Rare Roberto Clemente find take 2!
 

I apologize that this isn't a prewar post, I just wanted to share my excitement with the broader net 54 community!

Twice in a lifetime!?

Some of us chase after the rare and obscure. I am definitely one of those people. My collection focuses primarily on playing days issues of Roberto Clemente. I especially love pursuing complete as issued boxes – most with known populations that can be counted on a single hand, sometimes a single finger. For 30 years prior to August 2020 at the top of my want list was a complete 1960 Bazooka box with Clemente. You can read the story of that incredible find here: https://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=286980
Within a half hour of my posting this once-in-a-lifetime find, a board member asked the question: So what’s next?

In short order I responded that a 1962 Jell-O Clemente complete box (for those unaware, the 1962 Jell-O was a test issue of sorts with limited regional distribution and are quite hard to find today – even in cut card form) or 1962 Post Canadian complete box with Clemente could be “next”. I had never seen or heard of the existence of either one. I took the time to enjoy the Bazooka box for a few weeks (literally pinching myself a couple of times while holding it), then started giving real thought to what was theoretically possible. In addition to the ’62 Jell-O and 62 Post Canadian, I added a complete 1961 Post box, complete 1963 Post box and/or complete 1962 Post box with a “blue line” Clemente. I started putting out some feelers for any of the aforementioned. I hadn’t seen nor heard of any of them existing.

Brian Powell reached out and shared a copy of an SCD advertisement by Lew Lipsett from 1985. Lew sold a collection of uncirculated (never had Jell-O in them!) 1962 Jell-O boxes. There was a single example of a number of different players including Clemente. The box existed! Did it still? Where was it? Did someone cut it to try to get a “high grade” single? The hunt was on.
I reached out to a number of people I know who might know its whereabouts. I reached out to a retired Lipsett who did not recall who purchased the box. I checked the grading company population reports. Nothing. I continued checking auctions, Ebay and a number of other sales channels. Nothing. The search paused as I had turned over all the stones I could think to turn over.

About a month ago I was pricing out a group of cards including a 1962 Jell-O Clemente single. I often check the graded population for cards I know to be low population. As I was navigating to the 1962 Jell-O listing in the grading company database, just above it was the “1962 Jell-O complete box” listing. “Just for fun” I clicked on the complete box listing – my eyes popped out of my head when I saw the Clemente listed there!!! It wasn’t there last time I looked! Now to find it……

I frantically started posting on Facebook and Net 54 looking for it. I emailed a number of contacts. Shortly after I posted on Net 54 I received a text from Nicolo (Raulus) with a link to the Clemente box coming up in a major national auction! Oh Crap! Now I need to take down all my posts so as not to bring any more attention to the box than a major national auction invariably will already have! I deleted all my posts and sent follow up emails that I had located the box.

In addition to the 1962 box, the auction also had an uncirculated 1963 Clemente Jell-O box (I already have one – though not uncirculated and a different flavor Jell-O (which I didn’t realize till after the auction) and 1962 post Alpha Bits Clemente partial box (the fact it was only partial made it less interesting to me).
When the dust settled (and my pocket was quite a bit lighter), I was the winner of the 1962 box! I received it yesterday. I believe it is a one of a kind and the same box last sold by Lipsett in 1985.
Ironically, it was slightly anti-climactic in the shadow of the 30 year search for the 1960 Bazooka box as I had “only” searched for 3 years. Had it been on my radar, I could theoretically have been searching for it longer than the Bazooka box. That said, I feel humbled to have been able to add this incredible, likely 1 of a kind box to my collection!

Anyone happen to have a 1962 Post Canadian complete box (or complete panel) with Clemente….. ?

Cool pickup Howard!

I guess they don’t call you Chas[e]ser for nothing!

Congrats!
 

I can't think of a better home for this box. And I'm happy that I could connect you to the auction. After my own 62 Jello complete box pickups from the Huggins auction, I was pretty tapped out. For anyone who can't be bothered to mosey over to the postwar side of the site, here are my 62 complete boxes.

