That's cool I've gotten back in after 23 years I am buying nothing but vintage sets of baseball basketball and football all graded just add every payday a little at a time and I've getting close on some small sets that I love 69 deckle edge, 63 fleer baseball, etc.
Hi Richard! Welcome back after 23 years. It sounds like you going about it the right way for you adding a little bit at a time. All the best as you continue to build your collection.
You Terry, above all my subscribed channels are 1000% MUST WATCH. You always capture the right images and definite inspiration on each video. 2700 Slabs???... Perfect, that means loads more videos, great job again Terry...cheers!!
Hey Mike! Nice to see our Cowboys pull off a win yesterday. Though, before the two-game winning streak, I was hoping for the higher draft pick. Thank you for the compliment. It means a lot that you enjoy my videos so much. We have much in common both in our perspective on the hobby and in what we collect. I know you have deep appreciation for sports beyond just baseball and it shows in your collection. Take care!
Terry- another fabulous chapter in your TH-cam journey. I was blown away again by your artistry and poetic story telling. I really enjoyed all the 1969 cards here. When I started vintage collecting around 2000 I was first drawn to collecting the ‘69 Topps baseball set until I realized there were a lot of headshots without caps and reused images. Yet I was always enthused by the colorful circles and the team name on the bottom. Some of my favorite cards of my favorite players are In the ‘69 set: Bench, Palmer, Clemente. The insight you shared here I will take to heart in my future collecting. Thanks for sharing as always! CK
Hi CK, The 69 set is my only pre 73 set I have complete. I like the player selection with the Bench and Ryan second year, Reggie rookie and then the last Mantle. Sets before 1970 seemed untouchable when I was a kid, so it felt like quite and achievement when I completed it. The Palmer, Bench and Clemente are nice. Thanks for watching and taking a moment to leave a nice comment.
A great message Terry. I’ve realized over time and trial and error that it’s ok to love cards that I don’t own and probably won’t ever own. I can go to a show and just enjoy beautiful examples of cards and get as much joy seeing them in someone else’s case or collection and realize I don’t need to own it to enjoy seeing it. It helps with the envy side of collecting which can creep up so easily if we let it. Thanks for all you do my friend.
Thanks Drew! You're right about being okay without owning certain cards. As you mentioned, you can still gain joy in seeing them. The big thing is for guys like us; we collected long before TH-cam. I know that when the camera is turned off, I have cards that fit into the vision of my collection. You have a great rest of the weekend!
No other channel distils the essence of collecting so perfectly. This is a phenomenal video! And will be as relevant 100 years from now as it is today, to true collectors.
Collect what you like. Great advice from a seasoned collector. Your storytelling is great and the cards that go with it. Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Thanks Ken! I am glad you enjoyed. I did have a nice Thanksgiving. It is always good to have all the family around. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving too!
So many wise words spoken here, Terry! My biggest takeaway and the thing that resonated with my collecting history the most is about making mistakes. I’ve started lots of different projects that I’ve never finished. I impulsively bought cards just to buy them. I’ve gotten a little too inspired by cards other have shown that don’t really fit my collection. Even with all of that though I have no regrets. All of that has built my collection into what it is today and it wouldn’t be the same without the mistakes to get me here. I always enjoy these thought provoking subjects Terry!
Hi Joe! Yes, the mistakes are all part of the journey. Some people like being impulsive when it comes to collecting and not having their collection planned. That's great if it works for them, but I am happiest when I have a direction. Not a necessarily a narrow focus, but a plan on where I want my hobby budget to go. I also need to have a few different projects because I like to change gears when my mood changes. Like this time of year, I get more into hockey and football cards, then baseball. As it has been said by Rabbi Dave from the Rated Rabbi, "We are collecting ourselves." So, our collections do reflect in many ways who we are. Thanks for the great comment. I hope all is well. Have a great weekend.
Fantastic advice for collectors. I also love how to mentioned some stuff you picked up that you aren’t as happy with. We’ve certainly all been there. Have a great weekend Terry
Sound advice Terry for a new collector. Certainly it is also useful for us older collectors who may have lost their focus as to what got them collecting in the first place. I have much work ahead of me downsizing some of those items that come through that rabbit hole. Thanks for showing us more of your beautiful cards.
Thanks Dan! There are many ways to enjoy the hobby, but focus, patience, vision and staying within my budget have worked for me. I also don't get distracted by what I call the noise of others trying to tell me how to collect. I will go my own way - thank you! I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!
Glad you enjoyed Thanksgiving! FANTASTIC video for how to lay out a blueprint for the entry collector. I love your narration and the music fits perfectly. My hope is that today collector finds the same level of fandom we enjoyed growing up 🩶💙 Thanks for sharing, Terry
Thanks Dre! I have been slowly learning more about editing and stepping out of my comfort zone some. I hope collectors can find the same enjoyment we had too.
Hello Terry, an other great video ! I enjoyed a lots to look at thoses beautiful cards and magazines and listen about your collectiong journey experiences. I am close about the regular "democratic" age of yours viewers...😄. Thanks you Terry for sharing yours collecting experiences and Happy Collecting.
Thanks tsean! The logos in the 69 Topps set are pretty cool. That set is on one of my favorites as it combines the logos from 61 Fleer Football with the bright colored background of 61 Topps Football.
Terry ❤ your the best !! When it comes to collecting what you love and how to express your feelings no one does it better and no one is more genuine. You strike at the heart strings everytime ❤.
Thanks Dylan! I really appreciate you kind words. I like to share what I feel as this hobby means a great deal to me. I hope you and your wife had a great Thanksgiving. All the best, my friend.
Always a great perspective. Collecting cards is wonderful because there are so many different ways to enjoy it. I just turned 45 😂. Thanks for sharing and we hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
Hi Terry. I really enjoyed your perspective on card collecting. We have all picked up things over the years, that makes us wonder, what we were thinking. I guess that is just part of the journey. Just seeing what you have shown over the past year or more and how you describe what they mean to you, demonstrates to me a collector who really loves his stuff. Thanks for sharing as always my friend, talk soon pal.
Thanks Stephen! You're right - part of the journey is learning from the wrong turns you make and then getting back on track towards your goal. That has really helped me more than anything. I know what I want and will take the time to get there. You come across the same way. You bide your time until you find the cards that fit you and your collection. Take care, my friend.
This is just a great video! Great thoughts my friend. Patience and learning what is really important to you is what makes a great collection. Great one.
Wow that sounds like me. Over the years I’ve changed my views and now have many cards I don’t want or enjoy but I still love it and having fun selling trading and buying what I really want . I buy nostalgic cards every now and then and have a small player pc assortment . Best of luck in your journey and just enjoy it all the way. Thanks
Thank you for watching and sharing some of your journey. For me, the nostalgic cards are the best ones. I enjoy looking at them and taking in the memories. Enjoy your collection! Take care
The card philosopher! I love cards with a personal story. I also love card runs of non-HOF players but have a meaning or connection to the collector. Thx for sharing.
Hi Terry! I’m glad to hear that you had a nice Thanksgiving! It is always a pleasure to hear your thoughts and opinions on cards, collecting and the hobby. You have curated an amazing collection! I agree with collecting memories and feelings. It’s always good to have a plan as well! One of the toughest parts of the hobby, for me, is patience, it is not easy but always worth it! Just an awesome, inspiring and thought provoking video my friend!
Hi Jim! Thanks so much for your kind words, I really appreciate it. I’m glad you enjoyed the video and I know you share the same perspective on collecting-it's definitely about the memories and feelings tied to the cards. And you’re absolutely right, having a plan is key, but patience is definitely the hardest part! It's not always easy to wait for the right cards, but it makes the journey all the more rewarding when it pays off. I hope you and the family had a great Thanksgiving.
Hi Terry! Great video and advice. I’m learning more and more every day the importance of patience, especially in the hobby. I refuse to settle for a card that doesn’t meet my requirements not matter how much I want it. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the rest of your weekend, my friend!
