The Weekly Rip 9.8.24 [Connection]
In this week's newsletter Brett unpacks the role of emotional connection with the way we approach our collection.
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.
***A quick programming announcement before we get into the newsletter. I’ll be dropping 5 new episodes next week on the main feed. I want to emphasize Monday’s SSP Spotlight with Nic (@thewharfsportscards). Auction Talk is the most talked about show on the platform and we felt like there was an opportunity to do more. Make sure you check out SSP Auction Spotlight on Monday where we get into the weeds on 4 specific cards Nic is selling through The Wharf Sports Cards.
The journey to curating the perfect collection is a deeply personal and ever-evolving pursuit. It's a quest fueled by passion, driven by emotional connections, and refined through a constant interplay of influence and introspection. At the heart of collecting lies a vibrant community of collectors, each with their own unique stories, motivations, and approaches.
This past week I interviewed the likes of Benedikt, known as @vick7collector on Instagram, whose devotion to Michael Vick has shaped his collection into a world-renowned homage to the QB that has given a lot of collectors nostalgia. And then there's Andy, the collector behind @byebyebabycards, whose nostalgia for Barry Bonds' awe-inspiring home run prowess has inspired a collection that transcends mere cardboard and ink.
These collectors, and countless others like them, serve as a testament to the diverse and inspiring tapestry that is the sports card collecting community. Their journeys, their insights, and their shared experiences offer a glimpse into the intricate dance between passion, purpose, and self-expression that defines this beloved hobby.
The Inspirational Power of Connecting with Fellow Collectors
There’s a certain magic that unfolds when collectors come together, whether virtually or in person. It's a moment where shared passions collide, igniting a spark of inspiration that transcends the boundaries of individual interests or collections. Suddenly, the specifics of what one collects become secondary to the universal thrill of the chase, the joy of discovery, and the camaraderie that binds this vibrant community together. It's interesting to me the amount of inspiration that I can gather from having conversations with other collectors in this hobby. It doesn't matter what they collect. It doesn't matter if they collect players, teams, or sports that I don't collect. For me, it's always about the process. It's always about the passion, and it's always about their approach to collecting.
In these moments of connection, collectors find themselves captivated by the unique perspectives and journeys of their fellow collectors. They learn to appreciate the diverse motivations that drive each collector's pursuit, be it an emotional bond with a specific player, a deep reverence for a particular era, or a quest to preserve history through cardboard relics.
It’s through these shared experiences and insights that collectors begin to uncover the universal threads that bind their hobby together – a love for the game, a respect for its history, and an unwavering commitment to curating collections that resonate with their personal identities and passions.
Uncovering Your Personal Motivation and Emotional Connection
At the core of every collector's journey lies a deep, personal motivation – a driving force that shapes their decisions, informs their acquisitions, and imbues their collection with profound meaning. For some, like Benedikt and Andy, it's the emotional connection to a specific player that ignites their passion, transforming their collections into tangible expressions of fandom and nostalgia. Benedikt brought up the fact that his emotional connection to Michael Vick, his favorite player, is the reason that drives his collection. Andy brought up his connection with Barry Bonds, watching him growing up and smashing home runs, and that being the reason why he collects him.
For others, the motivation may stem from a desire to preserve history, to curate a comprehensive representation of a particular era or team, or to honor the legacy of the sport itself. Regardless of the specific impetus, it is this personal connection that breathes life into a collection, elevating it from a mere accumulation of cardboard to a deeply resonant expression of identity and passion.
Yet, the path to uncovering and embracing this personal motivation is often a winding one, fraught with distractions, influences, and the constant allure of shiny new acquisitions. It is a journey that requires introspection, self-awareness, and the courage to shed layers of superficial pursuits to reveal the core resonance that truly fuels one's collecting spirit. It takes a long time to get to the point where we begin to collect cards, players, teams, sports, eras that deeply resonate with us. I'm always asking myself the question, "Why did it take me so long to get to the point of where I am right now collecting cards?"
