Name your collection

[ls7plus]

I think Exhibitman is right on concerning his comment of looking for rare and/or unusual items (and add significant, in the best grade you can afford) before they rise in notoriety and price. The first sale of the quite rare 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth minor league schedule card I am personally aware of was the 1989 Copeland auction, in which it brought $6,000.00. Try to get your hands on one now for less than $200,000.00! And the Copeland example may or may not have been the higher grade one (VG-EX?) which later fetched $500,000.00 in what I believe was a REA auction several years ago. If so, that's an appreciation of over 20% compounded annually.
John Jay Pittman followed essentially the same approach (with an emphasis on esoteric items of true rarity) in coins in the mid to late 40's through the mid-fifties, reportedly spending approximately $100,000 or so total during that time period. His collection was auctioned off in the '90's following his death for over $25,000,000.00, and he wasn't especially rich when he was collecting (he was an employee of Eastman-Kodak for many years, but apparently not a really high level exec).
Plus, it's quite satisfying to find a very scarce to quite rare item you've been seeking for years!
Happy hunting!

Larry

[ls7plus]

PS to Exhibitman:

Love the Dempsey!!!

Larry

[darrend505]

My main focus in on Topps base sets. I have a nearly complete run from 1973- current, with only missing around a dozen cards from being done. I am also over 80% on my first big post-war set 1954 Bowman, after next week I will only be missing around 35 cards!

[David W]

I am attempting to get a copy of every card and memorabilia piece of Lou Brock while he was an active player, and currently have about 250 unique items.

I also spent last winter coming up with my list of the top Cardinal players by position, and have spent the last year accumulating their cards, some quite easily (1960's and on), some quite difficulty (Pre WW1 especially).

That has been 90% of my spending the last year or so.

[dabigyankeeman]

While I collect all New York cards, I am really going after the Yankees as my main goal. As many 1980 and older as I can get, and after 1980 I obtain cards I like due to too many to bother with.

So far I have:

Every Bowman 1948-1955
Every regular issue Topps 1951-1980 (and a load of 1980 - 2011)

Then I have a very high percentage of Yankees from older sets like:
T206
T205
T207
Goudeys, all years
Play Balls
Leaf
Strip Cards
Dan Dee
Red Heart
American Caramel all years

and a ton of oddball cards mainly pre-1965 going all the way back

I really enjoy being a team collector because it gives me latitude to get so many different cards from the early 1900's up thru the current sets of the current year.

[paulcarek]

My personal focus:

-- 1952 Bowman
-- Top tier HOFers from classic sets
-- 1973-80 Topps (my "pack-opening years")

Another idea I had (and posted about) a while back, that never quite got off the ground:

A "Tragic Heroes" collection featuring players on the wrong end of the stick during famous baseball moments. A few examples:

Fred Merkle (grab an affordable T205 or T206)
Charley Root (nice-looking '33 Goudey)
Mickey Owen ('39 Play Ball?)

[DanMc]

This topic is particularly relevant to me as I have decided to get back into collecting after dabbling with vintage cards. I have tried set collecting, but didn't want to feel obligated to purchase expensive commons. I also tried the "if I see something I like buy it", but found I prefer some structure in collecting.

I thought about collecting only hofers from a certain set or sets but, like cdn_collector mentioned, everytime I see a different thread or article I realize there are lots of types of cards which appeal to me.

I have decided to put together a hall of fame collection. I figure it is defined in scope and will allow me to use different types of cards. I realize I may never complete the set, but it will be fun trying.

[sox1903wschamp]

Originally Posted by dabigyankeeman

While I collect all New York cards, I am really going after the Yankees as my main goal. As many 1980 and older as I can get, and after 1980 I obtain cards I like due to too many to bother with.

So far I have:

Every Bowman 1948-1955
Every regular issue Topps 1951-1980 (and a load of 1980 - 2011)

Then I have a very high percentage of Yankees from older sets like:
T206
T205
T207
Goudeys, all years
Play Balls
Leaf
Strip Cards
Dan Dee
Red Heart
American Caramel all years

and a ton of oddball cards mainly pre-1965 going all the way back

I really enjoy being a team collector because it gives me latitude to get so many different cards from the early 1900's up thru the current sets of the current year.

I share your sentiment. Just not the same team .

[DetroitJay]

I recently got back into vintage card collecting. I figured i would start by completing my Mickey Mantle collection. I want one major issue card (topps or bowman) from every year he had a card. I was about 1/2 way there when i picked back up. I specialize in "collectors grade" or beat up cards!

I've managed to get a card for every year except 1953. I really like the Topps, so i am waiting for one i can afford. I think a 1951 may be out of reach, but i was able to get a 1952 Bowman in a range i could afford, so i was happy about that.

I also try to collect Hank Greenberg cards. He shipped off to WW2 out of Detroit with my Grandpa, so i feel like there is a connection to my past. Have 2 Goudeys and the National Chicle card so far.

Some pics of the collection before the recent updates: