My name is Jim Kelly (no, not the QB). I've been involved in the hobby for about 50 years. I've been a vendor at show, promoted shows, owned a baseball card store. At my age, I'm preparing to leave the hobby. There's a two-fold reason: 1) Because of my age (72), my four kids would not be interested in being left a bunch of cards and they certainly would never get what they're worth 2) tired of the grading companies, in particular PSA.
Not all of my experiences were bad. I used to buy unopened'material from Alan, Mr. Mint Rosen. It was exciting to open up 1950's packs and search for treasures. I spent much time in the 1980's with Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams. I wrote for Sports Collectors Digest and I was a Sports Anchor in Upstate, NY.
But these grading companies and card companies are ruining it. The so-called hobby is now big business and not all that trustworthy. I was with Mantle at Trump Plaza when he signed 5,000 autographs before a show for dealers, then another 3,000 for the customers. I sent one of those pictures at a cost of $100 to get a PSA cert and they said it wasn't authentic. 'The slant is not consistent, blah, blah, blah'. Try sitting down and signing 8,000 autographs some day and see if you're slant is okay!
So a bit disgruntled I'm getting out. I do have a wonderful 1962 baseball master set that's completely graded (some excellent grades) that will be featured with Robert Edward Auctions spring auction. Other than that, remember when there was only ONE rookie card? Now you have a bevy of them, different colors, parallel, etc.
Good luck with your hunting. And keep buying the old stuff--it's the best.
Not all of my experiences were bad. I used to buy unopened'material from Alan, Mr. Mint Rosen. It was exciting to open up 1950's packs and search for treasures. I spent much time in the 1980's with Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams. I wrote for Sports Collectors Digest and I was a Sports Anchor in Upstate, NY.
But these grading companies and card companies are ruining it. The so-called hobby is now big business and not all that trustworthy. I was with Mantle at Trump Plaza when he signed 5,000 autographs before a show for dealers, then another 3,000 for the customers. I sent one of those pictures at a cost of $100 to get a PSA cert and they said it wasn't authentic. 'The slant is not consistent, blah, blah, blah'. Try sitting down and signing 8,000 autographs some day and see if you're slant is okay!
So a bit disgruntled I'm getting out. I do have a wonderful 1962 baseball master set that's completely graded (some excellent grades) that will be featured with Robert Edward Auctions spring auction. Other than that, remember when there was only ONE rookie card? Now you have a bevy of them, different colors, parallel, etc.
Good luck with your hunting. And keep buying the old stuff--it's the best.
