I Just Nailed The Grail!!!

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totallyradd
totallyradd Posts: 989 ✭✭✭✭
edited July 31, 2026 9:01PM in Trading Cards & Memorabilia Forum

In November, I set one goal: to grind harder than I ever had and make a run at my whale.

I flipped treasures I found at rummage sales, saved up my tips from my side gig, and sold off Hall of Fame vintage doubles I'd held onto for years, waiting for the right opportunity.

This week, I headed to the National with one mission: find the right 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson.

On Wednesday, I scoured the entire show floor. I counted 15 or 16 copies spread across the room.
Some the back had bled through to the front. One had tape stains. One had trimmed borders. A few weren't for sale. Others were absolutely gorgeous, but well beyond my budget.

Then I found it.

It wasn't just about the grade. It was about the card. The centering was strong, the yellow background absolutely popped, and, somehow, it was within reach.

By 3:00 Thursday afternoon, I was holding a card I honestly wasn't sure I'd ever own. The hunt was worth every minute.

Here it is

Comments

  • mintonlypls
    mintonlypls Posts: 2,908 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Congrats on a major pickup!

    mint_only_pls
  • jordangretzkyfan
    jordangretzkyfan Posts: 2,662 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Iconic card…beautiful example!

  • craig44
    craig44 Posts: 13,167 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    congrats. it is a wonderful feeling to accomplish a goal you were very disciplined to strive for!!

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • jay0791
    jay0791 Posts: 3,603 ✭✭✭✭
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    Congrats on such a great card.

    Collecting PSA... FB,BK,HK,and BB HOF RC sets
    1948-76 Topps FB Sets
    FB & BB HOF Player sets
    1948-1993 NY Yankee Team Sets
  • swish54
    swish54 Posts: 751 ✭✭✭✭
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    Very cool, nice job!

  • perkdog
    perkdog Posts: 34,440 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    AWESOME!!!!

    Congrats, that is an iconic card

  • Chicago1976
    Chicago1976 Posts: 777 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Congrats....beautiful copy!

  • gameusedhoop
    gameusedhoop Posts: 3,680 ✭✭✭✭
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    Nice pick up! Now that you have the grail....what's next?

  • totallyradd
    totallyradd Posts: 989 ✭✭✭✭
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    @gameusedhoop said:
    Nice pick up! Now that you have the grail....what's next?

    I've been chipping away at my Hank Aaron run. Im a little over halfway there with all but one the 50s cards outta the way (1959). So Im gonna work on that, and pick up other HOF RCs. But I have no ambition to go after anything near this level for a llllong time. LOLZ

  • totallyradd
    totallyradd Posts: 989 ✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks everyone for the kind words!!!

  • BBBrkrr
    BBBrkrr Posts: 1,930 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Sweet story with an awesome end. Congratulations

  • GoTigers
    GoTigers Posts: 78 ✭✭✭
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    Beautiful card!

  • Robby
    Robby Posts: 681 ✭✭✭
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    Nice Pick-up and Congrats on getting your White Whale
    Robbie

    Collect 1964 Topps Baseball
    1963 Fleer
    Lou Brock Master Set
  • CW
    CW Posts: 1,263 ✭✭✭
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    Congrats! That is a fantastic card. Super clean print and registration as well.

    Some have made solid arguments that this is a 1949 card, despite PSA's notation on the flip, but that's for another discussion. :)

  • 1951WheatiesPremium
    1951WheatiesPremium Posts: 6,613 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I salute you, sir.

    Great card, great example!

    Curious about the rare, mysterious and beautiful 1951 Wheaties Premium Photos?

    https://forums.collectors.com/discussion/987963/1951-wheaties-premium-photos-set-registry#latest

  • 1982FootballWax
    1982FootballWax Posts: 2,839 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Congrats Man!

    I found my holy grail back in 2012 it was not a Trading Card but nonetheless I know that feeling of satisfaction.

    It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
    Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)

  • totallyradd
    totallyradd Posts: 989 ✭✭✭✭
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    @CW said:
    Congrats! That is a fantastic card. Super clean print and registration as well.

