Odd Origins of a PC

If you asked me, I would tell you that if I were a trading card I’d be considered vintage, and few would argue that point.

And I would also consider that a compliment. 

There is something about the word vintage, right? 

It evokes a certain feeling of elegance, of class, of refinement that few other terms can.

So, if I’m considered vintage — I am fine with that.

Having said all that, the vintage sports card market is something I have always been intrigued by, but never really delved into, despite that fact I’ve been in this game for almost four decades now. 

It always seemed too complicated for me, honestly.

There was so much information that really needed to be mastered. 

It’s a niche of the hobby that requires you to be thrilled by a PSA 3.

It demands an incredible eye for detail, and a feel of patience that is really quite astounding.

I have a friend, a gentleman who has been in the hobby for 50 years, who spends decades searching for a single card in just the right condition. 

He builds sets, and collects individual players and the process is always in process. 

Enjoying It More.

I’m at a weird place on my hobby journey.

I’m actually making a concerted effort to step up my business, yet I’m finding myself exploring things in the hobby that I never really had in the past, namely, my own personal collection.

From day one, I have absolutely loved the business side of the industry — and today I love it even more!

My newfound respect and love for vintage has had an unintended consequence as well, since most of the vintage people I talk to want these cards for a different reason than I am used to — themselves.

As a result, I’m also starting to slowly purchase cards of which I have no intention of really selling, nor am I concerned about margins, projections, scarcity or anything else that would normally go into the purchase of a card for me.

And truth be told, I am enjoying that so much.

It’s changed the way I look at the hobby as a whole, and I’m so grateful for that. 

It’s also changed the way I approach my business, too.

Admittedly, I used to look at some cards as a tough-sell based solely on value, but honestly, I now see the immense value of every card regardless of the price. 

Someone that collects the Atlanta Braves wants every Braves card.

Someone that collects 90s inserts, wants every single one of them — regardless of price or scarcity.

Memories and Mustaches

Now, in case you’re wondering, I’ve begun my own PC recently and it’s a very small lot right now consisting of just a few things. 

For one, it’s Calgary Flames (my favorite NHL team) legend Lanny McDonald.

I know, not exactly a Wayne Gretzky collection, but it’s a player that provided me with an important memory.

When I was a kid, I went to my first Red Wings game against the Flames. 

Like most kids, during the warm-ups I went down to ice level along the glass and watched the players skate around, fling pucks at the net and get ready for the game. 

That evening, as I watched those players skate around, Lanny McDonald came up to the boards, gave me a smile and a wave, then proceeded to flip a puck up over the boards and right into my hands. 

I literally could not have been more excited, shocked or thrilled. 

Since then, the Flames and McDonald have always had a special place in my heart. 

Now, I’ve started collecting both the team and the player as part of my new PC.

Anyone who knows hockey knows McDonald was a very solid player for a very long time, however, aside from being known for his ability, he’s also known for his facial hair. 

McDonald had, arguably, the best mustache in the history of professional sports. 

I both dig that, and am envious of this fact.

I can not seem to grow a mustache that resembles anything similar to his — I’ve tried! 

So, in honor of this feat of facial hair, I’ve also started collecting players with great mustaches on the photos of their cards— McDonald, Rollie Fingers, Auston Matthews and Goose Gossage among others.

It’s a little off-beat, but then again, so am I. 

That’s the beauty of the PC, isn’t it?

It can be whatever we want it to be, and it can also be a reflection of what and who we are.

Man, I love this hobby.