Wade Boggs TTM Return and Harry Byrd 1958 Purchase

I don't collect too many signed cards after the 1980's but there are a few sets I like, including the 2000 Fleer Tradition set.  They can be a little busy and aren't always the best for autographs, but I like them anyway.  I sent Wage Boggs his card and he signed it in about 2.5 weeks for his $10 per card fee.

It's not often that I add a card to my 1958 Topps set anymore since the ones I need are pretty tough and/or expensive.  I was able to pick up this Harry Byrd card recently, bringing the number of  cards I need to complete the set down to 76.  The only living player that I still need is Sandy Koufax.  I tried him ttm a while ago but received a RTS, which was no surprise.

Jose Canseco and Lee Smith

I forgot to post these two return from last Wednesday.  It was a slow week, so I'm not sure why I forgot.

I sent Lee Smith his 1982 Topps rookie card ttm.

And I received a Jose Canseco Grand Slam print back from a paid signing.

A Big Start to the Week

I had mentioned to my wife that I planned to spend less on this hobby this year.  Then she picked up the mail today and said it doesn't look like I'm spending less.  I had no argument, especially since I also went to the post office to mail off a bobblehead, a couple Metrodome seatbacks and some cards for signings.

Oh well.  These were things I committed to last year.  That's my only excuse.

Anyway, I received four ttm returns.

Rick Dempsey signed my four cards, included a signed 89 Upper Deck and also a signed and personalized photo of an SI cover.  He included a long note about charging for signing and some fees that look like he's including in all his returns.  Due to the photo, he had to return all of it in his own manilla envelope with $5 postage.  I had enclosed $20 ($5 per card) with my request.  He seems to appreciate the gesture of including a fee.  He also answered a couple questions I had in my letter and wrote me a nice thank you note, wishing me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

In the form letter he enclosed, he noted that he signs his mail for about three hours per day.  Based on just my return, I can see that to be true. 

Bill Zepp signed a few cards for me, including a 1971 Twins team card.

Tom Satriano signed four cards with his typical ballpoint.  I think I had intended to send these along with a pen but forgot to.  Maybe I'll send another request later this year to get some nice blue sharpie signatures from him.

And Bill Mazeroski signed six cards for me, a few vintage and a few modern.  The 1961 World Series card is a minor upgrade over the two I already have.  It is nearly impossible to find that card nicely centered.  Despite working on the 1965 Topps set (I'm at 454 out of 598 cards in the set), I don't usually send out the embossed cards.  But I am running out of unique cards to send Mr. Mazeroski, but will keep tracking them down.  I have 72 signed Mazeroski cards, but that includes several duplicates.

I received six cards back from a Justin Morneau signing in an attempt to fill some holes in my Twins team sets for the Heritage and Allen & Ginter sets.

Finally, I purchased a 1982 Topps Jerry Koosman signed card slabbed by PSA/DNA.  Normally, I would just mail this to him ttm to sign, but he recently announced his fee has increased to $40.  So most of his cards can be found for sale cheaper than that fee.  His signature has become very shaky, so I'm guessing this fee increase is an attempt to reduce the demand.