Toughest signed cards possible

[dgo71]

Originally Posted by Stanesq

I believe the card came out on Thursday and Daryl Kile was found dead on Saturday morning.

WOW! Not quite that short of a window, the card was out about 2 weeks, but that's really splitting hairs in the grand scheme of things. That's a really tough one!

[Stanesq]

Originally Posted by dgo71

WOW! Not quite that short of a window, the card was out about 2 weeks, but that's really splitting hairs in the grand scheme of things. That's a really tough one!

Ive always wondered what the exact release date was of the 2002 Topps Total set. I was told it was two days before he died but if its two weeks that gives more hope.

[Stanesq]

Dont see many Tim Horton cards around

[dgo71]

Originally Posted by Stanesq

Ive always wondered what the exact release date was of the 2002 Topps Total set. I was told it was two days before he died but if its two weeks that gives more hope.

Well, not a LOT more hope, but hope nonetheless.

An additional problem concerning finding that card signed is that Kile had literally hundreds of other cards out at the time, so the chances of someone having that particular card and selecting it over another are remote. You have to feel like anyone who chose that card to get signed was doing so for a very specific reason (i.e., decided to work the set immediately when it came out, Cardinals fan, etc.) which reduces the chances of it hitting the open market. I'd be shocked if the number of signed copies of that card was even in double digits.

EDIT: Seems the window was exactly one week. This site says 6/15 was the release date:
http://www.thecardkid.com/bb02tppstotalrtl-36p.html
Kile passed away on 6/22.

[mrmopar]

Leigh Neuage is one that has to be pretty tough. He had one card that I am aware of, a 2003 Bowman card. Neuage died Aug 16, 2003. He never made the majors and was originally from Australia. Not sure if he signed much or not. I hope this is real, but really have no way to know for sure. I bought it from a guy who had a ton of common minor league caliber players and/or minor league cards. it is feasible that this guy got cards signed at his local minor league affiliate, grabbing anyone and everyone who passed through his area. Not sure when bowman normally releases. I probably could have researched this, but didn't want to risk losing this one to someone else when it was listed. The price was worth the risk of it being fake, so I went for it.

[theshleps]

of course there are ones like Cobb on a 61 Fleer and a 61 Scoops. also 61 Fleer #1 of Cobb/Wheat/Baker. 1961 Scoops Eddie Gaedel.
Does anyone know the month the 1961 nu card scoops was released? maybe Cobb and Gaedel died before the set was released?? And when was the 1961 fleer released (the month?)

[dgo71]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

Leigh Neuage is one that has to be pretty tough. He had one card that I am aware of, a 2003 Bowman card. Neuage died Aug 16, 2003. He never made the majors and was originally from Australia. Not sure if he signed much or not. I hope this is real, but really have no way to know for sure. I bought it from a guy who had a ton of common minor league caliber players and/or minor league cards. it is feasible that this guy got cards signed at his local minor league affiliate, grabbing anyone and everyone who passed through his area. Not sure when bowman normally releases. I probably could have researched this, but didn't want to risk losing this one to someone else when it was listed. The price was worth the risk of it being fake, so I went for it.

It's likely that we both bought Neuage from the same seller, jmoak on eBay, and if that's the case it's unquestionably authentic. I have met Jason a few times and he's good friends with a collector I know very well. Jason's a good guy and was an extremely active minor league in-person collector. He not only graphed his hometown park, but also travelled to other nearby affiliates, FL and AZ spring training, AZ Fall League, etc. from the early '90s to almost 2010. Additionally, he had several like-minded connections that he traded extensively with. You should rest easy that the card you have pictured is authentic.

[mrmopar]

I think that was the seller. That is great to hear. I don't know what demand there is for a guy who never made the bigs, but a Dodger or set collector surely wants one if they can find one. I don't discriminate…if the guy is shown as a Dodger but never made thew club, I still want it.

Paul Speckenbach is another example. His 64 Topps card shows him as a Dodger prospect, but he never actually made the club. I was happy and fortunate enough to track him down and send that card just a few months before he passed