What card did you never think you'd own, but now you do?

[scooter729]

Growing up, I always remember the allure of the 1952 Topps Mantle, but was more intrigued by the 1951 Bowman one, especially enjoying that it was produced a year earlier, during Mantle's actual rookie season. But I thought the price tag was higher than I would ever be able to afford.

Many many years have passed since I first dreamed of owning one, and I now have acquired a '51 Mantle. It's not perfect, but it makes me quite happy......

Would love to hear about other cards you never thought you'd get to acquire, but have been able to do so!

[Gobucsmagic74]

Nice card Scott...terrific color and registration! Congrats!

[judsonhamlin]

For me it's the Newsboy Cabinet of Mike Tiernan. They are uncommon for starters but I finally had the right combination of timing, money and a seller willing to let me pay it off over a few weeks.

[z28jd]

For me it was a T206 Magie and at the time, I didn't think I would ever get one because my card budget was about $200-300 a month. In fact, the only reason I got the card is because I showed it to my dad and then after I went to work, he won it off Ebay.

That was an odd phone call at the time, around late 2000, maybe early 2001. He called me at work, told me he won the card, then said you can pay me back when you have the money. So I went from excited, to realizing I had a lot of money to pay back, then back to excited. He ended up taking some of the price off for either a birthday or Christmas present.

While I was paying off the Magie, he bid on a Plank and I had to draw the line there. He didn't come close to winning, but I pictured myself finally paying him back right around now.

[philliesphan]

Primarily because I believe this example is unique, this KBat cabinet of my favourite team with Harry featured prominently with tophat in the center still awes me everytime I look at it:

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2011/spring/1887-n690-kalamazoo-bats-philadelphia-bbc-team-cabinet-harry-wright.jpg

[Rhotchkiss]

For me it was a T206 Magie and at the time, I didn't think I would ever get one because my card budget was about $200-300 a month. In fact, the only reason I got the card is because I showed it to my dad and then after I went to work, he won it off Ebay.

That was an odd phone call at the time, around late 2000, maybe early 2001. He called me at work, told me he won the card, then said you can pay me back when you have the money. So I went from excited, to realizing I had a lot of money to pay back, then back to excited. He ended up taking some of the price off for either a birthday or Christmas present.

While I was paying off the Magie, he bid on a Plank and I had to draw the line there. He didn't come close to winning, but I pictured myself finally paying him back right around now.

You should have taken the Plank.....

[rats60]

For me it was a T206 Magie and at the time, I didn't think I would ever get one because my card budget was about $200-300 a month. In fact, the only reason I got the card is because I showed it to my dad and then after I went to work, he won it off Ebay.

That was an odd phone call at the time, around late 2000, maybe early 2001. He called me at work, told me he won the card, then said you can pay me back when you have the money. So I went from excited, to realizing I had a lot of money to pay back, then back to excited. He ended up taking some of the price off for either a birthday or Christmas present.

While I was paying off the Magie, he bid on a Plank and I had to draw the line there. He didn't come close to winning, but I pictured myself finally paying him back right around now.

I have a similar story. I was collecting the t206 set and got to 520 which at the time was the complete set in Beckett. They didn't count the big 3 as you never saw them. I figured that I was done. Then I had a chance to buy a Plank and Magie, but I was recently married and could no longer afford them. Fast forward to a couple of years ago at the National and I saw a Magie for sale. It was now in my budget by selling off duplicates from my collection. That gave me the drive to sell more cards to get my avatar.

[the-illini]

Primarily because I believe this example is unique, this KBat cabinet of my favourite team with Harry featured prominently with tophat in the center still awes me everytime I look at it:

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2011/spring/1887-n690-kalamazoo-bats-philadelphia-bbc-team-cabinet-harry-wright.jpg

Marc that is an amazing card!!!

[z28jd]

You should have taken the Plank.....

I didn't like owing money, so at the time I remember having something like a dollar left to my name at the end of that first month of paying off the Magie because I gave everything to my dad. I couldn't picture five years straight of that same scenario each month. I would have actually paid it off sooner because my financial situation got better about a year or so later, but I didn't know that at the time.

