What would you say to collectors who are not bloggers that we bloggers collect, if they think of us at all?
Would they think we are deeply committed to the hobby? Probably not. But that’s us.
Would they think we are wasting our time by writing a bunch of words that no one can read anymore? Maybe.
Would they think we’re stodgy, focused only on old cardboard (defined as anything from before the 90s) and traditional ways of collecting – buying packs, sticking to basic cards. Some would, I think.
But I happen to think that card bloggers have the most varied and interesting collections. Sure, there’s a bit of a pack in all of us blogger collectors, but those hoarded piles of cards are so damn fascinating. In this world of specialization – just look at what the appraisal aspect of the hobby focuses on – I’m happy that my collection is eclectic. It’s not as eclectic as some, but it’s more eclectic than most.
All I have to do is check out some recent pickups and arrivals from fellow collectors (who happen to be bloggers, imagine that?)
Here are the first Time Travel Trade additions of the year for me Diamond jesters. These are quite simple on an eclectic scale, but they are not your average mid-eighties flagship cards. They’re some of those great glossy 80s send-ins, both from 1986. I love them.
And to add some variety, I claimed a 1985 Topps football card because it goes back to Curt Warner, who was a big deal back in the day. This also reminds me that I once had no problem with the Seahawks.
I think I’m one of the few who claim football cards in the Time Travel Trade. I wish there were others; football has some great cards. But then I would also have competition.
Not long after, I received a Christmas package from The best bubbleI received back-to-back envelopes from Bob. They were filled with variety. Look at these three, there’s a personal or TTM signed card, an unlicensed card and one of those great, hard to find 1983 reprints of the 1952 Topps set.
He also sent over some 1981 Tucson Toros in orange and red (inspired by my Bob Cluck post). I know many collectors who don’t care about minor league cards. This eclectic collector loves them, especially if they are from the 1970s/early 1980s.
Another minor league card from closer to the present. I still hold on to the Heritage Minor League cards of Dodgers reaching the majors.
Bob also sent some beautiful ladies cards. I use Alecia Guzman to represent them all. She made many TV appearances after these Portfolio cards were released.
Back to baseball, but not the standard kind — because it’s eclectic! This is another post from Zippy Zappjstraight from Japan. This is the second year in a row that he has sent me a Roki Sasaki card from his days at Chiba Lotte Marines. This is a Calbee card. The other was BBM.
As a map blogger, it means you’ll be creating custom maps, wishing you could create custom maps, or just happily accepting custom maps.
Tommy Edman and Jack Little are both Stanford graduates, which is why Nick, a Giants fan, created these Dodgers cards. The only other Jack Little cards I have are Bowman prospect deals. He finally made a few appearances with the Dodgers last season, but now he’s with Detroit.
The fronts are special because of the 1975-2025 Topps mash-up, but you can’t miss the backs, which are as professional as I’ve seen on custom cards.
And to underline the eclectic theme of this message, there was another card in the envelope:
Wow. This card is so much the opposite of those two custom baseball cards. I’m surprised they don’t repel each other in the envelope.
As a collector who loves many things, I have to make sure I don’t collect everything, but I take pride in the variety in my collection and I like that other collectors feel that in me – because they also have an eclectic collection, especially if they blog or read blogs.
#eclectic