What Happened to Card Collecting That I Knew?

rustywilly · #1 06-29-2011, 11:29 PM

I can't step into a Target store and leave without buying a few packs - Topps Heritage - or, other vintage-looking modern cards. It brings back the memories of the good ole days.

barrysloate · #2 06-30-2011, 06:11 AM

For me the hobby was most fun when I was collecting all the really great vintage sets and memorabilia for the first time. I'll never forget my first vintage card purchases, the excitement of buying my first T206, and later T205 sets; my first CdV's and cabinet cards, etc. When it was new it was thrilling.

Then after seeing the same things again and again and again, it wasn't so much fun anymore. And it became far too much of a business over the years- there are too many dealers, too many auctions, too much of everything. The industry is in overload right now. Hey, what can you do? Things change, that's life.

53Browns · #3 06-30-2011, 06:53 AM

I was a member of probably the last generation that truly got to enjoy the wax packs. I was 12 in 1981 when Topps, Fleer and Donruss were pouring out cards to the public. It was awesome. 3 sets to collect! I remember I used to cut a neighbor's grass for about 12 bucks, go to the corner store and buy an entire box of Topps (still had enough left over for a bottle of Coke and a bag of penny candy), then go home and bust the packs. And yes, I used to color in the boxes on the back of the checklists as I obtained the cards. That's what they were made for! One of my most fond memories is when I managed to put the entire 792 card set of 1982 Topps together, all from wax packs and a few key trades from other kids on the block. Collecting new cards died for me when Upper Deck came out with the tamper proof packs and packs that were over $1 each. Thanks Upper Deck for ruining a great childhood hobby for kids everywhere!!

quinnsryche · #4 06-30-2011, 07:32 AM

Times change, products change, people change. Just because you can't get a Mantle rookie for a dollar anymore doesn't make the hobby evil or broken. Sure, cards cost more, what doesn't? My parents bought their first house for $20K in the early seventies, mine cost $110K in the early nineties. My dad's first new car was like $1500, mine was $10K. The walk down memory lane is always lined with gold but there was plenty of dog-doo stepped in along the way (we don't like to remember that though, do we?). My son (11 yrs. old) LOVES new cards and couldn't give a hoot about vintage. Does that make him a bad kid, ignorant etc? No, life is lived in the present and everyone has their time in the sun. Look back fondly to the past, but don't overlook the joys of the present or the infinite possiblities of the future. The hobby isn't ruined, it's just different, and just as much fun as it was 35 yrs. ago (at least for me it is).

bbcard1 · #5 06-30-2011, 07:45 AM

The hobby is the same it ever was. It involves the accumulation of cards you enjoy. The way the hobby is conducted has changed a lot. Kids don't collect much of anything any more and those who do have no interest in a low priced pack. That said, when you think about it the sustainability of buying a 50cent pack and pulling two $1 cards out of it (circa 1987) wasn't going to last forever. It was the real estate crisis without the government bailout.

I am sure I am in the minority, but I think the accessiblity of cards and the ease of which good people can make relationships outstrips the ability to pull a $5 Gooden rookie from a 50 cent pack.

Jayworld · #6 06-30-2011, 08:58 AM

Fred: To answer your questions about my avatar of Randy Jones:

I've been a Padres fan since 1974-75 (go figure; I've lived in Texas all my life). What first attracted me to the Padres was the very unique brown and mustard gold uniforms - unlike any other and very cool (with the coolest cap, in my opinion). I began collecting Padres cards along with the regular cards, and it grew from there. I have the Sports Illustrated 1976 issue with Randy Jones on the cover, and I got to meet him in person in 1994 on my honeymoon in San Diego. He was working his barbecue behind the left field stands at the Murph and was in full (albeit orange/navy) uniform. I got some pictures, he posed with me, and signed a ball and my program. Greatness to finally meet your boyhood favorite. I've corresponded with him on and off through email since, and recently he signed a Spalding brand (circa 1975) NL baseball for me. Randy is awesome, and represents the best of the brown and gold era to me. I've tried to collect all his Hostess and Kelloggs 3D cards. The neat thing is, he'll still sign cards through the mail when you send them to him in care of the team....

From others' posts, it does seem that cards did change in 1989 with Upper Deck coming into the hobby; more for sets; hologram backs of cards, tamper proof packs, Griffey Jr. rookie. Didn't Upper Deck start the "memorabilia swatch" cards as well? Kind of funny now that Upper Deck no longer has a license to produce MLB cards, in a way.

Bill Stone · #7 06-30-2011, 09:14 AM

I enjoyed seeing the reference to Richard Gelman's company. Yesterday I found a binder in the closet of a complete mint set of 1953 Mother's Cookies pcl cards which I bought from him.

thekingofclout · #8 09-20-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

Times change, products change, people change. Just because you can't get a Mantle rookie for a dollar anymore doesn't make the hobby evil or broken. Sure, cards cost more, what doesn't? My parents bought their first house for $20K in the early seventies, mine cost $110K in the early nineties. My dad's first new car was like $1500, mine was $10K. The walk down memory lane is always lined with gold but there was plenty of dog-doo stepped in along the way (we don't like to remember that though, do we?). My son (11 yrs. old) LOVES new cards and couldn't give a hoot about vintage. Does that make him a bad kid, ignorant etc? No, life is lived in the present and everyone has their time in the sun. Look back fondly to the past, but don't overlook the joys of the present or the infinite possiblities of the future. The hobby isn't ruined, it's just different, and just as much fun as it was 35 yrs. ago (at least for me it is).

Bullseye Tony.

David W · #9 09-20-2011, 03:20 PM

I think one big difference between collecting in the 70's when I was a kid was about every grocery store, gas station, convenience store, and K Mart sold packs.

They were all the same - Topps - no confusion about multiple manufacturers.

Plus, cards were cards, we collected our favorite team, didn't care about other teams. If a buddy had Cardinal cards I didn't have, I'd trade him my Cub dupes. Steve Swisher for Lou Brock? No problem, even trade.

Now my son who is 9 doesn't even follow baseball much, he likes the NFL.

leaflover · #10 09-20-2011, 06:03 PM

The last game I went to was in Baltimore during the "National". Only one player in that game was wearing a proper(IMO)baseball uniform. Years ago, about 25, I used to go to Dodger Stadium every night. But no more, Never again! The only time I will go to a game now is when it is at a park that I have never seen before.

If I was the Baseball Commissioner, I would summon the umpires and order them to call the low strike on any player wearing long pants. And when the player turns around crying his eyes out simply tell him "Sorry sonny but I can't see your knees. Help me out." Then suggest that maybe they ought to start wearing a baseball uniform and forget about being a "Manny" look-alike!

Mike R

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