Great topic. I didn't get a chance to respond last week, but my collection has undergone a huge reboot this year with a shift towards higher quality picks from a wider array of sets. As for my grail, I already got it after Hobby Palooza. I am still feeling the euphoria of owning it every day. The latest thing mentally for me with my internal celebration is hearing "I Got You Babe" playing non-stop in my head.

@3D80sKid

13 күн бұрын

@@royakard8536 thank you!

@billyballgamesportscards

13 күн бұрын

That's amazing John! Congrats once again brother.

@BringingTheHeat-VBC

13 күн бұрын

It's "groundhog day" everyday!

@Jeremy-VintageCards

13 күн бұрын

John I watched that get episode and was more nervous looking than you! Amazing card man and it couldn’t have gone to a better dude! Thanks for all your doing in the vintage community!

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Very happy for you John!! To land your grail this early in your life and collection, must be a dream.

This is the third phase of my hobby life. I opened packs as a kid 1971-75. When we moved, my uncle made me throw them out. I got back into it in 1978 as a high school freshman and continued through the mid-1990s, opening packs, buying some singles, but mostly putting together sets and Tigers team sets. I returned after about 25 years off in 2020. I hyper-focused on Tigers team sets (my third time building them after selling off mine twice before). I added Lions team sets because vintage football is cool and very affordable. In 2021, I made a 1971 Topps baseball set a five-year project. With two years left, I'm about 40-some cards from completion. Through all of my hobby lifetimes, team sets and regular sets have been my focus. With my budget, I can't really afford to bounce back and forth between focuses. Almost every card I buy fits into one of the few projects on which I'm focused. Edit: In the 1980s, I chased rookie cards. I hit on some, missed on plenty. That's not a game I want to play anymore.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

And each of those phases is so much fun but in a different way.

Coolest gift I have ever seen and quite frankly blew my mind 🤯🤯 its unreal just to have any of those let alone the one that talks about your name it really is just unbelievable to me that ended up in your collection. What an incredible gift ❤❤❤

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

I totally agree. Thanks Dylan.

What an awesome treasure to add to your collection Craig!! I grew up following Nettle’s as he started his career with the Twins and I am from Minnesota. Small world that your Mom went to high school with one of the players on that same uncut sheet.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Thanks Ken!!

The question for next week is an easy one for me; 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams. I've wanted that card since the 90's!

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

GREAT choice!! I'd love to have one someday.

Hi Graig - What a great topic, thanks for doing this and all of your videos. I totally enjoyed hearing about all the changes other collectors have made and are making on their cards. I have always loved the Mantles, Mays, Aarons cards, but decided when covid came to buy a great deal of the Shiny new cards. But, now I'm more interested in 1950's, 1960's and some 1970's cards. My favorite subset is the multi player Baseball cards. Thanks again for the Video. And, I don't know if I should thank you for getting me set up properly on Whatnot where I have spent too much #. Have a good day. Barry

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Awesome!! Thanks Barry. I enjoy Whatnot and I know my Dad does as well.

The Topps Artwork display came out GREAT!

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

I'm thrilled with how it turned out.

I like to see how other collectors change. As for me, I’ve always collected players that played before I watched the sport. My problem was back then, there were no shops, no shows, no internet. Coming across something older than you was rare period. So I always coveted old stuff, I figured there was always time to collect anything in my childhood vision and newer. To me the older it was, the better. If I didn’t have that vision at a young age, I never would have what I do today. But that’s just me. I can remember being 10 yrs old in 1967. As a football collector because the sport was my passion. I thought I might live till the year of 2000. It would be cool to have every set of football from Beecher 1888 to Yr 2000. I’m still working on it ! 😂. But I do have a few vintage off shoots just because it’s cool or I felt someday it might have value. Best advice to anyone is keep an open mind. Thanks Graig, another good video with thought provoking content.

@RL3sports

13 күн бұрын

My collection is similar to yours. I have everything I want, 1968 and newer. 1954 to 1967 is half finished. Only have about 20 cards older than 1954. I fell for the 90's, but can't bring myself to throwing them out.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

I look forward to seeing you in Cleveland, Don!!

Great video Graig! Enjoyed your take and the community's take on changes to their collecting strategy. For next week, I have a two part answer. My ultimate grail card (that may have some feasibility, at some point) is the 1936 WW Gum Joe DiMaggio. Its the true rookie of one of my favorite players, plus it has a super cool image. My true ultimate grail card (that is a dream really, as its so far out of my price range) is the 1916 M101-4 Ruth. I absolutely love the look of the card, plus being Ruth's rookie, its just awesome!!

