IF you're attending the National, and would love to read a little about one of Mickey Mantle's fines
IndianaJones
Posts: 346 ✭✭✭
IF you're attending the National, and would love to read a little about one of Mickey Mantle's finest baseball cards, do avail yourself of the opportunity to drop by the booth of SPORTS COLLECTORS DIGEST. Editor Tom Bartsch will be there taking subscriptions and handing out complimentary copies of SCD's National Convention issue.
I have the issue, and it is lengthy---100 pages. Chock-full of good articles, among which is an excerpt from my newly-released book, NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. Selected was a snippet from Chapter 13, The One That Did Not Get Away -- THE MALTESE FALCON OF BASEBALL CARDS: 1953 STAHL-MEYER FRANKS MICKEY MANTLE. The excerpt concerns the one of one world class gem specimen. 'Nuf said---wish I could be there.
Have fun, guys and gals. Hope ya'll land a dream card! ---Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)
I have the issue, and it is lengthy---100 pages. Chock-full of good articles, among which is an excerpt from my newly-released book, NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. Selected was a snippet from Chapter 13, The One That Did Not Get Away -- THE MALTESE FALCON OF BASEBALL CARDS: 1953 STAHL-MEYER FRANKS MICKEY MANTLE. The excerpt concerns the one of one world class gem specimen. 'Nuf said---wish I could be there.
Have fun, guys and gals. Hope ya'll land a dream card! ---Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)
0
Comments
I read the article a week or so ago. Great article; unbelievable card!!
I'm won't be at the National this year, either, but I wish all who go a good time.
Also, speaking of Stahl Meyer Mantle cards, the 1955 was sold last night for more than I expected. My bid was far behind the final high bid.
judgebuck (David)
Always looking for Mantle cards such as Stahl Meyer, 1954 Dan Dee, 1959 Bazooka, 1960 Post, 1952 Star Cal Decal, 1952 Tip Top Bread Labels, 1953-54 Briggs Meat, and other Topps, Bowman, and oddball Mantles.
bfpowell2003@yahoo.com
IMHO I honestly believe the book to be a most worthwhile addition to a serious hobbyist's enjoyment of the immediate post-war side of the hobby. Cynics would deplore my own unabashed pitch of my book; however, since the book is self-published, how would a collector come to find out about it unless I chime in from time to time and mention it? Let's face it, they shan't find it at Barnes & Noble.
David, I also had kept a watch on the PWCC auction of the 1955 Stahl-Meyer Franks Mickey Mantle PSA 1 Poor listing. Talk about a final salvo of bids in the closing 100 seconds! Whew-boy. The winning bid of $5000 plus change surprised me a bit, but the specimen was BEAUTIFULLY centered, which is abnormal. Whoever was fortunate enough to win the beautiful beast will be even more impressed once they look at it in their hands for the first time. As I recall, we touched on that point before on this forum.
I dare say the piece will instantly become one of their favorites.
Hopefully, some of our fellow collectors will send us National reports, photos, and even video.
Cheers, bro. ---Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)
P.S. Again, if you can handle inserting the CD book into the disc drive of your computer or laptop, and reading it from your computer screen, you've got it made. Some blokes refuse because they insist on a paper book. I understand. Since it was a Hobson's Choice (a CD book or NO book, period) methinks they'll be sorry. I just sent out a copy today to someone who had expressed interest a couple months ago. It takes me a while to make up my mind sometimes, so ...
Haven't kept up with what SCD does for years.
Many years ago, I got SCD to give some kind of complimentary offer to - at least - try to get people interested.
I think an "online subscription" may be the way to go? Or do they offer that?
Now back to 1990.
I couldn't wait for my sub to come! Some people got theirs "special D" to get a jump on the ads.
Not going to the national and have a little regret about it now.
Hiya Brian
Haven't kept up with what SCD does for years.
Many years ago, I got SCD to give some kind of complimentary offer to - at least - try to get people interested.
I think an "online subscription" may be the way to go? Or do they offer that?
