T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>andy becker</b><p>i must agree with jimb.<br />100%. <br />tj hasn't done anything really wrong and isn't (imo) really deserving of all this. i never would have chimmed in until he started to plug ebay listings that had nothing to do with this post. i thought that was way out of bounds.<br /><br /><br />edited to include my name <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14>

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>DJ</b><p>I found this thread very amusing. I think anytime you try and do something different, you get picked on. <br /><br />This is a Board where people trade information and discuss vintage trading cards and rarely do I see anyone trying to promote themselves the way T.J has. He stirred the pot by first off telling us about the collection, then tried to make us guess who Mr. X (by not telling us, we had to start a guessing thread) is and then promoted everything else that he would soon be selling. <br /><br />How was he going to win on this board? We treated him like Mr. Mint and his show 'look at me' antics. Give the guy credit, half the board probably didn't know him and now do. <br /><br />I think we all think of this business as a very 'serious one' and there really isn't much room for fun. I take it seriously because this isn't the Beanie Baby business. This is a business where I've spent as much as $10,000 for an item. Do we need or want carnival barkers? Does this happen at the Guggenheim? <br /><br />Do I think the 'Mr. X' label is cheesy? I think it's the cheasiest thing that I have ever seen to be honest with you. But what T.J did was get his point across (with expected attacks) and provided us all with something to think about and brought attention to his collection. Would I ever do this it? Ahh...Fun is overrated. <br /><br />As far as the Plank goes, looks okay to me. <br /><br />DJ

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>Adam J. Moraine</b><p>Forum Members,<br /><br />IMO, I believe "Mr.X"'s true identity could be Billy Crystal. Other than Charlie Sheen, Billy Crystal is the only other Hollywood celebrity that I know of, who collects baseball memorabilia. After all, Billy Crystal did plunk down $200K, for a Mantle game used glove from the 1960's at the Barry Halper auction, back in 1999. <br /><br />Best Regards,<br /><br />Adam J. Moraine

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>J Levine</b><p>Ask TJ how he hypes stuff...in the past he would hype stuff for Tuff Stuff that was being sold in his shop. Many Los Angeles area collectors (not all) and many Los Angeles dealers (again, not all) know this fact and often complained about it within the hobby. But that is for another thread. TJ is great at hype. He did not find the set...he worked on buying it for a significant amount of time. Is it a significant set...not really other than some of the truly rare cards. Are these cards any different than any others? Nope...that is why if I ever get my hands on that Gretzky/McNall card, I shall break it out...there should be no extra value attached just because of a label...Pure hype and PSA should be ashamed. Should he be slammed for hyping his cards...not at all...but let him do it at a sale/auction not just to toot his own horn. Get your own website if you want to do that...<br /><br />Did David Levin hype his Old Judges...in my opinion, no...he just posted he had a large find and then sold them...did not come on here and insist they be called "Oregon Find Levin Old Judges" on any graded copies. <br /><br />TJ reminds me of Mr. Mint...lots of bluster over little pieces of cardboard.<br /><br />This is just all my opinion.<br /><br />Joshua<br /><br />(obviously tired of hype)

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>If it were Billy Crystal- and I know you are just taking a stab at it- that's great and I think collectors would love to own something that once belonged to a beloved figure and baseball fan. But something that belonged to Mr. X- why should I care?

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>Gilbert Maines</b><p>I believe that he accomplished what he set out to do. And with the little controversy, we helped him achieve his objective.<br /><br />I do not take this field of baseball card collecting as serious as some of you, but then for me it is collecting, not a business, nor an investment.<br /><br />I fully realize that $10,000 if far less of an expenditure to many than it is to me. The thought that I could consider exchanging that level of purchasing power for a baseball card is totally alien to me. However, I can (barely) visualize having sufficient funds and no pressing needs that such a purchase could be feasible. I wonder how my view of the field of baseball cards would change if my available funds for card buying were an order of magnitude greater.<br /><br />Thinking about it - I am quite happy with my collecting focus. I would probably seek cards in better condition, where now I pass on the higher priced items, unless I can't. Id also probably get cards faster.<br /><br />Well thanks for listening to more rambling.

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>Lee Behrens</b><p>Since a scan has been produced, here is my opinion.<br /><br />I can not say for sure if it is trimmed from the scan but there are some signs that worry me specifically why are the corners sharp but also have wear?<br /><br />Lee

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>Julie</b><p>manymanymanymkany posts ago is now clarified by the big scan: his mouth is sightly out of register, which is what made be think he didn't look "Quite like himself," from the small, indistinct scan on the PSA site.