Now we just need a secret handshake for those of us in the club...

Maybe something like this:

https://tenor.com/view/ben-wyatt-chr...y-gif-12170215

Big congrats Howard.


Your excitement is what's at the core of collecting.

Howard, I stand up and cheer for you! I'm so happy for you, bro. The quest for the theoretically, virtually impossible is something I know a little bit about, and hunting down an item of that caliber is EXTREMELY humbling and fulfilling. The image of Roberto is awesome, and essentially flawless. Really, the entire Clemente box was very well preserved and cared for. Really, isn't it wonderful you did not have to wait 30 years for this one? Three long years is long enough at our age.

In my heart of hearts, I would have graded that blue diamond Roberto a NEAR MINT 7, just like the Mays and Aaron. PSA should make it mandatory that all graders not begin grading UNTIL they've had their morning coffee, or tea if the creature is so inclined.

Even at EXCELLENT 5, it is PRICELESS. Sure, you had to bid what it took to capture it, but when we're discussing a unique 1 of 1, as the '62 JELL-O complete unfolded box find was composed of, well, opportunity of a lifetime that becomes so gratifying if you win it.

No wonder you took great effort to remove any trace of your posts. Just as I wrote in NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, us regional / food aficionados live in great fear of creating more rivals for what we love. Once we get the great pearl, time to celebrate!!!!!

I don't know if I could create a nifty 21st century regional / food celebratory handshake, but I send you a hearty handshake and slap on the back, Howard. --- Brian Powell

Congrats
 

Nothing better for a PCer after a chase....as for the uncirculated 1963 Clemente Jell-O box and 1962 post Alpha Bits Clemente partial box....will you be chasing these down as well?

Roberto
 

Howard- congrats on a wonderful find of my favorite player! Persistence
pays off!! Glad you have it in the fold- Trent King

Jello
 

That's a near impossible find !

Great story and a show of dedication for a collection.

Thank you all for your comments
 

As for the other 2 boxes...... had I realized during the bidding that the 63 Jell-O was a different flavor than the one I have, I may have thrown another bid or 2 at it. I care less about the fact that it is uncirculated than that it is a flavor variant I do not have. As for going after it now, I know it's new owner and know it will not be available anytime soon, if again this lifetime. I do know where 1 other complete box with that flavor resides. I will have to broach the conversation, but suspect it too is not going anywhere anytime soon.

Regarding the Post cereal Alpha Bits partial box - I know the owner of a complete box and so far have been unable to be part of a deal that works for us both. The partial box is interesting, but not something I would chase knowing there is a complete box out there.

Congrats on the Clemente box. Crazy to see the Aaron, Mays and Clemente that all came out of the same find years ago all reappear at the same time!

Congrats Howard!!

Persistence always pays off, and it's just awesome to see this Clemente Box find its way home! Now if only we had a time machine...

Nicely done!

Congrats, Howard. It's always a thrill to pick up a cornerstone piece.

.

Howard has been helpful with these tuff cards . Happy for him true gentleman

Wow congrats! Beautiful box of the great Clemente!

Ricky Y

Congrats Howard. I love you passion for chasing these finds.

Fantastic box, Howard. Congratulations again. Just curious - - How many different flavors have been identified with player cards on the box?

Lots of good detail here:

https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.co...bbles-bobbles/

Clemente Post Canadian
 

What a great addition to a great collection.
Now the bad news (good news?). There are two variations of the 1962 Post Canadian Roberto Clemente. Therefore, he was on the back of two different Post Canadian boxes.

Flavors
 

Net 54 member Ken Marks is the leading authority on that subject. New info is still popping up, periodically. There are still a lot of unknowns.

Congrats Howard, your Jello Clemente quest is one of my favorite collecting stories.

Nice Howard, congrats! Great story

Well done Howard, and well-earned!