Wednesday, January 22, 2014

The Greatest Card in My Collection...and a close second

If you read my morning post, you know I'll be sharing two cards I picked up from my former LCS owner.

These two cards set me back a total of $25.

I'll let you be the judge of the whether I got a good deal or not.




Pure greatness.  The 1969 Topps Nolan Ryan in pretty damn good condition.  I'm holding the card in my hand (or was a second ago) and the scan isn't as nice as the card.  That roughness on the top edge isn't nearly as noticeable looking at the card in hand.  There is that little blemish just to the right of the "N" in Ryan. It's a real beauty and a card I've wanted for a long time.  




The back looks just as nice. I honestly never thought I'd have this card in my collection and certainly not in this condition.  

The '69 is not the star of this post however.  

Let me introduce you to this amazing new addition to my collection.  




It's not the prettiest card or the best designed set, but it is THE card I've been pining after for over 20 years. It's not perfect.  It has a crease the runs from the "R" in Rookie diagonally down across Nolan's cap and over to the right edge.   




You can see the crease a little better on the scan of the back.  The centering looks really good on the front, but it's a little off on the back.  I do NOT care.  I am in love with this hobby all over again after getting this card.

A couple of trips ago, my friend the retired LCS owner, showed me a binder he had recently acquired when he purchased an entire collection.  It contained all of Nolan Ryan's base Topps cards up to 1993.  I was so envious of that binder.  He told me he wanted to sell the whole thing to one person.  I told him I was very, very interested, but that I wouldn't be able to buy the whole thing at once.  He was happy to let me buy a card or two at a time.  Well, long story short, I've purchased the first two cards from the binder and I couldn't be happier for two reasons.  One, I have these cards and two, they only set me back $25.

I don't really need the Nolan's after about 1974, but since he's giving me such a good deal, I'll probably pick them all up and keep them together.

I bet you can guess where I'll be headed tomorrow.






14 comments:

  1. Awesome. Truly awesome. And I am insanely jealous. I'd drop $25 on those any day. The RC would be the highlight of my collection by far!

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  2. Amazing pick ups and I think you got a great deal. I know I would jump at that without hesitation.

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  3. Holy crap. Holy crap. I'm trying to think of something good to write, but it keeps coming out as holy crap.

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  4. Two cards I've been on the lookout for. I'm pretty sure I'll never them afford them. Outstanding.

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  5. Nice pickups! I've always wanted a Ryan rookie, but I doubt I'll ever be able to afford one.

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  6. With deals like that I'm going to send you an envelope full af cash ans see what shows up in the mail.

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  7. Daaamn! Congrats on a couple great cards.

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  8. Knocking on every damn door in the neighborhood and asking "are you a retired LCS owner?"

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  9. Everything's been said. Can't believe the rockin deals guys are getting. Where's mine?

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  10. That is awesome!!! Congrats on more nice finds. If you come across a Brett rookie, let me know....

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  11. Wow, that's like finding the Holy Grail at a garage sale next to collectable McDonald's cups. Congratulations!

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  12. The Ryan rookie card is one of those cards that I'd love to have... but have accepted I'll never own due to value. I'm glad one of us is living my dream. Congratulations!

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