To you; what is the most enjoyable part of the hobby

[FrankWakefield]

ditto that.

Sometimes I'm able to give someone something they've been after for a while... And sometimes a card I've sought just appears in the mail. It is like having angels out there.

Once in a while someone can enlighten you on the nuances of a set, stuff that the guides and the magazines miss... there are some great guys out there. Many don't post here, they don't even look here. Still waters run deep...


Like how years ago I met Rich Klein when he was attending a Diamondbacks game with Lew Lipset. I was at the game, and went down to meet Lew, whom I'd known through letters and the telephone for years... Rich was with Lew. And years later, Rich and I realized that we'd met... (Jose Jimenez no hit the Diamondbacks, and won, 1-0, beating a dominate Big Unit, who allowed a broken bat single to drive in a run in the 9th). Hey Rich!

[Kawika]

The chicks.

[Bicem]

the hunt.

[rhettyeakley]

The hunt...for Chicks

[alanu]

the hunt... followed not so closely by the buyer's remorse

[wolterse]

Reading about the hobby in OC, reading books on the deadball era, shows and connecting with other die-hards!

[Jewish-collector]

Fantastic topic !!!

A lot of you are (and will be) making jokes, but Rich's question is exactly the same question that I asked Josh Evans (Lelands) at the Net54 dinner question & answer portion in regards to his high end clients.

Over the years, I have also asked this question to some of the most prominent collectors in the hobby. I usually ask the question this way, "There's usually nothing in the auction catalogs that you can't afford, but I'm just curious what aspects of the hobby do you really enjoy the most ?" The responses usually address that they actual enjoy collecting low end material too, but only their winning/owning expensive material in the auction catalogs gets into the hobby newspapers. They also mention the relationships that they've formed with other collectors & dealers/auction houses over the years.

Alan

[David W]

I've been collecting on a theme for the last year, the top 15 St. Louis Cardinals at each position.

I've been slowly chipping away and getting their cards.

For me it got me back into baseball history, which I used to love until I got to busy with kids and work. I never knew how good Ed Konetchy was, or who Fred Beebe was, or that Dal Maxville would make the top 5 shortstop list of anything.

Now I've got a 3 year goal to complete this.

[Myachelydra]

The chase/hunt...whateve you want to call it. Just as important are the relationships.

[quinnsryche]

Originally Posted by alanu

the hunt... followed not so closely by the buyer's remorse

I agree 100%, wait maybe I don't.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by Kawika

The chicks.

Yeah, chicks dig guys who collect cards.

The friendships.

[JasonL]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

ditto that.

Sometimes I'm able to give someone something they've been after for a while... And sometimes a card I've sought just appears in the mail. It is like having angels out there.

1) the STUFF!
For me this hobby's enjoyment has always just been about the stuff to collect.
2) The People!
I found this Board in 2006 and since then, I have had a few occasions where something pertinent to my collecting shows up unannounced in my mail. Freebies. But not like 1989 donruss freebies. Serious freebies. Nothing worth more than $50, but serious personal value. Here's a few examples: Rich Klein sent me a fantastic photo of one of my cousins that I had never seen before, and just said to send him sometihng small back if I ever feel like it. The photo is amazing, and I never would have found it if not for his help and generosity (paying it forward, you might say), so I had no worries at all about hooking him up with a pretty decent Whitey Ford card that no longer fit in my collection. Dan Bretta gave me the most amazing gift of knowledge in March of this year when he alerted me to a listing for two of my cousin's bats. I have never dropped $600 faster without even a whiff of a second thought! And for the first time in a long time, I experienced the exact opposite of buyer's remorse - I don't know what it is, but I love it. On a couple occasions I have also received Burke photos in the mail from a couple of prominent West Coast collectors...This kind of experience is not to be overlooked when examining why we collect, and post and read on these types of boards, etc...

3) the chickens. If you follow the early portion of this thread, you will see that the question is begging to be asked: Has anyone here experienced buyer's remorse after the thrill of the hunt for the chicks is gone?

[calvindog]

The great guys in the hobby.

[Bicem]

Exposing shady auction practices.

[Koufax]

A fascination with how baseball took hold in the 1800's and the rare surviving little pieces of cardboard that played a role in the spread of the sport. Wish I could go back in time, even for just a few minutes. It's the nostalgia that does it for me, even if it was a rogue game. And I agree with Bruce, standing on concrete for 5 days. And the chicks ...

Yes, Sandy (me) is a guy ...

[ChiefBenderForever]

Being a newer collecter to preWWI and pretty much only collecting Chief Bender every card I get is pretty much an issue I have never heard of or really even knew was out there. Of course the history of the game and how it really hasn't changed all that much is also very facinating. It is also entertainment and does bring one back to a simpler time where we only think of the good times and peaceful kodak moments, forgetting that women had no rights, minoritys were pretty much banned from the game, pollution was at an all time high, child labor was widespread,ect ect. We like to think things were different but really they were just as messed up as today. It's like dreaming of the Roman days and all the great buildings but forgetting that most people lived in shacks and went to the bathroom in a pail and when finished just threw it out in the streets.

[cfc1909]

I share almost every move I make in my collection with my oldest daughter Janna. She is home on Christmas break from college until Jan.25 and we are having a wonderful holiday.

She should make the National this year in Baltimore and we should be at Dan McKees table. Stop by and say hi.

SaraJanna.jpg

Both of my girls Sara & Janna

[drc]

I enjoy learning about the history and material-- collectors are mini historians, whether or not they realize it--, and I've also made many collecting friends. I also like seeing the cool artifacts in person, auctions, other collections, etc.