Question for My Fellow Vintage Collectors

[vintagebrett]

This has been nagging at my brain for a while so I wanted to get your thoughts, opinions, etc. When I visit other message boards geared towards collectors they seem to all have monthy threads about what they've recently purchased and post pictures to share with their fellow collectors. I know I'm not the only one buying gloves in the vintage market but no one post pictures or talks about their recent purchases. Is there is a reason for this? If I started a montly pick-up thread would any vintage collectors post? If you don't want to share what you bought, is there a reason?

[rmiller]

Just a thought from a rookie collector- could it have something to do with collectors not wanting to disclose how much they paid for a glove, and not wanting to even be asked that question? I am not familiar with the other websites you speak of. Do they talk about how much they are paying for gloves, or is that taboo to even talk about?

[Centerfield]

I think that because the hobby of vintage gloves/equipment deals with a much more limited number of prime examples, owners are less likely to show their hand. I mean, if you want a T206 Cobb, there are countless numbers to choose from on a daily basis. If you want a Cobb glove, however, you’d be hard pressed to find one, and then when you do, you’re going to have to pry it out of the owner’s cold, dead hands! There’s a different attitude between equipment collectors and card guys, too. We seem to be far less enamored with showing off than they are. I can’t read their forums any longer because all they do is gloat about what they have, whine about what they don’t have, and get into pissing matches about who has more knowledge than the next guy. Then, in the next thread, they kiss each other’s ass. It’s sickening and I’m glad we’re not like them! On a personal note, I used to have a site displaying my collection. My intention was to share information and examples with the rest of the hobby. I didn’t want to show off, though many thought I was and held it against me. JD currently has taken it a step further with a wonderful site. It’s a fantastic database from which to learn. However, for many, it’s a place to shop for gloves that are not for sale. Hell, I’ve been guilty of this too. You see something you want and get in touch with the owner. I try not to do this often because I understand the owner’s sentiments when being contacted. The primary reason I disbanded my site was because of the constant influx of inquiries about giving up my gloves. Actually, it was more the lack of courtesy and civility when doing so. You can only tolerate so many lopsided offers (not in my favor) for a glove I have no interest in selling/trading. I can’t speak for everyone, but this is why I don’t like to post what I have or recently picked up. If I could provide photos anonymously, I’d love share.

[vintagebrett]

Thanks for the feedback - it is great stuff. Hope you don't think I"m bragging when I post my pickups - not my intent at all. And I guess I don't have anything anyone wants because no one has contacted me about gloves I've posted here or on JD's site.

I know there are a bunch of others reading this thread - your input is welcomed!

[BretMan]

I always enjoy seeing your new aquisitions, as well as those from others. Myself, I've probably posted a dozen or so since this forum started. There are four or five gloves I've picked up over the summer that I intended to post. The only reason I haven't is that my digital camera bit the dust!

[softball66]

For me, I love to see the new finds and discoveries and marvel at Brett's great choices. Is this not what the "Today I Found" section is for? Seems
that some are posting on here of what they've found. Not sure how many posters we have on this forum.
As centerfield has stated this is a limited universe of available glove collectibles, especially compared to the card market. So maybe these finds just don't show up as regularly compared to other collectibles.
Bret, hope you get your camera repaired or get a new one. I know you've found some wonderful gloves.
and to all, thanks for posting information and ideas and opinions. I love to read these.

[Centerfield]

Hahahaha... No, Brett, I don't consider it bragging at all and I really love seeing photos of new pickups and collections, too. I guess in my case it's simply a situation of "once bitten twice shy."

Beyond that, there's the age bracket difference with glove collectors. We are quite old, on average, so perhaps there's a difficulty when it comes to technology... digital photos, posting and such.

[vintagebrett]

I did consider the technology aspect as I made my initial post but didn't include it. And it's not really an age thing - I work with some students in 3rd thru 5th grade who you think would be experts in technology - unfortunately not so.

I do understand the emails from people asking for trades and not giving anything in return. On the other hand, I think posting pictures is a great way to invite people to start a conversation about a trade. Guess there are two sides to that one.

[Bravosin99]

Brett-

I am with you and usually post the new things that we find at our monthly shows. I also agree that it is not in any way trying to brag but to show what is still being found out there.

rmiller may be right that some people worry about asking what they paid but I don't believe anyone on this forum should have to worry about saying what they paid for the item unless they feel comfortable. I don't feel that anyone on this forum would try to force someone to tell what they paid for an item.

