"Buying Back Dad's Cards" My book is finally published!

[campyfan39]

After three years of writing and research and interviews, my book is finally here. I owe a debt of gratitude to Leon and this board for a lot of insight and knowledge, and to several members for their assistance and encouragement. I am also grateful to the numerous former players who responded ttm to my questions and to the dealers, collectors, and to Dr. Beckett for allowing me to interview them.

The premise of the book is this: Back in the late 1970's my Dad, like so many middle-aged men, discovered that the baseball cards he collected as a kid were now valuable. One day he went over to his parents' house to fish them out of the attic, only to find out they had been tossed out and lost forever. Our story takes a different turn when this event actually spurred Dad on to "buy back" the cards of his childhood. He took me along for that journey and the memories we made will last forever.

The book is about the relationship between a father and son, the people we met, the cards we collected, and the experiences we had along the way.
Dad has been passed on now for almost eleven years and so this was in many ways an attempt to archive those memories and experiences. It is a personal book but not so personal that people who don't know me would not enjoy it. There are sections on the cards and players themselves as well as the market and the future of our wonderful hobby.

The book is printed in color and so it is not cheap. It cost me about $13 each to make. This is not a money making venture at all, but a labor of love to preserve the stories. If anybody happens to be interested in picking up a copy they are available online to the public at $18 but I will sell them shipped for $15 to any Net54 user. Any kind of payment method would be fine. My ppal is plymouthpastor@hotmail.com.

Thank you and God Bless!
Chris Partin

[ibuysportsephemera]

Looks great, good luck Chris. Will there be a kindle version?

Thanks,

Jeff

[savedfrommyspokes]

Congrats Chris....glad your book is finally published!

[Leon]

I copied this over from another part of our forum so more folks could see it. Congratulations Chris and good luck!!

[dclarkraiders]

Pm sent

[Shoebox]

Congratulations on getting your book published!

[dog*dirt]

Chris, congrats on the book!

[exitmusicgreen]

Congratulations, sir !!

[ErikV]

PM sent.

[almostdone]

Chris,
Congratulations on the completion of this book. I know how much it means to you and your family to help write down the legacy your father had with you through this crazy hobby of ours. You have been a great friend and it's been fun getting to know you better these last few years. Adding in the short story your father wrote was a great touch and I appreciate you letting me in on you and your fathers journey.

To all others, I would encourage you to look into adding this book to your personal library. I received mine and read it in two days time. It's much more than a another book on our hobby but rather a reflection of one mans personal journey to recapture a part of his youth and allowing his son to join him for the ride. I love my father and have many great baseball memories with him but I do wish we shared an interest in this hobby. The only cards he had as a kid were from 1956 and when I get a new one in my collection I like to think that maybe there is a chance that it once belonged to him.

If you ever collected with someone else as a kid (ie, older brother, uncle, father, etc) and want to relive some of those cherished memories this book will warm your heart and bring a smile to your face.

Good luck with the book but more than that congratulations. You have been able to something most of would want to do but never quite know how... Leave a legacy to your children.

Your friend,
Drew

[sports-rings]

The book sounds awesome!

Congratulations and best of luck with it!

Please let us know where we can get a copy of the book.

[WhenItWasAHobby]

Sounds like a great story. The bonding with your father (and other collectors) always transcends the hunt for collectible items of cardboard. I wish you the best.

[ethicsprof]

very well said.
I agree!

and congrats to the author.
all the best,
barry

[Jeffrompa]

What an awesome concept for a book ! If I had to buy back my Dads cards it would take me 4 lifetimes and I would never be able to afford them .

[campyfan39]

Thanks everyone for your encouragement. Shipping out the first load today!

[brian1961]

Congratulations Chris! Swell idea of a card collecting book. Well done. I sincerely hope to buy it some day. Wishing you the very best. ---Brian Powell

[CW]

Great idea and congrats! Money shipped and will be looking forward to it...

[Touch'EmAll]

Nice, very nice. I would like to give it a read.

Makes me think what will happen to my cards when i grow old and ultimately pass. I could sell them in my golden years - nah, I could have my family ship them of to REA after I pass - nah. What would make me the most happy is to have my son treasure them and actually keep them himself after I pass, maybe even continue to build on the collection.

