Newly Acquired: 1959 Topps

 These are some of the 1959 Topps cards I recently acquired.

The Berra has thumbtack holes, which I kind of like seeing. It's nice to imagine the prior owner as a kid having this tacked up on the wall in his bedroom.

I made up a 9-pocket page of some of the different color combinations. 

A sheet of these is real pretty, isn't it?

This design has grown on me over the years. There are a lot of head shots, which I usually do not like, but the head shots are not so in-your-face due to the color framing and the larger-font player name on the card.

Vintage TTM Returns

 Several more returns this week for TTM autographs.

Returned in 16 days from his home in San Diego, CA.

Gene is 88 years old.

I really like the old "rookie star" Topps used to use. It's so simple.

I had gotten Gene's autograph once before on an index card sometime prior to 2004 when I began tracking my requests on SCN, and way before I had a copy of these cards for him to sign.

Returned in 15 days from his home in Tempe, AZ.

Lou is 85 years old.

I wonder why Topps went so hatless in the 1962 set. Was it to minimize the amount of airbrushing they were having to do to keep up with team changes?

Returned in 16 days from his home in Sedona, AZ.

Joe is now 90.

I knew that Joe was a long-time third base coach for the Dodgers, and I always assumed that he had a playing connection to them as well, especially since he's a Southern California guy like me. Not so, according to baseball-reference, he only played for the NY/SF Giants, the Colt 45s and the Cubs.

There was no mail on Monday due to Veterans Day (thank you fellow Veterans) and as I'm writing this on Tuesday the mailman has already come and gone, but there was nothing left in the mailbox. 

An empty mailbox always leaves me suspicious.

Scale Modeling Update

It's been about a year since my last update of my other hobby - scale modeling. Here are some of the kits I've finished in the last year.

1/72 Hasegawa, M5 High Speed Tractor with 155mm Long Tom

1/35 Peerless, 155mm Howitzer

Built for a friend who manned one in the Army in the 60's.

1/76 Airfix, Morris Tractor and 40mm Bofors Gun

1/25 Revell, '34 Ford Roadster

Built in tribute to a fellow modeler who passed away.

1/76 Airfix, AEC Matador and 5.5" Gun

1/35 Monogram, M48 Patton Tank

1/72 Heller, Republic F-84G Thunderjet

1/72 Hobby Boss, Republic F-84E Thunderjet

1/48 Arii, Scud Launcher

1/25 Revell, 1969 Chevy Nova

Another tribute build.

1/25 AMT, Ford Econoline Van

1/76 Airfix, Scammell Transporter with Matilda Tank.

Two From Pennsylvania

Two quick TCDB trades from PennsylvaniaTiger: a Tigers fan in Pennsylvania, like I'm an Angels fan in Texas.

I initiated the first trade based on getting this card:

...one that I need towards the team set.

I'm down to needing just four SPs now: Gary Matthews (black ink), Figgins, Guerrero, and the team card.

The rest of the cards in the trade were a scattering of other interests:

Michael is a reader of the blog, but didn't realize it was me until he saw that I was requesting three checklists, then he put two-and-two together. I guess I'm kinda the checklist guy.

The Nokes is there because I'm working the '87 Fleer Update set.

Michael proposed the second trade, hitting me up for more Tigers while sending a bunch of Angels my way.

Parallels, refractors, update, Nolan Ryan, lots of good stuff.

I'm most excited to get this Livan Soto autograph. I'm always happy to add to the All-Time Angels Autograph collection.

Good trades Michael, thanks!

Vintage TTM Returns

I wouldn't say I'm back at regularly sending out TTM requests after taking basically the last few years off, but I did recently send out a batch of a dozen or so requests and got the first several back.

Returned in 11 days from his home in California.

Chuck is 93.

Returned in 11 days from his home in Arizona.

Gary is almost 88.

Returned in 11 days from his home in Arizona.

Jim is 93.

Returned in 11 days from his home in Florida.

Danny is 82.

I don't ask questions of the older guys anymore, but Mr. Murphy was nice enough to also sign the back of the letter I enclosed.

One Page of Mike Easler

This series highlights "one page" at a time from my binder of correspondence and autographs from former players and personnel.

   Mike Easler LF/DH

Houston Astros (1973–1975)

California Angels (1976)

Pittsburgh Pirates (1977, 1979–1983)

Boston Red Sox (1984–1985)

New York Yankees (1986)

Philadelphia Phillies (1987)

New York Yankees (1987)

Nippon-Ham Fighters (1988–1989)

Mike included his nickname "The Hit Man" to my custom card.

Mike added that little Peanuts cartoon himself!

Correspondence received November 14, 2005 and May 3, 2011.

 

Happy Nap-oween

 Celebrating Mike Napoli's 43rd birthday today!