my vintage collecting

[David W]

It's a whole lot easier to look at your cards in binders rather than slabs and in top holders rather than slabs.

I fell into the trap (briefly) of trying to get the top registry set for Lou Brock, and then realized how dumb that was, and still have not registered the cards I have from PSA to see if I have it.

I'd rather be able to set them on the counter and look at them rather than worrying about scratching the PSA slab.

[hangman62]

I too have never sent a card in for slabbing or grading, I prefer to hold in my hand the cardboard. Im also a lesser condition collector, I get much more for my dollar by passing on the Musial with sharp corners..and going with the Felller and Musial with creases and corner wear.
I have tons and tons of extras avail for trade with cards from 30s thru 60s..if anybody is interested in trading similar

RalG

[dabigyankeeman]

I collect Yankees from tobacco cards thru current, and am strictly a collector, not an investor.

I buy cards in conditions i can afford, its WAY more important to me to have a card then not have it because i cant afford it in nice condition. A "fair" Mantle from the 1950's in my album is an awful lot nicer than no Mantle at all in my album.

Speaking of albums, all my cards are in albums. I buy a lot of vintage cards in slabs to verify authenticity, but then i remove them from the slab and into my albums they go.

Vintage Cards Rule - thats so true, for even though i collect new cards, its the vintage cards i love. Plus you know what, a vintage card with some creases and defects is just looking its age, to me its what a vintage card should be. A vintage card thats in perfect condition is great to look at, but sometimes it doesnt look like a vintage card. So enjoy your lessor condition old cards, i know i enjoy mine.

[Samsdaddy]

I to am not a high end, pristine condition collector NOT an investor and I hope one day to pass this collection on to a grandson if I have one.

I guess I understand the need for grading companies, but I personally will never purchase a graded card. The price becomes too inflated and it is not worth it to be several hundred dollars more for a graded card than a raw one, I just don't see the logic.

I am not keen on keeping my cards in albums though because the top row of each page keeps sticking out the top and it drives me nuts. My cards are in penny sleeves and then either in top loaders or the semi rigid Card Saver 1's.

[curch]

I am so glad I am not the only one that feels like this

[Samsdaddy]

This is not a slam on those who purchase graded cards but if there is a day that comes when I am more concerned about getting a particular grade of a vintage card then I have lost sight of why I collect in the first place.

Vintage sports cards were never meant to be perfect, they were made to help sell bubble gum. Sure, I do like to collect at least EX-Mt cards but I won't sell my soul for that perfect card.

My fondest memories as a young boy in the 70's was opening up a wax pack of cards looking for players from my favorite team and yes, even enjoying the gum. Heck, I loved how the cards smelled because of the gum.

Never did I buy a pack and thinking "I wonder how much this card is worth?"

I collect for the love of it. It reminds me of a simpler way of life and times.

[Exhibitman]

My rule on postwar mainstream (Leaf, Topps and Bowman especially) cards is to try and get them in presentable condition for extremely low prices because they are so abundant. I make a lot of lowball bids and win a few here and there, but when I do win the card is all the more fun because I know I didn't spend more than the price of a lunch on it. Of course, for a Mantle you're talking a very nice lunch...