Who are the 10 most important collectors in hobby history

[benjulmag]

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

Completely understandable that it's not a contest, but not sharing with the comnmunity seems a bit selfish. 99.9% of board members here (IMO) would love to see stuff they have never seen before. If collectors can't enjoy other's cards, mem., etc. then really what is the point? Why do you think there is a monthly pick up thread? It's so others of the same ilk can see the great items in the hobby. Secretive and cloistered collections only serve their masters and that's just self serving. If you are worried about theft or other concerns, just don't list your name or address. Too many lurkers/takers and not enough givers (info, scans or opinions for that matter). As an example, I asked a question about Old Judges awhile back and got no responses. I think they were reasonable questions but as I have heard, the big collectors don't like to impart info or even show their rarities. Why is that? Seems a tad childish doesn't it? Take it for what it's worth, just my opinion.

Of course you're entitled to your view, but I have to respectfully disagree.

I collect for my personal enjoyment. Yes, if in the process I can share my knowledge with others, all the better. But I don't think that is a prerequisite to a person being passionate about collecting, or to there being a "point" to the collection. I know a number of people with substantial collections. Most of them collect under the radar. They do that not to be secretive. Without exception, all of them I think would go out of their way to offer assistance if anybody should come to them with a question. But they are modest people who would regard constantly showing what they have to be a form of bragging. Maybe others would not see it as such, but they would. In addition, to some of them it's not so easy to post scans. To those of us who grew up in a different technological era, taking and displaying quality digital photographs is not a common-place activity. For me personally, I do not even own a digital camera. All my images are on transparencies, which many scanners cannot scan.

So while I have no issue with encouraging people to impart knowledge for the good of the hobby, I don't think it appropriate that the passionate private collector who collects neither for investment nor ego, but simply for pure unbridled enthusiasm for what he/she collects, should be denigrated.