My Topps Cardinals Autograph Collection (modern stuff)

yankeesman · October 13, 2024 5:09PM

Nice Morris custom!

frankhardy · October 14, 2024 5:47PM

Here is another one of those that are both pesky and fairly expensive at the same time. Here is a 2012 Topps Yadier Molina authenticated by PSA/DNA. Molina prices can be all over the place, but never are they under $100 authenticated. There are several more Molina's that I need, but this one is a big one.

Thanks for looking guys!.

The new total is 2,381.

yankeesman · October 14, 2024 6:39PM

Sweet Yadi!! Future first ballot Hall of Famer there. Nice!!!

frankhardy · October 20, 2024 11:13AM

Here is another tough one. This is a 2012 Update #US273 Yadier Molina All Star slabbed by PSA/DNA.

The new total is 2,382.

Old_Collector · October 20, 2024 5:33PM

@frankhardy said:
Look guys, I know these aren't superstars or anything, but I am really enjoying this. This makes 209 autographed Topps cards from my favorite team. Thanks for looking in and for the occasional comment. I enjoy showing them off. It makes me wonder why more people don't do it like this. Of course, not everyone has the luxury of having every single Topps card of their favorite team. The only downside to this is that I have to replace those cards for my UNautographed collection. Anyway, enough rambling.

Nice! You have discipline, I don't -- I have thousands of signed cards from everyone that I could get to send them back over many years starting in 1985 from all teams. Here are a few of my Cardinals, but I can't narrow down to one team, lol. Can't find Red's card right now but here he is on a nice ball with 14 other HoF'ers out of 24 autos.

frankhardy · October 20, 2024 6:41PM

That's a quote from a long time ago! I had 209 signatures! I now have that plus over 2,000 more!

frankhardy · November 2, 2024 2:49PM

Up next is a 2013 Topps Update #US22 Carlos Beltran All Star. This is a Topps Archives Signature Series stamp.

The new total is 2,383.

frankhardy · November 9, 2024 2:35PM

Next is a 2020 Topps Dexter Fowler. This one has a Topps Archives Signature Series stamp on it.

The new total is 2,383.

frankhardy · November 16, 2024 3:41PM

Up next is a little bit of a different scenario. I already had a 1979 Topps Cardinals team card signed by multiple players. However, this team card has Ken Boyer's name on it. So, I have always been on the lookout for a team card signed by manager Ken Boyer. Same goes for 1980 since they both have his name on the card as manager. Well, I was able to locate one. Here is a 1979 Topps Cardinals team card & manager card signed by Ken Boyer and authenticated by Beckett (BAS).

This is the first one I've seen. 1980 may be a little harder because he passed away in 1982. I am still on the lookout.

The new total is 2,384.

frankhardy · November 28, 2024 9:36AM

Here is another cut signature. The donor card is a 2017 Topps Archives Fan Favorites certified auto card. I cut out the signature and attached it to a 2003 Topps #711 Edgar Renteria All Star. As stated many times, I will still be on the lookout for an "on card" signature.

The new total is 2,385.

divecchia · November 28, 2024 10:39AM

Shane,

It's been a while since I have taken a look at your additions and it looks like you are making some great progress with the on card and cut signatures.

Congrats on your recent pickups.

Donato

yankeesman · November 28, 2024 8:13PM

Nice work on the Renteria cut!

frankhardy · December 5, 2024 11:24AM

Up next is one that @yankeesman can appreciate. He recently acquired this card with an "on card" signature for his rookie cup auto collection. For some reason, Topps had a non rookie cup Jaime Garcia in Series 1 (#23) and a rookie cup card in Series 2 (#643). Nathan was kind enough to send me as a gift the non rookie cup (#23) PSA/DNA. The kindness sometimes on this board amazes me! Anyway, I told him that if I ever found the #643, I would try get it for him (before I added it to my collection) if I found one. Turns out, he found one before I did, and I'm happy for him! So, until I find an "on card" #643, this cut signature will work just fine!

This is a 2011 Topps #643 Jaime Garcia with a cut signature from a 2012 Topps Museum Collection certified auto card. I think it turned out fairly well!

The new total is 2,386.

yankeesman · December 5, 2024 7:36PM

Nice! You know I love the Jaime!!

frankhardy · December 7, 2024 10:26AM

Up next is one that you wouldn't think would be tough, but you would be wrong. Again, a Mark Ellis signature is not tough to find, but sometimes finding a signature on a specific card can be very challenging. He only played 73 games for the Cardinals in 2014 at the end of his career and never played another game.

