What keeps you collecting?

[Northviewcats]

For me this is a timely topic. I don't really have an answer. I use to think that I would someday complete the monster, but when I started to care about a card's condition it has really slowed me up. I've only added a dozen or so T206s to my collection this year. At that rate it will take me twenty more years to complete the set, and I'm already getting pretty close to sixty. I have started buying other Prewar cards hoping that something would light a fire, but I haven't found a project that excites me. I also have played around with collecting Cuban cards (especial of those who played in the negro leagues), but there doesn't seem to be many of them available.

I have the most fun trying to find deals on eBay. I've been fairly successful at flipping cards to build a collection, but lately I've found that I would rather see my Paypal balance keep rising than spend the money on more cards.

I guess I've hit the card collecting doldrums. How do you get through this?


Best regards,

Joe

[Oldtix]

To paraphrase the immortal Freewheelin' Franklin, "Collectibles will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no collectibles."

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Oldtix

To paraphrase the immortal Freewheelin' Franklin, "Collectibles will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no collectibles."

+1

[PWeso81]

To forget about life for a while.
Not to say life is terrible...but stress can play a role in my life.
When I get too worked up over something...I self medicate with my hobby (and maybe a few beers). It is sort of like therapy, only cheaper.
I am the only person out of family/friends/work that collects.
I love that! It is mine.

[joeadcock]

I look forward to what I thought I would never have as a child.

Frank

[cardswin53]

Nothing more satisfying than finding a vintage card I need and can afford and marking it off my checklist (wantlist)

[vintagechris]

Originally Posted by Northviewcats

For me this is a timely topic. I don't really have an answer. I use to think that I would someday complete the monster, but when I started to care about a card's condition it has really slowed me up. I've only added a dozen or so T206s to my collection this year. At that rate it will take me twenty more years to complete the set, and I'm already getting pretty close to sixty. I have started buying other Prewar cards hoping that something would light a fire, but I haven't found a project that excites me. I also have played around with collecting Cuban cards (especial of those who played in the negro leagues), but there doesn't seem to be many of them available.

I have the most fun trying to find deals on eBay. I've been fairly successful at flipping cards to build a collection, but lately I've found that I would rather see my Paypal balance keep rising than spend the money on more cards.

I guess I've hit the card collecting doldrums. How do you get through this?


Best regards,

Joe

Joe,
I'm guessing we all go through this. I know I do. I think it is best when this happens to just not force any buys. It's ok to take a little break. In the past I made the mistake of starting a project, getting tired of it, then selling what I had to start something else.

Now when I lose interest in something, I just take a little break and go back when I feel the juices flowing again.

I had always wanted a 1955 Topps All American footbal set, not a very expensive set to put together or even buy at one time(but what's the fun in that?). So I started one awhile back and got bored with it. I was about 40% through with some of the big ones. Well a month or so ago I started reading the backs of them and then just researching some of the players online and I got the itch again.

One thing that I think gets people bored is this: When I first started collecting in 1980, there was a whole other world of cards out there. Cards I had never seen. The first $6 I spent on old cards was for a 1959 Yogi Berra. Then $8 for a 1965 Topps Hank Aaron. I was so pumped about those purchases, because up until then I had never seen those cards before.

Now we have seen them all. I remember the first time I saw a 1933 Goudey Ruth. It was pretty much the Holy Grail to me. Now I couldn't tell you how many I have seen and now own some.

So, I think it is important to research the history of the players to learn more about them and get the juices flowing again. Of course, even that seems to get old after awhile.