How did you get started in the hobby

[Mdmtx]

I bought football only from 1972 to 1975. Then started on baseball and football in 1976. Traded all my football including several Payton rookies for a 1955 topps set. Also in about 1975 I started cold calling for collections to be donated so I could set the Guinness world record for the most cards. When I would get a list of several, my parents drove me around to gather them up. About 1980/81 I lost interest in setting a record but had tons of cards. About late 1981 or early 1982 my parents told me I needed to get rid of all the cards. Fate intervened and I stumbled on the original sport Americana annual price guide in a used book store. Then shows, then shop, then liquidation. Then decades pass and rejuvenation a couple years ago. Had a short lived rejuvenation about 10 years ago, but that one didn't last long. This time around it seems to be back in the blood for sure.

Mark

[mark evans]

I collected 1958 Topps football as an 8 year old, got all the cards, and promptly threw them out.

The only other set I've ever collected is 1961 Topps baseball. Got them all and this time had the good sense to put them away.

Never collected anything else until discovering eBay in 1998. Then got heavily into 50s and 60s baseball, football and basketball cards of my heroes (Mays, Unitas, Chamberlain, et al). Also got into vintage cards of Jewish sportsmen.

[bbcard1]

Generally started in 1971, but there were still plenty of 1970 packs to buy. First card I distinctly remember having was a 1967 Duke Simms I found in our attic. I cannot account for how it got there. I think we moved into the house before that and I am sure I never bough cards before 1971. Fate?

[Shoebox]

I was in Jr High and HS during the heart of the junk wax era. My avatar is one of the cards I remember fondly from my first summer collecting.

[TCMA]

I was born into it. That's really the best explanation I can give. Some of my best memories are from being in the TCMA warehouse when I was very young, traveling to Cooperstown, learning about baseball history from my dad and being exposed to all the incredible photography TCMA used.