Collector’s Corner is a new segment being brought to Detroit Sports Addiction! This has been something I’ve wanted to do for a while now as a way for myself and others to get to know fellow collectors. Each time I will generate a list of interview questions for the spotlighted collector to answer; I feel that this is a great way for me, and you the readers, to get to know who these collectors are and maybe even pick up a few tips on collecting in general.
For the first edition of Collector’s Corner I will be spotlighting Chris O’Bryant. Chris was one of the first Al Kaline gurus that I met when I got back into collecting a few years back. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with Chris in person up in Lansing and share (show off) our personal collections to one another and we’ve made a number of deals over the course of time. So, I felt it was only right for this first edition to spotlight Chris himself.
So let’s get right into it.
Q: Who are you? And tell me a little bit about yourself outside of collecting.
A: My name is Chris O’Bryant. I’m 39 years old, from Lansing Michigan. I’m married with two teenage sons. I’m a driver and Varsity Baseball Coach.
Q: Who do you collect? What player, team or sport?
A: My collection seems to be ever evolving. When I was younger I used to just collect my heroes. Then as I got older I started to collect just the Detroit franchises. As of lately I’ve started to collect more vintage. I’m thinking that this stemmed from my Al Kaline collection; Kaline has been my primary focus for the past couple of years. I have hundreds of Kaline cards; this started with some of the newer items, autographs and relics. However, I wanted his Rookie card. In the hunt for his 1954 Topps Rookie card it turned into an interest in chasing the PSA set registry. So in turn I have now accumulated the entire Al Kaline Basic Set. Now I find myself loving cards from the 50s, 60s and 70s. When I was younger I collected baseball, football and basketball cards. My collection is currently focused on baseball only.
Q: What do you collect? What types of items?
A: So, like I said before, I obviously primarily collect baseball cards. However, my collection has grown to include memorabilia too. This includes: autographed baseballs, jerseys, bats, bobble heads, figurines and other items that catch my eye.
Q: Do you remember the first card or item that got you started in collecting? What was it? Do you still own it?
A: Honestly, I don’t remember. My father bought me my first back of cards when I was around 5 years old. It all started there.
Q: How long have you been collecting?
A: So in turn, about 35 years. I will admit, I took some time off (about 10 years) through high school and college. I came back into the hobby in my mid-20s and really got going in my 30s.
Q: How do you budget for collecting?
A: I have a small allowance that I have worked into my budget to by cards, boxes, razzes and other items. However, when I’m pursuing my “Big Boy” purchases, I will usually sell off parts of my collection to fund said purchases. In turn it doesn’t come out of my own personal savings.
Q: How do you decide how to display your collection?
A: My collection of cards is not on display. Several of my memorabilia items are in a cabinet. Some jerseys and photos are framed and hung on the wall.
Q: Do you have any current collecting or autographing projects?
A: Like I said earlier, lately I’ve been focused on vintage cards. So my current project is collecting all 32 Hall of Famers in the 1956 Topps Set, graded by PSA of course. I have 4 of them off at PSA currently going through the grading process. Once these 4 are back in my possession I will have only 4 left to complete the set!!
Q: Who got you into collecting?
A: Well my dad bought me my first back of cards. However, it was my buddies that really got the bug going. The trading and chasing of our idols was fascinating when you are only 8 or 10 years old. In hindsight, I made some DUMB trades as a kid! At the time I was happy, and that is all that matters!
Q: Finally, what is your holy grail? Do you have it?
A: We all of the Holy Grail cards of Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb and others. However, I recently hit one of them in a razz. I am now the proud owner of a 1952 Mickey Mantle Rookie Card graded PSA 1. Despite the fact that he lives in a safety deposit box with some of my other high end cards, I love to go visit them as often as possible!
I would like to thank Chris O’Bryant for taking the time to answer these questions for me. It is always nice to get the chance to know a fellow collector a little bit better!
If anyone has any suggestions as to who else I should interview for future editions of Collector’s Corner please comment them below. If you have any questions for Chris himself, please also comment below and I will make sure they make their way to Chris so he can answer them!