Ron Guidry TTM Return and Ted Kluszewski 1958 Topps Purchase

I was slightly disappointed to open the return from Ron Guidry today to see that he signed the 1972 Topps Cy Young Award card in blue sharpie across the dark part of the award pictured on the card.  I wished he had signed it a bit lower, across the open, red part of the card.  Oh well, beggars can't be choosers.  It's pretty amazing that a player of his caliber signs for free (limit one per request).   Maybe I'll try again in the future.  In the meanwhile, I'll probably try to add more players to this card since there is room.

I also received an eBay purchase, adding another 1958 Topps to my set.  This time it is the Ted Kluszewski card, signed nicely in blue and authenticated by J.S.A.

I'm down to needing 90 cards of the 494-card set.  Only Koufax and Mays remain as living players that I don't have yet.  I believe Mays is unable to sign due to his poor eyesight.  Koufax occasionally signs, but the fees are way more than I could buy an authenticated card for.  I'm not sure I'll ever own either of those cards (actually, Mays is on at least two cards in the set).  They only way I could justify the cost, would be to sell other parts of my collection to fund these cards, rather than dump another few thousand dollars into this collection that is taking over my house.

I still occasionally buy some comics, Mego action figures and Star Wars toys that have my family convinced that I am a full-on hoarder.  My basement is starting to look like it as well, as I have fallen behind on putting things away or displaying them appropriately.

Bobby Richardson TTM Return

The always-reliable Bobby Richardson signed a 1961 Topps checklist for me.  I included $5 with my request, and he also included a Mickey Mantle-focused religious pamphlet which he signed simply as "Bobby".

Wojcik TTM Return and a Couple 1952 Topps Purchases

My only ttm return today was from John Wojcik.  He didn't have a success listed on SCN, or even an attempt, since last July.  I wanted to send a multi-player card with two signatures already on it, so I first wrote him a letter asking permission to send and if he had a blue sharpie.

He replied that he would sign and didn't have a sharpie.  I packaged up a couple 1963 Topps, including one with no other signatures on it yet, and the 63 Athletics team card.  I also included a blue sharpie for him and a couple other 1963 Topps for him to keep.  He did a really nice job signing.

I also received a couple 1952 Topps that I bought from a fellow SCN member, including Johnny Antonelli and Harry "Peanuts" Lowrey.

More Mail-In Signing Returns - Reggie Jackson and Dave Winfield

Both of these signings were via Tom Orr, who has always done a great job for me.

On relatively short notice, he had a signing with Reggie Jackson, so I sent in a card for my 1971 Topps collection.

I received my Dave Winfield Gold Glove ball the other day, but today I received the 1974 Topps rookie card I had also sent in.  I'm happy to add another Hall of Famer rookie card to my collection.  I had J.S.A. authenticate this one.

Kubek and Mazeroski

 I received two nice ttm returns today.

Tony Kubek signed his 1962 Topps action card.  His signature is getting shaky, as I noted last time, but I really wanted to have this card signed.

And Bill Mazeroski signed an oddball card for me: a 1966 East Hills Shopping Center card.  I'm not very familiar with this set, but it looks nice signed.

Purchases and Mail-In Signing Returns - 1958 Topps, Winfield and Gaetti

I didn't receive and ttm returns today, but I received plenty of autographs.

I received a Metrodome ball back from a Gary Gaetti signing and a Gold Glove ball back from a Dave Winfield signing.  I had JSA authentication on the Winfield ball.

I also received three cards back from an Ed Spiezio signing.  I've needed these cards for my sets, and he does not sign ttm.  His latest success on SCN is from 2012!

I bought a 1972 Topps PSA/DNA Ted Simmons on eBay, as well as four 1958 Topps for my set.  I have one more 58 Topps coming, which will get my want list down to 90.

Carl Bouldin and Fergie Jenkins

One more ttm return today.  Carl Bouldin signed a couple Senators team cards and his 1964 Topps.  He also wrote me a nice letter.

And I received a return from a Fergie Jenkins signing.  I had four different pitching leaders' cards signed from 1971 and 1972.

Terry Crowley TTM Return and Some Purchases

The ttm returns are really just trickling in and I don't have too many outstanding, so it might slow down even further. 

Today I Received a return from Terry Crowley, who signed his 1970 Topps already signed by Fred Beene, and his 1975 Topps.  I sent $10 with my request.  I have a few more cards and an Orioles scorebook I'd like to send him, but I'll wait a while.

I also received a few cards I bought from Tom Orr (Atommic Sports) via eBay.  I added cards signed by Barry Larkin and John Smoltz; Hall of Famers I didn't have any autographs of until now.  The highlight though is the 1971 Topps National League Home Run Leaders card signed by Johnny Bench, Billy Williams and Tony Perez.  I had previously sent this card to a Tony Perez signing, which I now regret.  This card wasn't cheap, but it was way cheaper than paying the signing fees of all three of these players.

Purchases and Mail-In Signings Returns

I didn't receive and ttm returns, but I received a couple purchases and a few cards back from a Frank Thomas mail-in signing.

I had Frank Thomas sign a 1991 Topps with Beckett Witness Authentication, and a 2003 Topps Heritage and 2008 Goudey without authentication.

I also received a bunch of vintage cards from eBay that will fill some holes in my sets, as well as a 2024 Topps Heritage Real One of Ted Simmons.