Terrible News: Jim Blumenthal Passed Away Last Night

[atx840]

Story Time.

One day during my first National (actually first card show) as I am wandering row after row, in awe of all the cardboard, Jim hunts me down and says, "Come check this out". We zigzagged and chatted and ended up at an AHs booth. Jim talks to the rep and turns around and hands me a T206 Wagner,. First I had ever seen or held in person.

He heard I hadn't seen one and tracked me down in that massive room just to show me.

Thank you Jim, a truly awesome individual.

[ksfarmboy]

Sad news for sure. Prayers for his family and friends.

[rebelsart]

Very saddened to hear of James passing. A true gentleman in every sense of the word, always kind and caring. He used to live in the Southern California area long ago. My condolences to his friends and family. Rest in Peace.
Art M.

[caramelcard]

Hard for me to even know what to say. Just very saddened by Jim's passing. I've known Jim through the hobby for many years and we had a lot of common interests in and outside of the hobby. He was easily one of the nicest people I've ever met. And, also one of the most knowledgable while still being soft spoken and humble. He had the best eye for cards and loved to share his passion and advanced knowledge with other collectors. Jim would always get me excited about cards.

It's hard to believe I won't see Jim again at shows or read his posts on this board. I won't forget him.

Rob

[sox1903wschamp]

Rest in peace Jim. Will miss him and he will not be forgotten.

[uffda51]

I'm devastated by this news. Jim was a gentleman and a scholar. He will be sorely missed. Condolences to his family. Words are certainly failing me right now.

[JollyElm]

All the wonderful things said here just increases the sadness felt by people like me who didn't know Jim. So terrible. Rest in peace.

[Joe_G.]

Very sad news, Jim was a pleasure to converse with, offered new theories, a true contributor to society. An amazing collection, amazing resource, a true gentleman. Among his many contributions, an article on N167 which featured his complete set, the only one in existence. Jim, you will be greatly missed. Condolences to all friends and family.

[Kawika]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

All the wonderful things said here just increases the sadness felt by people like me who didn't know Jim. So terrible. Rest in peace.

When someone passes away we tend to say positive, wonderful things. In Jim's case all these comments are rock-solid true. He was a happy serene soul. It was always nice to be in his company. My best Jim memory was sharing a seat on the bus from Rosemont to downtown Chicago during the 2008 National. We each had our iPhones loaded with our best cards and we shared our collections back and forth like two twelve year old kids. Jim's final image was his T206 Wagner. The man was greatness no matter how you sliced it. I am going to really miss him.

[tedzan]

I was stunned to hear of Jim's passing earlier today.

Eight years ago, Jim contacted me regarding a bunch of T206 Southern Leaguer cards he needed for his set; and, we did
a nice deal. This was our 1st hobby transaction.

I'll recall an interesting experience at the last Baltimore National (2012) where I was checking out a really sharp-looking
1949 LEAF Joe DiMaggio card whose background color was Yellow (instead of Green). It was a potential purchase which I
jotted down in my notebook. Approx. an hour later, Jim tracks me down to ask me about a card at the Show that he was
quite interested in.

You guessed it....it was the same 1949 LEAF Joe D. card. Jim asked me several questions regarding this card. I answered
them. He graciously thanked me and departed. Later that evening at the Hilton Hotel he showed me this LEAF card. I can
still recall his enthusiasm regarding this acquisition.


GOD Bless Jim's soul....and, GOD Bless and Comfort Jim's family.



TED Z
.

[dstudeba]

I looked up to Jim as a person, he had such a good soul.

He is missed.

[tbob]

Jim and I were Facebook friends so I have received many pictures and tributes on my timeline from his friends around the world. I've met a lot of great people who collect cards, most of them are on this forum, but no one was a more peaceful and gentle soul than Jim. I will always remember his quiet smile and will always regret not accepting his invitation to come see him the next time I was in Oregon.
There's always so much time left to do that, I thought, and now he's gone forever. I am so sad.

[Bicem]

One of my favorite people, in the hobby and out. Sad day.