Coke reorganized

Got a new K cap for Kosher and left some spaces to grow it out as there is probably Kosher Sprite cap and WV Fresca and Sprite to track down.

Pete has his own move

If your into Wakeboarding learn to do a Pete Rose.  Pete Rose wakeboarding not sure how it got that name as I've never seen Pete do anything close to that on the field but if he wasn't famous enough having a trick named after you is immortal.

New Stuff 12/24 Merry Christmas

Some Christmas new stuff not much as was a short week but anything new is always fun.

All of the new stuff

1967-68 Coke Caps

Yes even more Coke Caps finally got the king size sprite picture.  Also going out on a limb and assuming there are small letter fanta for root beer and grape makes sense with the orange.

Reds All-Time 9 Voting

Head over to All-Time 9 Voting and give some votes to your favorite Reds and of course Rose.  Not sure if they (reds or MLB) plan on doing anything special when it is all done but always good to see Rose get honored by MLB.  Here's my picks only odd thing Tom Seaver isn't listed as a pitcher he was here for 6 years or Tom Browning must go by just their hitting stats?

1B - Ted Kluszewski
2B - Joe Morgan
SS - Barry Larkin
3B - Tony Perez
C - Johnny Bench
P - Dolf Luque
OF - Pete Rose
OF - George Foster
OF - Frank Robinson

Coming soon more new Rose cards

2009 edition of Donruss Elite Extra Edition will according to the checklist have 2 Rose cards 1 jersey and 1 an autograph no picture of them or print run info but always nice to see some new stuff.  Here's the sell sheet and the checklist.  Release Jan 20, 2010 but for some reason still lists as an 09 product I'm confused. 

New Stuff 12/20

Just a few odd ball items I dug up.

Full Size 12/20

1967 Cincinnati Enquirer Meet your Reds

The last of the enquirer set of the 60's named Meet your Reds and were 2 3/4 x 7 1/4" newspaper clippings.  Uncatalogued also but I have passed the info along to SCD for inclusion one day.

12-Mar		Dave Bristol MGR
13-Mar		Pete Rose
14-Mar		Leo Cardenas
15-Mar		John Edwards
16-Mar		Vida Pinson
17-Mar		Jim Maloney
18-Mar		Tommy Harper
19-Mar		Art Shamsky
20-Mar		Lee May
21-Mar		Deron Johnson
22-Mar		Tommy Helms
23-Mar		Milt Pappas
24-Mar		Bill McCool
25-Mar		Tony Perez
26-Mar		Gordy Coleman
27-Mar		Floyd Robinson
28-Mar		Don Pavletich
29-Mar		Dick Simpson
30-Mar		Jim Coker
31-Mar		Sam Ellis
1-Apr		Chico Ruiz
2-Apr		Mel Queen
3-Apr		Ted Abernathy
4-Apr		Don Nottebart
5-Apr		Darrell Osteen
6-Apr		Gerry Arrigo
7-Apr		Aurelio Monteagudo
8-Apr		Ernie Broglio
9-Apr		Gary Nolan

1983-85 83 Wichita Eagle-Beacon Bubblegumless Cards

I love the uncatalogued sets I do pass on my info to Bob Lemke and others at SCD to get them cataloged at some future date.  This set is one I'm still trying to gather all the dates and people issued.  It was issued in the Wichita area newspaper and included 3 players to a strip but included football, hockey, basketball and even college and high school players and seems to have focused on what ever sport was popular at the time frame.  The 1985 issue was made up of old timers and past heroes.

The 1983 Rose was issued Oct 17th along with 2 college football players.  The 1984 was issued Apr 16th along with a soccer player and minor league baseball player.  Easiest way to tell the difference is the age 42 in 1983 and 43 in 1984 the 84 is pictured I don't have a 83 to show.  Both are rather hard to find outside of Wichita as the paper was not exactly the New York Times and widely distributed.

