How many guys here still collect some TTM?

[jt39]

There is no feeling in the world like rushing to the mailbox to look for folded-over envelopes with my handwritten address on them!

I haven't sent anything out in over a decade, which makes me feel old. I did think about it recently, but felt odd sending requests solely to add to my own collection. If I had a son interested in collecting, though, I would get him started doing exactly what I did as a young man -- write letters by hand and think of creative items to send (I would often send old newspaper clippings, book pages, etc that I found for pennies on ebay, along with an index card).

I think you have to do it yourself and do it the hard way to really get the value out of it. If I had just bought 8x10's and shipped them out en masse, I don't think I'd care about the items like I do now. As it is, I wouldn't trade my computer paper printouts of low-res internet photos with signatures of guys like Ace Adama, Elden Auker, and Moose Skowron for anything!

That being said, I have considered sending a request out to Carl Erskine. I got a very nice Roman vintage reproduction Brooklyn Dodgers cap for $10 on ebay, and it would look great with his fine signature on it. If I do, though, I think I will include a note that I've made a substantial donation to his autism charity -- he already beautifully signed a baseball for me 12 years ago, and I think that as an adult it is only right that his effort go towards a good cause.

[mighty bombjack]

I have gotten a few in recent years, including this guy just put in the Hall!



I also got Pat Gillick this last year, whose address I got on thebenchtrading.com

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by mighty bombjack

I have gotten a few in recent years, including this guy just put in the Hall!

Just got an email from Steiner that indicates they now have a Barry Larkin exclusive.

So I guess that means it'll cost around $200 to add his HOF Postcard to my collection.

[Vintagedegu]

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[Vintagedegu]

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[mschwade]

Originally Posted by jt39

There is no feeling in the world like rushing to the mailbox to look for folded-over envelopes with my handwritten address on them!

I still get that rush whenever I buy something or trade something.

Got that same feeling at the mailbox when my son's index card came back signed by Jim Tressel He put an inscription "To Chase - Come to Ohio State! Jim Tressel"

[jt39]

Those kind of inscriptions are the best -- my two favorite were from Irv Noren and Phil Rizzuto, both of whom thanked me effusively for writing them.

I think what makes the TTM experience different for me is that you never really know what is inside -- which player is it? Did they sign? Is Phil Rizzuto himself really going to send back the $15 check I wrote him and write on it that "there is no charge, that's just what the agents say"?!

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by jt39

Those kind of inscriptions are the best -- my two favorite were from Irv Noren and Phil Rizzuto, both of whom thanked me effusively for writing them.

I think what makes the TTM experience different for me is that you never really know what is inside -- which player is it? Did they sign? Is Phil Rizzuto himself really going to send back the $15 check I wrote him and write on it that "there is no charge, that's just what the agents say"?!

Neat story on Scooter! I was bummed he couldn't be there for the All Star Game the last year of the Stadium.

The TTM experience was something I thoroughly enjoyed as a child and I wanted to make sure my son experienced that too.

[Big Six]

I still do...check out Sportsgraphing.com. Send me a note and I can help you more, too. Matt

[Vintagedegu]

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