Duke Snider - Ron Lewis Living Legends Signed Portrait

I added another Ron Lewis portrait to my collection: Duke Snider.  I bought it on Ebay and it's PSA/DNA authenticated (the sticker's on the back).

This is my 10th signed portrait from this set, along with Berra, Feller, Killebrew, Mathews, Robinson, Rose, Schoendienst, Slaughter and Spahn.  I'm still looking to add Whitey Ford to this set as well.  I'll probably never get Mantle, Mays or Koufax, but I'll get as many as I can.

Duke Snider Return - 1959 Topps

A rare return today as I haven't sent out many requests at all. 10 days ago I sent a 1959 Topps to Duke Snider along with $5 cash.

I received the card back today signed nicely in blue sharpie. Along the lines of my "autographs every collector should have", Duke is at the top of the list. He's a great signer for a very small fee. In fact, he doesn't have a formal fee. Collectors have just continued to send along a fee to encourage him to keep signing.

HOF Autographs Every Collector Should Have - Al Kaline

I finally sent out a couple of requests today. I sent a 1959 Topps to Duke Snider and the 1962 Topps Tribe Hill Trio card (already signed by Barry Latman and Jim Perry) to Dick Stigman.

I thought I'd start highlighting some autographs that I think new collectors should add to their collection right away. These are HOF players that sign with a high degree of success through the mail for a small fee or for free.

I've already written some posts about Duke Snider. He's the first request any collector should send. For a small fee ($5-$10) Mr. Snider will sign a card, ball, picture or magazine.

Another great HOF signer is Al Kaline. Mr. Kaline spent his entire career with the Tigers, 22 years, from 1953 to 1974. He was an 18-time All-Star, and Batting Champion in 1955. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1980, along with Duke Snider.


I have several autographs from Mr. Kaline in my collection. I have a 1964 Sports Illustrated that he signed for me about 5 years ago, a ball that he inscribed with his HOF year that I sent about 6 years ago, and several cards that I have sent over the years including a 1958 and 1965 Topps for my sets.


Always send to Mr. Kaline in care of the Detroit Tigers, not to his home address. He doesn't have a price list, but $5 per card, and $10 for balls and magazines seems to be successful.

Duke Snider Return

Another great return today. Duke Snider signed a 1955 Sport Magazine for me. I included $10 with my request. Duke Snider is one of my favorite retired players. I have sent to him several times and this is the third magazine of his I have in my collection.

I also got three cards back from Ray Narleski, who signed his 1956, 1959 and 1960 Topps.

Yep, It's Cold - And Some TTM Returns

It was so cold here today that my kids' school was closed. Luckily, that freed them and my wife up to go to Target and buy the new TV stand. I was barely able to carry the old 32" CRT TV upstairs to the guest bedroom where it will probably rot. Tomorrow night I'll put the stand together and hopefully get the new TV up and running.

Today we had several returns. I say "we", because my older son got back the 1960 Sport Magazine he sent to Duke Snider. He was pretty excited to get it.


I had a few returns too. Billy Pierce signed the 1959 Topps "Ace Hurlers" that Robin Roberts signed a little while ago.


Ron Locke signed his 1965 Topps for me and wrote me a very nice note answering the question I asked in my letter regarding his career after his playing days. He also thanked me for remembering him!

Finally, Jim Rittwage signed his 1965 Topps that he shares with Ralph Gagliano. I'll send it off to Mr. Gagliano next week.

A Lazy Sunday

I didn't do any work on the basement today. I need to sand the holes I patched and then wash the walls and I'll be ready to paint.

Last night I ordered about 60 baseball cards from Sportlots.com in preparation for TwinsFest. I ordered enough for me and my kids, and possibly an extra for me if my wife goes through the line. There are a lot of minor leaguers on the list that I couldn't find any cards for, so I"m not sure what I'll have them sign if I go through their line. Last year I used a generic Twins logo picture for the people I didn't have an item to sign. I'll have to try to find something like that again.


Yesterday my older son wrote a couple of requests. One to Duke Snider for the magazine he picked up earlier this week (pictured here), and one to Stan Musial, who won't sign your card through the mail, but will send back a signed stats postcard.

The Duke of Flatbush

I have many items in my collection signed by Duke Snider, a longtime outfielder for the Dodgers and member of the Hall of Fame. He is an excellent signer and I usually throw in a little cash in hopes that he continues to sign.

I bought the bat, but everything else in my collection was obtained through the mail from Mr. Snider. There are lots of great vintage cards available for Duke, including the 1954 Topps shown in an earlier post of mine. There area also a lot of great newer cards available which can be found easily and are of course cheaper.

Anyone starting out collecting autographs definitely needs to make a Duke Snider request a high priority.