1968 Jamesway

A very rare card Jamesway was a trucking division of Partridge Meats which explains why the card is similar to the partridge counterpart.  This card was most likely issued only to the executives or other employees either as a gift or just to promo the partridge meats regular issue.  Estimates are between 25-50 were made which make it a very rare card.  There is also a Johnny Bench that was issued but is uncatalogued.

1966 Cincinnati Enquirer Scrapbook

Another uncatalogued set changed name back to scrapbook and size to 3 1/2 x 7 issued 1 per day in each sports section of the Enquirer.  Mar 30th issue did not have one for unknown reasons checked both KY and Cincinnati editions.

6-Mar		Don Heffner MGR
7-Mar		Vada Pinson
8-Mar		Deron Johnson
9-Mar		John Edwards
10-Mar		Leo Cardenas
11-Mar		Jim O'Toole
12-Mar		Chico Ruiz
13-Mar		Tommy Helms
14-Mar		Tom Harper
15-Mar		Sam Ellis
16-Mar		Joey Jay
17-Mar		Pete Rose
18-Mar		Don Pavletich
19-Mar		Marty Keough
20-Mar		Gordy Coleman
21-Mar		Joe Nuxall
22-Mar		Tony Perez
23-Mar		Teddy Davidson
24-Mar		Billy McCool
25-Mar		Milt Pappas
26-Mar		Lee May
27-Mar		Jack Baldshum
28-Mar		John Tsitouris
29-Mar		Art Shamsky
30-Mar		-
31-Mar		Jim Coker
1-Apr		Richard Simpson
2-Apr		Mel Queen
3-Apr		Jim Maloney
4-Apr		Roger Craig

1965 Cincinnati Enquirer Book on the Reds

An uncatalogued set as of now issued as previous enquirer newspapers sets 1 per day up to opening day but changed the size to 4 x 7 and the name from scrapbook to Book on the Reds.

11-Mar		Dick Sisler MGR
12-Mar		Frank Robinson
13-Mar		Deron Johnson
14-Mar		Vada Pinson
15-Mar		John Edwards
16-Mar		Leo Cardenas
17-Mar		Jim O'Toole
18-Mar		Roger Craig
19-Mar		Tommy Harper
20-Mar		Charley James
21-Mar		Jim Maloney
22-Mar		Bill McCool
23-Mar		Hiraldo S.(Chico) Ruiz
24-Mar		Tommy Helms
25-Mar		Sammy Ellis
26-Mar		Tony Perez
27-Mar		Joey Jay
28-Mar		Jim Coker
29-Mar		Ryne Duren
30-Mar		Gerry Arrigo
31-Mar		Gordy Coleman
1-Apr		Pete Rose
2-Apr		John Tsitouris
3-Apr		Marty Keough
4-Apr		Joe Nuxhall
5-Apr		Bill Henry
6-Apr		Johnny Vander Meer
7-Apr		Art Shamsky
8-Apr		Steve Boros

Printing Variations

Wanted to show some minor variations I generally don't list printing "errors" as variations unless actually released in semi large numbers the 1982 blackless is a good example even though estimated at around 100 they are a consistent printing error simply missing black ink.  Blank back cards are abundant and I look at them as oddities but don't collect them pretty much every card in existence could have a blank back although the late 80's Topps seem to be very common. 

This variation just caught my attention from a long ago post on collectors universe 1986 Topps White Cardboard curious if anyone has a good number guess or an actual Rose example #1 and #6 were both on sheet C the effected one missing red dye to the back or actually on a different stock. 

The 1988 pictured is an interesting one the one on the left is lighter in print and missing black border on upper left still a minor printing error in my eyes if it ever gets listed in SCD price guide I might change my mind.

Anyone got any other interesting print errors?

New Stuff 12/13

Couple new items rare Topps/Bazooka pieces

Full Size New Stuff 12/13

1964 Cincinnati Enquirer Scrapbook

 Similar to the 63 set issued the same way 1 per day in the Cincinnati and KY Enquirer newspaper.  Below complete checklist with dates issued.