I should have been a little more clear when I said I had a $200-300 card budget each month. I literally had a $200-300 budget each month for anything after I paid my bills, I just always spent it on cards, so there was nothing to cut back on to help pay it off quicker.

Would have been nice to get the Plank, but I don't regret it.

[MikeGarcia]

http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/2042957/view/1960POSTMANTLE_NEW.JPG

..the pin-hole brought the price down to a point where I could just about almost barely sort of justify the purchase to TheWidowGarcia.....She eventually agreed that it "looks nice..."

..

[ullmandds]

For me its a mantle rookie....51 bowman...only because I never thought I'd be "silly" enough to pony up for one!!!!!

[greco827]

My aspirations, at least as a kid of about 8 with no financial sense, were far more modest. All I wanted was an '84 Topps Don Mattingly. :D

[z28jd]

My aspirations, at least as a kid of about 8 with no financial sense, were far more modest. All I wanted was an '84 Topps Don Mattingly. :D

This post just reminded me about one card, although it's the exact opposite of a card I never thought I would get. When I was nine, I got a calendar with a picture of the Old Judge Buck Ewing & mascot card. At that time, I said I was going to get that card. Considering that I had been to many card shows and stores at that point and never saw an Old Judge card, it was quite a declaration on my part.

So it wasn't a card I thought I would never get, it just took about 17 years before I actually bought it. I'm sure if you told me when I was nine that it would cost me $400, I probably wouldn't have been so confident I'd get it one day.

[packs]

I'm right there with you buddy:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4581/38569791812_3eef36a159.jpg

[MattyC]

Great topic. For me it was a centered 1952 Topps Mantle that was in my price range with a clean image. Once I began shopping for one, I just kept seeing tilt after tilt or OC after OC. Eventually I settled initially on one that was 60/40-ish with some tilt. And then a few years later my dream example finally came along.

https://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/mattianc/mickey-mantle/51018/louisville-slugger-museum

[MattyC]

My aspirations, at least as a kid of about 8 with no financial sense, were far more modest. All I wanted was an '84 Topps Don Mattingly. :D

As a kid that was my answer, too. I never was able to get one. Always so expensive in NYC. The Donruss I just gave up on. I equally coveted the 83 Traded Strawberry and 84 Topps and Fleer Goodens. Never had them as a boy. Were the first cards I circled back for after college.

[packs]

This is the other card I never thought I'd own:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4531/38844416522_07c091e8ba.jpg

[scooter729]

Great topic. For me it was a centered 1952 Topps Mantle that was in my price range with a clean image. Once I began shopping for one, I just kept seeing tilt after tilt or OC after OC. Eventually I settled initially on one that was 60/40-ish with some tilt. And then a few years later my dream example finally came along.

https://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/mattianc/mickey-mantle/51018/louisville-slugger-museum

Thanks for sharing - fantastic Mantle! Those Mantle rookies were the stuff of dreams for a lot of us - nice to see it becoming reality for some of us now!

[edjs]

There are so many cards I thought I could never own, but then I find a way. If you look at my join date, that is my first day collecting. I started looking at the archives here, at all the amazing cards you guys have on the board. One of my first loves was the '41 Play Ball DiMaggio, I always thought it was out of my reach, but I finally found one going under the radar and got this one. Leon was the one that got me going with PCL cards, though not in your traditional way. He posted about some E100s he thought were suspicious on e-bay, and I hit the link, decided to take a chance on one, and won that. He also had I think four of the E222s, and I never thought that one of those would end up in my collection, yet a few years later, here I have two. Cobb has always been special to me, I read books about him as a kid, and we have the same birthday. This D304 is my favorite Cobb card, but prices always made it seem out of reach, but by lowering my expectations of having a pristine example, I was able to get a low grade beater. But the card I never in the world thought I would get was the Bishop. I can't tell you how many hours I spend looking at these, and finding this one of San Francisco blew my mind, and I still have a hard time believing it is in my collection. So I guess this palaverous post of mine is basically intended to encourage you to keep going and not let your dreams for a specific card ever stop. Keep going and one day, you will figure out a way.

