US House of Representatives - Rep. Chris Collins
 

Hi, did anyone know that the above Congressman who if you have been following the news is accused of wrong doing, is also an avid Mickey Mantle collector, and has the highest rated Mickey Mantle Set on the PSA Set Registry and has been recognized by PSA for his master set. I make no comment about the Congressman, either way, just thought this was an interesting tidbit.

I met Chris at the National in AC a couple years ago and we had a great talk about cards for about an hour while he had a cigar. I enjoyed the conversation very much and, yes, he told me about his Mantle collection and how it took a while but he eventually got the #1 spot on the registry. Even though he had a superstar Mantle collection and was a Congressman, he never treated me like a low level collector or anything less than an equal and fellow collector. It wasn't until after we talked for an hour that he introduced himself as a Congressman and he gave me a congressional challenge coin when we parted ways. He was a very nice guy and I'm sorry to hear he is accused of wrong doing.

That's crazy!!
 

No crazier than so much else in the world today of course! I never knew he was in politics. I sold him a rare Mantle card for his set. His set was deserving of the PSA recognition, what he was able to assemble in such a seemingly short time on the registry is unreal.

NVM, sounds like a great collection.

Much more than that
 

He has things in that collection that he had to unearth from so many different places and some things that unless he decided to sell, money couldn't buy. Sad about the insider trading thing (if it's accurate) - but wow! What a collection.

Three years ago, I sold this very scarce 1953-54 Briggs Meats - Mickey Mantle card via eBay to someone in upstate NY (near Buffalo). I sold this card to raise $$ to buy some cards I wanted in the upcoming auction of Leon's fantastic type-card collection. I later learned the buyer was NY Republican Congressman Chris Collins, and we exchanged a couple of emails. Had I known at that time that the buyer was a Congressman, I would have asked if I could deliver the card to him at his Capitol Hill office in DC (I live in a DC suburb). I assume this card now resides in a PSA slab.

Hi Val,

You're absolutely right that this card now resides in a PSA holder and is part of the Collins set.

I really regret not buying that from you at the time.

We could all have rare and expensive cards if we chose to lie and cheat the system on the level he did.

Chris has a few of my former Mantles in his collection and he is a very very wealthy man... the insider trading accusations regardless of being guilty or not is not how he created his wealth... the opposite in fact as that trading accusation has cost him quite dearly, both monetarily and reputation.

One thing about politicians is, since their job exists due to votes from the public, they are well versed in being friendly to and interacting with the general public. It's not as if a politician running for office is going to turn down an autograph request from a potential voter.

Chris, I also wish that you were the purchaser. And, I wish that I had held onto it for a year or so longer, as the prices for scarce Mantle cards seemed to skyrocket after I sold it.

True. However, they usually won't spend an hour for one vote.

IMHO, describing that card as "very scarce" is extremely conservative. Personally, I am more than OK with "down-right rare."

I'm glad it at least went to someone who will appreciate it (buy rare, significant, and in the best condition you can find or afford!).

May your collecting be joyful,

Larry

Guess we know where all that (alleged) insider trading money went.

glass houses
 

Let he who hasn't cheated on his income taxes cast the first stone !

As a collector he always answered my emails when I had questions about Mantle cards and was there to offer info and advice on my collection. No, I don't live in his district...As a fellow collector he is an A+ in my book.

Well said, Phil; the paraphrase of the Lord Jesus Christ's words are most apropos here. --- Brian Powell