Certainly Didn’t Expect to See that at the National.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

If there is nothing legally in place that precludes him from doing this then I would have no problem with it. That said, I don’t think it would happen.

It won't happen, you're right, and it shouldn't IMO, but it would be interesting hypothetically to see what happened if it did. I suspect we as a hobby are so much like crack addicts that if he had material, he would do just fine.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It won't happen, you're right, and it shouldn't IMO, but it would be interesting hypothetically to see what happened if it did. I suspect we as a hobby are so much like crack addicts that if he had material, he would do just fine.

I suspect you're correct. Furthermore, he would probably do well even if that material was altered yet numerically graded by PSA.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Eric72

I suspect you're correct. Furthermore, he would probably do well even if that material was altered yet numerically graded by PSA.

Better, I suspect, that's how this hobby seems to work.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Better, I suspect, that's how this hobby seems to work.

I am often reminded of three things you've written here at various times. Pardon me for paraphrasing:

• Stuff trumps all
• People collect flips, not cards
• The registry is a powerful drug

Sadly, a large segment of the hobby has turned cardboard and plastic into little more than a d*** measuring contest. It seems, at times, the cards have become (or always were) secondary for some people.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Eric72

I am often reminded of three things you've written here at various times. Pardon me for paraphrasing:

• Stuff trumps all
• People collect flips, not cards
• The registry is a powerful drug

Sadly, a large segment of the hobby has turned cardboard and plastic into little more than a d*** measuring contest. It seems, at times, the cards have become (or always were) secondary for some people.

We're really seeing that with all the cards being given to the PWCC Vault, are we not? People are perfectly willing to buy cards and never take possession of them or look at them, apparently. Just assets.

[Eric72]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

We're really seeing that with all the cards being given to the PWCC Vault, are we not? People are perfectly willing to buy cards and never take possession of them or look at them, apparently. Just assets.

Indeed. Nature of the 2021 hobby beast, I suppose.

On the flip side, no pun intended, there has been an influx of younger collectors lately. For many years, I heard that the hobby was going to die because nobody collected except old guys.

[dstudeba]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It won't happen, you're right, and it shouldn't IMO, but it would be interesting hypothetically to see what happened if it did. I suspect we as a hobby are so much like crack addicts that if he had material, he would do just fine.

We don't need hypothetical, we have a history of examples of what would happen. He would send out a catalog, people would say "I can't believe anyone consigned to him", many people would publicly say "I won't bid with him", and then the auction would do fine. Within five years he would be at least in the top ten in size and 90% of the people wouldn't think twice about bidding with him, and 50% of the people would think he is one of the "good guys" and publicly defend him.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by dstudeba

We don't need hypothetical, we have a history of examples of what would happen. He would send out a catalog, people would say "I can't believe anyone consigned to him", many people would publicly say "I won't bid with him", and then the auction would do fine. Within five years he would be at least in the top ten in size and 90% of the people wouldn't think twice about bidding with him, and 50% of the people would think he is one of the "good guys" and publicly defend him.

Hmmm... I don't disagree with your scenario at all, but just in terms of history, how many people do we have who have been convicted of hobby fraud and served time then come back?

[dstudeba]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

Hmmm... I don't disagree with your scenario at all, but just in terms of history, how many people do we have who have been convicted of hobby fraud and served time then come back?

There probably isn't someone who exactly meets that criteria however there are enough similar situations in terms of hobby frauds and serving time to provide guidance. Convictions might not have been for hobby fraud and hobby frauds might not have been convicted.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by dstudeba

There probably isn't someone who exactly meets that criteria however there are enough similar situations in terms of hobby frauds and serving time to provide guidance. Convictions might not have been for hobby fraud and hobby frauds might not have been convicted.

Fair enough but I agree someone could probably overcome a conviction for hobby fraud in the current atmosphere.