Welcome to my Sports Collectible Vault
- Brian Cleary
- Feb 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 3
It's hard to be a lifelong sports fan and then a professional sports photographer, not to mention a dedicated pack rat without compiling a huge collection of
sports memorabilia.
It all started in my childhood when my friends and I would scout every 7-11 store within range of our Stingray bicycles every time we into possession of a spare nickel looking for fresh shipment of wax-pack baseball cards and the accompanying stale chewing gum.
On tearing open the card packages, my eye would begin by looking for the San Fransisco Giants' logo, my favorite major league baseball team. On spotting a Giants card I'd peek with one eye, hoping to see a rare Willie Mays card or maybe a Bobby Bonds, Juan Marichal or Willie McCovey. While these thrilling finds were rare, that did not dampen my enthusiasm for what ever five baseball cards were now in my possession.
Over the years a fair amount of my cards fell victim to the very Stingray bicycle spokes that had carried me to the store in the first place, as my friends and I fell in love with the race car noises that were made when the cards were close-pinned to the drag against the bike spokes. Of course Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle of Hank Aaron never met this fate, but hundreds of lesser players surely did.
And one time, while I was away in college, our Siamese Cat Snoopy decided to substitute one of my two baseball card shoeboxes for his litter box, wiping out half my collection!
Still, as I emerged into adulthood, a large portion of the obsession of my youth remained intact. I had even added some football and basketball cards to my collection. Not really my sports of choice, but the call of the collector was too strong to resist.
Even as I graduated college and began my career as a photographer, eventually narrowing to a specialty in motorsports, my interest in collecting sports stuff did not wane. In fact, my new career offered additional opportunities to hoard stuff, as I usually returned from assignments with event programs, event credentials, press kits and press conference giveaways in tow.
Over the years I've for the most part been able to resist the temptations and suggestions that maybe I should unload portions of my treasure trove. So now, Ive decided to share my huge collection of a variety of acquisitions with the internet.
Check this site and especially this blog often to relive some of the era that has enhanced my life and provided so many memories. Look for items from my collection along with the memories the raise and even some related photos from my career as a sports shooter.
Thanks for visiting!
All items displayed on this website are from my personal sports memorabilia collection and are shared for historical, educational, and entertainment purposes only. I am not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to any professional sports league, series, team, athlete, organization, or brand referenced or depicted on this site. All trademarks, logos, and names are the property of their respective owners. This website may contain affiliate links, which help support the operation and maintenance of the site at no additional cost to the user.
Comments