    Some have made solid arguments that this is a 1949 card, despite PSA's notation on the flip, but that's for another discussion. :)

    Yes it is. Ha! I already had his Bowman, but I feel this is the stronger of the two. And it pops better. But thats just one guys opinion. Cheers!

  • judgebuck
    judgebuck Posts: 1,058 ✭✭✭
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    Congratulations!! I just got back from the National yesterday and realized that that card is also my grail!

    As I leafed through the Love of the Game catalog, I found what I thought might be it! Same card in PSA 2.5. When I clicked on it, I realized it was already at a level beyond what I had hoped to pay.

    It is truly a great card, and I am glad you got it!

    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.

  • Ahmanfan
    Ahmanfan Posts: 4,513 ✭✭✭✭
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    Great card!

    Collecting
    HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
  • Stone193
    Stone193 Posts: 24,833 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 1, 2026 7:04PM
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    Wow! Congratulations.

    That's a card I've always wanted.

    What a steal! 😎

    Mike
  • mintonlypls
    mintonlypls Posts: 2,908 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 1, 2026 7:19PM
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    That’s the same card on eBay for $95 sold on 7/1/2026! What?!

    mint_only_pls
  • totallyradd
    totallyradd Posts: 989 ✭✭✭✭
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    I did see this as well. I dunno that story, but wish I had seen it before I got home, just to ask.

  • 1982FootballWax
    1982FootballWax Posts: 2,839 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 1, 2026 8:14PM
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    https://www.ebay.com/itm/277969699426

    then


    https://www.ebay.com/itm/278147051162

    it was not sold (or sale not consummated) for 94.99

    It's the singer not the song - Peter Townshend (1972)
    Not even a minute do I buy the whole buh buh buh I'm a man-child japery - Me (2025)

  • totallyradd
    totallyradd Posts: 989 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 1, 2026 10:29PM
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    Figured something like that was the case

  • emar
    emar Posts: 726 ✭✭✭✭
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    Congrats!
    '48 Jackie continues to elude my collection.

    Two stories:

    Circa 2010, I ogled an SGC 8 on eBay for about a month; $7800 BIN. The most recent sale was $5000 for an 8.
    My goal was to acquire a 6. Of course, I had a hard time justifying that much money for cardboard.

    2015: At a local show, I agreed to purchase an SGC 5 for $2000. It was right in line with recent comps.
    Drove to the bank, withdrew the money. Unfortunately, turned left instead of right to drive back to my house.
    Again, my goal was to acquire a 6. Also, I had just purchased my house and had a hard time justifying that much money on cardboard.

    Can I please have a time machine

  • Ahmanfan
    Ahmanfan Posts: 4,513 ✭✭✭✭
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    Ouch.

    We all have those stories though!

    Collecting
    HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS
  • totallyradd
    totallyradd Posts: 989 ✭✭✭✭
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    @emar said:
    Congrats!
    '48 Jackie continues to elude my collection.

    Two stories:

    Circa 2010, I ogled an SGC 8 on eBay for about a month; $7800 BIN. The most recent sale was $5000 for an 8.
    My goal was to acquire a 6. Of course, I had a hard time justifying that much money for cardboard.

    2015: At a local show, I agreed to purchase an SGC 5 for $2000. It was right in line with recent comps.
    Drove to the bank, withdrew the money. Unfortunately, turned left instead of right to drive back to my house.
    Again, my goal was to acquire a 6. Also, I had just purchased my house and had a hard time justifying that much money on cardboard.

    Can I please have a time machine

    2015 (2016?) National I was looking for a 1950 Jackie in a 4 or 5. At time they were 300-500 based on grade. Couldnt find a centered one tho.

    Same National I picked up an 86 Fleer Jordan in an 8. It was priced at 800. Probably coulda got it for closer to 700. Stared at it for a few minutes. Was talking with the dealer about it, and ultimately put it down saying "I know this card is probably a must have, but I only collect baseball." UFF DA.

  • Ahmanfan
    Ahmanfan Posts: 4,513 ✭✭✭✭
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    Ouch.

    We all have those stories though!

    Collecting
    HOF SIGNED FOOTBALL RCS

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