December Pickups

[Big Six]

Originally Posted by 71buc

In 1974 my father began buying me one box of unopened Topps cards for Christmas, at the time I was 11. Hank Aaron had become my favorite player following the passing of Clemente. I recall the joy of sorting the cards and being thrilled with card # 1. This tradition continued unitl age 26 when I married. At that time he decided I was too old for cards.

Two years ago I had a bit of luck and purchased seven boxes of unopened Topps 1975-76 basketball cards for $140.00. I obviously sold them for much, much more. I used the opportunity to purchase Rookie cards of both Clemente and Aaron. There was no choice to be made for the Clemente (55 Topps). However, I agonized between the 54 Topps and the 54 Johnston Cookies Hank Aaron. Although there were far many more 54 Topps available I made the conventional choice and picked up the Topps version.

Today I came home from work and found a USPS box addressed to me. It contained this card. I knew immediately where it came from. I called my 73 year old father and he said, “Merry Christmas”. For a moment it was 1974 all over again for both of us.

That is freakin' cool...Merry Christmas 71buc!

[CW]

Great post, Mike, and that's a cool card. Thanks for sharing!

[71buc]

Originally Posted by CW

Great post, Mike, and that's a cool card. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Big 6 and CW, a man cannot pick his parents but I have long known that if I can be half the man that my father is I will be a success as both a husband and a father.

[CobbSpikedMe]

Mike,

That's awesome that your father did that. Very cool of him and what a sweet card he chose too.

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This is another pickup for me this month. I just love the image and colors on this 1954 Bowman Jim Gilliam. I just started this set and this is one of my first to pick up from it.

Thanks,

AndyH

[71buc]

Nice card...did Jim Gilliam ever have an unattractive card?

[hammer]

Love the Aaron and the great story of you and your father enjoy.

[bosoxfan]

Originally Posted by 71buc

Thanks Big 6 and CW, a man cannot pick his parents but I have long known that if I can be half the man that my father is I will be a success as both a husband and a father.

Mike, thanks for sharing the story about your relationship with your dad. It put me in a great mood. The card is a beauty, Merry Christmas

[robsbessette]

Got a great deal on this puppy. Only need one more for the set! #133 if anyone has one. My whole set is in a binder, should I break this bad boy out? Never done it before, any advice on how to proceed? I'm pretty happy with the card, no real nasty creases, just a tiny paper loss, too bad it's on the front, but for $45 you can't beat that deal!

[bcbgcbrcb]

Nice Kaline RC, Rob, especially for a "2".

[Robextend]

Thanks Phil, some back damage to thank for that. I am greateful for it however because it kept the price in my ballpark.

[Matthew80]

Originally Posted by robsbessette

Got a great deal on this puppy. Only need one more for the set! #133 if anyone has one. My whole set is in a binder, should I break this bad boy out? Never done it before, any advice on how to proceed? I'm pretty happy with the card, no real nasty creases, just a tiny paper loss, too bad it's on the front, but for $45 you can't beat that deal!

Break it out. It would bug me to death having that in a slab by itself, especially in that technical grade.

Congrats on completing a gem of a set!

[CharleyBrown]

These aren’t all from December, but I’ve been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to post... so here goes the latest additions to my Jackie collection:

[bcbgcbrcb]

Please delete

[the 'stache]

Steve, that's a sweet Mantle. And Andy, that's a really nice Gilliam.

I am such a sucker for the early 50's Bowmans!