Autographed Cards

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Posted By: <b>Paul S</b><p>One summer I sent a few players a fan letter, their baseball card, and an SASE. At the end of the letter I asked them if they would mind signing the card and return it to me. Look at Banks, HE thanked ME! Do you believe that? What a guy! "Let's play two"!<br /><img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z26/pspec/Autographs/Kaline_Topps_65.jpg"> <img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z26/pspec/Autographs/Aaron_Topps_64.jpg"> <img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z26/pspec/Autographs/Banks_Topps_58.jpg"><br /><br />Show 'em if ya got 'em.

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Posted By: <b>Paul S</b><p>About twenty years after I received the autographs above, I was fortunate enough to attend a private party at Mickey Mantle's Sports Bar, the evening before it opened to the public. Well, The Mick had been my guy since I was a kid, so I was really jacked. I had brought an index card to get a signature. Rather than him signing all through the night at random, he instead just sat at a table at one point and people came up to get an autograph if they wanted. On the table was a stack of large "cards" (that you see in the picture below). He asked my name and signed one for me. I then showed him the blank index card I brought with me and asked if he'd just sign his name. He looked at me, thought a moment and said, "I think one's enough." I instantaenously realized that he thought I was going to try and cash in on it. Not m\y intention, but who could blame him. Anyway, I took my index card over to Billy Martin, who gladly signed it. Underneath his sig it says "Yankee." You know that guy had to bleed Yankee Blue from the moment he was traded way back when.<br /><img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z26/pspec/Autographs/Autograph_Mantle.jpg"> <img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z26/pspec/Autographs/Martin_Billy_indexcard.jpg">

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Posted By: <b>Paul S</b><p>Something about the crowned 7s in the background of the Mantle autograph struck me as familiar. Then it just hit me. Obvious style rip. Maybe I've spent too much time sitting at bars?<br /><img src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z26/pspec/Other/seagrams7.jpg">

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Posted By: <b>jackgoodman</b><p>Sent to them for autographs in the early 60's. Don't think I would do it today tho.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1187559958.JPG"> <img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1187559976.JPG">

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Posted By: <b>Paul S</b><p>Jack, I"m sure you're right about that. Even the ones I sent were doubles. Last free autograph I got was Mookie Wilson, at a card show. I think during his playing days.<br /><br />*edited to add: My Kaline came back creased. -- I don't think you'd want that for those swell looking Bowmans.

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Posted By: <b>dennis</b><p>paul,i'll bet there was a tie in with seagrams and the mantle event you attended? they may have sponsored it ?

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Posted By: <b>Paul S</b><p>Dennis, Might have been, although of course I never noticed. The back of the card has his bio and career stats. At the very bottom it says:<br /><br />Exclusive Distributor of<br />Mickey Mantle Sports Art<br />Sports Impressions Inc.<br />82 Bridge Road<br />Central Islip, NY 11722<br /><br />Although no mention of Seagram's 7. Maybe was a different tie in The Mick had with them at that time, not necessarily related to the opening of his place, but the use of #7 and his name.<br />

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Posted By: <b>Jon Canfield</b><p>Been working on putting this team set together for quite a while... I am only missing Berra, Ford and Ralph Terry. (Anyone have any?!) Of course, Duke Maas is the key to this set!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1187651791.JPG"> <img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1187651801.JPG"> <img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1187651813.JPG"> <img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1187651825.JPG"> <img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1187651836.JPG"> <img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1187651850.JPG"> <img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1187651946.JPG">