Your Collecting Focus

[71buc]

I focus at work with all other things I am terminally scattered. I collect MLB HOF inductee items to include photos, autographs, display pieces, game used equipment, figurines, cards, and baseball magazines. Additionally I purchase stadium items such as chairs etc. My flexibilty allows me to continue collecting when money becomes an issue which unfortunately often is the case.

[Doug]

Focus...focus...umm what were we talking about again? I've never really strayed from 1952-69 Topps other than a brief T206 HOFer deviation a few years ago. It's probably blasphemy around here, but I just couldn't really get into prewar cards. I don't know if it's because the majority of the players were all dead before I was born or just because I have an attachment to Topps cards because my first baseball card related memory was buying packs of 1985 Topps as a kid from the town drug store. I think the players of the '50s and '60s are just easier to relate to for me since I was able to see a few like Nolan Ryan and Pete Rose actually play towards the end of their careers. I also enjoy being able to watch interviews on ESPN where they can get players like Hank Aaron, Frank Robinson, Willie Mays, etc to give their opinions on what's currently going on in the game.

[Zach Wheat]

I am mainly a set collector, along with Mantle cards. I started collecting with a focus on collecting all Topps sets from 1952 onward. However, I have now changed my focus to pre-war as well as post war.

I am still working on finishing '52 Topps, several T card sets as well as 2 N card sets. And I am still learning every day.

ZWheat

[theseeker]

I am first and foremost a set builder of mid-grade raw cards (proof that I am not at all focused on any investment angles.) My focus is primarily post-war, 1946-1981 EVERYTHING-- Topps (always no. 1 in my heart) regular and insert sets, Bowman, Kelloggs, Bazooka, Hostess, Berk Ross, ect.

Cards in my sets must all be raw, so all graded cards destined for sets are freed from their holders. An additional focus/interest is in 100% graded cards of star players of all eras. I have many post-war star players in mid-grade raw form included in a set as well as a high-grade, graded version.

As for pre-war cards, their high costs have turned me into the king of all reprint set collectors. I do it the same way, collect any and all of the reprint sets I can get my hands on and add the ocassional individual real thing, graded.

One real, pre-war set is tempting me a great deal....the Hassan Triple Folders, my favorite from that era. Why couldn't someone, during the reprint craze of the '80's, have make this set! That inch could have been scratched, as Fritch Cards would say "for a fraction of the original cost."

[k-dog]

It sounds cliche' and generic...but I buy cards cards that I like. Old, new, Gem, ragged out. My cards span the entire grading scale! LOL! That can mean anything from a card that has a really cool action shot, or maybe just a great picture of a particular player or players. It can be a HOF superstar or a common that I have never heard of. Sports or otherwise(although 99% of my cards are something sports related). I don't recommend this to anyone else, but it usually works for me!

[bradmar48]

I was one of the lucky ones whose mom didn't throw their cards away. I first
completed the 1956 baseball set that was the 1st set I remember collecting as a kid.I then completed Topps sets from 1957 to 1962. After completing the Topps run from the years I collected as a youth I completed the 1961 and 1962 Post Cereal, 60 Leaf,59 Fleer Williams,61 Fleer Greats and 1963 Fleer.

For some reason I also completed the 1954 and 1955 Bowman football sets which are the only football cards I own.

In the last few years I have completed the 1948 Bowman baseball and Red Man sets from 1953 to 1955. Currently I'm working on the 1952 Topps (67%) and the 1952 Red Man (83%)

Except for the 1952 Topps which is VGX to EX-MT all the other sets are EX-MT to NRMT.

Collecting keeps the Kid in me young.

[toppcat]

I seem to have focus and then poof! On the postwar side I have been very consistent with Brooklyn Dodgers team sets from Topps and Bowman and collecting Topps type cards but I am out of steam on the non Mainstream Brooklyn team sets. On the pre-war side I just let the Monster beat me and may give up my attempt and an E card type run (not sure about that last one).