Think about it

T206Collector · #1 06-22-2011, 08:18 AM

The ridiculously rich are probably bored by easy cash purchases, too, and instead strive to collect the rare in terms of TIME. They want to collect things that they may not be able to find before they die. Because if cash isn't a problem, time is surely a challenge.

My biggest sadness in not being able to bring home a signed T206 card of Ty Cobb in an auction last September was not that there aren't others our there, but rather, how much TIME would elapse before I find another one. How much of my life would pass without the enjoyment of owning it. And would I live long enough to wait out the next dry spell between sightings. Cash isn't the problem for advanced collections. TIME is.

My signed T206 Cy Young card is not for sale and is likely the only one in existence. The next owner of this card is going to have to outlast my heirs' interest in this card.

Orioles1954 · #2 06-22-2011, 09:30 AM

Long ago I realized the best way to assemble a neat collection on a budget is to think outside of the box. Sure, anyone with tons of money can have T206 near sets and all the Wagner's and Cobb's one can handle. BUT, how many people have a 1964 Topps Venezuelan Orioles team set with no back damage?

Make your collection interesting and it still can be world class for your budget. Honestly, I think that's much cooler than some of the complete and type sets I've seen.

deadballera · #3 06-22-2011, 10:47 AM

as many previous collectors have already stated.

enjoy what you collect. don't always bet on the future value, it might or might not be there.

I would love to own some of the high grade or super rare/scarce cards but simply can't afford it. At the same time, I do love picking up a few cards a month that my budget can afford.

bbcard1 · #4 06-22-2011, 10:51 AM

In the end, unless you are curing cancer, is one life activity really any better than another? Act ethically and morally, enjoy the company people you love, be kind and do things you like so long as they don't interfere with the first three things.

atx840 · #5 06-22-2011, 12:28 PM

Lower end collector here.

My cards mean the same to me as I am sure any other passionate collector feels no matter what tax bracket we are in.

Still would like a T206 Plank

Exhibitman · #6 06-22-2011, 02:07 PM

The be-all, end-all is collect what makes you happy. If competition is your bag, go for registry sets. If not, don't worry about what others have. Enjoy the experiences you share with fellow collectors who approach things in a spirit of kindness and good will consonant with your approach to collecting and walk away from the bozos who use the hobby as another means of inflicting their debilitating social defects on others. Life is too short to let baseball cards make you unhappy.

36GoudeyMan · #7 06-22-2011, 02:23 PM

... but I collect what I love and love what I collect, even when the collecting is going slowly because nothing that "fits" is showing up for sale/bid. That's when its frustrating, waiting for one of two or three cards that you need/want. I sometimes find myself saying, "hey, that '56 Topps set might be nice to start." But then I realize that there is a difference between collecting for the sake of collecting (hoarding? amassing?), and collecting for the sake of the intrinsic enjoyment building a collection brings, and, as well, its value. The pleasure comes from the latter; the former is rarely fulfilling, even if it is successful. When I pull myself back from embarking on starting a new set for the sake of having a new set to work on (and thus something to do between acquisition of the "needed" cards), and go back to the sets I love, every step in finishing a set I'm doing out of desire rather than routine is enjoyable.

My conclusion -- if you aren't first and foremost collecting what you love, you are simply doing it wrong.

jp1216 · #8 06-22-2011, 02:28 PM

For me, collecting cards keeps me 'young'. I still feel like a 10 year old when I hear the mail man coming down the street.

I see a real difference between 'collecting' cards and just 'buying' cards. If I had enough cash to buy a full set right away - I wouldn't do it. The joy in checking the boxes on a checklist (or putting X's on a excel spreadsheet), is what I enjoy. (my son too). I worked on a '59 Topps set for 10+ years and loved it. I had the money to finish it sooner, but it would not have as fun. I wanted to assemble the set - not buy it. I like enjoying each card (or a few at a time). My T206 near set is the same way. I like to pick up a few a month and 'enjoy' them.

Sure, I break the bank when a true 'must have' comes around once every few years - but that is rare.

BTW - for those that mentioned the '89 Ripken card - http://www.billripken.com is actually my website. Guilty pleasure I confess.... But I did just pick up 8 different missing ink proofs (all different)...

Happy Collecting to all.