Who had a positive impact on your collection ?

[kkkkandp]

This might sound a little odd, but author David Nemec gave me a focus for my collection I never had before I read his books. The way he presented the game of baseball in the 19th century it was both hugely entertaining and very informational. Once I found out that I could actually get baseball cards of many of the players I read about in his books, I was hooked. Then all I needed to do was actually acquire the cards!

Jay Miller was far and away the one guy who, despite being at the top of the Old Judge heap, was never too busy to answer questions from a neophyte Old Judge collector such as me. He has also been my #1 provider of new material over the past 20 years. For that, I am very thankful.

[oldjudge]

Kevin-That is very nice of you—thanks. I can truly say that the flow of information has been both ways, for which I am grateful.

[darkhorse9]

Jim Elder of Odessa, Florida

I never met the man, but growing up in Nebraska in the mid 1970's there were ZERO options for even seeing vintage baseball cards, let alone owning one.

Somehow I got a catalog from Jim Elder and there they were. Listings for Old Bowman, Goudey, T206, Topps cards...Pacific Coast League Popcorn cards (whatever those were).

My finances were extremely small so I chose wisely and could only afford commons. I still have the 1952 Bowman Johnny Wyrostek and the 1941 Goudey Harry "Gunboat" Gumpert cards I ordered from him

[Baseballcrazy62]

Charles Dutko owned a card store in Warren, Mi (Common Cents and More). Got to know him and his family well over the years. The store closed a number of years ago and kinda lost touch with him. Heard he passed away a few years ago. He smoked like a chimney but had a lot of neat stuff in the store. Bought some pre war stuff that I still have. He was a great guy!!

[cubman1941]

For me it was my daughter. In 1975 I had been out of collecting since 1954 and had no real interest in getting back. I had spent 9 out of the previous 15 years out of the country. She bought me a Hostess Twinkies box both because she knew I loved Twinkies and also baseball. This one had the cards on the bottom one of which was a Cub, my favorite team. This got me interested in collecting baseball again and I have never stopped. I recently sent her the four Cubs 1915 PM1 Ornate-Framed Pins I had as she had always admired them.

My DAD

[CobbSpikedMe]

The biggest early influence on my vintage collecting when I first got back into the hobby was Kit Young. I could actually order t206 and vintage from him when I couldn't find them anywhere else.

Then I found Network 54 (remember back then?) and the boards before this incantation of them. I loved the pick up threads and all the info I was getting. I learned so much about prewar it was nuts. I don't post that much but I've been here for many many years.

Then I found OBC and my collection really took off. The OBC guys are the best friends I have in the hobby by far. They are awesome and I love being in the group.

Thanks,

AndyH

[Powell]

Bill Latzko for sure!

[Baseballcrazy62]

There hasn’t been a post here in awhile so I thought I would revive it. Major influences from some of the “ hobby pioneers “. Earlier this year I won a lot of 138 different (1970-1983) Trader Speaks magazines from REA. I previously had read those magazines as a young collector along with SCD and after hauling them all over the country decided to throw them all away in the trash in the early 90’s. In the batch from REA there were a number of the issues that were addressed to Lionel Carter and John Stommen that must have come from their personal collection. For whatever reason I have been buying up older hobby publications and having a blast reading through them. Also, a big shout out to Dan Dischley for keeping the Trader Speaks running as long as he did and Leon for keeping this forum moving forward!! Who are your big influences in the hobby?

[qed2190]

Steve Mitchell, Buck Barker and Dick Dobbins, Mark Macrae later on.

[kmac32]

My great great uncle played ball dor the 1921 Yankees as their center fielder in the 1921 World Series so it was in my blood. Also I was a victim of the 1969 Cubs heartbreak that made me a lifetime fan or the Cubbies. Had to have cards of my idols growing up. In the 2000’s went to Cubs camp for 5 times and know many of the retired Cubs personally. Went to Lee Smiths induction into the 2019 class furthering my Cub extravaganza. That is how I got into and continue into collecting.

[Powell]

Bill Latzko: smart, honest and fair.

[Yoda]

I would have to tip my cap to Lew Lipset, When I re-entered the wonderful world of baseball cards and bought a few cards from him, we became friendly. He really drew me into pre-war, since i was a Topps and Bowman 50's guy, and provided me with much helpful advise how to set up and run a proper retail dealership, which became full Count for those who remember it. He also advised me who to watch out for.
I still use his books as a reference tool.
Lost contact with Lew. Hope he is doing well.

[Schwertfeger1007]

+1 for THEE Old Judge, Jay Miller

I got into collecting Old Judge and other 19th century cards about 2 years ago...

I was researching Net54 one day and came across a post of his and reached out blindly not sure if I'd even get a response. When he did, I was ecstatic to see some of the impossible to find treasures he made available to me. But honestly what stood out more was how responsive he was to what I'm sure felt like some very basic questions at the time.

Jay is a tough SOB when it comes to negotiating ("ok...go buy the other one"...he says about cards with zero public sales ever haha) but a really good dude that helped me build a collection I absolutely cherish.

Thankful for you buddy.

Looking forward to finally meeting in person one of these days!

Happy Turkey Day all!

