1958 Topps - Alex Kellner

I added another 1958 Topps to my set collection.  I purchased an Alex Kellner card from Mickey's.  It was a decent price, not much more than the price of getting it authenticated.  It's been a while since I've added a card to this set so I was looking for something to buy that would keep this collection moving.

This makes 361 signed cards from this set, out of 494 cards.  I think there are only two cards left of living players: Willie Mays and Sandy Koufax.  I've had the opportunity to send in a card for a Mays signing but haven't been willing to pay the $250+ he asks for.  I'll keep my eyes open for a card already authenticated.  I've seen his signature isn't looking too good lately either.

We're pretty well set for TwinsFest.  Our binders are all organized and I've laid out the balls, bobbleheads and bats we plan to take.  Anyone else going?

Last Success of the Year - Jim Rivera

One return today.  Jim Rivera signed the 1958 Topps White Sox team card for me.

Tomorrow or Monday I'll post my final results against my 2011 goals, and set some new goals for 2012.  I'm buying a few items on Ebay in preparation for TwinsFest.  My sons and I need to finalize our plans so we can order whatever photos or cards we need.  I have plenty of bats, mini helmets and baseballs, so I don't have a lot of expensive supplies to buy this year.

Happy New Year to all the readers of my blog!  Both of you :-)

Conley, Erskine and Naragon

A few nice returns today.  Gene Conley signed his 1956 and 1961 Topps for a $10 fee.  He also wrote a nice note in response to my letter and included information about his book.  Mr. Conley played in both for both MLB and the NBA.

Carl Erskine signed the 1958 Topps Dodgers team card.  He also included a signed Diamond Signatures card and wrote a short note thanking me for my interest on my letter.

Finally, Hal Naragon signed the 1958 Topps Indians team card.  While writing the letter to Mr. Naragon, I noticed that Roger Maris played with him on the Indians.  I never knew Maris played for any team other than the Yankees.  Mr. Naragon wrote a short response to my question regarding playing with Maris with very positive comments about him.

All three letters came with responses to my questions or short "thank yous" which is why writing to the retired players is so fun.

Al Kaline and a Few Purchases

My son got back a great return today.  I gave him a 1958 Topps Al Kaline and $10 for his birthday to send the card off to get signed.  He got it back today.  I think this is one of the nicest vintage cards to get signed, and Kaline always signs nicely.

I bought a lot of 5 signed cards, mainly to get the 1934 Goudey reprint signed by Ben Chapman. 

The lot also included a 1951 Bowman reprint and 1991 Topps archives signed by Hank Bauer.

A 1990 Swell signed by Bobby Doerr.

And a 1988 Pacific signed by George Kell.

Willie Kirkland Return From Paid Signing

Today I added a couple of very tough cards to my 1958 and 1965 Topps sets.  Chris Potter Sports had a signing with Willie Kirkland.  I have been watching for an opportunity to get these cards signed for several years so I'm very happy to finally get these done. 

I haven't made much progress on either of these sets this year.  I'll have to take another look at my sets and see if there are more I can go after.

You can see my 1958 set here.

And my 1965 set here.

Returns Starting to Come Back

I sent out a few requests last week and now they're coming back.

Yesterday I received a 1952 Sport Magazine signed by Al Dark.  I included $10 with my request.

Yesterday I also received a couple of 1972 Topps rookie cards.  Bob Reynolds signed his card, already signed by Jerry Bell (the card has the pictures of Bell and Porter switched, so he signed his picture).

And Tom Ragland signed a 1972 Topps already signed by Bill Fahey.

Today I received a 1958 Topps signed by Charles "Whammy" Douglas.  I already have this card signed by him, but he had been a very tough signer for years and I had an extra card laying around so I sent it out.  I included $5 with my request.

Jim Holt, Carl Erskine, Jim Bunning and Some Purchases

My son and I got some nice returns today.

