I need to see your oddball Clemente cards...

[mintacular]

Plz post any "oddball"/regional Clemente's i.e. non-Topps base cards, I have one that I'll post when I get it in the mail. Doesn't have too be that exotic. Thanks.

[BradH]

While I don't usually buy/collect over-sized cards, Clemente is one of my 4-5 favorite all-time players and I've always loved this photo of him. I was glad to pick it up a year ago for a bargain price and I have it displayed in my office.

[ALR-bishop]

Topps, but not regular Topps;

[39special]

Not the greatest shape,but heres a '72 Daily Juice

[docpatlv]

Al, that 1968 3-D is one that still eludes me. I have collected Clemente cards and memorabilia for years. Not sure 100% why I chose to collect him, but I think part of the blame goes to Robert W. When we were in 5th grade he would never give up his 1969 Topps Roberto no matter how hard I tried to pry it away from him. Also, Roberto is one of the first three cards my father bought for me when we attended our first show together (the other 2 were Mantle and Mays).

Here are some of my oddball Clemente items...

[MBMiller25]

WOW, those are some great Clemente's. I don't have any off ball, just three or four Topps, including his RC. Love the 3-D and the frames Post Sheet.

[ALR-bishop]

docpatlv--Looks like your action sticker is complete ( all 3 panels). I put together a set a long time back. They are getting hard to find in complete form these days, I guess because they are hard to display that way and apparently are being slabbed in individual panel form.

I have a set of the Plaks but most are separated from the 3 spruces. It is an interesting set because of the mix of the ugly Plaks and nice looking checklist cards...which by the way apparently list several Plaks that were never produced.

[David W]

I was devastated reading the paper when Clemente died. I was 9 years old....... Even in Central Illinois he was a semi mythical figure.

Those Clemente cards/plaques/oddballs are very neat Al and Docpatlv.....

[thisisradioclash]

Wow, great Clementes all around! What's the story with the monochrome bust-looking Yaz, Killebrew, Clemente pieces that twist off? I've never seen those before. Showing my inexperience here...

Originally Posted by docpatlv

Al, that 1968 3-D is one that still eludes me. I have collected Clemente cards and memorabilia for years. Not sure 100% why I chose to collect him, but I think part of the blame goes to Robert W. When we were in 5th grade he would never give up his 1969 Topps Roberto no matter how hard I tried to pry it away from him. Also, Roberto is one of the first three cards my father bought for me when we attended our first show together (the other 2 were Mantle and Mays).

Here are some of my oddball Clemente items...

[docpatlv]

Nick,

Topps produced these Plaks in 1968 as a test issue. At one point they were extremely difficult to acquire. I remember having the opportunity to purchase the Clemente as a single approx. 15 years ago for slightly under $1000.

A few years ago, a find in Pennsylvania (from a former Topps employee) of these Plaks was purchased by a dealer and they started hitting the market in small amounts. I figured that would be my chance to purchase one as it had long been a Clemente holy grail for me.

I still think they are rare even taking into account the find. I dont believe the dealer (Mile High) ever disclosed the numbers in that find but I could be wrong. If you do a search on e-bay, you should see some examples for sale.

[ALR-bishop]

Mile High made the Plaks "find...or at least ended up with it, and for awhile the market was awash in them. I was able to complete my set through their auctions, as were at least two other collectors I know. That find also seemed to confirm that although the two related checklist cards list 24 subjects, only 19 were apparently produced. No Plaks are known for Peters, F Robinson, Aaron, Drysdale or Mays, even though they appear on the checklist cards.

There is even a variation in the set. Mantle's Plak can be found with either a large nose or a smaller nose . Many of the Plaks have only a vague likeness to the player depicted