December Pickups

[71buc]

In 1974 my father began buying me one box of unopened Topps cards for Christmas, at the time I was 11. Hank Aaron had become my favorite player following the passing of Clemente. I recall the joy of sorting the cards and being thrilled with card # 1. This tradition continued unitl age 26 when I married. At that time he decided I was too old for cards.

Two years ago I had a bit of luck and purchased seven boxes of unopened Topps 1975-76 basketball cards for $140.00. I obviously sold them for much, much more. I used the opportunity to purchase Rookie cards of both Clemente and Aaron. There was no choice to be made for the Clemente (55 Topps). However, I agonized between the 54 Topps and the 54 Johnston Cookies Hank Aaron. Although there were far many more 54 Topps available I made the conventional choice and picked up the Topps version.

Today I came home from work and found a USPS box addressed to me. It contained this card. I knew immediately where it came from. I called my 73 year old father and he said, “Merry Christmas”. For a moment it was 1974 all over again for both of us.