THE Hank Aaron Thread

[bk400]

Originally Posted by jason.1969

That is a TOUGH card! Will share my most unique item, which is a snapshot taken in 1954 of a young Henry Aaron on his way to work.

If you’ve visited the Aaron exhibit at the Atlanta History Center, an enlargement greets you as you enter the section on Aaron’s Milwaukee Braves years.

This has GOT to be one of the earliest photos of Aaron, no? Beautiful photo.

I saw a couple of Type 1s get auctioned off recently -- those were from 1952 or so, when he was getting on a train to go to a minor league team (Indianapolis Clowns?). I even put in a couple of bids -- which ended up like 5-10x below the hammer price, or something embarrassing like that.

[Balticfox]

So which Hank Aaron card would you Aaron fans regard as the prettiest?

[aldridgemj214]

Prettiest? 1959 Bazookas for my money. One I don’t have that I think is right up there is the Bill & Bob postcard. Here are my Bazookas.

[aldridgemj214]

Originally Posted by bk400

This has GOT to be one of the earliest photos of Aaron, no? Beautiful photo.

I saw a couple of Type 1s get auctioned off recently -- those were from 1952 or so, when he was getting on a train to go to a minor league team (Indianapolis Clowns?). I even put in a couple of bids -- which ended up like 5-10x below the hammer price, or something embarrassing like that.

That photo is great. Thanks for sharing. That Hake’s auction had some great items up for sale. I came up empty as well.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by aldridgemj214

Prettiest? 1959 Bazookas for my money.... Here are my Bazookas.

That's a good looking one alright!

But is there a reason why the top card wasn't given a number by PSA or is that kind of thing just a random vagary on PSA's part?

[aldridgemj214]

I can’t explain it, but happy it didn’t as I was able to buy it for a better price in Cleveland last year because of the scarlet letter it had.

[carlsonjok]

This thread is great. I wish I had seen it sooner. I have two dream cards, only one of which is something I can afford. My favorite card as a kid was the 1974 Topps #1 - Home Run King card. Some day I would like to own an autographed version.

[bnorth]

I figured I better get my favorite Hank Aaron card in this thread. Sorry for showing off with such a perfect card. The registration is the finest I have ever seen. Add in the razor sharp corners and absolutely perfect centering it is by far the finest Hank Aaron card I have ever seen. Please don't be jealous and hate on my priceless card.

[Balticfox]

Hmmmm. Maybe I should get my eyes checked again.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by carlsonjok

This thread is great. I wish I had seen it sooner. I have two dream cards, only one of which is something I can afford. My favorite card as a kid was the 1974 Topps #1 - Home Run King card. Some day I would like to own an autographed version.

I just picked this up a couple of weeks ago. One of my favorites also. An autographed version would be super cool, but probably a lot pricier indeed

[aldridgemj214]

Originally Posted by bk400

I just picked this up a couple of weeks ago. One of my favorites also. An autographed version would be super cool, but probably a lot pricier indeed

The 1974 Topps #1 was the first Hank Aaron card my son, Tyrus, and I bought when we went to his first card show in April 2022 ($15 for a nice ungraded copy). It will always hold a special place for us.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

So which Hank Aaron card would you Aaron fans regard as the prettiest?

Of his mainstream cards, I am partial to the 1963 Topps. Will invite someone who actually owns one of those to post a photo...

[aldridgemj214]

Originally Posted by bk400

Of his mainstream cards, I am partial to the 1963 Topps. Will invite someone who actually owns one of those to post a photo...

Here you go. Started off buying our Aaron run in CSG/CGC. 1963 is a great card.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by bnorth

I figured I better get my favorite Hank Aaron card in this thread. Sorry for showing off with such a perfect card. The registration is the finest I have ever seen. Add in the razor sharp corners and absolutely perfect centering it is by far the finest Hank Aaron card I have ever seen. Please don't be jealous and hate on my priceless card.

There must be a story behind this card. Centering would be --- negative? Great find.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by aldridgemj214

Here you go. Started off buying our Aaron run in CSG/CGC. 1963 is a great card.

Nice! I buy a fair share of CGC slabbed cards. They are 2/3 or sometimes even 1/2 the price of a PSA, and I swear, I cannot see any difference whatsoever in the grading standards (but this is for a different thread).

I'm starting to research the Hank Aaron oddball cards, of which there are a lot. Johnston Cookies is an obvious, but expensive place to start. The 59 Bazookas look super cool. There's the 1982 Kmart, which is relatively accessible, and kind of weird enough to be cool. I also collect the Police sets in football, and I noticed that there is a 1981 Hank Aaron Police issue. Any other ideas?

[aldridgemj214]

Originally Posted by bk400

Nice! I buy a fair share of CGC slabbed cards. They are 2/3 or sometimes even 1/2 the price of a PSA, and I swear, I cannot see any difference whatsoever in the grading standards (but this is for a different thread).