@BringingTheHeat-VBC

13 күн бұрын

what IF the Ruth was in your price range? It is my bet that it will be someday. When it is, will you want to pay THAT kind of money for it? I'm getting a little more comfortable in 10-15 category the past couple of years, but why not the 25-50K? I've certainly spent that much in a month before???🤣🤣My eyes are hurtin' and I just can't see it, that's why. Maybe I will look at it differently in a few years ?

@returntocollecting

13 күн бұрын

@@BringingTheHeat-VBC Good point! Maybe it will be in my range someday! So, quick modification on my answer... both are my ultimate grail cards!

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Great pick, Darren!! That WW Gum Dimaggio is incredible.

Grail cards are a tough question. The cards I’d be willing to fork out the most cash for right now are the Banks rookie and Starr rookie. I look at these cards as equally important to my collection. There are definitely more valuable cards I’d like to own but non I’d rather have.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Great picks. Both are on my want list, too!!

Hey Graig. Thanks for using my reply for last week's question. This week's question is much tougher. There are a lot of amazing baseball cards out there that are very expensive. If I had a boatload of money, there would be a lot of cards I would buy! But if I could only pick one, I would have to say the 1916 M101 Ruth or the 1914 Baltimore news Babe Ruth. What is more iconic than the "rookie cards" of the most iconic player in baseball's history. If I didn't win the lottery, 2 more huge but more attainable cards would be the 51 Bowman Mantle and Mays. I don't think I could ever narrow it down to one card!

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Can't go wrong with a Bab Ruth, Mickey Mantle, or Willie Mays RC.

Recently after returning to collecting, I bought my childhood collecting grail card. ( 1964 Rose RC I shared) As I classify it, a new grail card is expensive for me to own, but not impossible. If I manage to buy a new big project card I can revel in it. Mine is a lew alcindor rookie nicely centered atm. Love the channel!

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Yes!! Congrats on the Rose. Eventually, you'll get the Alcindor as well.

I started collecting in 63, through 75, sold cards from 1980 to 98, started again in 2001 till 2006. Then started again in 2015, and still collecting. Over the past year and a half collecting seventy and backwards.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

It's a lifelong journey.

My grail card is the '63 Pete Rose RC having grown up in SW Ohio in the '70s as the The Big RED Machine was huge on the scene and all my friends and I had to collect our favorite team and if for some reason I couldn't locate a Rose rook at the Cleve Natl' then I would be on the hunt to acquire a Nolan Ryan Rc.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Awesome choice!! You'll get that 63 Rose at some point!!

Good question. Looking forward to the different responses, too. I agree that once we have added a 'grail' to our collection. There could and most likely will be, another grail... worth pursuing. All part of the thrill of the hunt, I think.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Well said!

My ultimate grail card is easily the 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig. When I was a 5th grade student I wrote a history report about the legend. I even memorized his Luckiest Man Alive Speech for extra credit! Now that I’m a history teacher I feel as if it’s my mission to add it to my PC! Gotta love the 33 Goudey!

@BringingTheHeat-VBC

13 күн бұрын

That's awesome. I consider the Lou Gehrig Speech the most historic and revered speech OF ALL TIME. Bar none. Forget the four score and 7 years ago Lincoln speech. Democracy is just about dead and no one likes History anyway. Everyone can appreciate facing their sure death in 1-2 years and thinking of themselves as the "Luckiest man on the face of the Earth". We just had the 75th anniversary of "The Speech" too. I cried when I first heard snippets from "Pride of the Yankees" when I was 10. I still cry whenever I watch the movie or here the entire speech on you tube, which I do every year at least 1-2 times that help remind me just how lucky I am.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

A lifelong want.....I hope it becomes a reality.

Nice video and cool Topps artwork. You framed it well. Grail Card - first of all, thanks for not saying grail cards, plural. The grail card should be singular. Now my grail card for the last 30 years has not changed. It is the 1888 N162 King Kelly. I think this is the most beautiful card ever made. Whenever Orlando shows his in a video, my eyes bulge out of my sockets like a cartoon. He has a fantastic copy with bright colors that I would love to own a similar one but I’d have to win the lottery first. Now if I won a small lottery or sold cards from my collection, a more reasonable card I would get is a lower condition but nice looking Bobby Orr rookie. But the Grail card would be King Kelly.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

I totally agree about those N162s. And, the King Kelly is a beauty!!

