frank nagy

[trdcrdkid]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

It seems that if you are always buying big collections, as I assume these old timers were doing regularly, wouldn't part of the fun be replacing damaged or problem cards with cleaner and fresher ones? I used to do that all the time, and it seems so natural to me. Nagy must have handled a million cards, so why not keep the best ones? I'm not talking about Mint, but simply replacing a creased card with one without creases.

For all we know he may have done that, but all of the trimmed AUTH cards from Nagy's collection shown above look pretty nice, as do many of those with low technical grades (like that SGC 10 CJ Strunk). I think Nagy, like most collectors of his era, went for eye appeal, and didn't really care about flaws (including modest trimming) that would today give a card a low technical grade.

[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

Thanks for all those memories of Mr. Nagy and only wish I would have bought more from him.

[whiteymet]

I knew Frank well and visited his home many times.

Someone mentioned about his cards smelling of cigarette smoke. I distinctly remember him smoking while going through cards. He would get so distracted he would forget to take the cigarette out of his mouth to put the ashes in the ashtray.I would watch in awe as the ash at the end of the cigarette got longer and longer until it fell off under it's own weight tumble on his belly and he would curse and knock the ashes off his shirt!!

I had forgotten all about an article I wrote about Frank until someone was kind enough to send me a copy of the August 1974 Sports Scoop. See my article below

Fred

[nickedson]

I met Frank in 1972 while setting up at my first hobby show. He became my hobby mentor when I was in college, often writing me encouraging letters about the hobby along with dozens of free baseball matchbook covers. He helped dozens, if not hundreds, of young collectors like me.

[vintagechris]

Fred, Any chance you could make those pics a little larger? I would love to read them but they are a bit small.

Originally Posted by whiteymet

I knew Frank well and visited his home many times.

Someone mentioned about his cards smelling of cigarette smoke. I distinctly remember him smoking while going through cards. He would get so distracted he would forget to take the cigarette out of his mouth to put the ashes in the ashtray.I would watch in awe as the ash at the end of the cigarette got longer and longer until it fell off under it's own weight tumble on his belly and he would curse and knock the ashes off his shirt!!

I had forgotten all about an article I wrote about Frank until someone was kind enough to send me a copy of the August 1974 Sports Scoop. See my article below

Fred

[Leon]

The cigarette ashes falling reminds me of my wonderful grandmother (RIP) who used to make matzo ball soup in her kitchen, while smoking, with the ashes rolling down her blouse. I think they might have been what made the soup taste so good!! I miss her soup....

BTW, some great articles posted. Thanks for sharing, guys.

Originally Posted by whiteymet

I knew Frank well and visited his home many times.

Someone mentioned about his cards smelling of cigarette smoke. I distinctly remember him smoking while going through cards. He would get so distracted he would forget to take the cigarette out of his mouth to put the ashes in the ashtray.I would watch in awe as the ash at the end of the cigarette got longer and longer until it fell off under it's own weight tumble on his belly and he would curse and knock the ashes off his shirt!!

I had forgotten all about an article I wrote about Frank until someone was kind enough to send me a copy of the August 1974 Sports Scoop. See my article below

Fred

[bbcard1]

I bought a little from him...he was dialing back his involvement in the game about the time I was learning of the wider network of collectors. I have a set of the cards he issued somewhere around the house and won a couple of cards in his auctions.

[insidethewrapper]

As I've mentioned before collecting in the 1970's and early '80's piecing together 1950's sets from my childhood and pre-war cards for complete sets, I would have to go to several shows just to find cards without creases etc. I wanted the best for my sets. When I sent some in to see the grades years later, they ranged from 5-7. Not sure where all those 8,9 and 10's were back 40 years ago. Somehow when grading started the cards ended up in better condition !!!!
I remember Mastro at a show , I think it was in Chicago, when he bought a 52 Topps Mantle from a guy that was VG at best. When the seller left he stated to his pal, that he could get that crease off the card etc.

[jcmtiger]

I set up at many card shows where Frank & Mastro were set up. I don't think Frank worried that much about condition. A wealth of knowledge though.