I hate the constant obsession with Mantles around these parts…but I picked up a graded 1961 WS card, so here it is…

Attachment 144964

Darren, that card is just awesome, I mean its a PSA 7 and all, but ITS A MANTLE - can' get any better. Just kidding D!

I'll keep with the '61's - nothing earth shattering but two variations I needed. I'm down to 3 "regular" cards and 2 variations for my set.

The '61 set is a bear, Bill!! Good luck finishing it up. I have a ton of extra high numbers, but there's no one out there who got 'em to trade.

1961
 

Nice cards Bill. There is a variation to every CL in that set

I hear you Darren, I'm a patient set builder, but the '61 has tested me. The worst has been #531 Coates. Finding that one in good condition, centered and at what I'd call a reasonable price has not been fun!

Al - I essentially used the variation list from PSA do you know of any that are not in that list? I'd be surprised it there were not more.

1961 CLs
 

Bill--I have not looked to see what the Registry lists for variations in the 1961 set. In the past it was my understanding The Registry usually listed variations previously recognized by SCD or Beckett ( although the 61 Fairly variation may mean there are other factors involved now)

SCD lists 3 variations for CL 3 ( card 98), two for CL 3 ( card 189), two for CL4 (card 273), two for CL 5 ( card 361), two for CL 6 ( card 437) and two for CL7 (card 516). It does not list one for CL 1 , but it can be found with the names even with the boxes on the front, or lower, a cropping difference common among almost all 1960s CLs.

If you need info on what SCD list as the differences in the other 1961 CLs ( I think I have them all) I can send you the descriptions, or even get you scans if need be

Al, thanks for the information, I had not known about any variations of checklist #1. I'll start looking...

Besides the checklists and #47 & 492 are you aware of any other variations? If so I'd love a list.

Best,

Bill, this is one of the cool variations that has been known about for quite some time. Osborne, #208, has a complete and then an incomplete vertical black line between the red and yellow boxes on front:

Attachment 145099

1961
 

That is a good one Darren, and not too hard to find.

Bill-- will post more 61 Variant info in separate thread rather than hi jack this one

Thanks Al & Darren, I'll head to the new post. Now to get this thread back on track...

Picked up this sheet of cards from a 1955 magazine:

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1b17b021.jpg


Also grabbed this 57 Topps. It is a little off center, but I love it:
http://www.net54baseball.com/attachm...1&d=1400112865

Mantle 57
 

Chris -- this looks like it may have been someone's determined effort to once and for all obliterate that little ghost figure in the background:)

Picked this up for $25 at my local card show yesterday (also came with an 8 by 10 photo of Ford) 1963 Topps card signed by Whitey Ford, cert. from JSA. Only thing I don't like about the card is that after it was signed someone had it laminated.

Haha, I think they were trying to keep the ghost from escaping, so they taped him in.

Love that sheet Chris.....Jackie caught my eye at first glance.

After swinging and missing 3 times in the last month, I was finally able to score my 59 PSA Campanella Symbol of Courage upgrade. I lost the Probstein auction when my $78.50 snipe was outbid by a dollar at the very end. For this one, I put in a snipe of $83.50. I was probably over paying, but it was the last card I needed to have my '59 100% upgraded. I got it for $46.65 - so I was very pleased.

On August 9th of last year, I made an offer on a mid/lower grade set for $1250. He accepted the offer. From that point, I went through the set card by card making a note of any card that had as much as a surface wrinkle.

Some cards (May, Spahn, Spahn AS, Mantle, Banks, Kaline) were in terrible shape. Some were really close. For example, the Gibson looked to be fine at first but I noticed the slightest indication of a surface wrinkle when I held it up to the light.