Hi Terry: A happy belated Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I hope the weather is kind to you as I can see a big storm hit your area this weekend. Loved the topic of this video. My favorite thing about your videos is that you are just showing and sharing your collection. You’re not here to be an influencer, you just want to share your collection and experiences as a card collector. There are too many on here now that have just veered away from showing their collections and now just trying to tell people what to buy. You won’t get me that way! Focus is important and you’ve definitely shown us this through your videos. I don’t think there is anything wrong with buying 15 years worth of baseball sets. It’s funny that we’re not concerned about the price, but the space or what a pain selling and shipping them are. When I first started watching you I loved the ideas of the key cards for each set. I told a friend your thinking a few years ago and he asked, well what are the 30 key cards? I said that’s for you (the collector) to decide. Anyone can do it, but people just tend to complain to you about your 30 picks as opposed to creating their own key cards. Interesting how today you wouldn’t buy the complete Frank Robinson run today but again just the 3-4 key cards. I wont say collecting is harder now its just a lot more expensive. Like you, there are things I did 10-15 years ago I won’t do now. Time, finances and resources have to go in another direction these days. You can still collect but just do it at a different level. I barely got to comment about your beautiful cards because I just started typing away as you started speaking. Haha. I like the uniforms that Bob Lilly and Greg Pruitt wore in their era’s plus they are just very nice cards. Love the Sawchuk card btw. Loved the video, Terry. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Rick! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, every video I create will feature some cards. I'm not a fan of videos where people just talk without showing cards. As we've discussed, I'm moving away from content focused on areas of collecting that don't interest me. With a few exceptions, I find videos that dwell on card condition take away some of the enjoyment for me. I don't want to view my cards that way. As I mentioned in the video, I want my collection to reflect who I am. I see that in your collection too-you buy cards that represent you as a collector, and there's a real authenticity in that. The 30 key card project was my comfort zone. It gave me a goal while allowing flexibility in choosing the cards I want. For hockey and football, I initially did 18 key card displays, but I've since increased the number for football after completing the 18. Thanks for the compliment on my cards and for sharing your thoughts. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Terry, some powerful and sage advice in your video, no doubt based on your 26 years of personal collecting experience! Thank you! Oh, and also, what stunning cards and magazines! Happy Holidays, my collecting brother! 🎄❄🎄❄🎄
Super video Terry. You made such great points. I enjoyed seeing the cards to go along with your narration. Super points for anyone who is starting out. I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Ed! I am glad you appreciated the video and cards. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the family. I hope you and yours had the same. Take care!
Hey Terry! Another great video. To thine own self be true! I think if a collector is in touch with him or herself, each one should be able to verbalize, more or less how they collect. You know, I feel like I started my collection "today". After having given the lion's share of my collection away about 15 years ago, I pretty much started at ground zero back in 2018, with the very important distinction that I kept most of the really expensive cards I had from when I had collected earlier. But I approach collecting the same way I did back in the day, which is just to buy what moves me. And that means going down the occasional rabbit hole or buying something completely new that doesn't fit into a theme. I have a lot of different projects going on at the same time also. But I don't press to complete them. When I feel like going back to them, I do. If I don't, then that's as far as I was meant to take it. I hear a lot about focus in the TH-cam community. And I do think it's necessary, but I do think it can be taken too far. I'm not talking about you, but with some people, the way they discuss it, you might think they're studying for the bar exam. I kind of compare my approach to collecting to Dan Connor from the Roseanne show, working on his boat out in his garage. He may never complete it, but the important thing is he has access to that garage and can...dream. Now, to slightly contradict myself: there are some cards that I do want to get, and I will have to discipline myself (focus) and lay off the small purchases in order to obtain them. But I'm having so much fun getting those inexpensive cards. This makes it difficult to stop those purchases, as does also the fact that I value those small purchases just as much as the big ones. Anyway, that is something that I will address eventually. I agree with you 100% about some of the potential pitfalls or traps that new collectors have to be wary of if they are just starting out (or even if they're not) and start comparing their collections to others they may see on the net, or more specifically, TH-cam. For me, the best collections aren't the biggest and/or the most varied - or the most financially valuable. My favorites, even though they may not be what I might collect, are the ones that truly mean something to the collector. Another thing is, at this point, unless you really have the money, who needs a Babe Ruth? To me, that ship sailed long ago. I can look at his cards online or at shows, and there are plenty of books as well as films that one can see on TH-cam. The same thing with Mickey Mantle's 1952 Topps. I don't know if it's still true, but the last I heard, Mantle's surviving sons don't have the '52 Topps. If I got one, I'd like to give it to them and then we could all go out for dinner. As usual, I loved the cards and magazines you shared. That Tommy McDonald cover is great too. He is one of the players I have learned about through you.
Hi Gannon! I totally agree with what you said about being overly focused sometimes taking the joy out of collecting, just as being too scattered can have the same effect. I’ve definitely had moments where I got too focused and it started feeling more like a job than a hobby. Like you, I enjoy having a few different projects going on at once, with cards from different sports, eras, and price ranges. I am still planning on building the Diamond Stars set, but haven’t bought any this year-and that’s okay. There’s no rush. As you know, right now, I’m diving into 50s and 60s hockey, and while I may never stop collecting them, I do have certain goals I want to reach. I think setting goals is important to me as a collector because I love the sense of accomplishment, but I make sure to enjoy the journey along the way. I really admire how you balance focus with flexibility. You pick up a lot of fun and meaningful cards, and I think that’s what makes your collection so interesting. I love seeing the unique groupings you put together when you send me those emails. And the Dan Connor analogy was great. Well done! I’m glad you managed to hold onto some of your valuable cards! I can relate to the struggle of buying more expensive pieces. I tend to gravitate toward cards in the $10 to $75 range, and while I set aside some of my budget for bigger purchases, I often find I prefer the fun of getting a few smaller cards that bring me just as much joy. I couldn’t agree more on what makes the best collection. I don’t follow many channels that just show high-dollar cards unless there’s a meaningful story behind them. I don't live in that world and have no intention to. It’s not that I’m trying to be unimpressed-it’s just that anyone can spend money on a collection, but the real challenge is putting together something meaningful. When a collector can articulate why they chose what they did, it adds so much more depth. Even if the collection doesn’t align with what we collect, the passion behind it is what draws you in. I’m glad you liked the Tommy McDonald magazine! I couldn’t resist picking it up-being a fan of both him and the Cowboys made it a must-have for me. Thanks, as always for sharing your thoughts.
Enjoyed listening to your discussion on your wonderful collection Terry! As a matter of fact, I always enjoy your videos. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving and take care.
Thanks Scott! I really appreciate that. It is good to share our experiences with newer collectors. It is something you do better than most given your long history in the hobby and knowledge of so many sets.
Another cool video! Love that Sawchuk card! I have the Howe and a couple others from that year as well. It’s a nice design with the eye appeal. Before my time but again, I really love hockey’s history.
Thank you Travis! I am a big fan of the Sawchuk card too. For some reason, I like seeing players outside of the teams you normally associate them with. The Howe is a very nice card. I appreciate the comment.
Great points Terry! Love the conversation about not collecting someone else’s collection. I’m sure it’s hard for some to not “keep up with the Jones” The beauty of collecting is expressing what you love about the hobby and players. Wise words Terry! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Hi Theo, I hope you and your family had a nice Thanksgiving. You're right - keeping up with the Joneses is a problem for some. Especially, new collectors who are trying to find their way. When making TH-cam videos, they may feel they need new cards to show to make a video or some interesting issue outside of the traditional ones. While those videos are fun to watch and put together, there are many of types of videos that can be done. Have a great weekend!
What a great perspective, thoughts and advice. You nailed it as always. You really touched home about people such as myself getting back into the hobby fairly recently. I was seeing all this amazing stuff and just kept buying it but it really didn’t mean too much to me. Then I sort of figured out what I want and what represent me and that my city. I’m passionate about my black and gold and want my collection to be a curation of just that. And as a lover of the games I like collecting the rookies or one or so cards of the hall of famers. Great stuff as always and love these types of videos. I know I wish I saw this 4 or so years ago! Glad you had a great holiday. Talk soon my friend!
Hi Mike, it’s all part of the journey. TH-cam is a lot of fun but it’s easy to get influenced when people show all these cool cards and talk ad nauseam about condition. If you love the card when the camera is off then you did well. I enjoyed hearing about your Freiermuth purchase. As a family man, collecting has a little different meaning. For me, the cards I’ve had for most of my adult life mean a lot more than condition and value. They have been with me when I started my family and career. They are part of the story of my life, and my kids may appreciate some of them when they are older and look back. I feel bad for those who see cards for mainly condition and dollars signs. Where your heart is your treasure lies. Take care, my friend.
