[Scott Garner]

My congrats as well. Lots of terrific pick ups, guys!

Here are my 5 favorite memorabilia pickups in 2013:

1) Johnny Vander Meer circa 1938 pennant- Many thanks to net54's Chris Gamble

2) HOF Nolan Ryan major league debut full, unused ticket 9/11/66
This game marked the beginning of the amazing 27 year career of "The Ryan Express".
In his debut Nolan struck out his first 3 batters of 5,714K's, a record that is undoubtedly a "master lock" due to the specialized pitching of today.
For the record, Atlanta Braves pitcher Pat Jarvis was Nolan's 1st career K.

Tickets to Nolan's debut game are very scarce; full tickets are impossible to find.
This one is actually one of two known to exist and, IMHO, it's condition is the best of the two. It took me 40 years of collecting to find mine. Mission accomplished!

3) A terrific original photo of Vander Meer from his storied 1938 season with Crosley Field as the backdrop. Many thanks to net54's Rhys Yeakley for finding this one for me.

4) An original 1938 All Star print of Vander Meer and Feller.
Beyond scarce and it's condition is unbelievable for being 75 years old. A "picker" discovered two of these in an office building in OH that had been untouched for 35 years. The photo that immediately follows is the note that came with the prints that were sent to the former mayor of Defiance, OH.

5) 4 original snapshots from Johnny Vander Meer's historic 2nd consecutive no-hitter in 1938- The first Night Game at Ebbetts Field!
Definitely a holy grail for my collection!