The one that got away...

[hcv123]

I am a HUGE Clemente collector. I saw the card raw for the first time at the first Robert Morris College show I set up at. It was offered to me by its owner at ~20% over book. I was very new and naïve in the dealer role and tried to offer him half book - he laughed and said if that's what I was offering, I didn't know what I was looking at. WOW was he right. I came to learn over the next couple of years that the 1958 Kahn's is far and away the most difficult Kahn's Clemente and one of his most difficult cards in ANY condition. The condition that one was in was not to be believed. It was later purchased by a friend from the dealer who was smarter than me at the time. My friend had it graded - it came back a 6 - still the only 6 with none higher and one of a handful graded. In a moment of insanity he sold it to someone else for A LOT of money. He has been trying to buy it back since. Ouch that hurts! Not as much the money as I had it in my hands (literally) and let it walk away the condition it was in would go nicely with the rest of my Kahn's cards!

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by hcv123

I am a HUGE Clemente collector. I saw the card raw for the first time at the first Robert Morris College show I set up at. It was offered to me by its owner at ~20% over book. I was very new and naïve in the dealer role and tried to offer him half book - he laughed and said if that's what I was offering, I didn't know what I was looking at. WOW was he right. I came to learn over the next couple of years that the 1958 Kahn's is far and away the most difficult Kahn's Clemente and one of his most difficult cards in ANY condition. The condition that one was in was not to be believed. It was later purchased by a friend from the dealer who was smarter than me at the time. My friend had it graded - it came back a 6 - still the only 6 with none higher and one of a handful graded. In a moment of insanity he sold it to someone else for A LOT of money. He has been trying to buy it back since. Ouch that hurts! Not as much the money as I had it in my hands (literally) and let it walk away the condition it was in would go nicely with the rest of my Kahn's cards!

Thank you, Howard. As a huge Clemente fan, and somebody who is just getting his collection underway, not only did I not know about the Kahn's cards, I didn't know to even look for them.

I'll complete the Topps master set first, then start looking for the more difficult to acquire cards. I'm looking at the Trading Card Database, and the number of Clemente cards far exceeds what I thought to be available. Now I know

[Exhibitman]

Since I've been collecting for 40+ years there isn't much that I haven't stupidly failed to purchase at one time or another. But one specific deal that stands out was around 1979 or 1980. I went to a local show and there was a dealer there with a stack of Ty Cobb signed checks for $50 each. I had a few hundred dollars on me but I wasn't into autographs and figured that if he had a stack I'd just get one later. D'oh!

[Hot Springs Bathers]

Guys I have not let many great things go by but I have SO MANY regrets about all the great stuff I have sold over the years!

[1963Topps Set]

I have had many opportunities to sell my cards, especially in the late 1980s / early 1990s, but never did. I once came within a hair of trading all of my 1951 / 1952 Bowman cards for a 1962 Topps set, but pulled out at the last minute.

Today, I still have my Bowmans and the 1962 Topps set has long been completed. : - )

[Hot Springs Bathers]

Good move Tom, I have made the mistake twice but not again.

[pawpawdiv9]

As only a few know..i let a 63 Mantle premium mask/plaque get away back in 2013 @ REA
while obtaining 2 other lots. I had always looked back on that moment as what if? There is only a handful know to exist.
Well, yesterday a lot ended @ Goodwin, which i bidded as strong as i could afford.
It held up until the last 4 hrs. I thought i would never see another opportunity and wanted it badly, but not go broke doing so.
In the end, i took a look and thought...i am more please to have a Dimmagio Zeenut RC than the premium mask/plaque and still have some extra $$.