Great video Terry. I’ve always admired your discipline and focus since getting to know you. It really is an old school collector approach that seems to be lost with new people in the hobby. I feel the hobby would continue growing in a wonderful way if more people took this approach. I have always loved the 1969 FB set. That Bob Lilly with the red background and old Cowboys jersey is just classic. I really like the Jurgensen too. Man does that star on McDonald’s jersey jump out at you! Perfect photography with that magazine cover in my opinion.
Thanks, Chris! That means a lot coming from another collector who values cards for more than just condition and monetary value. Like me, you see cards as a way to evoke nostalgic memories or as a gateway to sports history. We know the time it takes to build the collection you truly want. I felt strongly about offering a different perspective for newer collectors, one that contrasts with what’s often presented on other channels. There’s a lot of groupthink out there, with some collectors pushing the idea of focusing on cards outside the mainstream or preaching about condition and/or rarity as if that is the be all end all. There is nothing wrong with going that route if it makes you happy, but I feel it comes off as arrogant by some. This is a very different message from what I believe we should be sharing with newer collectors-especially those who may not have deep pockets or who simply don't care about those factors. Some people collect vintage because they love the players or eras, not because of condition or rarity. Collect what you like and don't be afraid to blaze your own trail if that's what brings you joy. Have a great weekend!
Some great examples in the 1969 Nolan Ryan and the 1969 Sayers. The Sayers from '69 might be my favorite of his. That fuchsia color just pops so nice. Very smart of you to start in your 20s on those key cards. I did that some, but not at the extent you did. I was probably 10 years behind you on that. I think the 1959 design of Robinson is my favorite of his. You raised a good point about being envious of other collection especially when you start out. Collections are a little like a pair of jeans. One size doesn't fit everyone. You have to find the collection that fits you. We are all in different places in our life which determines our interests and our means. When I see Greg Pruitt, I think of Mike Pruitt. I thought it was so cool that they both played at the same time for the Browns. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
hanks, Drew! I remember owning a 1969 Sayers when I was a kid. I bought it at a mall card show for $10. Like you, it’s my favorite card of his. I was motivated to do the run of key cards because I love the history of sports, and when I was a kid, I didn’t see many of those cards in real life. So, it was a lot of fun getting those cards in the mail and displaying them. As you know, we used a lot of money orders in the early days of eBay. Good analogy with the pair of jeans. Collecting is an important part of my life because I enjoy it, but it’s really a small part of my family budget. I don’t want to be the guy who puts off retirement or has to sell things to raise funds. I like having cards that have been with me for a long time. The funny thing is, Mike and Greg Pruitt are unrelated-I learned that a few years ago. I always thought they were brothers. I appreciate your insight. Have a great week!
Howdy TJ ! A very subdued Show today. I only have my childhood collection of cards that were purchased when they were issued. I do not buy used cards because I have no attachment to them. They were not mine. They were some other kids. C ya !
Thanks, Tom! Yes, I like to share how I’m feeling. Sometimes, my messages are a response to what’s happening in the community. I don’t feel my perspective is voiced enough in a community that tends to focus on rare cards, inner-circle Hall of Famers, and condition. There’s also a lot of groupthink, which is contrary to my nature. I want newer collectors to know there’s a place for them in the hobby, but also that they shouldn’t compare themselves to people who have built collections over several years-especially if they don’t have a large budget. My path has mostly been take the time to figure out the collection you want and then plan on how you want to build it. Take care, Terry
You know Terry, 2 years on YT is plenty for me. I did what I set out to do, and then some. As Collectors, you and Andy have a great perspective on Collecting (Family) and you guys recently expressed it. Its not about "keeping up with the Jones's". I told Stuke, offer me a RC Mantle or a 150K Shiny Justin Herbert card for my childhood collection and I'd say No. I've seen many other circles of Collectors on the WEB besides ours . There is no crossover. Weird. Certain guys, like Stuke bring unique items, that's why I like his Show. Most others are just more of the same card in a different grade in a different light with alot of "Um, ...Uh's" I dont have time for that. Your presentation is the best. The colors Pop, thats what I want, and wasn't achieving anymore. Lighting is a Big Deal for me. C ya !
@@SouvenirProgramsHere Tom, I respect that you did what you set out to do. You’ve stayed consistent in putting together a series of videos celebrating your family and their love of sports growing up. It wasn’t just about the biggest and best names, but those your dad encountered and who were part of his childhood story. For me, it’s not all about the cards. If someone shows a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle-big deal! They’re out there. Tell me the story behind it and what moved you to get it. That applies whether it’s Mickey Mantle or Leo Thomas. It’s the story that excites me, and those who can record and tell it in a way that resonates with me will get my attention. Thank you for taking the leap and letting me and others learn more about you. It was never about the subscribers or the notoriety; it was about keeping a family’s legacy alive for the future. I think it also helped you learn more about the players and the era your dad grew up in. I know it helped me. Thank you for the kind words and all your support. You're the real deal.
Hey Terry, great video with some great perspective! I got back into collecting in my late 50's and sometimes I struggle with trying to make up for lost time. I think your advice on picking 4 cards for specific players makes a ton of sense. When I first got back into collecting I wanted to complete player runs for a lot of players and soon realized I did not have the time or budget. I also like my cards graded which is why I send so many cards to SGC. I have done a pretty good job of staying true to the eras that mean the most to me, I am still working on being more precise with my planning! Enjoy the remainder of your Holiday Weekend!
Thanks Steve! I wanted to share my perspective because I figured some may benefit from my collecting journey. I have mentioned it to you before, if I were getting into collecting now, the person I would be most similar to is you. You collect multiple sports and similar eras that I do. You also have knowledge of players and want more than just the biggest names in your collection. Everyone collects in their own way, but meaning for me does not translate to dollars or condition, it is picking up that card that I have a connection with. Instead of making up for lost time, it seems like you're making the most of your time, which is more important. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and safe travels on your trip back from Syracuse.
I love your reflections, Terry. My sports card collection includes cards as well as playing baseball simulation games like APBA, Digital Diamond, Payoff Pitch, etc. I not only collected sports cards, mostly baseball, as a kid, I spent hours upon hours playing APBA cards and dice baseball and compiling stats. At 11 I figured out how to calculate an ERA on my own, no internet, books, or help from anyone else, just trying different calculations until I could match what was on the back of a pitcher's baseball card. I was kind of proud of that. Right now, I'm debating purchasing a 1985 Topps complete set to go along with my 1984 Detroit Tiger season replay. It's $76 with shipping and tax. I don't know why, but I'm just having a hard time deciding if I want to complete the purchase. It seems like a good deal. I have no interest in reselling it later, the idea is to have a Topps card to put on display for each batter and pitcher, potentially to show this on my TH-cam channel. Anyway, sorry to blab on here, just thinking out loud I guess. :)
Hi Tom! It’s funny you mention ERA. My brother taught me how to calculate it when we would play dice baseball games. It’s impressive that you taught yourself at 11. Kids today don’t fully grasp that we didn’t have information at our fingertips like they do. It’s great that you still enjoy the baseball simulation games to this day, and that cards provide something tangible and nostalgic to go along with it. For me, when I’ve journeyed into new areas of collecting, I tend to be a little hesitant to buy my first card because I want to make sure it’s something I really want to pursue. The same might be true for you with the $76 for the '85 set. While it certainly would be a nice touch for your videos, is the set something you’d enjoy having around when the camera is off? Given your fondness for that era of baseball, it may be a set you’d enjoy looking at from time to time, even when not using it for your baseball simulations. Feel free to blab anytime. Thanks for the kind words and for sharing your thoughts!
@@tjmacvintagecardsnostalgia648 I've had a chance to give more thought to my 1985 purchase, and I've thought about what you said about the kind of enjoyment I would get out of this set, and I've decided to not make the purchase. While 1984 is a fond year for me, the Tiger World Series championship, my high school graduation, this was not the year where baseball was magical to me, I had many more things on my mind during this time. No, the mid to late 70's were the years where I was in love with baseball, and the good news here is these were my card collecting years, so I already have the cards that I need. So, thank you for your advice on the matter, you've saved me money, and that's kind of nice. 😃 I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!
