Posted By:
Gilbert MainesGrowing up as a yute in NYC, the agreement among us was that whoever got up and out earliest on Saturday had first crack at scouring the curbside adjacent to a nearby busy street for discarded soda bottles (which had a two cent deposit on them). We would then bring them to the candy store and collect our proceeds and typically select candy, cards or soda, or combinations thereof.
Well one Saturday I was second earliest, and I caught my friend just exiting the candy store, still opening packs. I had a big wad of cards in my pocket, but he had no others with him. We began to flip against a stoop. Early on he was winning, but I just had an overwhelming quantity of cards (he only had three packs of '57 Topps to start with). So eventually, I cleaned him out. The card which he held for last was the Mantle. And it was a beauty. The deep green background of the grass sets off Mantle's crisp white uniform very well. Jeeze I was happy with that win. I made sure that I did not accidentally flip that card, by putting it in my front pocket (usually reserved for frogs). My pack of cards was in my right rear pocket, of course, as was everyone elses.
Well that Mantle stayed secure in my frog pocket thru at least one wash/dry cycle. And I still have it. Although I initially got it in good shape, it sure wouldn't come close to a G grade today.