Mantle/Mays magazine clipping...

[Lordstan]

Fred,
Thanks for the kind words.
My father and I started them in the 80s. From 1946 through 1985, we were probably around 95% complete depending on if the "Who's Who in Sports" and "Annual" editions existed every year through the mid 80s or not.
We stopped collecting in the early 90's. Only recently have I gotten them out and started to scan them.
We got most of them autographed at shows when auto prices we actually reasonable for most people. Williams, Mantle, and Dimaggio were the most expensive at $7 - 10 per item.
He has since passed away, but it brings back a lot of memories of our adventures together when I go through them.

[mr2686]

Mark, that's a nice run of Sport magazines you have scanned and I especially like when they are signed. Do you still get them signed? I was able to get the 1951 Yogi Berra issue last year and had him sign it at the hall of fame...first time that I had met him and it was a real treat. I also won a signed Tommy Henrich 1950 a few years back that I really like. Although his playing days were long over when I was growing up, I still remember him fondly from the old Sports Challenge game show with Dick Endberg. Henrich seemed to always get the right answer!!
I had a question about your 1954 Stan Musial issue. I was just wondering if there was a story behind Mickey Mantle signing the cover?
Thanks,
Mike

[Lordstan]

Mike,
I still do get them signed, but with prices so high at shows and online, alot of times I would rather spend that money on other stuff. I did recently splurge and get the Aug 1951 cover signed by Yogi(haven't updated the pic yet). (I drove 2hours to Secaucus to get hime to sign that and another book, which was the real reason I went. He and Johnny Bench wound up looking through the mag. Bench told Berra, he was really pumped up when he was younger. Both got a good laugh. Yogi also tallked about his wife who was pictured inside. It was really pretty cool.) Another issue for me is that many of the magazines have pictures inside which are signed, so buying one with the cover signed may not help me. I am working on scanning the covers first. Then I will work on posting the inside pics.
I have begun to investigate sending some mags to people through the mail to have them sign. I did get favorable responses from a few older football players, like Charley Trippi and Johnny Lujack. We will see how it works out.

The story behing the Musial/Mantle cover is this. If you went to shows in the 1980's, you know that Mantle was a signing machine, who was often drunk at the shows. If you didn't get the page turned fast enough, he signed whatever was in front of him. I have another Sport mag from 1956, I think, with Billy Pierce on the cover, signed by Mantle and Pierce. Same story.

Fred,
Also, either I didn't know or don't remember knowing that the Jan 1952 edition doesn't exist. Thanks. Now I won't go crazy trying to hunt it down.

[Fuddjcal]

oh my...that ruth photo is sick and so are you Graig but in a good way. I also love your work and would love to have one in my collection. Way to solve this one. I like the photo, now that you don't need it, don't try to snipe me

[mr2686]

Mark, I kinda thought that might be the story behind the Mantle signing. Sounds like we encountered some of the same type of stuff back in the 80's. I remember waiting almost 2 extra hours for Mickey and Whitey to come down from their hotel room (they were staying at the hotel where the show was) and I was told by a fellow in line (he was also staying at the hotel) that Mickey and Whitey were really knocking them back until closing time at the hotel bar. I guess I got lucky because Mickey was as nice as could be and even posed for a picture with me.
One good thing with the economy the way it is, is that a lot of show promoters are lowering some of the prices...still kinda high but you can still find some bargains that you can mail order to.
Good luck on sending them in to the players themselves. I have not tried that yet, but have a Dick Green Sporting news that I need signed, and he doesn't seem to do any shows that I know of. I just got his address the other day and will probably send it off next week.
Thanks,
Mike