[Seven]

It's funny looking back on this thread.

In the time that I last posted, I hadn't had the opportunity to buy from Ted, and I fixed that at the Philly Show. Bought a very nice 1950 Bowman Phil Rizzuto.

[CobbSpikedMe]

Originally Posted by Seven

It's funny looking back on this thread.

In the time that I last posted, I hadn't had the opportunity to buy from Ted, and I fixed that at the Philly Show. Bought a very nice 1950 Bowman Phil Rizzuto.

Ted's great. Especially in person. Very pleasant, extremely knowledgeable, happy to talk cards, great deals, etc. He actually sold me the Hindu back Powers with the purple number back stamp in my avatar many years ago. It's the only Hindu I've ever seen with that stamp by the way. And he gave me a great deal on it.

I would say over the last 20+ years I've been collecting and learning about prewar cards, Ted has been an influence on me as well. Even if he doesn't know me that well.




.

[sreader3]

My wife. She doesn’t “get” the hobby, but she is supportive.

[Baseballcrazy62]

Thought I would try to breathe some life back into this thread after reading the “whatever happened to these dealers” thread. Really enjoy hearing and learning about these folks.

[Mungo Hungo]

I'll add something.

For me, it was the kids in the neighborhood, because they collected and traded (this was the shoebox era), so I started doing that too.

Currently, the influence is my younger son, who's 6. He's not really interested (yet) in baseball, but just asked me to bring home some of my old baseball cards, which I keep at work.

It's a different world now, because in many areas the electronic has replaced the physical. We probably don't have kids in the neighborhood trading cards from shoeboxes. Just talking about it makes me sound ancient (sorry, ancient board members). But I'd be thrilled to pass on the interest in collecting. We'll see.

[Dewey]

My mother took my older brother to meet Steve Sax and left me at home. Thus leading me to chase cardboard encounters instead of real ones! It has left the older me with a bunch of junk wax, but my kid self enjoyed it so much.

I don't know how I found Net54 a decade ago, but I remember a post by TheCatsPajamas about press photos and that led me down a new road and it has been so fun and rewarding.

When I came across a 1920 Branch Rickey photo of him down in Texas for Spring Training, a trip that led to his development of the modern farm system, it captivated me to learn more about Rickey and his many innovations and developments from the farm system, to the integration of baseball, to the required use of helmets in 1953, to the development of analytics. The history and discoveries are what drew me to photography and Net54 has been the biggest influence by far. Such a wealth of information and cool people.

[Powell]

Bill Latzko
Great guy
Honest and knowledgeable

[commishbob]

There have been several Houston sportscard storeowners and dealers who have been generous and welcoming over the course on my collecting hobby dating back many decades.

Larry Dluhy, who I met in the early 70s when we both worked at the old Houston post. He turned to cards as a full-time occupation and he's still involved. Larry was always a pleasure to converse with.

The Nelkin family, Harold, Lillian, and their sons Teddy and Todd whose Southwest Houston store was almost a second home to me for many years.

Finally, one of this site's advertisers, Daryll Zingaro, the owner of Sportscards of Houston, puts on regular shows in west and north Houston. I've sold off a large part of my collection so I don't make it across Houston to Daryll's shows like I used to. And I miss my visits with him. He sold me almost all the starter lots of the 50s and 60s sets I chased and so much more. He was always looking out for my card needs and was a valuable 'ear' when I was contemplating a large purchase. Daryll and his family are just good folks.

[Harliduck]

Wow, I missed this thread, and it's been revived several times. Just really enjoyed reading through everyone's stories...


Easy for me...Jack Leatherman...a retired school teacher from Lake Stevens...met him at a Mariners baseball game (which was crazy to travel an hour away to meet someone who lived super close) and he gave me at 12 years old a few written on 63 Fleer cards. They may have been 100 years old. I would meet regularly with Jack for the next 15 years until he passed. He was a wealth of knowledge and really taught me what little I know.

Also, I will add like many here, Leon and net54. Like most I left the hobby in 1991...and came back around 2012ish...found this place, and it's truly been an inspiration and has driven how I focus my collection. So many great people here, so willing to share...love it. Thanks all, Merry Christmas!!!

[Leon]

I have missed threads many times until they pop up again.
It's great to see a lot of members have been influenced by the forum. All of our members are the ones to get credit. I have certainly learned a lot over the years. And still seem to learn something new almost every day.
And a fitting image below...

Originally Posted by Harliduck

Wow, I missed this thread, and it's been revived several times. Just really enjoyed reading through everyone's stories...


Easy for me...Jack Leatherman...a retired school teacher from Lake Stevens...met him at a Mariners baseball game (which was crazy to travel an hour away to meet someone who lived super close) and he gave me at 12 years old a few written on 63 Fleer cards. They may have been 100 years old. I would meet regularly with Jack for the next 15 years until he passed. He was a wealth of knowledge and really taught me what little I know.

Also, I will add like many here, Leon and net54. Like most I left the hobby in 1991...and came back around 2012ish...found this place, and it's truly been an inspiration and has driven how I focus my collection. So many great people here, so willing to share...love it. Thanks all, Merry Christmas!!!