Leading collectors to the light since 2008

 

 

I never intended for any of my blogs to be inspirational.

I've never started a post thinking, "maybe this will spur someone to do what I'm saying." I'm merely just giving my viewpoint on a topic, not attempting to convert the masses.

But time and time again, I've received emails or comments from collectors who have said "you inspired me to (fill in the blank)."

It's happened so often, sometimes I think maybe I should be writing about something bigger than cards. Maybe I'd be more useful.

But I like cards the best and it's all I want to write about really (I'm actually finishing up on another article for Beckett magazine today and tomorrow). And when I get comments like I got on my 1971 Topps card blog the other day, I know that I'm doing the right thing:

Right on, Mark. I can appreciate what you're feeling right now. Because there's nothing like completing a set. (This makes me feel like I should do another set blog, although I know there's no time for that).

This is what I mean by "leading collectors to the light." Yeah, I'm being facetious, like I said I don't write this to be an inspiration. But it's true, I think the most interesting and satisfying aspect of collecting cards is completing a set, the larger the better.

Mark R's comment made me sad that I don't have any new cards from a large set to show off right now. My 1967 and 1970 Topps set builds are a bit low-key right now.

That doesn't mean I'm not trying to complete some sets. It's always an objective. I'm just doing it on a smaller scale at this moment.

 

Here are a couple more for the 1976 Hostess completion quest. Yes, I've cut up another three-card panel, because I had that panel already but not the individual Matlack and Wilbur Wood cards.

 

I found a priced-right modest lot of '70s Reds cards, most of which were Hostess items. The Foster at the top of the post and the Gullett here were both needs.

The lot included three other Reds from Hostess sets that are on my radar but not an immediate priority. The Morgan is from '75 and the Foster (still with no logo on that helmet) and Griffey are from '79.

 

I also received some Hostess cards recently from mr haverkamp, who always has good stuff to distribute.

 

 Another '76 need with Thurman Munson.

 

And, wow, look at these!

I know I've gone on and on about the 1976 Hostess set and how great it is. Objectively, it's the best '70s Hostess set by a wide margin.

However, the 1977 Hostess set is the first one I ever saw, sitting at the table in my grandmother's kitchen, enjoying those Hostess Twinkies and  --- what's this? -- there are cards at the bottom of the Twinkies!

It's the Hostess set I plan to tackle once the '76 one is finally done.

I expect it to be just as much fun -- a combination of nostalgia, treasure hunt and historic tribute -- as any other set I've completed.

Yep, nothing beats completing sets.

You can do whatever you want in this hobby. But some people, like Mark R, know what's up.