It’s in this introspective process that collectors begin to forge a deeper connection with their collections, aligning their acquisitions with their personal narratives and forging a harmonious union between fandom and collecting.
The Winding Path to Refining Your Collection
The journey to refining one's collection is rarely a linear one. It is a path paved with distractions, influenced by external narratives, and marked by the constant temptation to chase shiny objects and fleeting trends. Yet, it is through this very process of trial and error, of shedding layers and overcoming detours, that collectors ultimately find their way to a collection that truly resonates with their core passions and identities.
We go through a lot of different cycles when we get back into the hobby and we're collecting cards. There are a lot of distractions that come our way. I just think about scrolling through Instagram. You scroll through posts, there's shiny objects, there's people trying to sell you stuff, there's people trying to get you to buy into their narrative, and all of these things are trying to influence you.
In this ever-evolving landscape, influence plays a complex and often misunderstood role. While some may view influence as a negative force, a tool for manipulation or coercion, the speaker challenges this notion, suggesting that influence is an inherent part of the collecting experience – a catalyst for growth, inspiration, and self-discovery.
Influencing gets a bad rap in the hobby because people use influence in a negative way. I don't necessarily think influence is a bad thing. I think we're all influenced by each other in one way, shape, or another.
It is through observing and learning from the journeys of fellow collectors that one can begin to navigate the maze of influences, discerning the noise from the signal, and ultimately forging a path that aligns with their personal truth.
I think the breakthrough happens when you start to understand how certain collectors operate, how they've reached that point and cut through all those layers to be very, very happy with their collection today.
This process of refinement is not an overnight transformation, but rather a gradual evolution fueled by dedication, passion, and a willingness to shed the layers that no longer serve one's collecting purpose. It is a journey that Benedikt himself has undertaken, culminating in the creation of the world's most renowned Michael Vick collection – a testament to the power of persistence, focus, and unwavering commitment to one's collecting vision.
Benedikt talked about getting back into the hobby and jumping into traps and then avoiding those and then shedding those layers and then eventually ending up in a place where he has become the best Michael Vick collector in the world. That doesn't happen overnight, but it happens when you spend time, energy, your own resources, and passion with your cards.
Through this journey of refinement, collectors not only curate collections that resonate deeply with their personal identities but also forge a deeper connection with their hobby, one that transcends mere accumulation and transforms collecting into a profound act of self-expression and personal fulfillment.
Balancing Passion and Purpose in Your Collecting Approach
Collecting is a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse threads of motivation and purpose. For some collectors, the pursuit is driven by a desire for financial gain, an investment strategy that seeks to capitalize on the ever-evolving market dynamics. For others, the allure lies in the nostalgic embrace of cherished memories, the visceral connection to a beloved player or era that transcends monetary value.
Some of us buy cards, and we're trying to buy cards to turn those into more to more money than we bought them for. There's an investment side of it. Others of us just want to collect cards that bring us back to nostalgia and make us happy.
Yet, amid this spectrum of motivations, there exists a common thread – the unwavering passion that fuels each collector's journey. It is this passion that imbues every acquisition with significance, every trade with purpose, and every cherished addition to the collection with a sense of profound joy and accomplishment.
In this pursuit, the true challenge lies not in choosing between investment and nostalgia, but rather in striking a harmonious balance that aligns with one's unique goals, values, and personal connection to the hobby. For some, this may mean strategically blending investment opportunities with nostalgic acquisitions, creating a collection that seamlessly interweaves financial considerations with emotional resonance.
For others, the path may lead them to focus solely on the pursuit of personal fulfillment, curating a collection that serves as a tangible embodiment of their cherished memories and deepest passions, untethered by the constraints of market fluctuations or financial motivations. There's many different flavors of the hobby and there's many different approaches to the hobby.
