Who are the 10 most important collectors in hobby history

[tbob]

Originally Posted by Hot Springs Bathers

In the honorable mention category I would have to add John England. When he sold his collection to Fritsch it took three North American moving vans according to the old SCD story on the sale to move it to Wisconsin.

During a phone visit with Larry he told me that his personal collection more than doubled with the purchase.

After years of buying trips to John I would have never known. He did put me in touch with Wharton-Tigar when I told him I would like to find some old tennis cards back in the late 70s. That was a fun experience!

Yes, old John He was one of my partners when we bought "The Southern Find," the largest discovery of Coupons ever made (I believe). I met John in the early 80's. John owned a card store in Fort Smith, Arkansas located on the second floor of Vivian's Bookstore. At one time his collection was outstanding. He had an unbelievable collection of tobacco and caramel cards and had (arguably) the largest and most complete collection of Zeenuts ever put together, although Mark M. told me it wasn't quite #1. It had to be close. I remember when he began to get disinterested in cards and sold his collection to Larry Fritsch for a huge sum. He still had his store inventory and ran a business for several years but it seemed like his heart wasn't in it and eventually he sold the business. I spoke to him a few years ago and he is completely out of card collecting and his obsession is now jazz records and he has a ton. I always wondered if he regretted selling his marvelous collection. He was a set completist and I bet his collection of cards could have rivaled anyone's.

[Jewish-collector]

Bruce started a similar thread back about 2 years ago.

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ial+collectors

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Bruce started a similar thread back about 2 years ago.

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ial+collectors

Actually there was one last year even closer on topic.
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...hlight=wharton

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Actually there was one last year even closer on topic.
http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...hlight=wharton

At least it's something to discuss and I don't think 1 yr is too long to talk about something again. There can always be new points made. At least he started a good thread. regards

[FUBAR]

i was hoping to make the list this year, but once again, i was over looked!

I must be #101...

I personally don't think Halper should be one the list any longer, with all the recent findings.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Leon

At least it's something to discuss and I don't think 1 yr is too long to talk about something again. There can always be new points made. At least he started a good thread. regards

Oh I agree I was only pointing it out as a cross reference not as criticism.

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Bruce started a similar thread back about 2 years ago.

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthr...ial+collectors

Alan,

That wasn't Bruce. That was that damn Archive fellow!

[jeffmohler]

I came from a stamp and coin background prior to getting into baseball cards about five years ago. In those fields there has been a great deal of scholarly research done over the years. To me, the card hobby is just in its infancy compared to stamps and coins. In order for it to mature we need to see more research, books written and hobby associations formed. We should have organizations like the American Stamp Dealers Association, Society of Philatelic Americans, the American Numismatic Association and others. Why we don't have exhibitions of collections, research papers presented and conferences at the National puzzles me.

To address the topic at hand, I would nominate Lew Lipset for his Encyclopedia, Scot Reader and Ted Zanadakis for their ground-breaking work on T206 and the guys that put the Old Judge book together. This is the kind of research that will eventually bring order and growth to the hobby.

[toppcat]

Originally Posted by jeffmohler

To address the topic at hand, I would nominate Lew Lipset for his Encyclopedia, Scot Reader and Ted Zanadakis for their ground-breaking work on T206 and the guys that put the Old Judge book together. This is the kind of research that will eventually bring order and growth to the hobby.

I second that! I would also add that any list that includes Jim Beckett should also include Denny Eckes; in fact they should be referenced as a tandem I feel.

[GoSoxBoSox]

Again with the name calling. Boring.

Nice catch on Hal Lewis as a collector, guys. I'm not sure how he slipped by? Same with James Beckett and Bob Lemke as contributors.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I infer the original reference to Hal was sarcastic, but he did generate a lot of interest and debate about the definition of a rookie card, and by extension the definition of a card in general.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

I infer the original reference to Hal was sarcastic, but he did generate a lot of interest and debate about the definition of a rookie card, and by extension the definition of a card in general.

I liked Hal. In Hal's time in the hobby he was very prolific and active. Some of his threads definitely generated huge interest on the board. He certainly helped define the rookie collecting era. The several times I spoke with him he was always very nice to me. It's a shame the personal issues happened and he got out. He was always a very enthusiastic and passionate collector when in his prime. regards

[Leon]

The original question only asked for 10 people. That is quite a small number for the last 75 yrs, or so, of collecting. I gave my 10 but certainly missed some names that could have been put in.

Bruce- I still don't think that just because someone spends 10 million on a collection that they should be nominated for the list. It's the people, dare I say, that give back and help collectors and the hobby, that I feel should be on the list. It would be fun to have a current 10 and a past 10 too. There are also names like Denardo, Young, Mitchell (Hi Stephen) and many more that could make the list. As I said, 10 is a small number. regards

[Jim VB]

Originally Posted by Leon

I still don't think that just because someone spends 10 million on a collection that they should be nominated for the list.

You are 100% correct. This can't be just about money. If it is, I heard a rumor in another thread that the ex-Mrs. Dorskind may have a collection worth somewhere north of $2,000,000! Maybe we should add her to the list.