not exactly pre-war, but can someone explain why Mike Witt auto's are so expensive?

[whitey19thcentury]

Originally Posted by Vintagedegu

John Denny is somewhat Vukovichish, been doing the occasional signing lately however.

Sammy Stewart and the Reds' Frank Williams fell into that 'vanished into nothingness' category. I think Williams is dead now. Believe Cameron or one of those guys hunted Sammy down.

Didn't realize Witt was so tough anymore. Got a Gateway cover of him a few years back as an afterthought.

Denny has become a better signer over the past several years. I remember when I really narrowed down my interest to autographs in between my freshman and soph. years of college. I purchased a huge in-person 3x5, card, photo, etc. collection from an area man who got sigs at ballparks and spring training games. It was 1998, so eBay was in its infancy. I sold off all of the "name" players/HOFers, then I figured "what the heck!" and started listing "common" 3x5s. I think I got like 60 bucks for a Denny 3x5. That really started me in researching obscure guys, and now, 13 years later, I specialize in obscure deceased, Latin, and living players.

On a side note, the guy whose collection I purchased had a 3x5 signed by Alberto Lois, arguably the toughest sig among the 1979 Pirates team. I sold his 3x5 for $55 or so on eBay in '98. Fast forward half a decade later, and I was fortunate enough to buy quite a few lots from the MacAllister collection. Among one of the 3x5 lots I bought was no less than 30 Lois 3x5s! The last one I sold on eBay went for $5. So, yes, I saturated the market on those!

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

Originally Posted by whitey19thcentury

On a side note, the guy whose collection I purchased had a 3x5 signed by Alberto Lois, arguably the toughest sig among the 1979 Pirates team. I sold his 3x5 for $55 or so on eBay in '98. Fast forward half a decade later, and I was fortunate enough to buy quite a few lots from the MacAllister collection. Among one of the 3x5 lots I bought was no less than 30 Lois 3x5s! The last one I sold on eBay went for $5. So, yes, I saturated the market on those!

I didn't realize there were so many Lois 3X5s in that lot, but that's McAllister for you! Actually, a collector/dealer we know did two signings with Lois in the early 2000's. 3X5s (as well as Topps cards and a ball or two) were signed.

Lois' story is an interesting one. In 1980, Lois' car was hit by a train while he was under the influence. He ended up losing both an eye and his career as a result. He now lives in a two-room, dirt-floored shack with his wife and a multitude of offspring.

[whitey19thcentury]

Jodi, I am being conservative on the amount of Lois 3x5s that were in that lot. I sold many, kept one for my collection, and traded a few.

I did hear about the signing, and I assume most of the Lois sigs that pop up are from that signing or 3x5 from MacAllister.

I heard his story, and it is an intriguing one as he was a highly-regarded prospect, but that wreck cost him his career, obviously. Doesn't he have like 17 kids?

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

...and eight and a half bunk beds, I'm told.

[the-illini]

I am working on a signed 1984 Topps set, and there is one card from that set that makes Mike Witt seem like a piece of cake: Byron Mclaughlin.

Mclaughlin pitched from 1977-83 and was included in the 84 Topps set. Turns out he was something of a shady fellow and he disappeared from the country after serving time for a felony counterfeiting charge, not too long after the 1984 Topps set was issued. I have seen one 84 Topps card signed by him sell for over $500 bucks - truly the T206 Wagner of the signed 1984 Topps set (if not as popular!)

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by JBirkholm

He now lives in a two-room, dirt-floored shack with his wife and a multitude of offspring.

AKA children.

[Orioles1954]

A little off th beaten path, but does anyone know of any signed 1954 Topps Howie Fox cards?

[Topps206]

Vuckovich is doing a show in April starting at $45.00.