The new breed of collectors...

[BobC]

The new, young collectors aren't an issue, or a problem, they just come from a different place and perspective. Baby Boomers are pretty much the ones who started and have fueled the sports card collecting craze, till these more recent years. And Baby Boomers did so primarily based on a unique experience that has ceased to exist for decades now. It was a happy coincidence that the Baby Boomer generation pretty much exactly coincided with the rise of Topps (and Bowman) baseball cards, and their availability and relatively cheap cost to Baby Boomers as kids. And the fact that these companies have been around so long, issuing new cards and sets consistently year after year on a national level, was heretofore virtually unheard of. Old Judge cards are likely the next closest example, having lasted five years from 1886-1890. Zeenuts were strictly a regional, minor league issue. And though Exhibit cards alone showed the kind of longevity Topps and Bowman have experienced, they were sold in primarily a much different method, not in packs, and certainly not in a numbered set that was fully changed, updated, and somewhat unique from year to year. Also the size difference played a huge role. You would much more easily be able to find a kid hauling round a rubber banded stack of regular baseball cards to school or the playground, than you ever would expect to see them hauling around a stack of Exhibit cards. Virtually every dime, drug, or other local store you'd walk into back in the 50s and 60s would always have packs of baseball (and other) cards for sale right on the counters for sale next to the register. Certainly not so today, or for many decades now.

And combine that with the Baby Boomer generation coinciding with the long overdue integration of baseball, MLB finally extending all the way to the West coast, the beginning of expansion in the number of MLB teams, and maybe most importantly of all, the post-war advent of television and the bringing of games/teams on a national level right into our living rooms. These elements and their timing all added up to create the perfect storm that vaulted us into the sports card collecting rise and surge that started in the 1980's, and has carried us for the most part till today. And that was all primarily due to baseball cards as the initiating genesis for all this.

So, the "old-timers" among us approach the fascination and attraction to the sports card collecting hobby as a somewhat shared, but pretty much unique collective background and experience that will never be duplicated. It is certainly different from the backgrounds and experiences that have led younger generations to the hobby now as well. And the Baby Boomers are lucky that younger generations are embracing and picking up the hobby so as to bolster prices for some who can then use that potential cash, if needed, as they get older and move into retirement. For many who started out collecting cards for fun and/or as reliving youthful memories, it is akin to finding a $20 bill in the pocket of a pair of jeans they pulled out of the dryer.

And there was never any guarantee that future generations would hold and look at sports cards, especially vintage cards, in the same overall esteem and value as the Baby Boomers do. Just look at stamp or train collecting today. Though both hobbies are still active and out there, the overall acceptance, following, and of course value associated with such items, have experienced nothing like the continued surge and growth to the sports card hobby and market. We have experienced additional good fortune on at least some factors of our hobby attracting new, fresh and younger faces to the fore.

[SyrNy1960]

Originally Posted by BobC

The new, young collectors aren't an issue, or a problem, they just come from a different place and perspective. Baby Boomers are pretty much the ones who started and have fueled the sports card collecting craze, till these more recent years. And Baby Boomers did so primarily based on a unique experience that has ceased to exist for decades now. It was a happy coincidence that the Baby Boomer generation pretty much exactly coincided with the rise of Topps (and Bowman) baseball cards, and their availability and relatively cheap cost to Baby Boomers as kids. And the fact that these companies have been around so long, issuing new cards and sets consistently year after year on a national level, was heretofore virtually unheard of. Old Judge cards are likely the next closest example, having lasted five years from 1886-1890. Zeenuts were strictly a regional, minor league issue. And though Exhibit cards alone showed the kind of longevity Topps and Bowman have experienced, they were sold in primarily a much different method, not in packs, and certainly not in a numbered set that was fully changed, updated, and somewhat unique from year to year. Also the size difference played a huge role. You would much more easily be able to find a kid hauling round a rubber banded stack of regular baseball cards to school or the playground, than you ever would expect to see them hauling around a stack of Exhibit cards. Virtually every dime, drug, or other local store you'd walk into back in the 50s and 60s would always have packs of baseball (and other) cards for sale right on the counters for sale next to the register. Certainly not so today, or for many decades now.

