I saw a post on SCN about a week ago pointing out that Mill Creek was having a sale (Black Friday or something). I checked it out and was able to find a 1958 Topps signed by Mike Garcia at 20% off. It was pretty reasonable to start with and isn't authenticated. There aren't too many cards from that set that I need that can still be found for under $50, and most are much more than that, so I'm happy to add this one to my collection.
Monday, November 30, 2020
Mike Garcia Purchase and Paul Reuschel Return
Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Ken Szotkiewicz
I was able to add another 1971 Topps to my collection thanks to Ken Szotkiewicz, who signed his card in about a little under two weeks.
I had originally gotten an RTS with a bad address for Mr. Szotkiewicz, but someone there was kind enough to write the correct address on the envelope despite the forwarding time having expired.
Monday, November 23, 2020
Bill Short Return
Bill Short signed three cards for me in about a month, including his 1962, 1968 and 1969 Topps.
I haven't sent out many requests lately. I was too busy sorting all my existing signed cards. That took about a week, spending an hour or more each day on it. I'll probably start sending out some more early next week.
Saturday, November 21, 2020
Jim Price and Bobby Shantz Returns
A while ago a bought a few very inexpensive signed 1971 Topps, but then realized one of those players is also a reasonably good signer. Jim (Jimmie) Price signed his 1971 Topps for me in about a month.
He sometimes take a few months to sign according to the requests logged on SCN, but I got mine back pretty quickly. I always prefer to have an autograph via ttm rather than a purchase if I can, so I'm happy to get this one.
My other return was from Bobby Shantz. Definitely a ttm hall of famer. About a week after I sent this request, I read on SCN that he had fallen and broken his hip and elbow! Mr. Shantz is 95 years old and must be pretty tough because he got back home very quickly and his signature still looks great! He signed his 1955 Bowman for me.
Friday, November 20, 2020
Billy Cowan, Brooks Robinson and Luke Walker Returns
Today I had three returns in the mail. Two of them were in my Informed Delivery email three days ago abut didn't show up until today. They also had an additional postmark on them. My guess is they were mis-delivered and the person who got them put them in their outgoing mail. Anyway, I happy to finally get them back!
Billy Cowan signed his 1964 Topps already signed by John Boccabella and his 1971 Topps.
Brooks Robinson signed his 1972 Topps card #222, showing the 1971 A.L. Playoffs.
Finally, Luke Walker signed two of his 1971 cards, as well as his 1972 and 1973 Topps. This is one that took a few extra days to come back. Mr. Walker is an excellent signer, with a 75% success rate on SCN. I had sent to him about this time last year and didn't get it back.
Monday, November 16, 2020
Gene Lamont TTM Return and a Willie Stargell Purchase
I received one TTM return and an Ebay purchase today.
Gene Lamont signed his 1971 Topps already signed by Lerrin Lagrow.
He also signed his 1975 Topps.
Late last week I had a little Paypal money burning a hole so I was looking around Ebay and game across this Willie Stargell card. It's a 1999 Hillshire Farms certified card.
I had previously purchased cards from this set of Ernie Banks, Harmon Killebrew and Frank Robinson.
I didn't realize there was a Stargell card in this set and now I think I have all four cards that were released. These cards can be found pretty cheaply on Ebay, especially considering these are all deceased Hall of Famers.
Friday, November 13, 2020
Thursday, November 12, 2020
Woody Woodward Return
I received a return from Woody Woodward today, who was kind enough to sign his 1968 Topps as well as a 1971 Topps card of the 1970 NL Playoffs.
I also received an RTS from Ken Szotkiewicz due to a bad address. I'll correct it and resend.
Monday, November 09, 2020
Bob Blaylock, Ray Crone, George Thomas and Vito Valentinetti
I received four returns today. Two of these returns were in my Informed Delivery email on Friday, but they didn't show up in my mailbox until today.
Bob Blaylock signed his 1959 Topps and wrote me a nice letter.
Ray Crone signed his 1955 Johnstons Cookies card that I posted about cracking out of it's slab a few weeks ago.
George Thomas signed his 1964, 1967 and 1971 Topps.
And Vito Valentinetti signed his 1957 Topps and wrote a short note.
Thursday, November 05, 2020
Mike Joyce and Tom Tischinski
In the image of one of my returns in my Informed Delivery email this morning, I could tell one of my envelopes was ripped. Not totally mangled, and not as if someone had opened it, but ripped across the face of the envelope.
I was a little nervous that the cards would either be damaged or missing, but I guess I lucked out. The 1963 and 1964 Topps that Mike Joyce signed and returned were in good shape.
I also received a return from Tom Tischinski, who signed his 1971 Topps.
Tuesday, November 03, 2020
Mack Burk
Just one return today. The image in my Informed Delivery email showed what looked like a coffee cup ring on the envelope, so I was worried about the condition of the cards inside, but there doesn't appear to be any damage.
Mack Burk signed his 1957 and 1958 Topps for me. I had sent to Mr. Burk once before, about 17 years ago right when I started in this hobby.
Monday, November 02, 2020
Cardenas, Evans, Millan and Stigman Returns
Today was a nice day at the mailbox with four returns, including a couple former-Twins.
Former-Twin Leo "Chico" Cardenas signed his 1971 Topps for his $5 fee.
Darrell Evans signed two of his 1972 Topps, a 1978 Topps and a 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game. Mr. Evans has been a spotty signer until about late August, when he began signing very consistently. I'm not sure how long it will last so I'm happy to get these back.
Felix Millan signed his 1970, 1976 and 1978 Topps.
And former-Twin Dick Stigman signed his 1959, 1960 and 1964 Topps for me.
Sunday, November 01, 2020
Steve Blass, Lou Klimchock and Tim McCarver
A few days ago I received three returns:
Steve Blass signed his 1971 Topps, and the Pirates team card and a couple World series cards from 1972.
Lou Klimchock signed his 1962, 1965 and 1970 Topps.
And Tim McCarver signed his 1963 Topps. I had sent a 1963 Topps along with a previous request but got different cards back, so I just sent a single card hoping to ensure I got the same card back.