[brian1961]

http://imagehost.vendio.com/a/2042957/view/1960POSTMANTLE_NEW.JPG

..the pin-hole brought the price down to a point where I could just about almost barely sort of justify the purchase to TheWidowGarcia.....She eventually agreed that it "looks nice..."

..

I totally agree with your lady, Mike; that Mick DOES look nice! Glad she gave you her permission. My lady did the same for me when I poured out my heart to her about the card that I never, ever thought I would own. Congrats. ---Brian Powell

[Sean]

I didn't like owing money, so at the time I remember having something like a dollar left to my name at the end of that first month of paying off the Magie because I gave everything to my dad. I couldn't picture five years straight of that same scenario each month.

I completely understand. This seems like a rational approach. But in my case I went for the Plank. It took me two years to pay it off. :o

[danmckee]

1910 Washington Times Frank Oberlin, it resided in an advanced collector's collection for ions and I had offered well in excess of $10K and couldn't pry it from him. I then won the exact card in an REA auction for $2750 after he sold his collection.....

Every now and again some dumb luck has to happen thank goodness.

Dan Mckee

[Rich Falvo]

None yet, but I've got a list of cards that I want and I hope to be able to one day say "Never thought I'd get that one..." about at least one of them.

[paul]

For me, it's probably the Zeenut Jimmy Claxton.

[KingFisk]

Jason Greco touched on this, but oftentimes I still look at my whole collection with a childlike sense of amazement. Like many of us on here, I entered the hobby during the junk-wax mania and bought new factory sets and "special" sets (Donruss Opening Day, Donruss Baseball's Best, anyone?) because the older cards were permanently out of reach. Things to gaze at that sat in a display case, or to be owned only as detachable reprints from a glossy book my dad bought me. I eventually "outgrew" the hobby and never dreamt I'd be back in 20 years later.

I know I am a pretty small fish compared to many collectors, but to survey my collection now - to own all of the post-war rookies - Mantle! Mays! Aaron! - all of them! And on top of that, over half of the mythic T206 set, not to mention a bunch of other cards from the 30s, 40s and 50s - well, I never stop getting a thrill out of this fact. The 10 year-old collector in me is still alive and well and in disbelief that I grew up and is blessed enough to have the resources to afford an incredible collection of baseball cards that may as well have all cost a million dollars each back in the '80s. And that junior collector in me is also pretty thrilled that we finally have an '86 Donruss Canseco and '89 Ripken FF stashed away.

[clydepepper]

Well, with apologies to the OP, I'll reverse his question:

What card did I always think I would eventually own, but never will:


1952 Topps #311- Mickey Mantle


-

[Sean]

Carl, great description of how it feels to collect something that you love. I feel the same way, I'm just much less eloquent about it. :)

[Sean]

Well, with apologies to the OP, I'll reverse his question:

What card did I always think I would eventually own, but never will:


1952 Topps #311- Mickey Mantle


-

When I first got interested in T206 (in the late '90's) I always figured that I would someday get a Doyle variation. I didn't realize how truly rare (expensive) that card really was.

[Sean]

1910 Washington Times Frank Oberlin, it resided in an advanced collector's collection for ions and I had offered well in excess of $10K and couldn't pry it from him. I then won the exact card in an REA auction for $2750 after he sold his collection.....

Every now and again some dumb luck has to happen thank goodness.

Dan Mckee

Dan gives me hope that someday I'll get that T215 Merkle. :D

[pete zouras]

The card fell in my lap in a trade from a collector who contacted me out of the blue for a card he needed that I had won years ago in a B&L auction. (It helps that I'm not a stickler for condition.)

[edjs]

Well, with apologies to the OP, I'll reverse his question:

What card did I always think I would eventually own, but never will:


1952 Topps #311- Mickey Mantle


-

I was thinking on a similar line, but more "What card did you think you would never own, but now that you do you think, eh, not as cool as I thought it would be?"

[Sean]

I was thinking on a similar line, but more "What card did you think you would never own, but now that you do you think, eh, not as cool as I thought it would be?"

This one:


297710

[T206Collector]

I've known for a decade or so that a signed T206 Lajoie existed, but I really thought I'd never own one. But then about a year ago, I reeled in this white whale...

