Three TTM Returns, a Johnny Bench Signing Return and Some More Vintage Nodders

My ttm returns were a little disappointing today.

The worst was from Bob Saverine, who didn't return my 1965 Topps, and signed the other three cards in a very fine black marker that smeared on all three cards.

The return from Ron Kittle was a little better, except he used a really fat and fading black sharpie.  At least they didn't smear.

The return from Jim Duffalo was very nice.  He signed two cards in very fine blue marker.

I received a return from a Johnny Bench mail-in signing where I sent a 1976 Sports Illustrated.  It has a Fanatics authentication sticker on the inside cover.

I also received a few more vintage baseball bobbleheads that I bought on eBay.  Two Tigers bobbleheads (accidently), another Twin blue base, and a Texas Rangers later gold base.

Fout TTM Returns Including Pete Hamm!!!

Pete Hamm has not signed much, if anything for decades.  Some collectors believe he did a signing with Bill Corcoran many years ago, and most, if not all, of the autographs you find for sale, if they are real, came from this signing.

Then, a couple months ago, some SCN members started getting returns from him that were nearly 20 years old!  How odd!  So, I thought I'd roll the dice and if nothing else, get my 20-year clock started so maybe I could get one before I die.  I sent one request last September to an address in California, but then I saw some recent returns from an address in Washington state.  So, I sent a request there and in just 10 days, received these two cards back!

I'm super pumped to have these since I didn't think I'd ever have him in my collection.  And I didn't have to pay $100+ to get it.  I wonder if he'll keep it up or if this is a short window of opportunity.  He played for the Twins for two years, in 1970 and 1971, which was his entire major league career.  He's 77 years old now, so he could sign for a long time still.  Maybe his signature will become so common they'll be cheap.

I also got a return from Jake Wood.  I had sent him a blue sharpie, five cards, and $10 despite the fact that he doesn't normally charge.  I thought the hassle of the bubble envelopes and the relatively large number of cards justified the $10.  Unfortunately, he didn't use the blue sharpie and signed his 1961 and 1965 Topps in the same black sharpie he's used on my previous requests, which is why I sent the blue one.  He signed the team cards in a very fine blue marker, but I don' t think it was with the sharpie I sent.  His signature smeared on one of the team cards.  Not a great success, but I appreciate his effort.

Larry Jaster signed his 1970 Topps and a couple team cards.

And Lou Klimchock signed his 1960 Topps rookie card and the 1959 Kansas City Athletics team card.  He also included a signed picture which is obviously hand-cut.  It feels like it's from a magazine.  I couldn't find any information of him coaching for the Indians so I'm curious what this picture is from.

I also bought an MLB-Authenticated Paul Molitor signed bobblehead from his time as manager of the Twins.  I was able to buy this cheaper than I would have to pay to send it in to a signing.

Speaking of bobbleheads, some of the vintage ones I've been purchasing on eBay have arrived.  I bought several of the Twins blue base version from 1961 or so.  They are quite common and probably the cheapest vintage Twins bobblehead.  I have five of these now.  Here are the four I've purchased recently.  I don't know how many will be enough.  I may just keep buying affordable ones.

I bought another Twins mini bobblehead.  These have a magnet on the bottom so you could place them on your dashboard, back when dashboards were made of metal.  I have two of these now.  Here's the one I just bought.

I bought another mini bobblehead of the Los Angeles Angels.  It's in pretty nice shape too.  These minis can be pretty expensive, with some going for more than $500.00.  I will only buy them as I come across affordable ones in good shape.  I have no goal of trying to complete the set.  This goes for all of the bobbleheads, not just the minis.

Some of the bobbleheads have the head of a mascot instead of the little boy.  These are pretty popular and in general, go for more than boys do.  I bought the Saint Louis Cardinals mascot bobblehead.  Apparently, his name is Fredbird.  These were sold from 1966 to 1971.

I have seven more sports-related vintage bobbleheads on their way and will post them when receive them.

John Edwards, Bill Heath and Russ Heman TTM Returns

I received three ttm returns today.  I also received some of the vintage bobbleheads I've been talking about the last few days, but I haven't even opened them yet.  I'll post about them separately later and only include the sports-themed ones.  Not Donald Duck, which apparently has arrived today. :-)

TTM hero John Edwards signed four cards for me and as he often does, included three more signed and personalized photos. He signed his 1971, 1972 and 1973 Topps as well as the 1973 Astros team card already signed by George Culver.

The 1973 Topps was already signed by Jack Hiatt, who is in the batting cage in the background.  This is my second attempt at this card.  The first one was signed by Edwards first, signed nicely in blue as he always does.  But then Hiatt signed it with a fading, black marker and it looked quite bad.  The card was miscut, so I'm glad I have another one anyway.  Here's the first one I completed:

On my second attempt, I sent the card, along with others, to Jack Hiatt first, with a blue sharpie and signing instructions, which he followed nicely.  Then I included that card with the Edwards request I received back today, and it looks great.