The 1969 Topps Football set design is one of the best IMO Terry. I might be biased as I was likely at the height of interest in sports in my 18th year. Set building seems to be a waning passion with most collectors these days & I’m one of those that fall into that category. Like you Terry, I now prefer to focus on the stars & favourites from 1951-1970. Hey, there’s that 1965 Topps Dallas Cowboys team card again! 😉 Glad to see you honour Blue Jay pitching great Stieb. Always sad to see that 1969 Sawchuk which I also own as it likely was the last card photo he posed for due to his tragic death in 1970 😞
Hey Gary! The 1965 Topps Cowboys Team Card was perfect for the McDonald display, and I was happy to show it again. I agree with you about the 1969 Topps set-those cards are beautiful, with their bright colors and fun logos. It does seem like set building isn't as popular as it used to be. There are a couple of sets I wouldn't mind owning-nothing too expensive-but I’d like to sell off my 1993 to 2007 Topps sets first. I don’t want to add any more complete sets to the collection right now. That said, I agree with you that collecting star players and fan favorites is probably the better option for guys like us. Yes, it’s really sad about Terry Sawchuk. It’s a tragedy that could have been avoided if not for alcohol and bad tempers-such a waste of life.
I agree with you 100 percent, Terry! If it doesn't mean anything to me, I'm really not interested in collecting it. That would include cards I remember collecting or wanting as a kid, cards that stir some kind of memory or emotion regarding the history of the game, etc. Gone are the days when I'll pick up a card because it's popular....which is probably why I don't collect modern cards. Have a great weekend my friend.
Thanks, Mike! Collect what you love, and you will never go wrong. It has done me well, and seeing your collection and watching your videos, I can see it has done the same for you too. Have a great rest of the weekend.
Hi Terry! What en excellent idea and concept for a video and you executed it perfectly. What a joy to wake up to and watch. Vision, plan, patience and budget is the best advice I could give someone. I know this wasn’t an advice video but it would be the words I’d share. The time/age aspect I thought was so important. I see it in how my dad and I collect. I always appreciate how you go about your collection and how you share your thoughts and experiences with everyone. I too would rather have a collection of Tommy McDonald’s than just every hall of famer. Like you said then you’re collecting someone else’s collection. It also makes your collection more interesting. Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving! I thought of you during the Cowboys game. By the way Im under the age of your demographic. Not by much though. Haha
Hi Andy, I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! I really appreciate you thinking of me during the Cowboys game. We were a happy household! Now, we just need the Bills to win tomorrow. Thank you for always sharing kind words and encouragement. I have a bit of a complicated relationship with TH-cam at times. The frequent discussions about condition, value, rarity, and the “Inner Circle” Hall of Famers can be a bit frustrating. It sometimes takes away from what makes the hobby special to me. I wanted to share my perspective as someone who appreciates more than just baseball and the biggest names in the hobby. I love cards, but what they represent to me means even more-they are a way to remember the sports, people, and history I grew up with. The cards are an expression of that. A guy like Tommy McDonald is a perfect fit for my collection because he represents a time in football that we’ll never see again. While I’m glad players wear helmets and facemasks for safety, it's still fascinating to see someone like McDonald, who was small in stature but felt the need to prove himself tougher than his opponents to maintain a psychological edge. I really love his story. Have a great rest of the weekend! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family, too.
Another great video, Terry. The message is timely for me too as I am still earlier on in my collecting journey and dealing with some of the tensions you mentioned. I liked hearing you describe how you made mistakes earlier on that you look at now and wish you hadn’t gotten distracted by. I also like the idea of focusing on four favorite cards for a player rather than doing complete runs. I’ve never heard you talk much about your philosophy on grades but I guess you alluded to it a little here with the idea of having something that holds some value for your family after you’re gone. It’s obvious you want higher grades but when did you decide on the “threshold range” you were willing to have? Did you ever get a lower graded card that you later wanted to upgrade?
Hi MD, I'm glad you enjoyed the video. You're right that you haven't heard me talk much about grades because I don't place a lot of value on them once the card is in my hands. I think some channels focus too much on condition, discussing every little flaw on a card, while others argue why a card looks better than its grade. To each their own. My philosophy is simple: I buy the best grade I can afford within my budget. When I show cards on my channel I don't talk about the condition. I would rather tell you why I bought it, share about the player and where the card fits into my collecting focus. I take clear video of the cards so the viewer can decide if the card looks nice or not, if that is what they are into. Generally, for the 1980s, I aim for grade 8 or 9; for the 1970s (1974 and later), I go for grade 7 or higher; for 1960 to 1973, I look for grade 6 or higher unless it’s a big-time card, like a Mantle or a Ryan rookie, in which case I’ll go for grade 5 or higher. For pre-1960 cards, I’ll usually buy grades as low as 4, though I typically go for 5 or higher. This threshold was established when I started the project when I was 24-25 years old. I do not upgrade cards. I would rather not have the card, or I will save up for the one I want. Would I do the same if I were starting out today? Probably not. If I did, I would have far fewer cards. Back when I started collecting, I could get PSA 5 and 6 Mantles from the 1960s for $120 to $200. Willie Mays PSA 6 cards could be had for well under $100. It was a different time, but still expensive given my budget. However, I took my time, mixing relatively inexpensive cards with moderately priced ones while setting aside money for more expensive ones.
Now what do you think about these players would you be buying any of their cards? 24 years ago and would you be buying any of these cards if you were starting out a vintage set? Doug Harvey Bobby Orr Phil Esposito Brad Park Montreal Canadiens Bjors Salming Darryl Sittler Mike P Rod Gilbert Ulf Nilsen Anders Hedburg Walt Tkatchuck the player who played for the Rangers Bobby Hull Gordie Howe Andy Bathgate Bernie Ferdeko Marcel Dionne Dave Taylor Charlie Simmer Butch Goring Bobby Clarke
Hi Mark, I wasn't buying any hockey when I first returned to collection. When I did start buying hockey cards about 12 or so years ago, I bought Clarke, Dionne, Federko, Howe, Hull, Sittler, Salmer, Tony and Phil Esposito, Lafleur and Orr. Mainly Hall of Famers from the late 60s to the mid 80s.
Nice Brooks Robinson , Frank , , nice Johnny Unitas , nice 1969 Ryan , , nice Gayle Sayers , Jean Belivue , nice 1959 Joe Morgan , Homerun king Pete Rose , nice bob Lilly , 1969 yaz and Johnny Bucyk , nice Dave Stieb , Saberhagen and Dave Stewart , so in addition to Brian Sipe, Greg Pruit and Reggie Rucker , nice 1969 Carew , Terry Sawchuk and Sonny Jorgeson , so a little touch up on Baseball what do you think about these players any years Steve Carlton , Ron Guidry his 1970's cards? Homerun king from 1970 to 1976? now Football I've been told third place to collectors what do you think about these players in addition to what's up top Ken Stabler Cliff Branch Fred Bieltnikoff Lester Hayes Dave Casper Ray Guy Raymond Chester Ber Jones Lydel Mitchel Joe Ferguson The Juice ( I see Shea Stadium right now) Jim Braxton Johnny Unitas Bob Griese Larry Csonka Mercury Morris Jim Plunket with New England Sam Cunningham Stanley Morgan Darryl Stingley Russ Francis Broadway Joe John Riggins Craig Morton Haven Moses Rick Upchurch Tom Jackson what do you think about these players 24 years ago? if you started a vintage set today would any of these players interest you would yo be buying any of these cards any years?
That's cool I've gotten back in after 23 years I am buying nothing but vintage sets of baseball basketball and football all graded just add every payday a little at a time and I've getting close on some small sets that I love 69 deckle edge, 63 fleer baseball, etc.
Hi Richard! Welcome back after 23 years. It sounds like you going about it the right way for you adding a little bit at a time. All the best as you continue to build your collection.
You Terry, above all my subscribed channels are 1000% MUST WATCH. You always capture the right images and definite inspiration on each video. 2700 Slabs???... Perfect, that means loads more videos, great job again Terry...cheers!!
Hey Mike! Nice to see our Cowboys pull off a win yesterday. Though, before the two-game winning streak, I was hoping for the higher draft pick. Thank you for the compliment. It means a lot that you enjoy my videos so much. We have much in common both in our perspective on the hobby and in what we collect. I know you have deep appreciation for sports beyond just baseball and it shows in your collection.
Take care!
Well said. Terry’s channel is one of the very few that I have notifications turned on for.
Terry- another fabulous chapter in your TH-cam journey. I was blown away again by your artistry and poetic story telling. I really enjoyed all the 1969 cards here. When I started vintage collecting around 2000 I was first drawn to collecting the ‘69 Topps baseball set until I realized there were a lot of headshots without caps and reused images. Yet I was always enthused by the colorful circles and the team name on the bottom. Some of my favorite cards of my favorite players are In the ‘69 set: Bench, Palmer, Clemente.