<img src="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/699/31469346824_d0d4d9275c_b.jpg" width="637" height="1024" alt="Lajoie_Batting_SGC_A"></a>

[samosa4u]

There were a lot of cards that I have always wanted and eventually got my hands on. Before I discuss the cards with you all, I want to say that all of this was possible because I still live at home with my parents. When you don't have to worry about paying the bills, then it's not that difficult to buy expensive sports cards.

As a kid I always wanted a high-end 1966-67 Topps Bobby Orr RC. When I started working in my early 20s, I saved up and purchased a beautiful example from BMW Sportscards. It was an SGC 6, but looked stunning. Many years later, when I ended up in debt, I decided to have some fun by cracking it out of the case and submitting it raw to BVG. It came back a 7.5. :) I ended up flipping it and paying off my debt.

Another special card that I eventually got my hands on, and still own, is the 1951 Parkhurst Gordie Howe RC in SGC 6.5. Now the centering isn't that great, and that's very common among this cards, but the corners are so sharp that I just had to trade for it.

[wolfdogg]

For me it’s the 1916 M101 Ruth RC
I remember reading an article in a 1983 issue of “Baseball Cards Magazine” about Babe Ruth cards. As a 12-year old beginner collector I was drawn to the picture of the Ruth RC. I would look at it and think to myself “I’ll probably never even see a real one”. I was able to see a few at the National Conventions that I attended in 1992, 1999 & 2007....Turn the clock up to 2009. A fellow board member offers his up for sale. I see the card and immediately tell myself....”There’s my Ruth Rookie”. I contacted him. We talked. In couple weeks it was in my hands. Never forget slowly unwrapping the packaging and slowly pulling card out. I was 12-years old again for a few moments ����

[Stonepony]

Greatvcard and story Daryl. Sounds like you got your card around its last time of semi affordability. Congrats on acquiring that gem.

[Michael Peich]

This an interesting thread, although I have toi admit that Marc's K-Bats is the most amazing card I have seen in quite some time.

My humble addition would be one of my favorite So. League players, Buck, don't call me Bock, Hooker.

Cheers, Mike

[KingFisk]

Carl, great description of how it feels to collect something that you love. I feel the same way, I'm just much less eloquent about it. :)

Thanks, Sean!

[CobbSpikedMe]

I have a little side collection of Jersey City Skeeters prewar cards and there are several cards on my wantlist that I don't think I will ever obtain. This T215 Red Cross of Billy Purtell listed with Jersey City was one of those cards I never thought I would find considering the rarity of Red Cross cards let alone finding a specific non-HOFer. I was very happy to have this example fall into my lap years ago and was able to acquire it. I don't even care about the condition, I don't think I'll ever see another one.


Thanks,

AndyH

[Kenny Cole]

I've been lucky to acquire a number of cards I never thought I'd own. But if I had to choose just one, its the Tomas Gutierrez Oscar Charleston. It was the No. 1 card on my want list for probably 20 years but I never thought I'd get to own one.

[Exhibitman]

Great stuff guys! I really appreciate the stories.

For me it is more about cards I never thought I would find rather than price per se. sometimes I get the perfect one and it is the end of that subject in my collection.

First one like that for me is my signed Bowman Groucho Marx card. I wanted a Groucho autograph since I was a little boy because my favorite uncle is an entertainment lawyer and met Groucho and got a signed photo that I saw every time I visited him. When I saw the Bowman cards I thought how perfect would it be to have a signed one. I have insomnia and I often surf eBay in the wee hours of the morning. One day I was online searching and the signed Bowman Marx I’d long sought popped up with a BIN.

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibitman/dropins/websize/1953%20Bowman%20Marx%20autographed.jpg

Another card that comes to mind is my 1951 Topps Ringside salesman sample panel with Rocky Marciano’s rookie card. Sample panels are tough to begin with and having one is ambitious but to get The Rock’s RC is fantasyland stuff.

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibitman/dropins/websize/1951%20Ringside%20Salesman%20Sample%201.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibitman/dropins/websize/1951%20Ringside%20Salesman%20Sample%202.jpg

Finally, a family heirloom item. My avatar is Ray Miller, a former #1 contender in the lightweight division and well known boxing referee. Ray is a first cousin of my grandfather. I never got to meet him; my father never even mentioned him until after he died in 1987. I actively collect his memorabilia and have several signed items. Ray is one of two refs in the Topps Ringside set. I have seen a signed card once. I bought it and would never sell it. But that’s not even the best part: when Topps liquidated its Ringside contracts through the Topps Vault program I was able to buy Ray’s signed contract.

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibitman/images/websize/1951%20Ringside%2064%20Miller%20auto.jpg
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibitman/images/websize/1951%20Ringside%20Contract%20Miller.jpg

[steve B]

Well, with apologies to the OP, I'll reverse his question:

What card did I always think I would eventually own, but never will:


1952 Topps #311- Mickey Mantle


-

That's more like how it is for me.
When I started everything was cheap even if it didn't seem that way. And I thought someday I'd have "everything"..........

Now 40 years later I know there are a lot of things with so few copies known that getting a set is incredibly unlikely even with a fantasy unlimited budget. Also my concept of just what "everything" includes has changed drastically. Well beyond the then available reference works.

So it's minor stuff, like figuring I wouldn't find another George C Miller I could afford, but then a beater turned up on ebay listed simply as "old baseball card". There's a bunch of cards now that I figure I simply will never have the money for - Wagner, 52 Mantle - Or have to opportunity to buy. (Funny how the most expensive stuff is usually available if you have the money. I was told that back in 78 or so, but didn't believe it at the time. )

Overall I'm pretty happy with what I've put together so far, some of what I have now has become more expensive than I'd be willing to pay so I'm glad I bought it years ago.

[invest]

For me, It was The Babe Ruth RC. I read about it and saw it many many years ago and thought their would be no way I could ever afford that card. Then fast forward 20 years. My business was doing really good and my wife convinced me to pull the trigger and get it. I still wake up every day and can't believe I own it. Now, my son likes it even more then I do!!!, lol

Troy

[topcat61]

I'd look though those now old 1980's Beckett Magazines, look at the prices and the photos and wonder how on Earth anyone could afford those prices? I have 4: A Wilt Chamberlain RC, a 1957 Topps Gene Baker error and a guy I know was gracious enough to sell me a 1916 M101Holmes to Homes and Green-Joyce.

I think at some point we all ask ourselves "How did our collections get to this point?" Some of it was by sheer luck and through connections but all of it was through hard work and determination.

[Prince Hal]

Add me to the '51 Mantle crew.

[Gobucsmagic74]

Since its now in-hand I can finally add mine to this thread!

[pawpawdiv9]

I have several to be thankful for:
51 & 52 Mickey Mantle
48/9 Leaf Satchel Paige
Rc's of Mays, Aaron, Clemente & more
but I am more excited about my 1915 CJ Joe Jackson.
(pics are in my imgur link in my signature)

[ullmandds]

Since its now in-hand I can finally add mine to this thread!

beautiful copy! congrats!

[Gobucsmagic74]

Thanks Pete!!

[MR RAREBACK]

Paige

[Bored5000]

I know it's not baseball, but the answer for me is the card in my avatar. Lorenzen with car is a legendary rarity from the landmark 1972 STP racing set. Long-time racing super collector Jon Hardgrove wrote over on the non-sports side of things that he had only previously seen one example of the card in 26 years prior to purchasing his Lorenzen w/car card.

I talked on the phone with another long-time racing collector in Connecticut who I purchased some cards from, and she told me it took her 20 years to find an example of the card -- and that one had a pinhole in the card from being tacked to a wall.

PSA only has one graded example of the card in their population report (although I did just submit mine for grading with them last week).

I was shocked when I saw an example of the card show up at auction on eBay last year.

[brian1961]

The cards I chose for the cover of my book were all choice Mickey Mantle items that for years I never thought I would own. In the case of the rare unfolded 1962 JELL-O Mantle box, I never heard of a card from the set existing this way. However, when I spied it in Mr. Mint Alan Rosen's All-State display case at the fall 88 Philly convention, I wasted not one second deliberating with The Mint Man. After a few questions were answered, his price was paid---instant centerpiece!;) --- Brian Powell

[mouschi]

I cannot believe this only happened a couple months ago, but here goes ... I'll *TRY* to make this short & sweet :)

Years ago, a friend showed me this card:

http://tanmanbaseballfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/pinnaclered.jpg

This is a 1998 Pinnacle Certified Red prototype. He recently told me that he believed this to be a one of a kind, and I believed him, because I've NEVER seen another.

