A Warren Spahn Story and a Trade Offer

It was 14 years ago this month that Warren Spahn, one of the greatest lefties the game has ever known, passed away. Mr. Spahn was a pretty good TTM signer in his later years, and I had the good fortune to get him to sign a couple of items for me. One was a 1962 Topps All Star card, the other was a bit more… unexpected. Before I explain, let’s go to the photos!

Here is Spahn signature on one of those old SSPC cards.

And here is a very nice-looking sig on a 1958 All Star Card.

Oh, and here is a rare item – a Warren Spahn autograph on a Yuni “Don’t tell Doug Melvin that I actually Suck” Betancourt card that was printed nine years after he died. a 1/1 indeed!

What sorcery is this?!?!

None, of course. When I sent Spahnnie the card, back in about 2001, I think, I had it in a old penny sleeve. He mistakenly signed the sleeve before he signed the card. So, I ended up with two sigs for the price of one (five dollars, if I recall). This is a pretty cool item in the sense that it turns any Spahn card, or any card really, into a signed card. Sort of like a much-less intrusive sticker.

Now, as someone who keeps my signed cards in a binder, this item is of little use to me. So if anyone wants to make me an offer for it – I’d much prefer to trade it – I’m all ears. I’ll admit that the sleeve isn’t exactly in top shape. There are no overly noticeable blemishes, but it’s not pristine, either.  I’ll also note that it is large enough for 52-56 sized Topps cards. What do I want for it? I dunno. I have my want lists up and up-to-date. I’m always interested in any Brewers auto that I don’t have. Or just promise to send me something equally as cool and worthwhile. Like this penny-sleeve, I’m flexible.

Last Call for Trades! (for this week)

Planning for a post office run tomorrow, so giving everyone a last call on these trade lots I’m looking to get rid of. Still seeking Topps base lots, 2011-2015 PLUS I’m getting more up on my wantlists page. Let me know if you want any of these or several of these and I’ll get them out to you. All I ask is that you send me something, sometime before the earth crashes into the sun.

2016 inserts and parallels.

2017 Inserts.

Basketball TTM auto lot

70+ 2012/2013 Topps archives. There are some inserts included.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1974 Topps Pro Draft football complete set. This is the 50 card set that came with a Parker Brothers “Pro Draft” board game. Picked this up at a Goodwill a few years back. I know there are variations on this… these cards list the 1972 stats on the back.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Various Topps Minis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Junk football assortment. There is a near-complete 1990 series one set and a huge stack of 1990 SP inserts – the Santa card, that Andre Rison update card, the Joe Robbie card. I bought a box of this stuff once and got one of those SPs in every pack somehow. There are few older cards, 70s and 80s, as well.

Let’s Trade Some More!

I’ve done some more closet-cleaning and want to add a few lots that are up for trades. In my previous post, I mentioned that I was interested in ANY Topps base cards from 2016 and 2017. I’ve decided to open that up to include Topps base (update, too) from 2011 to 2017. The rules remain the same, pick a lot and I’ll ship it out and then you send back whatever you think is appropriate. Comment or use the contact form to make your claim.

THE GOODS:

2016 inserts and parallels. Everything you see here.

1959 Topps All-Stars. Not in great shape, but some nice vintage cardboard. CLAIMED

2017 Inserts. What I’ve pulled from the few packs I’ve opened so far. Not much, but I’ll throw in some other fun mystery stuff.

2016 Xander Bogaerts SP photo variation. For all you hard-core completists out there.

Basketball Hall of Fame/ Future Hall of Famer autograph lot. I got all three of these via TTM. Tiny Archibald, Dirk, and Shaq. I’m getting rid of these because I’m paring down my collection to baseball only. I also have a fair stack of NFL ttm autos, including some Hall of Famers… I’ll be offering that up for trade in some way soon, but let me know if you have any interest in a bulk deal, it’s maybe 50 or so cards.

Let’s Trade!

One of the reasons I got into card blogging was to get to know other collectors and to make some swaps. I haven’t really had specific collecting goals in mind these past several years, short of TTMs and Brewers, so I’ve built up a weird collection of stuff I’ve purchased randomly and don’t really want anymore. So, I’m clearing it out! All to make room for the Topps set-building I want to do. So here’s the plan – the below lots are up for trade. Make a claim in the comments and I’ll get in touch. What I am asking for in return is 2016 or 2017 Topps flagship baseball. Any series, any card, any number – so long as they are base and not duplicated. I’m looking for lots to whittle down into near-sets, and then to work from there. I’ll leave it to you as to exactly what and how much you want to send. The lots below are semi-mysterious… if you love what you get, make it rain. If you don’t love it so much, send me a dozen commons or worse.

UPDATE – I am now looking for Topps flagship base cards from 2011-2017.

THE GOODS:

60+ 2012 Topps Heritage. This is probably most of a blaster that I bought at one time. It includes a few inserts and 3 SPs, Kotchman, Bay, and Cuddyer.  CLAIMED

70+ 2012/2013 Topps archives. There are some inserts included.

Weirdo Baseball lot. Reprints, unlicensed stuff, minor leaguers…. is it fun? Is it crap? Is it both?

1974 Topps Pro Draft football complete set. This is the 50 card set that came with a Parker Brothers “Pro Draft” board game. Picked this up at a Goodwill a few years back. I know there are variations on this… these cards list the 1972 stats on the back.

50+ 1974-75 Topps Basketball. I found these inside the Pro Draft board game as well. CLAIMED

Little Topps cards. Some people dig the minis, I don’t. What you see is what you get.

Various Topps parallels. Colorful! But I don’t need ’em. CLAIMED

Big stack of Topps baseball inserts. Most are from 2010, some are 2011-present. CLAIMED

Football cards, mostly 1990 Pro Set. It’s an odd assortment. There is a near-complete 1990 series one set and a huge stack of 1990 SP inserts – the Santa card, that Andre Rison update card, the Joe Robbie card. I bought a box of this stuff once and got one of those SPs in every pack somehow. There are few older cards, 70s and 80s, as well.