Bailey Ober Two Year TTM Return and Delmon Young Signing

I was surprised to see the sase in my Informed Delivery email with a stamp that I hadn't used in years.  I bought several rolls of flag forever stamps that I have been using for a couple years, but this sase had a different stamp, so I knew it was going to be a long return.  Unfortunately, many times long returns come back unsigned, as if someone is cleaning out a locker for a team, or a family member after a player passes away.

But this time the cards were signed.  Bailey Ober signed two copies of his 2022 Topps Heritage that I had sent to spring training in February of 2024.  The postmark came from North Carolina rather than Minneapolis or Fort Myers.  I had offered one card for him to keep, but he signed and returned both.

  

I also received three cards from a Delmon Young signing with Halkman Sports.  These cards are helping to fill some holes in my Topps Heritage and Allen & Ginter Twins team sets, but unfortunately, did not complete any of the sets I'm working on.  I have a lot of Joe Mauer cards left to get, and I think I needed Francisco Liriano on two of the sets also.

I also have a Metrodome Banner still to be returned from this signing.  I reached out to see why it hadn't shipped yet, and he let me know that it was awaiting authentication.  However, there is a picture of it being signed on their Instagram and Facebook pages.  Here's the Facebook photo.

Ty Cline TTM Return

One return to start the week.  Ty Cline signed his 1967 Topps high number card, as well as a 1972 Reds team card.

Over 22 years, I have managed to put together all of Mr. Cline's regular Topps cards that span from 1961 to 1971, as well as a couple highlight cards from 1971.

Bobby Shantz Rookie Card

Despite already having  one and having it authenticated and slabbed, I decided to send Bobby Shantz another 1950 Bowman rookie card.  My opportunities for sending vintage cards ttm are dwindling, so even if they are duplicates, I continue to send out what I can.

He did a great job, as always, especially for someone 100 years old!

Wade Boggs TTM Return and Harry Byrd 1958 Purchase

I don't collect too many signed cards after the 1980's but there are a few sets I like, including the 2000 Fleer Tradition set.  They can be a little busy and aren't always the best for autographs, but I like them anyway.  I sent Wage Boggs his card and he signed it in about 2.5 weeks for his $10 per card fee.

It's not often that I add a card to my 1958 Topps set anymore since the ones I need are pretty tough and/or expensive.  I was able to pick up this Harry Byrd card recently, bringing the number of  cards I need to complete the set down to 76.  The only living player that I still need is Sandy Koufax.  I tried him ttm a while ago but received a RTS, which was no surprise.

Jose Canseco and Lee Smith

I forgot to post these two return from last Wednesday.  It was a slow week, so I'm not sure why I forgot.

I sent Lee Smith his 1982 Topps rookie card ttm.

And I received a Jose Canseco Grand Slam print back from a paid signing.

A Big Start to the Week

I had mentioned to my wife that I planned to spend less on this hobby this year.  Then she picked up the mail today and said it doesn't look like I'm spending less.  I had no argument, especially since I also went to the post office to mail off a bobblehead, a couple Metrodome seatbacks and some cards for signings.

Oh well.  These were things I committed to last year.  That's my only excuse.

Anyway, I received four ttm returns.

Rick Dempsey signed my four cards, included a signed 89 Upper Deck and also a signed and personalized photo of an SI cover.  He included a long note about charging for signing and some fees that look like he's including in all his returns.  Due to the photo, he had to return all of it in his own manilla envelope with $5 postage.  I had enclosed $20 ($5 per card) with my request.  He seems to appreciate the gesture of including a fee.  He also answered a couple questions I had in my letter and wrote me a nice thank you note, wishing me a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

In the form letter he enclosed, he noted that he signs his mail for about three hours per day.  Based on just my return, I can see that to be true. 

Bill Zepp signed a few cards for me, including a 1971 Twins team card.

Tom Satriano signed four cards with his typical ballpoint.  I think I had intended to send these along with a pen but forgot to.  Maybe I'll send another request later this year to get some nice blue sharpie signatures from him.

And Bill Mazeroski signed six cards for me, a few vintage and a few modern.  The 1961 World Series card is a minor upgrade over the two I already have.  It is nearly impossible to find that card nicely centered.  Despite working on the 1965 Topps set (I'm at 454 out of 598 cards in the set), I don't usually send out the embossed cards.  But I am running out of unique cards to send Mr. Mazeroski, but will keep tracking them down.  I have 72 signed Mazeroski cards, but that includes several duplicates.

I received six cards back from a Justin Morneau signing in an attempt to fill some holes in my Twins team sets for the Heritage and Allen & Ginter sets.

Finally, I purchased a 1982 Topps Jerry Koosman signed card slabbed by PSA/DNA.  Normally, I would just mail this to him ttm to sign, but he recently announced his fee has increased to $40.  So most of his cards can be found for sale cheaper than that fee.  His signature has become very shaky, so I'm guessing this fee increase is an attempt to reduce the demand.