Info about Bill Zekus collection ???

[Scott Garner]

Many thanks to all that contributed to this thread. This was unbelieveably entertaining and interesting!

[JimStinson]

Does anyone remember by chance the name of the old time collector who used to actually track down and visit many of the players personally? he was the fellow that visited Swede Risberg in the hospital and bought him some kind of fancy razor as a gift and then asked him to autograph a ball and some 3x5's , Risberg threw the ball in the bedpan and told him he didn;t sign autographs. They ended up talking for a couple hours and Risberg took a liking to him. He was in the military on leave and was dressed up in his army clothes. He left the unopened pack of 100 3x5's with Risberg and asked him if he felt like signing a few during the night he would appreciate it, if not he said his bus (or train) left the next morning and he'd drop in to say goodbye. The next morning he visited Swede again and not a word was said about the 3x5's. before he got ready to leave Risberg reached in the drawer and handed him the 3x5's , he had signed ALL ONE HUNDRED , whenever I see a Swede Risberg autograph on a 3x5 these days , thats where they came from.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

Does anyone remember by chance the name of the old time collector who used to actually track down and visit many of the players personally? he was the fellow that visited Swede Risberg in the hospital and bought him some kind of fancy razor as a gift and then asked him to autograph a ball and some 3x5's , Risberg threw the ball in the bedpan and told him he didn;t sign autographs. They ended up talking for a couple hours and Risberg took a liking to him. He was in the military on leave and was dressed up in his army clothes. He left the unopened pack of 100 3x5's with Risberg and asked him if he felt like signing a few during the night he would appreciate it, if not he said his bus (or train) left the next morning and he'd drop in to say goodbye. The next morning he visited Swede again and not a word was said about the 3x5's. before he got ready to leave Risberg reached in the drawer and handed him the 3x5's , he had signed ALL ONE HUNDRED , whenever I see a Swede Risberg autograph on a 3x5 these days , thats where they came from.

How cool is that!

[mr2686]

Jim, I think the person's name was Bill Van Buskirk

[JimStinson]

Thank you !!!! THATS exactly who it was !!

I could not remember his name. Van Buskirk was a great old school collector too, he was good friends with Fred Snodgrass and (I think Willie Wells) someone told me Van Buskirk had died about 10 years ago , true ???

[mr2686]

Not sure when he died. I have seen many items over the years for sale that were personalized to him.

[MooseDog]

Wow that is a blast from the past too. I think I have a couple signed to him as well.