Completing a 1965 Topps Giants Rookie Stars TTM

In the comments section, I have been encouraging Fuji, a reader of my blog, to complete the Murakami and Estelle rookie card from 1965 through the mail.

This is one of the few cards I can think of that can be completed ttm for substantially less than you can buy one.  For a little effort, and about $50, ($65 slabbed), you can have a card that sells for over $200 on eBay.  There are several postings asking more than that, but I see two that have actually sold for over $200.00. 

Step one: buy the raw card.  This card cost me about $22 shipped from eBay.  It's in typical VG condition.  It's going to be sent loose through the mail to Japan, so unless you are thinking of sending it with more support and in a sleeve (which I strongly advise against), it's going to take a little damage.  So, it's not worth buying a PSA 9 card only to have it returned as a 5.

Step two: As with any ttm request, write a nice, polite letter stating you're a fan of the game and you would be very grateful if he signed your card.

Step three: Include some cash to help with the return postage and as a token of your appreciation  I'm going to include three cards total, so I'm sending $20.  U.S. currency appears to work fine.

Step four: Send your letter as you would with any ttm request, except the following:

• Do not put any postage on your sase.  Mr. Murakami will add Japanese postage.
• Make sure to add "U.S.A." on your return address and on your sase.
• On your outgoing letter, use a Global Forever Stamp which costs $1.75 and looked like this:

His address is available in Harvey's annual address list and is also listed on SCN.  Fuji, if you actually send this out, let me know and I'll give you the address.  I don't feel comfortable posting it publicly here, even though it is readily available online.

So far, we've spent $43.75.  ($20 in cash for Mr. Murakami, $22 for the 1965 Topps, and $1.75 for the Global Forever Stamp.

Off it goes into the mail tomorrow!

I actually included a 2023 Topps Living Set card and a 1966 Topps Giants team card already signed by Jack Hiatt, Dick Schofield and Dick Estelle.

My previous requests to Mr. Murakami have taken between 24 and 55 days, with most coming back within four weeks.  So, I expect to see these cards come back after Thanksgiving, but before Christmas. In the past, he has always signed in fine point blue sharpie that looks great, so I don't have any desire to try to send him a pen.  Dick Estelle also signs very nicely, and both of the copies of this card that I've sent to JSA have graded 10.

If anyone actually send out this request, good luck!  Please post your results here!