The Weekly Rip 12.1.24 [Change]
How watching a scene from Toy Story might make us think about the change within our personal collection.
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The Weekly Rip
Your Stacking Slabs Sunday Update
December 1, 2024
This week, I had one of those moments as a collector where something clicked.
I was watching Toy Story with my daughter. I’ve seen it more times than I can count, but something about this viewing felt different. The scene with Randy Newman’s "Strange Things" stopped me cold. It’s that moment when Andy’s attention shifts from Woody to Buzz Lightyear. Woody is tossed aside, and Buzz takes center stage. Woody had been the number 1 toy for Andy, but his interests shifted.
It hit me: this is collecting.
One minute, we’re obsessed with a card, proud to call it the centerpiece of our collection. The next, it’s tucked in a box, forgotten, or even sold off to make room for something new. That shift is natural, but it doesn’t mean it’s easy.
I started thinking about my own collection and how much it has changed. This week, I scrolled through my Instagram Story Archive and came across the first Peyton Manning Collector Showcase hosted by Kevin Randall (@dacaptain37). That was four years ago. At the time, my number one card was the 1998 Topps Certified Bronze Peyton Manning Rookie Autograph.
I loved that card.
It was one of Manning’s earliest autographs, capturing the start of his Colts career. It felt significant, historic even. But I don’t own it anymore. My tastes changed. I realized I wasn’t drawn to autographs the way I thought I was. I’m into rare, shiny cards now—the type of cards that make you stop scrolling and take a closer look.
Back then, that Manning autograph felt like the cornerstone of my collection. Today, it feels like a stepping stone.
Change is hard. It forces us to reflect, to let go, and to move forward into the unknown. But change is also how we grow. It’s what keeps collecting fresh and exciting.
The more I collect the more I find change normal.
It might seem weird, but I think a card can mean the world to you one moment and the feeling can fade into your new favorite card during your next season of collecting.
Maybe you’ve grown out of a set or a player. Maybe your focus shifted to something new. It’s not about regret or second-guessing. It’s about embracing the journey.
Your collection isn’t static. It’s alive. It evolves because you do.
Take a moment to reflect on where you started and where you are now. Think about the cards that shaped your journey. The ones you chased. The ones you let go.
Change isn’t easy, but it can lead to breakthroughs.
Strange things can happen when we collect.
Next week on Stacking Slabs, I’ll dive deeper into the challenges and joys of making change part of your collecting process. Until then, ask yourself: what’s one change you could make that would bring you closer to the collection you want?
SSP Exclusive Offers For You
I’m working with the PSA team to extend more offers to my audience. We’re kicking off the promotion by giving any first time PSA submitters a $25 discount on your first order. Take advantage of the promotion by using promo code SSP25 on your first submission today.
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A Collector To Follow
Ryan (@mostlymoderncollector) is a passionate Chicago Bears collector. He’s branched off and has been amassing an amazing collection of Rookie Premiere Red Ink autos. I’ve never seen anyone else collecting these autos at the rate Ryan is right now. It’s worth checking out his page and see the baby faces of some of the biggest stars in football.
I appreciate your support and passion for Stacking Slabs. Thanks for reading!
Take care,
Brett