When to consider yourself a Supercollector?

[predatorkj]

http://www.freedomcardboard.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=52928
According to fcb Thumpersports and EricChavezCollector3 are the biggest super collectors on the board. They win the player collectors contests almost every year.


I would also say anyone on this list would be considered a super collector.
http://freedomcardboard.com/forum/viewt ... =2&t=24702
If you manage to get 1500 different cards of a single player, you are spending A LOT of time on collecting you player. This is such a tough number to achieve and can only be done through years of due diligence.

I do have major respect for people who have 1500 cards of their player but on some guys, it's easy enough to where if you wanted to, you could pick up all base, cheap inserts, and in some cases, even miniature sets made with that player exclusively. It would make it a lot easier than other players. Honestly, it took me maybe a year and a half to reach that number with Bagwell(maybe closer to two years). And I was actually just trying to spread the love. I wouldn't just go after cheap inserts and base. I'd go after nice patches and autos and 1/1's and expensive 90's stuff.

It's why I've always said, guys who collect Griffey, Ripken, and Frank Thomas...it's easier for them to have guady numbers without the effort. Hell...even Albert Belle and Juan Gonzalez who seem to be in every damn set known to man! But, I will say the guys here(like Buncho'bull, Magic Pappa, CobraSVT, Big Albert, Russ, the Gwynn Collector, Nostebor, and the Belle Collector) aren't what you would exactly call lightweights. They've done their time and due dilligence. Their collections are beyond sick and I actually use people like them to measure my collection. Not as far as exactly what I need to collect. But it gives me something to strive for. To be on their level, you need to somewhat(within the bounds of your ability moneywise and with what the player has available) match them. Not card for card. But I'd feel dumb looking at any one of their collections and then having the balls to have 1500 base and cheap inserts, and say I too was of their ilk. Cause I wouldn't be. Doesn't mean I couldn't enjoy my collection or it's not valuable to me. But apples ain't oranges...

 

[TomMurry]

zambrano38 is probably the only true supercollector of a certain player that i know of, but there are a ton of nice player collections on this site for sure

You need to pay more attention then. There are many collections on this board that would fit the supercollector definition.

Sure I agree there are a ton of nice collections, but zambrano38's is in my opinion the only true supercollector and his is far better than any others I have ever seen.

I agree that his collection is fantastic but for someone that has almost 10,000 posts you haven't paid much attention to the player collections. Have you seen the Grace, Clark, Brunell, Schilling, Ripken, Gwynn, Henderson, McGwire, etc........ collections on here? Come on man! You need to open your eyes a bit. Zambrano38's collection is fantastic but what makes him the only "true supercollector" in your opinion? There are others with more game used equipment, more cards, decades longer time spent collecting, more value, etc... So what is it?

Out of those collections, all of which are great, I still feel zambrano38's tops them all. He has the total package of game used equipment, 1/1's, total cards, ticket stubs etc of his guy that I just don't see in those other collections. That is what makes him the only true supercollector.

He doesnt have anything in his collection that at least some of the others dont have in theirs. Actually, theres guys with MORE in theirs than in Zambranos. Cant take anything away from any of the player collectors around here. They go all out to make their collection the best it can be and any of them could be considered supercollectors of that player.

 

[bouwob]

I do have major respect for people who have 1500 cards of their player but on some guys, it's easy enough to where if you wanted to, you could pick up all base, cheap inserts, and in some cases, even miniature sets made with that player exclusively. It would make it a lot easier than other players. Honestly, it took me maybe a year and a half to reach that number with Bagwell(maybe closer to two years). And I was actually just trying to spread the love. I wouldn't just go after cheap inserts and base. I'd go after nice patches and autos and 1/1's and expensive 90's stuff.

