It was just a few short years ago that I declared in a post that I was officially done with set collecting. And it was true at the time. I was more than ready to move onto something else, namely player collecting. Not only did that sound like it would be more fun in general, but also seemed like there'd be much less rigidity, and for me, less stress as well. And so it was, at least for a year or two.
I guess it was sometime last year that not only did I start to get a little bored with just collecting certain players, but the old set collecting itch began to, well, itch, again too. I thought initially that I could satiate it by just working on an insert set or two, but apparently that wasn't enough, and before I knew it I was putting the remnants from multiple old set builds, as well as a few new ones, back into binders. I thought that maybe, just maybe, I had finally found the right balance for me; but now here we are on the wrong side of 2023, and I have very little idea what I'm doing, or what I want to do going forward.
Prices continue to increase, and for the first time since the latest boom started, they've begun to affect my ability to purchase things; which I believe in turn, has also begun to affect my interest level.
Conventional wisdom, at least amongst us pedestrian collectors, has held that if one area of interest starts to get too expensive, just pivot to another -- which is all fine and dandy, but I've been pivoting for 3 or 4 years now, and I'm starting to think that I'm done pivoted out. Every time I move, so does everyone else. And it's gotten very old.
The only other option seems to be to just accept that things have changed, and will continue to stay changed for the foreseeable future. Which basically just means eat it and start paying $10 for items that were less than a buck prior to the boom. Or in other words, finally give in to the new normal. Well, I can't do that either. Mentally, I just can't. I don't have the money to collect like that, and even if I did, I don't get joy from overpaying for things.
And I'm not saying that I'm done with cards, yet, but I do know that my interest level in them right now is at about the same level it was back in 1999-00 right before I took a 10-year break from collecting. I guess the good news is though, that even if I did take a break of some kind, I've got tons of old stuff sitting in scan folders, so if I wanted to keep this blog going during said break, I've got more than enough to keep it active for the time being (especially if I keep up this 1-2 post a month thing I've currently got going).
Like I said though, I really don't know what I'm doing right now in terms of collecting, and as far as the first part of this post goes, I'm probably just rambling, as usual. It's probably advisable not to put too much stock into anything I say (ever). And hey, it hasn't been all doom and gloom; there have been a few bright spots in recent months...
I ended up claiming five cards, the most important of which, to me, was this 1962 Post Dick Howser (no relation to Doogie). I haven't bought a single sports card since March, so it's been at least that long since I was last able to add a card to my set. It didn't last very long, being only one card and all, but it was fun to have an excuse to break out the Post/Jell-O binder; and even more so to add a new card to it. Heck, I even logged into the TCDB for the first time in many months just so I could mark this card off of the checklist. Apparently this was card #60 towards the 200-card set for me. I thought I was a little further along than that, but I guess 60 is better than 59.
I've really tried to cut back on "just because" cards, but even so, I couldn't resist Orlando here, mostly "just because" I love the old green and yellow A's uniforms. I'm not a big uniform guy, but these might just be my favorite baseball uniforms. I don't know how Orlando feels about them, but after starting the '65 season 0-6, he found himself trading these colors for those of Detroit, where he ended up faring slightly better with a 4-6 record.
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I want to say that it was back in January that I re-watched the 1974 World Series on YouTube (and it only took me about a month to do so). While doing so, I thought to myself that it wouldn't be the worst thing ever if I added a few more cards of Dick Green to my life. Fast forward seven months, and I finally added one! He isn't one of the A's players from that era that I collect, but given how important he was to the team (defensively), and how few cards he apparently has, I probably should. Maybe I will start doing so at some point, but for now, being able to get this one will be good enough. I can't really tell what's going on here, but it is a very interesting looking card. In my mind, there's almost no such thing as a bad action card, especially those of the vintage variety.
Every time I've shown a Dave Winfield card in the last year or two, I've mentioned fighting the temptation to collect him. I think that temptation is finally gone. Doesn't mean I won't ever still try to get any of his cards, especially the earlier ones.
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I couldn't remember if I had Gerry's "sunset" card or not, and I still haven't looked, but I still wanted this one either way. 1961 was a rough one for Gerry. Despite going 13-8, and being named an All-Star, the year before, age finally started to catch up to him towards the end of that season, and he didn't bounce back in '61. His final season saw him pitching for Chicago, Kansas City, and Detroit, managing just a 2-5 record between the three. He closed out his baseball career with the Portland Beavers, where he was a pitching coach, who also tossed a couple of games (2-4), in 1962; which is the primary reason why I collect him.
Many thanks to Kerry for giving everyone (who saw the post) a chance to pick up some neat cards. The only downside to all of this is that because of my interest in all things cards being so low, I still haven't made an effort to find anything to send in return. I will though, one of these days!
On a final, and unrelated, note: I noticed a new(ish) blog on block a few weeks back, and haven't seen anyone else mention it lately, so I thought I'd try divert a few eyeballs over to Lajoie's Locker. It's not easy starting up a new blog in 2023, and it's probably even harder to keep a new blog going in 2023; meaning that this fellow could probably use some support. Most bloggers feed on views and comments, especially new bloggers, so if you've got the time, and are inclined to want to do so, maybe you could take a few minutes and go say hi.
I completely understand where you're at as far as what to collect without spending a fortune. I had a self-to-self moment to figure out what I was going to do. The biggest thing I had to convince myself is to be patient and do what you can. I am a set builder and have limited myself to 1972 Topps to present. I am really being patient on the older years and picking up what I can when I can. There are still some high dollar cards(for me), but I'm being waiting it out. I also collect players but my collection is focused on Topps base cards. Keeps it affordable for me and still fun.
ReplyDeleteYeah, patience is definitely the key when collecting vintage on a budget. That being said, I wonder sometimes if it's possible to be too patient? Limiting yourself to no older than '72 is a good strategy too -- you only have to concern yourself with two years worth of high numbers.
DeleteI went on a crazy spurt when I got back home, took a few months to say "hey you can't do this". I still grab tons of cards, but only if I get a deal. Otherwise I will wait it out no matter how long that takes.
ReplyDeleteAnd that seems to be working out well for you. Unfortunately, when it comes to seeking out deals, not all of us have your drive/passion.
DeleteThere are plenty of ways to collect, beyond just sets or player collections.
ReplyDeleteBut yeah - it has gotten expensive.
I know, I've got themed pages and other silly little collections, but those by themselves aren't enough to keep by interest up.
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ReplyDeleteI think a lot of collectors are in the same boat, Jon. I know I am. Over the past few years I've had to put a hold on some set builds from the 1980s because the high-dollar cards are just much too high. Like Michael D said, it's about trying to be patient and picking up a card or two at the right price when you can. It's a challenge, but it's also an interesting/exciting time in the hobby. I've actually been thinking about selling off a few vintage cards that I'm not super-attached to in order to purchase some of the vintage cards I need for those set builds.
ReplyDeleteAs for that Dick Green card, I wonder if the photographer captured him just as he was trying to field a hard-hit grounder, or a low throw into second base that he couldn't quite pick on the short hop. Looks like he's puffing out his cheeks there with effort. Interesting choice of images, regardless.
I keep reading that the card market has cooled off, but it doesn't seem to be applying to any of the things that I look at, and from what you've said, it doesn't appear to be doing so in your area of interest either. As for the challenge, yes, it's definitely that. Most days though, I feel like I'm getting too old for this much of a challenge .And as far as the excitement goes, well, that too is a young man's game :)
DeleteNow that you mention it, looking at his body angle, it does look like he's trying to field/stop a bad throw from first.
I absolutely agree that it's too expensive these days to pursue any 'complete to my standards' set or player collection. I'm still building, but almost exclusively by way of trades. There should still be room in the hobby for collectors not driven by prospecting/flipping/chasing/profit, but we need to help each other.
ReplyDeleteJudging by the ball and the direction he's looking, I'd say Dick is in the midst of booting that grounder.
"Complete to my standards" is a good way to phrase it. I often feel like I have to choose between getting something that's in a lesser condition than I would prefer, or not getting it at all. More often than not, I go with the latter, as I don't want to have to pay even more money down the road just to upgrade whatever it was. And yeah, there should be room, but I feel like the majority of us are being herded into a broom closet; which doesn't give us much room to maneuver.
DeleteI find that trading works better than buying these days. If nothing else, the value of your trade cards has probably gone up too, and you probably have cards that others are finding too expensive to buy. If your traders aren't up on TCDB, now might be a good time to do so. You'd be surprised what people are willing to trade for cards you consider near-worthless. I know I have been.
ReplyDeleteAnother option could be one of the online trading groups that are out there. I've applied to join one myself. Could be interesting.
I've mentioned it more than a few times, but trading on that site pretty much always led to disappointment, which is why I stopped doing so. Aside from an odd one here and there, I can't see myself ever doing much in that department on there ever again.
DeleteAnd as I said, my interest level is pretty low right now, so joining a trading group doesn't seem like the best of ideas. I do wish you all the best with your new group though. Hopefully it'll be a very successful venture for you :)
I know there are a lot of collectors who are feeling the same way right now. There is so much change in the hobby at the moment and it's really hard to pick a direction. I have cut way back on spending over the past few years and just try to think about fun and enjoyment over shiny and flashy. Love the old A's cards with the yellow uniforms, always a good look.
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if these changes could change a little faster, if only so I could know a little sooner whether or not cards will continue to be in my future. As things currently stand, it's not looking good.
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