Who are the 10 most important collectors in hobby history

[teetwoohsix]

IMO, some of the most important collectors in hobby history are the ones who so kindly provide us with their knowledge and insight about the cards they love and collect, and share pictures & scans of cards we may never get a chance to own. Collectors who run websites devoted to the cards we love (Net54,oldcardboard,T206.org,etc.) and who write books (Jefferson Burdick-ACC,,,, Jay M.,Joe G., and Richard M.-The Photographic Baseball Cards of Goodwin & Company 1886-1890,,,Scot R.-Inside T206,,,,,Lew Lipset-The Encyclopedia of Baseball (all volumes),,,,,etc.

I think the title of this thread could've been " Who has had the most impressive collection in hobby history".

Clayton

[Leon]

I hate to be so agreeable, because it's not generally my nature, but you guys are absolutely correct. What we are discussing really needs to be split into two, as one is not really dependant on the other.

1. Who has/had the best baseball card collection?
1b. Who has/had the best sports memorabilia collection?

2. Who has/have contributed most (positively) to the baseball card hobby? (I am being specific on purpose)

Defining the questions would lead to different answers, most times, and I can understand and would even stick up for a collectors right to be private. It's their collecting...more power to them. On the other hand, to contribute positively to the hobby, it might be difficult to remain anonymous or behind the scenes.

regards

[GoSoxBoSox]

All would be interesting conversations.

I am particularly interested in a thread that addresses "Who has/have contributed most (positively) to the baseball card hobby?" and what was the contribution and impact? I think everyone can learn something on a thread like that and it would not be nearly as self-serving as the original thread topic was meant to be.

Edited to add: Right after Jefferson Burdick I would like to nominate Elliot Bassin for putting Net54 on the map

[teetwoohsix]

+1

[Peter_Spaeth]

Finding and buying cards, and selling them as a collector, was made easier by a quantum leap with the advent of ebay, so I would nominate Pierre Omidyar.

[GoSoxBoSox]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Finding and buying cards, and selling them as a collector, was made easier by a quantum leap with the advent of ebay, so I would nominate Pierre Omidyar.

True, true Peter. I guess we should probably set out by saying the contributions should be specifically made for this hobby (card collecting). If not I can see people adding the inventors of paper, camera's, ink, printing presses, etc. I wouldn't call any of these people, nor Pierre, great sportscard hobby contributors. Just my opinion, of course. But I can see both sides of that argument.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Like him or not (hi Jeff!) Bill Mastro was a driving force in establishing the auction as a fixture in the hobby.

[calvindog]

Bill is an awesome dude. I hope he can be Best Man at my 14th wedding someday.

Dear Critics

Our list (s) of the most important collectors in the history of the hobby was focused on the plethora of people whose involvement shaped the hobby.

It is clear that a number of you have no idea who certain collectors are/were and what they contributed.
For example ,one of the people on our list wrote a series of important articles about the Texas Tommy series,
and accumulated more than 45 examples. We, of course, are still in contact, but would not reveal their name.

Other collectors brought interest to the importance of grading cards and essentially enabled the creation of a billion dollar business.

To show you how far things have come in a 1956 Hobby Publication which we have there is a cover story
on a young junior banker whose "$1000 collection" was considered the most valuable in the baseball card hobby.
The article notes that the junior lending officer is the only person in the country to have a complete set of the
"ultra rare Delong gum cards"

Said legendary collector, now deceased, sent us his entire 45-year collection of hobby publications
along with a note of gratitude for our research efforts, and willingness to trade with him.

Many of the "unknown" collectors referenced by our "misguided, uneducated
critics" were friends of the aforementioned legendary collector. In turn they worked
with Egan and other pioneers in identifying players, sets and provenance of various cards and sets.

For those of you who are not true students of hobby history, said collector
was our friend, the late Lionel Carter.

As Always,

Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List
bdorskind@dorskindgroup.com

The country's leading buyer of high grade ultra rare baseball cards and memorabilia (no bats, autographs, uniforms equipment etc.)

[GoSoxBoSox]

Really classy. You can't take criticism or challenges so you belittle people.

For the record your so-called history lesson didn't teach anything other than that you claim to be friends with people that actually have contributed something. Well, there is no prize given to the beauty queen's best friend so I guess you are also one of us non-contributing little people in the hobby.