It's why I've always said, guys who collect Griffey, Ripken, and Frank Thomas...it's easier for them to have guady numbers without the effort. Hell...even Albert Belle and Juan Gonzalez who seem to be in every damn set known to man! But, I will say the guys here(like Buncho'bull, Magic Pappa, CobraSVT, Big Albert, Russ, the Gwynn Collector, Nostebor, and the Belle Collector) aren't what you would exactly call lightweights. They've done their time and due dilligence. Their collections are beyond sick and I actually use people like them to measure my collection. Not as far as exactly what I need to collect. But it gives me something to strive for. To be on their level, you need to somewhat(within the bounds of your ability moneywise and with what the player has available) match them. Not card for card. But I'd feel dumb looking at any one of their collections and then having the balls to have 1500 base and cheap inserts, and say I too was of their ilk. Cause I wouldn't be. Doesn't mean I couldn't enjoy my collection or it's not valuable to me. But apples ain't oranges...

with 1500 different cards you are looking at 100s of hours just cataloging. It may have taken you 2 years, but for me it took closer to 10. I know that today it is a bit easier since every player has like 2000 cards per year, but still coming up with that number is tough. If I buy cheap base and inserts it still gets expensive considering a $.50 base card will cost me $4 to buy and ship.

I think where people go wrong with with player super collectors is thinking cost determines weather you can be a super collector or not. Take two of your examples. Jeff bagwell and ken griffey. The most expensive card featuring only Jeff Bagwell on ebay completed auctions is $88. The most expensive for Ken Griffey is $460. Does that mean that any one who collects bagwell has to have 5 times the number of cards as a griffey collector just to be considered a super collector?

 

[nosterbor]

I have kept my mouth shut on this ,and never said anything until now. when i have to spend 4k on 40 cards i need. because of stiff competition. and another collector spends 1-2 k on 100 1/1's because they are the only collector of that player. they are a super collector? Hell, i started collecting Aramis Ramirez cards in 05 and have more unique of him than Gonzalez. i have 288 1/1's of Ramirez. and only 5 Gonzalez. Why? $11 avg compaired to $200+. so am i a Ramirez super collector? NO! i have not spent enought time and effort into Ramirez as i have Gonzalez,not even close. Ramirez was very easy to get low serial numbered cards and very cheap. $3 for a serial numbered to 5 card. i just paid $220 for the same Gonzalez card. i saw the new beckett. and will make no more comment on that.

 

[TomMurry]

Being a supercollector is more about dedication and effort into your collection than the amount you spend.
You chose who you collect, so if it was an issue of finances, you should choose less expensive players. Its a nice honor to have, but people with fewer, nicer cards is more appealing to me than more, common cards.

 

[ljw29]

Throwing my thoughts out there.

There is a football player from 2008 I supercollect, based on his rare cards to his non rare, there is no way I am not his supercollector. But in no way do I have 1500 of his cards as I am not going for doubles of an insert numbered to 1000.

 

[bouwob]

I have kept my mouth shut on this ,and never said anything until now. when i have to spend 4k on 40 cards i need. because of stiff competition. and another collector spends 1-2 k on 100 1/1's because they are the only collector of that player. they are a super collector? Hell, i started collecting Aramis Ramirez cards in 05 and have more unique of him than Gonzalez. i have 288 1/1's of Ramirez. and only 5 Gonzalez. Why? $11 avg compaired to $200+. so am i a Ramirez super collector? NO! i have not spent enought time and effort into Ramirez as i have Gonzalez,not even close. Ramirez was very easy to get low serial numbered cards and very cheap. $3 for a serial numbered to 5 card. i just paid $220 for the same Gonzalez card. i saw the new beckett. and will make no more comment on that.

But as a player super collector you are competing only against people that collect that player.

I have likely spent more money on my collection than gwynn5453l4u, but I would consider him to have a better player collection than I do for the amount of time it took to find and organize 4000+ cards. With people that endear the term super to amount spent, are saying that 98% of players are unworthy of having super collectors. Also look at the player collector awards on FCB and pre beckett screw up. The winner of that award always went to a troy glaus and eric chavez collector. Their cards are cheap and maybe have no competition to get them. They still have very impressive collections and I would consider them super collections.