Now back to 1990.
I couldn't wait for my sub to come! Some people got theirs "special D" to get a jump on the ads.
Not going to the national and have a little regret about it now.
Hey, Mike, how's it goin'? Hope you're doing well, and hoping up, as I, with not going to Atlantic City. Not sure if they have an online sub; I believe so. Personally, I like the magazine, but with all the time I spend online, I'm just kidding myself.
I'm proud of how SCD has gradually reinvented itself. The 200 pp of ads that went to eBay aren't coming back, but the good articles and upcoming auction highlights, along with the many other features, are assuredly not to be missed
Besides, for me personally, the plug for NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, with the excerpt from my book on that wonder card of Mickey Mantle, was very nicely done. I have a feeling those who read the SCD that editor Tom Bartsch is handing out will be impressed. ---Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)
Im back
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Major_League_Baseball_players_from_Panama
Hiya Brian
Haven't kept up with what SCD does for years.
Many years ago, I got SCD to give some kind of complimentary offer to - at least - try to get people interested.
I think an "online subscription" may be the way to go? Or do they offer that?
Now back to 1990.
I couldn't wait for my sub to come! Some people got theirs "special D" to get a jump on the ads.
Not going to the national and have a little regret about it now.
Hey, Mike, how's it goin'? Hope you're doing well, and hoping up, as I, with not going to Atlantic City. Not sure if they have an online sub; I believe so. Personally, I like the magazine, but with all the time I spend online, I'm just kidding myself.
I'm proud of how SCD has gradually reinvented itself. The 200 pp of ads that went to eBay aren't coming back, but the good articles and upcoming auction highlights, along with the many other features, are assuredly not to be missed
Besides, for me personally, the plug for NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, with the excerpt from my book on that wonder card of Mickey Mantle, was very nicely done. I have a feeling those who read the SCD that editor Tom Bartsch is handing out will be impressed. ---Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)
Doing well. Thanx Brian. You?
I still read old issues of SCD - just read Jan 1999 today while waiting for my wife.
Remember the bonus gifts for subscribing in the new year?
Some stuff I'm sure I'm being nostalgic - but as I said - I miss the days that I ran to the mail box in anticipation of the next weeks SCD.
Glad you're doing well, Mike. I'm OK, busy at work, but trying to sell my book on immediate post-war regionals, NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. The few reports I've gotten have been very postive; I'm gratified for that.
Thanks for sharing the picture. You know, that was a really nice imitation Babe Ruth signed ball. A gift for subscribing; boy, things were different then.
Yes, you were being nostalgic, which is A-OK by me, bro. Nostalgia is what turned us on the baseball cards of the past. Starting as I did with the 1961 Post Cereal and Topps, the Topps highlight cards of special achievements in around the fifth series made a strong impression upon me as a seven-year-old. Those gorgeous cards, coupled with the 1961 Fleer and the 1961 Golden Press Hall-of-Fame cards, got me enthused about baseball history. I always was a history nut.
Your vivid description of missing the days when you waited with extreme anticipation for your SPORTS COLLECTORS DIGEST to arrive in the mail box struck a chord with me, bro. I lovingly included such an occasion in NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN, when one Saturday morning in January 88 I got my new SCD. I did everything I had to do, processed all the mail, and took the SCD downstairs to be alone. It was a special issue. Mr. Mint was having his second phone auction. So, I saved that for last. Man, remember how LONG it took to go through an SCD back then? You'd mark pp that you found items you wanted to either call about, or re-read.
When I got to THE MINT MAN's auction, I really honed in. Mike, remember the great stuff Alan had in his auctions? DY-NO-MITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I'm reading the Alan Rosen auction. He leads off with a T-206 Honus Wagner! Then he proceeds to follow that with ALL 3 of the immensely rare 1951 Topps Current All-Stars---Konstanty - Stanky - Roberts. Whoa. Yikes.
