Anyone heard of Mel Bailey?

[whiteymet]

The above post mentioned Bud Ackerman. Bud is the guy who introduced me to the "advanced" hobby back in 1963. Until then my hobby activity was trading with other kids in the neighborhood.

I grew up in South Jersey near Philly. I saw an ad Bud placed in the Sporting News offering Japanese cards. He was located near Washington D.C.

It so happened we had family in the area and on one of our visits I persuaded my father to drive me to Buds apartment.

Bud told me his story about being in the service in Japan and bringing back the cards to the states. I ended up buying some from him. But what turned out to be the best thing is he gave me a handful of 39 Play Balls. I had never seen cards so old. And he gave me a few old copies of collector publications. Can't recall now which, but this was well before The Trader Speaks, and I think even the Ballcard collector from TN. Whatever the publication was I found an ad in the back from a guy in Arkansas named John England and his wantlist included a few of the 39 PB's Bud gave me.

I wrote John and he made me an offer though I don't recall what he either traded me or bought them for, but it must have been a good deal for me. Because there was another ad from a guy in Pittsburgh name Chuck Blazina. He was also looking for 39 PB's. So I offered him a similar deal that John England had extended to me.

Boy did I get a scathing letter back from Chuck, about what a thief I was and never to contact him again. It brought tears to the eyes of this 13 year old new to the hobby kid.

Strange thing is I got to meet and know both John and Chuck a few years later at some of the early "conventions in Cleveland and Detroit. I told Chuck the story about the deal John gave me and that I had no idea I trying to rob him, We had a good laugh over it.

Odd how one name I had not thought of in years brings back so many memories......

And I have Bud to thank for giving me and starting me to have now 60 years of enjoyment in the hobby.