The only Merkin items Hake's is running thin on are ones featuring HOF players but how many of us can drop 12k on a pic like the Sol White photo every 4 months or so?
Richard Merkin, like a few I know, was ahead of the game. You can go back and look at some of the old Hunt and Leland auctions from the late 90's and early 2000's and see where he got these priceless photos.
As far as his Cuban/Latin cards, a few years ago I came into contact with a Hispanic man who told me that Merkin used him as his connection to finding most of his cards from Latin America.
Now, I can't say whether or not Merkin actually went down to the Caribbean in search of some of this stuff but I can say he had some nice help along the way of compiling one of the finest collections around.
So okay, to make Phil happy
I will post what I was able to pick up from the latest auction which wasn't much but was happy to cross two off my want list:
Dick Lundy--Should be in the Hall. My top priority going into the auction. Image is one the better ones I've seen, most found are very light and faded.
Lundy Segundas.jpg
New Britain Perfectos--Needed to fill the Padron void in my collection.
Perfectos RPPC.jpg
Armando Marsans--had to pick this one up since it was so cheap, love the Segundas!
Marsans Segundas.jpg
Steve