Number of programmes in a collection

[SJF73]

Hello all,

What is the average number of programmes a collector would have in their collection to keep it manageable or is there no end to it?
I was just wondering if people try to monitor how many they have (say a few hundred) and then try and maintain that by swapping or selling or do people just keep on collecting indefinitely?

As the years go by if I keep on collecting at a certain rate I wonder if space would become an issue and whether I would have too many programmes.

[grantham]

Take a look at some of the stats on my website:

http://www.thefootballarchives.com/network/visitstats.php

You will see collections vary from 3000 downwards
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[pompeypete]

Just collect your team from 1946 to 1960.......thin programmes, will increase in value, takes up little space.

1960 onwards, little value....difficult to move on.....

2000 onwards, no value, too thick, can't give them away
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[Eck]

pompeypete wrote:

Just collect your team from 1946 to 1960.......thin programmes, will increase in value, takes up little space. 1960 onwards, little value....difficult to move on..... 2000 onwards, no value, too thick, can't give them away

It depends on the collector,in my case,there's no end to it, total chaos, but I love it.

[SJF73]

Thanks guys, that has given me a better idea.

[PompeyPhil]

I've streamlined my programme collection down to just the two Championship years for 1948-49, 1949-50 relating to Pompey. The collection includes friendlies, menu's, tickets, press cuttings/magazine articles and home/away programmes. Still trying to complete it many years on!!! Each to their own though!! I've collected all sorts including testimonials/friendlies and league programmes in the past but have now sold the majority as it tends to grow arms and legs!!

[Tynie Topics]

pompeypete wrote:

Just collect your team from 1946 to 1960.......thin programmes, will increase in value, takes up little space. 1960 onwards, little value....difficult to move on..... 2000 onwards, no value, too thick, can't give them away

That is generally true of club collections (with exceptions of course), that’s why I now only collect derby matches, Finals/Semi’s and European matches for my club. Fewer to collect and generally hold their value.

International collections are however pretty different, home programmes generally follow the above pattern, but aways of course are different and from 1970-2014 there are probably a few dozen that fall into the very hard to obtain category (I still need a few!), and another few dozen that aren’t too common (Scotland games I’m referring to, I’m sure the same is true of the other UK nations).

They are a good investment and appear to always be in demand, with the advantage you only need to obtain between 7-10 per season.
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[GreatBarrWolf]

Difficult one to answer and all dependant on your budget and the storage space you have available.

From a personnal point of view I used to have a number of 'sets' I collected, however, as time has gone by and circumstances have changed I have slimmed down what I collect and concentrated on my core interest.

Each to their own.

[Eck]

I got pelters on here once for considering cutting out non competitive Rangers matches.

[sharrowblade]

Space...Nah never been a problem for me....now here did I put that Torquay v Southend programme


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[Eck]

sharrowblade wrote:

Space...Nah never been a problem for me....now here did I put that Torquay v Southend programme

If you sell half of them you can buy the guy next door's house,then you'll have plenty of space.

[matt blue]

I have two folders in my house and the rest are in the other place, - its getting to stage in the other place now where a structural engineer has been employed to fit a new rsj
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[bisphamseasider]

Each summer I contemplate whether or not to contnue collecting the next season's programmes.

Space is starting to become an issue but If I can shift all my non Blackpool stuff that would not be a problem.

So like every new season I will probably continue as normal.

I don't really have the heart to stop collecting current issues having built up a complete post war league and cup collection.

[seand]

grantham wrote:

Take a look at some of the stats on my website: http://www.thefootballarchives.com/network/visitstats.php You will see collections vary from 3000 downwards

Plenty of collections on here WAY beyond 3,000!

It's up to you to decide what's best for you. Are you collecting with an eye to investment or just for pleasure? Or somewhere in between. Either way the older the better- they're more interesting, easier to store and hold their value. They'll cost you more though! If just for a hobby you can cheaply pick up tons of 1960s to 80s real cheap. Still easy to store, still more interesting then most modern issues. No real resale value but acquiring them and reading and enjoying them (imagine!) is worth the small investment.
Modern issuesa are worthless and often dull, depends on the club though. If you want to keep a collection complete you might feel a need to keep paying out . Each season I consider not bothering with away programmes but I always do in the end.

[slightfold]

The number of programmes in any collection is obviously dependent on your collecting parameters. If you have fixed points in time for your collection then the number you could end up with is also fixed, and once you have got them, the collection is finished. If like many of us here you continue to add the current season say for a club you might be adding around the 50 each year. If you also collect in other areas then you'll be adding them too. I don't particularly like the modern issues either, but unless you fix a time then you gotta keep on adding!
Points have been made about collecting for value and possible eventual resale and I agree in general with what has been said. Personally I very much doubt whether I would get back what I have paid out over the years but it's a hobby which gives pleasure and there are doubtless better ways to make money if that is your aim!
Regarding storage, I'm a box person, all the same size in together and this way minimises the volume. Folders do provide great access though if you really need that, but are not cheap and need shelf space, but each according to their own. Good luck in your collecting.

[SJF73]

Thanks all for the really great feedback. I am mainly collecting for pleasure and have a few ideas now how to continue collecting and hone what to collect. This forum is excellent for getting tips from other collectors. Cheers

[rabbie777]

Always the perennial question,like others each summer of whether or not to continue collecting current season. (I have Kilmarnock H+A pretty much complete back to 1958).

Question is..why stop at 'this' season, or next? Quite like the idea of stopping current season League right enough, and 'only' picking up friendlies and Cup matches for each year now.

As to the question of how many...depends on each person's storage space and budget.