All told, I had to upgrade 130 cards -
22 superstars (1 PSA 7, 18 PSA 6, 1 PSA 5.5, 1 PSA 5, 1 BVG 6.5) and Frank Robinson bought raw (as well as PSA 6)

20 Stars/Minor Stars (1 PSA 7, 5 PSA 6, 1 PSA 5) Larry Doby, and Richie Ashburn bought twice because I didn't update my list right when I purchased

14 Team Cards (Orioles as a PSA 5, Yankees bought twice, Reds bought twice)

5 Combo Cards (Aaron/Mathews Fence Busters and Corsair Trio both PSA 7's)

17 Raw High Numbers - Bob Thurman bought twice

53 Raw Commons.

My 130 cost me more than 2x the original cost of the set. I would have probably been better off just buying the higher graded set up front - but it has been fun upgrading it and getting it exactly how I wanted it. I am going to take another look at the album as I am sure there are a handful that I missed and will need to make those uniform as well. In the 137 duplicates that I now have for the set, I estimate that I have $600-$700 in condition adjusted value - but I tend to hold on to them.

Anyway, I am sorry for rambling on. It has been quite the time and energy investment and I am pretty stoked to finally get the last card needed!

Kevin - congratulations on finishing your set, that campy is sweet and you got a good deal on it too!

Upgraded my Bond Bread Robinson...

57 Williams
 

Spent a pretty penny on this '57 Williams raw at the RMU show only be disappointed at home to see upon closer inspection 3 scratch marks on surface. Might still keep it, going to sub to PSA. Could grade anywhere from 4 to 6.5.

Upgraded my '57 Dodgers Sluggers with a better centered one.

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1affb043.jpg

http://i434.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps1f5ba8ac.jpg

Top bottom centering on Mays is as good as I've seen. In hand the color on that card is astounding. Bought both of these raw from Sean B.-- one of the best in the biz.

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...willie-mays-rc

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...-satchel-paige

1952 Topps 317 Connie Marrero
 

I just bought this incredible beauty a few days ago. It was one of my "white whales" for my '52 set. I have NEVER before seen one so perfectly centered, and in such great condition. If you look on ebay, all the nice ones have atrocious centering, while the centered ones tend to have major condition issues. I paid a fair premium over SMR, and it was totally worth it to add this one to my collection.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTU5Nlg5NT...Te0KQ/$_57.JPG

52 High
 

Very nice Brian

sweet MattyC on that upgrade...I'll take the other one off your hands, this time dont give it to your brother.

You guys are closing out the month in grand fashion.

Kevin, I love that '61 Topps set. It looks great in the binder.

Patrick, that '57 Ted Williams is phenomenal. It's on my short list.

I'm going to hit some vintage cards in the next month or so. You guys have me licking my chops.

May pickups
 

Picked up another nice '71 Topps high number; looks like a SP to boot...

Attachment 145835

Nothing major, but I'll take a tough 1969 'white letter' in pretty nice shape any day…

Attachment 145877

nice card

Casanova
 

Wonder if he took any ribbing from teammates about that name

I don't know why-Paul is a rather common name. ;)

Now Romeo Casanova, that would be something.

Nice pickup Matt. One of my all time favorite players.


Below are two of my new acquisitions. The first is a group of 11 1966 Team Issued color photos (the carpet is not mine). If anyone is interested, all but the Mantle are for sale. The second is a 1950s premium or team issued photo.

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/...ps616ee242.jpg

http://i1345.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4bdbce51.jpg

No pics but I got my last 1952 Topps low number card I needed..........#10 Johnny Pesky.....also got (5) Red/Black back variations on the 1-80 run, getting me down to (19) cards to have 1-80 in both red and black and 1-310 complete. Then, it's chip away at high numbers time.....Thanks to Tony (CAMMB) for a great lot in SGC60-SGC70 or better.....GREAT guy to deal with.

1952
 

Congrats on the pickups and progress, Tom

Again, nothing overly spectacular, but a tough centered 1961 Topps high number (which is for trade, for anyone interested) and a 1964 Topps Stand-Up. Love those Stand-Ups!! Both PSA 7's.

