In Episode 11 of The Vintage Spotlight, Jeremy Lee and Leighton Sheldon dig deep into one of the most nuanced topics in the hobby: “own appeal” vs. “eye appeal.” Sparked by a video from Dan’s Vintage Baseball PC, the guys explore whether owning a rough copy of a grail is better than holding out for a cleaner version — and what it means for how we build our collections.

The conversation heats up with a detailed comparison of two T206 Honus Wagner cards: one restored and sharp, the other tattered and raw — and double the price. Which would you rather own?

Also in this episode:

Why collectors may be turning to vintage amid modern market instability

A preview of Fanatics Fest and goals for The National

A look at Matty C’s new project, Eye Appeal Inc

Reflections on hobby community, fatherhood, and the joy of collecting

This one’s a blend of insight, fun, and hobby philosophy — classic Vintage Spotlight.

Vintage Spotlight is a spinoff podcast from the Sports Cards Live segment of the same name, which Leighton has regularly appeared on since 2022.

Please check out the hosts YouTube channels Jeremy: @SportsCardsLive, Leighton: @JustCollect and Leighton's Trading Card Therapy podcast.

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In this episode of the Vintage Spotlight podcast, Leighton and Jeremy welcome Leon Luckey, the owner of the net54baseball.com forum community.

Vintage Spotlight is a spinoff podcast from the Sports Cards Live segment of the same name where Leighton regularly joined since 2022.

Please check out the hosts YouTube channels Jeremy: @SportsCardsLive, Leighton: @JustCollect and Leighton's Trading Card Therapy podcast.

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In this episode of the Vintage Spotlight podcast, Leighton and Jeremy welcome Chris Trout (@pursuitsportscards) to discuss Chris' journey back into the hobby, how he found his path, his "pursuit", and his unique approach to the T206 set. The panel discusses the ways in which the hobby itself acts as therapy, and we finish off with a very unique 100+ year old Ty Cobb collectibles.

Vintage Spotlight is a spinoff podcast from the Sports Cards Live segment of the same name where Leighton has joined the show for the last year and a half.

Please check out Jeremy's @SportsCardsLive and Leighton's @JustCollect other channels.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Vintage Spotlight podcast, Leighton and Jeremy welcome Sammy Thunder (@sammythunder) to discuss our hobby plans for 2025, did Leighton discover an amazing new platform to buy and sell vintage cards, we share our love for the 1957 Topps Baseball set and we learn more about Sammy's interview with legendary hobbyist Pat Quinn and the discovery pf the Venezuelan Topps cards and finally a discussion around finding vintage cards at local card shops..

Vintage Spotlight is a spinoff podcast from the Sports Cards Live segment of the same name where Leighton has joined the show for the last year and a half.

Please check out Jeremy's @SportsCardsLive and Leighton's @JustCollect other channels.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Vintage Spotlight podcast, Leighton and Jeremy welcome Matt Cirulnick (@mattyc_collection) to discuss some recent Babe Ruth sales and the benefits collectors can have by being open to low-grade, high eye-appeal cards. We learn about Matthew's approach to collecting and we all show some of our recent pickups that are in line with this new trend and one of which that Leighton has acquired for his young son Crosby.

Vintage Spotlight is a spinoff podcast from the Sports Cards Live segment of the same name where Leighton has joined the show for the last year and a half.

Please check out Jeremy's @SportsCardsLive and Leighton's @JustCollect other channels.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Vintage Spotlight podcast, Leighton and Jeremy welcome Jonathan (@sportscards.and.sunsets) to discuss some recent Mickey Mantle auction results and the long-term outlook on Mantle's card values. We learn about Jonathan's approach to vintage and his Rough Cuts podcast and we all show some recent vintage pickups including an amazing Maurice Richard 1951 Parkhurst rookie that Jonathan pleasantly surprised us with.

Vintage Spotlight is a spinoff podcast from the Sports Cards Live segment of the same name where Leighton has joined the show for the last year and a half.

Please check out Jeremy's @SportsCardsLive and Leighton's @JustCollect other channels.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Vintage Spotlight podcast, Leighton and Jeremy discuss the recently ended auctions on Memory Lane including two ultra-rare Rose Company postcards and two HOF autographed rookie cards. Guest Nate joins to share how his approach to targeting vintage cards has evolved and the criteria he filters his options through and Jeremy and Leighton show and discuss their recent personal pickups including Jeremy's new vintage card that has become his favorite card in his whole collection despite it's very low technical grade.

Vintage Spotlight is a spinoff podcast from the Sports Cards Live segment of the same name where Leighton has joined the show for the last year and a half.

Please check out Jeremy's @SportsCardsLive and Leighton's @JustCollect other channels.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Vintage Spotlight podcast, Leighton and Jeremy discuss the recently ended auctions on SCP of the first 11 HOF inductee autos on a baseball, Kobe's practice jacket and the record breaking 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie card. Guest David Schwartz joins to tell the story of liquidating 90% of his collection to acquire his true grail at the National and we talk about the newly discovered problem in the hobby of unopened product being scanned to see what's inside.

Vintage Spotlight is a spinoff podcast from the Sports Cards Live segment of the same name where Leighton has joined the show for the last year and a half.

Please check out Jeremy's @SportsCardsLive and Leighton's @JustCollect other channels.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Vintage Spotlight podcast, Leighton and Jeremy discuss the recently ended auctions on Heritage of Michael Jordan's 1986 Fleer and 1984 Star cards along with guest Jeff Hart, we learn about Jeff's love for Vintage and his main collecting pursuits, we share some important tips for the National and we finish with three viewer questions.

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In this episode of the Vintage Spotlight podcast, Leighton and Jeremy discuss the nuances of the 1914 and 1915 Cracker Jack sets, who's cards are cooling off and heating up, Leighton tells the story behind and shows some gorgeous never-before-seen Jackie Robinson autographs, Cory joins as the first Collector Spotlight guest and explains who and and why he collects and we finish with a viewer question.

Vintage Spotlight is a spinoff podcast from the Sports Cards Live segment of the same name where Leighton has joined the show for the last year and a half.

Please check out Jeremy's  @SportsCardsLive  and Leighton's  @JustCollect  other channels.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices