January Pickups

[Big Six]

So I started collecting baseball cards in the late '70's mostly by buying packs each year. My first card show was probably in the mid-1980's and it was a small Sheraton Hotel-type show...I get chills just thinking about it now. That said, my collection really only encompassed the years I bought packs. Neighbors two houses over from us had three kids (two boys and a girl) and the oldest - Michael - had a few baseball cards lying around that one day he decided he wanted to get rid of, so he gave them to me. He was in his early twentys at the time and I couldn't have been more than 13 or 14. One of the cards - the only card I remember - was a 1964 Topps Mantle. I have no idea what condition the card was in...all I remember was that stance...and those arms. They were the largest arms I'd ever seen on a baseball player and though I never saw him play, I knew Mantle was baseball royalty.
Anyway, I made a huge deal about his "gift" and said many thank you's and went home to show my parents my new cards...I also went to my old price guide and saw that the Mick was worth quite a few bucks...certainly the most expensive card in my collection!
Well...Mike had some remorse about the gift and made a pretty big deal about the card and wanting it back...so I guess I did the right thing at the time and gave the card back. It bothered me for a long time and my friendship with Mike cooled from that moment on. For over 25 years, I've wanted to replace that first vintage card in my collection...and with jjcollects' help, I have...

[MBMiller25]

This is really it for a while! Banks are tough to see in scans, but this thing is dead nuts centered all the way around. So stoked to add this card!

[MattyC]

Always loved that card; something so pleasing to the eye, the colors, the Cubs logo... And that particular specimen is what I am all about as a collector. That kind of centering makes a 1954 Topps card really stand out from its brethren: when the three white borders are all the same exact size. Great eye selecting that card, Miller!

SERIOUSLY GUYS, this section is jumping off in 2014 hotter than the Pre War side! One of the best card/forum experiences I've seen.

[pawpawdiv9]

You guys gotta see the nice Mantle Rc in 'Love of the game" auctions..
It is outstanding!!!
It is the best 2 i have seen in a long time!!
If i was a betting man..i can see this one fetching 6k+


As for that Mr. Banks....totally first class....i wish i could find a nice one to go with my Hank Aaron RC (which is the same year)

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

That Banks rookie is one of my favorite cards in the hobby! I love his youthful look. Those white 54s just look great! Someday....

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

Ok, most of this stuff was actually purchased in December, but I am just now getting it scanned and on here. You guys have inspired me! In addition, to these, I was very fortunate to pick up several other ungraded '57 Topps stars and many '59 Topps stars in solid mid-grade, pretty well centered. The '41s are the outliers of my collection. At heart, I am a 50s Topps guy (though those '53 Bowman Colors are looking better all the time), but I have always loved the '41 Play Ball set. I am 10 cards from completion...including Joe D. I bought a partial set of 60 back in late November, and I am paying on the layaway. Some of the '41s I have scanned here are from that layaway that I have already brought home, and some I have picked up outside of that layaway. I hope to bring the rest home late next month. Right now, some are in screwdowns, some in slabs, and some are in top loaders. Eventually, all will be in top loaders in 4 pocket Ultra Pro pages in a binder. The sleeves and screwdowns really obscure the images, but you get the idea. And that Drysdale's print quality is not that bad...

[CW]

Wow! Thread still delivers!

And that's a fantastic childhood story about the Mantle card, Matt!

[g_vezina_c55]

Originally Posted by pawpawdiv9

You guys gotta see the nice Mantle Rc in 'Love of the game" auctions..
It is outstanding!!!
It is the best 2 i have seen in a long time!!
If i was a betting man..i can see this one fetching 6k+

X 2
This 52 Mantle is amazing for a 2.

[h2oya311]

sorry, not Mantle, or Banks, or Clemente....but a tough, RARE, HOF "rookie" card that I just picked up...and one I have been searching for for a very long time.

1946 Sears Postcard of Red Schoendienst:

[MattyC]

I know how hard these really early issues of players can be-- must have been extremely rewarding and satisfying to finally snag it!

Your rookie collection is great, by the way. I see you have the Zeenut DiMaggio BATTING!!! That's one hell of a tough card to come by-- not one you see in every collection. Much props there, sir!

[Samsdaddy]

Originally Posted by Big Six

So I started collecting baseball cards in the late '70's mostly by buying packs each year. My first card show was probably in the mid-1980's and it was a small Sheraton Hotel-type show...I get chills just thinking about it now. That said, my collection really only encompassed the years I bought packs. Neighbors two houses over from us had three kids (two boys and a girl) and the oldest - Michael - had a few baseball cards lying around that one day he decided he wanted to get rid of, so he gave them to me. He was in his early twentys at the time and I couldn't have been more than 13 or 14. One of the cards - the only card I remember - was a 1964 Topps Mantle. I have no idea what condition the card was in...all I remember was that stance...and those arms. They were the largest arms I'd ever seen on a baseball player and though I never saw him play, I knew Mantle was baseball royalty.
Anyway, I made a huge deal about his "gift" and said many thank you's and went home to show my parents my new cards...I also went to my old price guide and saw that the Mick was worth quite a few bucks...certainly the most expensive card in my collection!
Well...Mike had some remorse about the gift and made a pretty big deal about the card and wanting it back...so I guess I did the right thing at the time and gave the card back. It bothered me for a long time and my friendship with Mike cooled from that moment on. For over 25 years, I've wanted to replace that first vintage card in my collection...and with jjcollects' help, I have...

Very cool story Matt.

[the 'stache]

Congrats on the beautiful Mantle, Ian. I'm really happy that you were able to add that to your collection.

Have you stopped looking at it long enough to sleep?

[MBMiller25]

Derek, That 46 Sears Postcard is a great piece! Congrats on picking up that Schoendienst. Musial has a postcard as well. I have been looking for one since 2008. That Musial postcard is my HOLY Grail Musial piece.

Congrats again, I was super excited when I came to this page and saw that postcard.

Matt

[h2oya311]

Thx Matt #1, Phil, St. Louis guy, and Matt #2. I'd hate to be in a bidding war for a Musial Sears PC if Matt #2 is in the running!! LOL...but I would be ready to duke it out. It's high on my want list as well (I'd replace my Musial avatar for a new one)!

Now that's a card image I have NEVER seen (a '46 Musial Sears PC). If anyone has a scan, I'd love to see one.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Derek:

I have seen one in an old auction catalogue but the image was extremely small. One of the major auction houses but many years ago, before we started our HOF RC collections.

[pawpawdiv9]

i was doing a look on Stan the man.....well there is a propoaganda on Ebay right now..think it was graded 1.5 PSA and one in Goodwin auction SGC 30/2
What is so odd, i could not find a pic of this 1946 Sears postcard
I just learned something new here: (from the CU board)
PS there are 11 Musial cards made before 1948 (7 if you dont count premiums)

1943 M114
1946 Propaganda Montiel
1946 Sears
1946 W603 Sports Exchange
1946-47 Sensacion Premiums
1947 W602 Sports Exchange mini
1947 Exhibit Supply Co. ("MADE IN USA" kneeling pose was only made this year)
1947 D305 (round corners)
1947 W571-3 Hess Shoes
1947 Bond Bread Premiums
1947 W571-2 Bond Bread Exhibit