The insight you shared here I will take to heart in my future collecting. Thanks for sharing as always! CK
Hi CK, The 69 set is my only pre 73 set I have complete. I like the player selection with the Bench and Ryan second year, Reggie rookie and then the last Mantle. Sets before 1970 seemed untouchable when I was a kid, so it felt like quite and achievement when I completed it.
The Palmer, Bench and Clemente are nice.
Thanks for watching and taking a moment to leave a nice comment.
A great message Terry. I’ve realized over time and trial and error that it’s ok to love cards that I don’t own and probably won’t ever own. I can go to a show and just enjoy beautiful examples of cards and get as much joy seeing them in someone else’s case or collection and realize I don’t need to own it to enjoy seeing it. It helps with the envy side of collecting which can creep up so easily if we let it.
Thanks for all you do my friend.
Thanks Drew! You're right about being okay without owning certain cards. As you mentioned, you can still gain joy in seeing them. The big thing is for guys like us; we collected long before TH-cam. I know that when the camera is turned off, I have cards that fit into the vision of my collection.
You have a great rest of the weekend!
No other channel distils the essence of collecting so perfectly.
This is a phenomenal video! And will be as relevant 100 years from now as it is today, to true collectors.
Thanks so much! Your kind words and flattering and mean a lot. Have a great rest of the weekend.
Collect what you like. Great advice from a seasoned collector. Your storytelling is great and the cards that go with it. Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.
Thanks Ken! I am glad you enjoyed. I did have a nice Thanksgiving. It is always good to have all the family around. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving too!
A beautiful meditation. Thank you, Terry.
Thanks Rabbi Dave! It is good to hear from you. I hope all is well with you and the family.
So many wise words spoken here, Terry! My biggest takeaway and the thing that resonated with my collecting history the most is about making mistakes. I’ve started lots of different projects that I’ve never finished. I impulsively bought cards just to buy them. I’ve gotten a little too inspired by cards other have shown that don’t really fit my collection. Even with all of that though I have no regrets. All of that has built my collection into what it is today and it wouldn’t be the same without the mistakes to get me here. I always enjoy these thought provoking subjects Terry!
Hi Joe! Yes, the mistakes are all part of the journey. Some people like being impulsive when it comes to collecting and not having their collection planned. That's great if it works for them, but I am happiest when I have a direction. Not a necessarily a narrow focus, but a plan on where I want my hobby budget to go. I also need to have a few different projects because I like to change gears when my mood changes. Like this time of year, I get more into hockey and football cards, then baseball.
As it has been said by Rabbi Dave from the Rated Rabbi, "We are collecting ourselves." So, our collections do reflect in many ways who we are.
Thanks for the great comment. I hope all is well.
Have a great weekend.
Fantastic advice for collectors. I also love how to mentioned some stuff you picked up that you aren’t as happy with. We’ve certainly all been there. Have a great weekend Terry
Thanks David! We certainly can't dwell on regrets, but it is good to recognize and learn from them. Have a great rest of the weekend!
Thank you TJ. Of the people I follow in the hobby you are the wise ‘young’ Sage. 🙏 Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Thanks Todd for the compliment! The same to you and your family!
Sound advice Terry for a new collector. Certainly it is also useful for us older collectors who may have lost their focus as to what got them collecting in the first place. I have much work ahead of me downsizing some of those items that come through that rabbit hole. Thanks for showing us more of your beautiful cards.
Thanks Dan! There are many ways to enjoy the hobby, but focus, patience, vision and staying within my budget have worked for me. I also don't get distracted by what I call the noise of others trying to tell me how to collect. I will go my own way - thank you! I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!
Glad you enjoyed Thanksgiving! FANTASTIC video for how to lay out a blueprint for the entry collector. I love your narration and the music fits perfectly. My hope is that today collector finds the same level of fandom we enjoyed growing up 🩶💙 Thanks for sharing, Terry
Thanks Dre! I have been slowly learning more about editing and stepping out of my comfort zone some. I hope collectors can find the same enjoyment we had too.
Thanks for sharing your sentiments, Terry. I kinda wish you WOULD start over again so we can watch along. 😂
Thanks Eric. lol! I am glad I don’t have to now. It was a more affordable then.
Hello Terry, an other great video ! I enjoyed a lots to look at thoses beautiful cards and magazines and listen about your collectiong journey experiences. I am close about the regular "democratic" age of yours viewers...😄. Thanks you Terry for sharing yours collecting experiences and Happy Collecting.
Thanks Fabien! I am glad there are some under 45 year olds watching. There aren’t many. lol. I appreciate you, my friend.
I really enjoyed learning how your approach has evolved throughout the years.
Thanks Mitchell! I appreciate it.
Great video. Love the Bob Lilly card! My brother had some 1969 football cards growing up. Always dug them.
Thanks tsean! The logos in the 69 Topps set are pretty cool. That set is on one of my favorites as it combines the logos from 61 Fleer Football with the bright colored background of 61 Topps Football.
Terry ❤ your the best !!
When it comes to collecting what you love and how to express your feelings no one does it better and no one is more genuine. You strike at the heart strings everytime ❤.
Thanks Dylan! I really appreciate you kind words. I like to share what I feel as this hobby means a great deal to me. I hope you and your wife had a great Thanksgiving. All the best, my friend.
I agree
Always a great perspective. Collecting cards is wonderful because there are so many different ways to enjoy it. I just turned 45 😂. Thanks for sharing and we hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
@@zachandporter thanks Zach. Happy belated birthday. Another one in my under 45 demographic gone. Haha
Hi Terry. I really enjoyed your perspective on card collecting. We have all picked up things over the years, that makes us wonder, what we were thinking. I guess that is just part of the journey. Just seeing what you have shown over the past year or more and how you describe what they mean to you, demonstrates to me a collector who really loves his stuff. Thanks for sharing as always my friend, talk soon pal.
Thanks Stephen! You're right - part of the journey is learning from the wrong turns you make and then getting back on track towards your goal. That has really helped me more than anything. I know what I want and will take the time to get there. You come across the same way. You bide your time until you find the cards that fit you and your collection.
Take care, my friend.
This is just a great video! Great thoughts my friend. Patience and learning what is really important to you is what makes a great collection. Great one.
Thanks so much! I am glad you enjoyed it. Patience and learning have done me well! You have a great weekend, my friend.
Wow that sounds like me. Over the years I’ve changed my views and now have many cards I don’t want or enjoy but I still love it and having fun selling trading and buying what I really want . I buy nostalgic cards every now and then and have a small player pc assortment . Best of luck in your journey and just enjoy it all the way. Thanks
Thank you for watching and sharing some of your journey. For me, the nostalgic cards are the best ones. I enjoy looking at them and taking in the memories. Enjoy your collection! Take care
The card philosopher! I love cards with a personal story. I also love card runs of non-HOF players but have a meaning or connection to the collector. Thx for sharing.
Haha. Thanks Dave! I agree with you on all accounts. Non-HOFers make a collection a little more interesting.
@ agreed.
Hi Terry! I’m glad to hear that you had a nice Thanksgiving!
It is always a pleasure to hear your thoughts and opinions on cards, collecting and the hobby. You have curated an amazing collection! I agree with collecting memories and feelings. It’s always good to have a plan as well! One of the toughest parts of the hobby, for me, is patience, it is not easy but always worth it!
Just an awesome, inspiring and thought provoking video my friend!
Hi Jim! Thanks so much for your kind words, I really appreciate it. I’m glad you enjoyed the video and I know you share the same perspective on collecting-it's definitely about the memories and feelings tied to the cards. And you’re absolutely right, having a plan is key, but patience is definitely the hardest part! It's not always easy to wait for the right cards, but it makes the journey all the more rewarding when it pays off. I hope you and the family had a great Thanksgiving.
Hi Terry! Great video and advice. I’m learning more and more every day the importance of patience, especially in the hobby. I refuse to settle for a card that doesn’t meet my requirements not matter how much I want it. Thanks for sharing and enjoy the rest of your weekend, my friend!
Thanks Rob. I am glad you enjoyed it. You have a great weekend too!
Hi Terry:
A happy belated Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. I hope the weather is kind to you as I can see a big storm hit your area this weekend.
