Some New Adds To My Jets PC

This week I was able to add to my New York Jets PC, which I had been neglecting as of late. The adds were in form of a ttm autograph, which kicked off the start of a project I will be working on as well as a late xmas gift from my buddy.

Last year, a coffee table book called The New York Jets: The Complete History was released. When I saw it, I knew I wanted it.

It looks like a decent read and it has some great pictures, many of which I hadn't seen. My friend Mark, who has a similar book about The Mets, suggested I do what he is doing. Mark, also an autograph hound, is trying to get all the players featured in The Mets book to sign the page that they are on. He's doing a very good job with it. He has a lot of signatures in that book. But I wasn't sure I wanted to do that.

For one thing, not a lot of former Jets make as many apperances as the former Mets do. To get that book signed would be a difficult task. And two, how do you display it? I had done this with a wrestling photo book in the 90's to great success. Only problem is I can't really display the pics I got signed. And I have some good ones. Ric Flair, Lex Luger, Kerry Von Erich, Owen Hart, Davy Boy Smith, to name a few. Cant really display the book. Just allow people to flip through the pages to see the autos. Plus, I really didn't take care of the book. The outside is in rough shape. I won't take the pages out to display though. Rough shape or not, it will stay as is. It's one of my most prized possessions and will stay as is.

Then, an idea came to me via youtube. One of the guys I sub to, Bloodspawn, is working on a Dallas Cowboys book where he is sending book plates through the mail and sticking the plates by the player's picture. Brilliant idea. I just can't do that with this book as there is no room. It's a history of book and theres a lot of text in this book. So, I came up with another idea. I would send the players labels, have them sign that and I'd stick the lable inside the cover. If I ever see a player who is in the book, I'll have the player sign his page, but for now, ttm'ing is the way to go. So I decided to test it on a player I know signs and it worked like a charm.

Former member of the famed New York Sack Exchange, Marty Lyons, signed the above label/book plate in about 5 days. Once I got it, I stuck it inside the cover on the first page like I planned.

I think it looks great. Plus, there is enough room on the page where I can have 2 rows of autographed book plates, right next to each other going down the page. Oh, and I got something else signed.

Mr. Lyons also signed my throwback mini helmet in silver sharpie. Looks better in person than how it looks on the picture, I promise. Still, I wish I had sent a paint pen instead of a sharpie, especially since he returned the Sharpie.



My other add to the New York Jets collection is something of the vintage variety. I love vintage stuff when it comes to the Yankees, Jets, Spider-Man and Batman. I wish I could afford to buy more. I am always thrilled when I can find a deal on something older to add to my collection. If it's free, even better.

My buddy Mark (there he is again), gave me a late christmas gift of something I had been eyeballing on ebay for a while now. He found it in a flea market for dirt cheap.

He got me this vintage Joe Namath puzzle. It was something I have wanted for a while and was absolutely floored when I saw it. I don't have a lot of Namath collectables in my collection, save for the autographs I have, either certified card or IP. Ever since I watched the HBO documentary this past winter, I have wanted to get some of Namath's merchandise for the Jets PC. This puzzle was one of the things I zeroed in on.

I love the simple lettering, plain white background and pic with the Jets logo airbrushed out.

The seller told my buddy that all the pieces were inside the baggie provided.


The box is a little beat up with some stains and dents, but I don't care. It's mine, mine, allll mine! mwhahahahahaha!...excuse me. Got a bit carried away.

Anyway, it still looks great for displaying purposes once I get a cabinet to display all my Jets goodies in. And believe me, I will be displaying the box along side my signed mini helmets, figures and other Jets suff I have gotten over the years.

The Jets have some real nice vintage stuff out there that I would love to get my hands on. From programs to yearbooks. Pennants to pins, I want it all. My love for Gang Green is almost on level with my feelings for the Yankees. I go back to 1980 with the Jets, when they were still in Shea Stadium. I might be the only Yankees fan who loved Shea. Because of my Jets, my first game at Shea wasn't even a Mets game. It was a Jets game.

So, now that I can cross the puzzle off my list, I can go back to trolling on ebay for other vintage Jets items I can add to the collection. Excuse me. I can hear the "bay" calling.

