The one that got away...

[Paul S]

Here's a long and boring story. In the mid-late sixties. I was about 14-15 years old. There was a guy (Goodwin Goldfaden...he only died just a few years ago at 94, Was quite well known in the trade) who had a sports cards/books/publishing/etc shop in Los Angeles. I bought most of my pre-war vint from him. Later he sold all but the cards, and worked out of his house and garage. And he had also just happened to move just a quick bike ride from me. So I spent a summer going over there and sorting/cataloging a ton of cards. I'd seen them all anyway and already had anything I wanted. Mostly this was all post war vint. Stars and commons and future HOFers. I'd sit in his kitchen, his wife served me lemonade, I'd plow through a box and he'd bring in another from the garage and more lemonade. It went like THAT! A kid's dream! He paid peanuts but I would have done it for free. So, one day I'm sorting all this boring sixties stuff, and POW, there's #311 staring straight at me! I'm like WHOAAAAA.... Now, I had a ton of Mantles, him being my favorite player and me being born in NY. But not this card because it was always too expensive for me, even then, at a ridiculously low price. I set it aside and thought about it. I should have asked him just to hold my pay and give it to me at the end of the summer. Or we could have worked out a layaway. I wasn't sure. He was a miser but his wife was very very sweet. Maybe I could get her to intervene. But, instead, at the end of the day I showed it to him and said, Look what I found!" I still kick myself daily. And still don't have one. In fact I can afford it even less so now than then.

[brian1961]

Paul, in all honesty, your story was not very long, and was by no means boring. I feel for you, as I was pretty shy at that age, and would have found it difficult to muster the courage to ask Goodie about a possible deal for his '52 T Mantle. He had a very intimidating manner.

I share your situation as well. There's some cards I still want, but most are now beyond my reach.

I made 2-3 visits to Goodie in the early 70s, and passed on the purchase of a pair of wretched-looking '52 T. Mantles. The price was about $20-25 each, but their condition was intolerable. My standards were a lot higher then. No, I take that back; my standards are still very high. I was and am extremely picky. He said I was foolish. In retrospect he was right (in regards to future investment-resale potential); however, at the time I was 18 and had very limited card-buying funds.

--Brian Powell

[CW]

Originally Posted by Paul S

Here's a long and boring story. In the mid-late sixties. I was about 14-15 years old. ....

Forgot to comment on this one.... great story, and not too long.

[geor952]

Originally Posted by Paul S

Here's a long and boring story. In the mid-late sixties. I was about 14-15 years old. There was a guy (Goodwin Goldfaden...he only died just a few years ago at 94, Was quite well known in the trade) who had a sports cards/books/publishing/etc shop in Los Angeles. I bought most of my pre-war vint from him. Later he sold all but the cards, and worked out of his house and garage. And he had also just happened to move just a quick bike ride from me. So I spent a summer going over there and sorting/cataloging a ton of cards. I'd seen them all anyway and already had anything I wanted. Mostly this was all post war vint. Stars and commons and future HOFers. I'd sit in his kitchen, his wife served me lemonade, I'd plow through a box and he'd bring in another from the garage and more lemonade. It went like THAT! A kid's dream! He paid peanuts but I would have done it for free. So, one day I'm sorting all this boring sixties stuff, and POW, there's #311 staring straight at me! I'm like WHOAAAAA.... Now, I had a ton of Mantles, him being my favorite player and me being born in NY. But not this card because it was always too expensive for me, even then, at a ridiculously low price. I set it aside and thought about it. I should have asked him just to hold my pay and give it to me at the end of the summer. Or we could have worked out a layaway. I wasn't sure. He was a miser but his wife was very very sweet. Maybe I could get her to intervene. But, instead, at the end of the day I showed it to him and said, Look what I found!" I still kick myself daily. And still don't have one. In fact I can afford it even less so now than then.

Paul, fantastic story! Thanks for sharing. No card, but what a memory.

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by geor952

Paul, fantastic story! Thanks for sharing. No card, but what a memory.

Thanks George. You know, I would have had impressionistic memories of that summer anyway -- such as how the SoCal summer light filtered through their kitchen curtains. But the Mantle "appearance" just solidified the whole experience for me -- like a lengthy youtube video in my mind.