Then this popped up on ebay:

http://mycollectionofcards.com/baseballcards/101217/Untitled-9.jpg

A MIRROR RED version!!!!

No matter what it was going to take, I was going to make it mine. Then I saw this ...

http://mycollectionofcards.com/baseballcards/101217/Untitled-6.jpg

I researched the seller and found out he was in Dallas. I had a very hard time getting a hold of him, and then I remembered I knew a dealer guy in Dallas. On a whim ... after about 2 years or so not talking to him, I texted him. He knew the seller! He got me in touch with him, but nothing panned out :(

The very next day, I received a message from the guy I knew. "Tanner, why didn't you say you were looking for that card? I think I have it!"

Uhmmm ... yeah right. A unicorn that didn't exist for 20 years until last week? No way, but thanks.

After a few days, we spoke on the phone and he said he would get me a pic.

HE HAD IT!!!!!!

AND MORRRRRRE!!!!!!!!!!

http://mycollectionofcards.com/baseballcards/101217/rainbow.png

These cards have never been seen before ... nor did anyone know they existed, so I was able to add the entire run to my collection.

It was the most bizarre deal ever with plenty of twists and turns, for a complete rainbow of the most beautiful of rainbows. Definitely a holy grail find for me!

Happy does not even begin to describe what I felt/feel :)

I ended up writing a story on it here: http://tanmanbaseballfan.com/2017/10/you-havent-seen-before.html as well as for Sports Collectors Daily. Shortly thereafter, Ryan Cracknell of Beckett Magazine wrote an article for Beckett on them as well.

[LincolnVT]

I too was on the hunt for a Conseco in my younger days. The 86 Rated Rookie was the hot card of my early collecting days. Never ended up with one.

[Cerberus]

Perhaps 20 years ago, my collecting focus was on the T-205 Gold Border set, which I personally believed to be the best looking set of cards ever produced. Debatable, I know, but this has always been my personal feeling. I of course never thought I'd be able to acquire the Hoblitzell No Stats variation, because of its scarcity. Over the years, however, I was able to acquire two different versions of the card--one of them in a PSA 6. Unfortunately, like many of us, there came a time in my life where I had to sell the bulk of the collection, including the Hobby's. Sure was nice to have caught my white whale, though, for a time.

[Exhibitman]

Great Pinnacle story, Tanner. I pick up the 1997s from time to time.

For those who don’t know, in a nutshell, as Pinnacle circled the drain it printed and issued cards more and more sporadically. There are some parallels out there that were not ready to go but that were pushed out the door as the company died.

[Brian Van Horn]

I frankly didn't think this one existed:

[JohnP0621]

When I first started to collect T206 , I never thought I would own one with a Drum or Uzit back. Years later I got both and with the same player front.

[JohnP0621]

Drum and Uzit Wiltse

[WillBBC]

As a kid that was my answer, too. I never was able to get one. Always so expensive in NYC. The Donruss I just gave up on. I equally coveted the 83 Traded Strawberry and 84 Topps and Fleer Goodens. Never had them as a boy. Were the first cards I circled back for after college.

Haha, I was so lucky when I was 8. A family friend gave me two cards for my eighth birthday. A Brien Taylor Topps rookie, and the '84 Topps Mattingly. I absolutely cherished that thing. My grandfather helped me put together a little display box for it!

Then I was invited to the ring bearer for my aunt's wedding. She surprised me with the Donruss Mattingly as a thank you gift. My mind was blown. Apparently my mom remembered me gawking at it at the local shop (Card Mart, Verona, NJ, never forget) and relayed the word. Best wedding ever.

More recently it's two. Aaron and Clemente rookies.

[Eggoman]

I was ALWAYS awed by this card from the first time that I ever saw one. Prices kept going up faster than I was willing to pay until I thought that I would NEVER own one that wasn't a beater...

