The End is Near!

Approximately 57 years ago I walked into the small store, on the square in Lampasas Texas, next to the newspaper where my father worked and bought my first package of baseball cards for a nickel. Inside were several cards and a large massive square of chewing gum. I couldn’t wait to tear the package open and see which player’s cards I received with my purchase. This began an insane hoarding or collecting phase in my life and every red cent I accumulated through helping my father, mowing lawns or throwing paper routes was dedicated to increasing my collection of baseball cards. I was hooked!

 

1909 “Howell” Tobacco Card St. Louis Browns and a 1930 Louis Peo Chiozza New York Giants Play Ball card

 

1951 Berk Ross baseball cards on bottom. Left to right is Tommy Heinrich, Stan Musial and  Yogi Berra.

1951 Berk Ross baseball cards on bottom. Left to right is Tommy Heinrich, Stan Musial and Yogi Berra.

 

All through elementary my collection grew and I kept them secure in a couple of shoe boxes. No one was allowed to touch the cards and I was a fan of the New York Yankees who had many Mantle, Ford, Berra, Maris and other players during the 1950’s. The Yankees were the team in Professional baseball for about a decade or so. I have six cousins and three are female  from my aunt’s family and three are boys from one of my uncle’s family.

 

1952 Topps "Look 'n See" Babe Ruth baseball card.

1952 Topps “Look ‘n See” Babe Ruth baseball card.

 

One day I come home after school and my boy cousins are in my bedroom with my baseball cards all over the floor. Not only did they pull them out, they had a pair of scissors and were happily cutting all my cards in half, that I had saved for about six years. They managed to destroy about half of my collection. I went absolutely crazy and asked my Mother why she allowed them to do this. My uncle’s wife and my Mom just stood there sheepishly knowing that they had not been paying enough attention and this had broken my heart.

 

1952 Topps Richie Ashburn baseball card

1952 Topps Richie Ashburn baseball card

 

Alas after the incident, which I am sure has left scars and caused severe anxiety until this day, I regained my composure and started collecting again, salvaging what was left of the cards. I tell my cousins they owe many thousands of dollars when I see them and remind them of this incident. I seriously don’t think they came away with any regret or remorse. To this day I harbor ill will about this insane experience.

 

1952 Red Man Chewing Tobacco Leo Durocher baseball card (Manager of the New York Giants)

1952 Red Man Chewing Tobacco Leo Durocher baseball card (Manager of the New York Giants)

 

I became interested in sports and girls and boxed my cards up and put them away. After Kim and I got married and had our three sons I started back up with the collecting and it became an major obsession again over time. I made sure to purchase complete sets for the specific year each son was born. I literally have boxes and boxes of baseball cards and do not know exactly what all cards I own. I asked our three sons recently if they wanted the collection, which at one time had considerable value.

 

1955 Bowman "TV" baseball cards

1955 Bowman “TV” baseball cards

 

The response was an overwhelming no and I was left to jettison the cards from my life, one way or another. So one day while surfing Twitter I ran across a fellow baseball card advocate and inquired if my collection would interest him. He replied in the affirmative and now four days from now he is coming to my home to evaluate whether he wants my collection of many thousands of cards, some over 100 years old. I am trying hard not to be emotional about this transaction, but it is impossible, given my eternal love for baseball and the memories all the cards bring.

 

1958 Topps All-Star baseball card series. One of my all time favorite cards and Ted Williams to boot!

1958 Topps All-Star baseball card series. One of my all time favorite cards and Ted Williams to boot!

 

My only hope is, that if we agree on compensation, is that he take care of this part of my life and protect them as I have done. He is young and that makes me feel good, as a large contingent of the younger generations have no appreciation for collectibles and I feel assured he will treat them with the respect they deserve. I know this sounds strange to a great portion of my followers and some have no understanding of how traumatic this can be. I will simply state it can be compared in my book, to having to put a long term pet down, when they become sick. May all my heroes forgive me!

 

1962 Post Cereal baseball cards

1962 Post Cereal baseball cards

 

Golden Press Baseball Card series

Golden Press Baseball Card series

 

1961 Topps Willie Mays. One of the top three players ever!

1961 Topps Willie Mays. One of the top three players ever!

 

Old Jimmie Foxx baseball card who's origin no one can identify. Oh yeah he is my cousin!

Old Jimmie Foxx baseball card who’s origin no one can identify. Oh yeah he is my cousin!

 

 

 

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12 responses to “The End is Near!”

  1. rick says:

    mike,
    when i saw the “lead in topic” kinda figured the cutting incident would be in this blog. i can tell you with all the honesty i can muster, that i cannot remember being in that room with my brothers. i certainly dont recall having a pair of scissors in my hands or doing the damage that has caused you so much pain over the years. i wish you had said something earlier. i hope a belated apology for these actions is accepted, although i feel it is inadequate. i cannot speak for my brothers.
    cuz rick

    • NOMADICTEXAN says:

      Rick,
      Thanks for the kind words. I am not entirely sure you were involved. If I had to guess who the culprit was, I think you know. No worries! Take care.
      Mike

  2. Gale says:

    I know a hitman. Pay what you can. I’ll cover the rest. I feel your pain.

  3. Penny says:

    Still don’t know why you’re getting rid of them?

  4. Oh how I feel your pain about your cousins and the baseball cards. In my case I went the more traditional route with my mother throwing them out, including the Topps 1968 rookie cards of my favorite player Nolan Ryan. Like you, I started collecting again.

    Now I’m in my early 50s and living a nomadic life with my wife. We got rid of most everything we own except my remaining box of baseball cards which are now, you guessed it, at my mother’s house.

    • NOMADICTEXAN says:

      Michael,
      I thought I responded, but I cannot find it so I will do it again. If you get two replies, my apologies. It is great that you have a place to leave the cards foe safe keeping. Oh how I wish I would have sold them back in the 80’s! I have several Nolan Ryan signed baseballs, but I don’t think any cards. Funny I had a Pete Rose rookie card and went to a card show. Was surrounded by collectors and one of then got the card from my collection. Didn’t know it until I got home. Naive! Take care buddy!
      Mike

  5. Mary H says:

    Mike- My gut tells me you must retain the memory with a dozen of your very favorite and keep them . When you pull them out you will still have the memory return without the need of all of them. I clearly understand the emotion with it. I hope you get every penny you deserve with letting go, and can make new memories with the results! Heart you buddy!

    • NOMADICTEXAN says:

      Mary,
      I have mixed emotions about that. Although I understand where you are coming from, I am not sure that wouldn’t be worse in the long run. I think it might bring the memories up at the wrong times. Its too bad I didn’t sell the collection back in the 80’s. I would have received 10 times more than what I will probably get now. Thanks you sincerely for stopping by and I appreciate your kind words!
      Mike

  6. I used to collect baseball cards too. I sold a few sets a couple of years ago. Unfortunately, it is a buyer’s market with the state of the economy the way it is. Many people are doing the same with their collection. Hope you get a reasonable price out of it. Sorry to hear a large portion was destroyed by careless relatives. I can see why you would still harbor a grudge.

    • NOMADICTEXAN says:

      Ted,
      It did not work out, but I have other options. The least of which is going the E-Bay route. It might be the most profitable though. Too bad we didn’t know each other when you were shedding your baseball cards! Ha! I could have bought you a case or two and called it even, given values these days.
      Mike

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Amateur Traveler Episode 471 - Travel to Austin, Texas