Carter, Hall and Swisher

On Friday, I received three returns.  I was out of town for the weekend, so I'm just getting to them now.

Joe Carter signed his 1985 Topps and 2000 Fleer Greats of the Game for $10.

Former-Twin Tom Hall signed his 1971 and 1973 Topps for me.

Finally, Steve Swisher signed his 1976, 1978 and 1979 Topps.

Mike Mussina Signed Ball

Yesterday I received a ball back from Mike Mussina, who was kind enough to sign the ROMLB I sent him and add his Hall of Fame inscription, as requested.

I included $20 cash with my request.

Mr. Mussina was a good signer during his playing days as well. He signed his 1991 Upper Deck card for me back in 2005 and his 2003 and 2007 Topps Heritage cards back in 2008.

Killebrew and Oliva Signed Postcards

A few weeks ago, I bought a couple old, signed Twins postcards. 

I can't resist a Killebrew autograph for $20 or less, which is what I paid for this one:

I also picked up a Tony Oliva signed postcard, for half of what I paid for the Killebrew:

Both came with copies of a PSA Letter of Authenticity, for whatever that's worth, but they both look pretty legit to me and I got them from a seller I trust.

The same seller had a signed postcard of Bob Allison, but I already have one.

Al Kaline Return

Today I received a return from Al Kaline, who signed his 2010 Topps Heritage Then & Now card that also features Joe Mauer.

I hope to have Joe sign it at a future TwinsFest or other local signing.

Jimmie Schaffer and Russ Snyder

I received a two of returns over the last few days.

Jimmie Schaffer signed his 1968 Topps.

And Russ Snyder signed his 1960 and 1962 Topps.

I have just two more requests outstanding so I'll need to find some time to send out a few more.

Don Shaw - 1972 Topps

Yesterday I received a 1972 Topps signed by Don Shaw.  I included $5 with my request.  I have about 2 or 3 other requests out right now and hope to ramp up my requests this summer.

1965 All-Star Program

I recently received this program I purchased on Ebay.

The seller had sold one the previous week which went for a bit more than this one, and it was clean, meaning there was no writing on it.

This one is scored, which I think is incredible.  I consider it like a game-used item.  I imagine the fan sitting at the old Met, watching Willie Mays, Harmon Killebrew and Sandy Koufax.  How amazing that must have been!

Both Mays and Killebrew hit home runs, as did McAuliffe from the Tigers.

Another great thing in this program is the advertisement for the Western Oil Twins portraits that could be purchased for 10 cents at the gas station.  I've been collecting these as well.

Gary Gaetti Bobblehead

Today I received my 2007 Gary Gaetti Stadium Give Away (SGA) bobblehead back signed from a Tom Orr private signing.

Other SGA bobbleheads from that year included Joe Mauer (Batting Title), Justin Morneau (MVP) and Michael Cuddyer.  I have all four of these signed now.

John Ellis Return

I received the only outstanding request I had out over the weekend.

John Ellis signed both his 1972 Topps cards in a thick, black marker.  The marker appeared to start slow on the first card, and then it got smeared a bit on his jersey number.  I'm usually not one to complain when players sign through the mail, but I paid $10 to have these signed, so I'm a little disappointed in how they turned out.

I didn't send any cards to Twins spring training because, well, who are those guys?  I don't have cards for many of them and I prefer to get cards signed of the players in a Twins uniform.  The return rate has been pretty poor the last several years as well, so I've given up trying.

Gary Neibauer - 1972 Topps

Today I received one of my two outstanding requests for this year.

Gary Neibauer signed his 1972 Topps in ballpoint in about 10 days.

Bob Speake Return

Yesterday I received a nice return from Bob Speake, who signed his 1956, 1957 and 1959 Topps for me.

This was my only outstanding request from the last few months so any other returns will be a big surprise.  I need to find some time to send out some of the cards from the 70's that I've got laying around.

I didn't end up going to TwinsFest this year.  Too cold and the roster just wasn't compelling enough to get me to spend the money.

Bill Dailey - 1964 Western Oil Print

Today I received a nice return from Bill Dailey, who signed his 1964 Western Oil print that I sent on New Year's Eve.

It looks like it got a little bent.  I guess the cardboard I included in the envelope wasn't strong enough to prevent it from getting bent.  It's not too bad, and will probably improve by laying flat for a while.

That gives me a perfect return rate for 2018.  I clearly didn't take many risks.

Happy New Year! 2019 Collecting Goals

Happy New Year!

In looking back at 2018, I didn't set any goals.  And it shows.