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>Scott M</b><p>Theres nothing wrong with having a little fun in this hobby. <br /><br />I certainly was trying to have a little fun with my "guess" that Mr. X was Bill Maher based on another thread regarding his comments on the "manliness" of adult baseball card collectors.<br /><br />If TJ and Mr. X wanted to have a little fun and PSA now allows "vanity slabs" then no harm no foul in my eyes. <br /><br />It wouldn't deter me from buying any Mr.X cards but I do agree with Barry and others who have tried to make the point that the monicker doesn't add any value.<br /><br />Yes, its generated plenty of conversation on this board but I can't imagine anyone saying "Oh boy, I have to get one of those cards owned by Mr. X!"<br /><br />As far as the "attacks" on TJ. I honestly think this thread has been pretty civil. I think that if it got too personal Leon then would be stepping in.<br /><br />Yes, there have been some comments about TJs ebay feedback and how it remains 100% but they were basically in response to TJs post where he felt the need to respond to valid comments regarding the Mr. X label by listing his "credentials".<br /><br />I don't have a problem with what TJ did but I also don't feel that this thread has been that hard on him. I think there have been some pretty valid opinions expressed, thats all.<br /><br />Just sharing mine...<br /><br />Scott M<br /><br />

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>dan mckee</b><p>TJ<br><br><br />"Dan - you are not a businessman" ok, not sure where that came from. You are correct, I am a collector. I have no problem at all with the hype or Mr. X stuff, I just asked for a scan so we could see if it was trimmed. Though I don't agree with everything you say, I do agree that there is nothing really wrong with what you have done. Thanks for the scan, my opinion on the Plank - NOT trimmed. And this is the 2nd time you have left this thread but keep coming back. 1st time "That's it guys. I'm done." then "SEE YA!". I would like you to stay, you seem like a nice guy. Dan.

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>John</b><p>Poor Poor TJ.<br /><br />Some of you guys are amazing; nobody is picking on or taking cheap shots at TJ (except Joe P ouch). In the short time I’ve been here this board and some of it’s members have accused major auction houses of selling fake Old Judge Proofs, Shill Bidding and crooked auction practices. But giving a guy a little grief about a goofy label that’s crossing the line <img src="http://photos.imageevent.com/piojohn3/smileys/-46.gif">, lighten up! LOL<br /><br />I myself was just expressing my views on the whole vanity label topic as well as pointing out the way TJ twisted a purchase into a huge hobby find. <br /><br />TJ knows this board he didn’t accidentally stumble on this site and say “wow these guys would love to here about these cards how lucky for me to find such a place!” . He knew this was a place where he could list his goods like (ebay) and expose them to many collectors of vintage cards. This is not ebay it’s a topic discussion forum on pre-war cards. Guess what when you post people are going to discuss. If you not comfortable with that list them on (ebay) where potential buyers can’t express opinions good or bad. <br /><br />Nobody is saying the products are no good, some people are just saying they don’t like the packaging that’s all. And if that hurts his feelings well as a businessman he should know you cant sell all the potential customers with a single program. <br /><br />Just curious if everyone here would be so concerned with feelings, if I or another fellow board member went about selling and hyping our collection in the manner that he has. <br /><br /><br />I also did not think the Plank was trimmed that's why I posted the scan for him to hopefully clear that concern many board members had.

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>Scott Forrest</b><p>Well-said John. If I were to purchase a Cracker Jack set, have it graded by PSA, then announce it on this board, along with my planned "runscott" special PSA label...holy cow...I hate to think of the abuse I would get! <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14><br /><br />...this is starting to sound like fun. Anyone willing to make me a loan?

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>Lee Behrens</b><p>John well put, I think that TJ has done as much attacking of people on this board as anyone. These were opinions on a subject he brought to our attention and other than Joe P. they were not attacking him just his methods of promotion.<br /><br />Lee

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>Dan Bretta</b><p>Dan McKee, I'm sure his response to "Dan" was to me. I still think he had no intentions on this board other than to use us to hype his "find". He did not come here to educate, learn, or share. He came here to use us and he concocted a story that differs from the account given on the PSA site. Then the so-called watchdog for the collector pegged my irony meter when he claimed he didn't care if he got negative publicity from this as long as he gets publicity. I really could care less about the "Mr X" or his 100% feedback, I am offended that he took us for suckers.

T206 Plank on PSA's website
 

Posted By: <b>dan mckee</b><p>thanks dan, that makes sense, i was wondering why he would be attacking me. Hey, great first name you have, dan.