George Thomas TTM Return and Vintage Bobbleheads

My collecting is going to make an abrupt slowdown/halt since we are in the process of closing on a cabin this week.  We've been seriously looking for a lake property for over six years and finally found one we're really happy with, and which we didn't get outbid on.  Covid threw a serious wrench in the process, with people paying well over listing, sight unseen with no contingencies or inspections, which we just weren't willing to do.

Anyway, after about a decade of being debt free, I am no longer and will have to seriously budget my collecting habits going forward.  I have a lot of stamps, and a lot of cards, so I may still send out some ttm requests, and participate in the occasional signing, but nowhere near what I have been.  I may start focusing on the 1982 set, and sending off to players with no fees to see how that goes.

Yesterday, I received a return from George Thomas, who signed two team cards and two individual cards in about three weeks.  There are only a couple more players I can add to the Tigers team cards as most of the players have passed away.

I also received some auction winnings from some vintage bobbleheads, mostly the mini versions from 1961-1963.

I also added a White Sox doll from the 1963-1966 Green base set.

And, I bought an inexpensive one with a small crack on the head.  I have plans to try to repair some of the bobbleheads and thought this one would be on the easier side since the crack is limited to an area with the same color paint.  I think color matching the paint will be the hardest part, and I'm hoping to find some technology to make it easier rather than rely on my unartistic eye.

It looks fine at first glance on the shelf, but up close it's pretty bad:

Phil Regan TTM Return After 368 Days

The sase from Miami that I assumed was from Andre Dawson and that was in my Informed Delivery email from June 23rd but wasn't in my mailbox, turned out to be a return from Phil Regan.  It was delivered to my next door neighbor, who was kind enough to return it to me today.  I sent two from the 1962 Post set; one for me and one for my son.

I sent this request on June 30th of last year, so it was just over a year getting to me (but probably a little under a year getting to my neighbor).

So, where is my Andre Dawson request that I sent back in March?  Others on SCN have been getting returns consistently, but there are a few stragglers, like mine that are still waiting.  I don't see many returns that are older than two weeks though, so my hopes are low of getting that one back.  It was just a '25 Allen & Ginter and $10, but it would be nice to get it.

Bennie Daniels TTM Return

Yesterday I received a 1959 Pirates team card back from Bennie Daniels, who joined Vern Law and the late Bob Skinner on it.

The late 50's early 60's Pirates teams were such great ttm signers, but unfortunately, their numbers have dwindled. 

John Boccabella TTM Return

Yesterday I received a return from John Boccabella who was kind enough to sign three of his cards as well as an Expos team card from 1972.  The 64 was already signed by Billy Cowan.  It's a terrible card for autographs due to the dark backgrounds, but it looks as cold as can be expected. 

George Foster Grand Slam Print as Well as Pete Hamm and Jake Wood TTM Returns

My returns backed up just a bit over the last few days as I visited Northern Minnesota.

I sent a Grand Slam print to a George Foster signing.  I didn't notice it until after I scanned it and added it to my web site, but the print appears to be a bit bent.  I didn't notice any damage to the package I received, so who knows how it was damaged. 

Pete Hamm was kind enough to sign his 1971 Topps which was previously signed by Jim Nettles, along with a 71 Twins team card signed by Leo Cardenas, Tom Hall and Bill Zepp.  The 1971 Topps team cards can be tough to get signed and look nice since they are so dark.  With all players having signed in blue sharpie so far, it's about as nice as you can hope for.  I included $20 with my request to Mr. Hamm, despite him not having published anything specific.  I'd like to keep his signing streak going, despite his 20+ year dry spell.

Jake Wood thoughtfully signed the three cards I sent him along with $10.  He signed the 62 and 63 Topps in blue sharpie, and the 64 Tigers team card in ballpoint.  I've seen many players switch pens like this, since the sharpie might be too thick for the team card.  What a nice gesture for a player to ensure that the signature is as legible as possible.

