2019 In Review

I didn't receive any returns in today's mail, so the year is complete for me.

I sent out 136 requests this year, the most since I sent out 200 in 2014.

I had 116 successes so far.

I had six failures in those 136 requests.

Of those six failures, three were re-sent to a different address and received back successfully, and three were re-sent to a different address and not yet received.

Some highlights include the Camilo Pascual portrait I just got back, a ball signed by Mike Mussina, a magazine signed by Dick Groat and completing the 1978 Topps Victory Leaders card.

I'm still contemplating my goals for 2020 and will post them tomorrow.

Bruce Howard Return

I received one return today: Bruce Howard signed his 1966, 1968 and 1969 Topps in about a month and a half.

I've been thinking about setting some goals for my collection next year.  I haven't finalized them yet but I'll post them in the next day or two.

Jim Campanis and Pete Richert Returns

Two returns today.  I was surprised the delivery arrived as early as id did today as we had freezing rain here and the roads are a mess.

Jim Campanis signed his 1968, 1969 and 1974 Topps.  He even added his jersey number which was different on the different teams.

And Pete Richert signed his 1966, 1968 and 1969 Topps.

I have about nine more requests that could come back before the end of the year, with just two mail delivery days left. 

Dalton Jones Return

Just one return today.  I'm wondering how many more I'll get by the end of the year.  I'm hoping for at least two or three.

Dalton Jones signed his 1964 Topps already signed by Pete Charton.

He also signed his 1968 and 1969 Topps.

Camilo Pascual Return - 1964 Western Oil Nicholas Volpe Print

I've been looking for an unsigned copy of this 1964 Western Oil print by Nicolas Volpe for quite a while.  I saw my collecting friend Randy had some other players listed on Ebay so I reached out to see if he had Mr. Pascual's.  He did, and sent it to me for free!  Thanks, Randy!  Something in appreciation is on its way today!

I sent this out to Mr. Pascual with $10 just 7 days ago and received it back today.

This makes the ninth different portrait I have signed from this set, including a few signed copies that I previously bought from Randy.

Mr. Pascual also personalized and signed the piece of cardboard I had included in the package to keep the portrait from being bent.

Gil Coan and Dick Green Returns

Two returns today, including a really nice one from Gil Coan. 

Mr. Coan signed his 1952 Red Man and 1955 Bowman cards.  Included with this return was a note form his sons, stating that his health has declined and has moved to a care facility.  They work with to sign a few requests each day and apologized for the return taking so long!  How very nice of them and Mr. Coan to continue signing for fans despite his declining health.  Mr. Coan is 97 years old.  I think his signature still looks nice!  Way better than the vast majority of current players.

I also received a return from Dick Green, who generously signed his 1964, 1968, 1969 and 1975 Topps mini cards for me.

I have 13 requests still outstanding from the last few months that will hopefully roll in soon.  I'm not sure I'll send out too many until after Christmas, just so my requests don't get lost in the huge mail volume or ignored by the recipients during this busy time of year.

Don Kessinger Return

I was getting a little worried about this one since I sent it out over two months ago, but today I received four cards signed by Don Kessinger.

He signed his 1968, 1969, 1971 and 1978 Topps.

Steve Carlton - Completed 1978 Topps Victory Leaders Card

Included in my returns today was Steve Carlton, who completed the 1978 Topps Victory Leaders card for me.

I started this card just a little over two months ago by sending it to Dave Goltz.  Each player signed pretty quickly.  Goltz is the only player that doesn't charge.  Leonard charges $5 for a couple cards, Palmer charges $10 per card and Carlton charges $35. 

You never know how your ttm cards will come back.  Sometimes signed in black or another color.  Sometimes the player will sign in a weird spot or over another player, or sometimes the card gets pretty beat up in the mail.

I think all four of these guys have signed this card a lot, so they're pretty used to signing it to allow room for the others to sign.

I 'm really happy with how this one turned out.

Joe Borchard, Skip Lockwood and Mel Roach

I received four returns today, but I'll post about the fourth one in a separate post.

Joe Borchard signed his 2002, 2003 and 2004 Topps Heritage cards.  I've decided to work on the 2003 Topps Heritage and will include other cards to those players when I can.

Skip Lockwood signed his 1971, 1976 and 1979 Topps.

And Mel Roach signed his 1959, 1960 and 1961 Topps.

Jack McKeon Return

One nice return today from Jack McKeon, whose cards I received span 30 years of his career as a manager.

He signed his 1974, 1979 and 1989 Topps cards as well as a 2004 Topps Heritage.

John Boccabella and Eddie Fisher

Two more returns today:

John Boccabella signed his 1969, 1973 and 1974 Topps in just 7 days.

And Eddie Fisher signed his 1961, 1967, 1968 and 1969 Topps in 10 days.

Vern Fuller, Al Kaline, and Lee May

Today I received two returns and one purchase.

Vern Fuller signed his 1968 and 1969 Topps for me in about two and a half weeks.

Al Kaline signed his 1959 Topps Baseball Thrills card in just nine days.  I included $10 with my request.  I have a lot of cards signed by Al Kaline, but I keep finding more that I like.  I'd love to have his 1954 Topps signed, but as it's his rookie card, it's too expensive for me.

Finally, I received a purchase from Tom Orr at Atommic Sports: a 1978 Topps Lee May.