Rapid Fire Collector Q&A

I thought this might be a good way to get to know some of our newer members, and maybe learn something new about the collecting habits of the "regulars" who post here. I will save my response until a few others have had a chance to reply. Here it goes:

1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc)

2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?

3. What is your favorite tobacco card set?

4. What is your favorite caramel card set?

5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar?

6. What is the % breakdown of your purchases (ebay/auction houses/private sales and trades)

7. What is the % breakdown of the condition of your collection? (e.g. 30% fr-gd, 50% vg, 20% ex and above)

8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total?

9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with?

10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be?

11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion?

12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible.

Here are my answers..........

1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc)
1900-1910

2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?
I collect N172 Browns Champs subset set (currently at four)

3. What is your favorite tobacco card set?
T206

4. What is your favorite caramel card set?
Crakerjacks for sure!

5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar?
I started collecting prewar cards about 8 years ago and have never looked back. I have always had a love for baseball and history, so when I found out I could afford a relic from baseballs past I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

6. What is the % breakdown of your purchases (ebay/auction houses/private sales and trades)
Ebay=50%, Auction Houses=10%, Private Sales=20%, Trades=20% ( I prefer trades because I don't have to spend any money!)

7. What is the % breakdown of the condition of your collection? (e.g. 30% fr-gd, 50% vg, 20% ex and above)
I mostly have cards that range from good to vg, I like rarity over condition any day.

8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total?
150-200

9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with?
Well, I thought that there were several cards I would never part with, however, I just traded three of them away to another board member. I guess if an opportunity arises, any card can traded.

10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be?
Other than a T206 Wagner, there are not that many cards I would trade my entire collection for. I like variety and my collection reflects that.

11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion?
1. T206- I am collecting this set by teams and am currently three cards away from completing the NY Giants subset and 20 cards away from completing the Southern League subset.
2. T207- Slowly working on this set, I pick a T207 every month or so and now I am at about 20 or 25.
3. N172- As mentioned earlier, I am working on a Browns Champs subset. I just picked up a beautiful Von der Ahe which brings my subset up to four!
5. 1933 Sport kings set- This was the first set I ever started. I was able to pick up 20 PSA graded cards in a lot on ebay which kicked off my collection. I am now about 4 or 5 away from completion with the recent purchase of a Ty Cobb.

12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible.
Well, scarcest, hmmm......how about this one.......

I thought this might be a good way to get to know some of our newer members, and maybe learn something new about the collecting habits of the "regulars" who post here. I will save my response until a few others have had a chance to reply. Here it goes:

1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc)
1910 - 1919
2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?
No
3. What is your favorite tobacco card set?
T227
4. What is your favorite caramel card set?
E104-I/II/III
5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar?
1988, I started as a HOF player collector with a 1939 Playball Gehringer
6. What is the % breakdown of your purchases (ebay/auction houses/private sales and trades)
Ebay 50% / Auction Houses 0% / Private Sales 50% / Trades 0%
7. What is the % breakdown of the condition of your collection? (e.g. 30% fr-gd, 50% vg, 20% ex and above)
10% F-G / 50% VG / 40% EX and above
8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total?
1500+
9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with?
yes, several
10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be?
There is not one card I would trade my collection for, the assemblage and the stories are part of the hobby for me
11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion?
E95/E96/W575-2/1921 Exhibit/1923-24 Exhibit/Pinkerton Postcards/E93/Tattoo Orbit/DeLongs
12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible.
S81 Homerun Baker Silk

I'll give this a go
1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc)
I'm like Chris, I like the deadball era the best as far as history and collecting goes but since I grew up during the golden age (1950's), I have a special affinity for this period also.

2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?
I have a few N173 Hofers and have just started adding other issues such as Scrapps & N172's.
My favorite is N173 Keefe, which you guys have seen many times.

3. What is your favorite tobacco card set?
T206

4. What is your favorite caramel card set?
E90-1

5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar?
I stumbled into a card shop in 1987 and it was a very moving experience, hard for me to put in words. I was immediately reliving fond memories of my childhood and it was like an Epiphany moment for me. Eventually moving farther back in time as most collectors do.

6. What is the % breakdown of your purchases (ebay/auction houses/private sales and trades)
Ebay 40%, privates sales 50%, Auction Houses 5%, Trades 5%

7. What is the % breakdown of the condition of your collection? (e.g. 30% fr-gd, 50% vg, 20% ex and above)
80% VG/EX, 10% Ex or Better, 10% VG

8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total?
[color:d548=#000000]100 Give or take

9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with?
I can't see myself parting with any of my n173's, but you never say never

10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be?
I don't think I would trade my whole collection for any one card but I would trade alot of it for somekind of Boston Garter card. Any Year any player, I just want one

11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion?
I'm not really a set collector but have been accumilating a few M101-4/5's Lately

12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible.
I guess any of the n173's would be considered scarce today as you don't see many come up for sale. But for a change of pace I will post this one. only one other Walsh Famous & Barr graded, this one being the highest.

