I'm a people person. I love talking to people and learning their stories. My wife tells people all the time that I am the type of person who could talk to a wall and get it to talk back. That's probably the reason I really like these 5 questions. I love learning about people, especially those that I have a common interest with like card collecting. If these are interesting to you and you haven't read the previous 5 Questions, you can find them here Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. If you haven't answered them, its' not too late!
I need to come up with a different name for this post. I don't like Part 1, Part 2, etc... Gotta work on that one.
On to the questions!
Question: Do you have a “rule” for your collection that you never break or almost never break?
When I first started collecting, I wanted everything baseball; Topps, Fleer, Donruss, etc... Needless to say that's not really an option. When I decided to really get back into the hobby I had to make a some "rules". Now, some rules are made to be broken, but for the most part I've stayed the course with these.
First, baseball only. I really enjoy seeing guys post about their card collections of birds, pirates, presidents, etc... but I had to draw the line somewhere. I'm a Cowboys fan and I've thought long and hard about collecting Cowboys, same with the Mavericks and Stars, but it would just be too much.
Second, I decided Topps sets only. I have varied a little bit on that one. I have started Heritage sets and Stadium Club, but that's not an every year thing. Technically, they are Topps sets, but not what I was going to do. `I will also pick up Panini and other company cards for my player collections, but I'm not opening any of those cards.
Third, because I'm a set collector, I decided that I need to put a limit on what sets, so I went with 1972 to present. Why '72? That's the first year of my Rangers. I'm focusing on about 2 or 3 years at a time of those vintage sets that I don't have. Right now, it's '75 and '78. I have picked up a couple of '79 lots and it will be my next set to work on once I've finished one of the others while putting together sets of the new stuff.
Question: What’s your favorite way to spend time with your collection?
This is a tough question for me. I enjoy almost all aspects of working on my collection. Right now, I'd just enjoy spending any time working on my collection. The two most annoying things of working with my collection would be documenting it and listing cards to sell on buysportscards.com. I think my favorite is sorting cards and hunting cards that I need to complete the sets. I really need to start spending more time looking through my cards and appreciating what I already have.
Question: If you could build your perfect product or set, what would it look like?
660 card set. White borders (I can't stand it when the dark borders flake and show white). There will be no posed shots of the players. Everything will be action shots or candid shots. There will be All-Star cards and league leader cards with the top 3 leaders on it for NL and AL. I don't mind parallels but I sure don't want 17! Let's say 4. I do like inserts but I'm not a huge fan of something like the Stars of MLB where there is a million of them. 5 or 6 different inserts works for me. I'm fine with relics and autographs too. Numbered parallels? Okay, I guess, but no crazy 1 of 1's. I got ChatGpt to make me a card...I like it, but I'm not the most creative person either. I would like this set, but I don't know that I would love it.
Question: Do you prefer collecting active players or retired players? Why?
Both! For my player collections, it's definitely both. I probably spend more time and energy doing the active players, but I've found myself starting new playing days collections of players that I really liked who may not be that famous, but I always enjoyed watching them play.
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Question: Do you think you will ever think that your collection is “complete,” or will it ever be?
I'm 100% sure that my collection will never be complete. The second that I complete all the Topps sets from 1972 to present, I'll start working on an older set. I'm always adding players to my player collections too. Plus, every year there's a new set to collect with my grandsons.
That's my answers to the 5 questions...What's your answers?
Peace,
Michael
Isaiah 40:31
1) yes...one of those rules is for my mini collection franken-sets, once a card is placed in a spot don't replace it.
ReplyDelete2) entering new to me Braves. that's my happy place followed closely by a completed set, especially if that set was built the hard way.
3) we're close here. 660 card base set, no parallels very few inserts if any followed with a very short traded set maybe 132 cards like the old days. no prospects!
4) both
5) easy... not a chance.....
Question: Do you have a “rule” for your collection that you never break or almost never break?
ReplyDeleteI collect just about any type of trading card out there, so can't really think of any rules for my collection. I guess if I bought a box of cards that had a bunch of mold or were really foul smelling, I might draw the line there and toss it. That being said, I did find a moldy "jersey" card that I put into a ziploc baggy and added to my Damaged Card PC.
Question: What’s your favorite way to spend time with your collection?
I really enjoy reorganizing my collection every few years. I haven't done it since the lockdown, but it's where I go through every box and inventory my collection. Love the process of flipping through binders and digging through boxes.
Question: If you could build your perfect product or set, what would it look like?
I'd create a set of matted bordered baseball cards featuring only well-cropped action shots on canvas card stock (like 2008 UD Masterpieces). The checklist would be large and feature stars, role players, coaches, managers, and mascots (like Topps Total). No parallels. No inserts. No autographs. No relics. Just a really nice product (at least in my eyes) made for set builders.
Question: Do you prefer collecting active players or retired players? Why?
I collect both. But I guess if I could only collect one, I'd collect retired players... since all active players eventually retire.
Question: Do you think you will ever think that your collection is “complete,” or will it ever be?
I doubt it. There will always be a set to build or an A's card that I'll want to add to the collection.
1. Major rule keep trying to complete the set even if it takes a long time to get it done somehow somewhere someone will find those missing things
ReplyDelete2. My favorite part is when I can put things away & I find them either from friends or myself finding a new shop & am blown away from finding those missing things I would go Tourettes but I will not for the sake of Mike here lol
3. In my perfect set it be hard to do & I rather not get into details at moment
4. I don't mind newer with older
5. Only time will tell on when I think its time to quit collecting
1: I don't think I have any set rules for my collection. At least, none come to mind.
ReplyDelete2: Sometimes I like to just sit down and look through my boxes and binders, being like 'Hey, I remember that guy was really good this year," or something.
3: All action shots. I'd like to see fielders fielding. The card you had designed look pretty sharp! Also I agree with you on parallels and inserts.
4: I like collecting active players better, just because I know them better. But I thoroughly enjoy collecting both active and older players!
5: My collection will be complete once I'm gone. Then hopefully my kids will continue it, and their kids, and their kids, etc. until the end of time.
Thanks for these posts! I enjoy reading them and thinking about my collection in the process!
1. Rules - There aren't many, but I suppose one would be that I don't collect a set or player that means nothing to me. I stopped doing Topps flagship (and most modern sets) because I don't watch enough baseball to know or care who these guys are.
ReplyDelete2. I love sorting and consolidating sets and player collections. I have a ton to do that has piled up in the last year or two, esp this past year when I moved it all. I do like paging through my vintage sets too. I should do more of that, because I see more stuff that I don't remember I have lately.
3. I miss the Greats of the Game type sets. Rookies are so hyped now that there's hardly any love in new sets for players that actually achieved something. Let's see UD Decade 80's and 90's, or 40-Man again.
4. I like retired players much better. (See #1)
5. There is still so much out there to find, and new interests to follow. I may filter out some things that don't "give me joy" as they say, but I'll never be done. (I'll just try not to leave it all for my wife to deal with).