My mindset began to change once I started my blog. I began to really enjoy reading blogs that focused on vintage cardboard. Soon enough I was trading with vintage master Mark Hoyle who gave me a respectable vintage Pirates collection by himself.
Recently I would find myself searching card prices on eBay. I never pulled the trigger, but I was gaining a better understanding of the going rate for older cards I liked. As you could probably guess I've started to pull the trigger on some cards.
1953 Topps Ralph Kiner
I ran across this Kiner last month and decided I would make a run at it. Sure enough I secured for around $10. The cool thing was the seller had a ton of Pirates vintage and it turned into a fairly significant order. I'll be showcasing a few here and there in the upcoming months.
The modern cards will probably always be my passion, but I do like browsing the vintage auctions. They just seem to have more character. Plus when the card features a more obscure Pirate I enjoy reading the Baseball Reference and Sabr pages. Easy to get sucked in for a couple of hours.
Thanks for reading!
You know, I think that's one of the biggest draws to vintage for me is finding that card of a guy I've never heard of.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed that aspect for sure.
DeleteI totally get it. When I started my blog, my Braves collection was strictly Atlanta. Wow, boy has that changed. Anyways. E-mail me your address Matt. I might have a card or two for you.
ReplyDeleteemail sent
DeleteNice pickup, love '53s. They made Kiners head look massive here though
ReplyDeleteIt was an extreme closeup for sure.
DeleteNice card of a great Pirate! I pretty much agree with you on everything--I love getting vintage in trades and learning about guys I hadn't heard of via BBR. There's a guy at the local show here who tends to have some nice deals on lower-grade vintage, and that's where I got some of the stuff I've sent your way.
ReplyDeleteYou have helped me quite a bit over the couple of years we've traded. Clemente, Maz rookie and a Cobra rookie!
DeleteI'm not saying you should go back to the tobacco card era, but what's the harm in going back to the older Topps sets?
ReplyDeleteI've received several tobacco cards in trade, but have never purchased one myself. I probably should change that.
DeleteVintage cards are great, I think they have a lot more character and even though they don't have the bells and whistles of today's cards, they're still a blast to collect. I guess that's probably why Heritage, Gypsy Queen, and Archives are my favorite sets
ReplyDeleteI guess there is a reason that card companies continue to make throwback sets. The allure of something old still draws a lot of people.
DeleteGotta love that card. I always browse vintage first. The new cards have there place though
ReplyDeleteYou really helped me out big time. Once I received a binders worth of cards from you I started doing my homework and look at me now :)
DeleteMy collection has gone mostly the same way. Prior to staring the blog, I only owned a small handful of vintage. In my younger days, I thought every card I planned to keep had to be in top condition. So glad I'm older and a bit wiser now. Great card!
ReplyDeleteBlogging helps put collecting in better perspective.
DeleteGreat price for a great card!
ReplyDeleteKiner has always been a bargain eventhough he is a hall of famer. You can find nice autos for $10-20 range.
DeleteWhat a wonderful card! Just remember once you start to go down the vintage card path, you can never go back.
ReplyDeleteI figured that I've opened a can of worms. It will be just about finding the right balance with my purchases.
DeleteIt is a slippery slope-but is a good ride. The history of your favorite team gets ya-now I am trying to complete as many of the early Bowman team sets as possible, or course the three Redbirds-Schoendienst, Slaughter, and Musial make it likely that I will not complete all of the sets. Enjoy the ride-and what a sweet vintage card.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brady! The Pirates have a rich history, but Clemente is the only guy post war that demands the ultra premium prices. I think my next big purchase might be a nice Stargell rookie.
DeleteVintage has always been a love for me. When I first started, it was all about condition.
ReplyDeleteI've since evolved to let that go, and I've learned to appreciate cards that are "well loved" as well.
Condition is not a big issue with me either. I have no intentions of selling the cards so as long as the card is on hand I'm happy.
DeleteGreat stuff. Wiwhed I could get myself more into vintage.
ReplyDeleteYankees vintage is probably not the easiest to collect......I bet you could find some cool Giants.
DeleteOne of the great things about vintage is that there aren't a ton of different kinds, different brands, different parallels. It makes it easier to have a comprehensive collection
ReplyDeleteYou mean no acetate parallel of this Kiner exists?
DeleteI think the 53s are pretty uniform throughout, but 58 topps has some fun parallels to chase - white lettering vs. yellow lettering... 56s have gray backs and white backs... don't worry, we'll never run out of things to collect.
DeleteStop polluting my mind with cards to chase. I have too many.....
DeleteI love that Kiner. I have one myself. You got a great deal on yours!!
ReplyDeleteThanks William. The seller had a ton of Pirates so I was able to make a significant purchase without having to worry about shipping charges.
DeleteWow. $10 for a 53T HOF? Great find. You're absolutely correct about it being a slippery slope. I'm on this 56T kick... and I can't stop searching for deals.
ReplyDeleteThat's a killer Kiner. Nice pickup!
ReplyDelete