I meant to comment on your video last week, but I totally relate to the response regarding prewar boxing cards. They were my gateway into the type of stuff I collect today (non-sports, minor sports, trade cards). After 30 years of strictly baseball, it’s been over two years since I’ve altered what/how I collect. 90% of my current purchases are from 1910 and earlier, and usually less than $50 per card, with some exceptions. It’s honestly made the hobby super enjoyable learning about Hall of Famers from other sports, historical figures, and oddball cards that you don’t see every day.

@MidLifeCards

13 күн бұрын

I absolutely LOVE your channel for those exact same reasons. When you have new pickups and/or an sgc reveal, it’s a must watch for me.

@Collector.Not.Hoarder

13 күн бұрын

@@MidLifeCardsI appreciate that, Graig! I think eventually, more and more collectors will start to branch out. You can already see the trend happening. I do wish I had more time to make content. I commend anyone that can put out 1 or videos per week. I can barely get 1 per month. I’m glad you enjoy them! Thanks again!

Great vid. It took me a bit to think about a holy grail card. A Holy Grail player i would like to collect is Ted Williams. I have been a Redsox fan since i was 6. I began to look at his cards and i came across the one card i would love to have if i had the money. Its the 1954 Topps Ted Williams. It just looks awesome and to have that side by side my 1961 Topps Yaz Rookie All Star would look Spectacular in my eyes.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Which of the Ted Williams cards that set. The orange or the yellow?

that artwork is special! I love the work that the framer did for you, too. looks wonderful. your contribution to the sports card collecting community is certainly valued (I enjoy your videos!) and was acknowledged by you receiving that as a gift. way to go, Graig!

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Thank you so much. That really means a lot.

My ultimate grail card is the 1941 Play Ball Ted Williams. This card has it all for me. The first thing I notice on this card is the shadow behind him. As a son of a veteran, I see the shadow as Ted Williams the soldier. Standing tall with honor and ready to embark on the struggles of war in the upcoming seasons. This is a big reason why Ted Williams is my favorite player. Next, you have the portrait of a young "Splendid Splinter" and his big smile. All I hear about Williams is that he hated the media so this to me is the Ted I choose to focus on. Lastly, you have all of the different color schemes that stick out to me. It's a beautiful card that gains your attention in many different ways. I currently have this one on my wishlist but waiting for the right copy that has the color pop out at you when staring at it.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Great choice on the Ted Williams. He's a great guy and that card is a beauty.

I wonder how many (relatively) younger collectors of vintage cards consider themselves to be an "old soul." I think that way of myself. when I was younger, i would have loved to buy vintage cards but for me, even a Rickey Henderson rookie card valued at about $75 or so at the time was a bridge too far. spending the required amount of cash on Mays and Ernie Banks cards was just not possible. now that I can afford vintage, I can see myself going further and further back (like I have w/ my love of cinema!)

@Dboger82

13 күн бұрын

My wife tells me I’m an old soul. I swear I was born in the wrong decade.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Agree. It takes reaching a certain point in life in order to afford some of these cards.

I think I just about have all my "grail" cards. That being said, I have a "list" I still need to check off somehow. Red-Ruth, Green Cobb, Gold Cobb, 1915 crackerjacks Wagner, Jackson and Cobb. 48 & 49 Jackie's still left to check off too. I'm in love with the ice cream and caramel cards as well so as opportunity strikes for those guys I like, so will I. Dear Santa, I also would like a nice copy of the Mantle & Mays Stahl-Meyers as well as the HR Derby's for each. Also high on my list is the 1933 Delongie Gehrig which has eluded me for a couple years as has the 1912 T227 Breakfast of Champions Ty Cobb. Nice low eye appeal copies of all these are at the top of my current "whale" list. I've always liked them and I've just gotsta have em! Then I'm done. Just like Steve Martin in the Jerk, "that's ALL I need". Let's see how long "Eddie Impatient" can hold out.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Your collection is a grail. Those cards you mention would be incredible adds to it. I hope I'm there when you buy some of them.

Hey Graig! With a ai…. What a great piece of artwork to have! Congrats! I need to send you a long winded collection Journey soon my friend. Easy answer would be the 52’ Mantle you’ve seen my keychain I almost had your dad on…. The 1953 Mantle has been on my radar for decades now and can’t seem to find the right one at that right price. The background along with the amazing Mantle picture gets me every time I search. The light post in the background when there wasn’t too many lights at the time… geez the cubs just got lights when I was 13 years old! Ha

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Either of those Mantles would be an incredible addition!!

