1584 - Dueling Questions with BA Murry

Dr. Beckett welcomes longtime friend and former colleague B.A. Murry for a wide-ranging conversation covering their decades in the sports card hobby. They discuss Murry’s distinction as one of the “three amigos” who have set up at every National, Beckett’s attendance at every National, and memories of the earliest shows in Los Angeles and the original promoters. Murry recounts early mail-order buying from Sam Rosen/Card Collectors Company, inexpensive complete sets like 1948 Bowman and 1951 Topps Redbacks, ordering 1957 Topps as issued, and an early regret of giving away 1954 cards. They reflect on the shift from set-building and want lists to modern high-dollar “lottery” ripping, debate what counts as vintage, and share 1970s–80s hobby stories including St. Louis gatherings, auctions, and using the first annual guide.

00:41 National Show Regulars

01:12 Origins of the National

02:30 Mail Order Hobby Beginnings

05:41 Early Selling and Regrets

07:25 OG Perspective on Today

08:43 Want Lists and Set Building

09:32 Adult Hobby Takes Off

12:08 Collector Mindset and Roots

14:37 Buying Trips and Vintage Lines

17:52 Late Night Auctions Stories