Posted By:
bruce Dorskind
Dear Josh
Certainly the people you are referring to would be "great collectors"
of the items suggested...however, if you are looking at the macro
definition of a great collection...it would be difficult to argue
that there is not a role for condition.
We are not saying a PSA 9 1957 Topps set makes for a great collector..
it does, however, make for a great 1957 Topps collection.
If one were to look at the breadth and scope of the top 100 collectors,
most, certainly not all, attempted to obtain the best possible samples.
Of course, at a time when technology and communications were limited
and there were few dealers, virtually no auctions and certainly
no grading, standards for early hobbyists were a bit different.
No one would argue that Barker, Burdick and Nagy were not great
collectors. However, it the was breadth and scope of their
collection, and their contribution to the hobby that elevated their
status from a person with a very impressive collection to a great collector.
All the best,
Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List