Hi Graig! Great show, as always. I think that if I could buy one card right now, and consider it my grail card, it would be 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth. It’s iconic, and while I’m far from a Yankees fan, he is a name I knew since my earliest memories. I think that name is a part of baseball.

@MidLifeCards

5 күн бұрын

A Goudey Babe Ruth is on my all time want list.

Answer for this weeks question. 1979 O-Pee-Chee #18 Wayne Gretzky Rookie card. I am going to the National this year with a pocket full of money to come home with a nice version of this Grail card of mine. I really hope to run into there to meet you and tell you in person how much I enjoy your show.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

A great choice...picking the great one!!

Since I just bought my previous grail card (56 Mantle) my new grail card, which I doubt I will get, is the 53 Mickey Mantle. I've always loved that card. Since its unlikely to happen I will probably get a 56 Jackie Robinson, 57 Sandy Koufax, 57 Willie Mays or a 57 Mantle. Hopefully more than one of those.😀

@ACD1994

13 күн бұрын

Great choices, Mr. Miller.

@DaveBauer165

13 күн бұрын

You have great taste Mr Miller! I look forward to meeting you at the National.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

It shouldn't be unlikely. Just go get one at the National!!

Awesome piece. Can’t wait for the National

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

It's gonna be a blast.

Hi Graig, I hope to meet you at the National next week. My single ultimate grail card is the T210 Old Mill Moxie Manuel. It’s a series 8 which makes it virtually non existent. PS Pop = 3. He was rumoured to be a switch pitcher. He played for the Senators and White Sox briefly in the early 1900s. This could be the exception to every card being somewhere in the room.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Woah!! Great choice. Super rare are super fun when you eventually land one. Keep hunting.

Graig, I enjoyed hearing about community member's direction changes and seeing your stunning 1 of 1 display piece! 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Thanks Adam!! Can't wait to hang out in Cleveland.

Great question for this week. It's an easy answer for me as a Red Sox fan and a Red Sox collector: My grail card is the 1939 Play Ball Ted Williams.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Great choice. That card is high on my list, too.

Hey Graig. I hope to meet you at the National this year. Definitely looking forward to seeing the museum type of cards on display and getting some autographs from Pete Rose and Johnny Bench

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Good luck hunting those Autos. I'll be there Wednesday through Friday!!

Pronounced “Hour Bock”. Great piece. You’ve inspired me to frame mine in similar fashion… beautiful framing!

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Very cool!!

Gave a video like. Enjoyed the video. Looking forward to the National

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Thanks so much!!

I started in 88 as a kid ripping packs. I haven’t collected actively in 21 years, but now that I’m collecting again, I find myself drawn to the 50’s and 60’s.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

A lot of us get drawn to the older stuff!!

It's interesting that someone might say that after older collectors die that no one will collect the cards that they did. Jefferson Burdick, Charles Bray and John D. Wagner all saw players of the 2nd Dead Ball Era and when the 1918 Generation passed on, collectors like the Greatest Generation, Baby Boomers and Gen X and Millennials all collect tobacco cards. I started collecting vintage and tobacco cards when I was 14, but things were a lot cheaper in the 1990's, and I can't help but to think that the steep prices paid today for pre-war vintage might scare many collectors away? Anyway, that artwork is fantastic! Did Woody Gelman, Len Brown or Ben Soloman do that?

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Great comment. It's going to be interesting to see what happens when a lot of the baby boomers pass on.

My two grail cards are the 1915 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson and the 1933 Goudey Lajoie. My reason is that they are very key cards in two of the hobby's key sets. I would prefer them in an SGC holder.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Great choices. Expensive ones, but awesome picks.

I loved the topic today of your viewers changes in collecting. As for the new question of Grail Card. I have a Grail card and a Grail Set. My Grail card is the 2000 Playoff Contenders Tom Brady Championship Ticket Auto. I may never get it, but I can dream. I have six other Mint Rookie Cards of Tom Brady, but that one is out of my current reach. My Grail set is the 1952 Topps Look N See. I really want the whole set graded and slabbed in PSA or SGC. I love the look of those cards of the most influential people throughout history. I am a History buff so it is a must have for me.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

I LOVE the 52 Look n See set. Great choices.

If I had a pocket full of cash (that someone else would have to give me) my grail card would be the 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie. As a 1933 Goudey Set collector there’s nothing I’d love to do more than extend my tracking list to 240 instead of 239 as it currently sits.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Great choice. That card is so iconic.

