Jim Greengrass and Ben Oglivie TTM Returns

I was away for a few days and came home to find two through the mail returns in my mailbox.

First, Ben Oglivie signed his 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game card for me.  I really like this set have have quite a few, but haven't concentrated on it much for a while.  I may try to get a few more of these but I'm not sure if I'll spend much money to get the big names.

I also got a great return from Jim Greengrass.  I sent him four cards, including  a1953 Topps, 1954 Topps, 1954 Bowman and 1955 Bowman.  He signed them all and also returned a signed 1956 Topps as well as two custom index cards!  I'm not sure what the "1952" inscription he added to many of the cards refers to.

 

 

Francisco Liriano - 2011 Topps Heritage

I received an ebay purchase in the mail today.  I knocked one more Francisco Liriano card off my wantlist by buying a 2011 Topps Heritage that he signed.

Now I just need 2006, 2008 and 2011 Allen & Ginters to have all the autographs I need of him.

Anybody have some to sell?

I started a new blog last weekend that focuses on my comic collecting.

It's called "My Comical Problem".  If you're interested in comics, please give it a try.

My older son also started a blog that focuses on his hunting and fishing here in Minnesota.  He would appreciate any readers so please give it a try as well.  It's called "Minnesota Woods and Lakes."

Don Larsen TTM Return

One nice return today: Don Larsen signed his 1956 and 1958 Topps in blue sharpie.  Mr. Larsen charges for his signature.  I paid $10 for these two cards to be signed.

He offers the best bargain around as well.  He sells a picture of him and Yogi Berra celebrating after Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series, signed by both of them, for only $40.  I purchased one years ago.  Berra charges at least $75 for an autograph these days, so this is a great deal.  If you haven't bought one, what are you waiting for?

Roy Face and Al Dark Returns

I received two returns today.

Al Dark signed his 1954 Red Heart (Dog Food) card.  I enclosed $5 with my request.

Roy Face signed a 1961 Topps Buc Hill Aces and his 1962 Topps.

I bought a handful of 1972 Topps to send out which I hope to get done tomorrow.

Bench, Wills and Robinson

Today I received some purchases as well as some cards back from a mail-in signing.

First, I received a 1972 Topps signed by Brooks Robinson and authenticated by PSA/DNA that I bought on Ebay.

I also received a 1972 Topps and 1972 Topps In Action signed by Maury Wills that I bought from a fellow member on sportscollectors.net.

Finally, I received three cards signed by Johnny Bench that I sent in to an AtommicSports signing, including a 1972 Topps, 1972 Topps In Action and 2008 Goudey.

 

Another Al Rainovic Drawing - Aaron and Mathews

A couple weeks ago I posted about a Charlie Dressen  drawing by Al Rainovic that I bought on Ebay.  That Ebay seller also had another one for sale, but I passed on it because the starting price was too high, although I thought someone else wold probably buy it.

Nobody bought it, and the seller relisted it at a lower price, so I bought it.  This one features Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews. The drawing itself is about 11.25 inches tall and 10 inches wide.

The text in the upper right corner is hard to read, but says, "Lo, the poor National League pitchers facing these two guys these days!"


I'm trying to figure out approximately what date this may have appeared and find the this one printed in the Milwaukee Journal archives on Google.

Frank Robinson - 1972 Topps

Today I received a recent Ebay purchase.

I bought a 1972 Topps signed by Frank Robinson and authenticated by PSA/DNA.

I was able to buy this for less than the normal price of his autograph at a show.

Bob Turley Return

I received one nice return today. 

Bob Turley signed his 1956 Topps. 

I have just a handful of requests out so it will continue to be a little slow for a while.

Bob Lillis

I received one return yesterday.

Bob Lillis signed his 1960 and 1963 Topps that I sent to him last April.

Qualters and Scheib

I received a couple more ttm returns the last few days.

On Friday, I received a 1955 and 1959 Topps signed by Tom Qualters.

On Saturday I recevied a 1953 Topps signed by Carl Scheib.  I had enclosed $5 with my request.

My weekends are very busy lately so I don't know when I'll get a chance to send out too many more requests.  Probably not in October.

Carl Pavano and Monte Irvin

A couple ttm returns today.

First, Hall of Famer Monte Irvin signed my 1956 Topps and 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game.  I included a $20 donation to Lincoln University which Mr. Irvin supports.

Next, I was surprised to receive a 2011 Topps Heritage back from Carl Pavano, which I sent to him just over one year ago.  Since I didn't receive this back by TwinsFest earlier this year, I had him sign this card there as well.

Pavano has been on the disabled list for quite a while this year.  I'm not sure why he would have gotten around to signing this right now, but I'm grateful he took the time.  The postmark on the envelope was from Florida.

Al Rainovic Original Art

Another eBay purchase:  I came across an original drawing of Charlie Dressen by Al Rainovic.

Al Rainovic was a sports cartoonist for the Milwaukee Journal in the 1950's and 1960's.  This drawing would be from 1960 or 1961, when Dressen was the manager for the Milwaukee Braves.

I thought this was a pretty unique item to add to my collection.

Phil Rizzuto Bat

I bid on a lot of things on eBay, but I don't get caught up in the competitive side of the bidding because that leads to overpaying for things.  I usually browse a bit and put in bids that I would be happy to pay if I were to win.  I don't win too many auctions this way, but occasionally I'll win something.

Recently, I won a Phil Rizzuto signed bat at a price I was very happy with.  I received it today.  It's JSA authenticated.

I have to many bats already and no way to display them.  I keep thinking I'll make some bat holders to hang on the wall, but I never seem to get around to it.  They're mostly stacked up against the wall in my basement.

Dick "Richie" Allen

 Today I received two cards back from an Atommic Sports signing.  Dick Allen signed my 1972 Topps and 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game.

I really like the Greats of the Game set.  I have 38 of these signed, but about 6-8 of them are certified versions, which have a gold border rather than the maroon border.  It's a tough set to complete, mainly because all the players are stars and hall of famers.

A few of my favorites include Whitey Ford, Yogi Berra, Hank Bauer and Duke Snider.

Bobby Wine and Some Purchases

I'm a day behind posting my returns.

I had just one return yesterday, as well as some purchases.

First, Bobby Wine signed three cards for me that I sent him back in March.  He signed his 1970, 1972, and 1973 Topps.

 

I bought a 1972 Topps signed by Mike Jorgensen that I bought from Mickey's on eBay.

These two 1972 Topps being my total to 371 signed from that set.  Still 29 short of my goal for the year.  I need to spend some time going through my collection and buying some cards to send out if I"m going to reach my goal.

I also bought a 2008 Allen & Ginter signed by Brian Bass and a 208 Topps Heritage signed by Matt Macri that I bought from a fellow sportscollectors.net member.

Ned Garver Return

One return in the mail today.

Ned Garver signed a 1953 Topps, 1955 Bowman and 1960 Topps.

He also included a signed Diamond Signatures card and a signed index card.