Regardless of the chosen approach, the true essence of collecting lies in the ability to forge a path that authentically reflects one's unique identity, values, and aspirations. It is a journey of self-discovery, where the act of acquiring and appreciating cards becomes an extension of one's personal narrative, a canvas upon which collectors can paint their own unique stories and leave an indelible mark on the tapestry of the hobby.
The Power of Education and Shared Experiences
In the ever-evolving landscape of sports card collecting, education and the exchange of shared experiences have emerged as powerful catalysts for growth, sustaining passion, and fostering a sense of community within the hobby. We're in an era right now where the need for education is front and center.
Education, in this context, extends far beyond mere facts and figures. It encompasses the rich tapestry of personal narratives, insights, and hard-won wisdom that collectors have accumulated throughout their journeys. By sharing these experiences, whether through content creation, platforms, or simple conversations, collectors contribute to a collective understanding that empowers and inspires others to embark on their own paths with greater clarity and purpose.
The more that we can educate and share our experiences through our own platforms, through content, and through conversations, the more this hobby is gonna grow.
Yet, this educational exchange is not merely a one-way street. It is a dynamic, reciprocal process where collectors learn from one another, challenging preconceptions, broadening perspectives, and igniting new sparks of inspiration. Each shared story, each insight offered, and each lesson learned becomes a thread woven into the rich tapestry of the collecting community, strengthening the bonds that unite enthusiasts across diverse backgrounds and interests. I'm so inspired every day by people I come across, messages I receive, and collections I see being built.
Through this continuous cycle of education and shared experiences, collectors forge a deeper connection not only with their personal pursuits but also with the broader community that surrounds them. They find solace in the knowledge that they are part of a vibrant, ever-evolving ecosystem, where their passions are celebrated, their journeys are understood, and their contributions, however small, ripple outward to inspire and enrich the lives of fellow collectors.
It is this very essence of community, fostered through the exchange of knowledge and experiences, that breathes life into the hobby, ensuring its longevity and relevance in an ever-changing world. For it is not mere gimmicks or fleeting trends that sustain the passion for collecting, but rather the enduring bonds forged through shared stories, mutual understanding, and a collective commitment to preserving and celebrating the rich tapestry of sports card collecting.
Collecting as a Form of Self-Expression and Escape
At its core, the act of collecting sports cards transcends mere accumulation or financial gain. It is a deeply personal pursuit, a canvas upon which collectors can express their identities, celebrate their passions, and find solace in a world that often demands conformity and compromise. We're looking to build a collection that resonates and gives us the opportunity to express ourselves in a unique way. I know that's what gets me out of bed.
Through the curation of their collections, collectors weave intricate narratives that reflect their unique perspectives, their cherished memories, and their most profound connections to the world of sports. Each card, carefully selected and meticulously preserved, becomes a tangible embodiment of their personal stories, a testament to their individuality and a reflection of the experiences that have shaped their lives.
In this pursuit, the collector's journey is not merely a chase for rarities or financial windfalls, but rather a profound act of self-expression, where every acquisition, every trade, and every display becomes a means of articulating one's identity and sharing it with the world.
Yet, beyond its role as a canvas for self-expression, collecting also serves as a powerful escape, a sanctuary where collectors can find respite from the stresses and demands of daily life. In the quiet moments spent poring over cards, organizing collections, or simply basking in the nostalgia of cherished memories, collectors find a sense of peace and solace that transcends the boundaries of their physical surroundings. This is a great escape. The hobby is the best escape we have.
In this sacred space, the worries of the world fade into the background, replaced by the simple joy of immersing oneself in a passion that resonates deeply with the soul. It is a realm where collectors can lose themselves in the pursuit of their dreams, surrounded by tangible reminders of the moments, players, and experiences that have shaped their lives and fueled their love for the game.
Through this act of collecting, this dance between self-expression and escape, collectors not only curate collections that resonate with their personal identities but also forge a deeper connection with themselves, a renewed sense of purpose and fulfillment that echoes far beyond the confines of their collections.