Attachment 146161

I recently picked up three 67 Maris'. I have been chasing the Yankees proof ever since I've seen it about 20 years ago. I have never seen one in person so to finally own one is pretty cool. I figured since I got it, I might as well find a regular version. Then I traded for the autographed one at a card show this past weekend.
http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...ictureid=15164http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...ictureid=15166http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...ictureid=15162

Had wanted this exact specimen for a couple years now. Love the square top cut; the overwhelming majority of those I've seen have a sloping top cut yet this one's nice and square-- just hits the eye right. For example, I saw a 6 in Heritage this month that had a really bad top cut. Made me want to circle back to this one...

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images...s-ted-williams

Maris Proof
 

Jason---congrats on the Maris proof. I picked mine up sometime back. I then read an SCD series of 5 articles on proofs by Olbermann in which he speculates that the Maris proof may have been an intentional Topps creation. I think he based that on the relatively large numbers of these proofs that exist as compared to really rare Topps proofs like the 1960 Cimoli/Handley/Throneberry, or the Jackson 1977 as an Oriole and related proofs from that year. I think all 5 parts can be found on line. Here is the one that talks about the Maris

http://www.sportscollectorsdigest.co...roofs-part-twohttp://www.sportscollectorsdigest.co...roofs-part-two

Here is mine. hand cut. I think Topps did one or more sheets of them

http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/...539/img088.jpg

Thanks Al. Have you ever seen a 77 Jackson proof offered before? That would be an interesting card to have.

Jackso Proof
 

There are reproductions out there


http://www.nsccshow.com/ToppsVIPAuction2011.html
http://collectorempire.com/tag/baltimore-orioles/

It's a little rough, but it is mine!

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NFg4ND...TgL83/$_57.JPG

Another 1964 Topps Stand-Up (a tough SP, no less) and for any of you who know the struggle of chasing a high grade 1972 Topps set, I present you with two of the absolutely toughest (I'm talking ridiculously impossible!) 'In Action' cards to find decently centered...
Attachment 146516

About time i got something
 

About time i have something to show
Its been since late Feburary since i last posted a pick/up (my Clemente RC)
It was a point where i didnt know if i would see another or just keep adding to my funds. I bidded in many of the lastest auction houses to end up with 'nadda' 'zero' and 'zilch'
Maybe it was a sign, because i ended with a very nice addition (a little bit more than i wanted to, got maxed bidded)
But it would go nicely with my 51 wheaties photo....since it claims to pass PSA/DNA and JSA...most certainly will have it sent in and protected.

Here it is:
https://iconicauctions.com/ItemImage...35098a_lg.jpeg

Nice piece Chris! I am glad to see you won it. I think it might be a tad big to get it encapsulated though. Not sure their size guidelines but I believe it is a bit larger than the Wheaties photo. If you are curious/interested, I'll compare them tonight to check for you.

They stated it was a 8x10 photo. I am waiting to here from the AH about having it certified PSA/DNA. Wonder if they just send it themselves and have it done and what cost? It most likely be done like my Ruth R/C photo, which is like a hard plastic holder, but if it be slabbed, that be awesome too.

UPDATE:
M. Krymer replied that JSA will be there early June if i decided to use them. If not, they would have to send to PSA/DNA. From what i understand, this is for a LOA.
So, this mean it will be one of those certified letters deals?? and would cost 65.00.

I'll get this one in just under the wire. Actually picked it up earlier in the month.

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m...ps7ea6e3c6.jpg

Whatever it is Chris, I'd make sure it does not involve a sticker. This is a beautiful piece and it would be a shame to have a sticker placed on it anywhere.

Always thought that was a pretty badass image of The Mick. Cool piece!

Great pick up Chris.

Last one
 

My last one for the month....as a Phillies fan, this one means a lot.

1969 set - DONE
 

Scans aren't the best, but I picked these up to kill off my 1969 Topps set. Pretty happy with the Mick and the other two will be freed from their slabs and join the rest of the set in pages and a binder.