U-S-A! U-S-A!

Happy Independence Day - if this were a politically oriented blog, there would be a lot to say about the holiday and current events, but this is a baseball card blog, so I will leave the punditry to the pundits. Hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable 4th!

Marvin Gaye's version of our national anthem  brought tears to Eric Clapton's eyes, and Clapton is British fer cryin out loud!

Burying the lede here, I made a very "American" acquisition this weekend, spending maybe a little more money than I have right now (thanks to my federal tax return and a little help from Visa!) but what could be more American than Mickey Mantle?

I opted to go with a graded copy just for a little added protection that the card would not be a reprint.
I didn't care what the grade was, and I will be freeing the card from jail soon.

I had been following searches on eBay for about a year and a half to get a sense of what the market is for this card now, and what I would be willing to pay to complete my 1956 Topps set. I had tried to win a few auctions earlier this year, but I was getting outbid routinely. I finally opted for this one at a fair buy it now price.

So there you go! Follow your dreams and if England calls, we're out there blowing stuff up and grilling hot dogs!

The Joy Of A Completed Set - 1948 Bowman

Yesterday, I posted about finding Phil Rizzuto. He was one of the final three cards I needed to complete the 1948 Bowman set. Once I had the "big" guy out of the way, the last two cards seemed ripe for the taking.

 #11 - Johnny Lindell (I got what I thought was an amazing deal on this card - it was listed in VG-Ex condition on eBay, I figured out why later)

 #46 Herm "Wee" Wehmeier - funny for a 6'2" guy to be called "Wee" but it's all good.

 Now do you see why Johnny was such a great deal? Trimmed. Sad Trombone. It doesn't bother me too much though, as I already had two other trimmed cards in this set (the only way I could afford them, by the way...)


So, without further ado, here is my 1948 Bowman set, in all it's low conditioned glory:

 Hall of Famers Kiner, Feller, Berra, and Rizzuto.

 I will probably seek out an upgrade on Bob Elliott - card #1 in the older sets are often on the top of kid's stacks, so condition can be rough. I'd like a little cleaner front image than this one...

 Hall of Famers Spahn and Slaughter

 Check out the great story on Jack "Lucky" Lohrke.

 Hall of Famer Stan Musial

One of the reasons I built this set is for all the fantastic nicknames- Snuffy, Available Jones, Billy the Bull, The Antelope . . .

 Hall of Famer Red Schoendienst

This set jump started the modern era of cardboard - Bowman was joined in 1948 by Leaf, then Topps jumped on board a few years after that and the rest is history. At just 48 cards, this was an "easy" set to build. I had a lot of help from a vendor in the Twin Cities last year - Kurt - who is now in North Carolina. Most of the cards came from his table at shows. He helped me find Musial, Berra, and Spahn at prices I could afford and in condition I could enjoy. Johnny Lindell was the last card I needed. Rizzuto, Wehmeier and Lindell were all ordered within a few days of one another.

Thanks for reading!

Something Old and Something New (2016 Goal Achieved!)

Very exciting news this morning, as I have reached another goal on my list for 2016. I now have in my possession the last of the big rookies from the 1948 Bowman set, one Mr. Phil "Scooter" Rizzuto!

Sure, it's beat to Hell and has a serious crease through the middle, but that's exactly why I bid on it (fits in my price range beautifully!)

Here's the back:

In other news, the Minnesota Twins finally won a baseball game in 2016! I can finally breathe again. Hopefully it doesn't take too long for win #2. I was wrong about Topps not giving Kennys Vargas a card in 2016 - he's part of the Twins Mini Team Set:

He might end up being in Series Two for all I know, though he'll probably need to get called up from AAA for that to happen.

Target Acquired! Kirby Puckett 1984 Fleer Update Rookie!

Woohoo! I set some not so modest goals for collecting in 2016, hoping to find some gems in my price range.

Every card listed on this post from January became listed an eBay search, and I kept my eyes peeled at shows.

It wasn't until last week that I finally pounced on a card I've wanted for about 30 years:

 I've been wanting a copy of this card since I was a little kid - The first time I saw a copy in a card shop was probably in 1987 or 1988. I definitely didn't have the money to pony up for it then.

I almost didn't get this one either- but everything came together at just the right time. I would say this card is now my favorite in my collection, and I don't see a contender out there to knock off the throne.