In the tapestry of sports card collecting, the threads of passion, purpose, and self-expression intertwine to create a rich and multifaceted experience. It is a journey that transcends mere accumulation, elevating the pursuit of cards to a profound act of self-discovery, personal fulfillment, and community building.
As collectors navigate the winding paths of their individual pursuits, they find inspiration in the shared experiences and diverse perspectives of their fellow enthusiasts. They learn to embrace their personal motivations, forging emotional connections that imbue their collections with profound meaning and resonance.
Through the process of refinement, collectors shed layers of distraction, overcome the allure of fleeting trends, and ultimately curate collections that authentically reflect their unique identities and passions. They balance the pursuit of financial gain with the nostalgic embrace of cherished memories, forging harmonious collections that seamlessly interweave investment strategies with personal fulfillment.
In this ever-evolving landscape, education and the exchange of shared experiences emerge as powerful catalysts, fostering a sense of community and sustaining the passion that fuels the hobby. Through the collective sharing of narratives, insights, and hard-won wisdom, collectors contribute to a tapestry of knowledge that empowers and inspires others to embark on their own journeys with greater clarity and purpose.
Ultimately, the act of collecting sports cards becomes a profound form of self-expression and escape, a canvas upon which collectors can articulate their identities, celebrate their passions, and find solace in a world that often demands conformity and compromise. It is a pursuit that transcends mere accumulation, elevating the collector's journey to a sacred realm where personal fulfillment, self-discovery, and the pursuit of one's dreams intertwine in a harmonious dance.
As the hobby continues to evolve and grow, one thing remains constant: the enduring bond forged between collectors, their collections, and the profound meaning that each carefully curated card holds. It is a bond that transcends the physical realm, weaving itself into the very fabric of our identities and reminding us that, in the pursuit of our passions, we not only curate collections but also forge enduring legacies that will inspire generations of collectors to come.
SSP on The YouTube Machine
We dropped a Collector Showcase with Drake (@drakes_pc) on The YouTube Machine this week. His Peyton Manning collection is incredible and worth the watch. If you like the video format make sure you 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.
2014 Panini Contenders Cracked Ice Drew Brees /22 #82 PSA 10 GEM MINT
I’m a big fan of Contenders Cracked Ice. When I close my eyes and think about all of the significant parallels from the Panini era the Cracked Ice parallel comes to my mind. The more shine the better and there’s not a stronger year than 2014. This is your chance to land a sure to be first ballot HOFer in iced out gem mint form.
2010 Panini Plates & Patches Peyton Manning NFL SHIELD PATCH AUTO 1/1 BGS 9.5
It’s not every day that you have a chance at an NFL Shield. Specifically, an NFL Shield of Peyton Manning. I always put Manning’s career in context with the year of release for the cards I’m observing. 2010 was Manning’s last active year with the Indianapolis Colts. The team was decimated with injuries and a shell of itself from its Super Bowl run. Somehow, some way Manning put the entire team on his back to win another divisional title and finish 10-6. A great piece that triggers that amazing feat in my mind!
A Weekly Content Roundup
The theme of last week’s newsletter was about how we interact with the various types of seller profiles that we come across. I used the flagship episode from this week to expand on that topic.
In Auction Talk with Nic (@thewharfsportscards) we explored how we best prepare ourselves for auction wins on cards that haven’t been sold for several months to years. These conversations always get me to think differently about the way I approach the market.
I already referenced my conversation with Benedikt (@vick7collector) in the opening, but can’t stress enough how many great lessons were shared around player collecting.
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 where Andy (@byebyebabycards) shared some of his Barry Bonds cards. He’s got the best Bonds collection I’ve ever seen and love the fact that these showcases are providing commentary on some of the best cards our hobby has to offer.
A Collector To Follow
I’ve really enjoyed following team collectors of passionate fans and great people. If you’re on this train look no further than @mayes.sports. He’s a dedicated Broncos collector and the passion shines through with each post.
I appreciate your support for Stacking Slabs.
Thanks for reading and see you
Take care,
Brett