What do you do when you can't find anything to add?

silvor · #1 10-11-2017, 06:29 PM

For me, card collecting took over when my other collecting endeavors and hobbies slowed down. So, maybe look into another hobby?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topnotchsy

Was curious to know what people (in this kind of spot) find themselves doing.

Over the last few months for me, almost nothing has come across any of the major auction houses or eBay that I really feel I would want in my collection. My Jackie Robinson/integration themed collection has most of the "major" pieces I am interested in, except for a few items that I expect will be exceedingly difficult to find. Almost no vintage lineup cards of any sort have been listed, and there has been little in the way of WWII-related baseball items.

For me, as I left my previous job a few months back, and have been working on launching a business, the timing has been fortuitous, and I would not be in a position to buy much of anything if items I was looking for did show up.

That said, how do you handle slow times in your collecting? Do you save up money for when the (inevitable) rush comes? Do you expand out and buy other random items? Do you try to find another area to collect?

pokerplyr80 · #2 10-11-2017, 06:55 PM

I haven't bought anything for a few months. Sometimes I will pick up a few cards at the same time, or relatively close together. During down times I will spend time looking through cards I already own, and of course I'm always checking listings to see if anything worth adding to the collection is available.

I don't mind these periods of inactivity as it can help to get funds together for a bigger purchase. And when I do go through the cards I already own, I'm able to identify cards is be willing to let go when something else comes along.

Topnotchsy · #3 10-15-2017, 12:12 PM

Lots of interesting responses here.

For me as I mention, the gap in items that fit my collection has been welcome since it coincided with me leaving my last job and now working on launching a venture; so in this case it was less about me specifically than people in general and how they respond to such a situation.

@jasonc - That makes a ton of sense, and is probably closest to what I am doing. I started collecting some modern day cards (particularly 2001 Fleer Stitches in Time) which feature Negro League players. Many of the cards are $10-$20 so it doesn't break the bank, and it's a rare set to feature Negro League players exclusively.

@Bestdj777 - I've picked up a few baseball books and been doing some learning about the Negro Leagues which has been cool.

@pawpawdiv9 -

@edjs - Love that show!

@drcy - That sounds scary lol. I already feel I'm focused on too many areas, although if I reach a point that a collection seems "complete" I may think about that.

@Jobu - I hear that.

@silvor - It may be just focusing more on other hobbies. I already have more than I have time for.

@pokerplyr80 - Would be nice to have the funds ready when something really big hits. Inevitably it will eventually...

@oldjudge - That Fleetwood is incredible, but out of my price range unfortunately. Would definitely have been a fit in my integration collection.

@Orioles1954 - Blasphemy! Enjoying a collection

Probably the most reasonable thing to do

@sreader3 - That sounds awesome. Have you posted anywhere about your progress?

@Leon - I hear that! I've found if a collection is not focused on something that I am particularly interested in, I lose interest pretty quickly. (And I struggle with sets because I am always torn about buying the commons and the like. For some reason I just don't enjoy that part of it.

Mark70Z · #4 10-15-2017, 05:37 PM

I typically work on one of my side projects I have going on when I hit a dry spell. They are typically less expensive items that I really don�t actively search.
Here�s the issue I have had and continue to have with doing this (this is probably just me so you�ll probably be fine). While the side project is less expensive items I start to purchase these type items and continue to purchase and then don�t have enough money when an item I really like more comes available.

Topnotchsy · #5 10-15-2017, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

I typically work on one of my side projects I have going on when I hit a dry spell. They are typically less expensive items that I really don�t actively search.
Here�s the issue I have had and continue to have with doing this (this is probably just me so you�ll probably be fine). While the side project is less expensive items I start to purchase these type items and continue to purchase and then don�t have enough money when an item I really like more comes available.

That's a concern of mine, so I definitely here you.

Of course, as I'm responding to this post a couple of lineup cards I like pop up, along with a card that I am interested in. Didn't realize it was that easy

rocketman · #6 10-17-2017, 09:20 AM

Start selling?

iowadoc77 · #7 10-17-2017, 09:55 AM

Get some therapy?
More seriously, looking through auction catalogs, either current or past, always gets me revved up to add some new stuff. I have an extensive stash of old catalogs from AH�s. Come to think of it, I should probably throw those out and be more content with my collection.

Jason19th · #8 10-15-2017, 10:11 PM

We have very similar interests. I have collected integration items for years- though in the last 2 years I have been consentrating on the Long Branch Cubans

There are a lot of things out there that you might not realize (many books)- cheap stuff that will cost less then 100 bucks but is very worth it

Try google book searches and a lot of neat things will pop up

A couple of examples of the kind of stuff

1 Man on Spikes - few know it has an entire chapter on integration
2. The Negros in Sports by Edwin Henderson - the 1949 edition had an whole chapter on integration
3. Baseball Joe Around the World - has a number of pages about a game with a fictionalized version of Jose Mendez brought in as a ringer

I am sure there are many others out there, they won't hurt the bank account, and the search will fill the void until something big comes up

Jason

Topnotchsy · #9 10-17-2017, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason19th

We have very similar interests. I have collected integration items for years- though in the last 2 years I have been consentrating on the Long Branch Cubans

There are a lot of things out there that you might not realize (many books)- cheap stuff that will cost less then 100 bucks but is very worth it

Try google book searches and a lot of neat things will pop up

A couple of examples of the kind of stuff

1 Man on Spikes - few know it has an entire chapter on integration
2. The Negros in Sports by Edwin Henderson - the 1949 edition had an whole chapter on integration
3. Baseball Joe Around the World - has a number of pages about a game with a fictionalized version of Jose Mendez brought in as a ringer

I am sure there are many others out there, they won't hurt the bank account, and the search will fill the void until something big comes up

Jason

Would love to see some of your collection!

Love this idea as well. Picked up quite a few baseball books over the last 3 years, but am not familiar with the ones you mentioned here.

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