I only sent out 49 requests.  48 of them were returned successfully, and the remaining request was just sent out yesterday.

One of the highlights of the year was adding Chuck Knoblauch to my 1991 Twins World Series bobblehead set. 

I completed a few multi-signed cards and received TTM successes from several Hall of Famers including Jim Palmer, Brooks Robinson, Ryne Sandberg and Al Kaline.

At least for a while, I will have less money to spend on autographs.  I have a 1967 Mustang convertible in the shop getting some frame repairs and a new floor, which will consume much of my fun money.

For 2019, I plan to focus on some TTM while minimizing the costs.  I have a lot of cards I can send out including the 1978 Topps set.  I will also focus on a smaller number of select items, such as adding any players I can to my 1991 Twins bobblehead set, Western Oil prints, magazines and perhaps some Gold Glove baseballs.

My only goal for the year will be to hit 100 TTM requests.  I haven't hit that mark since 2015.

I'm currently undecided about going to TwinsFest.  The roster isn't looking very interesting, and I really don't need any more Blyleven, Carew and Oliva autographs.  I'll keep an eye on the list and decide later.

Good luck to you in 2019!

A Few Returns: Robinson, Sandberg and Becquer

A few days ago I received a return from Brooks Robinson who signed his 2010 Topps Heritage Stadium Seat card for his $5 fee.

And today I received two returns.

Ryne Sandberg signed his 1985 and 1987 Topps for $5 per card.

Julio Becquer signed his 1958 and 1960 Topps.

I have no outstanding request sent out this year, so unless I receive a really old request, this is probably it until next year.

A Couple Paid Signings Returns

I've not sent out any requests for a long time, but I did send out to a few private signings.

Today I received two of those back.

I sent in a 1963 Topps for a Carl Yastrzemski signing.  I've got just a little over half of the 63 set signed, so a long way to go.

I also received three cards back from a Larry Hisle signing, including his 1972 Topps, 1978 Topps and 1978 Topps R.B.I. Leaders.

 

I need to keep my eyes out for a George Foster signing to complete the R.B.I. Leaders card.

I'm also at just over 50% on the 1972 set, and only at about 20% on the 1978 set.  Maybe I'll focus on the easy and free signers of the 1978 set this winter.

Minneapolis Sports Collectibles Convention

Today I attended the Minneapolis Sports Collectibles Convention at Canterbury Downs in Shakopee, MN.

My main purpose for attending was to get Chuck Knoblauch and Junior Ortiz to sign their bobbleheads from the 1991 World Series set.

As usual, this event was very well-organized.  I met Junior Ortiz first.

Shortly after meeting Junior Ortiz, I met Chuck Knoblauch.  He hasn't been around the Twin Cities much, so I was happy to have the opportunity to get this signed.

After getting these two bobbleheads signed, I need six more to complete the set (minus Puckett).

I still need:

• Steve Bedrosian
• Chili Davis
• Mark Guthrie
• Shane Mack
• Paul Sorrento
• Carl Willis

 Denny McLain was signing at the event and had his own booth selling a variety of items.  I bought a mini helmet that he signed with a bunch of inscriptions.

I also bought a couple signed Metrodome banners including one with Torii Hunter on one side and Ron Gardenhire on the other side, and a second one with Johan Santana on one side, and Juan Rincon on the other.  I need to flatten them out a bit for a few days before hanging them.  I'll take pictures of them then.

I ran into fellow-collector Randy, who I see at many of these events.  It's always nice to run into him.  He ended up being first in line for Knoblauch!  Nice to see you Randy!  Maybe next time we'll have more time to talk.

Two Returns Today

I send so few requests these days that it's rare to get two back on the same day.  But today, I did.

Jim Palmer finished off my 1972 Topps ERA Leaders card, already signed by Wood and Blue.

And I got back a card I sent off to Eduardo Escobar at Twins Spring Training way back in March.  Even though he got traded to the Diamondbacks, he was kind enough to keep track of his mail and respond.

I had previously bought this card signed by him thinking that I wouldn't get this one back.

A Four Year Success

I had all but given up on this one.  Nearly four years ago, I sent off this 1965 Topps to Clay Carroll.  The card had already been signed by Phil Niekro.  Carroll is a pretty good TTM signer and I saw a lot of successes recorded on SCN, so I assumed mine had gotten lost or something.

I had even begun looking for another card to start over with, but this showed up in the mail today!

Pitching Leaders Card Completed

Yesterday I received a return from Mickey Lolich, who finished off my 1972 Topps Pitching Leaders card.

I have the ERA Leaders card out to Jim Palmer and hope to receive that back any day.