1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc)

1880's. Can only admire the cream of this crop from afar because they are so expensive, but the sets from this era are so interesting and diverse. Just the thought of owning a G&B HOFer or a Kalamazoo Bats team card is enough to give me chills.

2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?

Used to have a nice little 19th century collection, but not so much anymore. I suppose my current favorite is my Mayo Ewing.

3. What is your favorite tobacco card set?

Probably T204 Ramly.

4. What is your favorite caramel card set?

E107 Breisch Williams.

5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar?

Lifetime collector, but got into prewar about 9 years ago after an impulse E93 Gibson ebay buy (I think it cost me $13 and was vgex). Things quickly snowballed from there.

6. What is the % breakdown of your purchases (ebay/auction houses/private sales and trades)

30% ebay, 10% auction houses, 60% private sales & trades. Purchases have tailed off significantly in the past few years.

7. What is the % breakdown of the condition of your collection?

Approximately 30% pr-fr, 45% g-vg, 20% vgex-ex, 5% ex or better

8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total?

Approximately 90-100 prewar cards.

9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with?

I'll never say never, but I'd be hard pressed to let go of my T206 proof.

10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be?

Yes, I'd trade the whole kit & kaboodle for a number of cards, such as a 4BH Kelly/Ewing, or a E107 Wagner/Matty or a 1912 Boston Garter Matty/Johnson. But nobody's ever gonna trade me those cards, so in reality my answer is likely "no".

11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion?

I'm working on E96 but recently traded one away to a fellow collector. I think I'm 5-6 cards away from completion but I've kinda been taking it easy with that mission lately. Not much of a set collector really.

12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible.

Tough call. Holland Creameries HOFers aren't seen very often:

1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc)

1930s. What can I say, I love art deco

2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?

Not anymore

3. What is your favorite tobacco card set?

t205s. Love the gold borders and card design

4. What is your favorite caramel card set?

G&Bs. A bit small but the real photo cards are awesome. Not so much the line drawing ones.

5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar?

Started in 1981 when I bought a t205 Matty for $10. I got interested in pre-war cards when Lee and I found the 1980 Beckett price guide. I fell in love right away when I saw the old cards

7. What is the % breakdown of the condition of your collection? (e.g. 30% fr-gd, 50% vg, 20% ex and above)

Not sure. I'd guess 90% or more of my collection is VG or lower. I tend sell or trade of any raw cards that grade out well.

8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total?

about 150 split between t205s, Diamonds Stars and Delongs. The only cards I own that are part of those sets are my m101-5 Thorpe and my 1914 CJ Plank

9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with?

My Thorpe. then again, there is that possibility that someone will make me that outrageous offer I can't refuse.

10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be?

the Thorpe is my dream card.

11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion?

t205s about 40% there but with all the toughies except the no stats Hoblitzel (don't plan on getting it). Delong at 50% and Diamond Stars at about 25%

12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible.

The Thorpe. You all have seen a thousand time

Jay

Here Goes:

1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc)

1910's

2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?

Yes, N43 Ryan

3. What is your favorite tobacco card set?

T202 Hassan Triple Folders

4. What is your favorite caramel card set?

E93

5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar?

I believe about 1981, an encounter at a card show at the newly built Metrodome, saw and bought my first T202.

6. What is the % breakdown of your purchases (ebay/auction houses/private sales and trades)

ebay 65%
Private 25%
Trades 10%

7. What is the % breakdown of the condition of your collection? (e.g. 30% fr-gd, 50% vg, 20% ex and above)

5% - EX and Above
70% - VG to VG/EX
25% - lower

8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total?

I would guess around 700.

9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with?

At this point my E93 Wagner

10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be?

This is not a card I would value over the quantity I have.

11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion?

A T206 Subset, Cycle 460s currently at 67.

12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible.

Any of my Piedmont Art Stamps



Lee

1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc)
1910's

2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?
NO

3. What is your favorite tobacco card set?
T216's of course!

4. What is your favorite caramel card set?
E99's or E100's even though I don't own any

5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar?
January 2007. I was collecting vintage hotwheels at the time and someone posted some T-206's to trade for redlines. Once I saw those I was hooked.

6. What is the % breakdown of your purchases (ebay/auction houses/private sales and trades)
25% Ebay, 37.5% Auction houses, 37.5% trades and private sales

7. What is the % breakdown of the condition of your collection? (e.g. 30% fr-gd, 50% vg, 20% ex and above)
93% (40 or below), 7% (50)

8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total?
38

9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with?
All of my T216's unless I ran into hard times.

