Smoky Burgess - 1965 Topps

My TTM pipeline is drying up as I haven't sent out any since the first week of January and I've gotten most of those back.  I've been overpaying for a few common cards for TwinsFest.  Overpaying for shipping on those cards anyway.  I had to buy some Joel Zumaya cards as he was added recently after the Twins signed him.  Hopefully they arrive in time.  I hedged my bet a bit by buying cards from a few different sellers on SportLots.com, hoping at least one would come through for me.

I recently bought another card to add to my 1965 Topps collection.  I found a PSA/DNA authenticated Smoky Burgess for just about the cost of getting one authenticated.

Culver, Hough and Kusnyer

Three returns today.  George Culver signed his 1965, 1971 and 1973 Topps.  I also need him for my 1972 Topps but his card is in the high number series for that year and I haven't broken down and paid for it yet.

Charlie Hough signed a 1972, 1978 and 1987 Topps.

And Art Kusnyer signed his 1972 Topps rookie card.  Both of his teammates on this card have passed away.

Ken Henderson Through the Mail Return

I received a nice return from Ken Henderson today.  In addition to a Topps cards from 1971, 1973 and 1978, he signed a 1965 Topps already signed by Jack Hiatt.

Since September is over, I need to review my goals for the year.  I didn't make much progress since the end of July I'm afraid.  I'll update my progress against my goals later this week.

Willie Kirkland Return From Paid Signing

Today I added a couple of very tough cards to my 1958 and 1965 Topps sets.  Chris Potter Sports had a signing with Willie Kirkland.  I have been watching for an opportunity to get these cards signed for several years so I'm very happy to finally get these done. 

I haven't made much progress on either of these sets this year.  I'll have to take another look at my sets and see if there are more I can go after.

You can see my 1958 set here.

And my 1965 set here.

Joe McClain and Zach Monroe Autograph Returns

A couple of returns today as well as an eBay purchase.

Joe McClain signed his 1961 Topps.

Zach Monroe signed his 1960 Topps.

I bought a 1965 Topps Don Cardwell on eBay that arrived today.

My sons' baseball tournaments are going well.  They've each won two games and lost one, good enough to move to Sunday's bracket play.  I was at my younger son's games today.  In the game they lost, they game back from being down by 4 runs.  My son was up to bat in the top of the 6th inning (they only play 6 innings) with 2 down and the tying run on third, and the go ahead run on second.  He had two strikes on him and fouled several off before hitting a nice line drive up the middle.  The runner on third scored to tie it up and the runner on second was thrown out at the plate.  Unfortunately they lost it in the bottom of the 6th.  A pretty exciting game.

Jim Holt, Carl Erskine, Jim Bunning and Some Purchases

My son and I got some nice returns today.

First, I received a 1956 Topps signed by Carl Erskine.  I had asked him in my letter if I could send a ball for him to sign.  He wrote a short note that it would be fine and letting me know there would be no fee, but he would appreciate it if I would support the Special Olympics.

Next, Jim Holt signed the 1971, 1972 and 1973 Topps I sent him.  He also enclosed a signed 1975 SSPC card for me.

My son received a 1958 Topps signed by Jim Bunning.  This is a great return since Mr. Bunning has been a tough autograph to get over the last year or so but has recently begun signing again.

I also received a few purchases I made recently.  I bought four cards from a seller on eBay, including a 1965 Don Nottebart and 1972 Topps signed by Jeff Torborg, Gene Mauch and Rich Hand.

I also received a 1965 Topps signed by Zoilo Versalles that I bought from a member on SCN that is selling a collection for a friend.

Felipe Alou 1965 Topps

Today I received a card back that I sent to an SCN contact to have signed by Felipe Alou.  I had him sign a 1965 Topps for my set.

This makes 350 signed cards that I have for this set so far.

Jim Bunning 1965 Topps

I had a nice surprise in the mail today.  I haven't gotten many returns lately, mainly because I don't have many requests out.  But today I got back a 1965 Topps signed by Jim Bunning that an SCN contact took to the Fansedge Sports Spectacular show in Chicago last weekend.

I've gotten Bunning a couple of times for free through the mail, but he doesn't seem to be signing through the mail these days. 

I've got some free time in the evenings this week so I hope to send out at least a couple of requests.

Finally, a Return

It's been a while since I had anything to write about, but today I finally got something back in the mail. I sent a 1965 Topps in to a Joe Christopher signing that took place in late February.

Mr. Christopher doesn't sign through the mail, so I paid $15 to get this signed for my set.

I also sent in a 1965 Topps Albie Pearson to the same show promoter and hope to get that back in April sometime. I have identified a few 1965 Topps that I can send out through the mail to mediocre to poor signers ttm, and hopefully I'll find some time later this month to get those sent out.

My 1965 Topps Collection

Yesterday I finally got done creating my page of my signed 1965 Topps cards. It's similar to my page of my 1958 set, and helps me keep track of those cards I have and still need. It's terribly tedious to create, but hopefully it's accurate.


You can find it by clicking here.


Some of my favorites include: Carl Yastrzemski, Tony Kubek, Dean Chance, Hank Aaron, Bob Gibson and Ernie Banks.


I have 340 cards signed out of the 598 card set. I'll never complete it, but I'm hoping to get 450.

Another 1965 Topps - Johnny Orsino

Today I recevied a 1965 Topps signed by Johnny Orsino. A fellow collector on SCN arranged a signing with Mr. Orsino. For $8, I was able to add another card to my 1965 Topps set. I think this makes number 341 that I have gotten signed.

I hope to start sending out a bunch or requests this month. I received the three 1952 Topps that I bought on eBay and those will be the first to go.