12-Mar		Fred Hutchinson MGR
13-Mar		Jim Maloney
14-Mar		Chico Ruiz
15-Mar		Pete Rose
16-Mar		Vada Pinson
17-Mar		Joe Nuxhall
18-Mar		Frank Robinson
19-Mar		Tommy Harper
20-Mar		Hal Smith
21-Mar		Charley Neal
22-Mar		Jim O'Toole
23-Mar		Bob Skinner
24-Mar		John Tsitouris
25-Mar		Leo Cardenas
26-Mar		Bob Purkey
27-Mar		John Edwards
28-Mar		Al Worthington
29-Mar		Joey Jay
30-Mar		Gordy Coleman
31-Mar		Bill Henry
1-Apr		Marty Keough
2-Apr		Billy McCool
3-Apr		Deron Johnson
4-Apr		Sam Ellis
5-Apr		Mel Queen
6-Apr		Lincoln Curtis
7-Apr		Bobby Klaus
8-Apr		Chet Nichols
9-Apr		Steve Boros
10-Apr		Jim Dickson

1963 Cincinnati Enquirer Scrapbook

I wanted to correct a lot of the errors in the checklist of this set and other newspaper sets so I ventured to the library and the microfilm and recataloged the set and also listed them by the day they were issued.  For those unfamiliar with the set from 1958-1967 the Cincinnati Enquirer and Kentucky Enquirer (for those across the river) printed 1 reds player with a brief history of that player in sports section up until opening day.  This makes them rather rare to find as any newspaper from that era is rare to find but as these were supposed to be saved I've seen them more in complete or semi complete sets for sale rather than the singles.  Pete just made the cut for the rookie issue and also just made the cut for the team as he is the last in this set.  Below is the complete checklist with dates issued.

9-Mar	Fred Hutchinson MGR
10-Mar	Bill Henry
11-Mar	Frank Robinson
12-Mar	Bob Purkey
13-Mar	Joey Jay
14-Mar	Eddie Kasko
15-Mar	Leo Cardenas
16-Mar	Don Blasingame
17-Mar	John Edwards
18-Mar	Harry Bright
19-Mar	John Klippstein
20-Mar	Wally Post
21-Mar	Ken Hunt
22-Mar	Sam Ellis
23-Mar	Joe Nuxall
24-Mar	Jim Maloney
25-Mar	Jesse Gonder
26-Mar	Marty Keough
27-Mar	Jim Owens
28-Mar	Al Worthington
29-Mar	Hank Foiles
30-Mar	Dave Sisler
31-Mar	Tom Harper
1-Apr	John Tsitouris
2-Apr	Jerry Lynch
3-Apr	Don Pavletich
4-Apr	Gordy Coleman
5-Apr	Jim O'Toole
6-Apr	Jim Brosnan
7-Apr	Ken Walters
8-Apr	Vada Pinson
9-Apr	Gene Freese
10-Apr	Pete Rose

New Stuff 12/05

Mainly newspapers and ads

Full Size

2 more Coke caps

Yet 2 more to add to the mix both Tab varieties it is an endless pursuit :>

One of the missing Coke pics

Finally came across the King Size Fresca variety.

New Stuff 12/02

The new stuff added to the site.

Full Size

2 more Coke caps

2 more caps to add to the mix Coke 16 Fluid Oz and Sprite with preserved with below baseball.  Always looking for more.

New Stuff 11/24 Happy Thanksgiving

Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone and enjoy some new scans of some magazines and other niceties. 

Full Size 11/24

New Stuff 11/20

Just a few new items to add to the ever growing site.

Full Size

1971 Kellogg's Variations

Saw a thread on net54 and started looking at the Rose and found there are 3 different ones I have

1 no date before xograph 486 RBI Total 1970 53

2 date before xograph 485 RBI Total 1970 52

3 date before xograph 486 RBI Total 1970 53

Anyone have any more possible a no date 485 RBI Total?