And combine that with the Baby Boomer generation coinciding with the long overdue integration of baseball, MLB finally extending all the way to the West coast, the beginning of expansion in the number of MLB teams, and maybe most importantly of all, the post-war advent of television and the bringing of games/teams on a national level right into our living rooms. These elements and their timing all added up to create the perfect storm that vaulted us into the sports card collecting rise and surge that started in the 1980's, and has carried us for the most part till today. And that was all primarily due to baseball cards as the initiating genesis for all this.

So, the "old-timers" among us approach the fascination and attraction to the sports card collecting hobby as a somewhat shared, but pretty much unique collective background and experience that will never be duplicated. It is certainly different from the backgrounds and experiences that have led younger generations to the hobby now as well. And the Baby Boomers are lucky that younger generations are embracing and picking up the hobby so as to bolster prices for some who can then use that potential cash, if needed, as they get older and move into retirement. For many who started out collecting cards for fun and/or as reliving youthful memories, it is akin to finding a $20 bill in the pocket of a pair of jeans they pulled out of the dryer.

And there was never any guarantee that future generations would hold and look at sports cards, especially vintage cards, in the same overall esteem and value as the Baby Boomers do. Just look at stamp or train collecting today. Though both hobbies are still active and out there, the overall acceptance, following, and of course value associated with such items, have experienced nothing like the continued surge and growth to the sports card hobby and market. We have experienced additional good fortune on at least some factors of our hobby attracting new, fresh and younger faces to the fore.

Bob, I always enjoy reading your well-thoughtout and detailed posts. Tony

[homerunhitter]

Very awesome responses guys!!!

I have been collecting for over 40 years! So I’ll be a collector until the very end.

I collect vintage. I would much rather have a mays, mantle, koufax and bench instead of a tatis jr, Juan sori, Guerrero jr or acuna jr. I don’t knock what others s like or want. Vintage is my preference but the great thing about this hobby is that there is room for everyone to collect what they want.

I collect because it has been my passion for 40+ years! I asked the questions why do we collect or what is our end game because I see the set collecting threads where people have 50 year runs of topps complete sets and while I think that is very cool (and something I’m doing) my mind wanders and I think wow! What do we do with all of these binders if sets or boxes of cards one day!

[JollyElm]

Here's the only way to reply to this thread these days:

"When people are throwing shade at younger collectors, I take that very personally, because I identify as a 14-year-old female collector, so that's racist...and cardboard is responsible for global warming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Here's the only way to reply to this thread these days:

"When people are throwing shade at younger collectors, I take that very personally, because I identify as a 14-year-old female collector, so that's racist...and cardboard is responsible for global warming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Well then let's call BLM (Baseball collectors lives matter)!!!

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

Here's the only way to reply to this thread these days:

"When people are throwing shade at younger collectors, I take that very personally, because I identify as a 14-year-old female collector, so that's racist...and cardboard is responsible for global warming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Well then let's call BLM - Baseball (collectors) Lives Matter!!!

[Tony Gordon]

I have had a front-row seat to the recent hobby evolution as I have been setting up at local card shows just about every weekend for the past 25 years. I have been attending card shows since 1978.

I really have no issues with the new breed of sports card hobbyists. I find them very intelligent, extremely knowledgeable about modern cards, friendly, passionate and interesting.

Some of my observations: basketball is king. They want rookie cards, not necessarily slabbed cards. They all have a personal collection or "PC." Each PC seems to be unique to that collector. They vlog about everything and post regularly to Instagram. They have taken trading to new levels. They are masters at negotiating. They all have some sort of briefcase. Many have some of the worst hairdos I have ever seen... which is really saying something since I grew up in the 1970's.