Dave LaRoche TTM Return

I received a return from former- Twin Dave LaRoche today, who signed his 1971 and 1972 Topps, a 72 Buy Back, and a 72 Angels team card.  His is the 6th signature on the team card, which was previously signed by Ken Berry, Ken McMullen, Billy Cowan, Roger Repoz, and Tommie Reynolds.

The 72 Topps is a minor upgrade over one I sent him over 15 years ago.  It was signed nicely in blue, but the pen was very fine and not real strong.  My main motivation for this request was getting the Buy Back card signed.  I don't know why, but I like the 50th Anniversary gold foil stamp on the cards, and it's another excuse to write tom some of these older players.  Here's the card I received 15 years ago:

In yesterday's Informed Delivery email, there was an image of one of my return envelopes postmarked from Miami.  I am 99.9% sure this is a return from Andre Dawson that I sent back in March.  I was happy to see it because he has continued to return requests in a very short time for many others, as recorded on SCN and I was thinking mine had gotten lost.  But, the actual envelope did not end up in my mailbox yesterday or today, so now I'm not sure where it is or if I'll get it.  It was not an expensive card (just a 2025 Allen & Ginter) with a $10 fee, but it would be nice to get it.  Usually when this occurs, I get it in 1-2 days after the day it appears in Informed Delivery, so I'm still hopeful it will show up tomorrow. 

Joe Amalfitano and Claude Osteen Returns

Joe Amalfitano signed his 1962 Post for me in a little over two weeks. Like many of the cards, this one is cut poorly, but it's hard to find reasonably priced ones that were cut well.

I received a disappointing return from Claude Osteen, who ha a habit of smearing his signatures.  I have been relatively luck in the past, but this time he smeared all three.  The worst is the 1971 Topps Buy Back that I paid nearly $10 for.  I'm contemplating whether to even bother keeping it or just tossing it.  I'm sure Mr. Osteen is well meaning and probably unaware he is doing this, but there are many notes and comments on SCN about this occurring frequently with him.

Gene Alley and Cecil Cooper TTM Returns

I sent this request to Gene Alley back in March via Pirate Ship, along with a blue Staedtler and $20.  He's generally a reliable signer, but in the last few years he's been spotty and taking a while to respond.  Sometimes as long as six to eight months.

I have sent to him in the past, but wanted to upgrade some of my set cards toa nice blue signature instead of the ballpoint or black marker I've received on some in the past.  I also wanted to add another 1966 East Hills card to my collection.  I have 11 of the 25 card set signed now.

Cecil Cooper signed another 1972 Topps Red Sox rookies card that I'll try to complete, as well as team card from the same set.  I included $10 with my request.

Catching Up

I've fallen behind a few days so this post will cover back to last Thursday, when I posted about some returns but forgot to post about a 1962 Topps Twins card I purchased.  I had previously paid a LOT for this card blank, and never saw it again after sending it to Bill Pleis shortly before he passed away last fall.  I had hoped that I might see it again, as sometimes family members return requests that didn't get signed.  I know they have more important things to do so at this point I consider it gone.

I was trying to find another copy of the card, and decent copies can be $50 or more.  But, I came across this card on eBay that was about $40 and already has some signatures on it, including Hal Naragon, Joe Altobelli, Jim Snyder, Billy Gardner and Gerry Arrigo.  Only Arrigo is still with us.

I can send this off to Jim Kaat, Camilo Pascual and Don Lee.

On Saturday, I received returns from Carlton Fisk, who signed his 1972 Topps. 

        

And John O'Donoghue signed three cards for me. 

Today, I got back a couple cards I sent to a Sammy Sosa signing.  I had him sign a 1972 Topps MVP Award card as well as his 2003 Topps Heritage.

I really like the 2003 Topps Heritage set, and have about 120 of them signed, but there are too many non-ttm-signers to try to tackle as a whole set.  I'd end up paying too much for common players.  So, I occasionally get cards from the set signed when convenient and/or cheap.

Also today, I received a couple cards back from Mike Garman, who signed another copy of the 1972 Red Sox Rookies card and the team card from the same set.

I am waiting on another card back from Cecil Cooper, then I'll send them all out again.  I'm getting a little impatient though, and might start doubling up the cards.