So I started a Roberto Clemente "project".....

[docpatlv]

Originally Posted by DJCollector1

So late Saturday afternoon, I get a knock at the door, and its the USPS.
I knew immediately what it was, although oddly enough I never was informed in advance it was en route, no tracking number, nothing. (I WAS told my order had been processed though....) Weird.

Other than that, my transaction was very smooth.
I believe they were "just getting back to normal" and were backlogged at the time, thus leading to some shipping issues. Their website said they were behind, because of just returning to work/virus restrictions etc.

I had mentioned to a couple of you I had been looking at a multi-signed item, and this is it.

1957 Cards/Pirates signed scorecard.

Signed by BILL MAZEROSKI
BOB PURKEY
BOB SKINNER
BUDDY PRITCHARD
DON BLASINGAME
ED KASKO
JOE TRIMBLE
JOHNNY O'BRIEN
KEN BOYER
KEN HAMLIN
ROBERTO CLEMENTE
ROMAN MEIJAS
VERNON LAW X2

Bill Mazeroski signed at the top middle, and Clemente down along the bottom right.




Excuse the poor cell phone pictures, as currently I have no scanner.
Although you can tell its age, it is definitely more vibrant in hand than what shows in these cell phone pictures.
Although it was in a plastic protector, I noticed immediately it was NOT in an acid free sleeve, and I slid it in one ASAP.

Easily my pickup of the year, and my favorite piece since I have come back to the hobby a few years ago.

More Clemente items for my display coming soon.

Congrats Scott! Glad you were able to make the deal.

[DJCollector1]

Still stoked over the auto pickup, I also have a couple other items on the way in.
Yesterday this one came in, which ironically is one of my favorite cards of his.

Its actually surprisingly cheap raw. In fact, many of his later issue cards are very cheap ungraded. One would think the '68-'73 cards are more expensive than they are on one of the games greatest, but its not so. These years in particular can be had very modestly, ( obviously raw there can be problems) although a clean '71 will bring a premium because of the dark borders.


1968 Topps All Star






There are plenty of great looking copies of this one to be had reasonably.
Centering can be an issue, but looking around for a bit can easily pay off.
I've always thought he had a bit of a "determined look" on this one, but he often did.
One of my favorite issues, and its well centered, corners are strong and again, great color, but you can't see it as well in this "slightly worn" Card Saver.

I alluded to this before, but this will be behind UV protective glass. Any "help" with colors that really pop is a good thing, and this one is definitely no exception.
Even though I can a bit "OCD" with centering at times, these projects must take overall presentation and colors more seriously.
It really will help the overall appeal when I'm done, and colors help stand out when its "on display".
When you can find a card with strong coloring, overall look/appeal AND decent centering, then its a win-win.

I know not all these cards are "perfect" for whatever reason. But I really think it helps the piece itself if it has a small "bit of wear" here and there.
Makes it look more "real", or true vintage. Sort of gives these some "character", and you can still imagine some young kid opening a pack and discovering these cards~~!
If I wanted perfect razor sharp corners and crystal clear items, I'd probably use reprints......... But I'm not interested in going that route.


Already snagged another item that should be here any day.

[DJCollector1]

Yikes...….…….
Not sure if any of you are using Firefox as a browser, but after an update a few days ago I have NOT been able to access the board on my FF browser.

So I'm temporarily using IE, for this board.

I snagged this next one, early last week.


- 1973 Topps -






Other than a slight nick to the bottom right corner, this card is beautiful.
Great color, strong centering, and is a perfect fit for this display.
(I need to pick up a scanner, these cell phone shots don't do many of these items justice)

Ironically, I have never been a fan of '73 Topps, but this is one of the better shots in my opinion.

I'm starting to tinker with a few design layouts, and I may have mentioned I am going to make this one horizontal, not vertical like I did with the Mickey Mantle.
I did the Mantle in a dark green, and it turned out beautiful.
I don't think I will go the green route this time though, I may opt for a rich burgundy, or maybe even a dark brown. I think a dark brown would really make the colors jump, but I will tinker with a few colors.


I'm stopping by a buddies in the next 2-3 days, and I hope to get the signed scorecard scanned so it can be shown a bit better than the poor quality shots above.


Already got a couple more pickups heading my way this week.
This project is starting to take shape.

[Mark70Z]

Some really nice Clemente cards so far. The 1972 Topps is my favorite card that you picked up so far; there’s nothing about that card that I don’t like. I’m sure you’ll have some larger versions of Clemente cards or team issue phots. Looking forward to see what your going to include in your project. So far so good...

[DJCollector1]

Originally Posted by Mark70Z

Some really nice Clemente cards so far. The 1972 Topps is my favorite card that you picked up so far; there’s nothing about that card that I don’t like. I’m sure you’ll have some larger versions of Clemente cards or team issue phots. Looking forward to see what your going to include in your project. So far so good...

Yep, I'm happy with the pickups so far, although I wish the Post was slightly better hand cut.
The color really helps (hard to tell with these cell phone shots though) so that's a plus.


Ironically, I'm trying to figure a way to get in one of the photos or bigger cards into this, but it may not happen.
REASON - I will likely include my signed scorecard, and that's really big.
This is already going to be a pretty big framed piece all things considered, and if I add in something larger like that it might make it too big.

I'll have to look at some more design ideas and how much room I have in my "dedicated area" where its going to go.

Another one came in today. I'll post it shortly.

[DJCollector1]

Due to a few technical issues with my browser, I haven't posted until a bit ago, but snagged another card a few days back.


- 1969 Topps Deckle Edge -






As I mentioned earlier in the thread, I was pretty sure I was going to include this one, if I could find an example I liked.
I looked around several places, and ultimately ended up getting this one on Ebay for $26.
I thought it was a great price, considering the centering was fairly decent for a "notoriously poor-centered" issue.
Once again, here is a card that screams '60s and I really like the classic vintage look.
Won't ever be worth much since they were fairly widely produced, and they never "took off" with collectors..... but its a perfect addition to this project.

I already have 1-2 others on the way, so I will have another to post in the next day or two.


Still debating picking up one late '50s card, but I haven't quite made my mind up which one I will ultimately get.
'57 - '58 - 59, all three I actually like, but I will have to choose only one or two of those to include. The price on these are quite a bit higher than some of his later cards.

[DJCollector1]

Due to technical board issues (and a bit of an inconvenience on the home front LOL) I haven't been able to post in a couple days.

My latest acquisition is...………..

- '71 Topps -







I wanted to steer clear of as much edge chipping as I could with these, which most know its a serious issue with this particular year.
The centering although not perfect, (its off a bit top to bottom) it still pretty damn good all things considered.
The colors jump off the card on this one, which was key for me in snagging it.
I thought it fit the bill perfectly, and for roughly $65 I was happy with it.
As per usual, there is a bit of a reflection and glare in the lower right corner, (which is worse because I didn't take it out of the penny sleeve) but the poor cell phone pictures don't do this one justice.

I've been tinkering with some design layouts, and I think I have room for 2 more cards, so now I need to decide which 2 I really want to include.
I'm bound to get a decent eye appeal, but low grade/raw '57-'58- or '59.
I've been watching a few, but due to a few things on my end, I may not be able to pick something up for another week or so.

If anyone has a decent looking '57-'58 or '59 at a good price, feel free to PM me, I may be interested.

Hopefully in the next week or so I will be able to get the last couple items.