Lucky 7's T and E Bender

[ChiefBenderForever]

This month has been huge for my Bender collection as I picked up my 7th White Cap and 7th Portrait back. Many thanks to all the wonderful board members who have helped me get my Bender collection to where it is at !!

[ChiefBenderForever]

T206 Portraits

[packs]

Very cool. Lately I've been thinking of finding a focus for my collection. Can I ask you how you settled on Bender?

[3-2-count]

Beautiful Benders Johnny.......

[ChiefBenderForever]

Originally Posted by packs

Very cool. Lately I've been thinking of finding a focus for my collection. Can I ask you how you settled on Bender?

Thanks Tony , thanks Packs and to answer your question I grew up about 30 miles from where the White Earth Indian Reservation in MN was where Chief Bender grew up until he ran away at the age of around 11 or so. I grew up playing Hockey and our toughest oppenent was Wadena.
The two best players they had were the Bender brothers and this old man told us one day in the warming house before the game that the reason they were so good and fast was because they had the great Chief Bender blood running in their veins. I had never heard of Chief Bender until then, that was in the early 80's and I always wanted to collect him but didn't get serious until I read Tom Swifts book 'The Burden of Chief Bender' and then I became obsessed with his cards. The crazy part was Tom Swift couldn't find any relatives to interview from his book but for sure the Bender brothers were related, he was probably thier great uncle, they looked just like his portrait picture almost identical. With all the research Tom Swift did I can't believe he couldn't track down any blood relatives, just adds more mystery to the Great Chief. He was also the first MN born player elected to the HOF.
Anyways I have always felt a connection to him and also have a tiny trace of Indian blood myself as my great grandmother was either half or full blooded Indian.

[B O'Brien]

Johnny,
That is some good stuff. Congrats on all the super nice stuff. It's amazing how far you can go with a solid focus. I know you sold off a nice stack of stuff to put the line together, and it sure looks to be worth it!
I hope all is well, and I am happy to know I have a card or two in the stack!

Take care,
Bob

[teetwoohsix]

Beautiful collection Johnny!!!Congrats!!!Especially love that T216 Kotton,that is sweet.Also love the T206's,of course.

Sincerely,Clayton

[ChiefBenderForever]

Thanks guys, and thanks to Bobby for all the inspiration and getting me addicted to back collecting after he gave me all the info on the different backs for Bender, with any luck I will have 14-15 no trees soon. Thanks Clayton, the Kotton is nice I love it, but still in shock at the newest edition of the E105 Mellow Mint it is unreal, special thanks to E93 JimB on that one !!!!