Boog Powell Signing Return

The Dugout Zone in Ellicot City, MD (https://www.dugoutzone.com/) did a great job with my Boog Powell items, which I received back today.  If you want to participate next time, get on their email list.  They don't send out many emails, but they did send one to alert me to this signing.

Some discussion on SCN (https://www.sportscollectors.net/) last year warned about their service, and in particular, the quality of the pens used, as it seems Powell presses really hard and goes through pens/ink quickly.

Last year's cards turned out pretty nice, but I could see just a little fading in the ink.  Honestly, if I hadn't read the discussion on SCN prior, I may not have even noticed. This 1971 Topps was the "worst" of the bunch.

Here's another from last year:

So, this year, I decided to include pens.  I enclosed a blue sharpie for the Grand Slam print, and a medium blue Staedtler for the six cards.  I put sticky notes on the cards and print asking them to switch to my pens.  If they didn't use my pens, they at least used very strong ones, and I think everything turned out great.

The placement on the print is a little odd, but that's my fault.  It's exactly as I requested it.  I assumed his signature would be about the same size as on a card and would fit in the white space.  But he gave a really nice, large signature that would have looked better going right across his body. 

The cards all turned out really nice though.

The price was even $5 per card less than last year, which is why I sent a couple more this time.  I think I've got all the cards I want signed by him now, but if they have another signing next year, I'll probably come up with a few more.

Bernie Allen and Bobby Richardson TTM Returns and a Tony Oliva Fan HQ Signing Return

I sent Bernie Allen five cards and a blue Staedtler along with $10 and he signed them all very nicely.  He also answered some questions in my letter about playing for the Yankees versus the Twins.

Bobby Richardson always does a very nice job, as he did with the four cards I just got back from him.

I also received a 1964 Nicholas Volpe, Western Oil portrait back from a Fan HQ signing.  I bought this portrait from my friend Randy last month.  I also sent in three bobbleheads for him to sign, but my return postage label doesn't show it as being sent yet.  It probably takes them a day or two to package up the bulkier things like bobbleheads, bats and larger photos/posters.

I recently bought a pretty high-grade nearly complete set (missing one), of these prints on eBay, and then was able to find a similar quality Jim Roland to complete it.  Since many of these players are no longer with us, I'm not going to get any of them signed, which would be duplicates anyway.

I have 10 of the 15 signed from the 1964 set, and 14 out of the 24 from the 1963 set.

The prints from the 1964 set are hard to come by, even unsigned.  I bought the Roland, Mincher and Rollins portraits signed from Randy.  Even though a player like Rollins would sign ttm, I had not found an unsigned copy of his portrait. They're not all in the best shape and tend to get a little banged up sending ttm.  I can't post the photos very large without them getting cut off, but if you want to see one better, just click on it and it will open up in a bigger window.

Tommy John Rookie Card, Joe Rudi and More Vintage Bobbleheads

I sent this 1964 Topps Rookie card to Tommy John in care of his agent back in June. My check was cashed a few weeks ago, and it arrived today.  Mr. John is obviously struggling to sign, and I appreciate his effort.

Here was his signature about four years ago when I participated in a mail-in signing.

And this one was back in 2009:

I also received a Joe Rudi 1982 Topps I purchased as a leftover from a signing held by a promoter on SCN.

I finally received the second box of vintage bobbleheads that I bought a while ago.  Two boxes were shipped to me on the 19th from the same person.  One arrived on the 22nd, and this one five days later.  8 days for a Priority package to arrive from Florida to Minnesota.  I was getting nervous, because these are expensive.  They were insured, though.

Ken Hamlin

I'm glad to see at least one ttm return today as they seem pretty slow lately.

Ken Hamlin signed four cards in a little under three months.

Mill Creek Purchase

Mill Creek Sports had a sale this week, so I took advantage of it by filling a few holes in my sets. I am happy to add another 58 Topps to my collection and am down to needing 82 out of the 594-card set.  It's not often I can find a card I need for under $100 anymore.  I also added a bunch for my 63 Topps set and a couple 61s and 65s.