BTW, we all know about Egan, Carter and many other pioneers. They contributed, yes. You are not Merlin for knowing that. In fact, all of what you just said about Lionel Carter was in the article written about Mr. Carter when his collection was auctioned.

We didn't call anyone on the list you posted "unknown" as you accuse. We challenged that some of them were bigtime contributors to the hobby. Anybody can go down the list you posted and make you look foolish for professing some of those people actually "shaped the hobby". We don't because those people don't deserve to be called out for something so foolish. I'm sure they are all very nice people who could care less about such trivial lists.

Please grow-up.

[Wite3]

I know he never posts and I know he likes it private but a certain broadcaster must be included on the list. He often published articles and owns one of the best collections in the hobby.

I think the list should also include Beckett as a contributor and collector.

Bob Lemke needs to be mentioned as well. A wonderful contributor to the hobby and collector of knowledge more than cards. (And a damn fine card artist lately too).

Just a few I think needed to be mentioned (if they haven't already).

Joshua

[ElCabron]

Dave Kohler
Bill Mastro
Doug Allen
J.P. Cohen
Alan Rosen
Mark Rucker
Alan Hager
Sergio Delgado
Hal Lewis
Marshall Barkman

-Ryan

[benchod]

Ryan,
What a great list. I'm shocked Mr Mint wasn't mentioned before.

In all seriousness I've learned the most about this hobby I love not from the "big names " on any list but from the people who share their knowledge on these message boards as well as the people who take the time to write the great articles in Old Cardboard. And of course Lipset for the "Encylopedia".

[Orioles1954]

Wasn't Hal Lewis a decent guy? For the record, while I appreciate hobby history, the only collection that matters to me is my own.

[calvindog]

Hal Lewis wasn't just a decent guy--he was a great guy.

[Orioles1954]

I remember Hal Lewis lost a lot in real estate along with a huge chunk of his collection. However, never remember him being remembered as a shady fellow?

[jcmtiger]

Noicebringer, I was happy to see Bill Mastro in your list. There has been a lot of negative feedback about Bill lately, but he has a great collection. Also I know of 2 collectors who are not going public, that have great collections, possibly in the top ten.

Joe

In life and in war, when one is attacked one has the right, in fact, the obligation to respond.

To our knowledge, there was not a single person on our list of
35 who did not make a major contribution to shaping the hobby. There were a select few names that we failed to note, and we acknowledged
those collectors in subsequent posts.

A collector who spent $5 or 10 million on cards has certainly made a major contribution by raising awareness of rare items and by attracting others to the hobby, and often by attracting the press.

We are afraid it is you who needs to grow up. Remember in the competition for the very best in life there are only two classes of people: winners and losers.

So little boy, while you keep whining..we'll keep adding to America's Toughest Want List


Bruce Dorskind
America's Foremost Collector of Rare High Grade
Baseball Cards and Memorabilia

If you extraordinary items to sell please write
in confidence to bdorskind@dorskindgroup.com

Thank you and Happy Labor Day

[GoSoxBoSox]

To refresh your memory I simply asked you to "calm down" in post #33 after you attacked a friend of mine, needlessly, in post #31. Your response was to endlessly go after me. So be it.

It's good to hear you won't be PM'ing me anymore. You should save your breathe because it's wasted on me.

This isn't a war Brucii. This is actually boring to myself and others. No matter what dribble you type it won't stop me from going on with my blessed life. I've spent this evening with my beautiful children and wife in our beautiful home just like I spend most evenings. I don't owe a dime to anyone in the world for anything, and I have a pretty darn nice collection despite you thinking otherwise. I just turned 42 so I think it's fair to say I'm not all that old either (my kids disagree).

I only wish everyone could be as lucky as I am, Brucii. Even you.

[chris6net]

Bruce,I know you have taken some personal attacks in this thread but I can remember meeting you at some of the large East Coast Shows over the years and you were very helpful and a wealth of knowledge. You are an asset to this hobby and I look forward to your book.CN

[barrysloate]

Tom- by any chance are you the same Tom Papa who hosts "The Marriage Ref?"

[2dueces]

Tom, The whales and business competion would be devastated if there was less competion for ultra rare cards or being crushed in major deals if there was a family involved instead of just 2 people. Me thinks that the uncut Garders are admired with one hand before bedtime.