April Pickups...
 

Guess I will foolishly start it off (see what I did there?) with something that wasn't a true pickup, rather something I found while digging through some long-forgotten boxes. Two (scotch-taped together) 1981 unopened rack packs. Now that Rock Raines is a HOF'er, these guys have climbed up to have at least a modicum of value. Pretty cool just to have 'old' unopened material. Perhaps a pack ripping in the future?

Here's a hodgepodge group of shots to show 5 of the 6 players appearing (every single card front and back is a scrub)...

Attachment 450016

Those are sweet Darren...I remember tearing into those when I was 11...and a couple years into collecting. I remember late in 81 chasing Joe Charbanogh (SP?) and Fernando mania. I also loved that Bill Stein being a Mariners guy...I would have grabbed that pack FIRST. :)


Picked this up today...chipping away at a PSA graded 1969 set, have to start with my favorite player -

https://i.ibb.co/CmHQsSj/69-Killebrew.jpg

My first additions for April:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...dd4939db57.jpg


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Very nice, Matt!

Congrats on a couple great pick ups.

NICE 53 Micks Matt!!! Wow...those two look good together...



Picked up a nice 57 for the set binder -


https://i.ibb.co/WB2Njk9/57-Mick.jpg

I’ve been on a Mantle kick too! The 60 looks very good in my hands for the grade. Super pleased.

Thank you Dale and John. John - that ‘57 is really nice. That one is on my want list for sure!

I made an offer on that Mantle and was negotiating with the seller - you must have barely beaten me. Nice card.

Its funny...I made an offer too...and saw there were several watchers and bids...and said "F" it...and just bought it. His full price was just too good. Sorry...:)

BTW...he shipped quick, got it today. Looks way better in hand than in the pic. I'd of paid $100 more if he had a better pic. Super happy with it.

Tom...that's a blazer for sure...GREAT pick up!

Picked up a bunch of 57's and 58's at our local cards shops today and a card show that was packed with people going CRAZY over the new stuff. It was insane and fun to watch.

Anyhow...LOCAL card shop pick up...new owner with great vintage inventory. Been spending well there and really enjoying it. Got this GEM today...I don't like to talk money on this site, but I picked this up well below $100. Super excited to add this to the binder, and I think to say I got a deal is an understatement. A little OC, but TIGHT...and I believe this card is undervalued as it is...

https://i.ibb.co/XkhcFwN/Frank-Rookie.jpg



Great to hit some shows and shops!!!!! Getting back to even a modicum of normalcy feels good...

I would have just BIN were it not for the 10.25% tax I have to pay on every @#$**$&# card I buy.

Picked up a collection yesterday of about 150 or so vintage 1950s-70s cards. Most are in the VG-Ex range, a few nicer and some lower. But one of the cool finds in the collection was this Spahn Rawlings Box bottom. Never seen this card nor had even heard of it existing. The box also had a Sid Hudson Bowman auto with COA. I have no idea who Sid Hudson is, but I am going to do some research and find out.

https://i.imgur.com/5lesZun.jpg?1

https://i.imgur.com/Rhb9MM1.jpg?1

With the end of the ebay ebucks reward system as perhaps a final slap in the face to all us private traders, I decided to use the larger portion of those 1% mini-bonuses on an appropriate and thoroughly usable item:

I do realize the value has gone down a bit since early days of the pandemic, but I should find something to do with it.

Attachment 450541

My first baseball cards, let alone 52 Topps cards, in a long time.

Great pick ups Irv!!! How many do you now need for your 52s?


I am down to only needing 6 for my 1958 Topps...picked up this nice raw Mantle. At a show once years ago I heard a guy call this the "Blonde Mantle". I had to ask why...the dealer said "Mick only gave that smile when he saw a hot blonde in the second row..."

I had to laugh, I've never seen this card the same...haha...

https://i.ibb.co/GP33b1G/58-Mick.jpg

Recent purchase. Looked good for the grade.

Thanks, John. :)

Down to 31 needed now.

Great story with your Mantle.:D

Thanks for sharing.

Love the 57 Robinson!

Here's my contribution for this month care of a generous net54 member:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8c0feb5b_c.jpg1969_Banks_1

Some Leaf SPs for the set I'm working on. Not sure if I'll ever be able to get a Paige, Doby or Newhouser to complete it, but I can always hope.

I love the 55 Bowman Aaron...GREAT pick up! Saw Pawn Stars last night, you going to flip if for $60K??

That had to be a set up all around...or that guy is some kind of idiot. And the expert sure missed the last 80 Henderson auction...by about $150K!!!

Also, VERY jealous on the 69 Banks...would fit nicely with my new PSA 69 set goal! Very nice card Matthew...

