SA Footy

For any cricket heads out there, this household is in the process of getting organised for the arrival of a new baby, which means moving on from things you can't justify any more.
Part of that for me means dispensing with a collection of about 500 cricket ties -- these are tour series tours, player benefit ties etc etc from the 70s through to the 90s. Majority of the ties are from England, Australia, West Indies, South Africa and New Zealand, with a few from the sub-continent thrown in (they don't make a lot of commemorative ties)
I don't particularly want big cash for them -- about 1.50 per tie or so would get you the lot -- but much prefer they go to someone who actually has an interest in the game, and wanted them to look at, or even to wear if you like.
Simple point is that I can't be stuffed putting them on Ebay in blocks of 10 or 100, but happy for someone to just private message me, say they want them, and they can have them.
I've attached a couple of photos of some samples -- richard hadlee benefit, viv richards english benefit, viv richards west indies benefit, mcc members, mcc touring tie, an original 77 world series tie, a centenary test tie, gordon greenidge benefit, joel garner benefit, graham gooch 100 100s -- for those who want a look at a few.

If anyone wants to go really crazy because they have stacks of space or want cricket stuff, I'm also happy to throw in a few other curios in one bulk package, eg:

- Mike Whitney's Aussie test jumper from the 91 Windies tour with coat of arms (your choice of sleeveless or pull over.) The pull over has his name in it, while the sleeveless doesn't have his name in it.
- Salim Malik's Pakistan training shirt, signed by him (yes, I got that before I realised he was offering some blokes cash. Good miss by me)
- Various other bits of gear / clothing from early 90s tours

I like the one on the far right, in the first pic, is it available?
Is it too stingy to buy one tie?

Could not have had a more exciting five hours at a strategy meeting. I'll reply to everyone in the next couple of hours. that's why you've not heard back, those who've sent notes so far.

Don't get rid of them, just stand up to your wife! How can you not justify keeping something you obviously have a passion for.

True, Andy.
Roger, you seem to have made some effort in collecting them. Sure you want to see them go?

Roger not trying to do the SAFooty'ers out of a bargain but have you thought about listing them on Ebay - either individually or maybe they are worth more as a set and at least you know they will stay as an intact collection

I agree with the last couple of posts - seems a shame to let such a collection go

Maybe you could talk to the SACA or the MCG they may be able to display some?

Why exactly are you getting rid of them? The fact you have said it's not about money has me puzzled

I reckon you should keep them. Would be a great thing to pass down to your children in the future.

Couple of good points and I'm happy to answer them all.

Andy - have kept the things I do want to keep, but you do make allowances too as you get further down the road. The extravagant book collection stays and a good chunk of the memorabilia I really am attached to stays. However, I collected the ties with a passion from about 88 to 2000, but barely bought one for 7-8 years. Most importantly, I've hardly looked at them in that time, so what am I getting out of it? We need some space, and it's something I think that just isn't that important anymore, as it once was, so why not they go to someone who really wants them?

Hondo - I did talk to the MCG about them having them, as I know a few guys there well. They gave me a straight honest answer and said they had so much great stuff in warehouses they barely displayed 5pct of what they had. Reckoned they would probably display the 7-8 best ties and the other hundreds would all sit in a box. No point in that I thought. Spoke to a couple of memorabilia guys as well who said they would break them down into small groups and sell. I thought better someone who wants them all for whatever reason, to look at them and show them off, like I once did.

Rod - Not about the cash, correct. If I wanted the money I spent collecting them, I'd want 5,000 at least probably, just to cover the costs. But, it's not as if I was counting them on a balance sheet and I guess I can't justify keeping everything. I will keep a few things that are very special -- Mark Waugh's debut hundred helmet, some stuff Allan Border wore in his last test, some bats, some Shane Warne stuff -- but I need to reclaim part of the house to actually live in.

Ebay - I don't have the mental energy to do 50-60 separate posts of 5-10 ties, auction them, mail them etc. Better someone has them all, or most of them, and is happy to have them.

Anyway, will respond to all those who've sent me messages and thanks for the interest.

Sounds like you have an impressive collection Roger, How did you come about getting all of this terrific stuff?

I spent my time from about 87 - 99 on the cricket circuit, working as a journo covering Test matches and then working in cricket itself. Had the opportunity to follow the caravan around, and just seemed to suddenly find myself with a hell of a lot of ties, and once you have started, you may as well keep going.

I know who you are.........Nugget