[campyfan39]

That is actually one of the main reasons for writing it.
I am ok if my boys sell some of my cards, but there are some that I do not want them to and want them to pass them down to their kids and grandkids.

Now they will KNOW which ones and have the story behind them and know why. For example, my 56' Mantle I received on my 13th birthday in 1987 that dad got through the mail from Kit Young for $35 (most we had ever paid for a card at the time). I gave the card back to dad one Father's day about 15 years later then got it back when he passed. I was actually able to talk to Kit and tell him the story. That kind of thing is what I wanted them to know.

Nice, very nice. I would like to give it a read.

Makes me think what will happen to my cards when i grow old and ultimately pass. I could sell them in my golden years - nah, I could have my family ship them of to REA after I pass - nah. What would make me the most happy is to have my son treasure them and actually keep them himself after I pass, maybe even continue to build on the collection.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Congratulations, Chris!!!

That's awesome.

[mattjc1983]

I look forward to reading this.

[Rich Klein]

Looking forward to receiving a copy so I can do a review for my column,

[t206guy]

Chris,

Congratulations on the book! Wishing you the best. It's a great feeling once it's published.

Best,
Tom & Ellen Zappala

[campyfan39]

Its on the way Rich!
Second stack shipped today. Thanks so much everyone I am humbled and thankful. already found couple mistakes my editors missed but very happy with it in general. Thanks again and look forward to getting feedback!

[ErikV]

Just received my copy in the mail today. Looking forward to taking a look at it over the weekend.

ErikV

[mrvster]

congrats! I would like to do that someday.....I have been "chasing" wagner my whole life.....one day when I get one I am going to write a book about the adventure when I get it...lmk where I can buy your book:)

[campyfan39]

^ Thanks and that sounds like a fun idea.
This book is available on lulu.com or directly through me.
Payment any method you prefer.
My paypal is plymouthpastor@hotmail.com
THANK YOU!

[DHogan]

Congratulations on your book. :)

[Rich Klein]

Sent review in, will post here when it runs in Rich's Ramblings

[sycks22]

Started reading it over the weekend. I love the story of the lost '56 Mantle and where you found it. Great book Chris.

[CW]

Received my copy a couple days ago (thanks, Chris). I'm only a couple pages into it and I'm really enjoying it.

We need more books like this!

[deltaarnet]

I can't wait just sent the money.

[campyfan39]

Sent out the third batch today and very much looking forward to hearing thoughts form those who have read it.

I received a real blessing today as well with a surprise phone call from a widow of a former player. Katherine Ceccarelli (wife of Art who played from 54-60 for the Cubs, Orioles and A's). When I wrote Art asking him to sign my 58 topps of him and answer questions a few years ago she took the time to write me a three page letter answering the questions and telling me about his career. Mr. Ceccarelli had passed less than two months prior to me sending the letter. She showed unbelievable kindness to do that and so I sent her a book. She called today to thank me and tell me that she enjoyed it immensely and that it brought back many good memories. What a sweet lady and a blessing that phone call was!

[deltaarnet]

Received my book today! Read a few pages and love it already.
Thanks, Darrell

[campyfan39]

Just received word that Dr. Beckett has a copy of the book!
Also, hobby legend "Uncle" Dick Decourcy got a stack to sell at his table around the country! Blessed :)

[campyfan39]

http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_14188267716666&key=7100a6a602630b8b0b25603f383208ab&libId=d5f6a35e-a3ef-4f75-b3f8-2bef68c22969&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.net54baseball.com%2Fprivate.p hp%3Fdo%3Dshowpm%26pmid%3D490878&v=1&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportscollectorsdaily.com%2Fb uying-back-dads-cards-connecting-generations%2F&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.net54baseball.com%2Fprivate.p hp&title=Net54baseball.com%20Forums%20-%20Re%3A%20Hello%20and%20question%20for%20you&txt=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sportscollectorsdaily.com...g-generations%2F

Rich's review on SCD

[tuckr1]

Highly recommend this book, great read!!

[WhenItWasAHobby]

Highly recommend this book, great read!!

Amen to that! :)