Franklin High Star Ron Santo

 Fandom and it's associated collecting is a strange thing. When I first became a Ron Santo fan I was young boy.  Ron was in his prime, smashing home runs and snagging line drives at the Friendly Confines.  When his career was over, after that sad year on the South Side, I was a only a teen.  Later on I listened to him on the radio and saw him on TV.  Ernie Banks may have copyrighted "Mr. Cub" but I'll argue that Ron Santo was just as worthy of that honor.  When he failed to be elected to the Hall of Fame in life I was sad along with him.  It was bittersweet when he was finally honored posthumously in 2012.  My father, a generation older, like Ronnie, battled diabetes for many years.  He succumbed to it's effects at age 70.  When I learned that Santo had died in early December 2010 at the same age I was nearly as heartbroken.  Now I'm within shouting distance of the age when they both passed.  I miss them both.  Even now I'm still a Ron Santo fan and collector.  

I've only seen one copy of Ron Santo's 1958 Franklin High yearbook come up on Ebay.  I know I bid on it but lost.  About a month ago, before sunrise I received a notification that one had been listed again.  This time it was a Buy It Now and the price being within even my meager budget it took me about three minutes before I clicked the button.

A little research indicates that this copy probably belonged to Joan Akers, now Joan Akers Booms who still appears to be living in Seattle.  The seller takes donations and sells a small percentage of the books to support giving others to hospitals, shelters, teachers and other non-profits. I hope this was not donated by accident.  I'll take good care of it Joan. 

It's interesting to see that Ron's distinctive signature was the same since his teens.

Ron was a star athlete at good old Franklin, playing basketball, football and of course baseball.  I'd show more pictures but I'm afraid of breaking copyrights.  There is one baseball card that features Ron's senior head shot.  In it he's wearing a bow tie, as all the boys did. I don't own a copy.

Ron Santo, born on February 25, 1940 would have turned 84 yesterday.

Celebrating My Heritage --- Jews on Cards --- Star Trek

At least four actors from the Star Trek franchise have Jewish roots -- not quite a minyan but a good start.

Leonard Nimoy

William Shatner

Walter Koenig

Brent Spiner

 

An Endless Chain of Cars

 I love this card from the 1933 World's Fair, A Century of Progress, in Chicago.  

For those of us who are too young to remember Nash's and aren't car guys and gals here's a brief history of the company:

"The Nash Motor Company, founded in 1916, was an American automobile manufacturer known for its innovative designs and features. The company introduced numerous industry-firsts, including heating and ventilation systems and seat belts. Nash cars were renowned for their durability and comfort. In 1954, Nash merged with Hudson to form American Motors Corporation (AMC), which eventually became a part of the Chrysler Corporation in 1987."

Does the Nash Tower look familiar?  Carvana claims to have invented the automobile vending machine.  That may be technically true but the world saw the glass tower of moving colorful cars a full 80 years earlier!

The Brooklyn Bridge

 The biggest part of my postcard collection is focused on my hometown, Chicago, IL.  As time has gone by I've branched out to include other cities.   To that end I have about two dozen or so vintage scenes from New York City.  Here's the iconic Brooklyn Bridge.

This card dates from somewhere between  1915 and 1930.

If you're a reader interested in history there's a good chance you've read something by the late David McCullough.  

People Who Collect and the People Who Love Them

 I've only opened two packs in the last two years, both Topps flagship 36 card packs.  Both were gifts from my wife.  Those of us who collect, whether it be trading cards or anything else, are fortunate if the people around us are supportive of our hobby.  So here's to the wives, husbands, girlfriends and boyfriends, kids, parents and friends who at least humor us in our collecting endeavors.  

Thanks Sweetie!  I got some good cards in this pack.

And We're Giving You a Tie!

 I'm not a father myself but today is one of those days when I think of my own dear old dad.  This is an oft posted picture of my baseball loving father outside his school in Chicago in the 1930's.

Cubs legend Stan Hack was my dad's favorite player in his youth.  Coincidentally my favorite Cub is also a legendary Cubs 3rd baseman, Ron Santo.

Here are a few never before published photographs of my Dad Marv as a young man about town in Chicago.

Happy Father's Day.

A Century of Progress

 The 1933 Chicago World's Fair, A Century of Progress, opened 90 years ago.  This is a first day postcard, rather than a cover.  There were lots of picture postcards issued commemorating the two year fair.  I have around 80 of them from at least eight sets.  Lord knows how many sets there were.  

This card appropriately has the one cent Fort Dearborn stamp.  Also issued on May 25, 1933 was a violet three cent letter rate stamp depicting the modern Federal Building.

Celebrating My Heritage --- Jews on Cards --- Sandy Koufax

 For years I've had a goal of putting together a collection of cards of famous Jewish people, mostly athletes of course.  While still quite modest in size I do finally have my binder full of Jews.  

Who better to start this series with than "The Left Arm of God", Sandy Koufax.