10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be?
E90-1 Joe Jackson. Though I would find it very tough to trade my T216's.

11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion?
Working on a T216 set, with any back. A daunting task, but I have the rest of my life. I am 22% complete

12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible.
T206 Home Run Baker with a BL 460 back.

1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc)

19th century

2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?

N172 Caruthers, G

3. What is your favorite tobacco card set?

n300 Mayo Cut Plug

4. What is your favorite caramel card set?

E223 G&B Gum

5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar?

There was a soft covered book given out by some company which contained the stats of “all” of the ballplayers in history. All of us kids had a copy, but I was the only one really interested … wow! Tris Speaker was almost as good as Cobb – I bet no one has ever heard of Tris Speaker – and whatkinda name is “Tris” (or “Ty”)? And Rogers Hornsby ! These initial observations continue to expand into my current awareness, and will continue until I am satisfied that I know it all.

In order to keep track of “it all”, I select ballplayer cards which represent the important (in my eyes) highlights of “it all” I began on this quest in 1976 after talking to card shop owners for a few years. In ’76 I found a used book called the Sports Collectors Bible which was one of the first price guides – really more just a set listing. But that allowed me to tabulate which card from which set would best fit my plans.

I was real slow to get into it. I had my cards from my youth (the ‘50s) to go through and determine which to keep – at that time there was no player premium for star cards (or HOFers, etc.), they all essentially cost the same; and they often sold in larger lots. I remember turning down an offer for me to purchase about 300 Topps 1954 cards – HOFers and commons, g – ex condition = $5.

That was a missed opportunity, but at least I did not sell my cards at those prices either. A fellow who I met at a show around 1982, told me that Lipsett was selling an OJ Maines card in a magazine ad. Actually, he was selling two different poses. So these and a couple of other cards represent my initial foray into the actual obtaining of pre-war cards. But to me, I had been planning and researching my want list for years, while watching and assessing the hobby; so I was in, just not “all in”. Actually, I was not all in until I sold my unwanted and dups from the 50s (I sold 3 Kaline rookies and 2 Clemente rookies and kept none). I remember as a kid, no one wanted the rookie cards – for example: who was Aaron in 1954?

Upon selling my extra fifties stuff, I was able to finance quite a few purchases. But I needed, and still need many cards to help me keep track of baseball history. Therefore, in order to maximize my coverage within the budget of a normal human, I often select lower grade cards. Occasionally I splurge and obtain a vg/ex, but not often, unless the card is inexpensive.

8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total?

300 - baseball

9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with?

Why would I part with a card which I own?

10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be?

Only if I was to get out of the hobby. Same with non-sports cards and coins. I often think that one of each as a remembrance could be nice, as I embark upon a new endeavor.

11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion?

no.

12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible.

Regular issue – r314d Johnnie Burnett (his only contemporary card) – most hits in a game = 9
Foreign issue – several Cuban cards representing players who both played in the Negro Leagues and MLB.
Secondary market cards – players and others not available in primary manufacturer sets =
Arnold Rothstein, Black Sox
Diomedes Olivo (TCMA Pirates) – oldest rookie

Scarce: a little.
Expensive: no.
Easy to find: no.

1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc) (1900-1908)

2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite? yes, Bid McPhee cabinet

3. What is your favorite tobacco card set? T3

4. What is your favorite caramel card set? E107

5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar? 2001 ish

6. What is the % breakdown of your purchases (ebay/auction houses/private sales and trades) current collection - mostly auction house and private deals, all-time - ebay #1

7. What is the % breakdown of the condition of your collection? (e.g. 30% fr-gd, 50% vg, 20% ex and above) 30% fr-gd / 60% vg-ex / 10% ex-mt+

8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total? less than 20

9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with? no

10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be? Just So Cy Young

11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion? w601 Sporting Life PC - 50% done

12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible. Bid McPhee cabinet

1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc)
1910-19

2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?
About 10 N172 HOFers. Favorite is probably the Keefe and Richardson stealing.

3. What is your favorite tobacco card set?
T206 or Mayo

4. What is your favorite caramel card set?
E98 or E94

5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar?
About eight years for prewar. When I found ebay, I put together a set of 1965 topps, then a set of 57 topps, then a set of 41 playballs and worked my way back to t206s. Most of the cards are gone now though.

6. What is the % breakdown of your purchases (ebay/auction houses/private sales and trades)
50% Ebay, 25% Auction houses, 25% trades and private sales

7. What is the % breakdown of the condition of your collection? (e.g. 30% fr-gd, 50% vg, 20% ex and above)
50% Vg, 25% Good (or worse), 25% VG/Ex or better

8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total?
Approx. 300

9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with?
My first prewar card, an EX condition t206 red Cobb that I bought for $10 as a 10 year old.

