TTM Success - Tommy Brown

This 1953 Bowman Tommy Brown really looks great with some ink on it.  Since Brown has such a nice and neat signature, it looks even better than I could have imagined.  I was looking to add some 50s stuff to my album, and saw that Brown was still signing, so I bought the card and sent it along.  I'm glad I did.

Brown (b. 1927) played in the majors in 1944 and 1945 and then from 1947 to 1953 for the Dodgers (Brooklyn), Phillies and Cubs.  He broke into the majors in 1944 at the age of 16, and was done playing by the time he was 25.  He had 309 hits, 31 home runs and a .241 batting average.  Brown remains the youngest MLB player to ever hit a home run when he hit one at the age of 17 years and 257 days.  I can't confirm it, but it looks like he might also be the youngest player ever to get a hit in the majors as well.

I mailed to Brown on March 5 and got the card back signed on March 21, for a 16-day TAT.  He kept my 1952 Bowman that I had bought along with this 53.  Oh well.

Something else, too, I was tagging this post and about to hit submit, when I realized that a tag for Tommy Brown already existed.  It turns out that I had gotten him already back in 2017.  Oops again.  Well, I now have two signed 1953 Bowman of Brown.  They both look great.

Another TTM Success From Bobby Shantz

I had a craving recently to add a few more 50s cards to my autograph album, so I picked up some nice cards to send out TTM.  This 1953 Bowman Bobby Shantz came back signed really quickly, which was nice.

I paid Mr. Shantz's fee of $10.00.  I mailed the card on March 5 and got it back signed on March 11, for a 6-day TAT.

TTM Success - Larry Miggins

I added another 1953 Bowman Color to my autograph album with this success from Larry Miggins.  The card was purchased from Ebay.  I sent to Miggins on March 14 and got the card back on April 3, for a 20-day TAT.

Miggins (b. 1925) played in the majors in 1948 and 1952 for the Cardinals.  He had 22 hits, 2 home runs and a .227 batting average.  He was selected off of waivers from the Cardinals by the Cubs on April 17, 1948, only to be selected off of waivers by the Cardinals from the Cubs on April 23, 1948.

TTM Success - Tommy Brown

I added another 1953 Bowman.  The card turned out great, I think.  I have always loved 1953 Bowman, and adding a couple of them to the album has been a lot of fun.  The cards really turn out great when signed, because they essentially are mini photos.

Brown (b. 1927) played in the majors from 1944, 1945 and 1947 to 1953 for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Phillies and Cubs.  He had 309 hits, 31 home runs and a .24 batting average.  He was a 16-year old when he started playing for the Dodgers in 1944.  He appeared in two games during the 1949 World Series that the Dodgers lost to the Yankees.

I mailed to Brown on March 14 and got the card back on March 23, for a 9-day TAT.

TTM Success - Bobby Morgan

I love adding 1950s players to my autograph album.  There aren't many of them left, but when I get the opportunity to get autographs of them, I jump at the chance.  I saw that Bobby Morgan signed TTM, so I went on Ebay and picked up some nice cards of his that I felt like would look great.  I also wanted to make sure I added a Bowman to the album, preferably one that I didn't already have represented.  So, the above 1953 Bowman color was the one I chose.

The card turned out really nicely, I think.  I have since added a few other 1953 Bowman Color cards, but this was the first one.  I'm happy that I make myself pursue different years of different cards.  It makes every time through my albums an experience.

I did have to add a Topps card of his, so I picked the above 1953 Topps.  It also turned out really nicely.  I really enjoy 1953 Topps.  This is a set that has grown on me over the years.  If I had the money, I seriously would work on this set, but I don't have that kind of money.  Still, I like to pick up star cards from this set when I can.

Morgan (b. 1926) played in the majors from 1950 and 1952 to 1958 for the Dodgers (Brooklyn), Phillies, Cardinals and Cubs.  He had 487 hits, 53 home runs and a .233 batting average.  He appeared in two World Series with the Dodgers (1952 and 1953) , going hitless in two at bats.

I mailed to Morgan on March 8 and got the cards back on March 16, for an 8-day TAT.

The Foulbunt Top Ten - No. 6

You don't often hear baseball cards referred to as works of art.  However, before 1957, most baseball cards looked more like painted images rather than actual photographs.  Cards like ones from the 1953 Topps set are a prime example, and they remain some of the most aesthetically pleasing of all-time.  When fashioning my Top Ten list, one of the first cards I thought of is one I have had for several years and it remains one of my favorite cards to look at, and show off.

It is placed well within my Top Ten, and would be high on anyone's list, so, here it is:

Card No. 6 is my 1953 Bowman Color Pee Wee Reese.  As you can see, the card is far from mint.  There are surface creases in the top left and bottom right of the card.  However, it still catches the eye right off the bat.  It is a "Turn Two" card, and probably one of the best of all-time.

