Bernie Allen TTM Return and a Joe Torre Purchase

I've mailed off quite a few requests the last few days, including to paid signings.  Almost all of the ttm requests I sent directly to players over the last week included pens and were shipped in bubble envelopes via Pirate Ship.  So, rather than a 78 cent stamp there, and a 78 cent stamp back, it's about $5.50 there and $5.50 back.  Plus about $2 for the pen.  It adds up quickly, but it helps increase the chances of getting a good signature.  I've still had some players not use the pen I included, and sometimes the signatures get smeared, but there's only so much you can do.

Four of the requests included a Grand Slam print.  I've slowed down on sending those out a bit and want to get going on them again.

Today I received a nice return from former-Twin Bernie Allen, who signed his 1963 and 1964 Topps.  Mr. Allen sometimes signs with a ballpoint pen, which doesn't look all that bad on vintage cards, but I have sent him a couple requests with a pen to be sure I get some nice, blue sharpie signatures on his Twins cards from the early to mid Sixties, like these two cards.  I lucked out this time, and he used a nice, fine point blue marker.

I also received a 1963 Topps signed by Joe Torre to add to my set collection.  I stumbled across this card on eBay while looking for who-knows-what, but it's a decent signature and the price was less than half of his current show price for signing cards.

I'm waiting for some items back from paid signings, and one in particular, Rod Carew, is stressing me out.  It includes a Grand Slam print and his rookie card, and the tracking has simply said "Moving Through Network" for the last five days since hitting St. Louis.  I hope it just shows up any day now.