Al Rosen - Mr Mint - Passes

[njdunkin1]

I saw him in person at a Rosemont show once. We took a photo together, which he called "the Money Shot". He probably was holding 10k in $100 bills :]
My condolences to his family. I can hope and pray he found the only Way before he passed.
NJ

[Rich Klein]

Al was, as many of us are, complicated. I happened to like him a lot and I never had a bad business experience with him.

Al did a ton for the hobby and he was perfect for the 1980's and all those collections he unearthed.

More thoughts when I post in the SABR Baseball Card Blog, but if there is a good side to this, I heard from a couple of mutual friends who I had not heard from in a couple of years so we could share our tall tales.

Regards
Rich

[campyfan39]

Responsible for some great finds of the hobby. RIP

[jcmtiger]

He was the salesman of all salesmen Saw and talked to him at many Michigan card shows in the in the 1980's and 1990's.. Abrasive yea, but a great promoter.

No one like him for sure.

Joe

[clydepepper]

My only personal experience with Mr. Rosen was in 2014 when I called the number listed on one of his ads to ask advise.

I was first shocked that a secretary did not answer - then, he was very pleasant and patient with my novice knowledge.

He let me know that the price I was mentioning was a good one for the item I had in mind. That, along with my own limited research, let me feel comfortable enough to make the purchase - and since then, the sale prices of the same item in the same condition have appreciated quite a bit.

I did not ask too much of him, just his honest opinion as someone who has been in the hobby for many years and did not have a 'stake' in the transaction.


He was also reputed to be involved in my 'White Whale' story, but when I asked him, he did not remember it.


THANK YOU, SIR!

Rest In Peace

- I regret never calling him back and thanking him for his input.

[Vintagecatcher]

Most people who have been in the hobby for years at some point crossed paths with Al Rosen, "Mr. Mint," and his reputation certainly preceded him.

I remember his prominent ads in SCD years ago. He also always had the first table as you entered the Shriner's Auditorium show in Wilmington, MA.

I never bought anything from or sold anything to Mr. Mint, but I do have a story.

At one of the GBSCC/Shriners Sports Card and Memorabilia Shows I walked in carrying a box of memorabilia. Mr. Mint immediately dashes out from behind his table, and asks what I have in the box. After telling him I have some memorabilia to sell he reaches into the box, and grabs an early League bat with an acorn knob. He then precedes to say nice bat, and tosses it back into the box from about 3 feet away. The bat landed with a thud, but was luckily not damaged.

That's my Mr. Mint story.

Patrick