Loved the topic of this video. My favorite thing about your videos is that you are just showing and sharing your collection. You’re not here to be an influencer, you just want to share your collection and experiences as a card collector. There are too many on here now that have just veered away from showing their collections and now just trying to tell people what to buy. You won’t get me that way! Focus is important and you’ve definitely shown us this through your videos.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with buying 15 years worth of baseball sets. It’s funny that we’re not concerned about the price, but the space or what a pain selling and shipping them are. When I first started watching you I loved the ideas of the key cards for each set. I told a friend your thinking a few years ago and he asked, well what are the 30 key cards? I said that’s for you (the collector) to decide. Anyone can do it, but people just tend to complain to you about your 30 picks as opposed to creating their own key cards.
Interesting how today you wouldn’t buy the complete Frank Robinson run today but again just the 3-4 key cards. I wont say collecting is harder now its just a lot more expensive. Like you, there are things I did 10-15 years ago I won’t do now. Time, finances and resources have to go in another direction these days. You can still collect but just do it at a different level.
I barely got to comment about your beautiful cards because I just started typing away as you started speaking. Haha. I like the uniforms that Bob Lilly and Greg Pruitt wore in their era’s plus they are just very nice cards. Love the Sawchuk card btw.
Loved the video, Terry. Thank you for sharing!
Hi Rick! I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, every video I create will feature some cards. I'm not a fan of videos where people just talk without showing cards.
As we've discussed, I'm moving away from content focused on areas of collecting that don't interest me. With a few exceptions, I find videos that dwell on card condition take away some of the enjoyment for me. I don't want to view my cards that way. As I mentioned in the video, I want my collection to reflect who I am. I see that in your collection too-you buy cards that represent you as a collector, and there's a real authenticity in that.
The 30 key card project was my comfort zone. It gave me a goal while allowing flexibility in choosing the cards I want. For hockey and football, I initially did 18 key card displays, but I've since increased the number for football after completing the 18.
Thanks for the compliment on my cards and for sharing your thoughts.
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Terry, some powerful and sage advice in your video, no doubt based on your 26 years of personal collecting experience! Thank you! Oh, and also, what stunning cards and magazines! Happy Holidays, my collecting brother! 🎄❄🎄❄🎄
Thank you Adam! I am glad you enjoyed the video. Happy Holidays to you, your wife and the rest of the family. Take care!
Super video Terry. You made such great points. I enjoyed seeing the cards to go along with your narration. Super points for anyone who is starting out. I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Ed! I am glad you appreciated the video and cards. I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the family. I hope you and yours had the same. Take care!
Hey Terry! Another great video. To thine own self be true! I think if a collector is in touch with him or herself, each one should be able to verbalize, more or less how they collect. You know, I feel like I started my collection "today". After having given the lion's share of my collection away about 15 years ago, I pretty much started at ground zero back in 2018, with the very important distinction that I kept most of the really expensive cards I had from when I had collected earlier. But I approach collecting the same way I did back in the day, which is just to buy what moves me. And that means going down the occasional rabbit hole or buying something completely new that doesn't fit into a theme. I have a lot of different projects going on at the same time also. But I don't press to complete them. When I feel like going back to them, I do. If I don't, then that's as far as I was meant to take it. I hear a lot about focus in the TH-cam community. And I do think it's necessary, but I do think it can be taken too far. I'm not talking about you, but with some people, the way they discuss it, you might think they're studying for the bar exam. I kind of compare my approach to collecting to Dan Connor from the Roseanne show, working on his boat out in his garage. He may never complete it, but the important thing is he has access to that garage and can...dream.
Now, to slightly contradict myself: there are some cards that I do want to get, and I will have to discipline myself (focus) and lay off the small purchases in order to obtain them. But I'm having so much fun getting those inexpensive cards. This makes it difficult to stop those purchases, as does also the fact that I value those small purchases just as much as the big ones. Anyway, that is something that I will address eventually.
I agree with you 100% about some of the potential pitfalls or traps that new collectors have to be wary of if they are just starting out (or even if they're not) and start comparing their collections to others they may see on the net, or more specifically, TH-cam. For me, the best collections aren't the biggest and/or the most varied - or the most financially valuable. My favorites, even though they may not be what I might collect, are the ones that truly mean something to the collector. Another thing is, at this point, unless you really have the money, who needs a Babe Ruth? To me, that ship sailed long ago. I can look at his cards online or at shows, and there are plenty of books as well as films that one can see on TH-cam. The same thing with Mickey Mantle's 1952 Topps. I don't know if it's still true, but the last I heard, Mantle's surviving sons don't have the '52 Topps. If I got one, I'd like to give it to them and then we could all go out for dinner.
As usual, I loved the cards and magazines you shared. That Tommy McDonald cover is great too. He is one of the players I have learned about through you.
Hi Gannon! I totally agree with what you said about being overly focused sometimes taking the joy out of collecting, just as being too scattered can have the same effect. I’ve definitely had moments where I got too focused and it started feeling more like a job than a hobby. Like you, I enjoy having a few different projects going on at once, with cards from different sports, eras, and price ranges.
I am still planning on building the Diamond Stars set, but haven’t bought any this year-and that’s okay. There’s no rush. As you know, right now, I’m diving into 50s and 60s hockey, and while I may never stop collecting them, I do have certain goals I want to reach. I think setting goals is important to me as a collector because I love the sense of accomplishment, but I make sure to enjoy the journey along the way.
I really admire how you balance focus with flexibility. You pick up a lot of fun and meaningful cards, and I think that’s what makes your collection so interesting. I love seeing the unique groupings you put together when you send me those emails. And the Dan Connor analogy was great. Well done!
I’m glad you managed to hold onto some of your valuable cards! I can relate to the struggle of buying more expensive pieces. I tend to gravitate toward cards in the $10 to $75 range, and while I set aside some of my budget for bigger purchases, I often find I prefer the fun of getting a few smaller cards that bring me just as much joy.
I couldn’t agree more on what makes the best collection. I don’t follow many channels that just show high-dollar cards unless there’s a meaningful story behind them. I don't live in that world and have no intention to. It’s not that I’m trying to be unimpressed-it’s just that anyone can spend money on a collection, but the real challenge is putting together something meaningful. When a collector can articulate why they chose what they did, it adds so much more depth. Even if the collection doesn’t align with what we collect, the passion behind it is what draws you in.
I’m glad you liked the Tommy McDonald magazine! I couldn’t resist picking it up-being a fan of both him and the Cowboys made it a must-have for me.
Thanks, as always for sharing your thoughts.
Enjoyed listening to your discussion on your wonderful collection Terry! As a matter of fact, I always enjoy your videos. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving and take care.
Thanks Scott! I really appreciate that. It is good to share our experiences with newer collectors. It is something you do better than most given your long history in the hobby and knowledge of so many sets.
Another cool video! Love that Sawchuk card! I have the Howe and a couple others from that year as well. It’s a nice design with the eye appeal. Before my time but again, I really love hockey’s history.
Thank you Travis! I am a big fan of the Sawchuk card too. For some reason, I like seeing players outside of the teams you normally associate them with. The Howe is a very nice card. I appreciate the comment.
You always have a great collection sir. Your saberhagen rookie looks great
Thanks Tony! I like the look of the Saberhagen too with the pink background on the smaller picture.
Great points Terry! Love the conversation about not collecting someone else’s collection. I’m sure it’s hard for some to not “keep up with the Jones” The beauty of collecting is expressing what you love about the hobby and players. Wise words Terry! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
Hi Theo, I hope you and your family had a nice Thanksgiving. You're right - keeping up with the Joneses is a problem for some. Especially, new collectors who are trying to find their way. When making TH-cam videos, they may feel they need new cards to show to make a video or some interesting issue outside of the traditional ones. While those videos are fun to watch and put together, there are many of types of videos that can be done. Have a great weekend!
What a great perspective, thoughts and advice. You nailed it as always. You really touched home about people such as myself getting back into the hobby fairly recently. I was seeing all this amazing stuff and just kept buying it but it really didn’t mean too much to me. Then I sort of figured out what I want and what represent me and that my city. I’m passionate about my black and gold and want my collection to be a curation of just that. And as a lover of the games I like collecting the rookies or one or so cards of the hall of famers. Great stuff as always and love these types of videos. I know I wish I saw this 4 or so years ago! Glad you had a great holiday. Talk soon my friend!
Hi Mike, it’s all part of the journey. TH-cam is a lot of fun but it’s easy to get influenced when people show all these cool cards and talk ad nauseam about condition. If you love the card when the camera is off then you did well. I enjoyed hearing about your Freiermuth purchase. As a family man, collecting has a little different meaning. For me, the cards I’ve had for most of my adult life mean a lot more than condition and value. They have been with me when I started my family and career. They are part of the story of my life, and my kids may appreciate some of them when they are older and look back. I feel bad for those who see cards for mainly condition and dollars signs. Where your heart is your treasure lies.
