Renata Galasso

[deweyinthehall]

"This is fascinating. I had no idea Renata Galasso was a woman that dealt cards in the 1970s. I only know the name as the brand that produced replica prewar sets in the early-'80s. I've got some sweet '83 T206 sheets that they put into Baseball Card Hobby Report magazine. I know they made a bunch of other sets, too.

Hopefully someone comes along that knows more about her.

Arthur"

Quote above was posted in the post-1980 card section where I accidentally first placed this thread - would love to delete the thread from that location but don't know how.

Anyway, I remember her hobby card news magazines as well, and I also had the T206 cards. Yes - she was a real woman.

[deweyinthehall]

.

[deweyinthehall]

I was wondering about the "worlds largest" boast - did she top Fritsch?

[Klrdds]

I purchased cards from her for years and at times she would enclose a gift of a set of Drake's cards or some other small regional issue with your order. Bill Hongach is also a name from the early days , I heard they were married but never heard it verified because of the " separation " of the businesses : her cards and his autographs and I believe some memorabilia .

[mrmopar]

I too was an early buyer from her ads in periodicals. I used to get the full sets each year from her for a while. I tried to find info on her as well, as it seems she just disappeared from the card world eventually. I believe I read that she was in college when she started the business. Definitely one of the early memories I have of the card hobby. With there was more on the history of her and others that were doing a lot of mail order business.

I knew there were more and I thought I had even seen a photo of her when she was younger, maybe it's in a magazine I have. Anyway, I read that her Aunt is the one pictured in the previous shot, not her. She is in her 60s now and it would seem, still in NY.

[steve B]

Originally Posted by deweyinthehall

I was wondering about the "worlds largest" boast - did she top Fritsch?

Probably in terms of how much they took in, Fritsh was big, but I think less sales and more inventory.

Hard to tell, as nobody really released any actual figures other than inventory.

[BabyRuth]

I still have my '76 set in the original box from Reneta!!! - Cards have never seen the light of day!