More From CSA

Here are a few more of my finds at the most recent Collector's Showcase of America show.

 

I picked up this 1960 Topps card of a fresh-faced Don Drysdale for a buck or two out of a bargain bin. There's some wear and tear, no question. But overall, that's a nice card of Big D.

This was the last card I needed to complete my '73 Topps Dodgers team set (HIGH FIVE). It always throws me for a loop to see Davey Lopes sans mustache. In his heyday during the '70s and '80s, no one in the game could surpass the Dodger team captain in terms of mustache supremacy. Those upper-lip whiskers were a force of nature. And let's not forget he was a heck of a ballplayer as well.

I snagged this Carl Erskine for a song. It's a little odd to see a card with a pink border. But it's still a nice piece of cardboard of a classic Dodger.

After meeting Mr. Howard and getting his autograph, I made a point adding a few more of his Dodger cards to my collection. This '62 Topps was my favorite (gotta love the faux wood grain border, which looks like the paneling in my grandma's basement.)

 

Meeting the Capital Punisher

My personal highlight from the July CSA show was meeting baseball great Frank Howard. Though he spent the bulk of his career with the Washington Senators, where he earned the apt nickname The Capital Punisher, Howard had a number of stellar years with the Dodgers—winning Rookie of the Year honors in 1960 and helping Los Angeles sweep the New York Yankees in the 1963 World Series. In the fourth and deciding game of that series, Howard collected the Dodgers' only two hits of the game, including a monstrous solo home run. That would be the only offense the Boys in Blue would need, as Sandy Koufax shut down the Bronx Bombers, yielding just one run on six hits.  

Frank couldn't have been more gracious, sharing stories about playing in the L.A. Coliseum and happily agreeing to any and all picture requests. For me, he signed both a giant 1964 Topps card as well as a baseball, on which he inscribed, "1963 W.S. Champs - L.A. Dodgers."  Two great autographs. 

I hope Frank comes to future CSA shows. I have plenty more Dodger items on which I'd love to have his signature. 

Collector's Showcase of America

Three times a year, the Collectors Showcase of America (CSA) hosts shows at the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, Virginia. The shows feature over 200 tables where nearly every kind of sports card and collectible is on display. In addition, scores of current and former sports greats are available for autographs and photos. Even though I'd heard about these shows in the past, I had never attended one until recently. But now that my collecting juices are flowing once again, I made a point of attending the July CSA show. And now I see what I was missing all these years.

 

My nine-year-old son and I were like kids in a candy store as we perused the various tables, examining the multitudes of vintage cards looking for particular singles to plug holes in our collections. The deals we got were exceptional, and the dealers we met were very friendly and extremely knowledgeable. Having now sampled a CSA show, I can guarantee that I won't be missing any more shows in the near future.

 

Over the next several days, I'll post pics of some of the best cards and other items that I purchased. Here's a quick sample of a few of my favorites:

 

 

This completed my '71 Topps Dodgers team set. Not in the greatest condition, but I got a great deal on it. So I'm more than happy with this purchase.

 

 

I've had my eye on this card for years. Because of its high number and the fact that it's the rookie for two future all stars, this card usually commands a hefty asking price. However, I got a superb deal on this one. After my recent acquisitions of Steve Garvey and Frank Robinson (also high-numbered rarities from the '72 set), this Cey rookie completes my '72 Topps Dodgers team set.

 

More to come ...