Take care, my friend.
Great video Terry. I’ve always admired your discipline and focus since getting to know you. It really is an old school collector approach that seems to be lost with new people in the hobby. I feel the hobby would continue growing in a wonderful way if more people took this approach.
I have always loved the 1969 FB set. That Bob Lilly with the red background and old Cowboys jersey is just classic. I really like the Jurgensen too. Man does that star on McDonald’s jersey jump out at you! Perfect photography with that magazine cover in my opinion.
Thanks, Chris! That means a lot coming from another collector who values cards for more than just condition and monetary value. Like me, you see cards as a way to evoke nostalgic memories or as a gateway to sports history. We know the time it takes to build the collection you truly want. I felt strongly about offering a different perspective for newer collectors, one that contrasts with what’s often presented on other channels.
There’s a lot of groupthink out there, with some collectors pushing the idea of focusing on cards outside the mainstream or preaching about condition and/or rarity as if that is the be all end all. There is nothing wrong with going that route if it makes you happy, but I feel it comes off as arrogant by some. This is a very different message from what I believe we should be sharing with newer collectors-especially those who may not have deep pockets or who simply don't care about those factors. Some people collect vintage because they love the players or eras, not because of condition or rarity.
Collect what you like and don't be afraid to blaze your own trail if that's what brings you joy.
Have a great weekend!
Keep up with the great videos 🎉
Thanks GiG. I appreciate it!
Some great examples in the 1969 Nolan Ryan and the 1969 Sayers. The Sayers from '69 might be my favorite of his. That fuchsia color just pops so nice. Very smart of you to start in your 20s on those key cards. I did that some, but not at the extent you did. I was probably 10 years behind you on that. I think the 1959 design of Robinson is my favorite of his.
You raised a good point about being envious of other collection especially when you start out. Collections are a little like a pair of jeans. One size doesn't fit everyone. You have to find the collection that fits you. We are all in different places in our life which determines our interests and our means.
When I see Greg Pruitt, I think of Mike Pruitt. I thought it was so cool that they both played at the same time for the Browns. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
hanks, Drew! I remember owning a 1969 Sayers when I was a kid. I bought it at a mall card show for $10. Like you, it’s my favorite card of his. I was motivated to do the run of key cards because I love the history of sports, and when I was a kid, I didn’t see many of those cards in real life. So, it was a lot of fun getting those cards in the mail and displaying them. As you know, we used a lot of money orders in the early days of eBay.
Good analogy with the pair of jeans. Collecting is an important part of my life because I enjoy it, but it’s really a small part of my family budget. I don’t want to be the guy who puts off retirement or has to sell things to raise funds. I like having cards that have been with me for a long time.
The funny thing is, Mike and Greg Pruitt are unrelated-I learned that a few years ago. I always thought they were brothers.
I appreciate your insight. Have a great week!
Howdy TJ ! A very subdued Show today. I only have my childhood collection of cards that were purchased when they were issued. I do not buy used cards because I have no attachment to them. They were not mine. They were some other kids. C ya !
Thanks, Tom! Yes, I like to share how I’m feeling. Sometimes, my messages are a response to what’s happening in the community. I don’t feel my perspective is voiced enough in a community that tends to focus on rare cards, inner-circle Hall of Famers, and condition. There’s also a lot of groupthink, which is contrary to my nature. I want newer collectors to know there’s a place for them in the hobby, but also that they shouldn’t compare themselves to people who have built collections over several years-especially if they don’t have a large budget. My path has mostly been take the time to figure out the collection you want and then plan on how you want to build it.
Take care,
Terry
You know Terry, 2 years on YT is plenty for me. I did what I set out to do, and then some. As Collectors, you and Andy have a great perspective on Collecting (Family) and you guys recently expressed it. Its not about "keeping up with the Jones's". I told Stuke, offer me a RC Mantle or a 150K Shiny Justin Herbert card for my childhood collection and I'd say No.
I've seen many other circles of Collectors on the WEB besides ours . There is no crossover. Weird. Certain guys, like Stuke bring unique items, that's why I like his Show. Most others are just more of the same card in a different grade in a different light with alot of "Um, ...Uh's" I dont have time for that. Your presentation is the best. The colors Pop, thats what I want, and wasn't achieving anymore. Lighting is a Big Deal for me.
C ya !
@@SouvenirProgramsHere Tom, I respect that you did what you set out to do. You’ve stayed consistent in putting together a series of videos celebrating your family and their love of sports growing up. It wasn’t just about the biggest and best names, but those your dad encountered and who were part of his childhood story.
For me, it’s not all about the cards. If someone shows a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle-big deal! They’re out there. Tell me the story behind it and what moved you to get it. That applies whether it’s Mickey Mantle or Leo Thomas. It’s the story that excites me, and those who can record and tell it in a way that resonates with me will get my attention.
Thank you for taking the leap and letting me and others learn more about you. It was never about the subscribers or the notoriety; it was about keeping a family’s legacy alive for the future. I think it also helped you learn more about the players and the era your dad grew up in. I know it helped me.
Thank you for the kind words and all your support. You're the real deal.
Hey Terry, great video with some great perspective! I got back into collecting in my late 50's and sometimes I struggle with trying to make up for lost time. I think your advice on picking 4 cards for specific players makes a ton of sense. When I first got back into collecting I wanted to complete player runs for a lot of players and soon realized I did not have the time or budget. I also like my cards graded which is why I send so many cards to SGC. I have done a pretty good job of staying true to the eras that mean the most to me, I am still working on being more precise with my planning!
Enjoy the remainder of your Holiday Weekend!
Thanks Steve! I wanted to share my perspective because I figured some may benefit from my collecting journey.
I have mentioned it to you before, if I were getting into collecting now, the person I would be most similar to is you. You collect multiple sports and similar eras that I do. You also have knowledge of players and want more than just the biggest names in your collection. Everyone collects in their own way, but meaning for me does not translate to dollars or condition, it is picking up that card that I have a connection with.
Instead of making up for lost time, it seems like you're making the most of your time, which is more important.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and safe travels on your trip back from Syracuse.
I love your reflections, Terry. My sports card collection includes cards as well as playing baseball simulation games like APBA, Digital Diamond, Payoff Pitch, etc. I not only collected sports cards, mostly baseball, as a kid, I spent hours upon hours playing APBA cards and dice baseball and compiling stats. At 11 I figured out how to calculate an ERA on my own, no internet, books, or help from anyone else, just trying different calculations until I could match what was on the back of a pitcher's baseball card. I was kind of proud of that.
Right now, I'm debating purchasing a 1985 Topps complete set to go along with my 1984 Detroit Tiger season replay. It's $76 with shipping and tax. I don't know why, but I'm just having a hard time deciding if I want to complete the purchase. It seems like a good deal. I have no interest in reselling it later, the idea is to have a Topps card to put on display for each batter and pitcher, potentially to show this on my TH-cam channel.
Anyway, sorry to blab on here, just thinking out loud I guess. :)
Hi Tom! It’s funny you mention ERA. My brother taught me how to calculate it when we would play dice baseball games. It’s impressive that you taught yourself at 11. Kids today don’t fully grasp that we didn’t have information at our fingertips like they do. It’s great that you still enjoy the baseball simulation games to this day, and that cards provide something tangible and nostalgic to go along with it.
For me, when I’ve journeyed into new areas of collecting, I tend to be a little hesitant to buy my first card because I want to make sure it’s something I really want to pursue. The same might be true for you with the $76 for the '85 set. While it certainly would be a nice touch for your videos, is the set something you’d enjoy having around when the camera is off? Given your fondness for that era of baseball, it may be a set you’d enjoy looking at from time to time, even when not using it for your baseball simulations.
Feel free to blab anytime. Thanks for the kind words and for sharing your thoughts!
@@tjmacvintagecardsnostalgia648 I've had a chance to give more thought to my 1985 purchase, and I've thought about what you said about the kind of enjoyment I would get out of this set, and I've decided to not make the purchase. While 1984 is a fond year for me, the Tiger World Series championship, my high school graduation, this was not the year where baseball was magical to me, I had many more things on my mind during this time. No, the mid to late 70's were the years where I was in love with baseball, and the good news here is these were my card collecting years, so I already have the cards that I need.
