Colborn, Kostro and Murakami TTM Returns

The streak continues with three more returns today.

Jim Colborn signed his 1971, 1972 and 1978 Topps for me as well as the 1972 Brewers team card.

I've been working towards a nice 72 Topps of him for a while.  My first attempt in 2010 resulted in a thick, black sharpie return on not only the 72, but also his 1971, 1973 and 1978 Topps cards.

While this was a good return, I was hoping to upgrade to a blue sharpie signature.  I sent another 72 Topps along with a few other cards in 2022 and received a blue sharpie signature, but unfortunately, it was smeared in the process.

I had previously upgraded some of the other cards, such as the 73 Topps, but today's return also added an upgraded 1978 Topps for my set.

Frank Kostro was kind enough to sign his 1963 Topps and three team cards, including the 1970 Topps Twins team card.  I didn't realize that I had already sent this card to him, and it was signed along the bottom, right edge.  He signed it again very lightly over the players' pictures on the lower left part of the card.  It's very hard to see though, so maybe someone else will sign over it.  I'll be sending the 1966 Twins card off to Jim Perry next.

And all the way from Japan, Masanori Murakami signed his 1965 Topps, a 2023 Topps Living Set card and a 2024 Allen & Ginter.

Sending to Japan is very easy.  It's very similar to a domestic request, but on the outgoing envelope you use a Global Forever Stamp, which currently costs $1.65.  You can see them here:  USPS Store Global Forever Stamp

I don't put any postage on the sase, but I enclose some U.S. cash to help cover the cost.  The return envelope I received today from Japan had a stamp that cost 140 Yen, which today equals about 89 U.S. cents.  

I had enclosed $20 with my request to cover postage, as well as a thank you for signing for me.  I also enclosed an extra Allen & Ginter for him to keep which he did.  I'm not sure how much of a hassle this turns out to be for Mr. Murakami, but he has to purchase his own postage, and at some point, he has to deposit or convert the U.S. currency which also has a cost for him.

He has a nice signature, which has been nearly identical on all of his returns to me except on the Topps Living Set card I received today.  His usual autograph is a one-name signature, but on this card, it looks like perhaps he added a second name.  Or maybe it's an inscription?  I'm really not sure.

Does anyone know?