League Of Extraordinary Bloggers Assignment: My Prized Possession

For this week's assignment, The League had to post which of their possessions is considered their most prized. Which would be the one thing that you would fight off a couple of killer ninja's for, or run into your burning home to retrieve or fight Freddy, Jason, Preditor, an Alien, Mike Myers and Adam Lambert over. For me, this was a pretty easy one.

No, dear readers, it's not a Spidey object or one of my Batman Megos or my Patrik Elias game used hockey stick. It's not anything from my Beatles, KISS, Monkees or Back To The Future collections either. This one item is something that can actually fit into my pocket so I can attempt to grab a few more things if need be. Heck, this is something I think EVERYONE would consider a prized possession.

For your consideration, I give to you my most prized possession. A Babe Ruth cut autograph from the 2005 Upper Deck Baseball Heroes set. I actually bought a tin of the product at a card show a few years ago. I went on line to get an autograph and decided to bust the tin. I was looking through the cards, saw the Ruth and actually passed it by thinking it was an insert. When I didn't get the 1 autograph I was promised, that's when I realized what I had. I went back to the card and looked it over and indeed, it was a cut signature card of Babe Ruth.

To say I was overjoyed would be an understatement. I was doing cartwheels, jumping jacks, running in place and whooting at the top of my lungs, drawing weird looks from people. Ok, I didn't do that. I did allow myself a Holy S#%t! The guy next to me saw what I pulled and said "This guy pulled a Babe Ruth Autograph!" A couple people asked to see it and congradulated me over the pull. I had a few offers for the card right there and then and I turned them down.

I didn't turn them down because the offers weren't high enough. They were plenty high. I turned it because I never really thought I would be lucky enough to ever own a Babe Ruth Autograph at any point in my life. As a Yankees collector, it's the Holy Grail of most Yankee fans and to say I own a Babe Ruth auto is actually something else. Plus, it's something that I would love to hand down to my son or daughter if I am ever lucky enough to marry and have a child.

So, I would let my Spider-Man Comics go up in flames. The Warlocks can take away my collection of Batmobiles and Dr. Doom can steal my Beatles Yellow Submanrine figures. The Babe Ruth? That's coming with me. Big Whoop. Wanna fight about it?

The Accidental Autograph

Sometimes something pretty cool happens when you least expect it. Like today, for example. I left work trying to decide if I was hitting the gym or going straight home. I had an accident yesterday where I almost fell down the stairs in my apartment building. The super was moping the stairs and didnt stop to let me pass. I waited till he went to rinse out his mop and proceeded down the stairs. All of a sudden, he came back and started mopin again while I was going down the stairs. The mop went between my legs, tripping me up. I grabbed the rail and kinda did a Matrix thing where I fell back while my knees went forward, but never fell down. The super said sorry the way you would say whatever and went back to work. Rather than cause an incident, I went to work. Once there, I felt tightness in my lower back and knee, so I didnt get to go to the gym yesterday. Today, I felt a bit better and was on my way there when the knee started tightening, so I started to walk to the train.

On the way, I passed the new NFL Pop Up Store It's only open until the end of April. I hadn't been there as of yet, so I decided to take a look in the window. When I did, I saw New York Jets Defensive Tackle Sione Pouha inside the store at a podium signing for customers. I went around the corner and saw a small line to get into the store and a guy handing out photos. I grabbed a couple and got on line. Once inside, I grabbed a Jets mini helmet, like the kind Pouha uses. A few minutes later, I was meeting Sione Pouha. He was a great guy, spoke to me a few as he signed the 2 pics and mini helmet and I was on my way.

I didn't even know there was a free signing and had I gone to the gym, I never would have known until later. It's one of the few times I'm actually glad I skipped the gym. It's been while since I went to a free signing and now I have another autographed helmet to add to my Jets collection. I do have an extra phot that is up for trade if anyone wants to trade.

Also, if you want to find out who else will be showing up, follow the store on twitter @officialnflshop. From what I understand, the store will have a Jet or Giant signing every Tuesday and Friday. I think the next three signings are Giants players. Take advantage now, store will close on April 30th.

Recent Autograph Adds

I love this blog. I love writing it. But due to work, gym and other commitments, I barely have time to write as much as I'd like to. As you can imagine, there blogs I'd love to post and after a while, it gets backed up. I recently realized I haven't posted any of my autograph successes in a long time.

So, for your veiwing pleasure, I will post my most recent scores.