THANKS ORLY!!!!

[KCRfan1]

The color really pops Greg. Well Done! That's a beauty!

[BeanTown]

Wow! All the cards above are very nice! Congrats to all. The Cobb Topping postcard has always eluded me for decades. Ive either been the under bidder or missed out on a private sale, when one hit the market. I finally was able to acquire it recently. The other card I love and never thought I would own, is the Cobbzilla Hubel Hotel postcard.

One more Cobb I would love to own is the W600 Sporting Life Cabinet which at this point, I should go buy a reprint of it, as it seems to be an impossible dream of mine.

[LincolnVT]

Beautiful Jay Cee! You've got some great stuff.

[Kawika]

I started collecting vintage in a serious way about twenty years ago. One of the very first cards I acquired was a 1932 Zeenut of Prince Henry Oana who back in the 1920s was a boyhood favorite of my SF Mission born-and-bred father. It didn't have its coupon and I always harboured the hope that I would find an intact card. I didn't know if one even existed. Seattlerainiers indicated he had a couponed Oana but Dave is a multi-billionaire and I am an impoverished dreamer so I was left to fantasize. At long last about five years ago I saw one on eBay, went through all the trepidations and anxieties, put in a scorched-earth bid and won the card I never thought I'd own.

https://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_o_ka_pakipika/sportscardsetc/mischidden/recentpickups/huge/33ZN%20Oana%20_coupon_.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/kawika_o_ka_pakipika/sportscardsetc/baseball/holygrailcards/large/Hawaii%20photo%2001%20Oana.jpg

[triwak]

I've been lucky to acquire a number of cards I never thought I'd own. But if I had to choose just one, its the Tomas Gutierrez Oscar Charleston. It was the No. 1 card on my want list for probably 20 years but I never thought I'd get to own one.

Amazing card, Kenny!! I'm still looking for a Gutierrez Andy Cooper. But thankful to have acquired this Mackey. Thought it might be unobtainable.

[kdixon]

Had never seen one for sale . Wheat Piedmont Art stamp .

[CrackaJackKid]

1914 Cracker Jack Charlie Sheen Collection card hands down.

[jchcollins]

This card will pale in comparison to many of the others already posted here because it's not particularly rare or uber-expensive, but it was expensive enough for me.

Through the combination of a seller who was willing to negotiate more than I had anticipated on a card that was strong for the grade, and a 15% eBay day - I was able to land this beauty last fall for at least $150 less than I think it's reasonably worth. All things considered this is probably my favorite baseball card of all time. I had held out hope that I would have a beater some day, but never one this nice. :)

[Zan]

I honestly never thought I would.

[riggs336]

1937 OPC DiMaggio. Never thought I'd find one I could afford, but I did.

[clydepepper]

I was thinking on a similar line, but more "What card did you think you would never own, but now that you do you think, eh, not as cool as I thought it would be?"


It's coolness only waned when after I picked up his RC and the two '41 DPs- so I let it go.

I'll get it back someday...too much a TED fan not to.

344305

[Exhibitman]

Sommer & Kaufmann is a really tough issue. There were two sets, 1948 and 1949. This is the 1949. ACC designation is H801-4B. PSA's total pop on the 1949 set is 13 cards with 0 Lefty O'Douls; the 1948 set has three cards graded, also 0 O'Doul cards. Now, since I am an O'Doul collector, I had been searching for this card for a while. When I saw the 1949 on eBay, signed, with a BIN, I couldn't believe it. I hadn't even seen the card before, nevermind a signed one. There are reprints and counterfeits of the S&K issues but the signature was a perfect vintage Lefty, that I was sure of, so I wasn't too worried about the card itself being a fake. It was like that Groucho Bowman card when I saw that. Didn't care about the price, just had to have it.

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibitman/frankleftyodoulcard/websize/1949%20SK%20PDoul.jpg

[Joshwesley]

Paige



What the crap?
2 satchels?

That’s my white whale in any condition PSA 1 or cut in half... i’d Take it!

Nice collection!

[BuzzD]

Rose PC Stahl !! I have Glade, still looking for Niles. 3 really tough NYAL

[Peter_Spaeth]

Nothing to do with money, I just didn't think I would ever see one.

