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Posted By: Tom Hines

I began collecting cards in the mid 80's as a kid. I became a vintage card collector as a teenager after the 1989 Billy Ripken Fleer fiasco really opened my eyes to the "new" stuff. By the time I was 20 I had a pretty sizable Cincinnati Reds collection dating back to the "Old Judge." Now at 33 I am still an avid Cincinnati team collector as well as a 19th Century type card collector. I think my 20's really helped define my collecting habits. My teen and earlier years were driven by fads. My "30's" are now driven by priorities (do I buy the Old Judge Gus Schmelz or buy the size 5 diapers for the little one). Really tough to decide sometimes!

Tom