Jeff, I truly feel for you and your situation. Back in 1971, I could not attend what would have been my first convention, the huge Midwest Sports Collectors Convention in Troy, Michigan. The director of the show, Lloyd Toerpe, kindly placed my small want list on a board, along with other want lists. The one item I recall was a 1952-55 Dormand Postcard of Johnny Mize. I was obsessed with getting it.
Nobody responded to my plea for help. Many years later, I got the Mize.
Obviously, we're a much, much more wired society. We're also much more afraid of everybody. The fear factor can be real, or imagined.
Jeff, I agree with the other person who responded; your want list might stick out to other eyes. THE KEY NOW IS ARE YOU GOING TO STATE YOUR CONTACT CELL NUMBER FOR SOMEONE TO REACH YOU IF THEY FIND WHAT THEY THINK YOU WANT? YOU WANT IMAGES? FAIR ENOUGH, BUT YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO MAKE GETTING AHOLD OF YOU USER-FRIENDLY. OTHERWISE, YOU'LL BE WAITING IN VAIN, AS I DID IN '71.
Some things don't change. You're gonna have to trust somebody some time.
I won't be at Cleveland, though I might change my mind. I hope you are successful, Jeff.
--- Brian Powell