How to Start a Hockey Card Collection: My Step-By-Step Guide

[creasecollector]

Hey guys,

I just posted a blog post on my site as a nice step-by-step guide when starting a hockey card collection.

It's geared towards newer collectors, but I threw in some nice tidbits of information that I think even us experienced collectors need to hear sometimes.

I'd appreciate it if you check it out:

How To Start a Hockey Card Collection: My Step-By-Step Guide (https://creasecollector.weebly.com/blog/how-to-start-a-hockey-card-collection-a-step-by-step-guide)

Thank you!

[larsfrommars]

Great advice for newbies and experienced collectors! I’m a budget collector and sticking to my budget is important. I know what my limit is when bidding or making an on offer and I stick to it. That card will likely resurface again in the future so patience is also important. But my personal mantra in terms of collecting is that I collect what I like and for the enjoyment of the hobby. Pretty simple right?


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[creasecollector]

Great advice for newbies and experienced collectors! I’m a budget collector and sticking to my budget is important. I know what my limit is when bidding or making an on offer and I stick to it. That card will likely resurface again in the future so patience is also important. But my personal mantra in terms of collecting is that I collect what I like and for the enjoyment of the hobby. Pretty simple right?


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I really like that mantra. Simple, but it works. I find it's easy sometimes to get distracted by what we "should" be collecting vs what we want to collect. I find that is more truer with newer collectors in the hobby.

Sometimes it takes a lot more thinking to really hone in on a collecting niche, but it's well worth it.

[ilovethelakings]

I would say it is a good idea to pick some teams, players, or types of cards (autos, relics, base, whatever) you want to focus on if you want to keep your collection more manageable. I'm not saying a new collector should limit him or herself to those (we all come upon cards that just appeal to us as collectors and don't quite fit our specific mold), but it sure helps when you are trying to choose between buying one single or another.

I would also say a new collector shouldn't feel that they can't change their focus. For example, I used to collect any and all cards featuring players in international team jerseys, like Team Canada, Sweden, Russia, etc, or European teams, like Modo, Jokerit, Dynamo, Red Army, but not so much nowadays.

[creasecollector]

I would say it is a good idea to pick some teams, players, or types of cards (autos, relics, base, whatever) you want to focus on if you want to keep your collection more manageable. I'm not saying a new collector should limit him or herself to those (we all come upon cards that just appeal to us as collectors and don't quite fit our specific mold), but it sure helps when you are trying to choose between buying one single or another.

I would also say a new collector shouldn't feel that they can't change their focus. For example, I used to collect any and all cards featuring players in international team jerseys, like Team Canada, Sweden, Russia, etc, or European teams, like Modo, Jokerit, Dynamo, Red Army, but not so much nowadays.

These tips are are great! :) Thanks for the comment!

[chris_ac]

I read it twice and agree with all the tidbits.

3 keys for me are:

1. Maintain a focus. I've done the scatter shot approach buying a little bit of everything across multiple sports but once you hone the focus like a player collection, the chase and management is all you need to keep the hobby fun.

2. Be selective. Quality and quantity goes towards a collection. Running up a tab on base cards and high numbered parallels is easy to do and looks good for total stats but holding your pennies for the auto patches or an occasional 1/1 is definitely worth it where you sacrifice a 100 low end purchases for 1 really good one.

3. If starting a collection today and choosing to go the player route, a current or active player is going to be the best bet simply for the choices and new cards being made monthly. If you go vintage and the finite number available is nice to chase but wanes fast and then you just end up starting over too soon. No stamina in older players outside the HOFer roster UD employs. Also, active players allow for the attachment factor of watching highlights nightly.

[creasecollector]

I read it twice and agree with all the tidbits.

3 keys for me are:

1. Maintain a focus. I've done the scatter shot approach buying a little bit of everything across multiple sports but once you hone the focus like a player collection, the chase and management is all you need to keep the hobby fun.

2. Be selective. Quality and quantity goes towards a collection. Running up a tab on base cards and high numbered parallels is easy to do and looks good for total stats but holding your pennies for the auto patches or an occasional 1/1 is definitely worth it where you sacrifice a 100 low end purchases for 1 really good one.

3. If starting a collection today and choosing to go the player route, a current or active player is going to be the best bet simply for the choices and new cards being made monthly. If you go vintage and the finite number available is nice to chase but wanes fast and then you just end up starting over too soon. No stamina in older players outside the HOFer roster UD employs. Also, active players allow for the attachment factor of watching highlights nightly.

These are all fantastic points! Thanks for the comment!