My Collecting Dream - Realized

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

I am surprised that the Ruth is in a case like that. Lots of room to move around.

[joeadcock]

Excellent Matt

[4815162342]

Originally Posted by I Only Smoke 4 the Cards

I am surprised that the Ruth is in a case like that. Lots of room to move around.

The "baggie" inside keeps it from moving very much.

[MattyC]

MUCH THANKS, fellas. In doing my homework on the #311 over the years, I am astounded by how few examples have great centering. Left-right, top-bottom, tilt, they are almost always hurt in the eye appeal department by centering.

In fact, I found only one 6, one 7, one 8, then the 8.5s to 10s that had perfect centering. Which meant those would go for insane sums if they ever hit market after this 4.5.

I did NOT want to be in the position of seeking an even higher graded dead centered Mantle AFTER this 4.5 hammered. Hence, if I ever wanted a centered #311 I could afford, this one had to be it. I bid accordingly.

Alex, surprisingly the Ruth is very fixed in there. Hasn't ever moved a bit. Must be the way the holder hugs it.

PBS, it has a spot of paper loss on the back, here's a pic below. Still, an insanely harsh grade-- when you see so many 2s, 3s, and 4s looking like they were mauled by a dog.

[kkkkandp]

Awesome acquisitions - congrats!

[atx840]

Congrats, both beauties.

[wolfdogg]

Nice cards. I had both but sold my '52 set. But my favorites I still have. The Ruth and the 1888 N28 complete set of 50. But it's nice to fulfill a dream.

[MattyC]

Whole 52 Set? Damn. I'm done with just the one example from that monster. Sometimes I'm afraid if I get just one more card from that set I'll be sucked into completing it!

[Jay Wolt]

Fantastic cards, Congrats!

[Bosox Blair]

Congrats - great looking cards!

Cheers,
Blair

[DeanH3]

Awesome just doesn't seem adequate! Congrats!!

Hate to ask, but what's next?? It's going to be tough to top those beauties.

[g_vezina_c55]

Nice matty
congrats!

[AMBST95]

Congrats! I especially appreciate the Charlie Murphy clip.

[Bicem]

Great Ruth!

[Luke]

Congrats! You've added a ton of amazing cards lately. It's got to be awesome to look at em all. Just out of curiousity, are you a set collector at all, or are you just looking for your "Top 30" (or something similar) favorite cards?

[MattyC]

Thx. Yes, in terms of collecting focus I am all about personal favorites and constantly refining a Top 20, with major emphasis on centering/eye appeal. I did a graded set once and enjoyed it, but low pop commons feel like hot potatoes to me-- very volatile in terms of price.

[Kawika]

Originally Posted by Bicem

Great Ruth!

+1
An absolute beauty. Its grade is meaningless.

[gregr2]

Great pickups! Congratulations!

[Iron Horse]

Great card Matt, enjoy. That Ruth is amazing as well