Monday, November 28, 2022

Another Smear? And Some TTM

I'm starting to get frustrated now.  I sent a pretty expensive card to Brooks Robinson, a 1964 Topps Stand Up, along with a $10 fee (which is the bargain of the century, of course), and his signature got a little smeared.  Not as bad as the Pascual cards from a little while ago, but still enough to be noticeable.

I'm not frustrated with Mr. Robinson, who is not only a Hall of Fame player, but also a Hall of Fame autograph-signer (if there were such a thing).  I'm just frustrated that it happened.  I'm trying to think if there's a way I can send the cards and ask for their return that might reduce the likelihood of them getting smeared.

I don't normally include card holders, index cards for protection, penny sleeves, etc.  In this case, because the card was a little spendy, I used a semi-rigid holder and sent it in a bubble envelope with a piece of cardboard to help prevent the envelope from being bent.

Oh well.  It still looks pretty good.  I'm not going to spend the money on another card at this point.

I also received two cards from Manny Sanguillen, who signed the 1972 Topps cards commemorating 1971 World Series games #3 and #6.  I included $10 with my request.


Finally, Tim McCarver signed the 1961 and 1965 Cardinals team cards for his $10 per card fee.  I'm not sure why he signed the '65 so small and immediately next to Bob Skinner's autograph, when the whole rest of the card is open.  Maybe his vision isn't what it used to be, or maybe he's trying to help cram as many signatures on there as possible.


Friday, November 25, 2022

Diego Segui TTM and Hal Lanier via Private Signing

I received one ttm and one private signing return today. 

Diego Segui signed his 1971 Topps ERA Leaders card as well as his 1975 and 1977 Topps ttm in about two months.



And I received three cards back from a Hal Lanier private signing.  I've been waiting about nine months for an opportunity to have Mr. Lanier complete this card.  Dick Schofield signed it in February, and unfortunately passed away in July.  Mr. Lanier also signed his 1965 and 1971 Topps.



Thursday, November 24, 2022

Another 1991 Twins World Series Poster: Mike Pagliarulo

I received this poster back a few days ago but haven't gotten around to taking a picture of it until now.

Via Cardboard Promotions, I was able to have Mike Pagliarulo sign his 1991 Playmakers poster, commemorating the Twins' World Series Championship that year.

These posters are an odd size at 7" x 18", but usually fall in the "basic" price category of many signings since it is smaller than a 16" x 20".  This signing was $15 which is pretty reasonable.

The posters are quite thick and cannot be rolled.  If you try to roll them up, they will bend and crease instead.  I have a cardboard box that my original purchase of a few of these posters came in and have used it to send each of the five posters I have gotten signed so far.  The box has many layers of shipping tape on it all over and is getting pretty beat up.  I don't have a better option at this point but should probably start looking into a box replacement.

The set contains 14 posters.  13 of them are possible to get signed, with Puckett being the exception.

I have five: Kent Hrbek, Chuck Knoblauch, Shane Mack, Kevin Tapani and now Mike Pagliarulo.  

The remaining posters I would like to get signed include Rick Aguilera, Chili Davis, Scott Erickson, Greg Gagne, Dan Gladden, Brian Harper, Tom Kelly and Jack Morris.




I have no idea how I would ever display these.  Frames would probably need to be custom made so that would be too expensive.  Maybe I could come up with a clever, cheap solution.  Most Likely, I'll never display them unfortunately.

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Robin Yount Mail-In Signing Return

No ttm returns today, but I did receive a return from a Robin Yount mail-in signing with Waukesha Sports.  I had him sign his 1975 Topps rookie card and added the JSA Witness Authentication sticker on the back.  I know that's controversial, but I don't mind stickers on the back of cards, and I think it helps protect my investment in the signing cost (which was $50).  This signing didn't have an upcharge for rookie cards, which I appreciate.

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Falling Behind

I've falling behind on my returns since Friday, so rather than type all the descriptions, I'm just going to post pictures.




























Thursday, November 17, 2022

Some Great, and Not So Great Returns

The returns that were in Monday's Informed Delivery email finally showed up today, along with one more.

Some of these returns are really great, but one was extremely disappointing.

We'll start with that one.  I sent Camilo Pascual four cards to sign: Twins team cards from 1963 and 1965, and some Pitching Leaders cards from 1963 and 1965.  He signed, but smeared, all four of them!  The 1963 Twins team is the worst, and already had Dick Stigman's signature on it.





I'm not sure if I want to risk another $40 by sending him these cards again, but I'd really like to get better copies of them.  I'll probably try again at some point.

Now, on to the better returns:

I received an Alan Trammel autograph on a 1978 Topps from a Tom Orr signing.


Bud Daley signed the 1956 Topps Indians team card as well as his 1958 Topps.



Larry Colton signed his 1969 Topps already signed by Don Money.


Bill McNulty signed his 1973 Topps, already signed by Terry Hughes.  This card is complete now since Ken Reitz is deceased.


After one failed attempt, I received a 1954 Johnston Cookies signed by Joey (Joey) Jay, who also wrote me a nice note.


And finally, Juan Marichal signed the 1961, 1963 and 1965 Topps Giants team cards for his $10 per card fee.