This was one autograph I wanted for a long time and was finally able to add it to my collection. I remember Mark Jackson as a point guard with St. Johns and then with the Knicks. He never had a certified auto released save for a college card. My rule is, the player has to be pictured in the uniform of the team I collect. So, I passed up the college cards. When Jackson was hired to be the coach of the Golden State Warriors, I decided to take a shot. After about 2 months, I got my card back, signed. Thrilled to finally have a Jackson auto in my Knicks collection.

Blackhawk great Bobby Hull signed this custom for me in about a month c/o The Blackhawks

Sent former Jet, Mike D'Amato a custom and he sent me back this 8x10, signed and personalized to me. Very cool success.

Another former Jet, Ralph Baker, signed this custom for me in under a weeks time.

The next couple were in person sucesses.

About a week ago, I attended the New Jersey Devils annual blood drive. Each year, I give blood to The Devils blood drives. This year, I decided to bring my 2000 Championship puck just in case. Last year, 2 former Devils showed up and while I was glad to get the players to sign pictures they provided, I need one on puck. This year, I vowed not to be left out, in case the player I thought would show up, did.

I was able to get former Devil Ken Danyeko to sign the puck for me in blue sharpie. I think it came out well. It's my second Danyeko puck. The first I got at a charity event and it was a rush job. This time, he took his time signing it.

Last, but certainly not least For my Spider-Man collection

Andrew Garfield, who will be playing Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the upcoming Amazing Spider-Man, is on Broadway performing in Death Of A Salesman. I was able to get him on this 8x10 after a performance. His shoe lace was untied and I told him so and added I was sure his Spider-Sense didn't pick it up, which got a laugh from him and the people in my vicinity. Nice kid. Hope he does well.

I'm planning to send out a lot of autograph requests in the upcoming days, so I will hopefully have more stuff to show as they come in. Hopefully, you will have as much fun checking them out as I do writing and posting them. I have a few projects in mind and will tell you what they are as the autos come back.

See you soon.

New League Topic: Holy Grails And White Whales

This week's topic is an intresting topic for me. Brian over at coolandcollected.com poses this question for the League:

We all collect something. What is a holy grail item you hope to find at a flea market, toy show, or comic convention? What else do you collect?

Let's start with what I collect. For those of you who read this blog on a regular basis, you will or have already noticed, that I have a few diffrent collections going. I collect New York Yankees, New York Jets, Spider-Man, Batman, bobblehead dolls, KISS, The Beatles, The Monkees, autographs, Back To The Future, Roddy Piper, Stone Cold Steve Austin and anything else I find intresting. I am pack rat and when I see something I like, I buy it. To me, picking just one white whale or holy grail was next to impossible since I want to add so many items to these growing collections. So, what I decided to do was pick the one item from each collection that I am working on that I would call my "holy grail" of that particular collection.

I also went with realistic white whales, meaning whales I can realisticly snag. Sure, I would love to add Spider-Man # 1 or a cowl used by Adam West during filming of the Batman tv show. But really, am I going to find a Mickey Mantle game used jersey at a flea market? No way. Will I be able to afford a 8 x10 signed by all four members of The Beatles? Not anytime soon. My plan to win the lotto will come to fruition soon, but until then, I will go cheap and choose the whales I can land without declaring bankruptcy.

This 1966 Batman puppet was made by Ideal during the height of Batmania, caused by the Live Action Batman tv show. These puppets were either sold in a box or a plastic bag. Ideal also made Robin and The Joker. Since I only collect Batman for the time being, I would consider this to be the holy grail for my Batman collection. I have either lost a bid on ebay or found it at flea markets/toy shows in less than desirable condition at outragous prices. This is one piece of Batman merchandise I know I can add to my collection without breaking the bank. I just need to be patient.

Another item I would love to own one day is a program from the very first game the New York Jets played at Shea Stadium. For the first 4 years, the Jets (known as the Titans at this point) played their home games at the old Polo Grounds in Manhattan. They played to very little fanfare as the Titans drew flies dispite fielding competitve teams. The team became the Jets in 1963, playing out it's last year in the Polo Grounds before moving to a brand spanking new Shea Stadium in 1964. On September 12th, the Jets played the Denver Broncos in their first game at Shea, beating Denver 30-6 before a crowd of 45,665 fans.

