Hobby Convention

[HRBAKER]

Do we collect the photo/picture/drawing or do we collect the text. I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the concept that the "card" is who the words say it is even if that is not who is pictured. It seems very counter intuitive to me.

[M's_Fan]

Would there be, or should there be, a different convention if the card company meant to put the wrong picture with the name? I think there have been many instances of lazy card companies putting the wrong picture because they didn't have a true picture on hand, and a substitute was "close enough". In my opinion, the card should be the player reflected in the text in such instances.

[barrysloate]

I was joking too.

I think the answer is to really look at each card individually, as there are differences.

In the case of the N403 Anson, that's a slam dunk. It's not Anson and never can be.

The example of the Tango Eggs Buck Weaver/Joe Tinker is not as easy. That is nothing more than a poorly rendered generic image. So it might be handled differently. Not every example has the same solution.

[kkkkandp]

I said this same thing in the grading thread - first and foremost, these things we collect are picture cards. I don't see how we can ever say that the name underneath makes the picture (and, therefore, the card) something it isn't regardless of why the name and picture don't match.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by kkkkandp

I said this same thing in the grading thread - first and foremost, these things we collect are picture cards. I don't see how we can ever say that the name underneath makes the picture (and, therefore, the card) something it isn't regardless of why the name and picture don't match.

However, as most folks (not me) in the hobby have been set collectors, they really have to collect by the name on the card, for all practical purposes in order to complete a set. I can't imagine collecting a set by only pictures and not the names. Interesting debate.

[kkkkandp]

Originally Posted by Leon

However, as most folks (not me) in the hobby have been set collectors, they really have to collect by the name on the card, for all practical purposes in order to complete a set. I can't imagine collecting a set by only pictures and not the names. Interesting debate.

I think collecting a set is a different twist to this topic. This is not meant in any way to be a knock on set collecting, but in that endeavor the cards can sort of just become widgets - they could just as well be a finite number undefined objects of which you need one of each. In that scenario you really don't care as much that the words and picture don't match - you still need it to have a complete set.

If you are collecting players, on the other hand, I think you want the picture to depict the guy you're chasing, not the words. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

[HRBAKER]

Agree with Kevin here. In regards to set collecting the card does become much more of a name/number but if you are a player collector or a HOF collector, etc. I can't imagine collecting a card of "X" with "Y's" photo just because the card says "X" on the front.