Bernie Allen and Al Hrabosky TTM Returns

 I was very happy and relieved to get this return back from Bernie Allen.  I sent it back in January and according to sportscollectors.net, he moved around that time or shortly before.  I saw that a couple others got an RTS from the address I sent to, while others received their request back successfully.  But my request remained outstanding.  I was hoping for at least an RTS.

The request included a 1962 Topps Rookie Parade card already signed by Rich Rollins.  It's a high-number card from the set and cost over $30, so getting it back was a relief.  I wish I had started it years ago so I could have also gotten Phil Linz and Joe Pepitone on it.

He also signed a 1966 Topps team card for me, also signed by Rollins.

I also received a return from Al Hrabosky that took a while to get back.  He signed his 1974 and 1977 Topps cards as well as the 1972 Cardinal team card in about three months.

Jim Gentile, Jim Mahoney and Camilo Pascual

I received a return from a Jim Gentile signing today.  This was kind of an informal signing run by an SCN member that lives a couple hours from Mr. Gentile and had an existing relationship with him.  Mr. Gentile is 90 years old and unfortunately, his wife recently passed away.  I believe her funeral is today.

This SCN member took some cards to be signed and is going to go back in a few weeks to help him with the TTM backlog he has.  I have a request in that backlog including some Orioles team cards with several signatures on them, so I'm hopeful that gets done.

I also received a couple ttm returns, including Jim Mahoney, who signed the 1963 Indians team card, and the 1973 and 1974 White Sox coaches' cards.

And Camilo Pascual signed his 1957 Topps and three Twins team cards for me for $10 per card.

96 Year Old Tommy Brown TTM Return and Tom Kelly FanHQ Return

The tenth-oldest living player, Tommy Brown, signed his 1949 and 1953 Bowman for me.  I included $20 with my request.  His return rate is a bit spotty but has been about 50% so far this year so I decided to take a shot.

I also received a couple items back from a Tom Kelly signing with FanHQ.  He is the tenth player to sign his 1991 Twins World Series poster for my set.  I have three left:  Scott Erickson, Greg Gagne, and Dan Gladden.  It's a bit tough to send these ttm because the cardstock on which they are printed is too thick to roll, so it has to be sent flat.  I had been using the box I originally received these in, but it's getting really covered in tape and getting pretty beat up.  So, I had to make a new box out of a different box to be the right size and thickness.  It has to be big enough to safely store the poster sandwiched between cardboard pieces, but small enough to try to minimize the postage costs.

I also had him sign his bobblehead from the 1991 World Series set.  I had him sign one like this in person at TwinsFest in 2012.  He insisted on signing it in black, on the blue brim of the cap.  A terrible idea, and I requested silver, but for some reason he insisted.  I'm not sure if he was doing this on purpose so it wouldn't look good for some reason, or if he genuinely thought it would look better.  I've been waiting a long time to get this redone.  As always, FanHQ did a great job handling this.

Here's the previous one he signed for me.

Vern Law TTM Return

Former Pirate and TTM Hall of Famer Vern(on) Law signed his 1965 Topps as well as the 1957 and 1958 Topps Pirates team cards.  For several years, he has been adding a few stats to his cards, which is nice.  He charges $10 per card.

This is the second 1958 Pirates team card I've been working on, but wanted to make sure he was on both.

Rick Wise TTM Return

 Last month I received a return from Rick Wise, who answered a question in my letter but didn't sign my card, despite having kept my $10.  Obviously, it was just a mistake.  I sent it to him again explaining the situation but included another $10 in case he thought I had forgotten last time.  He signed my card, and also included three more for me.

Unfortunately, one of the cards got caught on some tape he used to try to secure the cards inside the envelope.  Luckily, it wasn't the one I had sent and needed for my set, which was his 1972 Topps Traded high number card.

Mike Epstein and Willie Montanez

Last week I received a mail-in signing return from a Mike Epstein signing, who signed my 1971 and 1972 Topps.

Today I received a ttm return from Willie Montanez, who signed four cards for my sets for $5 each.

John Knox TTM Return

Just one return today.

John Knox signed the 1973 and 1975 Togers team cards as well as his 1974 and 1975 Topps.

Charlie James, Jim Palmer, Bill Russell and Some Purchases

I received three ttm successes today.

Charlie (Charley) James signed his 1961 Topps high number card and a couple Cardinals team cards.

Jim Palmer signed a couple 1983 Topps for me.  I have a lot of 83 Topps Hall of Famers and stars but haven't gotten around to sending out to the more common players yet.  I kind of doubt I'll have Eddie Murray sign this card.  His fee is too expensive, and if I were going to pay it, I'd probably choose an older card.

And Bill Russell signed his 1971 and 1972 Topps via J.D. Legends Promotions for my sets.

I also received a purchase from Under the Radar Sports Promotions for a couple more set cards.

Finally, I received a 2022 Topps Heritage Joe Ryan card from a fellow SCN member.

Marty Keough and Some Purchases

 I had just one ttm return yesterday.  Always-reliable Marty Keough signed his 1963, 1964 and 1966 Topps for me.

And I received an eBay purchase from Tom Orr at Atommic Sports.  I had sent in a 1970 Topps to one of his signings a while ago when he had both Gene Tenace and Vida Blue.  Unfortunately, Vida Blue passed away before the signing.

So, I was able to buy one of these completed from his inventory.

I also purchased the 1971 Topps NL RBI Leaders card, after previously buy the NL Home Run Leaders card.  Same three guys.  All of these guys are still with us, but sending this card in to signings for each of them would be way more expensive than what I paid for this.

Here's the previous card: