What's everyone's White Whale of the Moment?

[Brianruns10]

What card is currently driving your nuts with its elusivity. Doesn't even necessarily have to be rare, but what are you after, but it escapes your grasp?

At the moment, I'm dying for a the '52 Topps Brodowski, PSA 6 range and centered. I saw one once on ebay a good two years ago, that fit the bill. but it was between it and the '52 Pellagrini, and I opted for the latter. I thought surely another would pop 'round, but amazingly I have yet to come upon another in similar condition. He hasn't even turned up in the last few Heritage auctions. Driving me bonkers, but I'll find him sooner or later!

What about you all?

[CW]

A perfectly centered 1954 Bowman Ted Williams. I was freakin' underbidder on the last two to sell on eBay (one was a PSA 5, the other a PSA 4.5). Very tough card to find centered.

Also wouldn't mind a PSA 8 1971 Roberto Clemente or Nolan Ryan.

[brewing]

A 1952 Mathews that doesn't look like it lived in a wallet for 30 years for under $700.

[sflayank]

52 tip top bread label yogi berra
53 briggs meat tommy byrne
54 esskay jehosie heard
55 armour coin mickey mantle red correct version l-r reverse

[Cardboard Junkie]

The little paper booklet that was the "salesman" sample for 53 Glendale Hot Dog Tigers.......Also the life size cardboard cut out that was in the grocery stores.....(Only heard about that, never saw one, and one may not have survived). Dave.

[39special]

1954 Wilson Franks Roy Campanella.I've always wanted one.

[pawpawdiv9]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

The little paper booklet that was the "salesman" sample for 53 Glendale Hot Dog Tigers.......Also the life size cardboard cut out that was in the grocery stores.....(Only heard about that, never saw one, and one may not have survived). Dave.

Had to look it up ^^^
Nice $$$ for one http://robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2009/678.html

[HRBAKER]

1959 Bazooka Ken Boyer

[Paul S]

A PM15 Yellow Basepath that is not a Greengrass. There's only BINs on any of them and are ridiculously out of proportion, or at least my own price range.

@Brewing: 52T Mathews in decent condition...I know several dealers who are totally scrounging for them. Really tough and not exactly sure why.

[Bestdj777]

I am still patiently waiting for two:
1. 1959 Venezuelan Mantle
2. 1962 Post Canadian Mantle, 163 hits, "4th time" variation

[Brianruns10]

Originally Posted by brewing

A 1952 Mathews that doesn't look like it lived in a wallet for 30 years for under $700.

Oh man that is a mighty tough card. In my opinion it's THE sleeper of the whole set, and really undervalued. I grabbed a PSA 5 two years back...paid a decent amount over book value, but it's DEAD centered, and I have yet to see another like it turn up on ebay in any condition. So it was totally worth it.

My advice is, when it comes to that card, have a price in mind, but then be prepared to pay a couple hundred over just to seal the deal. Because it could seriously be a few years before you find another one that fits the bill.

[Blackie]

1958 Topps #433 Poncho Herrer print error

[Gmrson]

Originally Posted by pawpawdiv9

Had to look it up ^^^
Nice $$$ for one http://robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2009/678.html

Very cool item! Was interesting to see it was from the collection of Charles Conlon. He used to come into the lcs I worked at in the 80's and buy every
Glendale that we bought thru walk-ins. I was always fascinated with these cards and finally started my own set a few months ago. Seeing this book makes me wonder if there are any around the city waiting to be discovered...

[jthorst75]

1953 Stahl Meyer Roy Campanella...love the action pose, same one as the 52 Berk Ross and 51 Bowman but much better on the Stahl!

[ValKehl]

A 1953-54 Briggs Meats 2-card panel like this one - Pete Runnels was my favorite player when I was a youngster. I have a Briggs - Mantle (one of his toughest cards) that I'd be happy to part with!
Val (ekehl333@aol.com)

[phillyfan24]

1973 Mike Schmidt PSA 9.

My search for this (just wanting my fav player as a kid) thinking it would be a $400 or $500 cost. Now, not only do I not have one yet. But I'm back collecting BB cards after 25 years! A few months ago I didn't even know what PSA was.....I still can't believe I've already spent a lot of money and I feel like a kid again. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!

[sflayank]

hi val
to get my porterfield runnels id have to get the byrne panel in return
larry

[hcv123]

Top of the list - after one for 25+ years!!!

1960 Complete Bazooka box with Clemente - any condition - anyone want to help me achieve the dream in this lifetime?

A few other highly elusive pursuits:

1962(20 piece), 1964(25 piece), 1965 (25 piece), 1966(25 piece) Bazooka box size variations with Clemente

1959 Venezuelan Mantle (the one that got away a couple of times)
1968 Venezuelan Ryan (the one that got away a couple of times)
1960 Harmony Dairy Clemente 8x10 (the one that got away a couple of times)

[Volod]

Originally Posted by phillyfan24

1973 Mike Schmidt PSA 9.

My search for this (just wanting my fav player as a kid) thinking it would be a $400 or $500 cost. Now, not only do I not have one yet. But I'm back collecting BB cards after 25 years! A few months ago I didn't even know what PSA was.....I still can't believe I've already spent a lot of money and I feel like a kid again. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!

Great post, Jamie. What's money, compared to feeling like a kid again? Of course, the ball-and-chain might have a different view.

[ALR-bishop]

Any of the 3 unissued 1960 poof cards of Cimoli, Hadley or Throneberry

Any of the 3 unissued 1951 Current All Stars of Stankey, Konstanty or Roberts

Any 1966 Topps Punch Out

Any 1971 Topps Rookie Artist Proof card

[Gr8Beldini]

On a much smaller scale... trying to finish my 1971 Topps Coin set. The yellow coins are much more elusive than the rest of the set, with a clean, centered Leo Cardenas proving to be near impossible so far.

[Cardboard Junkie]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

Any of the 3 unissued 1960 poof cards of Cimoli, Hadley or Throneberry

Any of the 3 unissued 1951 Current All Stars of Stankey, Konstanty or Roberts

Any 1966 Topps Punch Out

Any 1971 Topps Rookie Artist Proof card

Ah Yes, the unissued current all stars......tough tough tough....I gave up on those. Any idea of the graded pop for those? Dave.

[ALR-bishop]

I don't think that more than 2 or 3 of the unissued CAS exist. Maybe less than that for the other 3 on the list. Have never seen anything other than pictures/scans of the 60 proofs and 71 Artists proofs. Larry has a few of the 66 punch outs

[sflayank]

al
the 60 proofs were at the national last year
thats the last well see of them until his collection is up for sale in its entirety

[ValKehl]

Originally Posted by sflayank

hi val
to get my porterfield runnels id have to get the byrne panel in return
larry

Hi Larry,
I'll begin my search for a Tommy Byrne panel first thing tomorrow morning!!
Best,
Val

[Brianruns10]

Oh and here's another that has rankled many, many collectors of the vaunted '52 Topps set:

George Shuba, PSA 5-6 range and CENTERED!

[gman]

1963 Pepsi Colt 45's John Bateman. I've spent 20+ years looking for this one.

[ALR-bishop]

John--What makes Bateman so scarce ?

[AustinMike]

Al,

According to the 2008 SCD catalogue:

"The John Bateman card was apparently never distributed publicly and is among the rarest baseball cards of the 1960s."

[Harliduck]

Right now my white whale is the 1957 Topps Brooks Robinson RC. I am down to needing 5 for the set, and this is the big dog. I only buy graded if forced, and there are not that many examples of mid-grade (4-5) out there, and there is not much that is raw. My focus is now on this card...

[mintacular]

You mean this one? Not centered but still great.

[Harliduck]

Um...yeah...that is one I would take... Great card Mint...

A third of my set is exactly that shape...sharp and a bit off center, including my Mantle. The rest is in that 4/5 shape with a few fillers. I like my sets to be consistant, so I should be looking for cards like yours...thanks for the drool...but pocket book (wife, lol) will keep me from that one! haha.

[Seiklis]

Still searching for a 1960 Shopsy's Frankfurters Jack Kubiszyn. Other than him I guess a 1966 Columbus Yankees Royal Crown of Jim Brenneman

[ALR-bishop]

A Shopsy's Frankfurters Kubiszyn...sounds mouth watering

[blackandgold]

I've been looking for a 1970's Spalding Advisory Staff photo Richie Hebner for years !

[the 'stache]

Would Kate Upton be an acceptable response?

[Rich Klein]

if Whale and Kate Upton should be in the same sentence. Now perhpas Kirstie Alley,....

Rich

[MacDice]

Chicago Cubs 2013 World Series ring

[Exhibitman]

Wow, some really obscure/difficult stuff there, guys. Except MacDice; that's science fiction my friend...

My perpetual quest is for 1968 Atlantic Oil prize-winners. There are several cards that were the redemption cards to get the cash prizes. I have been searching for them for 20+ years. I picked up the only one I've ever seen last year:



I'd even consider it a good year if I could find the Swoboda $5 variation, which isn't even a winner card.

[doug.goodman]

April D. Bole, why do you hate me?

[the 'stache]

My white whale at the moment would be a PSA 10/SGC 96 1975 Topps Robin Yount.

Clicky

[gopherfan]

Originally Posted by Cardboard Junkie

Ah Yes, the unissued current all stars......tough tough tough....I gave up on those. Any idea of the graded pop for those? Dave.

Here is the link to Pop Report for those.

http://www.psacard.com/pop/Detail.aspx?c=50720

Rob A.