Used to be that I could set up at any card show with my post-War commons and have flocks of set builders at my tables -- not anymore. I really have to pick and choose which shows I attend because the set builders only go to a handful of shows these days.

The new breed will stop and marvel at my stuff but they rarely purchase anything. I am starting to feel like an outcast, a relic. But I still enjoy it and regularly sell and buy enough cards to make it worth my while.

The thing I enjoy most about the new breed are their vlogs. I spend countless hours on YouTube watching vlogs from card shows. I just love it and can always spot my bald head in a few of the vlogs.

Many of these vloggers are great characters and have created their own culture around their vlogs. For example, there is a modern collector/dealer/vlogger out of Ohio, he looks to be in his late-20's. He goes to shows all over the country each weekend. At each show, in each vlog, he is met by other new-age collectors who give him cards and other memorabilia for his Ohio State PC. I mean, he can't go five minutes at a show, no matter where that show is located, without some random person walking up to him and giving him a card depicting an athlete who played college ball at Ohio State. It is remarkable to watch.

Yes, the hobby has evolved. I recommend you just go with it and enjoy it. I'm still having a lot of fun. I'm setting up at two shows this weekend!

[Tabe]

Originally Posted by Tony Gordon

Many of these vloggers are great characters and have created their own culture around their vlogs. For example, there is a modern collector/dealer/vlogger out of Ohio, he looks to be in his late-20's. He goes to shows all over the country each weekend. At each show, in each vlog, he is met by other new-age collectors who give him cards and other memorabilia for his Ohio State PC. I mean, he can't go five minutes at a show, no matter where that show is located, without some random person walking up to him and giving him a card depicting an athlete who played college ball at Ohio State. It is remarkable to watch.

CardCollector2

I watch his videos all the time, too.

He seems to have a very successful store in Ohio besides all the online dealing he does.

[chjh]

I don't think the hobby/industry has really changed much over the years. What has changed is technology.

I was collecting as a kid in the 70's. Research had to be done at the library or buying price guides, shopping was done at card shows and the local card shop.

And trading was done with a handful of friends who also collected.

Collectors have always done research, shopping and trading. We've always collected cards because we liked them, or because they were rookies, or because they were rare. We have always tried to trade for, or buy, cards we felt were going to go up in value.

It's just that the internet has made all those things easier and more interesting. Instead of a few friends from school we have N54. Instead of the local card shop we have online auctions.

My prized card as a kid was a 1969 Jackson Rookie. I have kept that card for 40 years and protected it. Last year I sent it to PSA for grading just for fun. It came back as trimmed and they wouldn't grade it. I had no idea. But that trimming wasn't done by any of the people well known to be altering cards in recent years.

It was done by an 'old timer.' I acquired that card at a card shop around 1980.

So, there's always been people altering cards.

I think this is a great industry/hobby. If someone wants to invest in cards, great. If someone wants to collect raw, great. To each their own.

There have always been new people coming into the hobby with different interests. Some collect for fun, some for investment and some for nostalgia. Nothing new there.

Any changes to the hobby that bring in more people and allow for the sharing of info the better.

I also welcome grading, vault storage and more auctions. They are all optional services. If you don't like 'em, don't use 'em. Maybe those innovations don't last. But innovation and new ideas generally are positive.

I think the whole industry is moving in the right direction.

[chjh]

A few thoughts on prices for vintage cards: they will go up forever. I don't own modern but I would expect the scarce modern will go up in price forever, too.

Any asset that is scare and high quality and desirable will go up in price. Waterfront real estate, Art, high quality companies... scarce and desirable cards.

This has been happening far longer than 2 years.

