End of a 24 year journey

[chlankf]

In 1996 I made a decision to refocus my collecting interests to Des Moines/Iowa baseball. I found about the 1955 Old Homestead Franks set featuring the local boys, Bruins. I had read that it was a difficult set but, come on, how many people would be going after these. To counter that, they aren't expensive and hell, I live in the Des Moines metro area. They were originally distributed here. I can do it.

How wrong could I have been. These suckers are damn near impossible to find. After 10 years I had only half the set and only one duplicate. The search continues...

Jump another decade ahead and another six down. Now I start getting excited that I may actually finish this project. I have not passed on any that have come up. Most of the time they show up in lots where I need only one. Searching endlessly with email updates every time my keywords hit a match. I'm sure many of you have seen my requests.

Last week an eBay notification pops up of a new listing. Low and behold both cards I needed are available. Contacted seller about 7 seconds left and received an immediate response.

Today was one of the last few days of bow season, haven't filled my tag yet, and really wanted to be in the woods. Ebay tracking showed delivery would be today so I skipped the hunt.

Ding dong, doorbell rings around 11am. Excitedly I run down the stairs, not an easy task might I add. Opening the door, the post lady is holding a package asking for me. When I confirmed she replied she forgot her pen and will be right back, damn cat got out. Yelled for the kids to go get their cat and turned around and the mail lady was driving away. I panicked. F*** the cat. WHY!!!!!! I didn't know if I should run after her car or go get my keys. My wifey laughing about the entire situation and my hysteria.

Twenty minutes later there is another knock on the door. Opening the door again for the lady, she laughing. She apologized, she didn't need a signature and hands my the package.

I am now sitting back relishing on this long journey, the story and the search. I have the set and had to share. Please feel free to share your stories with our wonderful group.

Craig

[tiger8mush]

congrats on the journey and reaching your destination!

Whats next!?!?

[nebboy]

That's a great story - congrats on the finish to a tuff local issue.

I also am always on the search for interesting OMAHA baseball items, which isn't always easy because their is a few others Omaha guys with deeper pockets than me. So I have seen some good items slip by that I don't figure on seeing again any time soon.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Very cool, and a great story. Congrats on the journey, what's next?

[Casey2296]

Love reading collecting stories, congratulations on crossing the finish line.

[Vintagecatcher]

Congrats on your quest!

Best of luck on your next adventure!

Patrick

[todeen]

Congrats

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[JLange]

Congratulations! Thank you for sharing. I can only imagine the excitement you must have felt to get the last two cards and finish the journey. What a great story of perseverance! Enjoy your set!

[Orioles1954]

Huggins & Scott had a full set last auction.

[CobbSpikedMe]

Awesome job. Nice looking cards too.

[Casey2296]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

Huggins & Scott had a full set last auction.

That would be a boring story.

[BRoberts]

Originally Posted by Orioles1954

Huggins & Scott had a full set last auction.

I bet you're fun at parties.

[Baseballcrazy62]

What a journey! Congrats 🐱

[Shoeless Moe]

Who cares about the cards, what happened to the cat?

[abothebear]

Way to go, Craig!

George

[MuncieNolePAZ]

Thanks for sharing.

[oldjudge]

Congratulations Craig!

[rhettyeakley]

Craig, that is quite a journey you just took us on with that set!

Congratulations, it is all the more sweet when you have put in all that leg-work to get it done.

[brass_rat]

Congrats on the win!

And haha, I was also wondering what happened to the cat...

[NYYFan63]

That’s a great story. Thanks for sharing and Congrats!


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[Mozzie22]

Originally Posted by BRoberts

I bet you're fun at parties.

This made me laugh out loud! Thanks. To the original poster, congrats! Being from Iowa originally I can really appreciate this.

[BumBum]

I can’t get over the fact that you skipped hunting! Not a chance I’m sitting at home with an unfilled tag.

As a former Iowan, I can relate as I have pursued Cedar Rapids team sets over the years. Congrats on the set!

[mr2686]

If this was my story, it probably would include finding the cat, having to take the cat to the vet, and having to sell the set to pay for the vet bill...well, except my story would have dogs. LOL

[doug.goodman]

Good one, congrats.

[chlankf]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate all the comments and humor.

The cat was safely found by two of my boys within 15 minutes.

Hunting is super important. I got out today and will be back out until Friday, end of bow season. Then gun 1 starts and have 3 weeks planned. Again, the wifey will be unhappy. I know I'll fill that tag. Then 3 more weeks to fill my bow tag again.

Venison feed, my house. All members welcome.