So, thank you for your advice on the matter, you've saved me money, and that's kind of nice. 😃
I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving!
The 1969 Topps Football set design is one of the best IMO Terry. I might be biased as I was likely at the height of interest in sports in my 18th year. Set building seems to be a waning passion with most collectors these days & I’m one of those that fall into that category. Like you Terry, I now prefer to focus on the stars & favourites from 1951-1970. Hey, there’s that 1965 Topps Dallas Cowboys team card again! 😉 Glad to see you honour Blue Jay pitching great Stieb. Always sad to see that 1969 Sawchuk which I also own as it likely was the last card photo he posed for due to his tragic death in 1970 😞
Hey Gary!
The 1965 Topps Cowboys Team Card was perfect for the McDonald display, and I was happy to show it again. I agree with you about the 1969 Topps set-those cards are beautiful, with their bright colors and fun logos. It does seem like set building isn't as popular as it used to be. There are a couple of sets I wouldn't mind owning-nothing too expensive-but I’d like to sell off my 1993 to 2007 Topps sets first. I don’t want to add any more complete sets to the collection right now. That said, I agree with you that collecting star players and fan favorites is probably the better option for guys like us.
Yes, it’s really sad about Terry Sawchuk. It’s a tragedy that could have been avoided if not for alcohol and bad tempers-such a waste of life.
I agree with you 100 percent, Terry! If it doesn't mean anything to me, I'm really not interested in collecting it. That would include cards I remember collecting or wanting as a kid, cards that stir some kind of memory or emotion regarding the history of the game, etc. Gone are the days when I'll pick up a card because it's popular....which is probably why I don't collect modern cards. Have a great weekend my friend.
Thanks, Mike! Collect what you love, and you will never go wrong. It has done me well, and seeing your collection and watching your videos, I can see it has done the same for you too.
Have a great rest of the weekend.
Hi Terry! What en excellent idea and concept for a video and you executed it perfectly. What a joy to wake up to and watch.
Vision, plan, patience and budget is the best advice I could give someone. I know this wasn’t an advice video but it would be the words I’d share.
The time/age aspect I thought was so important. I see it in how my dad and I collect.
I always appreciate how you go about your collection and how you share your thoughts and experiences with everyone. I too would rather have a collection of Tommy McDonald’s than just every hall of famer. Like you said then you’re collecting someone else’s collection. It also makes your collection more interesting.
Sounds like you had a great Thanksgiving! I thought of you during the Cowboys game.
By the way Im under the age of your demographic. Not by much though. Haha
Hi Andy,
I hope you had a great Thanksgiving! I really appreciate you thinking of me during the Cowboys game. We were a happy household! Now, we just need the Bills to win tomorrow.
Thank you for always sharing kind words and encouragement. I have a bit of a complicated relationship with TH-cam at times. The frequent discussions about condition, value, rarity, and the “Inner Circle” Hall of Famers can be a bit frustrating. It sometimes takes away from what makes the hobby special to me. I wanted to share my perspective as someone who appreciates more than just baseball and the biggest names in the hobby. I love cards, but what they represent to me means even more-they are a way to remember the sports, people, and history I grew up with. The cards are an expression of that.
A guy like Tommy McDonald is a perfect fit for my collection because he represents a time in football that we’ll never see again. While I’m glad players wear helmets and facemasks for safety, it's still fascinating to see someone like McDonald, who was small in stature but felt the need to prove himself tougher than his opponents to maintain a psychological edge. I really love his story.
Have a great rest of the weekend! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family, too.
I also have that 69 Topps Lance Alworth what a great picture, he looks like the perfect all-American in the photo.
I agree. The vibrant green makes the photo stand out even more. Thanks for the comment .
Another great video, Terry. The message is timely for me too as I am still earlier on in my collecting journey and dealing with some of the tensions you mentioned. I liked hearing you describe how you made mistakes earlier on that you look at now and wish you hadn’t gotten distracted by. I also like the idea of focusing on four favorite cards for a player rather than doing complete runs.
I’ve never heard you talk much about your philosophy on grades but I guess you alluded to it a little here with the idea of having something that holds some value for your family after you’re gone. It’s obvious you want higher grades but when did you decide on the “threshold range” you were willing to have? Did you ever get a lower graded card that you later wanted to upgrade?
Hi MD,
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. You're right that you haven't heard me talk much about grades because I don't place a lot of value on them once the card is in my hands. I think some channels focus too much on condition, discussing every little flaw on a card, while others argue why a card looks better than its grade. To each their own. My philosophy is simple: I buy the best grade I can afford within my budget. When I show cards on my channel I don't talk about the condition. I would rather tell you why I bought it, share about the player and where the card fits into my collecting focus. I take clear video of the cards so the viewer can decide if the card looks nice or not, if that is what they are into.
Generally, for the 1980s, I aim for grade 8 or 9; for the 1970s (1974 and later), I go for grade 7 or higher; for 1960 to 1973, I look for grade 6 or higher unless it’s a big-time card, like a Mantle or a Ryan rookie, in which case I’ll go for grade 5 or higher. For pre-1960 cards, I’ll usually buy grades as low as 4, though I typically go for 5 or higher. This threshold was established when I started the project when I was 24-25 years old. I do not upgrade cards. I would rather not have the card, or I will save up for the one I want.
Would I do the same if I were starting out today? Probably not. If I did, I would have far fewer cards. Back when I started collecting, I could get PSA 5 and 6 Mantles from the 1960s for $120 to $200. Willie Mays PSA 6 cards could be had for well under $100. It was a different time, but still expensive given my budget. However, I took my time, mixing relatively inexpensive cards with moderately priced ones while setting aside money for more expensive ones.
Dang! No pop counts. Now I'm lost. Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
@@hammerforty-four Sorry Hammer! You have plenty of channels for that. Haha. I did have a nice Thanksgiving. I hope you did as well.
Now what do you think about these players would you be buying any of their cards? 24 years ago and would you be buying any of these cards if you were starting out a vintage set?
Doug Harvey
Bobby Orr
Phil Esposito
Brad Park
Montreal Canadiens
Bjors Salming
Darryl Sittler
Mike P
Rod Gilbert
Ulf Nilsen
Anders Hedburg
Walt Tkatchuck the player who played for the Rangers
Bobby Hull
Gordie Howe
Andy Bathgate
Bernie Ferdeko
Marcel Dionne
Dave Taylor
Charlie Simmer
Butch Goring
Bobby Clarke
Hi Mark, I wasn't buying any hockey when I first returned to collection. When I did start buying hockey cards about 12 or so years ago, I bought Clarke, Dionne, Federko, Howe, Hull, Sittler, Salmer, Tony and Phil Esposito, Lafleur and Orr. Mainly Hall of Famers from the late 60s to the mid 80s.
@@tjmacvintagecardsnostalgia648 If I was starting out a vintage set yes I would buy these cards.
Nice Brooks Robinson , Frank , , nice Johnny Unitas , nice 1969 Ryan , , nice Gayle Sayers , Jean Belivue , nice 1959 Joe Morgan , Homerun king
Pete Rose , nice bob Lilly , 1969 yaz and Johnny Bucyk ,
nice Dave Stieb , Saberhagen and Dave Stewart ,
so in addition to Brian Sipe, Greg Pruit and Reggie Rucker ,
nice 1969 Carew , Terry Sawchuk and Sonny Jorgeson ,
so a little touch up on Baseball what do you think about these players
any years Steve Carlton , Ron Guidry his 1970's cards?
Homerun king from 1970 to 1976?
now Football I've been told third place to collectors
what do you think about these players in addition to what's up top
Ken Stabler
Cliff Branch
Fred Bieltnikoff
Lester Hayes
Dave Casper
Ray Guy
Raymond Chester
Ber Jones
Lydel Mitchel
Joe Ferguson
The Juice ( I see Shea Stadium right now)
Jim Braxton
Johnny Unitas
Bob Griese
Larry Csonka
Mercury Morris
Jim Plunket with New England
Sam Cunningham
Stanley Morgan
Darryl Stingley
Russ Francis
Broadway Joe
John Riggins
Craig Morton
Haven Moses
Rick Upchurch
Tom Jackson
what do you think about these players 24 years ago? if you started a vintage set today would any of these players interest you would yo be buying any of these cards any years?
Great video, as usual. Good advice for everyone. F O C U S
Thanks so much Mike! I am glad you enjoyed it.