I have never seen a copy of the program in person, but have bid on a few on ebay usually losing in the 50-65.00 range. Always looking to score sweet swag on the cheap, I always try to win this in the 30 dollar range. I'm usually winning until the last half hour. I guess next time, I'll just have to bid the the 50.00 range. I know, I know. I'm a skinflint.

Ok. A-I love KISS B-I love Megos. When these two teamed up in the 70's, I cruelly learned a new word to add to my young vocabulary: Drool. Back in the 70's, KISS was everywhere. Lunchboxes, radios, tshirts, belt buckles. Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley never met a buck they didn't like and would sell their likeness to anything and anyone willing to pay. Fast forward to today and nothing's changed. Gene and Paul still sell out the Kiss name and likeness to make a buck and I still want these action figures.

Yes, they are made on bodies that the KISS members only dreamed they had. But that doesn't take away from how cool they look. The make up is pretty dead on as well as the costumes. The faces...wellllll. Gene is probably the best looking figure. Funny thing, the Ace figure looks like Tommy Thayer now. To own this set is pricey, but can be done.

Here's another pricey piece I'd love to own and it's a holy grail for both the Yankee and bobblehead collections. This bobblehead was made in 1961-1963. There were 2 versions of the Mantle: The square base pictured above and one that had a round base. Mantle was released with Roger Maris, Willie Mays and the very rare Roberto Clemente. There was also a mini version of this bobble that is very pricey. This bobble, I have seen on ebay for around 150-200.00. Pricey, yet affordable.

Here's something I have wanted for quite sometime. A Monkees puppet made by Mattel in 1966. The puppet has the heads of Davy Jones, Peter Tork, Mickey Dolenz and Mike Nesmith on four fingers and had a draw string that would "say" 10 diffrent recorded comedy bits voiced by the band. Finding a puppet that actually has a working voice box is the trick, because any auction I have seen or in person at a flea market, the puppet voice is silenced. Honestly, as much as I'd love to find one that works so I can sit on the floor, pull the draw string and giggle like a ten year, chances are slim. I would be happy to have a non working one to display with the rest of my Monkees collectables. I can usually find this anywhere between 60-80.00, but with the recent passing of Davy Jones, I'm betting the value went up a bit.

Yes, I know wrestling is fake, but I am still a huge fan. My all time favorite wrestler is "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. I was a huge fan back when he was causing havock in the old WWF, hosting the notorious "Piper's Pit". When LJN came out with these rubber wrestling figures in 1984, I got 2 for Christmas: Hulk Hogan and of course, Roddy Piper. First thing I did was take the WWF Title off Hogan and put it on Piper. I had that figure for years and forgot what happened to it. I've been looking for another for a while, but it has to have the kilt. I have seen way too many without it and, to me, no Piper figure is complete without it.

Last and not least, we have this 1970's Spider-Man bank which has driven me to the brink of insanity. Why? Because 3 times I have bought this bank and 3 times something bad has happened to it. The first time, it got crushed in boxes during a move. The second time, it got decapitated. Don't ask how. It just happened and it wasn't pretty. The third time crushed again. Those happened because I didn't have a place for it and tried to store it in places were it met fates worse than death. Now that I have my Spidey Shelves, this hunk of plastic would look awesome sticking out of the sea of Spidey toys. I just have to win one. I keep getting out bid on it. It's almost like a Spidey bank fairy is preventing me from winning one because of what happened to the others. Stop me? I don't think so. It will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine.

There were 2 others I wanted to add, like the Beatles Flip Your Wig game or the 1970's Godzilla toy I used to have that had the firing fist I used to aim at my sister and conk her on the head. But even I had to have a limit. With all stuff I want, I better have a huge man cave to put it all in. Which I will because that fool proof plan to win the lottery will help pay for all this stuff and I will live an exsitance worthy of Comic Book Guy from the Simpsons. Except better looking. But just as geeky and damn proud of it.

Davy Jones Memorial Show April 3rd, 2012

I have a confession...

I am a Monkees fan

I am a huge Monkees fan. Have been ever since I was a kid. Here in NYC, The Monkees used to be shown on Channel 5, then on Channel 9 as part of their 60's summer block with Gidget and My Favorite Martian. I loved the music and the show and would never miss it when it was shown. Then, when MTV started shoing the show and the Monkees became superstars all over again, it was Monkee-mania all over again. I missed out on it in the 60's, so I got to enjoy it in the 80's. When Mickey, Davy and Peter (Mike opted not to tour) came to NYC on their tour, I begged my mom t let me go. Of course, my mom said no as I was too young to go to a concert by myself. Luckily, a friend from school went and he bought me back a concert shirt. I wore that shirt proudly down the halls of John F. Kennedy High School, getting the first of what would be many, many weird looks from people over my devotion to The Monkees.

