The well-rounded collector

 

I fully subscribe to the idea that a collector is a "true" collector no matter what they collect. They can collect only Jasson Dominguez cards, they can be working on the final high numbers to finish their 1952 set, they both fall under the same heading for me.

But if I'm trading with you, it's another matter. I will have much more success finding cards to send if you have a variety of card interests than if you collect only "Maddux, Griffey, Gwynn." Collecting just three players may keep peace at home but it's not helping me. No, I need a well-rounded collector for a successful trade.

 

What's a "well-rounded collector"? Someone who likes a lot of card stuff. I suppose that could mean all hoarders are "well-rounded collectors," but you can be a hoarder and collect only Frank Thomas cards, too.

No, for me, a well-rounded collector is someone with a lot of interests.

I recently received cards from someone who I think of as a well-rounded collector, Jay, from Card Hemorrhage, who may be able to physically demonstrate  his well-roundedness if he's hemorrhaging cards (holy heck, that sentence needed spell-check).

Jay features both individual-player and set needs on his want lists. He also collects a team (the Giants, eww). That's The Trifecta right there! And I have had no problem finding cards to send him in return. Just need to visit that post office.

He was offering up team lots in exchange for a single want-list need (I found a few more than one). I took the Dodgers even though I have many, many Dodgers and the chances of dupes are almost 100 percent.

But, here's the thing, I happen to think I'm somewhat of a well-rounded collector, too. No, I don't really have player collections, so that's not a box I can check. But I collect sets along with Dodgers, and there are also plenty of sets I have an interest in -- I call them "someday sets," because I may collect them "someday."

So even if I own the Dodgers, some can always be distributed to other areas!

Out of the 65 Dodgers Jay sent, I needed just three for the team collection. Still, that's a success. If there's 1 card I need, I'm happy.

 

Kyle Russell never appeared in the majors, let alone in a Dodgers uniform. I make an exception for cards like this. It's a major release and Russell was a big deal in college, so, sure, Dodger card.

 

 

Kym Ashworth never got above Single A, but he's wearing a Dodgers uniform on this card! It also gets me within one card of completing the 1994 Bowman's Best set, only the Raul Mondesi card to go. Well worth jumping at that team lot!

 

The best score from the stack, was a needed gold medallion parallel from 2002 Fleer Ultra. Yay!!!

 

But that wasn't all. Because of a variety of interests, some other cards will head to some other binders!

 

Who doesn't love the 1994 Upper Deck All-Time Heroes set? Those floating heads. That dash of color against the black-and-white images. Joe Black joins the others that I have from this set. Yup, someday I may try to complete it.

 

 

Another 1990s retro set. I love all of the Swell sets and store whatever extras I can find. I have the fewest from 1991 Swell so each of these are usable and great ... um ... swell images.

 

 

I have binders dedicated to various boxed sets from the back half of the '80s. Most of it is Fleer and Topps but I will find a spot for some Score oddballs easily!

Heritage is the annual "someday set." It's the only one that I consider collecting year-after-year, now that Heritage is into 1970s sets. Of course, I rarely go through with the attempt, but I'm always pleased to be able to add a card to that someday set-build.

The nostalgic feelings for my early blog days is strong. How strong? I actually have some warm fuzzies for these two Upper Deck sets and I secretly tell myself I will not trade cards from these two sets in case I get the urge to finish them.

So, does all that seem like hoarding or being a well-rounded collector?

I prefer being known as well-rounded. It has a much more positive vibe.

And when the heavy duty tractors show up to raze the house and extract me from my packed-to-the-ceiling-with-cards home, I will say it was all in an attempt to be well-rounded.