I found a 2008 Topps Finest certified auto card and used it as a donor card to have this one - a 2014 Topps Update #US272 Mark Ellis. I think it turned out nicely.

The new total is 2,387.

frankhardy · December 7, 2024 1:32PM

Trying to get caught up here...

Here is a 2012 Topps US72 Carlos Beltran HR Derby with a cut signature from a donor card. The donor card is a 2000 SP Authentics certified auto card.

The new total is 2,388.

mrmopar · December 8, 2024 3:29PM

Your dedication to this project is epic. I hope that someday you will have a chronological online website/display that others can view and be amazed with.

As you know, I am collecting Dodgers autographs, but I am way less stringent on what I will add and price is often a huge factor. I will always prefer the Dodger card first, but I won't go out of my way if there is a certified card that is easy and cheap to check one off the list. I always think I will upgrade in the future, but doubt that will ever happen in most cases.
There are plenty of guys who have only that 1 card, often an Update/Traded or oddball that is tricky. If I can find those, great. Otherwise, i have a lot of Dodger autographs on other team cards. The team appropriate cards will always be the best though. And chasing the subset cards too...WOW! Koufax alone would end that chase before it started.

I have been having a tough time over the last couple of years just finding anything signed or in the case of mega stars, something in the right price range when Mookie Betts, Albert Pujols and Freddie Freeman joined the team, but Shohei Ohtani pretty much ruined my chances now. I did grab Pujols, Betts and Freeman autos and all on Dodger cards (Betts is the logoless Leaf offering), but its obscure guys like Chris Martin and Darien Nunez that are causing me fits now.

I will say that Topps Archives, Heritage and Signature Archives have been amazing to add certified autographs of some pretty obscure and short timers on team appropriate cards. I absolutely love those issues for that.

frankhardy · December 9, 2024 5:51PM

Thank you, @mrmopar

It has been such an enjoyable project over the last 17+ years. I can't believe it has been ongoing this long. It has definitely evolved as I have moved along. It all started with TTM, and then I started hitting a wall. I then started buying cards already signed. Then, I started doing private signings on SCN. Then, I started buying Topps Archives stamped original cards. Now, I have resorted to cut signatures as place holders until I find the real thing. I have learned a LOT during this process. I have studied and researched and found many interesting things along the way, which I have documented here in this thread.

Up next is a another cut signature from a donor card. This is a 2015 Topps #488 John Lackey with a cut signature from a 2000 Bowman Certified Autograph Issue card.

The new total is 2,389.

frankhardy · December 13, 2024 5:43PM

Up next is a 2010 Topps Update #US56 Matt Holliday HR Derby. This one has a Topps Archives Signature Series stamp on it, but is an original card. Glad to get this one. I wish he would have signed more that I need, although I have knocked out a few this year of his.

The new total is 2,390.

frankhardy · December 14, 2024 1:41PM

Next up is a 2017 Topps Update #US47 Yadier Molina All Star card. This is another one that has a Topps Archives Signature Series stamp, but is still an original card. I am so glad I opened up to the idea of these. It has opened a door to further my collection and still stick to my principles of only using original cards with no reprints.

The new total is 2,391.

frankhardy · December 15, 2024 2:21PM

Next is a 2021 Topps Update #US243 Lane Thomas. I have lately been focusing on 2020 - 2022. This one comes from a reputable seller on Ebay.

The new total is 2,392.

frankhardy · December 19, 2024 7:37PM

Up next is a 2017 Topps #373 Yadier Molina. This one is authenticated by Beckett and graded as a 10 quality signature.

The new total is 2,393.

frankhardy · December 20, 2024 8:54AM

Up next is another big one. This is a 2019 Topps #225 Yadier Molina authenticated by Beckett and graded a 10.

The new total is 2,394.

frankhardy · December 27, 2024 8:56AM

Up next is a 2013 Topps #527 Carlos Beltran. This one is a cut signature from a donor card. The donor card was a 2000 SP Authentics certified auto card. This is the second time I have used this card for a donor card for a Carlos Beltran cut signature card. As I have said before, if I ever find on card signatures, I will replace these. Until then, I really enjoy doing these!

The new total is 2,395.

yankeesman · December 28, 2024 6:10AM

Love the Yadis and that Beltran cut looks great!

frankhardy · December 28, 2024 7:48PM

Up next is a 2022 Topps Update #US150 Brendan Donovan. This one comes from a private signing from a reputable source on Ebay.

Recently, I have started focusing on more post 2019 cards. Some of these are fairly easy to come by and inexpensive. Since Pujols rejoined the Cardinals in 2022, the 2022 Topps Update and 2023 Topps Pujols cards are going to be tough and expensive, but that's just part of it.

