Don't know when I really "met" Jerry but my first recollection of him was in 1996 at the National in Anaheim. I bought my first W600 from Ron Vitro at an East Coast National show while working in NJ for UPS. It was Bobby Wallace with a glassine sleeve. My second came from Everything Baseball in Oakland, NJ and was Van Haltren--also with a sleeve. Those were probably in 1995 or early 1996. I then bought 8-10 from Rand Bailey at a Pittsburgh show. Then I met Jerry in Anaheim and he had some in his case. They were then, like they always were, above what would be considered 'reasonable and customary' pricing. But since there likely weren't many more in the room, I think I bought 3-4 of them from him. And we talked from then to now, every time we saw each other at Nationals primarily and via email occasionally.
As everyone has noted Jerry was generous with his signifiant research on W600's. I remember getting my first cut of his checklist on a 3.5" diskette mailed to me sometime after that 1996 national. I used that checklist while I collected W600's with making just a few updates to it from things I found or cabinets I found that he had not checklisted. He was always gracious when I confirmed a cabinet he had surmised but had not seen and I always tried to get him a photocopy or later a .jpg of the cabinet.
When I sold my 130+ W600's in 2002 or 2003, Jerry gave me some advice that I didn't take then which parallels Rob's story of the baseball currency--sell the W600's individually or in team groups. I also took advice of keeping them together which proved to be not the best direction. But que sera sera! We all have many stories like that of 'what could have been'.
Jerry was always an affable guy and when I started my nonsports auction he emailed me quite a few times about his nonsports collection. I know he also collected coins and currency and was instrumental in some local clubs in Florida there and also research on those collectibles.
I'll miss Jerry's face and interesting (and sometimes difficult) conversations. Prayers to his family through this difficult time. 2020 has been particularly difficult for many of us. We can only hope 2021 will be a little more forgiving.
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