So, I move on to the other listings. Each had a grainy black 'n white newsprint photo, but that was absolutely cutting edge technology in 1988. No other auctioneers did that in SCD. All of a sudden I see it. Mike, I inhaled audibly, at the same time zooming my head closer to get a better look at this gem Mickey Mantle regional that I never, ever, thought I would see in pristine condition. This is the card that became Chapter 13 of my book, and the reason for this thread.
Mike, it made for a very, very worthwhile chapter. A most enthralling story. The Maltese Falcon of Baseball Cards.
Yeah, pal, you got it right---running to the mail box to see if my new SCD arrived!
Cheers, Mike, we might not be there, but at least we're here. Take care. --- Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)
Great writeup buddy!
Here's a few pickups from Mr Mint back in the early 90s - that's when a 79T rack would set ya back around 8 to 11 bucks per in a box.
I was always impressed with how well one could do in these auctions - not shilled like I would've expected.
I think I paid like $425 for an 85T V case. An 81T rack case (3) - maybe $125?
Back then from auction - the 82T was around a grand and the 79T around 1700 or so?
I never talked with Mr Mint but I did stand around him while "he" talked.
So you stood around Mr. Mint while he talked. You must have some memories...
Speaking of the only time I was in Mr. Mint's presence, if you're curious, and would like to read a chapter from my book, my Mr. Mint experience is in the chapter. Simply Google SPORTSCOLLECTORSDAILY.com. Under their banner are a row of categories. Select "Popular Stories". I'm now on the 6th page, but I can be found. Tom Bartsch send Rich Mueller the entire first chapter, and he kindly printed the whole thing. It's about a regal 1962 JELL-O box with Mickey Mantle as the free prize card on the backside. The chapter is about the '62 Jell-Os, with all sorts of tasty tidbits connected to them. Mike, please read it. I would be honored. Then let me know what you honestly think of it. Not to vain, but I don't get much feedback. I mean, I'm not planning to quit my day job, if you know what I mean...
Even if you abhor Mick, I hope you'll like the chapter. If you'd prefer to email, I'm at bfpowell2003@yahoo.com
Have a good weekend, bro. ---Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)
Very entertaining!
I don't remember "apple" flavor and was a big jello guy.
We must've had similar moms. My mom: "you can have just ONE pack of Topps. And if hear one peep out out of you? None!"
I assume you still have the Mantle box? It's a treasure.
That's too bad about the Mantle boxes. I will say. If I had a box - the contents would go to the house and I would've cut out the card - stuck it in my ass pocket - and proudly shown it off to everyone on the block.
In 1957, e.g., BB cards were toys - not objects to be preserved like King Tut's tomb.
Thanx buddy.
I am touched and honored you took the time to read my first chapter and found it entertaining. Three key elements I kept driving for as I wrote NEVER CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN---to inform, to entertain, and to inspire my readers about these great "free prize" cards and coins. Just sold a copy recently to a chap who bought it strictly for the chapters on the 1962 JELL-O and 1962 Salada Tea Coins.
As I wrote, JELL-O debuted the Apple flavor in 1955, and dropped it right after the first shipment of '62 JELL-O baseball card test issue boxes were sent to Chicago - Milwaukee. That's why an apple box with the baseball card is so ferociously rare.
Yes, I'm happy to say I still own that beautiful box. For most of the chapters, I do not own anything, or own but a trickle of the items. The point wasn't whether I owned the cards, the thrust was picking out a nice selection representative of the niche AND if I had a key story to enthrall my readers with, or someone I found who collected them avidly as a child AND was willing to be interviewed.
I had more than a few characters who refused my pleadings to let me interview them and divulge what they knew about the given card set and its promotion. That was disheartening, and a few other choice emotions!
A lot of these cards and coins are not on the radar of collectors. Most guys and gals are content with good 'ol vanilla Topps and Bowman, Goudey, and T cards. Those are all great, with a Tony the Tiger GREAT! However, if the regional attraction catches on with a collector, it's very, very strong. Particularly, if one is a single player collector.
