First Pack of Cards: 1972 Topps
First Set Completed by Hand: 1981 Topps set
First T206: Jack Hannifan - Jersey City $9 first card show at the local VFW
First Card To Pay >$100 For: 1967 Topps Mickey Mantle
First Card To Pay >$1000 For: None yet.
Most Memorable Trade : In the mid 80's, post college, I was working part-time for a wine distributor. The hours were 4 pm to 10 pm, packing trucks for delivery. I mentioned the hobby and a fellow worker mentioned his childhood collection. I asked him to bring the cards in and he eventually brought the cards to work. Of course he asked the question "How much are the cards worth?" I had no idea, but I said that I would take the cards home and look up each card in Beckett. There was a 65 Mantle (poor condition tack holes), two 66 Mantles (VG), a 68 Mantle (EX) and a 69 Mantle (EXMT). There were a handful of other stars (ex. Clemente) in decent condition plus 150 or so cards from 65-69 in poor to ex condition. After going through all the cards and knowing my broke self could not afford what the cards were worth, I returned the cards to my co-worker. After quitting time, the usual routine was to hammer a few beers in the parking lot, before heading home. So, after cracking the first beer, I informed the co-worker he had some cards of value but I could not pay what the collection was worth. He replied "So you don't want the cards?" I replied, "I would love to have the cards, I just can't pay what I thought the collection was worth." "Well, how much will you give me for the cards?" How about $50 bucks and a case of beer? "Deal!" I think the case of beer sealed the deal. I still have all of the cards.
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