 

[PujolsCollector]

I have kept my mouth shut on this ,and never said anything until now. when i have to spend 4k on 40 cards i need. because of stiff competition. and another collector spends 1-2 k on 100 1/1's because they are the only collector of that player. they are a super collector? Hell, i started collecting Aramis Ramirez cards in 05 and have more unique of him than Gonzalez. i have 288 1/1's of Ramirez. and only 5 Gonzalez. Why? $11 avg compaired to $200+. so am i a Ramirez super collector? NO! i have not spent enought time and effort into Ramirez as i have Gonzalez,not even close. Ramirez was very easy to get low serial numbered cards and very cheap. $3 for a serial numbered to 5 card. i just paid $220 for the same Gonzalez card. i saw the new beckett. and will make no more comment on that.

What if the guy is new in the league or maybe he does not get the recognation in sets like others? I mean if a guy is a rookie but you have multiple 1/1s unique items of that player does that not make you a supercollector? Im not arguing I wanted this to be a discussion/debate/guideline for people who want to call themselfs Super collectors.

 

[Thumpersports]

I have kept my mouth shut on this ,and never said anything until now. when i have to spend 4k on 40 cards i need. because of stiff competition. and another collector spends 1-2 k on 100 1/1's because they are the only collector of that player. they are a super collector? Hell, i started collecting Aramis Ramirez cards in 05 and have more unique of him than Gonzalez. i have 288 1/1's of Ramirez. and only 5 Gonzalez. Why? $11 avg compaired to $200+. so am i a Ramirez super collector? NO! i have not spent enought time and effort into Ramirez as i have Gonzalez,not even close. Ramirez was very easy to get low serial numbered cards and very cheap. $3 for a serial numbered to 5 card. i just paid $220 for the same Gonzalez card. i saw the new beckett. and will make no more comment on that.

So because only a few people collect a certian player, that makes anybodys collection less impressive?

Let me put this out to you, I live in Canada, have basically no shows for local pick-ups, ( its always hockey ) and I generally pay 1.5-2X as much for shipping on every card comparred to my friends in the US. On top of that, I have 25% of sellers who wont even ship cards outside of the US. ( This is makes collecting a dedication and has nothing to do with cost )

Thankfully, I have a few good friends in the US who buy/accept/ship the cards to me to help me out. ( thanks guys! )

To me, the effort I put in makes me a super collector, a term I was given, not self appointed.

 

[Hendersonfan]

If 1/1's are required to be considered a SC count me out. I can't compete with some of the "heavy hitter" Rickey collector's on the 1/1's as they are usually a few bills each. I remember some hitting 600 a few years ago. Although I would love to have some 1/1's I would rather use that money to purchase more cards/jerseys or anything else Rickey. I've been collecting Rickey since I was about 10 so I'v definitely put in the time. I also have some tougher inserts as well. I know I have cards that some other Rickey collectors don't have and I'm sure they have a lot I don't have as well.

 

[Russ S.]

If 1/1's are required to be considered a SC count me out. I can't compete with some of the "heavy hitter" Rickey collector's on the 1/1's as they are usually a few bills each. I remember some hitting 600 a few years ago. Although I would love to have some 1/1's I would rather use that money to purchase more cards/jerseys or anything else Rickey. I've been collecting Rickey since I was about 10 so I'v definitely put in the time. I also have some tougher inserts as well. I know I have cards that some other Rickey collectors don't have and I'm sure they have a lot I don't have as well.

Same here.

I currently have ZERO Ripken 1/1s in my collection.
Have only owned 1.

But I bet I have cards others don't that aren't 1/1's.

 

[George_Calfas]

I have kept my mouth shut on this ,and never said anything until now. when i have to spend 4k on 40 cards i need. because of stiff competition. and another collector spends 1-2 k on 100 1/1's because they are the only collector of that player. they are a super collector? Hell, i started collecting Aramis Ramirez cards in 05 and have more unique of him than Gonzalez. i have 288 1/1's of Ramirez. and only 5 Gonzalez. Why? $11 avg compaired to $200+. so am i a Ramirez super collector? NO! i have not spent enought time and effort into Ramirez as i have Gonzalez,not even close. Ramirez was very easy to get low serial numbered cards and very cheap. $3 for a serial numbered to 5 card. i just paid $220 for the same Gonzalez card. i saw the new beckett. and will make no more comment on that.