The new total is 2,396.

frankhardy · December 29, 2024 2:29PM

Up next is a 2022 Topps #58 Lars Nootbaar. This one has a Topps Archives Signature Series stamp on it and is an original card.

The new total is 2,397.

frankhardy · January 1, 2025 2:46PM

Up next is a really tough one. This one came from a private signing I participated in over at SCN and has a JSA authentication sticker on the back. This is a 2021 Topps Update #US330 Nolan Arenado.

I really hope the Cardinals hang one to him until he retires. I know the trade rumors are swirling around him. The Cardinals, for some stupid reason, are wanting to cut payroll. It makes me and a lot of other Cardinals fans angry. The Cardinals have some of the best fans in baseball, and yet the owners do not want to spend the money. Anyway, I love Arenado. I hope he sticks around. This is my first Arenado.

The new total is 2,398.

frankhardy · January 11, 2025 9:29AM

Here is another one from the above private signing at SCN. This is a 2022 Topps #87 Nolan Arenado. This is one of the best defensive 3rd basemen to have ever walked the planet. First ballot HOF'er, in my opinion!

The new total is 2,399.

yankeesman · January 11, 2025 12:07PM

The Arenados are sick!! Congrats!!

frankhardy · January 13, 2025 7:28PM

Up next is another tough one to get on a regular card. I hated to see him go and sign with the Yankees, but he is still loved in the Cardinals fanbase. This is a 2022 Topps #535 Paul Goldschmidt. This was his MVP year. This auto is Beckett and Fanatics witnessed and authenticated. Glad to get this one!

The new total is 2,400.

Tibor · January 14, 2025 12:06AM

Congratulations on 2,400 milestone.

baseballfan · January 16, 2025 12:47PM

as always great stuff congrats!!
I like the Arenados

frankhardy · January 18, 2025 1:20PM

This is another modern addition. This is a 2021 Topps Update #US244 Ali Sanchez. This one comes from a reputable Ebay seller that got his signature at an Iowa Cubs minor league game in Des Moines, IA.

The new total is 2,401.

frankhardy · January 19, 2025 2:53PM

Up next is a 2022 Topps #506 Juan Yepez.

The new total is 2,402.

frankhardy · January 19, 2025 2:54PM

Next is a 2022 Topps #397 Tyler O'Neill.

The new total is 2,403.

frankhardy · January 19, 2025 2:55PM

Next is a 2020 Topps #492 Paul DeJong.

The new total is 2,404.

frankhardy · January 19, 2025 2:58PM

Up next is a 2022 Topps Update #US59 Andre Pallante.

The new total is 2,405.

frankhardy · January 19, 2025 2:59PM

Up next is a 2021 Topps #535 Johan Oviedo.

The new total is 2,406.

frankhardy · January 19, 2025 3:00PM

Up next is a 2021 Topps Update #US51 Roel Ramirez.

The new total is 2,407.

frankhardy · January 19, 2025 3:01PM

Next is a 2021 Topps #77 Jack Flaherty.

The new total is 2,408.

Tibor · January 19, 2025 8:14PM

WOW!! 8 tuff ones. Congratulations!!

baseballfan · January 21, 2025 7:07AM

congrats!!

some these have to be terribly hard to find in the wild

frankhardy · February 1, 2025 6:01PM

Here is a 2009 Topps Update #UH263 Matt Holliday. This one is from a cut signature from a 2024 Topps Stadium Club certified auto.

The new total is 2,409.

yankeesman · February 2, 2025 8:12AM

Congrats on the 2400 mark! Awesome pickups and awesome accomplishment!!!

frankhardy · February 2, 2025 5:17PM

Up next is a 2010 Topps Update #US97 Checklist featuring Matt Holliday. This is a cut signature from a 2007 UD Star Signings certified auto.

The new total is 2,410.

frankhardy · February 5, 2025 3:37PM

Up next is another cut signature. This one is a 2010 Topps Update #US161 Matt Holliday AS. I used a 2024 Topps Tier One certified auto for the cut signature.

The new total is 2,411.

frankhardy · February 5, 2025 3:39PM

Heads up.... On the way I have my first replacement of a cut signature with an on card signature. It is coming from someone over at SCN. Can't wait to get it!

frankhardy · February 8, 2025 2:27PM

Here is another cut signature. This is a 2011 Topps Update #US260 Matt Holliday All Star. This cut signature comes from a 2024 Topps Stars certified auto.

The new total is 2,412.