The Rare Stuff

Just wanted to go over the rare stuff it is wildly used in auction titles as rare but is rarely the case.  The rarest Rose items are by far the Topps test issues of the 60s the 67 punch out and 68 disc is easily a mid 4 figure items if and when it ever comes up for auction.  But beside test issues which by their nature are not printed in quantity the 60s regionals are hard to come by the 63-65 burger beer print (I think more because it is not easily identifiable  as such most think its a Jay publishing photo) and the 60s MacGregor's never pop up all that often. 

The 70s are pretty plentiful a few I've never seen are the 1970 ihop reds placemat have seen most other teams.  And for some reason have yet to see a 1976 Kellogg's box in over a year of looking they don't come up for sale everyday but seems every other year one will pop up every 3-4 months.

The 80s has some true rarities.  The 81 / 82 MSA FBI disc is very scarce the 81 I've never seen.  The 81 MSA promo disc is another that doesn't seem to ever surface.  Another one is the 79 Phillies postcard this the white stripe at the bottom couldn't tell you how it was issued but the Rose never comes around and have never seen another player pop up either.  Also looking for 1984 Expos postcard with the bilingual trademark line on back starting to believe it is not real but I'm sure it is just in the rare category.  The last item from 80's which I'd think would be plentiful but isn't is the Meadow Gold milk products the were issued during a boom in card collecting so they should pop up but anything beside the pint milk carton is not seen.

Got any others send them in.

New Stuff 11/14

Well the new hosting move is done and seems to be fine if there are any errors let me know.  Here are some new items added.

New Stuff

Moving Hosting Company this Week / Weekend

The site might be down a little this week / weekend as I move off dream host and move to godaddy hosting.  It saves me some money and should be more stable and faster.  The forums will probably be down longer as that is more involved.  But it takes a long time to upload 7,146 scans just a hair under 2 gigs of data but hopefully won't be a big issue and some of the weird quarks will go away like the buttons not working for some.  There also will be some minor rearranging and small face lifts happening.

New Newsletter and New Stuff 11/08/09

Some really cool newsletter type items that you don't see everyday.  And complete run of reds letter items.

New 11/08

Bruno Prank Video

Not the funniest thing ever but Pete seems rather unfazed by any of it.

Bruno Video

Reds Alert and New Stuff 11/05/09

I recently won a large lot of Reds Alert magazine/newspaper and compiled the complete list of Rose covers and many many advertisements in them.  The newspaper was produced from 1974-1979 started off in 1974 as Pete Rose's Reds Alert with a small picture of Pete on each cover left them off the list just included the full blown covers of Pete then changed its name to just Reds alert in 1975 and finally changing its name to Sports Alert in 1978.

Complete list of new stuff

New Stuff 10/31

Going to try posting new stuff here from now on.

New Stuff 10/31/09

More Coke

Came up with a few more coke cap variations Coke K / Fresca K / Fresca Ring / Tab Ring / Tab WV / Tab Dietary.  Since these were not all produced in 1 or 2 locations there are probably endless variations that happen region to region but I'll continue to add away as I find them.

The Real Rose Rookie

Here's an interesting picture showing a super young Rose pretty sure came from the auction of his exwife's stuff a few years back.  Might make an interesting custom card out if it circa 1972 Topps Boyhood photos of the stars.

A few more customs

Just got done with a few more custom creations I am making a custom card section on the website to display them soon.  2005 UD Sweet Spot, 1998 UD Retro, 2004 UD Custom Teams

Prime Cut Mystery

There are a few errors in the Prime Cuts checklist that needs clarified in talking with a Rickey Henderson collector it is verified through donruss that all cards with him on it were pulled which includes a triple auto and jersey with Rose.  However we have both verified that at least 2 of the prime triple jersey made it in packs that might be all or the other 3 might be hidden away.  These other are listed on the checklist but don't include numbers so they are very doubtful as to have been produced still awaiting donruss answer if they were.