It's been going on for 100 years and will go on for another 100 years

[BobC]

Originally Posted by 3arod13

Bob, I always enjoy reading your well-thoughtout and detailed posts. Tony

Thanks Tony, appreciate that. But you are likely in a very small minority. LOL

Could also add that another reason for the "old-timers" always seeming to complain about these younger collectors, and how they collect and view the hobby, is that seeing these changes and differences reminds and reinforces the fact that they are getting older and not going to be around forever. And along with that, they may no longer be the main driving force behind the hobby anymore, and thus they don't as often see the hobby industry as worried about or catering much to their collecting needs and desires. And human nature and instinct is such that most all people, whether they'll admit it or not, have and harbor some instinctual and/or inherent fear, or at least a disdain, for change and things they are not familiar with.

This does go both ways though, as younger generations, overall, do not seem to carry and hold the older generation in at least the same/similar level of esteem, respect, and appreciation as Baby Boomers do/did for their parents and grandparents. They can often look to Baby Boomers and lay blame to them for a lot of the problems and issues of today. All while seeming to forget all the things they have to thank the Baby Boomers, and preceding generation, for that they simply take for granted. With the advent and advances in technology involved in travel and the media, especially social media, the world is literally getting smaller every single day. And yet, personal connections and direct interactions among people appear to be going the opposite direction. Plus the internet emboldens people to say and do what they want to others, without having to actually say/do something to someone's face so there is no potential threat of a direct reprisal? That could only serve to desensitize at least some people from fearing they'll hurt/harm others, and care and ever being apologetic or remorseful about having done so. And by extension, if such people over time become so desensitized to treating and acting so horribly towards others online, you know it is only a matter of time before some become so emboldened that they start doing the same demeaning and defaming things in real life, to real people. And it will likely only get worse.

I'll end with this. When I was in school, I was taught to respect my elders, not go talking back, and disobeying. If I got in trouble in school and ended up getting a swat from a teacher, I was even more afraid my parents would find out, and I'd get greeted by my Dad, with a belt and an additional whupping, when he got home from work. Nowadays, you accidently touch a school age child, or say or do something they may take in the wrong way or context, and you end up with screaming parents at the school, wanting the teacher immediately fired, and threatening to sue the school, and everything front and center on the internet and social media for all the world to see. My how times have changed, and we have only ourselves to blame!

[Hordfest]

Originally Posted by BobC

This does go both ways though, as younger generations, overall, do not seem to carry and hold the older generation in at least the same/similar level of esteem, respect, and appreciation as Baby Boomers do/did for their parents and grandparents.

It would be much easier to respect the older generation if so many of them at shows didn't act like I was easy pickings! LOL On here, there are many people like you who are more fatherly and willing to share their expertise.

In the real world, I tend to have much better experiences with younger dealers. A lot of the old guys get dollar signs in their eyes when they find out I'm new with valuable cards. It's just evident in their body language and it makes me distrustful. Most of the younger guard is far more transparent about why they will offer a certain dollar amount for a card or lot and act less like used car salesmen. That's how it has been in my, admittedly limited, experience at least.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Hordfest

It would be much easier to respect the older generation if so many of them at shows didn't act like I was easy pickings! LOL On here, there are many people like you who are more fatherly and willing to share their expertise.

In the real world, I tend to have much better experiences with younger dealers. A lot of the old guys get dollar signs in their eyes when they find out I'm new with valuable cards. It's just evident in their body language and it makes me distrustful. Most of the younger guard is far more transparent about why they will offer a certain dollar amount for a card or lot and act less like used car salesmen. That's how it has been in my, admittedly limited, experience at least.

I hear you Brandon, that is why I said it goes both ways. There is good, and not so good on both sides. And trust me, when I was younger, I had older dealers treat me basically the same as you described. LOL Still get treated the same occasionally from some dealers online who can't tell how young or old you are. They just assume they are a dealer, and therefore they figure they know more than you. I just try to ignore them. Most people are good, young and old, but the younger generations are being brought up and taught much differently than Baby Boomers and older generations were.

