Lionel Carter Letter about the hobby - 2003

[Peter_Spaeth]

It's unfortunate he was scared into having to sell his beloved sets. I never did trust the storyline that was given. As a friend of mine said in analyzing a fight scene in First Blood, too many right angles.

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

It's unfortunate he was scared into having to sell his beloved sets. I never did trust the storyline that was given. As a friend of mine said in analyzing a fight scene in First Blood, too many right angles.

Didn't Doug Allen say the "gypsies" stole his cards?

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Didn't Doug Allen say the "gypsies" stole his cards?

Yeah, and somehow he predicted well in advance they all would be returned, and there was other stuff too that just seemed too convenient for me. And of course they happened to end up consigned to Mastro because the "theft" scared Carter so much. Whatever.

[calvindog]

I wonder how Doug Allen sleeps at night knowing that his kids will learn what an utter scumbag he is.

[Jay Wolt]

Greg, very neat letter, thanks for posting it.

I have many Lionel Carter pedigree's, here's a couple I wish I still had.

[toppcat]

Nice letter Greg.

In reading the various posts here I wouldn't be too harsh on the guy as to how and why he sold his collection. Here's my one and only pedigree:

[kailes2872]

I had seen the Lionel Carter holders but did not know what they were. After reading this letter, I did a google search and read on on Carter (which led me to reading up on Burdick, etc).

Wow, what a story and what a collection. He wouldn't pony up the $150 for a Wagner and it ended up selling for $125 - even though his wife encouraged him to splurge.

It must have been sad watching his collection be parsed out. He had no heirs, so no one to leave the cash to - he just enjoyed it for the hobby that it was

Does anyone know the final tally of what the collection brought? I couldn't find that in a google search.

Also, Peter, I am trying to read between the lines and don't know if you wish to be cryptic or care to share via pm, but what is the Doug Allen story behind the collection? The articles that I read make Allen out to be a good guy - underwriting his ww2 book, getting the flips to say Lionel Carter collection etc.

Good education on my part.

[brian1961]

Thanks for printing this. Lionel really was good at answering his mail.

He so wanted to have his book published---"CARTER AND THE CAVALRY". By the end of his life it was all ready. However, it never got published. During the time they were auctioning his collection, Doug Allen had said they were going to try to get it published. Did they??

I for one would like to read it, partly to honor Mr. Carter, and because I enjoy World War II history. Having read a bunch of Lionel's hobby writings, I'm certain I'd find it fascinating.

Regardless, thanks again for sharing the letter with the rest of us. I appreciate it. -Brian Powell

[geor952]

Outstanding post, and clear scan. Thank you so much for sharing and congrats on a great pick-up!