Bill Heath signed his 1967 and 1970 Topps.  This was my first request to Mr. Heath, because these two cards, along with his 1966 rookie card, are the only cards he appears on.  Since I don't focus on those sets, I've never come across his name on my checklists.

Finally, Russ Heman signed his one and only card; a 1959 Topps.  Despite his card being produced in 1959, he didn't actually play in the majors until 1961, where he split 20 innings evenly between the Angels and the Indians.  He ended up that year with an ERA of just 2.70.  I tried to find out why a 2.70 ERA pitcher didn't pitch the following year but didn't come across any information.  He pitched in the minors for a few more years after he played in the majors, so an injury doesn't appear to be the reason.

Five TTM Successes Including Marichal and Molitor

I received some nice returns today including a couple Hall of Famers.

In alphabetical order:

Steve Blass signed his 1971 Topps in blue sharpie, a nice upgrade over my previous attempt with this card, and a 1966 Est Hills Shopping Center card.

I've got six of the East Hills cards now.  I like these oddball sets.  I need to track down a checklist again and see if there are any others that I can get.

Dick Estelle signed his 1966 rookie card already signed by Hiatt, and a couple 66 Giants team cards.  The card with Hiatt is an upgrade to one that Hiatt had signed in black.  I recently sent Hiatt a few cards and a blue sharpie to get this one completed nicely.

His other card is a 1965 Topps with Masanori Murakami, which I have signed by both of them on a few different copies of that card.  Murakami lives in Japan but is a very reliable signer.

I think I have at least four different 66 Giants team cards floating around with no real plan in place.  I bought several with a single signature on them of a few different deceased players like Herman Franks, Dick Schofield and Bill Henry.  I've just been sending out one or two of these when I am sending other cards to players anyway.  I've got Marichal on a couple as well.  I should probably try to pick one and really get to work on it.

John (Johnny) James signed a 1959 Yankees team card already signed by Bobby Richardson, and one of those weird 1992 Wiz Yankees cards.  I don't really like these small, black and white cards, but for some reason I had one, and nothing else, so I sent it along.

Mr. James also wrote me a very nice letter on his letterhead stationery.  He signs his name as "John" and his letterhead also said "John", so I'll use that instead of "Johnny".

Juan Marichal signed his 1967 and 1969 Topps in very bold blue sharpie and added his HOF inscription without me even having to ask.  I included $40 with this request.  These cards are kind of busy, so his thick, bold signature looks great.  I believe I have all of his regular Topps cards now except his 1968 and the 74 Traded.  I'll get to work on those now.  I've got a bunch other cards (Leaders, team cards, deckle edge, Stand Up, etc.) as well as a few modern cards.

I am a little embarrassed to admit that I got pretty excited for a while when I saw the sase coming back from Miami with a Hank Aaron stamp on it.  I use Hank Aaron stamps on my sases from Hall of Famers and long shot requests, so I know when I see the image on Informed Delivery that something really good is coming.  Several weeks ago, a sent the longest of longshots to Sandy Koufax.  While he doesn't live in Miami, his address was in Florida not an unreasonable distance away from Miami.  I forgot about my request to Marichal.  This is probably as disappointed as I've ever been to get a nice return from Juan Marichal :-).  A Koufax return would probably be the highlight of my 20+ years of ttm collecting.  I hope I at least get an RTS because I sent a nice card, but I am willing to risk it for a one-in-a-million chance to get it signed.

Finally, local boy Paul Molitor signed his 1982 Topps for my set and a 1972 Topps Babe Ruth Award card along with Al Weis and Dick Green.  I had placed a sticky note asking him to sign exactly where he did.  I'm kind of tired of players signing right across the award itself, which is quite dark, on all of these 72 Award cards and will start placing sticky notes on all of them moving forward.  I included $40 with this request.

 I have gone WAY crazy buying some vintage (1960's, 1970's) souvenir bobbleheads on eBay.  I need to at least slow down until the ones I've ordered arrive.  I even bought at least one football bobblehead, and some non-sports as well (Peanuts, comics, Disney, Universal Pictures, etc.).  I've bought several of the Twins bobbleheads, including multiples of the square, blue base bobblehead from 1961, which is my favorite.

Here are the first four I bought for my collection in 2016 via Craigslist.

I'd really like to have a bunch of the mini bobbleheads with the magnets on the bottom, like the Twins one I posted about a few days ago.  I have two of the Twins version, and I've purchased, but not yet received, the LA Angels version.  They are quite expensive and hard to find in decent condition, so my purchase of these will be few and far between.

It's hard to find any of these in decent condition, and I'm trying to maintain a pretty high standard for condition and will pass on even a cheap one and do without rather than buy one that's cracked or has lots of chipped paint.  

I will post the sports-related bobbles as I receive them.  Maybe I'll start a separate blog for all of the vintage bobbleheads.  We'll see.