You Rock

 

[Russ S.]

I ...... will make no more comment on that.

You Rock

:lol: :lol:

 

[nosterbor]

Both outstanding points on the 1/1's. i could care less on those, but it seems that is what it takes to be a supercollector mass amounts of 1/1s. IMO 1/1's are very over rated.Ramirez has 98 1/1's in the 2008 Topps Moments and Milestones

. Thats also 98 serial numbered to 10 cards, 98 serial numbered to 25 cards, and 98 base serial numbered to 150 cards. thats 392 unique cards from one set of Topps in one year. Very easy to amass a huge collection in a very short time with those type numbers. And little $. Do i think less of Collectors that do this ? NO. Do i call them supercollectors? NO. The Big Mac, Gwynn, Ripken,Henderson, Griffey, A-Rod, Jeter,Thomas,Bagwell And Sandberg collectors that have 1500 unique cards are just AWESOME. All the competition on those players cards is just unreal.Those collections, are awesome. How about George_Calfas
he is the Ultimate Supercollector in my book.

 

[ASTROBURN]

I only have one Bagwell 1/1, and I was lucky enough to have it come into my LCS clear up here in Spokane Washington.

I have been collecting Jeff Bagwell with a few other Astro players here and there since 1994. It wasnt until recently that I decided to stop dinking with other players who dont stay with the team and solely collect Bagwell only. So thats 16 years of collecting Bagwell. 11 years of stellar seasons and disabled lists (since he retired in 2006). And at the time I lived in California, where Bagwell wasnt exactly a hot item to keep in local card shops. At the start of my collecting, Ebay was just beginning its grip on society through dial up 28.8 service. Remember sniping a whole minute before it ended cuz it took that long for the page to load? It is much easier to find cards these days, thats for sure. And sites like ebay, and now Burbank and COMC, truly does help a super collector find cards they dont have. I have only recently even heard of Burbank and COMC. I cannot wait to get enough extra money to use COMC (they have base and "cheap" cards I have not been able to find anywhere else), and I did use Burbank for the first time 2 weeks ago. What a rush to find 22 cards I didnt have before arrive in my mailbox!

Now in regards to this whole talk about filling your collection with "cheap" and "base" cards... Sometimes for me I have a harder time finding those cards compared to higher dollar inserts. why? Because people tossed their base cards and lower filler inserts to land the high dollar money making inserts. It truly is harder at times to find just a base set card of a player than it is to find a numbered insert.

So do I consider myself a super collector? Sure. I'm addicted to collecting Bagwell cards. And its a Super collection. One of the finest ones outside of Texas

 

[ThoseBackPages]

does a "supercollector" buy a run of "factory sets" with the purpose of submitting "his guy" for grading because he cannot find them to buy already slabbed? :lol:

 

[Hendersonfan]

So can there only be one SC per player? If so it would probably be David Eich for us Rickey folk. If there can be multiples then I would like to consider myself part of that group. I know Randall Jew used to have a huge collection but not sure if he still does. I know some of the Rickey collector's on here have more than I do, but as I mentioned earlier we all have some different cards that the others don't. Ken, Brad, Ryan and Scott all have solid collections as well and some of us have different aspects that we focus on. Back to the 1/1 talk, they started out as the should, only 1 per set per year ala 98 Ultra Masterpiece. Now there is a green 1/1, red 1/1 and any other color they can think of. Totally ruins the whole idea as there could be 20 1/1s from a single set. I don't have anything under /25 but have many cards that David (mentioned above) doesn't have. Not to say I wouldn't like to have some of the low-numbered cards, but I can't justify the price some of the cards demand. Not only do I have to compete with the guys listed above, but then you get set collector's or other guys that collect teams or HOF players as well.

 

[MOFNY]

Go over to the Bench to see super collectors. They have little insignias and awesome annual competitions.

 

[predatorkj]

with 1500 different cards you are looking at 100s of hours just cataloging. It may have taken you 2 years, but for me it took closer to 10. I know that today it is a bit easier since every player has like 2000 cards per year, but still coming up with that number is tough. If I buy cheap base and inserts it still gets expensive considering a $.50 base card will cost me $4 to buy and ship.

