The Weekly Rip 8.25.24 [Team Collecting]
Brett talks about shrinking the sea around team collecting and approaches he has taken.
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I always thought the idea of being a team collector seemed extremely overwhelming. I’m 39 years old and I’ve been following the Indianapolis Colts as early as I can remember. During the pre-Manning era I can remember listening to the games on the radio because the Colts couldn’t sell out the Hoosier Dome and the games were blacked out locally. I’ll never forget the joys of the Manning era because the Colts were a surefire 12 win team. Also, during that era my team hoisted up the Lomardi for the first time. I’ll never forget the hope that Andrew Luck brought my team and the magic that he created. Of course, I’ll never forget the disappointment of Luck stepping away from the game and the void that it left. Recently, my team has been on a quarterback carousel and finally landed on one that we hope can be the next QB we tell our kids about.
It can be challenging to follow a team for almost 4 decades and try to figure out how to express that in your collection. There’s so many players, memories, eras, sets, parallels, and the list goes on. I don’t care about anything in sports more than I do the Indianapolis Colts. I’m a season ticket holder, I wear Colts gear in the offseason, and the Colts are what I talk to my high school friends about. Most of my professional work calls start the first few minutes talking about football because my office is decked out in Colts stuff. My connection with my team is undeniable and over the last couple of years I’ve intentionally tried to find ways to translate that over to my collection.
I’ve always collected Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck. That’s a good start, but it always felt more like player collecting than team collecting. I struggled to find ways to start picking up other players that I loved. Every time I bought another player’s card I always felt like that needed to translate into a new player collection for them. Ultimately, I’d abandon ship and sell the cards off to buy something else I was more focused on. Every time I went through this process I thought there had to be a better way. I learned that there was in fact a better way and the experience that I was going through was going to be my compass to help get me there.
Here’s the 3 lessons that I’ve learned to help me get focused on team collecting in a way that I love:
Start with the products or sets that you love: Take a moment and evaluate your player PCs. Likely, there’s products, parallels, and sets that are woven throughout those player collections. It’s easy to start with a player first mindset, but breaking free of that is a great unlock to team collecting. Find a product and year that you love and start out a team set. If the team set collecting excites you then move on to the next.
Find other team collectors: There’s a lot that you can learn from other team collectors of our team or other teams. It can be inspiring to learn on how other team collectors shrink the sea and specialize in certain areas to express their fandom
More than just the mail days: Find team collecting projects that cause your excitement to extend past the mail day. If you can go over to your case when you need a brain break and the uniformity of the cards makes you happy then you’re on the right track
I love Manning. I love Luck. I love so many other players.
I don’t love any individual player more than I love the Indianapolis Colts.
That decision tree might seem basic, but has worked for me. I’m having the most fun collecting I’ve ever had in my life. I hope you are, too.
SSP on The YouTube Machine
We’re taking old episodes from the archive and outfitting them for the YouTube Machine. We’ve been dropping 3 episodes a week. If you like the video format make sure you subscribe to SSP YouTube today.
Auctions to Follow
I reserve space in The Weekly Rip to share auction listings from members of the group. There’s some fun cards up for auction that end Sunday night.
1998 Upper Deck Choice Prime Reserve Peyton Manning ROOKIE /100 #256 PSA 10 GEM
I’ve always thought this card is a lot harder to find than anticipated for a 100 copy print. There’s 8 gems and here’s your chance at one of them.
2021 Topps Chrome WWE Gold Refractor Roman Reigns /50 #64 PSA 10 GEM MINT
This card is the Tribal Chief character’s debut appearance on a chromium based card. The title run that Reigns is coming off of will never be forgotten. Roman’s early baby face run will help solidify him amongst the all time greats.
2023 Select Ringside WWE Gold Hulk Hogan /10 #208 PSA 10 GEM MINT
You see a ton of Hulkamaniac Hogan cards, but there hasn’t been a ton of nWo Black and White cards printed. An iconic run captured perfectly in the 2023 Select Ringside form.
A Weekly Content Roundup
The hobby has neighborhoods was the topic for the flagship episode this week. I talk about why I think it’s important to spend the majority of time in the pockets that make you the most happy.
I made Nic remember all of the money he left on the table when he sold his 2017 Contenders Optic Patrick Mahomes Autos after his first start in this week’s episode of Auction Talk.
Speaking of team collecting, I interviewed Greg (@jaxjagsmuseum) on this week’s episode of SSP. If you’re looking for some team collecting inspiration then you’ve got to check out this week’s episode.
Joining the Stacking Slabs Patreon is The Best Way to Show Your Support
Collectors are joining Stacking Slabs Patreon to consume exclusive content, connect with other collectors, and promote their cards. I’m putting out new collector focused content in the group on a daily basis and it’s the hub for all of SSP’s video content. If you’re enjoying what I’m putting out on the main feeds check out what the group has to offer. I appreciate your attention and commitment to helping grow the damn brand. Join Today
This week I dropped a Collector Showcase I had with James (@madcitycollector) about his pursuit of the 2017 Topps Chrome UCL Red Refractors /10 set. There’s so many good lessons and nuggets in this one!
A Collector To Follow
Because I recorded an episode with a Jacksonville Jaguars fan this week I got to recognize a Colts fan to even things out. Mike (@mikescardmuseum) is an awesome Colts collector who recently won the 2012 Contenders Andrew Luck Cracked Ice Rookie Ticket PSA 10 at auction. A big ass card that packs a ton of nostalgia. Follow @mikescardmuseum.
I appreciate your support for Stacking Slabs.
Thanks for reading and see you
Take care,
Brett