I have been a little discouraged posting lately because I often ask questions on the gloves we find and they almost always go unanswered. I know there are plenty of guys out there who can answer my questions .

I have also found it weird because a lot of times when we find things we don't plan on keeping all of them and usually offer them up for sale on here first before placing them on ebay. No one ever replys but then the gloves go for way more on ebay then I would have sold it for on here and sometimes forum members win them?

I would love to see more of what people are finding out there!

Josh

[Centerfield]

Josh... That’s an interesting insight into human psychology. It revolves around confidence and greed. When something is for sale and doesn’t sell immediately, potential buyers begin to question their interest as well as their own judgment (lack of confidence)... i.e. if it hasn’t already sold, there must be something wrong with it or it’s overpriced and I don’t want to be the one to be taken advantage of. On the other hand, in an auction setting, you witness actual interest in an item first hand and it becomes a competition (greed and pride)... i.e. I’m not going to let someone else win this.

[crackofthebat]

I would have to agree with Centerfield. Many of us collectors are old timers who have a difficult time with all this new technology (at least Brett will post pictures for me if I nag him enough ). Also, there hasn't been much out there to find in past few years at least in this neck of the woods with most of the flea markets closing for lack of dealers. I have been in the hobby for almost 20 years now and it has definitely changed over the years. Gone are the days when the majority of transactions between collectors were trades. If you wanted something for your collection you had to be willing to give up something good to get it. Now most collectors would rather just buy so they don't have to give up any of their gloves. I guess when you trade for a glove you are more apt to show it off because there is no monetary value associated with it. If both parties came away with something for their collection they really wanted it was a good trade. Oh, the good old days!!!!!

[Centerfield]

Good points, Fred. Posting your collection on-line has advantages and disadvantages. When you are looking to trade or sell, the more potential counterparties viewing your gloves, the better. On the other hand, if you have pictures posted of “keepers”, potential trades can stall or even fall apart because the other guy may want something he knows you have, but you’re not willing to part with. In the old days, it was much easier to not let on what was in your collection. Trades were confined to what was on the table, not what else you had and weren’t eager to let go.

[Rickybulldog]

Hello,
I have a couple of reasons why I don't posts photos all the time. One is the whole process of getting them ready for viewing. The whole image size and quality is bothersome to me. I can never get a signature right and sometimes the stamping or an interesting feature never comes out looking right. I'd rather just do them one shot on JD's site and hope for the best.

The other thing is the uniqueness of the find. To me, if I post a flea market find of a beat up Elmer Riddle glove or a youth sized Maury Wills glove it's like Whoopdee doo! To me it's not that interesting for me to write about ( lovely plastic piping, fits a child's hand, chincy leather,blah,blah,...NEXT!) and I'm assuming for others to read about. My thing is if it's worthwhile I'll write about it which I do.

Now do I like when others share their flea market stories....yes I do. Brett, I love your stories the best because I wish we had a Brimfield type of show out here in Cali. The stuff out here is slim and none, with some great nuggets of success every now and then which I'll always post.

The pricing thing doesn't bother me too much. Bottom line: my glove..my money. Spend your money the way you want to.

As for the pictures of the collection and trading, I had have to agree with the vets. The display pics are a gift and a curse, they can stall deals but they can also make things go better as well. I do notice a lot of collectors are in the more buying gloves outright rather than trading. Maybe we'll get past that as we progress, but I don't see that trend halting anytime soon.

Just my 2 pennies.

[vintagebrett]

Great discussion so far - keep it going!

I do agree that every find it not worth posting although one person's trash is another person's treasure (sometimes).

Are people not buying much these days, especially long time collectors? I know that as you get more entrenched in the hobby, your taste gets defined and you don't buy as much as when you first start and are trying to figure out what you like.

In terms of posting what you purchased, I don't think I've ever seen people say how much they paid unless asked by another member. In the old days of eBay, we could see which of our fellow collectors was buying stuff and could congratulate them on a good buy. Now, with eBay hiding the winning bidder name, it's even a more anonymous hobby.

For some reason, I think people are more reluctant to post high end items that they purchase rather than low end stuff. This could be related to Centerfield's dilema of getting emails that border on insulting.

[Centerfield]

Hell, I’m buying, but the pickin’s are slim! You’re right about redefining your collecting focus over time. On my second go around, I’m much more focused on what I’m interested in and what I’m picking up.