Curt Simmons Return

Another nice return today.  Curt Simmons signed four cards for me:  1959, 1962, 1963 and 1964 Topps.


I don't normally send four cards, but for whatever reason I had them laying around so I sent them.  I usually try to send one or two cards in a request, sometimes three, especially if I need all three for a set I'm working on.

Speaking of which, I've been watching eBay for a nice big lot of 1972 Topps to work on.  There are a few sets listed, I'm just trying to make sure the prices are decent, so I'm looking around a little more.

My 2009 Through The Mail Stats

I didn't come anywhere close to my goal of sending out 365 requests in 2009. I only sent out 155.

I had a 95% success rate, meaning I had 1 failure and am still waiting for 6 requests. The failure was Jack Dittmer, who sent back my 1954 Topps unsigned. After seeing other successes on SCN, I re-sent the request and received it back signed.

The six requests I'm still waiting for include Steve Carlton, which I just sent out in mid-December to Game Winner Sports, and who cashed my check, so I expect that back at some point. The other five I'm still waiting for include Les Moss (sent in November), Joel Horlen (sent in August), Bobby Bolin (sent in March, and who I got at a paid signing later in the year), Sandy Valdespino (sent in February) and Pedro Gonzalez (sent in January, but I bought a signed card on eBay).

In order to get many more requests out this year, I'll need a new project. I am contemplating the 1978 and 1985 sets. I have complete sets of both. I really enjoy collecting the older players though, and might concentrate and getting more vintage cards signed by players I already have. I should focus hard on my 1958 and 1965 Topps sets as well, and go hard after those living players I don't already have.

I will probably also go after a few more multi-player cards. I completed the 1962 Tribe Hill Trio card this year, which I really like.

As well as the 1959 Topps Run Preventers card.


I spent a lot of money this year on paid signings. Too much. I did make nice progress on my 2008 Goudey set of retired players, and will continue working on that.

I don't intend to spend much time or effort on current players, other than Twins.

Some Returns and Purchases

I was out of town most of this week but came home to find a few returns and some purchases in my mailbox.

I got a couple of ttm requests back after a few months wait. Dean Stone signed his 1954 Topps which I sent out about 5 months ago.

Pete Daley signed and personalized his 1960 Topps in about 3 months.

I also received a 1965 Topps signed by Dan Osinski which I bought from GateX autographs. They included a list of signed cards for sale with my last send-in order with them. I got this card for just $5.

Finally, I received a 1978 Topps, PSA/DNA authenticated, that I bought on eBay. $6!

Lots of Returns Including Cal Ripken Jr.

I received a lot of returns yesterday as well as one purchase today.

First, I got back a couple of items I sent in to a Cal Ripken Jr. signing at Ironclad Authentics. An SCN contact has an account with them and I got a ball and a 2008 Goudey signed for much less than the normal rate.


I received three through the mail requests. Jim Perry signed his 1959 Topps rookie card for me.


Jim Lonborg signed a 1965 Topps, 1968 Topps and 1968 Topps World Series cards.



Irv Noren signed a 1953 Topps.


I also received my 1968 Topps Jackie Hernandez card that I sent in to a GateX Autographs signing.

Finally, I received a 1961 Dick Donovan card that I bought on eBay.

We haven't made much progress on getting ready for TwinsFest. Hopefully we'll have a few days around the holidays to get our cards and pictures straightened out. As usual, I'm finding I have many items I'd like to get signed by Harmon Killebrew.

Very Slow Lately

Nothing in the mail for a while. I've sent out a couple of requests including Bobby Brown and Jim Lonborg.

I'm waiting for a list players that will be attending TwinsFest to appear on the Twins web site. Nothing yet. My kids and I will start getting our binders of cards and pictures together soon. Tickets for TwinsFest go on sale tomorrow.

Grady Hatton Return

One return in the mail today. Grady Hatton signed his 1954 Topps.


Today I mailed off a 1954 Topps to Whitey Ford. I also bought a Yogi Berra '54 Topps that I'll send out in a while.

Joe Mauer Jersey

Last month I bought a signed Joe Mauer jersey during a sale at Ironclad Authentics. I'm assuming he'll win the MVP award this year, in addition to his Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, so demand for his autograph will go up even more.

A while ago I bought a jersey display case at Hobby Lobby, and my wife helped me pin in to the case so I could display it.

Al Jackson and Carl Mathias

Two ttm returns today. One sent recently, and one sent back in August.

Al Jackson signed his 1965 Topps for me. I sent this out August 19th.

Carl Mathias signed his 1960 Topps for my collection.

I sent out the 1963 Twins program to Camilo Pascual. I hope to get that back signed and then have Killebrew sign it at TwinsFest in January.

Picture Back From The Framer

Today I got back two pictures from the framer. I had Johnny's Harmon Killebrew 16x20 framed, as well as my 16x20 signed by Johnny Blanchard and Bill Mazeroski. I had them framed in my usual black metal rounded frame with black mat. I like that because it puts the focus on the picture, not the frame. Also, I know I'll always be able to find frames like these and the color will always match.

Red Schoendienst - 1951 Bowman

I added another signed 1951 Bowman to my collection today. I received a Red Schoendienst signed card today from a signing at St. Louis Sports Collectors. I have had good luck with this company in the past and this signing went very well too. They allow you to send in an SASE, rather than charge $10 (or more) for return shipping like some companies do.

Jonathan Papelbon 2008 Goudey

Today I received a 2008 Goudey signed by Jonathan Papelbon that I bought on eBay. This is a certified "Goudey Graphs" card, meaning the Upper Deck company had it signed by Papelbon, rather than some collector getting Papelbon to sign the card or getting it signed at a show.

I only paid about $12 including shipping, which I thought was pretty reasonable.