There will always be a fan base for the major US sports, which should be enough to keep the sports card hobby around and going strong for longer than either of us can likely imagine. It has changed a lot over the past few decades, and will continue to do in the decades to come. But the vintage side will be okay. Regardless of how newer generations are brought up, people are people, and many people like to collect, and have that collecting bug that infects so many of us on this forum. When you combine all the history of the game and the stories behind the players, there should be more than enough to entice a sufficient number of the younger generations to carry things on.

Good luck, and good collecting to you.

[Frankish]

Originally Posted by BobC

Thanks Tony, appreciate that. But you are likely in a very small minority. LOL

Not that small. I enjoyed your response a great deal, as well!

I'm smack dab in the middle of Gen X and inherited (as many of us mid-70s collectors did) the Boomer perspective on collecting. My parents were part of the Silent Generation and didn't collect much, as their parents had grown up or spent their early careers in the Great Depression.

For one, I love the new breed of collectors' interest in and attitude towards the hobby. Maybe I bridge the gap a bit, but having worked at hedge funds early in my career, I can appreciate their transactional and/or statistical take on the hobby, even if I tend to focus on the idols of my youth and the obscure rookie cards that may never hit the mainstream (just a quirk of my personality).

Cheers!

[RCMcKenzie]

When I was a kid, I got a Cobb for $75 from mowing the grass. Today's generation must get $1,000,000 for mowing the grass to buy a Lucas Doncic.

[JollyElm]

561. Wear is Over (If You Want it)
Since modern day pack rippers completely ignore everything but the ‘money’ cards, which are immediately put into protective toploaders or albums before quickly being sent off to be graded, there will never again be stacks of cards showing the traditional wear and tear from kids excitedly, repeatedly handling them.

See also: Packslabbing - removing new cards from packs and immediately getting them ready to be sent off for grading.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by 3arod13

Bob, I always enjoy reading your well-thoughtout and detailed posts. Tony

I agree, and, Bob, one other factor has been the greatest generational transfer of wealth ever to current baby boomers, putting them in the ideal position to chase those'52 Topps Mantle cards.

[here2havefun]

I consider myself a "new breed" of collector.

I'm on these boards because part of my collecting focus is post-war vintage HOF keys, and Topps Venezuelans.

I was into collecting in the 90's from age 10 - 16, then stopped. I picked it back up again in late 2018, and it's been my number 1 hobby since then.

I consider myself new breed because I've only been a "serious" collector since 2019, and I own lots of shiny cards. In addition to what I mentioned above, I also collect Griffey late 90's inserts/parallels, Ichiro, and Minnie Minoso (luckily before he got into the Hall).

[Rhotchkiss]

I very much welcome the “new breed”, even if they are investors and they only invest in new/modern/shiny. They are the future of the “hobby” and will be what bridges the gap from one generation to the next. Welcome! And, I do believe all investors in cards have the collector gene (you reading the post of one).

Admittedly, I don’t really understand, and certainly do not collect, modern. But that’s on me; in fact, I consider anything after WWII to be “modern”, with the new stuff ultra modern

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I agree, and, Bob, one other factor has been the greatest generational transfer of wealth ever to current baby boomers, putting them in the ideal position to chase those'52 Topps Mantle cards.

Thanks John, LOL. I just wish I had gone for some of the bigger cards, like a '52 Topps Mantle, much earlier in my collecting days. I'll likely never complete a '52 Topps set now because I can't justify in my own mind to spend what it would take to buy that Mantle now. Just like there's a lot of other sets I'll probably never finish as well now because I didn't get the Jackson/Cobb/Wagner/Ruth/etc. card before the recent price surge during the pandemic.

I am a Baby Boomer, and fully understand (and appreciate) the economic growth that has come to my generation. But in all fairness, most of us did tend to work our asses off to get to where we are today. Could always be better off, but most certainly could be a heck of a lot worse off as well. Having collected some rare, as well as many, many, many more common items, gives one the appreciation for what one has and collected over the years. I still enjoy occasionally opening an old box or binder and going through it, and rediscovering something I forgot I even had. Keeps the joy of collecting alive, at least for me.