Hitting Paydirt

Sometimes things just fall into your lap - I had just finished writing up all the goals I set for 2016. I figured the best way to catch the big fish would be to set up eBay search alerts for each of the cards I was going for.

I spotted a new listing for just under the price of a blaster, and I pulled the trigger on it.

1955 Topps Double Header #85 / #86

 The scanner cut off the edge, the actual card is centered nicely. I was a little nervous about the condition because the image was a stock photo, but it was about 5 times cheaper than the other listings, and about the right price for other cards in the set in decent condition. The description said VG-EX, I would agree with that grading, so I'm pretty happy!

 This is the first Double Header I've seen in person. It's mostly sturdy, though the perforation in the center has me a little nervous, I will probably keep it in a holder rather than trying to find a special binder page to store it in. I think it is probably supposed to look a little like a ticket to the ballgame, but it's on thicker stock.

I always assumed that the card folded out or something, but Hal Brown just gets half a picture compared to Elmer.

My main target was a Rodeo Meats Elmer Valo card, but this was the backup plan. I spent way less than I thought I would have to to get it.

The Top 7 Collecting Targets for 2016

Saturday is usually card show day, but I've a few other irons in the fire and will have to wait until the big February show before making it back out there. In the meantime, I've started to fine tune and sharpen the goals for my collection this year.

Here is a list of the top 7 cards I am targeting in 2016, along with runners-up that I will chase (just not as hard/expensive):

Mickey Mantle 1956 Topps #135:

If I'm ever going to finish my 1956 Topps set, all roads lead through this card... There are still a fair number of commons on my list, but after reeling in Aaron, Mays, Ted Williams, Jackie Robinson and the big Luis Aparicio rookie, Mantle looms large. I will be patient. I will stalk eBay. When the time is right, I will strike!!!
Runner-up: Roberto Clemente 1956 Topps

Phil Rizzuto 1948 Bowman #8: UPDATE - Got it!

Similar to Mr. Mantle, this the biggest card left on my list to finishing a  particular set. The others should be fairly easy to find in good shape for a price I can afford. Scooter will command a premium, but finding a copy that meets my arbitrary standards will be a milestone.
Runner-up: the rest of my 1948 Bowman set needs Update - Set is complete!

"Satchell" Paige 1953 Topps #220

I have a fair number of Paige cards in my collection (including a reprint of this card), but none from his playing days. This card hasn't been on my radar in the last year, but I'm putting it on there now. The 1953 Topps Set is literally a work of art, and ol' Satch is one of the most remarkable and intriguing baseball players of all time.
Runner up: 1949 Leaf Satchel Paige

Kirby Puckett 1984 Fleer Update U-93: UPDATE - Got it!

Believe it or not, I don't have a copy of this card - my favorite player as a kid, and the player I have more cards than any other in my collection. This card is not exactly a white whale, but it's definitely in higher demand in MN where I buy most of my cards. I have a price in mind that I want to pay for this card, and I'm willing to wait it out until I can make that deal.
Runner-up: 1984 Fleer Update Box Set


Ted Kluszewski 1957 Topps #165

My dad grew up in Central Ohio and my whole family are Reds fans. This is one of the more iconic Reds cards from the 50s and Kluszewski is a beast. This card is probably going to be the most affordable on the list so far, but I am going to be a bit pickier on condition- I will be a stickler for really red reds and a bright border. 1957 Topps cards have a tendency to fade over time...
Runner-up: 1957 Topps Frank Robinson RC

Elmer Valo 1955 Rodeo Meats

Elmer is a player I collect, and there were lots of regional issues and oddballs in the 50s and 60s, but not too many featured Mr. Valo. The Rodeo Meats card was one I just recently found out existed - I might not even see a copy this year, but I will have my eye out for it! There are not many cards left of Valo that have escaped my grasp, this one will be a part of my collection some day.
Runner-up: Elmer Valo 1955 Topps Doubleheader #85 Update - Got it!

William J. O'Neil, T206 tobacco card

I've been "working" on the T206 Minneapolis Millers team set. This guy's name is very similar to mine, so he's the next guy on the list for me to chase!
Runner-up: Jimmy Collins, T206

If I manage to get all of these, it is probably because I won the lottery or something....