FOUND MY 29 YEAR WHITE WHALE! And the Reason for my Username!

[mouschi]

I have a version of this card autographed, and have taken a picture of it next to the Mouschi's card:



Why did Mouschi's make such a concerted effort to get the only card in existence back? Could this card be the link to the downfall of the entire grocery chain? That is one theory, anyway.

Another theory perhaps, might fit as well:

What if that whole thing was a hoax???

What if someone else had taken the Burger King card, and took out the logo in the background?



What if they had just slapped Jose's pic on the front of it?



And made the background a painting along with putting a bottom graphic?



And made Jose a painting as well?



That is all well and good, but what about the advertisement? It clearly states from Mouschi's that there IS a signing:



Or does it????



Was Mr. Buttersworth's letter a real thing? Look at all the ink stains, wrinkles and rips. Heck, a real signature from ol' Edmund himself.



Or was it intentionally aged after being printed?



Hmmm, strange. Stranger still, the Mouschi's grocery store. A grungy looking picture from the 80's ...



What if that had been intentionally aged as well?



And if it weren't a "Mouschi's" at all?



But what if there never even was a Mouschi's Grocery Store? That wouldn't make sense though - I mean, I still recall their theme song "Everything's Better at Mouschi's..."

What if the logo was just made yesterday by some dude with too much time on his hands yesterday evening?





Curious. Surely, no one would go through all this trouble of doing various copies, only to write up something that everyone else could enjoy!



And even make a rounded corner version to mimic unlicensed 1980's cards, while using a plastic baggie from a Mother's Cookies card to give it an authentic look!



I'm sure that there are a number of theories out there. I guess we will never know the truth!

[jb67]

Wow!! What a story. Very interesting and thanks for sharing and congrats.

[JoeDfan]

That was an awesome story.

[Chicosbailbonds]

Great read.

[mouschi]

Thank you guys - much appreciated

[Leon]

I copied this from the correct post war forum because it's such a great story more collectors should read/see it.

And congrats on your white whale!!

[sayhey24]

Great read, but aren't you one day early on this?!

Greg

[autograf]

Or not............

Rod Serling is mumbling something in the background of this thread.........I can't quite hear it...........

[BaseballYakker]

This baseball card exists in an alternate universe where Moonlight Graham is history's greatest player ever in a sport created by Abner Doubleday.

Seriously, I feel like I've fallen through some sort of vortex.

[Cozumeleno]

Brilliant - I have no words.

[jefferyepayne]

Very, very well done. Got me hook line and sinker. In hindsight, I probably should have questioned the storefront as I agree it looks too modern.

The only thing that struck me funny the first time through was that the letter started "Dear valued customer". I would have expected this to be personalized since it was not a mass mailing. But I thought maybe Mr. Buttersworth just wasn't very customer oriented! Maybe the "disturbing phone calls and hangups" was a bit over the top as well but I passed it off as possibly a bit of elaboration by the original owner.

Great job.

jeff