I remember Alan in the boom years of the hobby. The man did a LOT Of good. I recall him and his amazing buys, the SCD Auctions which were huge then, in the days when the major mega catalog/online auctions were NOT the norm.
Yes, he wasn't perfect and his style, boasting and always getting the top spots at shows rubbed some people wrong. In the end tho, mainstream pub for him and esp the hobby was the best.
One personal moment I'll always recall: Years back my dad and I set up at a Paper/Collectibles show in Marlboro Mass. I bought a vintage signed Mantle Ball, "To Pamela, Best Wishes". Sig looked like a hybrid between the straight M's and the elegant card s how style. I took a flyer on it, tho I felt it was prob good. Anyways, a couple months or so later, I was set up at the Tom McDonough show in W Warwick RI and had the ball out for 100.00..ha Only paid 50. A customer was looking at it, Alan came by walking the show and looked at the ball and said "no doubt bout that one, Nice Mantle ball". The customer bought the ball right away.
I really miss those days, running up my CC and before I was out of work, as now. The hobby was so much fun then, and so were the shows.
Thank you Mr. Mint for all the memories
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