Jim Lonborg and Ken McMullen TTM Returns

I received two more ttm returns to close out the week.  

Jim Lonborg signed his 1969 Atlantic-Richfield Oil John Wheeldon print, as well as four of his Topps cards using the pen I included.  He doesn't normally charge, but this request was a bit of a burden so I enclosed $30.  $5 per card and $10 for the print.  I had also requested he add the CY Young inscription to the print, which he kindly did.  He wrote, "Roger - thank you for the gift!" on my sase.  It's nice to see it's appreciated and that he wasn't put out by the request.

And Ken McMullen signed his 1964 and 1966 Topps cards along with the 66 Senators and 72 Angels team cards.

Jackie Brandt TTM Return

Just one more return today.  I feel like I should have had more this week.  I have a couple dozen requests out.  I see on the PirateShip website that I have several returns that might arrive on Monday.  Those would be requests in which I sent an oversized item like a Grand Slam print, or in which I included a pen for them to use.  

My 1966 Athletics Yearbook project appears to be on its way back from Bert Campaneris, with an anticipated arrival date of Wednesday the 26th.

I also have items sent in to nearly 30 different signings, but many of those aren't scheduled until next month, and half of them will get pushed out at least another month.  Or at least that how it seems lately.  I have seven Grand Slam prints out to paid signings, and just one out ttm.

Jackie Brandt signed three of his Topps cards, and a 1959 Giants team card.  His normally beautiful signature seems to be getting a little shaky.

Here is his signature from July.

And here's a very nice example from 2004.

Ed Bane and Wes Stock TTM Returns

I just checked my stats on sportscollectors.net (SCN) and saw that I just sent out my 400th request this year, which doesn't include mail-in signings by promoters.  That's my 4th highest annual total since I started in 2003.  

Even though I started in June of 2003, I managed to send 506 requests in those seven months.  I sent 491 in 2004, my first full year in the hobby, and 483 in 2022.  I don't think I'll beat 483 with just over a month left in the year.

Today I received a return from former-Twin Ed Bane, who signed his 1974 Topps Buy Back and 1977 Topps as well as a couple team cards.  The ink is super light, nearly invisible on the 77, despite the ink used to answer a couple questions in my letter being very bold.  I'm not sure what happened.

91-year-old Wes Stock signed the 1966 and 1967 Athletics team cards and a 1973 and 1977 coaches card.  I purchased the 1973 Topps signed by Williams and Noren as well as Vern Horscheit on the back.  Jerry Adair passed away back in 1987 so this card is as complete as it's going to get.

Vintage Bobbleheads

I didn't receive any autographs back today, but I did get around to documenting my new bobblehead purchases.

I bought a couple football bobbleheads, an early-60's Rams and a 1968 Bengals.

I really like the mascot dolls, and bought my first two Orioles nodders.

The one with the white base was more than I usually pay, but with the large heads, they tended to get damaged and this one is in exceptional, unrestored condition.

Two more mascot heads, including a Mr. Met bank, and a culturally insensitive Braves version.

This Indians doll was team issued, and featured a regular (albeit creepy) head rather than the mascot head.  This one came with its box, which is very uninteresting.  I don't try to collect the bobbleheads with their original box, but some have it anyway.

And I added another Giants nodder, which is a slight variation to one I already have.

I also added Mickey and Goofy to my Donald Duck to complete the Disney set.  Goofy's ears must have been wrapped around his head as he was stored a long time.  I have a rubberband on his head now trying to train them to lie down again.

Here's Donald that I bought previously.

Butler, Corbin and Gossage TTM Returns and a Fosnow Purchase

I received three more ttm returns today and this time they all showed up in my Informed Delivery email.

Former-Twin Bill Butler signed his 1970 Topps with his Topps All Star Rookie Trophy logo on it.  I like getting these cards signed and have my collection posted here. He also signed his 1975 and 1976 Topps as well as a 1975 Topps Buy Back card.  I included his $5 per card fee.

Ray Corbin signed his 1972 Topps and a 1974 Topps Buy Back card, as well as a 1972 Twins team card, and added the first signature to a 1972 Twins team Buy Back card.  He used a very fine ballpoint pen, which makes it look like his signature was etched into the card.

And Goose Gossage signed his 1982 Topps All Star card for his $10 fee.

I also bought a 2014 Topps Heritage Real One Autograph card of Jerry Fosnow.

My recent purchase of ten more vintage bobbleheads arrived today, but I haven't even opened the boxes yet.

Tom Burgmeier and Alex George TTM Returns

Late last month I sent in three Johnny Bench cards to a signing, including his 1968 rookie card.  Unfortunately, it took the post office about 12 days to get my package from Minnesota to Illinois and I missed the signing.  Crap.

Today I received two ttm successes.

Alex George, who doesn't have his own Topps card, signed my 1956 Athletics team card.  I was thinking he must be well into his 90's, but he's "just" 87 years old.  He was only 16 when he played in 5 games for his hometown A's in 1955, their first year in Kansas City.

And former-Twin Tom Burgmeier signed a 1976 Topps Buy Back card and Twins team cards from 1975, 1977 and 1978.

Neither of these ttm returns showed up in my Informed Delivery email, which has been happening lately.  I'm not sure why.

I won some more vintage bobbleheads at auction that I should receive tomorrow.  Ten more to add to the collection.

Lou Piniella TTM Return

The returns continue to trickle in.  I sent just a single card to Lou Piniella a couple weeks ago, who signed a 1972 Topps Rookie of the Year Award card nicely in blue sharpie.  I didn't ask for it, but he added his ROY inscription as well.

Today, I sent out a few more requests to equal 14 over the last two days.  I also sent out two Grand Slam prints to paid signings, and a bunch of Twins cards to a golf tournament for which an SCN member is taking consignments.

I'm hopeful the returns will pick up over the next couple of days.