May Pickups

[jchcollins]

As a kid, I used to shun "last" cards because I got the idea somehow that they only showed old players, washed up fat players, players past their prime. But into my adulthood as a collector, it slowly dawned upon me how historically significant many of them are. It took a lot longer for me to realize how few players - even bonafide superstars - got "career capper" cards in the fashion of this '69 Mick. That was a mistake, of course - as Topps and Sy Berger thought Mantle would be playing after he reported to spring training that year - but alas, it was not to be.

This one had been calling my name at the LCS for awhile now. I suppose the chief complaint would be that it shows a bit of tilt on the border s-s, but that doesn't really bother me. Between tilt and centering, ‘69 can be a real pain. I decided at some point in the last few years that image and print quality were my two top criteria for vintage, with a preference for cards that are devoid of major creases. This one fits the bill nicely there.







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[JollyElm]

“All OC cards are equal, but some OC cards are more equal than others.”

It was better the first time they used this photograph on his 1965 card, but still love this one, and the way 'The Say Hey Kid's' card prices have been soaring into the wide blue yonder lately, I figured it was a good time to pull the trigger...

1968Mays50PSA8OC01.jpg

[jchcollins]

Originally Posted by JollyElm

It was better the first time they used this photograph on his 1965 card, but still love this one, and the way 'The Say Hey Kid's' card prices have been soaring into the wide blue yonder lately, I figured it was a good time to pull the trigger...

Nice one! I will agree that the purple and the flag design of '65 Topps is the better frame for this picture, but this ain't a bad Willie card at all. I used to have a raw one that was about EX, but traded it to the LCS for something or another back a few months ago.

[Gorditadogg]

I probably could have found one twice as nice for half the price, but still . . . .

[JollyElm]

Originally Posted by Gorditadogg

I probably could have found one twice as nice for half the price, but still . . . .

It still confuses the heck out of me seeing old clips or pictures from the 60's of 'Pops' patrolling the outfield. For my generation, he was the quintessential first baseman...not an outfielder!!!!!

And that's a very cool card!