I'm starting to research the Hank Aaron oddball cards, of which there are a lot. Johnston Cookies is an obvious, but expensive place to start. The 59 Bazookas look super cool. There's the 1982 Kmart, which is relatively accessible, and kind of weird enough to be cool. I also collect the Police sets in football, and I noticed that there is a 1981 Hank Aaron Police issue. Any other ideas?

I’m actually a huge fan of the oddball or non-standard issues. So it comes down to whether you want to go for playing days or post playing days. I feel there are plenty of playing day options with great photos to collect. I have dabbled in post playing days and have the 82 and 87 Kmart as well as the police issue you mentioned. Some of my favorites are Johnston Cookies, Spic and Span, Bazookas, Venezuelan Topps, O-Pee-Chee, Armour coins, Golden Stamps, Post Cereal, Jell-O, Hostess/Twinkies and the various 1976 discs. In terms of price, they run from a few $ to $1k+. Topps also did various test issues (stamps, coins, peel-offs, rub-offs, comics, pin-ups, candy lids, discs, etc.). Some are inexpensive and plentiful while others still allude me.

Here is a great thread for playing day Aaron cards with base and oddball. It has inspired me since I found it back in May 2023.

https://www.net54baseball.com/showth...ght=Hank+Aaron

[aldridgemj214]

I tend to try to focus on the items you don’t see everyday. This came out of a vending machine in 1961.

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by bk400

There must be a story behind this card. Centering would be --- negative? Great find.

Just a huge fan of print errors and when I saw it listed for auction I knew I would be the new owner of it. I would take this card over the highest PSA graded 1967 Topps Aaron any day of the week.

[andypcl]

Bill and Bob

[aldridgemj214]

Originally Posted by andypcl

Bill and Bob

Great to see it. I have the Mathews and Spahn but the Aaron alludes me. Thanks for sharing.

[mikemb]

Many years ago, a friend of mine was General Manager of a minor league team, the Virginia Generals. (A gold star if you have heard of them). Hank Aaron was there for a promotion and my friend got me this signed ball.

Mike

20250216_155537.jpg

[andypcl]

Hi Matt,

Glad I was able to post it. Cool thing about this one is that it's addressed to my dad as a 15 year-old in 1956. He has them all except Keely.

-Andy

[JollyElm]

These are two of my faves, because the qualifiers are mere technicalities...

1965aaron1973PSA9oc.jpg

For the longest time, the 1973 card always bugged me due to this monster of a player being shown merely standing there in the blinding sun under an easy pop fly, but as time went on
(and when looked at along with other cards from the '73 set, like Rose, Stargell, Puente, Bench, Scott, and on and on) I've gotten a much fuller appreciation for it.

It's another photo that brings the viewer right into a game, reflecting a standard occurrence on the field. Since there were already plenty of Aaron portrait cards put out across his career, this one took a new direction.
Plus, he's oddly playing first base (with a first baseman's glove), which was strange in and of itself.

Now I say one and a half thumbs up!!

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by aldridgemj214

I have the Mathews and Spahn but the Aaron alludes me.

I'm troubled by such an allusion. While the Aaron has eluded me as well, any suggestion that it's scarcer than the other two cards is but an illusion.

[Balticfox]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

These are two of my faves, because the qualifiers are mere technicalities...

How much does an (OC) qualifier bring down the price of a slabbed card?

[bk400]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

These are two of my faves, because the qualifiers are mere technicalities...

Attachment 651538

For the longest time, the 1973 card always bugged me due to this monster of a player being shown merely standing there in the blinding sun under an easy pop fly, but as time went on
(and when looked at along with other cards from the '73 set, like Rose, Stargell, Puente, Bench, Scott, and on and on) I've gotten a much fuller appreciation for it.

It's another photo that brings the viewer right into a game, reflecting a standard occurrence on the field. Since there were already plenty of Aaron portrait cards put out across his career, this one took a new direction.
Plus, he's oddly playing first base (with a first baseman's glove), which was strange in and of itself.

Now I say one and a half thumbs up!!

I like the 73 specifically because it depicts Hank Aaron fielding. I think it is the only one, in fact. Hank Aaron won a few Gold Gloves, so nice to have at least one card where he's got a fielding glove on.

Interestingly, I think the only card that depicts Brooks Robinson actually fielding during a game is also the 1973 Topps...

(As an aside, Ozzie Smith, the guy with 13 GGs, only has one Topps base card out of 18 actually showing him fielding also -- the 1987)

[aldridgemj214]

Originally Posted by Balticfox

I'm troubled by such an allusion. While the Aaron has eluded me as well, any suggestion that it's scarcer than the other two cards is but an illusion.

lol. Thanks for that. I definitely need to up my game. I hope you’re right on the Aaron as I do want to add one this year.

[aldridgemj214]

Originally Posted by andypcl

Hi Matt,

Glad I was able to post it. Cool thing about this one is that it's addressed to my dad as a 15 year-old in 1956. He has them all except Keely.

-Andy

That is incredible. I like picking up postcards with writing but never had any with a family connection like that. Those are priceless.

