Finally, Some TTM Returns - Tony Perez Grand Slam Print and Dave Parker Purchase

I had a few days without any returns despite having outstanding requests. 

Dick Estelle signed his 1965 Topps already signed by Masanori Murakami.  I think I'll have this one authenticated just so it looks nice and is better protected.  I have a couple other copies of this card completed so I'll pick the nicest one.

John Sevcik also signed his 1965 Topps, as well as a 1966 Twins team card.  Rich Reese won't sign this card.  People assume it's because they have his first name as "Dick" instead of "Rich", but I don't know if that's true.  It would be really cool to complete it, but it probably won't happen.  Super-Twins-Collector Randy has one completed, and showed it on SCN.  It's the only one I've ever seen.

Rollie Sheldon signed a couple Yankees team cards as well as his 1963 and 1966 Twins team cards.

I bought the last of three 1982 Topps Dave Parker card from the same seller that I bought the other two from.  I had a refund for a signing that didn't happen so I spent the money on this instead.

And finally, I received a Tony Perez Grand Slam print back from a mail-in signing.  Again, I had asked for the authentication sticker to be placed on the back and it got placed on the front.  In fact, they had to lift up the sticky note I had on the print asking to put it on the back in order to place the sticker here.  Again, not a big deal, but could they at least put it on straight?

I've decided I'm all-in on some Hall of Famer rookie cards and have purchased several: Cal Ripken Jr., Johnny Bench, Mike Schmidt and Rod Carew for upcoming signings.  Very spendy, but I feel like I'll regret not getting the signed.  I compared the cost of getting ones already signed, and sending in to a signing with an unsigned card is quite a bit cheaper.  So far, I've received the Cal Ripken Jr. 1982 Topps Traded card, and I'll have him sign the regular 82 Topps as well, which he shares with two other players.  The traded card seems to be the more popular, and sells for quite a bit more.

Aker, Eckersley, Essegian and Maloney TTM Returns and Some 1958 Topps Purchases

I received four ttm returns back today.  Three were regular returns in my sase, and one was a padded envelope via PirateShip.

Jack Aker signed four cards nicely in blue sharpie for his $5 per card fee.

Dennis Eckersley signed a 1972 Topps Cy Young Award card for his $10 per card fee.  He won the Cy Young Award in 1992.  51 Saves and a 1.91 ERA.  Wow!

I have sent autograph requests to Chuck Essegian nine times over the last 22 years, and I've purchased a few of his signed cards as well.

The only card I had signed by him that was in blue sharpie instead of black ballpoint, was a 2012 Topps Heritage Real One Autographs card that I pulled from a pack.

His signature, even in black ballpoint, looks pretty nice on vintage cards, but sometimes it just wasn't very strong and was hard to read.

I decided to send him the cards I really wanted to upgrade, which was nine, along with a Medium blue Staedtler and $20.  I sent all this in a padded envelope via Pirate Ship.  He doesn't normally charge a fee, so I hoped that the $20 cash would smooth over any negative feelings regarding the large number of cards and the hassle of the padded envelopes and using my pen. I specifically mentioned this in my letter, along with letting him know how much I appreciate him signing for me.

The cards look great!  I feel kind of bad because he returned my $20.  It's not as if he overlooked the cash.  It was in a team bag with the cards, which he had to take the cards out of and return to, so the $20 bill was in his way while doing this.  Hopefully he appreciated the gesture at least.

He didn't return the 1963 Post I had enclosed, so either that was an oversight, or he kept it for himself which is perfectly fine considering he signed eight other cards for me.

Finally, I received four more 1958 Topps for my set, bringing the number of cards I need to complete it down to 78.  I bought these from Tom Orr on SCN.  He posted some signed cards from a 58 set that was about 60% complete.  These four cards were the only ones I didn't already have.  The prices seemed more than fair and I'm happy to add these to my set.

The Dotterer card is inscribed to "Barry", but for the price, that's okay.

Joe Ryan Signed Baseball - Charity Auction

My wife attended a family members charity event this weekend and they had a silent auction.  This Joe Ryan ball was one of the items being auction.  She texted me a picture and I told her to bid $50, knowing it's for charity.  That's not a crazy amount considering Rawlings Official Major League baseballs (ROMLBs) retail for $20 each.

She won it for $45.  It came with a note that came from the Twins, who donated the ball to the charity.  The note is actually for the charity, reminding them to let the Twins know what it sold her (presumably so the Twins can use it as a tax deduction).  It also has an MLB authentication sticker on it.

I only have two other Joe Ryan autographs, and they're practically identical.  Two different 2022 Topps Heritage cards, one certified and one that I purchased from another collector.

I never noticed it before, but on the certified card, they lightened the background so the autograph would show up better.

Five TTM Returns!

Today was a big day at the mailbox as I received five ttm returns.  These are all "normal" returns, meaning I didn't send a pen and use bubble envelopes for the sase.  Just regular, #6 3/4 envelopes.  These requests were all sent within the last two weeks, so they're also pretty quick returns.

Doug Camilli signed the 1965 Dodgers and 1966 Senators team cards for his fee of $5 per card.

Former-Twin George Mitterwald completed his 1968 rookie card previously signed by Rick Renick, a 1967 Twins team card and both of his 1972 Topps nicely in fine blue marker.  While I didn't send a pen, I did ask in my letter to please sign using blue, as he appears to be about 50/50 using black and blue pens.

Bennie Daniels signed three Senators team cards and his 1963 Topps in blue sharpie.  I didn't request it since he usually signs in blue.

I sent to Rich Beck for the first time, and he signed a 1966 Yankees team card signed by Bobby Richardson, Ross Moschitto, and Jack Cullen.  He also signed his 1966 Topps.

This was also my first request to Rick Miller, who signed a few set cards for me including his 1972, 1975, 1978 and 1982 Topps nicely in blue sharpie.  Mr. Miller charges $5 per card.  Tommy Hutton is a good signer ttm so the 1972 Topps is off to him next.  Unfortunately, John Milner passed away way back in the year 2000.

I sent off six more requests today, including two in which I included a Medium blue Staedtler pen.  I have a couple Grand Slam prints out to signings that are supposed to be happening today, including Tony Perez and Willie McGee.  I hope to get those back this week, but you never know,