Fast forward a few years later. I am hanging out in Kmart with my buddy, George. We're in the CD section and I come across Arista's Monkees CD, That was Then, This is Now...The Best of the Monkees. Not owning a Monkees CD, I grab it and try to hide it from George. I wasn't sure what he would think and I didn't want to get teased about my musical tastes. George, however noticed I was hiding something and asked what I had. Sheepishly, I hand over the CD, waiting for the inevitable laughter. The laughter, however, never came. He asked if I was a fan and I said I was and he said he was as well. Relieved, I paid for the CD and it was the beginning of a 22 year Monkees run for us.

We went to concerts, Met Davy and Peter a few times, bought CD's, Videos, tshirts, vintage stuff. Whenever we went on a road trip, a Monkees cd was in the car and we would have a blast, singing the songs on our way to whatever destination await us. We had tickets to their tour last year, which unfortunately was cancelled for reasons still not known. As upset as George and I were, we were convinced that they would make it up by touring again real soon.

Then, Feburary 29th 2012 rocked my Monkee world.

I was out to lunch, awaiting my order when I got a text from my friend, Honey. It had 3 simple words.

Davy Jones R.I.P

I was stunned. It was news that I was not expecting, nor willing to accept at that point. How could Davy Jones be gone? I wasn't aware he was sick or anything. Surely, it had to be a mistake, right?

Sadly, it wasn't. I found out when I got back to my desk that Davy passed on due to a massive heart attack. He was gone now and wouldn't be back. I felt terrible for his family, fellow Monkees, and fans. Selfishly, I wanted him back. It was really upseting to me that he was gone. I understand that death waits for no one. But his was so unexpected. The rest of the day was a fog to me. In my head, I can hear my memories play "Girl", "(I'll) Love You Forever" and "Daydream Believer" over and over. I spoke with George later that night, sharing our devistaion over his passing.

This past Tuesday, I was lucky enough to attend An Evening Of Music: The Davy Jones Memorial and Memories at B.B. King's in Manhattan. George, his wife, Marge and myself joined hundreds of others paying tribute to a man who spent his life entertaining millions for so many years.

The concert was put together by his band, with help from his 4 daughters, 2 of which were in attendance. The show was emceed by radio dj, Cousin Brucie. During the course of the evening, we were shown rare videos of his first apperance on US TV, singing a medely from Oliver, his apperance on Ed Sullivan with the rest of the cast of Oliver, his Monkees screen test, his apperance on Shindig, a video of him winning a horse race in England, recording Your Personal Penguin and some vintage Monkees commercials were shown through out the night.

The band offered their memories of Davy and played some of his most well known songs. There were special guests Like 2 of Davy's daughters, Tommy James, Gene Cornish of the Young Rascals, and Denna Martin all offered up memories of Davy. Richard Marx sent in a video of his memories as well as a video of him playing I Want To Be Free. At the end of the night, 2 of the biggest surprises appeared.

Peter Tork took the stage to share memories and play What Am I Doing Hanging Around

Mickey Dolenez came on stag to perform Just You and I from Justus and then I'm A Believer. He didn't share any memories as he said it was too soon for him. Then everyone joined the band to close out the evening with Daydream Believer. Mickey broke down during the song and you couldn't help but feel for him. What he was feeling was shared by myself and everyone who was in attendence.

It was a wonderful evening of music, laughter, tears and memories of a very gifted performer, a funny gentleman and a wonderful man. It was an evening I'm sure Davy would have enjoyed. Good bye Davey. Thank you for the joy you bought upon me and everyone else.

P.S.-All proceeds for the show went to a foundation Davy's daughters are starting in his honor called the Davy Jones Equine Fund. This is a foundation that nutures and cares for the horses that Davy rescued and loved. Davy saved 16 horses in his time and to continue to care for them will cost a lot. The Jones family are setting up a website, www.manchestercowboy.com. If your intrested in donating or looking for more info, send all inquiries to info@manchestercowboy.com.