other collectible he knew really well, if he would be willing to share his time and help out another collector. If so, then I would say this is a good thread. We have an archive at the top of the page that directs us to articles written about various areas of baseball collectibles, and that is a valuable resource. Having experts out there willing to field questions and help others get started would be equally useful. But I doubt that sharing information was the reason Bruce thought of this thread.