I picked this card up back in 2009 or 2010, back when I was close friends with someone who was a huge Dodgers fan.  I was looking for a nice vintage card to get him and I discovered this one.  I liked the card so much, I wanted one, too!  I was able to find one for $50 and another for $55, so I ended up buying both.  This card has, like I said above, been one of my favorite cards in my collection since then, and it doesn't take much to wonder why.

Upon further review after I purchased the two cards, I found that I got major steals both times.  It is very difficult to find any versions of this for under $100, let alone two of them.  This card, while it represents one of the better-looking cards in my collection, it also is a prime example of the luck I have had in "sniping" cards off of EBay.

June 2015 Raleigh Card Show - Day 1 Recap

I am wore out from a long day of selling stuff at the card show.  For a two-day show, I have already broken even, and still have tomorrow to go.  I was able to add to my inventory tonight when I busted my three jumbo boxes of Series 2 Topps, but those hits will come at a later time (the ones that don't sell, at least).

I was really happy with the turnout today, and I hope I can sell a few more things tomorrow.  I didn't take much money with me to spend, but I was still able to get a few deals.  The theme of today's show seemed to be "well loved vintage."

I didn't have a whole lot of time to browse, but I did stop by the Huggins Auction booth where he had some vintage cards for 50% off of his sticker price.  He had a bunch of Hall of Famers, so I figured I would take the opportunity to add to my collection, a few cards that I wouldn't be able to afford otherwise.

The above '52 Bowman Yogi Berra has a really nice front.  Pretty worn, and all, but it looks really nice.

The back, on the other hand, is rough.  The card would probably grade at less than a 1, but it is still a cool card.  I guess you could say that I have a soft spot for the "well loved" cards, and this one fits right in there. I paid $14 for the card, so I think I still did really well.

The next card I grabbed is actually a PC need.  This is a 1953 Bowman Color Bob Feller.  The front is kind of rough, as you can see many creases.

The back is blown all to crap, though.  It looks like the card was taped into an album.  I bet it was a kid from back in the 50's who was really proud showing off his collection.  I can use this card to fill a spot in my PC until I can find an upgrade.  I gor this one for $12.00.

The best of the three Hall of Famers, I got this Arky Vaughan for $24.00.  It is a 1933 Goudey, and the front is in really good shape.

The back has a little paper loss on the bottom right corner, as you can see.  It is still my first card of Vaughan, and I am glad I picked it up.

This 1976 All Star ballot was a really cool find.  That's exactly what it was, too, a find.  As my wife and I were walking out of the show for the evening, I saw this lying on the ground.  No one was around, and there was no way to tell whose it was, so it went home with me.  Check out all of the Hall of Famers on the ballot (you can click on it to enlarge, Mom).

Finally, I was able to pick up 5 high number cards for my 1959 Topps set for $3/each.  The above Stengel is probably the highlight of the bunch.

Anyway, I am really tired, so I am going to close this entry.  I would like it if any NC/SC/VA collectors were able to come by the show and say hello.  That would be really cool.  I will have some new 2015 Topps hits and inserts available in the morning.

Pickup Trucks

Ahhh, I got some more Virgil Trucks cards! Finally! I feel like I haven't bought any cards in forever (which, is true).
Here is only my third 1952 Topps card. They are so iconic, and also pretty expensive. I think the card looks amazing. Yeah, so, it's not mint, but I don't care. It looks great.

The back of the card looks sharp, too. Trucks, as you all know, is such an awesome person. I'm always glad to get cards of his that I don't have.

Here is my first Black and White 1953 Bowman. Looks so sharp!!! I don't know anyone who doesn't think the 1953 Bowmans (Color or B&W) look amazing. I think they hit a grand slam with that design.

Ouch, Trucks' stats weren't that great the year before, but he will tell you that he was on a pretty bad team. It's a shame that he wasn't on better teams because I think that if he was, he would be in the Hall of Fame for sure. He is definitely in the Hall of Fame for awesome people, though, if there was one.

I got these two cards from a guy I met at the card show, he was the vendor behind me and had a lot of awesome vintage cards. He was the guy that I bought the 53 and 59 Topps Trucks cards from.

THE Vintage Pick-up - 1953 Bowman Pee Wee Reese

I don't like to brag, but... MAN, I'M GOOD! The story behind this card is pretty simple, as you all know, my best friend Max is a huge Dodger fan. I have been helping him get into collecting since about this time last year. Well, a few weeks ago, Max made the trip to Greenville from Raleigh to come see me (which was nice by the way, I 'forced' him to watch Aliens, haha). During our visit, he showed me a couple links to some vintage cards he would be interested in, had he had the money.

The jewel of what he showed me was the 1953 Bowman Pee Wee Reese. He really liked the action shot of Reese, suspended in mid-air, about to turn two.