10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be?
Don't think I would trade (but an e107 Delehanty would be awful tempting)

11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion?
E94 - Need 2
E97 - Need 2
E90-3 - Need 1
Loosely working on an e98 master set in all four colors for each player. I am a bit over half way but will probably bail before it is complete.

12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible.
Scarcest would probably be my 1921 Herposheimer HOFers (Baker and Rice).

1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc)
1910's

2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?
I have one. It is a N172 Jim Donnely.

3. What is your favorite tobacco card set?
T205's

4. What is your favorite caramel card set?
I'm not a huge fan of e cards but I do like the e94's.

5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar?
3 years ago I got my fist vintage card at a local store. I was hooked after that.

6. What is the % breakdown of your purchases (ebay/auction houses/private sales and trades)
ebay 60%, card shows 15%, auction houses not much, private sales and trades 15%

7. What is the % breakdown of the condition of your collection? (e.g. 30% fr-gd, 50% vg, 20% ex and above)
30% pr-fr, 50%vg, 20% vg or better.

8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total?
I have around 30 pre-war cards.

9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with?
My first pre-war card. A t206 doolan sgc 30.

10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be?
I don't think there is one card that I would trade all my cards away for.

11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion?
I might try the t205's but for now I just buy the HOF and scarce cards in the set.

12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible.
My t205 drum. I'll post a pic later.

1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc)


1910s – seems like at least half the T & E cards were made then

2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?

E223 G&B Gum Van Haltran

3. What is your favorite tobacco card set?

T201 – something about that goofy fold over...

4. What is your favorite caramel card set?

E145 Cracker Jack - like the red background!

5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar?

In 1976 I went on a trip to DC and saw a baseball card store for the first time. I bought cards of teams that didn’t exist anymore – some 50’s Topps, some Bowmans, and my big purchase, a ’33 Goudey for a buck. From there, I started looking for Goudeys from other years and came across a T206. Next thing you know, I became a crazy type card collector...

6. What is the % breakdown of your purchases (ebay/auction houses/private sales and trades)

85% eBay, 5% auction, 10% private

7. What is the % breakdown of the condition of your collection? (e.g. 30% fr-gd, 50% vg, 20% ex and above)

90% vg or less

8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total?

maybe 500 pre-war baseball?

9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with?

I wouldn't part with any (unless there was a crazy offer for my whole collection).

10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be?

NO

11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion?

Over 1/4th complete with the 1915 Cracker Jack set. With the type set a much higher priority, don’t expect to make much progress getting the remaining 130+ cards any time soon.

12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible.

Maybe the La Azora Cobb:

glenv wrote:2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?

E223 G&B Gum Van Haltran

Sounds awesome, Glen. Would love to see a scan if possible.

1. What's your favorite decade for cards? (e.g. 1880's, 1930's, etc)
I've got to go with the 1930s. I like the Goudey sets and the Delongs quite a bit.
2. Do you have any 19th century cards in your collection? If so, which one is your favorite?
I don't have any as I haven't caught that bug yet.
3. What is your favorite tobacco card set?
I like the T204 Ramly set
4. What is your favorite caramel card set?
Do I need to answer this one? OK, fine...E107
5. When did you start collecting prewar cards? How did you get into collecting prewar?
Via trying to collect "all the RC of the HOFers", then realized what insanity that would bring, so I refocused my efforts on certain sets/cards. I started collecting prewar sometime around September 2008.
6. What is the % breakdown of your purchases (ebay/auction houses/private sales and trades)
Formerly 100% eBay. In the past 6 months since I got into vintage collecting, I'm about 25% eBay, 20% auction houses, 40% private sales, 15% trades
7. What is the % breakdown of the condition of your collection? (e.g. 30% fr-gd, 50% vg, 20% ex and above)
Prewar is 75% PR-GD, 5% VG, 20% EX/NM.
Postwar vintage 25% NM, 75% NM/MT or better
Anything from the 80s on up is all MT or MT+, but that collection is quickly diminishing to fund my prewar focus.
8. Approximately how many cards are in your collection in total?
Cards that I would now count as part of my collection (as opposed to the tons of early 80s stuff I collected as a kid), somewhere around 50... but the number keeps getting smaller as I refine my collecting focus.
9. Is there a card in your collection that you'd never part with?
I used to think so, but not anymore.
10. If you could trade your entire collection for one "dream card", would you? Which card(s) would that be?
After thinking about it, I don't think I would. An E107 Wagner would be the closest one I would consider it for though.
11. Are you currently working on any prewar sets? Which ones, and how close are you to completion?
I'm working on a HOF set of E107 and a HOF set of '33 Goudey in EX/NM
12. What is the scarcest card in your collection? Post a scan if possible.
Probably one of my E107 HOFers. Which one is a tossup.