[altz11]

I collected a little bit when I was young (around 10, 11 or so) simply because my older brother was into collecting. But I didn't really have quick access to money or a lcs so pretty much stopped.

Fast forward to about 14/15 years old when my mom moved into an apartment complex that was right behind a card shop...I was there almost everyday. Any money I got I spent on a few raw cards (mainly basketball) and mostly unopened packs and boxes of 98-99 Fleer Tradition Basketball (retail...yuck, but I didn't know the difference). Stopped collecting through high school as sports and friends kinda got in the way.

Started collecting seriously in about 2010 when I saw people posting pictures of their collection on Collectors Universe (the PSA forum) and decided I wanted to collect cards that had strong value and that were old, so that's when I decided that vintage hofer's and stars from the 3 main sports in mid grade was my main focus.
I should note that before I decided to collect vintage hofers I started collecting BGS Gem Mint Michael Jordan cards. But I'm actually thinking about getting away from the Jordan cards and focusing mainly on vintage hofers.

[jephthah1]

Great stories, everybody! Sincerely...thank you for sharing! And keep 'em coming!

[pjrussell529]

Cool thread!

Started baseball in '85, Football in '86, and basketball in '87. I used to buy packs at lunch in school at a corner store that had penny candy, pizza, and video games(Out Run was the most popular). I had a bunch of '86, '87, '88 Topps football and '87-'88 Fleer basketball with some great cards. Mostly searching for Giants and Celtics. This is still my favorite card...



I know it's strange being a fan of New York(Giants) and Boston(Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins) teams especially being from eastern Ohio but I can't stand Pittsburgh and Cleveland teams.

Fast forward to 2013 and I get back into the hobby after almost 20 years away. Now I dabble in a little of everything while I try to find my focus. I mostly collect teams and players but I do put a few sets together. Leaning towards only focusing on players. Probably a couple from each sport with busting a few boxes here and start doing some trading since I'm starting to build some decent inventory. There's a lot more to choose from since 1994 when I had last collected.

[jonathani]

I started with Chicago teams from all sports (except the White Sox). I narrowed it to players that were drafted or signed by and played their entire career with the team. That narrowed my focus considerably.

[jplarson]

I started with Chicago teams from all sports (except the White Sox).

You are collecting Chicago sports correctly

[jfrench91]

I started dating a girl who worked at a convenient store back in 2009.. she would get discount boxes and stuff and knew I had liked football. I collected cards way back in my child days(im 33 now) but as a kid I never took the hobby seriously. So one day she brought me a box of 2009 topps mayo and im like " oh these are cool" and I opened the several packs and hit my very first ever auto-mind you I didn't even know autograph cards existed lol- so I was like " wow this is pretty cool" it was an Austin collie autograph. I was big into Mark Sanchez so I discovered ebay and becket and started collecting here and there. I then wanted more.. I was collecting base sets, then I wanted to collect insert sets, then I wanted autographs of anybody and everybody so my collection slowly grew. in 2010 I really liked the design of that years contenders so I tried chasing the set. I got close and gave up and went back to collecting anything and anybody.. now im a full blown playoff/Panini contenders collector.. anything autographed and serial numbered. ive recently just finished the 2006 rookie ticket autograph set and I have over 2000 different autograph contenders cards and growing! I started a facebook page on them so I can display and show them off as well as make it easier to trade for my needs/wants also. I hate to say as the relationship lasted 3 years with that girl im glad I met her because id never be in this hobby today if it wasn't for her.. sometimes that's bad but in the long run, I love the people ive met,traded with and everything on this journey of my PC and card collecting.