[hcv123]

1st up has to be the pictured Clemente rookie - At my first "big" card show at the Colosseum Motor inn in Hempstead Long Island - completely mesmerized by all the "old cards" at about 13 years old - probably an hour+ of begging,pleading, etc and my mom begrudgingly shelled out $48 for this beauty! Thus began a lifelong pursuit of most things Clemente and many wonderful stories and friendships over many years. It still sits in the screw down holder that it has resided in shortly after acquisition.

A perfect bookend is this 1960 Bazooka complete box with Clemente (The only example known) just found last year! I had been searching for it for over 30 years as a crowning Jewel in my now extensive Clemente collection that started with the rookie.