Bernie Allen and George Thomas TTM Returns and a Max Kepler Purchase

My request to Bernie Allen took almost six months, which is pretty unusual for him, but he was kind enough to sign his 1963, 1966, 1970 and 1972 Topps for me.

And George Thomas signed his 1962, 1965 and 1969 Topps, as well as the 1958 Tigers and 1963 Angels team cards.

I also received the 2022 Topps Heritage Real One Autograph signed by Max Kepler that I bought on eBay.

Well, that's it for 2022.  I sent a lot of requests which I don't expect to match anytime soon, if ever.  I may post some highlights tomorrow.

TTM and Purchases

I haven't gotten the mail yet today but wanted to post what I received yesterday so I don't fall too far behind.

The one ttm return was from Charlie Hough, who generously signed the 1972, 1973 and 1975 Dodgers team cards as well as his 1973 and 1975 Topps.

I also received several purchases, including a Tim Raines signed ball, a 1973 Topps RBI Leaders signed by Johnny Bench and Jim Kaat signed 1975 and 1983 Topps cards, all from Tom Orr at Atommic Sports. I bought the ball on eBay and the cards from his posts on SCN. 

I also received a 2021 Topps Heritage Real One Autograph signed by Ryan Jeffers from eBay.

I should have two ttm returns in the mail today which I'll post later.

I didn't reach 500 requests this year, but I hit 481 which is my 3rd highest total in the 19 years I've been sending out requests.

Spotty Mail Service Lately

I haven't really received mail since December 22nd until today, except for one package that had been delivered to my neighbor instead.  He was kind enough to bring this to my house, and I'm glad he did!

It was a return from a private signing, where Johnny Bench signed his 1971 and 1978 Topps for my sets.

Beyond that delivery, although I saw my sases  (and other mail) in my Informed Delivery emails, I didn't receive any of them until today.

It was a bit of a mixed bag, with some black sharpie returns (Erskine), some ballpoint pens not working well (Jimmie Schaffer on the '62 Topps), a smear (Ron Lolich with a $5 fee) and one card being returned unsigned (1961 Topps Phillies team card from Bob Malkmus.  So, a little disappointed in some of these returns especially after having to wait for them.

I also received a few purchases, such as a 2005 UD Johan Santana, 2022 Topps Heritage Real One Sonny Gray, and 2022 Topps Chrome Griffin Jax.

I'm about 30 requests short of hitting 500 for the year, so I'm going to do my best to hit that milestone this week.

Falling Behind

For some reason, I'm having a tough time keeping up with my returns.  It's not like I'm getting a lot of them, but I just don't find the time each day to post them.

I didn't receive any today, but on Monday, I received two ttm returns and one mail-in signing return.

The mail-in signing was Fergie Jenkins, who signed his 1966 Topps rookie card, as well as his 1973 and 1975 Topps.

I received a nice return from former-Twin Mitch Garver, who signed his 2021 Topps Heritage as well as a 2021 Topps Heritage relic card.  I had sent this request to Rangers' spring training back in March.  I am 4 for 4 with Mr. Garver.  Twice, including this return, it has taken almost a year to get it back, and the other two were much quicker.  Not many current players are as generous signers as he is.

The final return on Monday was from Doug Rau, who signed his 1973 and 1975 Topps, as well as the 1973 and 1975 Dodgers team cards.

Yesterday (Tuesday), I received three ttm returns.

Jim Palmer signed his 1973 Topps "KP", which is what this small run of cards is referred to as, or "Kid Photo".  He also signed his 1976 Topps.  I included $20 with my request.

Larry Burright signed his 1962 and 1963 Topps as well as the 1963 Dodgers team card and the 1965 Mets team card.

Finally, Joe Hicks signed his 1961 Topps.  It looks like he accidently marked the card with the pen under his signature.  He didn't sign the two team cards I enclosed, however.