5 Questions for Collectors

 I've been writing this blog now for a little over 2 years. When I started I wasn't sure how long it would last. I had hoped to develop some dialogue with other collectors and I have. During the 2 years I have "met" some amazing people who collect cards. People that I've never met face to face, but definitely are my friends. I hope the feeling is mutual. 

One of the things that I noticed once I started writing was how much I enjoyed people commenting on my blogs. Made me realize that I need to do that too. I know there are several of you out there that do the same thing and I want you to know that it's greatly appreciated. The thing is, the ones who comment are the ones that the friendships come from too. I'm always looking for people to talk cards with. The more the merrier. 

To maybe open some dialogue with more collectors, I thought I'd ask some questions and see if people would respond. For some of you, some of the answers I may already know, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't respond. I may have forgotten, I am getting old!!

Question 1:

How would you describe your collection? 

For me, Topps Baseball sets 1972 to present. Texas Rangers. Playing days Topps cards of my favorite players, one or two insert sets from the more recent years, dabbling in Topps Heritage and Stadium Club. Oh yeah, one more...my favorite players that I don't collect.

Question 2:

Graded or ungraded. That is the question! 

I am not a fan of graded cards. It just doesn't make sense to me. Especially, being on a tight budget, I can't see spending the money to grade a card. I do have a couple of graded cards, but those were gifted to me. I haven't bought one and I really don't see me doing that any time soon or ever.

Question 3: 

 Do you have a grail card(s) that you want? If so, what?

Just so that we're all on the same page, a grail card is that one(or two) card(s) that you really want to have for your collection. Now to be realistic, I'm not talking about the Wagner or '52 Mantle...any card that any collector would relish having in their collection. I'm talking about that card that you really want that you don't have.  

For me, right now, its a '57 Roberto Clemente and 2011 Topps Update Mike Trout. Had a shot at the Clemente several years ago at a card show. Did the unthinkable and said I'd come back and when I did it was gone. 

The Mike Trout is from that time in my collecting career when I was just randomly scavenging  for cards and never got it.

Those are the two cards that I always have my eye out for.

Question 4:

What is your main source(s) for adding cards to your collection?

I guess it really depends on what I'm looking for. I guess number one would be buysportscards.com. It's pretty good for picking up low-end singles to complete sets or add to my player collections. 2nd on the list would be a tie between Ebay and Walmart. Ebay for the cards I don't find on buysportscards.com and Walmart for the new stuff. 

Another source for cards for my collection is card shows. There has been an explosion of card shows in the DFW area. Every other month is the Dallas Show that has over 700 tables. If you haven't been, it's a sight to see. Outside of that, there has been at least 1 or 2 shows every month in the area. 

My last source of cards is TCDB trades. Trades have slowed the last few months. Probably because I haven't had the time to invest in them. 

Question 5:

 

If you had the chance to revisit a time in your life before you started collecting cards, which year would you choose and why?

For me, it would be 1972, the year the Rangers started in Texas. I only have a handful of 1972 cards. With the high numbers and the large amount of cards to get, it keeps getting pushed down the list.

Well, there's the 5 questions and my 5 answers. I hope everyone will respond.

Peace, 

Michael

Isaiah 40:31