I collect Clemente
I have been collecting Clemente for the better part of 25 years. I was very fortunate to start so long ago. Even then there was incredible competition for his cards and memorabilia. I got bored of his regular topps cards very quickly and started delving into many of the oddball issues as well as sub collections of magazines with Clemente on the covers, newspapers with Clemente on the back or front covers, store model gloves, Pirate photo pennants, statues, to name a few. There are many "pride and joy" items in my collection - a few that come to mind:
1967 Topps Pinup sticker - very likely a prototype tested in the Topps offices
Santurce program from 1951 (possibly Clemente's first game - he wasn't even assigned a number in the program - only confirmed recently that Clemente actually played in Santurce in 1951 as his first contact with them wasn't signed till 1952
An almost complete run of complete bazooka boxes (Still missing my holy grail - 1960!)
A few amazing personal snapshots
A newspaper featuring Clemente on the back cover from Montreal from 1954!
The original painting for the cover of the sporting news he was on
That should do for now - it all started with my getting his rookie card when I was about 11 (~1978) - I was hooked! I have met so many great people and had so much fun through my collecting it has been amazing!
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