Gaspar, Marichal and Reed

It was a slow, but steady week with just a return or two each day, but ended with three ttm successes.  I expect a few days coming up with 5+ returns per day.

I don't know why it took me so long to write to Bob Reed, who has a high number card in the 1971 set.  Despite the high #, the card wasn't very expensive at around $4.  He only has a little over 30 requests on SCN, which is surprising considering I think a lot of people collect the 1971 set.  He also doesn't charge a fee.  I'm thinking I've delayed the high number cards since I didn't want to spend the money on the card, but if that's what delayed me, it wasn't a good reason.

Anyway, he responded in about a month and a half with a very small, blue ballpoint signature, which fits nicely in the only bright spot on the card.

Rod Gaspar, who I mentioned called me a few days ago, returned the cards I sent him.  At his offering, I sent him a large sase that he can use to send me a couple more signed items.  I sent it via Pirate Ship so I can track it, and it was delivered to him today.

The cards I received back today, which were in the request that prompted him to call, are all signed very nicely using the Staedtler I had included.  

I wanted to upgrade the 1971 Topps he signed in ballpoint for me back in 2022.  He signed it very nicely, but the pen he used doesn't stand out very much.

I'm very anxious to see what he sends me back in the larger envelope.

My last return of the day was Mr. Automatic (signer), Juan Marichal, who signed his 1974 Topps Traded card and his 2025 Allen & Ginter.  

I really like the '25 Ginters, and plan on getting more of them signed than I usually do.  I already have Mazeroski, both of Eckersley's, Doc Gooden and Gossage, with plans for several more (Blyleven, Mussina, Kaat, Palmer, Dawson, Campaneris, Rice, and Molitor at least).

The 1974 Topps Traded is the last card of his I needed to complete his Topps run of his individual cards.  I did a quick check on what other Topps cards I'm missing, and there are a lot!  He's on at least three different league leaders' cards along with Koufax, four or five other leaders' cards, and a couple of checklists.  He is the only surviving player on most of those leaders cards.  I don't feel like paying $20 each to have one out of 3-5 players sign a card, so I don't think I'll pursue getting every Topps card he appears on signed.