Program from the first Philly show, 1975

[brian1961]

Originally Posted by aconte

Was he the Baseball Card Man and his store had a Connie Mack sign?
Also, big smoker too?

For the past 25 or so years, Irv Lerner was known as "The Ring Man", collector and purveyor of championship rings. I did not know of his passing. Until recently, he would set up yearly at the National and sell rings.

I also was not aware that he once ran a card shop. When I first met him in 1972, he had an extraordinary baseball card collection. He would be classified as a collector / dealer.

I still own a few Bazooka items I purchased from Irv in 1972-73; I prized them then and most assuredly still do today.

For what it's worth, back in the 70s, when there was still public smoking at the big shoes, I never saw Irv smoke. Frank Nagy was almost always seen smoking, but not Irv.

I noticed the amazing freebee of the 1953 Stahl-Meyer Franks Whitey Lockman, contributed by Rob Lifson. The card was from his recent find, and would have been in virtually MINT condition. I wrote about that find. Stahl-Meyers were "never seen" in that kind of condition.

As always, thanks for posting this significant hobby document, David.

Kind regards, Brian Powell