I think where people go wrong with with player super collectors is thinking cost determines weather you can be a super collector or not. Take two of your examples. Jeff bagwell and ken griffey. The most expensive card featuring only Jeff Bagwell on ebay completed auctions is $88. The most expensive for Ken Griffey is $460. Does that mean that any one who collects bagwell has to have 5 times the number of cards as a griffey collector just to be considered a super collector?

Well...I've paid $200 for a Bagwell card. I think that is the most I've paid. I'd be willing to do more on some of his cards. To me, cost isn't necessarily as much of an issue. I mean...Bagwell's stuff is moderate in price compared to Griffey. But if you are going after nice cards, you face competition, you face higher prices, and you have rarity to contend with. I don't care what player it is, if you have a ton of rare or hard to find cards, I give you kudos. Even if it's a player hardly anyone collects. Because chances are, even if you don't face all three of those issues I mentioned, you're facing at least one every time. Every time.

As for cataloging, I have a printed list. I think I spend more time trying to figure out variations, errors, and such. I don't really care so much about the cataloging unless you have a guy who has a ton of uncataloged stuff. Like Nolan(the guy you collect). I can see where it would be a pain. But I consider you a super collector anyways. But if you came to me with 1500 Nolan cards and said you were a super collector and they were all ungraded rinky dink base, inserts, and the Heat and comic ball cards...I have the same thing and it took me maybe a day or two to acquire. Do I have 1500 different Nolans? No. But I have a rather large chunk of his stuff. Without effort. You are putting the effort in I don't and your stuff is nicer, and it's rare in some cases. It can be easily seen, you are putting in the work I'm not. So I wouldn't call myself on your level whether you want to call it a super collector...or whatever.

Same thing could be said of Frank Thomas, Griffey, or even guys who always seem to be in the dime box. I look through my cards I collect of players I tend to keep whenever I pull them or I come across a card I like and I see guys like Scott Rolen, Griffey, Thomas, Nolan, Greg Maddux, Troy Glaus, Juan Gonzalez, Albert Belle, Piazza, Nomar...and I realize that there is a lot of stuff out there that can be acquired quickly. Without trying. Now I'll be damned if I am gonna say that I'm a supercollector of any of these guys. So I'd have to keep the same mindset when I see someone else with the same type of collection. It doesn't mean I think negatively of anyone or their collection though. I'm not really worried about how you start. It's where you are going that matters. Once you get there, you ,as well as others, will be able to sit back and marvel at it. I guess it's like an unfinished painting. Anybody can make a sketch. But to add color, and personal touch, and effort, that is when others can call your colelction unique and enjoy it. Because it's something they don't have. It sets you apart.


As for cost again, if you were really wanting to start a collection of any of these guys, I swear, around here, you hit up two or three flea markets and card shops, and then hit up Tristar and dig through the cheap boxes, you will be well on your way. I have nice chunks of certain players' cards. I can only imagine what I'd have if I had the money and time to try to actually "intentionally" collect them. And hey, I started the same way with Bags. But my focus is what is able to seperate me from any other random collector. I don't need praise or a title. But I am trying to show something. I am trying to create something that takes time and effort and money. I have to be able to show something for the work I am doing. Like any artist. You aren't trying to be better. Youa re trying to be the same really. But with your own personal touch. Something with your fingerprints on it.

 

[predatorkj]

So can there only be one SC per player?

You actually answered your own question. No. As long as there are such things as 1/1's and anything numbered lower than /50, there will never be a person who is able to do it with a mainstream player. That is just the way it goes. Honestly, the closest you'd get is if you outlived your competition and were able to purchase what they had. Even then you'd be at a loss for what has never surfaced. Or what has been destroyed...though technically if it's been destroyed, I guess it doesn't exist anyways...

So you take a guy like Rickey....nope. Cause all of you guys battle it out. Eventually, it's like nothing but a pie where everyone has their own share but nobody has all the pieces.