Even Pre-War hobbyists, when it comes to regional / food, I think of some exotics like the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth, the 1910 Washington Times Ty Cobb, the 1913 Colgan's Chips Jim Thorpe, the Butter Cream Babe Ruth, the 1932 Caramels, or the 1933 George Miller set. All outstanding sets. All premier additions to those respective player collections. All hard to get.... All expensive, or hyper-expensive. 'Nuf said.
I loved your comment, "In 1957, e.g., BB cards were toys - not objects to be preserved in King Tut's tomb." You are so right, Mike, just cheap boys' toys, that a generation or 2 or 3 later we reward with boo coo if it amazingly has been preserved through a plethora of ravages and the passage of time. Then again, the same goes for coins, stamps, cars, toys, books, comics, et al.
By the way, when editing the chapter, I added my own 2 cents of what I would have done to the Mantle box had my dear Mom said "yes, go ahead and pick one." The card would have been duly cut off the box, but I would never have taken Mickey to the park. I did that precise thing the year before in 1961 with the Topps All-Star. Bad mistake---never again.
See bro, we're having this wonderful National Convention conversation right here at the PSA community chat forum. Don't know if anyone else is listening, or cares. I will say, if they are a Mickey Mantle collector worth anything, they should be hanging on every word!!! As a former Mantle Maniac, I know precisely what I'm talking about.
Anyway, cheers, mate, I'm holding up my latte mug of flavored coffee to you, Mike, wishing you the very best, bro. ---Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)
I think people are reading - they just may not have anything to add.
I know I've had threads on food issues and "sharing your Mantle items."
Just to get away from the original thread, of which no one but me and thee seemed to chime in, I noticed your affinity for the 1963 Fleer baseball cards. May I say, you've assembled a beautiful near set thus far.
I have a question for you, when you referred to baseball cards as boys' toys in 1957, were you speaking from experience? Were you collecting in '57 as a kid? My point is that I collected the 1963 Fleer baseball series as a 9-year-old. Just wanted to share a memory of those cards. As you know, Fleer was trying to legally get around Topps, and thus issued their 5-cent wax packs with a ginger cookie. Where I was going with this---do you remember what Fleer used to prevent any oil from the cookie absorbing into their beautiful cards, which of course would have stained them?
On the chance you do not remember, I do. Fleer included a "sixth card"in the pack, consisting of a solid dark brown color on one side, which would face the cookie, and plain white on the backside. I always thought that was thoughtful of the Fleer people.
Just wanted to throw that memory out to you Mike, so perhaps you would be on the look-out for one of those Fleer stain-preventing cards. I envision one of these mounted in a one-screw holder and displayed with your cards. If anyone asks, "What's the deal with that brown thing?", you'd have a delightful conversation piece to explain Fleer's modus operandi for their '63 baseball set, whose packs could NOT include their delicious gum!
Hope this brings back tasty memories, or enlightens you on something about the small, but mighty, 1963 Fleer baseball set.
Take care, my friend. ----Indiana Jones (Brian Powell)
Thanx for the reply.
My experience with TOPPS goes back to 1954 or so.
I didn't buy 63F; by that time I was 16 and playing in a rock band - done with cards.
I remember 57Ts only for the change in the photography.
When I mentioned "toys" - it was due to the fact that I didn't handle them with the "care" that the penny sleeving/top loading/Beckett carrying generation of the 90s did.
We flipped, tossed, rubber-banded our cards which protruded out of the ass pocket of our Levi's.
The "value" came from collecting our favorite players - no discussion of corner wear, centering, registration or gloss.
And last, I won't pontificate on whether those were the "good ole days." Since rather than the debate on "good" - I would rather just say those days were "different" for us.
those were the good ole days.
To be honest, no direction, but...
1966-69 Topps EX+
1975 minis NrMt Kelloggs PSA 9
All Topps Heritage-Master Sets
I would interject...
those were the good ole days.
Won't argue with that.