How Many No Longer Collect or Sold Collections?

[Orioles1954]

Just curious. How many among you no longer actively collect or have sold their collections but still enjoy lurking?

James

[quinnsryche]

I sold my card collection for money for a down payment on our new house and moving expenses (approx. 2 years ago). Have not had the funds to start up collecting again but still enjoy coming here daily to see what guys are saying about the hobby and to look at photos of other collector's newest acquisitions.

[Cardboard Junkie]

I have thinned out my collection a lot. Now I am trying to stick with graded cards and only my most favorite ones, as I anticipate a huge economic downturn soon.

[johnmh71]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

I have thinned out my collection a lot. Now I am trying to stick with graded cards and only my most favorite ones, as I anticipate a huge economic downturn soon.

What makes you say that? Not that I disagree, because I certainly don't, but I am curious how you came the conclusion that things will get worse.

[drcy]

I don't collect but likely will again some day.

I had a pile of photos on a desk in a back room and when I realized I hadn't even touched it in perhaps a year I figured it was time to sell. Sold everything off. I haven't been interested in buying since, but do enjoy following auctions, reading about and such. You don't have to own a painting to enjoy art history.

[MattyC]

For those fleeing the imminent economic apocalypse, feel free to sell me your great cards forthwith

[Cardboard Junkie]

Originally Posted by johnmh71

What makes you say that? Not that I disagree, because I certainly don't, but I am curious how you came the conclusion that things will get worse.

tea leaves

[goudey1933]

I'm riding the fence as a lurker...sold my collection 3 years ago.This summer instead of prewar baseball,I started a 1954 Topps hockey set (PSA 5 or better).Its cheaper and I enjoy it...plus a completable set on a tight budget.Very few prewar sets can say that.Next spring I plan on starting a T210 series to completion..not sure which one yet.So for now I just lurk here.

[Theo_450]

In about 2 weeks, I will have sold it all off, except for some shiny stuff that I am not sure why I am keeping. A few mid 80's complete sets that are virtually worthless. I guess that's why I am keeping them.

I am lurking now, and will probably continue to do so. I enjoy the knowledge and nostalgia. Funny thing about it is, I played little league, I was pretty decent, but I am not really even a baseball fan. I went to a Braves game last year. It was fun to see the crowd, and drink some beers, but the game was, well boring. I can't remember the last time I watched a game on TV. Of course, I haven't had TV for three years.

[joeadcock]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

I have thinned out my collection a lot. Now I am trying to stick with graded cards and only my most favorite ones, as I anticipate a huge economic downturn soon.

Agreed. We are floating on a sea of unreality(due to our incredible debt).

[MooseDog]

I don't actively collect simply because of economic circumstances. But I enjoy the hobby and reading and collecting through others vicariously. I still pick up an occasional Oakland A's piece when I see a bargain.

I now run a struggling consignment business, but it does keep me actively involved in trading collectibles.

Now if I can just convince my geriatric dogs to quit running up vet bills...

[bbcard1]

Originally Posted by goudey1933

.Next spring I plan on starting a T210 series to completion..not sure which one yet.So for now I just lurk here.

I would offer that collecting a team set is a nice option. Inexpensive, allows focus, can always choose another if you finish one you like...unless you choose New Orleans.

i did a Roanoke because it's where I live.

[auggiedoggy]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

I have thinned out my collection a lot. Now I am trying to stick with graded cards and only my most favorite ones, as I anticipate a huge economic downturn soon.

What CJ said.

I've sold off over half of my collection. Only two 206s, a few Obaks and C46s remain on the baseball side of my collection. My buying has slowed down to a crawl. My last major purchase was the 1911 Imperial Tobacco Georges Vezina card. Not much activity since then apart from picking up a few inexpensive curiosities.

[billyb]

Stopped collecting because of the vast variety of cards coming out in the early 90s. Finally, gave all my card collection to my son. Modern cards anyways.
But started helping a cousin with Ruth photo collection and doing the research, fell in love with photos, and the vintage cards are drawing my attention.
I am getting that old feeling again, and already have purchased my first piece of memorbilia last week off this site. Just a 23 year pause.

Boy,.......is my wife happy.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by billyb

Boy,.......is my wife happy.

Probably as happy as the rest of our wives.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by billyb

Boy,.......is my wife happy.

You may have discovered a secret formula.

All men should start collecting cards, whether they want to or not, wait until their wife is angry, then stop.

[ullmandds]

Thinned my collection by 50% or so...still some more thinning to do...narrowed my focus dramatically...couldn't imagine ever stopping collecting totally! But then again there is no wife...probably never will be!!!!

[joeadcock]

May sound crazy but I have at times thought of selling off everything and starting new, not because of need. Never gotten to point of doing it.

Idea came to me when I got kind of over some of my workaholism last 2 years and went on vacation for 3 weeks during the summer. Didn't affect me much to take 3 weeks off for the year.

Then I thought why not trash some of my old thoughts of not changing anything. Like getting rid of collection. But only to start new.