First, I received a 1956 Topps signed by Carl Erskine.  I had asked him in my letter if I could send a ball for him to sign.  He wrote a short note that it would be fine and letting me know there would be no fee, but he would appreciate it if I would support the Special Olympics.

Next, Jim Holt signed the 1971, 1972 and 1973 Topps I sent him.  He also enclosed a signed 1975 SSPC card for me.

My son received a 1958 Topps signed by Jim Bunning.  This is a great return since Mr. Bunning has been a tough autograph to get over the last year or so but has recently begun signing again.

I also received a few purchases I made recently.  I bought four cards from a seller on eBay, including a 1965 Don Nottebart and 1972 Topps signed by Jeff Torborg, Gene Mauch and Rich Hand.

I also received a 1965 Topps signed by Zoilo Versalles that I bought from a member on SCN that is selling a collection for a friend.

More Vintage - Red Heart and Red Man

A couple of great returns today.  First, Billy Pierce signed two cards for me: a 1953 Red Man and 1954 Red Heart (that's dog food, "The Big League Dog Food").

Also, Norm Miller signed his 1971 and 1972 Topps.

My older son also got back three more 1958 Topps: Art Ceccarelli, Bud Daley and Randy Jackson.

 

Pretty Slow Lately

Not much going on lately, but my son did get a return that he sent out in March.  Ray Crone signed his 1958 Topps.

My boys are wrapping up their baseball seasons, but they still have playoffs and a state tournament, and my older son has an All Star tournament as well.  They should be done by August 1st.  Then we'll have more time for signings and sending ttm requests.

Yesterday we bought a PS3 and MLB The Show 2010.  The graphics are amazing.  They've been playing quite a bit today.

A Few '58's For My Son's Collection

My son has received a few 1958 Topps back for his set recently.

Yesterday he received two cards from Frank Malzone, both his normal card as well as his All Star card.

Today, he received a card back from Gus Zernial, which he sent out nearly three months ago.

Luis Aparicio and Don Zimmer

This week I received a few cards that SCN contacts got signed for me.

First, one of my contacts went to the MAB Celebrity show on January 27. He got a couple of Luis Aparicio cards signed for me. I added another 1958 Topps to my set by getting Aparicio on his All Star card. He also signed his 1965 Topps for me. My contact was kind enough to take pictures for me.


Next, another contact went to some awards banquet and got Don Zimmer for me on 1958 and 1965 Topps. I already got Mr. Zimmer on a 1958 Topps through the mail, but there is some speculation that Mr. Zimmer doesn't sign his mail, and perhaps his wife does it for him. Not sure if that's true, but this signature looks quite a bit different from the one I received through the mail.

Zimmer signature in person via SCN contact


Zimmer signature obtained ttm

This weekend I'll start getting some TwinsFest items posted.

Eddie Mathews - 1958 All-Star Card

I didn't receive any requests in the mail today, but I did receive a card I bought on eBay.

I purchased a 1958 Topps All-Star card signed by Eddie Mathews and authenticated by PSA.


The Twins edged their way into the playoffs last night by beating the Tigers in an exciting 12 inning game at the Dome. However, they aren't having very good luck against the Yankees tonight, losing 2-6 in the 7th inning as I write this.

A Couple More '58s and C.C.

I bought a couple of PSA Authenticated signed 1958 Topps from Mickey's a few days ago and they arrived today. I bought Bill Tuttle and Pedro Ramos. Both are in pretty nice shape with clear signatures.

I also received a signed C.C. Sabathia 2007 Allen & Ginter that I bought from a contact on SCN.

For the first time ever, I answered a Craigslist ad. Some guy is selling three of the older SGA Twins bobbleheads that were sponsored by Mountiain Dew. These include Tony Oliva, Kirby Puckett and Rod Carew. I'm meeting him at lunch tomorrow (at a Taco Bell) to buy them. If I disappear tomorrow, point the police to my email account for the details ;-) I'll let you know how it goes.