Material Triples # to 5 Willie Mays / Rickey Henderson / Rose
Signature Trios # to 10 Willie Mays / Rickey Henderson / Rose
Parrallel Base Prime Cuts Materials Combos # to
Parrallel Icons Materials Combos # to
Parrallel Icons Materials Combos Prime Signatures # to
Parrallel Icons Materials MVP # to
Parrallel Icons Materials Prime Signatures MVP # to
Parrallel Timeline Materials Combos # to
Parrallel Timeline Materials CY HR # to
Parrallel Timeline Materials Prime Signatures CY HR # to
Parrallel Timeline Trios Materials # to
Parrallel Timeline Trios Materials Prime Signatures # to
Parrallel Timeline Trios Materials Prime Signatures MVP # to
Parrallel Timeline Trios Materials Prime Signatures Stats # to
Parrallel Timeline Quads Materials Prime Signatures Custom Numbers # to

More Coke

I have a true obsession with these coke caps and getting the information on them correct.  Most of the time they are listed as 1967-68 caps or individual year 1967 or 1968.  They do have a distinct variation in years for the team caps.  The 1967 has the player position listed to the right the 1968 do not.  And not surprisingly the 67 variation is the scarcer of the 2.  The All Star Caps do not seem to have been changed as they all appear to have the star for position both years.

4190cards?

If you haven't heard a few years ago the statisticians of the baseball world re added up Ty Cobb's numbers and it seems a game got counted twice in 1910 where he went 2 for 3 so his real hit total is 4,189.  Baseball has refused to change the numbers officially (why is anyone's guess) most likely as it changes Pete's record dates yes baseball really does think of Pete :>.  So being the inquiring person I am I was curious to update the trivia question who gave up Pete's tying hit of 4189?  It happened in Chicago on 9/6/85 the unlucky pitcher was Derek Botelho a minor league pitcher for the most part but interestingly enough it was a home run not something Pete was known for this was also his last career home run as he only had 2 that year and before that had 3 in 1982 so he was due.  Hit 4,190 came 2 days later off Reggie Patterson who also gave up 4,191 the same day both singles.  And of course Eric Show on 9/11/85 gave up 4,192.

I think I'll keep with the 4192cards as it just flows better.

Custom Cards

From time to time I enjoy making a custom card below is my latest attempt one good thing about Rose is with the exception of donruss and sportkings last year there is no new stuff to chase.  The bad thing there are a lot of cool sets that should have had a Rose card in it but never made it.  Below is a creation of mine a 2000 UD 3000 Hit Club card and a 2001 UD Gold Glove Leather Bound still getting my photoshop / publisher skills together but not a bad start.

One more Coke Cap

Another cap to add to the list its a interesting one Approved for Passover use Rabbi A Leiter couldn't tell you what that means exactly but proof is in the picture.

Rose in the HOF

If you're a Rose fan or baseball fan in general you have an opinion on Rose's banned from baseball and through rules changed after the fact the HOF.  Here's my 2 cents on it - do I believe he should be in - without a doubt numbers and record don't lie he left everything on the field and anyone that doesn't recognize that is blind.  Now his gambling is a serious crime and I can see how it was seen when he didn't bet on the Reds to win he was signaling they might not have the best chance of winning but he never pulled a player out or did a bad managerial move to effect the game.  So I truly say time served give him his due.

Now I also believe he will never get reinstated by Selig or any other commissioner that answers to the owners.  There is no plus (money) side to baseball to let this happen.  Baseball seems content to roll Pete out when it suits their needs a.k.a. all time team, memorable moments celebration because dollars were on the line it made baseball money to have him there and made baseball look good.  I do believe that a few years after he passes away then baseball might get around to reviewing his case and let the HOF committee vote him in or not but they seem very scared to let him have the mic and give a speech at inauguration day.  Pete has always put the game first and would never embarrass baseball on its grand stage, so I don't know what they worry about.  It would definitely make money for the hall as I will be there when it happens.

