Stuff that goes thru my head

I maybe a strange duck, but I'm constantly thinking about ways I want change the focus of my collection.
I will share some of my hair brain thoughts with you.

• Putting together 8 man out collection (Zeenut McMullen major stumbling block)
  
• Putting together M101 set (Jackson & Ruth out of the question)
  My humble beginnings of this, with no hope
  http://imageevent.com/ruckers/m10145
  
• Selling everything and just collecting Mathewson (But what about the other guys)
  
• Finishing a T206 Hof Master set (Minus the Big 2 , of course) Most likely scenario to happen
  My beginnings of this
  http://imageevent.com/ruckers/t206hofers
  
• Selling everything and just collecting Cabinet Cards (I could live with this scenario, but would have to live with a small collection)
  
• Meager start in this direction,
  
• http://imageevent.com/ruckers/cabinetcards
  
  These are just a few of the thoughts that run through my mind on seemingly a never ending constant basis. It's a great Hobby anyway you look at it.
  Care to share any of your collecting thoughs?
  

1912 was the year of the triple.
Seven players in MLB got 20 or more of them in that year, lead by Owen Wilson's 36.
Red Murray is the only one of these players who does not appear on a Cracker Jack.
But I could keep the red theme by obtaining a t-206 of him (and maybe a t-206 red Cobb as well, to balance it out).
That then would leave the following CJs in addition to Wilson:
Wagner, Jackson, Crawford & Baker.

But my current thinking is that it requires too much money for the value.
I could complete several other "themes" for the cost associated with this one.
What to do? It certainly wouldn't be wasted money.

What are you thinking? ........

Ok, ok, I admit it.
I am also looking for this card.
http://www.baseballreliquary.org/Bresnahan.htm

):

With m101-4/5 set you are forgetting the biggest stumbling block, the Thorpe card. Jackson and Ruth are offered all the time. You just need the cash. The Thorpe on the other hand is just downright tough. Since I've returned to the hobby in 2002, I've only seen 3 offered for sale.

Jay

Jay, your right, I forgot about the Thorpe. I guess I've seen one posted on the forum so much I forgot how scarce they are
J/k

Jerry, I love the cabinet photo direction. There is just something about 19th century photography that is beautiful.

Hard to go wrong with cabinets! They all look nice together.

I like the cabinet collection idea as well Jerry. It would give you a nice mix of sets from the 19th century (so much to choose from) and a few from the 20th century (T3, W600, and some super toughies like T4 and Old Mill Cabinets). And you've already got a nice start with your N173's and the other cabinets you have now.

The only drawback of this pursuit could be price - almost any prewar cabinet is gonna cost you significant dough, 19th century especially. But if you decided to go that route, you could make a nice chunk of $ to start off with by selling off your other cards. I'm starting to realize that focus is a good thing, even if it means more time between pickups. I've found that the fewer cards one has, the more one tends to appreciate each one.

Ben, I understand what you mean about less cards and you enjoy each one more.
I just don't think the proceeds of my other cards would get me very far in the world of 19th Century Cabinet cards. I should have stocked up when N173 Hofers were 500.00 a pop instead of 5K.
5K maybe a little low for nice ones.

Although, Could a man be happy picking up one or 2 cards a year.
If it was a nice Duke Delehanty and say an N173 Anson
I could live with that.

I hate to sound like a vulture, but if Jay was successful in discouraging you from going after m101-s, please keep me in mind for a few.

Todd
Are you circling that F&B high number M101-4 Hippo Vaughn?

among others, kind sir

If you and Tim hadn't wrote that great article, I wouldn't have known High Number m101-4's were rare

Break out a cool cabinet and you can have your pick

Ben, I agree with your comment about focus in your collection. In the 80s, I had none beyond buying anything I thought was cool and anything MN. Even though my focus has changed since returning, from the player set to rebuilding my favorite sets, my collecting has remained focused.

I finally ended my 6 month buying drought and get a few more t205 Sovereigns and the tough Barger. As others have pointed out, feeBay has become a wasteland of silly BINs and high starting prices.

Jay