Pete Hamm has not signed much, if anything for decades. Some collectors believe he did a signing with Bill Corcoran many years ago, and most, if not all, of the autographs you find for sale, if they are real, came from this signing.
Then, a couple months ago, some SCN members started getting returns from him that were nearly 20 years old! How odd! So, I thought I'd roll the dice and if nothing else, get my 20-year clock started so maybe I could get one before I die. I sent one request last September to an address in California, but then I saw some recent returns from an address in Washington state. So, I sent a request there and in just 10 days, received these two cards back!
I'm super pumped to have these since I didn't think I'd ever have him in my collection. And I didn't have to pay $100+ to get it. I wonder if he'll keep it up or if this is a short window of opportunity. He played for the Twins for two years, in 1970 and 1971, which was his entire major league career. He's 77 years old now, so he could sign for a long time still. Maybe his signature will become so common they'll be cheap.
I also got a return from Jake Wood. I had sent him a blue sharpie, five cards, and $10 despite the fact that he doesn't normally charge. I thought the hassle of the bubble envelopes and the relatively large number of cards justified the $10. Unfortunately, he didn't use the blue sharpie and signed his 1961 and 1965 Topps in the same black sharpie he's used on my previous requests, which is why I sent the blue one. He signed the team cards in a very fine blue marker, but I don' t think it was with the sharpie I sent. His signature smeared on one of the team cards. Not a great success, but I appreciate his effort.
Larry Jaster signed his 1970 Topps and a couple team cards.
And Lou Klimchock signed his 1960 Topps rookie card and the 1959 Kansas City Athletics team card. He also included a signed picture which is obviously hand-cut. It feels like it's from a magazine. I couldn't find any information of him coaching for the Indians so I'm curious what this picture is from.
I also bought an MLB-Authenticated Paul Molitor signed bobblehead from his time as manager of the Twins. I was able to buy this cheaper than I would have to pay to send it in to a signing.
Speaking of bobbleheads, some of the vintage ones I've been purchasing on eBay have arrived. I bought several of the Twins blue base version from 1961 or so. They are quite common and probably the cheapest vintage Twins bobblehead. I have five of these now. Here are the four I've purchased recently. I don't know how many will be enough. I may just keep buying affordable ones.
I bought another Twins mini bobblehead. These have a magnet on the bottom so you could place them on your dashboard, back when dashboards were made of metal. I have two of these now. Here's the one I just bought.
I bought another mini bobblehead of the Los Angeles Angels. It's in pretty nice shape too. These minis can be pretty expensive, with some going for more than $500.00. I will only buy them as I come across affordable ones in good shape. I have no goal of trying to complete the set. This goes for all of the bobbleheads, not just the minis.
Some of the bobbleheads have the head of a mascot instead of the little boy. These are pretty popular and in general, go for more than boys do. I bought the Saint Louis Cardinals mascot bobblehead. Apparently, his name is Fredbird. These were sold from 1966 to 1971.
I have seven more sports-related vintage bobbleheads on their way and will post them when receive them.
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