My first post...finally

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Posted By: jrhatchjr

Greetings all,

I have been a reader of this forum for quite some time but have never posted anything until now. Since this was one of my New Years' resolutions, I figure it's time to make good...

I have been a collector of vintage cards since around 1990 when I purchased my first T212 Obak: a 1911 Monte Pfyl. Since then, Obaks have been my pride and joy. Today, my pride and joy is almost grown up as I only need three more 1911's to complete the basic set (excluding those pesky 1910 "150" variations). Fortunately of the 1911's I need, none are Weaver, Ten Million or Peckinpaugh.

The caveat to my pre-war passion is that I collect cards in low grades. Now by low grades I don't mean VG-EX - I mean fair, poor and worse. I realize that not too many others collect these types of low grade cards (or pieces thereof) but it's what makes the hobby enjoyable for me. Someday I'll post a couple of my favorite beaters, but when I do I'll be sure to warn you first in case you've just had something to eat

I don't know how much I can contribute to some of the topics here: I've never placed a bid with any of the big auction houses and I don't own a single graded card (except for an E220 Harry Hooper that was pre-graded by PSA as "EVID-TRIM." Since the borders have been totally removed I'd say they were right on). But I do consider myself a hobbyist and have traded and corresponded with a few others on the board which I have found most enjoyable.

Anyway, just wanted to finally stop in and say HI...

Take care,
Jim Hatch
(jrhatchjr)

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Posted By: hankron

Jim, as a seller I've found that really beat up premium cards (1933 Goudey Ruth, T206 Cobb..) generally sell at a higher percentage of book than then the higher grades (not include Mint or Nrmt-Mt stuff). Despite the impression PSA press releases and MastroNet catalogs might give, the vast majority of active collectors have limited budgets. Most collectors can't afford a middle grade Goudey Ruth. But when a grade Poor example shows up in sale or auction, they know this is their realistic chance to own a card they've long wanted

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Posted By: Ben

Jim and I both belong to a card sharing group called OBC (www.oldbaseball.com). Most of the activity there involves the giving, sharing, and sometimes trading of very beat up cardboard- with emphasis on the "giving" aspect. Great group, great bunch of guys.

I can tell you this though Jim, there are plenty of net 54 posters/visitors here that enjoy beaters like we do. So welcome, and I hope to see you posting here again soon.


ps. I'd love to see your beat up Obaks- hey, I think we should have a "beater" contest- whoever can come up with a scan of the worst beater (from your collection) WINS! Doh- I probably need to come up with a prize now don't I

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Posted By: brian p

I can confirm that Jim truly has the collecting spirit--no card is too mangled for him (his motto is "It is better to have a hole in the card than my collection"). We have been helping each other out for 4-5 years now, and it has been nothing but a great experience every time. Although I am not a member of OBC (never was much of a joiner type), my dealings with Jim and a couple of the other members lead me to believe they are all a great bunch of guys with their collecting heads screwed on straight. So I feel I should give both Jim and OBC my hearty endorsement.

By the way, Jim also collects a variety of Pre-1920 cards as either type cards or as part of sets. If you have low-end cards for a low-end price that are just stuck in a stack somewhere, gathering dust, you might contact him at the email address he provided, and perhaps you can make a true hobbyist's collection a little happier.

Brian

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Posted By: jay behrens

I used to hand out joke buiness cards at shows that said "Al Bundy's Shoebox Nightmares. If it isn't creased, it doesn't make cents."

Jay