The Weekly Rip 9.22.24 [Decisions]
A commentary on the power of decision making and taking ownership of your collecting experience.
A big thank you to the Card Ladder team for being the official data sponsor of Stacking Slabs. Card Ladder makes me a better creator and collector. If you’re looking to make more data-driven collecting decisions make sure you give the app a spin.
Collecting is an exploration. Collecting is an art.
This hobby transcends mere acquisition; it becomes a journey of self-discovery, where the power of decision-making takes center stage. The impact that collecting can have on each of them is profound. Collecting is our opportunity to take ownership. Collecting gives us control of the decision.
At the heart of collecting lies a multitude of decisions, each as pivotal as the next. I think collecting cards takes a lot of thought, takes a lot of processing, takes a lot of research, takes a lot of understanding, and most importantly, takes a lot of decisions. I try to convey my experience in decision making on the flagship episode of SSP every week. I believe the essence of collecting is woven into the choices we make along our journeys.
From the initial decision of what to collect – be it a specific player, team, parallel, or era – to the ever-evolving preferences that lead us down new paths, the art of curation is a continuous exploration. We decide to jump into a player PC and realize we don't like the cards and it's not for us anymore, and then we move and we make another decision where we collect a new player or collect our favorite team. This constant reevaluation and adaptation are what breathe life into our collections, transforming them into living, breathing extensions of our passions.
Beyond the physical act of acquiring cards, collecting holds a deeper significance – it serves as a vehicle for connecting with our innermost passions. We're trying to find ways that we can best connect with our passion through a vehicle like sports cards. I collect Andrew Luck because it helps reminds me more about the magical plays on the field. Most importantly, it provides a barrier between me and the night I learned that he was walking away from the game early. We make the decisions of who and what we collect because it’s deeply important to us and not anyone else.
The decisions we make regarding our collecting journey extend far beyond the cards themselves. From determining our spending habits and platforms for acquisition to curating the content we consume, each choice shapes our experience and deepens our connection with the hobby. We make decisions about what content we consume to get educated about our collecting in sports cards.
While collecting is often perceived as a solitary endeavor, there always should be an importance placed on the consultation of others, particularly when it comes to high-value acquisitions. When I wanna go pursue a big card that's at the top end of my price range, typically, I'm making a decision to bring in someone to consult with. This practice not only enriches our knowledge but also fosters trust – a foundational element that underpins the collecting community.
Trust is a foundational element of collecting that I don't think gets talked about enough. It is through this trust that we gain confidence in our decisions, allowing us to navigate the intricacies of the hobby with assurance. As we accumulate experiences and make choices over time, our confidence grows, solidifying the connection we have with our collections.
At the core of collecting lies a profound sense of ownership and fulfillment. Our opportunity to take ownership in a category in our life that makes us really happy. This pursuit becomes a canvas upon which we paint our personal stories, weaving threads of nostalgia, admiration, and sentiment into every card we obtain.
Through the art of curation and the myriad of decisions that shape our collections, we cultivate a connection that transcends mere possession…and when we begin to make decisions over a long period of time, we begin to build confidence in our collection and a connection that's very special and will keep us here for the rest of time. It is this profound bond, forged through the crucible of decision-making, that cements our lifelong passion for collecting sports cards.
Collecting is power. Collecting is an escape. Each decision we make is a brushstroke, adding depth, nuance, and personal expression to our masterpieces. By embracing the art of curation, we embark on a journey of self-discovery, where the power of choice becomes the catalyst for fostering a lifelong connection with our beloved hobby.
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
Every week I drop an episode that walks members through the process that I go through to learn more about a set. This week I explored 1998 Metal Universe, specifically Precious Metal Gems. I’m getting a lot of nostalgia for 90’s baseball and sets like 98 Metal Universe is a big reason why.
SSP on The YouTube Machine
I’m still thinking about the conversation that I had with Andy (@byebyebabycards) about his absurd Barry Bonds collection. I decided to drop it on the YouTube Machine for the masses this week. If you want to see some amazing Bonds cards and get some amazing context around 90’s baseball cards subscribe to SSP YouTube today.
Auctions to Follow
Every week I leave some space to share live auction listings from members of the Patreon community.
1999 Fleer Sports Illustrated Fabulous 40's Extra Ken Griffey Jr. /56 MBA AUTH
How about a Ken Griffey Jr. card that you don’t see every day? A Sports Illustrated and Fleer collaboration with the nostalgia of hand written serial numbering to 56. There have only been 9 public sales of this card over the past 14 years.
2007 Topps Rip Card Combos LeBron James Shaquille O'Neal Kobe Bryant /99 PSA 8
I brought up this card on Auction Talk this week. A tribute to the Bird and Magic rookie it’s a Pop 2 with non-higher. I love the ingenuity of this card. It’s got a mini card inside of it!
1998 Black Diamond Extreme Brilliance Peyton Manning ROOKIE /18 #B5 BGS 9
I’m a Peyton Manning collector and sometimes I see cards that I’m not familiar with. This is one of them. This Manning rookie comes from Black Diamond Rookie Collection and is series numbered to his jersey number /18. A fun piece to add for anyone looking for a rare and scarce Manning rookie for their collection.
2003 Finest Gold Xfractor Randy Moss /175 #5 PSA 10 GEM MINT
I’m not sure there’s been a football player whose collector base has strengthened over the past few years like Randy Moss. Arguably, not only one of the best receivers, but best football players of all-time. This is a fun opportunity to pick up a Gold X-Fractor of Moss in gem mint form!
A Weekly Content Roundup
We celebrated episode 500 this week. It was a big milestone and I want to thank everyone who has consumed SSP content over the past 4+ years. Also, thanks to everyone who helped contribute to the episode!
Recording Auction Talk with Nic (@thewharfsportscards) is always one of my favorite parts of this week. We get into the weeds on so many topics it’s so fun to create these episodes. This week we talked about the 2004 Topps Chrome LeBron James Gold Refractor PSA 9 sale and its impact on his shiny card catalog.
Friday’s collector conversation was with David (@06finestcollector) who has been attempting to build out the 2006 Finest Football Master Set for the last 14 years. This is a conversation about consistency and passion. It was one of my favorites in recent memory!
Check out John’s page (@john.thompson.7773). He’s a Juan Gonzalez collector who has a ton of passion for cards. He recently commented on a SSP YouTube video which led me to his page. A fun follow for anyone looking for a new 90’s baseball player collector to follow.
I appreciate your support for Stacking Slabs. I wake up everyday excited to contribute to this platform and a lot of that comes from the feedback from you.
Take care,
Brett