Nothing focuses a collection like a limited monthly budget. As a kid in the junk wax years I bought everything I could with no discernment. If I had $ I bought something. Now, as a guy hoping to retire in the very near future, I budget a hard monthly limit and it really eliminates impulse purchases. If I want that Johnston Cookies Aaron I can't be buying every card that intrigues me. I find it pretty rewarding when I have to wait for the budget to accumulate and for the right card to present itself.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

The payoff after waiting is so awesome.

Grail card would be Koufax RC, been close a couple times.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

You'll get one at some point!! Keep after it!!

To answer your question about what holy Grail card that I want, I'm going to one up you. I also want the '49 Jackie Robinson but I want it autographed and slabbed by PSA DNA. While I'm at it give it a grade gem 10/10 on the card and the graph.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Wow!! That's quite an ask. If it exists, I hope you get it.

There was a video on another channel where the poster was asking skeptically “It’s only 55 year old boomers collecting vintage cards, but will the next generation?” I had to laugh, “Those 55 year olds are Gen Xers now, not boomers. The next generation is there already and you didn’t even notice.”

@cineM4RL

13 күн бұрын

If anything, the millennials aging into vintage will make things harder to collect for us Gen Xers, they have way more numbers. Will there be a vintage boom in a decade or so?

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Good point!!

Like I think a lot of collectors of my generation, I’ve gone from set building to collecting singles. Partly because of cost. Also I have been progressing my collection more towards pre-war. I think it is normal that one’s collecting evolves over time.

@ACD1994

13 күн бұрын

I agree that collecting evolves. Some trends come and go...and then sometimes come back around again. But, I try not to forecast and make predictions as to, which of those trends will once be popular again.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

I totally agree.

Grail? 1997 Michael Jordan raw green PMG from a value box for $1 at the national. Get it graded to a BGS black Label. Sell it. Buy a home in Hawaii. One can dream :)

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

LOL. If you find an extra, let me know!! LOL.

Craig I don't know if you have ever told us what cards you have gotten rid of. I know the last 2 months have been a great time to buy, because people are raising cash for the national. I'm curious what platform you are selling your cards on and I think it would be a great show for you to do.

@MidLifeCards

5 күн бұрын

I sold some on Whatnot and several on Ebay. I also sold some stuff at the card shows I setup at with my Dad.

If i went to the national with a wad of cash, id target the 1935 national chicle Bronco Nagurski. If the wad was big enough id look for a complete set

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

That may be the ultimate vintage football card. Great choice.

Grail: 1996 Select Certified Mirror Gold Frank Thomas!

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

I'm not familiar with that card. Sounds awesome!!

The Jackie Robinson rookie and yogi Berra rookie

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Good choices. Can't go wrong with those!!

My ultimate grail card… is too rare to advertise to people. I can’t afford any new competition with only 44 graded ever. 😇 That said it’s not a 5 figure card or anything, just rarely shows up.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Good luck hunting.

@cineM4RL

9 күн бұрын

@@MidLifeCards thx, I’ve never even seen a raw copy of it… and only run into a single psa 1.5 before. I’m hopeful, someday.

Graig, speaking of grail cards, did you know our good friend Ash had some of his very valuable cards stolen at the Dallas card show? Just an fyi….

@DonOlszewski-th1ir

13 күн бұрын

That really sucks ! Ash is a very good guy. He doesn’t deserve that kind of negativity in his life !

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

Yeah. I heard. Ash is such a great guy. I'm sick about it.

Grail cards... that's a difficult question to narrow to just one. My top (and at the current moment very unattainable) grail card would probably be a Mahomes rookie auto - preferably on-card but most of those sets Im not a fan of so I'll probably have to settle for a sticker auto. I'd have to list Mahomes' Red/Yellow Donruss optic rated rookie as my top obtainable grail card. On card auto Shaq rookie is also high on my grail list.

@MidLifeCards

9 күн бұрын

There are several Mahommes RC Autos. Is there one in particular that you'd want?

@themandalorian400

9 күн бұрын

@@MidLifeCards For me it's more of a what's available at the time when I have a 20k+ to drop on a single card. I know what I'd have in mind when I'm finally able to be in the market for one. As I said I'd prefer on card but I'm not the biggest fan of Nat Treasure and Flawless which have most of that. Phoenix is my favorite set from Panini, so I'd probably start there. Would look into Prizm or Select next, then Mosaic.