What's everyone's White Whale of the Moment?

[Brianruns10]

What card is currently driving your nuts with its elusivity. Doesn't even necessarily have to be rare, but what are you after, but it escapes your grasp?

At the moment, I'm dying for a the '52 Topps Brodowski, PSA 6 range and centered. I saw one once on ebay a good two years ago, that fit the bill. but it was between it and the '52 Pellagrini, and I opted for the latter. I thought surely another would pop 'round, but amazingly I have yet to come upon another in similar condition. He hasn't even turned up in the last few Heritage auctions. Driving me bonkers, but I'll find him sooner or later!

What about you all?

[CW]

A perfectly centered 1954 Bowman Ted Williams. I was freakin' underbidder on the last two to sell on eBay (one was a PSA 5, the other a PSA 4.5). Very tough card to find centered.

Also wouldn't mind a PSA 8 1971 Roberto Clemente or Nolan Ryan.

[brewing]

A 1952 Mathews that doesn't look like it lived in a wallet for 30 years for under $700.

[sflayank]

52 tip top bread label yogi berra
53 briggs meat tommy byrne
54 esskay jehosie heard
55 armour coin mickey mantle red correct version l-r reverse

[Cardboard Junkie]

The little paper booklet that was the "salesman" sample for 53 Glendale Hot Dog Tigers.......Also the life size cardboard cut out that was in the grocery stores.....(Only heard about that, never saw one, and one may not have survived). Dave.

[39special]

1954 Wilson Franks Roy Campanella.I've always wanted one.

[pawpawdiv9]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

The little paper booklet that was the "salesman" sample for 53 Glendale Hot Dog Tigers.......Also the life size cardboard cut out that was in the grocery stores.....(Only heard about that, never saw one, and one may not have survived). Dave.

Had to look it up ^^^
Nice $$$ for one http://robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2009/678.html

[Brianruns10]

Originally Posted by brewing

A 1952 Mathews that doesn't look like it lived in a wallet for 30 years for under $700.

Oh man that is a mighty tough card. In my opinion it's THE sleeper of the whole set, and really undervalued. I grabbed a PSA 5 two years back...paid a decent amount over book value, but it's DEAD centered, and I have yet to see another like it turn up on ebay in any condition. So it was totally worth it.

My advice is, when it comes to that card, have a price in mind, but then be prepared to pay a couple hundred over just to seal the deal. Because it could seriously be a few years before you find another one that fits the bill.

[Gr8Beldini]

On a much smaller scale... trying to finish my 1971 Topps Coin set. The yellow coins are much more elusive than the rest of the set, with a clean, centered Leo Cardenas proving to be near impossible so far.

[Brianruns10]

Oh and here's another that has rankled many, many collectors of the vaunted '52 Topps set:

George Shuba, PSA 5-6 range and CENTERED!

[gman]

1963 Pepsi Colt 45's John Bateman. I've spent 20+ years looking for this one.

[ALR-bishop]

John--What makes Bateman so scarce ?

[AustinMike]

Al,

According to the 2008 SCD catalogue:

"The John Bateman card was apparently never distributed publicly and is among the rarest baseball cards of the 1960s."

[Harliduck]

Right now my white whale is the 1957 Topps Brooks Robinson RC. I am down to needing 5 for the set, and this is the big dog. I only buy graded if forced, and there are not that many examples of mid-grade (4-5) out there, and there is not much that is raw. My focus is now on this card...

[the 'stache]

Would Kate Upton be an acceptable response?

[Rich Klein]

if Whale and Kate Upton should be in the same sentence. Now perhpas Kirstie Alley,....

Rich

[MacDice]

Chicago Cubs 2013 World Series ring

[Exhibitman]

Wow, some really obscure/difficult stuff there, guys. Except MacDice; that's science fiction my friend...

My perpetual quest is for 1968 Atlantic Oil prize-winners. There are several cards that were the redemption cards to get the cash prizes. I have been searching for them for 20+ years. I picked up the only one I've ever seen last year:



I'd even consider it a good year if I could find the Swoboda $5 variation, which isn't even a winner card.

[doug.goodman]

April D. Bole, why do you hate me?