Who are the 10 most important collectors in hobby history

[barrysloate]

Everybody on those lists are either deceased, no longer in the hobby, or only peripherally involved. Aren't any of the present day collectors worthy of mention?

[rdixon1208]

Hobby contributions I understand, but what does the "breadth and scope of their collections" have to do with being important?

[bbcard1]

Just my opinion, but you (or me) are the most significant collector in the history of the hobby. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be beholding to those who studied or compiled masses of information, but ultimately this is a personal journey. Is it solitary? Anything but. What we truly accumulate, other than cards, are experiences, friendships, relationships and connections with others. We only own the card for a while. If we pass on a love for the game and an appreciation for the hobby, we have been significant. I have read Burdick's work. I sort of knew Frank Nagy who by all accounts was great. My brief correspondence with Lipset was more negative that positive. To me the most significant collector I met was Keith Miller, who taught me to be honest in all my dealings and to help others out when you can. I have been encouraged by a collector named Ed Woodard who taught me not to keep my stuff locked up...that I should share it every chance I get.

[teetwoohsix]

Great post bbcard1 !!!

Clayton

[JasonL]

a few of you that I like, and then I suppose some of the other ones already mentioned.

[oldjudge]

In order of importance:

1.Wharton Tigar
2.Jeff Burdick
3.Lew Lipset
4.Barry Halper
5.Richard Masson
6.Frank Nagy
7.Buck Barker
8.Keith Olbermann
9.Lionel Carter
10.Charles Bray

Honorable Mention: Rich Egan, Larry Fritsch, Keith Mitchell, Don McPherson. The best collections ever are, I believe, held by a few modern collectors.

[sb1]

Given enough time and opportunity that order will change

[Robextend]

I am not sure where he ranks all-time, but Randy Stuckemeyer had quite the collection.

[David W]

I would think Barry Halper for amassing such a vast and diverse collection (authenticity questions aside), Dr. James Beckett for his collection and his price guides and how that changed the hobby from circa 1980 to 2000, and PSA for introducing the grading system to the hobby, which like it or not, has transformed the way cards are bought and sold the last 10 years.

Also Larry Fritch has to be on there somewhere. Just about everybody has bought something from Larry Fritch at some time in there life.