Best hobby advice you've received.

jchcollins · #1 04-15-2021, 09:30 AM

"Collect what you love" - I was once basically made fun of for being into "custom" cards, i.e. cards that never were, Topps Archives / Fan Favorites, etc. '63 Fleer Mantle. '34 Goudey Ruth. '76 Carlton Fisk with a different (and much better...) picture. Well you know what? I like these creations, and they usually cost a fraction of a fraction of what similar, playing days real issues of a lot of stars and HOF'ers cost. I like them because they are not reprints, just fakes of something that really was - but a different take on something that was - that never was.

One of my latest pickups like this is a '68 Topps 3D Mickey Mantle that they did in an Archives set a few years back. This is an incredible card - of course there was no real 3D Mantle that was issued in that test set. Topps picked a great photo of the Mick watching a ball that he had just parked go out. I can't imagine that a kid in 1968 wouldn't think that was just fabulous had it actually existed then. This may not be a real vintage card, but it's that same type of inspired joy I get out of it that I do many of my real ones. To me that's what the hobby is all about.

bnorth · #2 04-15-2021, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchcollins

"Collect what you love" - I was once basically made fun of for being into "custom" cards, i.e. cards that never were. '63 Fleer Mantle. '34 Goudey Ruth. Well you know what? I like these creations, and they cost a fraction of a fraction of what similar, playing days real issues of a lot of stars and HOF'ers cost. I like them because they are not reprints, just fakes of something that really was - but a different take on something that was - that never was.

One of my latest pickups like this is a '68 Topps 3D Mickey Mantle that they did in an Archives set a few years back. This is an incredible card - of course there was no real 3D Mantle that was issued in that test set. Topps picked a great photo of the Mick watching a ball that he had just parked go out. I can't imagine that a kid in 1968 wouldn't think that was just fabulous had it actually existed then. This may not be a real vintage card, but it's that same type of inspired joy I get out of it that I do many of my real ones. To me that's what the hobby is all about.

^Great post^

I have got some of that grief for collecting reprint sets. Personally I like custom cards and reprints. I have a lot of vintage reprint sets and custom cards. They both make me very happy to own them.

jchcollins · #3 04-15-2021, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnorth

^Great post^

I have got some of that grief for collecting reprint sets. Personally I like custom cards and reprints. I have a lot of vintage reprint sets and custom cards. They both make me very happy to own them.

Myself I generally shy away from straight reprints, but that's just a personal preference. There is nothing wrong with reprints. If you are a fan of the game first and foremost, it's no different than hanging a print (as opposed to an original) of a ridiculously expensive piece of artwork on your wall.

The types of cards I'm talking about are anomalies. They are often of players who were never made in the real sets they get created into. GBSCC in Boston produced some fantastic cards in the past like this that were show promotions. You can get most of them on eBay for less than $10 apiece.

Mark17 · #4 04-15-2021, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnorth

^Great post^

I have got some of that grief for collecting reprint sets. Personally I like custom cards and reprints. I have a lot of vintage reprint sets and custom cards. They both make me very happy to own them.

Some of those custom cards are terrific. I especially like it when they redo a card that had one of those hatless close-ups with a decent picture, like this:

What would be cool would be if somebody would make a fantasy set, with all new pictures of, say, 1966 Topps, and sell them in wax packs of 5 cards each (forget the gum.) If it could be done affordably, and without lawsuits, it would be a blast to open a box of them, with each card being something never seen before.

ASF123 · #5 04-15-2021, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark17

Some of those custom cards are terrific. I especially like it when they redo a card that had one of those hatless close-ups with a decent picture, like this:

What would be cool would be if somebody would make a fantasy set, with all new pictures of, say, 1966 Topps, and sell them in wax packs of 5 cards each (forget the gum.) If it could be done affordably, and without lawsuits, it would be a blast to open a box of them, with each card being something never seen before.

That "somebody" would have to be (a) Topps; (b) somebody who pays Topps a lot of money for a license; or (c) somebody about to get sued by Topps.

Plus, I assume the MLBPA doesn't administer the rights to former players' names, likenesses, etc. collectively, as I believe it does for (most) current players, does it? Topps obviously has contracted with various HOFers and other former stars for their rights for the Heritage products, etc., but to do a full set, they would probably have to negotiate individually with each player or his heirs.

mark evans · #6 04-15-2021, 10:47 AM

From Bill James, and hence hobby advice:

"Never marry a pretty girl as they're accustomed to having their faults tolerated."

Unfortunately, I failed to follow it.

Exhibitman · #7 04-15-2021, 10:48 AM

I enjoy some of the creative cards too. Like this 3D Jeter:

The late Bob Lemke (RIP) used to create all sorts of cards that never were. I picked up a Red Man Mantle and a 1954 Bowman Aaron from him.

I commissioned this one to be made out of an autograph I got in person here in LA:

I also like the Vela art cards.

I guess it depends on whether you view cards as investments or something for fun. I think about the former but try to blend in a lot of the latter.

Mark17 · #8 04-15-2021, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ASF123

That "somebody" would have to be (a) Topps; (b) somebody who pays Topps a lot of money for a license; or (c) somebody about to get sued by Topps.

Plus, I assume the MLBPA doesn't administer the rights to former players' names, likenesses, etc. collectively, as I believe it does for (most) current players, does it? Topps obviously has contracted with various HOFers and other former stars for their rights for the Heritage products, etc., but to do a full set, they would probably have to negotiate individually with each player or his heirs.

Admittedly the whole concept is fantasy.

icollectDCsports · #9 04-15-2021, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark17

Admittedly the whole concept is fantasy.

I agree that it is a great idea.

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