Leon Durham Signing Return and Some Vintage Bobbleheads

I mainly wanted Mr. Durham to sign the 1983 Cubs Leaders card already signed by Fergie Jenkins, but then decided to get some other 80's cards signed while I was sending in.  Unfortunately, the 1982 Topps I sent didn't make its way back to me.  I reached out to the promoter, and he is looking into it. 

Tomorrow, I am sending my Johnny Bench card in for a signing tat doesn't take place until July.  I tried to send it to a signing last year but the USPS decided it should take about 11 days to deliver it just a couple states away, so I missed that one.

I received more vintage bobbleheads last week.  The highlight was a very rare Twins mini bobblehead.  Not only does it not have the most common "moon face", but it also has short sleeves.  To someone that doesn't collect them, I'm sure that sounds silly.  But it's one that I haven't seen before or even knew existed, so I shelled out the money for it, doubling the highest price I've paid for a bobblehead.

Here's what the most common version of the Twins mini looks like:

I also bought another uncommon mini bobblehead, a Tigers version with a green base.  Almost all of these minis come with a white base.

My purchase also included a gold base Tigers doll from the late 60's/early 70's.

I couldn't resist my tenth Twins blue base version.  These are quite common and even high quality ones can be had at a reasonable price.  I plan to display my collection of these together like a team picture.

I bought another Willie Mays version that has a different skin tone.  There are "light" and "dark" versions, and this is the "dark" version.

I bought the light version a while ago.  The shading actually looks reversed in these photos, but it's probably my poor and inconsistent photography.

I bought my first minor league version, of which there are three teams represented from the Pacific Coast League.  This one is Tacoma.  I'll need to keep an eye out for the Portland and Seattle versions. 

I bought a couple Red Sox dolls.  The blue cap version is less common.

I got just one football nodder this time.  I'll probably back off these except those I feel are a good value, like this Falcons version from 1965.

I bought a few non-sports bobbleheads too.  I won't bore you with all of them, but I really like this Astronaut, that was sold at the Astrodome, and this scuba diver that was an advertisement for Sportsways Scuba Gear.

Oh, and who can resist Smokey the Bear?

Fergie Jenkins Signing Return

It seems every Fergie Jenkins signing I participate in gets cheaper for some reason, but looking at the overall price of his signings, it's getting more expensive.  This one was $15 per card when you send in at least five, which is a real bargain these days.  There was no upcharge for his rookie card either.

There are currently two of his signings posted on SCN: one with a $59 per flat price without a card-only price, and one with a $20 per card price and a $10 upcharge for rookies, so the $15 per card price at this signing seems pretty cheap.

Many of his signings don't have a price for cards, and a price for flats that is in the $60 range which is just too high for his cards.  It seems high for a photo or magazine too, actually.  I think $20 is a decent price to have him sign a card.

His ttm price is now $40. It was $15 for many years.  Maybe he kept his price so low for so long that any increase seems too much.  I think I've got about all his cards I need now anyway, including a duplicate rookie card.  These are the five I just received from the latest signing.

       

I really like the Topps Living Set, but have only gotten a few signed.  I don't want to start another set and I'm afraid this would be the one I would choose.

I met Fergie Jenkins in person at TwinsFest in 2012 where he signed his 1972 Topps.  

Here he is signing a ball for my son at TwinsFest in 2009:

Those were the good old days for TwinsFest (old person rant warning).  Many players set up a booth and would sign for a reasonable fee.  We met Jenkins, Rollie Fingers, Phil Niekro, and Bob Feller.   The Bob Feller Museum would bring in other players as well, such as Maury Wills and Jeff Reardon. 

Here's Jeff Reardon signing his bobblehead from the 1987 Twins World Series set in 2011:

Now it's hard to even get any Twins autographs at TwinsFest and the prices are higher than other shows!  I believe the session with Rod Carew and Tony Oliva cost $200 at the last one!  My guess is the items they would sign was limited as well, but I can't remember for sure (I didn't go).

Mike Marshall and Vic Power Purchases

Mike Marshall was a very tough signature to get.  I came across this signed picture of him in a powder blue Twins uniform and decided it was worth the pretty high cost to add it to my collection.  I paid less than he was charging at the few signings he did, but it was still expensive.

I was surprised to see this Vic Power signed 1963 Western Oil Volpe print.  These are not very common to come across signed.  Ideally, it would be signed in silver sharpie in the black area, but at this point I'll take what I can get.  I now have 15 of the 24 portraits from this set.

Viola Bobblehead, Miguel Cabrera Purchase and a Rene Lachemann TTM Return

I've had this bobblehead for quite a while, but just never got around to unpacking it from the signing.  The signature is a little small, but still look good.  This is the Twins Hall of Fame bobblehead.

I'm not the biggest Miguel Cabrera fan, but was able to kill two birds with one stone by adding another card from the 2003 Topps Heritage set to my collection as well as add another (probable) Hall of Famer.

And today I received the latest return from my 1966 Athletics Yearbook project.  Rene Lachemann signed the cover, his interior section twice, and a few cards for me.  I had enclosed $20 for his trouble, but he returned it, noting that he never charge for autographs.  I feel bad because it's a hassle to unpackage, sign, and repackage these items.

The previous player who signed this yearbook for me didn't return the team card, so I'm back to having just a couple on this team card and lost the other card that had 5 signatures on it.  Uggh.  Phil Roof was the last one to sign that version.

Chalk, Miller, Perry and Rice TTM Returns

I received three returns yesterday and one today.

Yesterday, Dave Chalk returned three cards, including a 1975 Topps Buy Back.

Jim Perry signed six cards to add to my Twins collection.  I had sent these along with a blue Staedtler in bubble envelopes using Pirate Ship both ways.  I think he'll sign for $5 per card, but I included $50 for these six cards.  He added his Cy Young inscription to half of them, and added to a 1973 Topps Twins team card.

I may have all of his Topps cards now.  I'll have to double-check.

       

Jim Rice signed a 1972 Topps Minor League Player of the Year Award card, as well as another 1976 Topps.  I love his 1976 Topps card for some reason.

Today, Rick Miller signed a 1972 Topps signed by Tom Hutton and his 1976 Topps for $5 per card.  John Milner, the remaining player on the 1972 Topps, passed away in 2000.

I haven't sent out many requests so it might be slow for a while.

Ray Corbin and Lou Klimchock TTM Returns

It wasn't a huge week, but busy enough to stay interesting.  I wrapped it up by getting two returns today.

Former-Twin Ray Corbin signed his 1972 Topps buy back card, along with a couple 1972 Twins team cards (one of which was a buy back) and a 1975 Twins team card.  He also answered a question in my letter.

Lou Klimchock signed five cards including his high number 1966 Topps and also included a signed business card.  I didn't know it before, but he's the President of the Arizona Major League Alumni.  I included $10 with my request, which he thanked me for and said it will go towards the Alumni organization in Arizona.