[Bicem]

Favorite Cobb card mailed by Cobb. What more could I ask for?

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/steeltubes/large/Seamless%20Steel%20Cobb%20PSA%20A.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/steeltubes/websize/IMG_20170513_181508.jpg

[benchod]

Favorite Cobb card mailed by Cobb. What more could I ask for?

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/steeltubes/large/Seamless%20Steel%20Cobb%20PSA%20A.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/steeltubes/websize/IMG_20170513_181508.jpg

Awesome!!

[mechanicalman]

Favorite Cobb card mailed by Cobb. What more could I ask for?

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/steeltubes/large/Seamless%20Steel%20Cobb%20PSA%20A.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/steeltubes/websize/IMG_20170513_181508.jpg

I never get tired of this. I think it’s the coolest piece in the hobby. “Excuse this advertising card” is priceless.

[tjb1952tjb]

I frankly didn't think this one existed:

Bob Skinner lives about four blocks from me in San Diego (Pacific Beach). I've never seen that photo before. Nice.

[jchcollins]

Favorite Cobb card mailed by Cobb. What more could I ask for?

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/steeltubes/large/Seamless%20Steel%20Cobb%20PSA%20A.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/steeltubes/websize/IMG_20170513_181508.jpg

That is at least officially tied for the coolest thing I've ever seen.

[BeanTown]

Favorite Cobb card mailed by Cobb. What more could I ask for?

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/steeltubes/large/Seamless%20Steel%20Cobb%20PSA%20A.jpg

https://photos.imageevent.com/bicem/steeltubes/websize/IMG_20170513_181508.jpg

Awesome card Jeff! Thanks for showing

[Leon]

Ironically had I not sold my collection I wouldn't have been able to get it.

http://luckeycards.com/pe901youngpsa2a.jpg

[LincolnVT]

Beautiful card Leon!!

Jeff P...why have you not posted your Cobb PC sent by Cobb on the Best Cobb deal for under 10k thread? LOL

Beautiful PC!!!!

[aljurgela]

but I am glad that I did

[leaflover]

I've been collecting 1948 Leafs for about 30 years and had never seen a nice high grade Cavaretta. This one surfaced in a Heritage auction last December. I feel that I was lucky to get it!

[MattyC]

Damn that Cobb postcard is hot fire. And always love seeing that e90 Cy; it singlehandedly makes the case for going high grade when it is possible. Overall presentation is phenomenal.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Damn that Cobb postcard is hot fire. And always love seeing that e90 Cy; it singlehandedly makes the case for going high grade when it is possible. Overall presentation is phenomenal.

Even on its 100th appearance on the forum, it's a stunning card.:D

[triwak]

but I am glad that I did

Always love seeing that amazing card, Al!!

[oldjudge]

1/1 rookie card of greatest woman's basketball player ever. It was a submission.

[jchcollins]

Ironically had I not sold my collection I wouldn't have been able to get it.

http://luckeycards.com/pe901youngpsa2a.jpg

That is one insanely nice baseball card.

[soxinseven]

That is one insanely nice baseball card.

I have seen the card in person and can honestly say that it's nicer than even the scans show. A truly fantastic card.

[Leon]

I remember the night I won it. It mesmerized me into buying it. I couldn't help myself!! Thanks for the kind words too.

So many great cards in this thread., They are ALL a joy to look at. Thanks to everyone for posting them.


I have seen the card in person and can honestly say that it's nicer than even the scans show. A truly fantastic card.

[daves_resale_shop]

These two

[Jobu]

I have two. Always looking for a third. :)

[frankbmd]

344486

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine ever owning a card featuring the trombone of Glenn Miller. The card is flat and the corners are sharp, but Glenn was always in tune. It truly puts me In The Mood.

[Sean]

When I first started to collect T206 , I never thought I would own one with a Drum or Uzit back. Years later I got both and with the same player front.

So do we have a back run to look forward to?

[Vintagecatcher]

I was very fortunate to pick up this E90-1 Peaches Graham a few years back.
Luckily it was poorly listed, and sold for a great price, which I was more than happy to pay.


Patrick