Recently one of my closest friends asked me for some help locating some Cal Ripken Jr. cards for her boyfriend's birthday. I was happy to help, but in the course of doing so, she asked me in all seriousness why anyone collects sports cards.
My friend is actually a big fan of sports in general and football in particular, but she couldn't understand the appeal of collecting. I told her I could explain why I enjoy the hobby, but I couldn't speak for her boyfriend or anyone else because there are numerous reasons why people find it worthwhile.
I tackled some of these reasons in one of the first articles I ever wrote for this site, my Top Five Reasons to Collect Sports Cards. Last week I ran across a post on the Dave and Adam's Card World Blog that does much the same thing, spelling out some of the same reasons and some new ones too.
If you're like my friend and can't figure out why someone in your life devotes so much time to those little cardboard rectangles, reading one of these pieces (or better yet, both!) may help shed some light on the subject.
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Comments
It is hard for non collectors to understand why grown men just have to have these little pieces of cardboard. Our reasons to collect may change over the years. But, the one common denominator for all of us is that we get some form of enjoyment from it.
What brings joy to me may not bring joy to you but its still joy no matter what. I have never met anyone that collected anything for a long period of time that did not enjoy doing it.
I collect Billy, not Cal, Ripken cards because I like seeing expletives on my cards.