The Hidden Rose

While I don't consider any of these "real" Pete Rose cards I do believe Pete is hidden in the background on them.  But because he is either cut way off or so small and out of focus can't tell 100% I won't include them like the 1971 Topps Chris Short card or 1986 Donruss Highlights Eric Davis where it is very clear it is Rose in the background but if you have a very keen eye maybe some imagination you should be able to pick him up.

Rose Hidden Pictures

1963 Rose Rookie Counterfeits

In the late 80's counterfeit Rose rookies showed up in mass almost a perfect crime in that not many people thought of counterfeiting baseball cards beside the T-206 rarities and was a very good job. He however tried to sell 100s at 1 show I'm pretty sure not many people own 100 of his rookie yet alone in perfect condition. I have only owned 2 at 1 time and only have 1 now. But the tell tale signs of the 80's counterfeit is if you hold the card up to a strong light looking at the reverse you can see the 4 circles easily, due to paper stock that was too thin it also has a waxy feeling to them. Also the phony Rose's have a black outline around his cap that is not visible in the real deal. Also there is a white dot below McMullen's cap above his left eye.

I'm a firm believer there are even better copies out there now and even worse ones than the first that is why I would never buy a raw rookie. Even though I dislike grading cards, makes people go for the grade rather than the card, for a high dollar card better safe than sorry and get one that has been thoroughly examined. The typical Rose rookie is very tough to get in 100% centered conditioned so that is the 1st red flag not that they don't exist but very very rare.

A grading numbers run down there are 26 PSA 9 and only 1 PSA 10. 3 BVG/BSG 9 and no 9.5 or 10s. SCG has 11 - 92 8 -96 1 - 98 0 - 100 so high grade examples are super rare.

Autograph Transformation

Pete's autograph has been a pretty stable one over the years but there are differences from when he was a unknown (relatively) rookie to superstar of the 70's and 80's. Below are some examples to show the transformation. His early signature was very rigid no big loops 63-64 style. As he stayed in the league longer and became more popular his autograph changed both for speed and style the P and R became round 65-70. The 70's sigs are much bigger and P and R more oval this seems to hold true to today although as time progressed the oval has become longer. His current signature for "certified" issues has squashed down a bit most likely do to space on the sticker and the fact I'm sure he signs 100s or 1000s of these at a time his hand has to cramp after awhile.

The good news is he is and was a very good signer that seems to be his full time job now so there are not a ton of forgeries out there but there are some from the late 80's that don't match when you really look at the details. And also some earlier signatures but on a newer item just can't happen so always watch for that.

My other collection

I have another side of my collection autographs I started a few years ago because Rose items just don't pop up everyday I wanted and needed a new chase. I have started collecting baseball HOFers but even that is a finite collection when you are not Bill Gates. So I combined my 2 collections into a Rose compilation I chose to get all autographs of pitchers that he got memorable hits off of and all pitchers he got hits off of during the hitting streak. Seemed pretty straight forward none were high dollar pitchers but there are a few very difficult ones that don't sign much weren't in the majors long or have passed on.

For the memorable hits Charlie Williams (2,000th hit) just doesn't sign much and never did my TTM (through the mail) request never returned took along time before one popped up for sale that was authenticated. Also Reggie Patterson (4,191) also never seems to sign and also my TTM went unanswered think he doesn't like the highlight of his career as giving up the tying hit. And of course Eric Show (4,192) has passed on and didn't sign that much during his playing days.

For the streak I was very successful with TTM for almost all of them but Pete Vuckovich not a big signer and Mark Lemongello not a signer at all google him and you'll understand hard to sign when in jail. But he is out and trying to track him down found a friend of his current girlfriend that got me some signed for a small fee.

For my other projects similar to above go to http://4192cards.com/baseball/index_files/favorites.htm