Now, the first thing I told him was "I bet you I can get one pretty cheap..." From then on, I was on a mission. I really liked the card too, so I was interested in seeing if one could be had at a reasonable price, and here we are. I felt bad when I purchased the card, knowing that I was buying something for myself that my best friend really wanted. I took care of that guilt about a week later.... If you look closesly, obviously, this card in not in 'Mint' condition. Ask me if I care. Here is another shining example of just an amazing card that I can enjoy because I am not handcuffed by condition. I guarantee you that Max would definitely enjoy this card as well, so I know I did a good job.

I think the back ended up looking pretty nice too, I was a little worried about it, since the Ebay auction did not have a photo of the back, but I took a chance.

If any of you know me well enough, you will know that I get a certain trait from my mother; in that if you give me something to look for, I will definitely find it, and will find it at a very reduced price. If I could get paid to be a 'card buyer,' man that would be cool.

Of course, I'm sure you all realize that other cards which were discussed the day Max came over were: 1948 Bowman Stan Musial RC, 1948 Bowman Bob Feller RC and the 1948 Warren Spahn RC. See a trend here? Ha. Ok, so what do you all think? Pretty sweet, right?

Trip to Columbia, SC

I took this weekend off from the card shop to take a trip from Greenville, NC to Columbia, SC to see my younger brother and to take him some stuff our mom had gotten together for him.

I hadn't gone to see him in a good while, which I feel bad about. We saw each other at Christmas, and talk on the phone and facebook all the time. He and I both have had a crazy year, so it is understood why we have been so busy.

One of the cool things he did right away when we got up on Saturday morning was to look and see if there were any card shops in the area. He found two actual card shops and an antique store (I need a blackberry, or some sort of smart phone and get with the year 2008). We visited the antique store first and found it to be a really cool place. They had two OLD phone booths outside, ready to be bought. I swear someone needs to buy one and put it in the bathroom. Can you imagine, sitting on the potty in an old phone booth...? Am I the only one? I probably should take some meds...

We looked around the inside of the antique store for a bit, when my brother pointed out the boxes of baseball cards that he saw. There were a BUNCH of 1987 Topps boxes for $20 each, so I was beginning to be disappointed in that we may be at a place that would only have 80s and 90s crap that would be overpriced. Uggggh...

I took a look at their display case and saw a stack of 1953 Bowman. Ironic, don't you think?

I say Ironic because on Tuesday, my best friend (you know him... Max) came over and discussed his desire to procure a 1953 Bowman Pee Wee Reese. Now, I'm at a card shop and eureka, a stack of 1953 Bowman. Out comes the cell phone. I sent Max a bunch of texts about the hopes to come across a 53 Reese, hoping that we'd get lucky. I asked the shopkeeper if I could take a look at the stack. He asked if I was looking for any card in particular, and I replied that I was hoping to get a Reese at a reasonable price.


The shopkeeper disappeared for a few minutes after I found that the stack in the case did not yield a Reese. He came back with a box of 1950s vintage cards, a whole row devoted to 1953 Bowman. We looked through that and still no Reese. I did find something that cought my eye though...

1953 Bowman Stan Musial. Yeah, so it is clearly in ROUGH shape, but I refuse to be handcuffed by condition. I saw the card. Texted Max (his reply: Ooooooooo). Found out that I could purchase the card at a VERY reasonable price, then it became mine. Take a look:

Pretty sweet, I think. I'm so dang happy with it. If I had some more money, I would have bought a few more '53s. I think it is a really beautiful set. I was glad that I could confer with my 'card partner' during the transaction (God I love texting, hahaha).

Feeling terrible that we had spent so much time in the antique store (while my son was dragging my brother around in order to show him an antigue typewriter), I decided to end my purchasing with the Musial and not ask about any other vintage stuff. Apparently, though, my brother enjoys antiques, so that made me feel better once he pointed that out. We decided to try one of the other card shops which happened to be nearby.

We stopped by the other card shop, and since it was getting close to lunch time, I kept this visit short. I bought a few packs of Topps Unique and a pack of UD Signature Series. I pulled the above Team USA Jersey... Not bad.

We went to lunch at a small hot dog stand in Columbia, and followed that up with a trip to see the University of South Carolina Gamecocks take on the Duquesne Dukes at Gamecock Stadium. Yaaay Cocks! It was a beautiful day to catch a game, as the temperatures were in the mid to upper 60s (it was 50s in Greenville) and no clouds in the sky.

The Cocks ended up winning 11-3, which was nice. I plan on catching a few college games this year (ECU and NCSU especially), so it was cool for my first one to be a SC game.

Did you know that Brian Roberts finished his college career at SC? You didn't? Well, now you know, and knowing is half the battle.

My son Chris getting ready for the game.

The view from where we were seated.

I really enjoyed my time in Columbia, expecially since it invloved me taking a minute and spending some much needed time with my brother, who I don't see near enough. I plan on making the trip a lot more, which is good. The ride is kind of long, but it isn't too bad. I hope he had as much fun as I did!