Wow, only 31...nicely done! I'm guessing it's a tough 31 though...:)

Thanks! :)

Although I already have Mantle and Jackie, thankfully, I still need Mathews, Campy, Wilhelm, Dickey, Joe Black, and a few other tougher ones yet.
With the ever rising price of those, and their scarcity, obtaining them is going to be challenging, however, so who knows if I will ever be able to complete it?

Not giving up though, but I do realize it is an uphill battle unless I get extremely lucky somehow?

If Rick will give me $60K for it, I'll take it! :D

That's a terrific looking card...just wow! I don't really collect 69T (except a couple of Reggies) but have always liked the look.

Cheers!

Thanks! I recently completed a Topps Banks base run and this was the last card I needed. I have always liked the 69 Banks (even though the image is a copy of the 68, or at least appears so) because I think the image epitomizes him as a player (broad smile, happy to play) and the design is excellent. Very happy with this addition!

Beauty, Matthew. That is rare centering for a ‘69!

Sweet! One of the best looking cards of all time!!!! :)

Beautiful card, Matt!

It hurt to pack up that card and send it on its way, but I'm glad to see it will be appreciated.

Thanks for the smooth deal!


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It is the same photo as the '68, but it looks so much better in this context - the white border really makes the blue pop, and the gradient effect from the border to the light blue sky/uniform to the darker blue sleeves/cap is beautiful. I don't hate the '68 burlap design like a lot of people do, but this card really illustrates why people like the '69 better. And, of course, the colors are particularly vivid on this Banks.

Pick-up’s
 

Great cards everyone!

Almost done with my 65 set.

Mays auto card, 55T Aaron and a few more Barry cards for my collection.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4926fd47bc.jpg


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Just got this in the mail, picked up from a fellow member on the BST.

I had a PSA 4 and I sold it in October thinking I'd easily find an upgrade. Big mistake! The market took off and I've been chasing this card since. Glad to have a 1956 back in my collection.

https://i.imgur.com/PKzVgJcl.jpg

Great card. Congratulations!

Awesome card!


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Picked up a 1955 Bowman Mays to go with the Aaron above.

Nicely centered high number. Still got a ways to go, but checking them off slowly.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2249dfbfaf.jpg


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WOW!
You don't see too many 52 highs centered that well.

Frank Robinson
 

I picked up a couple for my Frank Robinson set. Just about halfway now.

https://i.imgur.com/6YeiEkn.jpeg

https://i.imgur.com/Cp4GRwl.jpg

Very nice, Bill.

Bought a framed Jackie Robinson display for the autograph it had it in, but also had this card as part of it. Took it out and swapped it with a lower grade '55 I had. Great looking specimen with no creases. Came out of the screw down fine, luckily.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c7a04907c3.jpg

That's a very nice looking card, Jarrod. :)

Did you post a pic of the display anywhere? I'd also like to see that if it's no trouble?

I'll second that request, would love to see the display and your other 55 Jarrod.

Such a classic card, I pull mine out all the time to look at. Wish it was as nice as yours! I have a decently centered, sharped cornered 55...that was stapled to some kids wall! I imagine if it wasn't forced off the wall years ago I wouldn't own it, so I'm ok seeing those staple holes. A little rough for my set, hoping to upgrade someday...

https://i.ibb.co/Wz0xt24/55-Jackie.jpg

Coincidentally, look what arrived today....

It was a good mail day.

How do I make it so that the images I upload don't rotate?? Very annoying.

Nice cards!

If you are uploading from your phone, before you post/upload to here, be sure to do an easy edit on the pic (rotate/crop, etc) first on your phone then save it in the proper configuration before uploading.

You can do it by sending me that 57 Koufax...haha...I need that card! That's a beauty...nice cards!

Thank you, John & Dale. Here is the full display. It was a $500 framing job (according to the seller, and I believe it), so I carefully broke into the matting and swapped the '55s out. You can see the signed photo of the Jackie bust. A unique piece that hangs in my office at work, and I love the 8x10 photo used.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ea004c12b6.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2862ecdd0a.jpg

Very nice, Jarrod!
Thanks for posting it up. :)

Thanks! I just luckily happened to be on eBay right when it was listed at a great BIN. It's the last one I needed for my Koufax run.

Another Warren Spahn card for me, I got it from Brian at Scottsdale Cards.

Pretty happy with this pair of late 70's rooks...

Attachment 452369

(The Murray schmutz is on the toploader.)

Nice centering on that 78 Murray, Darren....WOW!

Picked up these O-Pee-Chee beauties in person from my buddy Jim in Toronto yesterday. Jim is also a member on Net54 and he has great stuff available for sale, checked out his site yesterday and it was great! Jim gave me an education on these Canadian printed Batman cards, they have the tougher to find "cream" coloured borders, meaning they are a first print.
Jeff

Check out his site: www.vintagehockeycards.ca

Sweet cards!! Just bought a baseball card from your bud! :)

https://caimages.collectors.com/psai...s_original.jpg

Awesome display Jarrod! That 55 is super nice and a Jackie autograph is always nice. Great find!


