Happy birthday to me [23]

This post Sunday (6/9) marked my 23rd birthday.

Gifts always surprise me. Although I don't trust those responsible of gifting me to gift me cards, I was rather surprised and impressed this year. 

My Mom is part of the board of trustees for the temple (1st VP) and while at a meeting, the Rabbi, and avid reader presented the group with two books, one being John Rosengren's Hank Greenberg : The Hero of Heroes.  Mom conveyed that she needed to get this book for me.

Later that week she saw the Rabbi again, and he said that this was the best book on Hank Greenberg he had ever read. This sold her, as if she wasn't going to get it for me in the first place.

I'm not much of a reader, but I have already completed one chapter. The first chapter, titled Leshono Toivo stories Greenberg's struggle with his decision of playing or not playing his rookie year on Rosh Hashanah day in 1933.  I did not realize how the city of Detroit was so invested in this decision. As I was reading, I was envisioning how this decision would pan out in modern times. Would it be a big deal? 

I'd like to do a book review when I finish it, whenever that will be.

Thanks for taking the time to read this post, look out for more about the book and about the collection as I always look to add to it.

National Treasure

With my second pickup from 2012 Panini National Treasures, comes this card:

This card is numbered to only 25, and features Detroit's two most feared hitters in the 30's. This card highlights both Greenberg and Gehringer leading the American League in 1934 with 63 doubles and 50 doubles, respectively.

This card cost me $50, a price I am pretty happy with. It's pretty much the only premium card from the set I would be able to afford at a decent price, at least for now. Many of the cards have superstars attached to some incredible piece of memorabilia, be it a jersey, patch or even glove in this triple including Jimmie Foxx and Mel Ott.

Who knows, if that stays reasonable I might snag that one as well, I don't own a glove card outside of this cool 2003 Joe Borchard card that isn't on eBay. Too lazy to scan it.

My best steal??

It's been a while since I have updated the blog, been busy at work!

I wanted to share with you all a steal of a steal that I got last month off of eBay. I won the above card for $0.99, PLUS shipping.

This is a 1946-49 Sports Exchange All Stars variation. I love this photo, and love this card.  I also have this card with the biographical information not filled out.  Seeing the biographical information on the card is amusing.

The information includes Hank's place of birth (New York, NY) height (6'4'') weight (215) nationality (Jewish) (lol) service (US Army) bats (right) throws (right) eye color (brown) hair color (brown) and who he is married to (Caral Gimbel).

The simple fact that they would include who he is married to is bizarre to say the least, and Sports Exchange shows their cultural ignorance by including Hank's nationality being Jewish. He was born in Greenwich Village, NY, not Tel Aviv, Israel.

Oh well. It's the 40's.

Good Wood

The most recent product release of 2012 Panini National Treasures Baseball has yielded 10 different cards with Hank Greenberg and his often used bat displayed on it. I have bought one card which should be arriving on Monday (3/11) so I will put that up when the time comes. I'm not into the different color variations of a card (although I am guilty with 2007 Premier baseball), so I will try to acquire as many as I can.

Except this went up for auction the other day.

That shit ain't fair.  A B/O (best offer) was hit for under $1,299. only numbered to 5. I have a realistic chance at 8 of the other cards that Greenberg is featured on, but this one, and the bat knob card that is said to exist are way too far out of my price range.

####

On Friday I received a card that has long been on my want-list.

It's numbered to only 25, from 2002 Fleer Platinum and it cost me far less than what I've seen them go for in the past at $59. I also didn't have much competition in terms of other people bidding on this one.

I guess patience really is a virtue. According to the 2011 Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards these cards are not priced due to scarcity. And I landed mine for a healthy $59. Needless to say I am incredibly pleased with this buy.

In fact, there is a similar card that is on eBay right now for a BIN (Buy It Now) of $180.

2002 Fleer Platinum Cornerstones Hank Greenberg Jimmie Foxx Dual Bat 25/25

This ranks as my second card that features both Jimmie Foxx and Hank Greenberg, the first being

Remember to check back on Monday/Tuesday when I reveal which bat card I got from 2012 National Treasure.

Until then.

Ohhhhh, pretty.

SGC Poppage!

I love screenshots. The only reason the Play Ball is graded 0 is that I asked for same or better grading, and I am guessing it did not reach that minimum. No matter, I'll resubmit it and have it changed into the SGC holder at a lower grade.

What I was REALLY concerned about was the dimensions of the 1938 Goudey card.  It measured about 1/8'' smaller than the verified dimensions of 2-3/8''x2-7/8''. I was truly, truly scared, but seeing that it came back at the PERFECT grade, I became ELATED. Probably made my week. Definitely made my week.

I'll post more pictures when the cards arrive.

Thanks for tuning in!

It's been a long time comin'

(http://www.deanscards.com/images/actual_images/1938/Goudey/277/283052f.jpg)

After 5 years, one slightly trimmed card, an argument and a meltdown, I have finally landed one of my whales.  Part of the "high numbers" (#277) series, this card features a similar card to this, but a you can see has some additional cartoons where the "low number" (#253) lacks the cartoons.  These cards are often identified by either their lack of or feature of these cartoons.

I actually paid less than what I did for the card I bought at the National Sports Collectors Convention in August, (link to the story here) and from what I can tell from the eBay pictures the card is in far better condition, so I'm a happy camper!

I actually don't have the card in hand yet, should be here Wednesday when I get home from work! Color me excited.

Happy New Year everyone,

Brian