.....................
Anyone on forum ever simply sold off everything or given away, to simply restart with new cards?

[JasonL]

Originally Posted by Leon

Probably as happy as the rest of our wives.

to help the family out of a financial strait, they can remain "happy"

[gawaintheknight]

My wife is happy I spend money on cards instead of down at the bar or over at the casino..... :-)

[tbob]

I guess I am in the minority. I have been expanding my collection because now is a great time to buy cards as prices have come tumbling down on a lot of sets. It's nice to have cards that have value but as a collector first, investor second, I collect only the card sets that appeal to me so if the doomsayers are right and the value of cards plummets, I will still have great looking collectibles from my favorite era in history, 1909-1919.

[sportscardpete]

Originally Posted by joeadcock

May sound crazy but I have at times thought of selling off everything and starting new, not because of need. Never gotten to point of doing it.

Idea came to me when I got kind of over some of my workaholism last 2 years and went on vacation for 3 weeks during the summer. Didn't affect me much to take 3 weeks off for the year.

Then I thought why not trash some of my old thoughts of not changing anything. Like getting rid of collection. But only to start new.


.....................
Anyone on forum ever simply sold off everything or given away, to simply restart with new cards?

I have thought of that too.. Would be a fun project to sell of cards and only collect in sets you never did before...

[Howe’s Hunter]

When I sold off the first 18 years of my T206 collection, I went from 213 cards down to 10. Decided to only keep truly sentimental ones (anniversary gifts, Father's Day gifts, etc.) and the two with Howe McCormick's stamp on the back.

As of yesterday, the "new" collection started seven years ago May now numbers 242. Never thought that narrowing my focus that much would make the collection that much larger in that short of time period.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by JasonL

to help the family out of a financial strait, they can remain "happy"

I too have sold a few things to help financially. My wife is actually happy with what I do. However, she has 0 interest in it except that I am happy doing it and I am not doing things that squander our money (well, sort of). She is supportive and I don't think she would want me to sell my collection. That being said my daughter goes to college in a few years, and unless I win the lottery, I can see me selling some cards to help with it. I have told her that is partly what the cards are for, and I truly feel that way.

[thehoodedcoder]

Originally Posted by johnmh71

What makes you say that? Not that I disagree, because I certainly don't, but I am curious how you came the conclusion that things will get worse.

if you anticipate a huge economic down turn, the last thing you want to be invested in is US currency. lol. I hope you bought silver or gold.

kevin

[Hankphenom]

If you suffer from our brand of insanity, hunting for stuff is fun, having stuff is fun, and even selling stuff can be fun. I know collectors that have churned all their lives, constantly turning over fabulous collections for new fabulous stuff. It's all good, and IMHO a healthier kind of insanity than those for whom the sky is always about to fall.

[Bocabirdman]

Earlier this Spring I was faced with the prospect of my job going bye-bye. My company was considering moving their main offices to western PA. For too many reasons to list , I simply wasn't wiling to relocate. I proceeded to BST somewhere around 11000 cards from 1948 Bowmans to 1970 Topps to generate some in-between money. I already had shifted gears to Pre-War so I hadn't even looked at those cards in a year or so. Well, the sale was a success. Also, in the 23rd hour, my company offered me a way to still work for them....in Florida. The odd thing is I don't miss the Topps and Bowmans one iota. Perhaps, it is because there ONLY thing standing in the way of replacing that part of my collection is money. That is the only challenge.. I would rather chase T, E, M and W cards from pre 1930.

[sbfinley]

Originally Posted by gawaintheknight

My wife is happy I spend money on cards instead of down at the bar or over at the casino..... :-)

This. However back on topic, I would not say that I'm selling off my collection, but I definitely am consolidating it. Instead of a stack of 100 $50 cards that I might flip through once a month, I'd rather have a $5k card that I will past every day and enjoy. I don't buy near as often as I used to as now I find myself rolling my monthly card budget over to fund larger purchases instead of jumping on every deal I like. If you fear that the sky will indeed soon fall I'm looking for nice T3 Matty in the 3-4 range, but I'll only go 1/4 VCP as cardboard portraits of baseball players will surely be worthless once Thunderdome has risen.

[ocjack]

Just completed the sale of my collection in June. While I was sorry to see it go, I feel I accomplished two important things: they went to collectors who will continue to enjoy them as I did, and it lifted my concern of burdening my wife with its disposition were something unexpected to happen to me.

But I still enjoy the commentary and information found here and I still make the occasional post.

[mcap100176]

I have consolidated. I had started doing HOF rookies then switched to sets. With the next Sterling Auction, I will have gotten rid of almost all the HOF cards for my few favorites and the Mayo set I am 3 cards short of completing.

[johnmh71]

Originally Posted by thehoodedcoder

if you anticipate a huge economic down turn, the last thing you want to be invested in is US currency. lol. I hope you bought silver or gold.

kevin

I am a big fan of silver.

[conor912]

Originally Posted by johnmh71

I am a big fan of silver.

You and the Hunt brothers.