Favorite Jim S. Pickup
 

With Jim leaving the hobby, I know that he is responsible for bringing some of the toughest/most unique autographs to collectors. I thought I would start a thread where people can show them off. Here is mine, from J.L's grandson. Took a small loan out to finance it, but have no regrets.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps97e07ae2.jpg

Thanks to Jim, I was able to finish my 1960 Pirate team project without breaking the bank. I was giddy when he had the perfect Olivo, but dropped on the floor when he had a "less than perfect" Clemente for an unbelievable price. On the Clemente, a previous owner had taken some whiteout and taken off the name on the salutation, but that was matted out anyway, so it's now a perfect Clemente.

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Did the thread where Jim Stinson announced his retirement/semi retirement disappear ?

Favorite Jim Stinson autograph- Chick Fraser
 

It's really tough to pick one, because there have been many, but here are two...

This Brooklyn Dodgers dinner menu that was signed by 1903 no-hit pitcher Chick Fraser is certainly way up there.

I found finding Chick Fraser's autograph to be exceedingly tough, but Jim filled this hole with a terrific piece with eye appeal IMHO considering all the other Dodgers that signed the menu as well. Fraser happened to be in attendance because he was a scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers at the time that the dinner was held in 1934.

The second is a beautiful 1931 Lefty Grove fountain pen signed album page. This is a great example of Lefty's nicer variation of his signature with flourish.
HOF'er Lefty Grove certainly needs no introduction to this board, but he was arguably the greatest left-handed pitcher of all time (no slight to HOF Sandy Koufax intended).
It's certainly one of my favorite signatures in my personal collection and it came from Jim.

It's on the main (Pre-War) board.

Unfortunately, I do not have any photos readily available to share. And, boy, not sure where I would even start. Purchases from Jim over the years has accounted for nearly 20% of my baseball autograph collection. Notables would include early 1930’s album page signed by both Tigers toughies John Grabowski and Charles Sullivan. And the Chief Zimmer signed document, and Joe Casey signed Boston reunion scorecard cut (with partial GC Alexander autograph) are special too. But I think I would have to give the nod to the numerous, obscure Tigers autographs Jim provided (several from the PCL). Guys like Hack Summer, Ross Erwin, Carl Zamlock, Pug Cavet, Jack Ryan, Frank Okrie, Rabbit Powell, Guy Cantrell, Nolen Richardson, Art Griggs, Heinie Elder, Roy Crumpler, Ralph Comstock, Cy Fried, Gus Hetling, Miles Main, Red McKee, Snooks Dowd, and many others. Some of these I have only encountered available for sale only once or twice over the past 20 years. Not sure if I have encountered another Art Griggs or Snooks Dowd. But happy to have had Jim as a valued source over these years. His announcement was bittersweet.