Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Admire, don't acquire

Although I like cards of certain players, I know that I'm never going to be able to own them. So, while preaching a message on finances this last Sunday, our preacher used the term, "Admire, don't acquire". It struck me as pertinent to card collecting. Personally I can't see spending big bucks on a single piece of cardboard. I understand the desirability of cards, the historical significance of them and I'll continue to collect meaningful (to me) low priced cards.

While glancing around ebay, I found this very nice 1968 Bazooka Earl Wilson.


The seller is asking $250 for this. Would it fit in with my small collection of Earl Wilson cards? Yes. Am I willing to spend that much on a single card? No.

So, I'll admire it for now, realizing that it is a fine specimen of a fine card of a fine player.

6 comments:

  1. That's an excellent sentiment and one the Internet makes much easier for baseball collectors. I appreciate when folks write up the newer sets, since that's not my collecting forte.

    And "hand cut?" Mr. Wilson benefited from the steadiest scissor hand ever. :-)

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  2. I'm trying to think of the most I spent on a single card. I'm sure whatever it was it was a big event for me.

    But I know it was nowhere near what others spend on cards, especially some super-vintage or super high-end ones. I really don't understand how people reconcile spending that much on a single cardboard item. I've brought that up on certain blogs, and people get awfully defensive.

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  3. Yea, but your preacher, while I am sure very wise, probably doesn't like baseball cards.

    I hear you though. My budget for baseball cards is on the light side.

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  4. I asked our preacher if he liked baseball cards. Here's his reply:

    I used them in my bicycle spokes as a kid. Does that count?

    Randy


    I guess I know where he stands but I still like him.

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  5. Yeah, that's expensive! I think the most I ever spent on one card was around $100 for a triple auto of Frank Robinson, Brooks and Palmer. I believe I had had several adult beverages that night though.

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  6. I often reference my proclivity for collecting baseball cards and where it fits into the big scheme of things while teaching Sunday School. I've found that as long as I'm willing to set them aside and even (gasp) sell them if necessary to meet some other need, then they don't own me.

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