[aldridgemj214]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

These are two of my faves, because the qualifiers are mere technicalities...

Attachment 651538

For the longest time, the 1973 card always bugged me due to this monster of a player being shown merely standing there in the blinding sun under an easy pop fly, but as time went on
(and when looked at along with other cards from the '73 set, like Rose, Stargell, Puente, Bench, Scott, and on and on) I've gotten a much fuller appreciation for it.

It's another photo that brings the viewer right into a game, reflecting a standard occurrence on the field. Since there were already plenty of Aaron portrait cards put out across his career, this one took a new direction.
Plus, he's oddly playing first base (with a first baseman's glove), which was strange in and of itself.

Now I say one and a half thumbs up!!

The 1973 has that classic Braves uniform. Plus, I enjoy the fact that Aaron played the field most of his career with great fielding % as well. Aaron was a five tool player.

[Exhibitman]

I love the oddball cards too. This 1982 Korean issue, for example:




I kind of bought this 1972 Baltimore Sun premium without really thinking about what to do with it.



Strayed a bit far afield here too:






Skeddy says it all:

[aldridgemj214]

Awesome oddball items Adam. Couple of oddball Transogram’s.

[G1911]

I apologize for lowering the quality of card, but this is my favorite Hank Aaron card I have. I got this one for a couple bucks as a kid, and thought it was the coolest thing to have a card of the Home Run King. The scuffing and poor condition make it worthless, but its still a highlight in my 66 set and brings good memories of childhood.

[ALR-bishop]

This print defect 60 Aaron card is on ebay now, but I think I recall in the never ending Variations thread there is a post of a 1960 Aaron that sold on ebay where the entire insert figure is all an white ghost figure

https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=Awrh...kYYil36nJkQPA-

[clydepepper]

A few:

1966 Topps- HANK AARON PSA-8.jpg

1967 Topps- HANK AARON PSA-8.jpg

1973 Topps- HANK AARON PSA-9.jpg

1974 Topps- HANK AARON PSA-9.jpg

1976 Topps- HANK AARON PSA-8.jpg

1972 Topps- HANK AARON PSA-8.jpg

1965 Topps 170- HANK AARON PSA-8.jpg

1968 Topps 110- HANK AARON PSA-8.jpg

[clydepepper]

and a few more:

1969 Topps 100- HANK AARON PSA-8.jpg

1970 Topps 500- HANK AARON PSA-8.jpg

1971 Topps 400- HANK AARON PSA-8.jpg

1999 Topps Opening Day- HANK AARON Auto 976.00.jpg

1975 Topps 660- HANK AARON PSA-8.jpg

1964 Topps 418- Tops in NL - PSA-6.5 440.03 Aug 31.jpg

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by G1911

I apologize for lowering the quality of card, but this is my favorite Hank Aaron card I have. I got this one for a couple bucks as a kid, and thought it was the coolest thing to have a card of the Home Run King. The scuffing and poor condition make it worthless, but its still a highlight in my 66 set and brings good memories of childhood.

Those are the best type of cards. I still have a few 66s from my very first group of cards I got as a little kid.

[ALR-bishop]

This is the Aaron I mentioned above and missed on ebay. Not sure if legit

[bnorth]

Originally Posted by ALR-bishop

This is the Aaron I mentioned above and missed on ebay. Not sure if legit

Al that card is simply amazing. It would be easy to remove the color in the frame. There is no way you are removing the black over the Indians face without screwing up the red. I vote real and spectacular.

[bk400]

Originally Posted by Exhibitman

I love the oddball cards too. This 1982 Korean issue, for example:




I kind of bought this 1972 Baltimore Sun premium without really thinking about what to do with it.



Strayed a bit far afield here too:






Skeddy says it all:

I've haven't seen any other example of the 82 Korean card. Where did you find that one?

[Powerright46blast]

Thanks for posting pictures of the hard to find odd-ball rarities of Hank Aaron. Cool to see the broad spectrum he reached as a player.

[aldridgemj214]

Thanks for sharing and commenting everyone. Let’s keep the thread going. It’s not pretty but this one is tough to find. 1967 Topps Venezuelan.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by bk400

I've haven't seen any other example of the 82 Korean card. Where did you find that one?

Korea. J/K. On eBay from someone who'd been in Korea.

My favorite Topps printing FUBARs happen to be a few of my favorite Aaron cards:

[todeen]

First time I scrolled through this thread...I think. But I noticed, @doug.goodman has not posted pictures of the greatest auto'd baseball of all time. This thread will always be 99% until he posts photos, and includes the story of how he met Aaron. He has already told us about how he met Willie Mays.

Sent from my SM-S926U using Tapatalk

[sflayank]

Never seen another

[quitcrab]

Not many dairy barns left on Long Island !

[bk400]

Don't know if this is old news, but I saw this autographed Hank Aaron complete Topps set up for auction. It's a monster.

https://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball-c...umbnail-071515