Collection Reflection

[thatkidfromjerrymaguire]

Fun thread! I've enjoyed reading through everyone's responses. Here's mine:

First Pack of Cards: 1986 Topps

First Set Completed by Hand: None yet. I ALMOST completed 1987 Topps, 1988 Donruss, 1989 Fleer etc. back in the day just by buying countless wax packs, but never got around to picking up the last batch of commons I needed. However, I am only two cards away from 1952 Bowman now...so that one will be my first.

First T206: Germany Schaefer (only man to steal 1st base)

First Card To Pay >$100 For: 2001 Babe Ruth bat relic card (I know these are controversial around here, but I LOVE the early HOF relic cards)

First Card To Pay >$1000 For: 1952 Bowman Mantle

Most Memorable Trade: received: 1982 Topps Cal Ripken Rookie; Sent: 1987 Kraft Mac and Cheese box with Wally Joyner card on it. I got the better end of that deal, and at the time the Ripken Rookie was a pretty big card. However, since this was in 1987 pre-ebay, it was a lot harder to track down specific odd ball issues, and my trade partner was a HUGE Wally Joyner fan. So we were both happy about that trade.

[smellthegum]

First Pack of Cards: 1971 Topps
First Set Completed by Hand: 1976 Topps
First T206: Arellanes w/Piedmont back
First Card To Pay >$100 For: Don't remember
First Card To Pay >$1000 For: 1941 Play Ball Ted Williams
Most Memorable Trade: Traded a nm Maris rookie for a nm 54-55T Gordie Howe and 6 Ted Williams autographed baseballs, about 1989. I kept one ball but, unfortunately, the Howe is long gone. Wish I still had it.

[ASF123]

First Pack of Cards: 1986 Topps

First Set Completed by Hand: 1986 Topps. I got hooked quickly! And then 1987 Topps, and then 1988 Topps, and 1988 Fleer, and 1988 Donruss, and 1988 Score, and 1989 Topps, and 1989 Fleer, and 1989 Donruss, and 1989 Score...you get the picture .

First T206: I've bought several since I started up again about a year ago. Maybe Bresnahan was the first?

First Card To Pay >$100 For: I don't think I ever paid that much for a card as a kid, so it would be either an E90 Bender or T201 Collins/Baker, both late last year.

First Card To Pay >$1000 For: 1954 Topps Aaron, this past Feb.

Most Memorable Trade: Ha. When I was about 10 years old, there was a kid who I had to be "friends" with because our moms were friends. He also kind of collected baseball cards, and he had a Topps Mattingly rookie that was a big deal in 1987. He was also a bit gullible.

I had an old "Tom Seaver Price Guide" book from 1984 that had the Mattingly listed at like $1. Using the argument that "who would know more about the ability of hitters, and thus their card values, than Tom Seaver,"* I convinced the other kid to trade me the Mattingly and some other cards for a stack of 1987 Topps, mostly commons, that he needed for his set. If memory serves, later that afternoon he told his mom and she unilaterally rescinded the trade.

Now, I am not proud of this story today, but it does make for a memorable trade.

*And yes, I did (eventually) end up becoming a lawyer. Could have seen that one coming, I guess . But of course I would never do anything like that now as an adult.

[skil55voy]

First Pack of Cards: 1962 Topps Baseball John Demerit, Ray Washburn, Don Schwall, Carroll Hardy, Al Schroll. (Still have them)

First Set to Complete by Hand: 1965 Topps Baseball

First T206: Addie Joss

First Card to Pay 100.00 dollars for: 1963 Post Cereal Carl Yazstremski

First Card to Pay 1000.00 dollars for: None