OBCers remember this one...
OBC, the online trading group, used to host a get together every year in Vegas in May. I used to go every year. There were all sorts of events including a BBQ, trading session, half-rubber (like stickball), a luncheon, a gambling night, a card shop visit, and a golf session. I don't golf so I would scout out baseball card shops (would check out certain shops back then to see which had the best selection of vintage stuff), shows, or even garage sales during the golf portion and would meet everyone for a late lunch afterwards. This was about 17-18 years ago now...My girlfriend at the time wanted to go shopping and there was a small card show at a local mall. She wandered off shopping and I went to the show that was populated with a lot of shiny stuff and slabbed stuff and generally nothing much of interest for me. I was going though a notebook of bell brand dodgers that were WAY overpriced when an older man walked up to the table and tried to get the dealers attention. When the dealer finally looked at him, the older gentleman asked if the dealer was buying old cards. The dealer said sure, opened the plastic bag and looked at two small binders. The first binder contained a bunch of Nolan Ryan cards from 1993ish if I recall and the dealer immediately closed the book and said that he was not interested and literally turned his back on the man who had started to say he had some much older cards and programs. He walked away and I followed. I asked him if I could look. We found a bench in the mall, introduced ourselves (his name was Eugene), sat down and he pulled out the second notebook. I immediately noticed some programs from the late '50s and early '60s. I said "wow" and he showed me some of them. I asked if he was from Pittsburgh and if he "got them at Forbes himself." He said yes, was impressed that I knew about Forbes and we chatted for about a half hour. He then brought out an old autograph book that he said he was keeping and showed me some autographs from the '40s through the '60s incl. Wagner, Clemente, Maz, etc. It was wonderful!! He asked if I wanted to see the older cards. I said sure thinking it would be stuff from the '50s but he showed me some 9 pocket sheets with 1941 Playballs...the first sheet included Hubbel and Ott and the next one included Foxx and Williams (there were several sheets). He said he collected them when he was just 14 or 15 (he was in his mid-80s at this point) and then showed me an article from his cub scout newsletter about how he turned in bottles for nickels and bought cards. I was floored to see an original collection. We talked for nearly an hour about our collections and habits and childhood. At the end, I asked why he was selling. He just said that he wanted them to go to someone who would collect them like he did. He asked how much money I had on me...I said I had just spent most of my money but could get to an ATM and take out $300 but "these are worth more." He said he was just glad to sit with a fan, talk for a few hours and I could have the cards for $300. I said sure immediately. We walked to the ATM and traded my money for his cards...We chatted another 15 minutes and I offered to drive him home but he said he was going to take the bus and run some errands. I got his number and we chatted a few times after that but I never saw him again. Gene passed away about ten years later at 95 or 96 years old. When I sat back down at the mall and waited for my girlfriend to come back, I went through the pages...it was only then that I realized I had just purchased a complete 1941 Playball set in vg-ex condition incl. the Williams in vg and the Dimaggio was ex+...I really wanted to walk over to the rude dealer but my girlfriend showed up first. She was excited about her shoes on sale...I was more excited. We met the OBC guys for lunch and passed around the set to look at...that was probably one of my best buys and most satisfying because I felt that I earned it through my fandom, kindness, and willingness to listen...
And yes, I still own that set!
Joshua
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