[Seven]

A few to say the least, even though my journey started much later than many people here on the board.

I purchased a lower grade, Hank Aaron 1954 Topps, in the 2006 with most of the money I had saved at that point. I don't remember an exact dollar amount, I want to say maybe around 170-190 dollars, off the Beckett Marketplace, I believe. I would eventually purchase an Ernie Banks 1954 Topps the same year for 50 off Ebay. The Same summer my father purchased a 1953 Willie Mays Topps, for me, from Baseball Nostalgia, I do indeed remember the price, $300, which might have been a slight overpay at the time for all I know, but certainly a bargain by today's standards. All three cards still sit, ungraded, in my small collection, to this very day.

More recently, I was purchasing a number of 52 Topps from a member on here, 8thEastVB, who was getting rid of a bunch of them. We talked back and forth about Minnie Minoso. To make a long stories short, in the last group for cards I purchased from him, he sent me Minnie for free. This was shortly before Minoso was announced for the Hall of Fame. I appreciated his generosity and thanked him profusely. It was such a nice gesture. He hasn't posted much at all since then. I hope he's well.