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That Jackie Robinson display is terrific!

As for my own pickup this weekend...not as popular or cool as some of these, but I feed around the edges. :D

The Japanese Babe Ruth. The JBR.

Oh!- Probably Was Cut/Clipped.

Sorry, bad joke, nice card. FYI- Probably 20% of my collection is PWCC but I can't post them or swarmee will call them out.

Ha! Yeah, I get it. And I can understand some collectors' issues with PWCC. To me, it's just another player in the game. If I trafficked regularly in $20K or $50K or $100K+ cards, I might be far more worried. And, to be honest, it seems PSA would present a similar conundrum.

As it is, I play at the margins and know a few collectors and dealers I trust who list their items with PWCC and have found a few things in their marketplace that I thought well priced. This card for instance. Also, a Type 1 early Kareem photo. I guess I'm willing to take my chances....

Brooks
 

I've been making a lot of progress on my Brooks Robinson set. First up is a card that isn't really part of a 'Basic' set. A fellow net54 member had this available, and I couldn't pass it up. This card doesn't come up for sale very often...in any condition. It's centered better than most, and it doesn't have the usual missing paper on the reverse. A few stray pen marks don't bother me too much.

https://i.imgur.com/NV1bnVu.jpg


Next, is an upgrade. I had a PSA 8 of this card. The image quality on this PSA 9 is crazy. Scan doesn't really do it justice.

https://i.imgur.com/XnGgVqO.jpg


Anyone who has ever worked on the 67 Topps set knows what an absolute bear the high series can be. They aren't on the level of the 1952's (obviously), but the same problem exists. Demand ALWAYS exceeds supply. Brooks Robinson has 24 regular issue cards (57 - 78 Topps; 60 Leaf; 63 Fleer). His RC is the most expensive, and THIS card is next on that list. I was thrilled to win this one a couple weeks ago.

https://i.imgur.com/0L01EQh.jpg


You ever see a card auction during a search and know, right away, that you're going to bid more than anyone else and win that card? There's some wax on the back that has dropped the technical grade, but this might be the best example of 'Buy the card...NOT the holder' in my collection. One of the nicest PSA 2's I've seen.

https://i.imgur.com/QQVGiu3.jpg

Cool Brooks Robinsons! I remember he was very popular when I was a kid, seems to be a little overlooked these days.

Yep those are very nice B Robs. That 67T is impossible to find centered.

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Yep. A lesson I learned quickly when I decided I "needed" to collect the entire '67 set. I've had two different versions of this card in the past 5 years, my current one is a PSA 5. Yours is nicer. :D

Picked up some raw and some graded 1952 Topps.

Very nice, David. :)

In my experience, trying to find a nice centered Erskine like yours was rather tough. Yours looks very nice, as do your other cards.

Thanks Dale. I hope some day to get the raw cards into graded holders and I'll see how I did.

Great pick ups David...I really need a 52 Snider...outside of the obvious cards in that set, the Duke may be the coolest looking...classic.

I actually got this card in March, but just received it back from PSA yesterday. It was part of a raw, near-complete '54 set I bought locally from the original owner who pulled them from packs as a kid. The Yankees cards were all pretty beat, as he grew up a Yankees fan. Luckily, he didn't care much about the Braves, so this one was well preserved. I let go of a better centered example of this card, simply because I like knowing where the card came from more. This one is staying in my PC for the long-term. Fortunately, I think PSA assigned the right grade to this one, as they've hammered me on my past couple of submissions.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...f87e59945d.jpg

I discovered a new / old LCS about half an hour away yesterday. Here are my pickups, negotiated down slightly from sticker. Very pleased! Even more excited about the new resource...

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2316be9fe0.jpg


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Nice centering on that Minoso. That's probably a $100+ card right now. His price was accurate two months ago.

Thanks. No creases. The bottom on this one is a bit rough (can't really tell in the pic) but it still looks nice. I did see where PSA 3's are going in the $125 range anymore.

Great card Jarrod. Knowing the story behind the card is one of the best things about the hobby. Fantastic!


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Very nice, Jarrod. :)

Nice pick ups!

Like Jarrod mentioned, that price on Minoso is well dated as this card has really increased as of late.

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1952TOPPS-19...orig_cvip=true
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1952-Topps-S...orig_cvip=true
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1952-Topps-S...orig_cvip=true

Picked up another Snider. This time by Bowman.

What a great image. I love the Dodger Blue on the sleeves and lettering.

I agree, such a great image.

And 5 more additions to my 52 Topps high numbers.
Down to 26 now.:)
The Rossi is a somewhat rougher card than I usually go for but I didn't think my low CDN bid would actually win it, but then again, maybe I overpaid?

Tough 1960 Leaf "Big Head".

Woof. Very tough card as you say and in incredible condition!! :eek: