- Dec 12, 2009
- 2,817
- 3,356
- Detector(s) used
- Garrett AT Pro, Tesoro Vaquero, Bounty Hunter Land Star, Teknetics Delta 4000, Minelab Equinox 600, Garrett Carrot
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
This is not a detecting find but a treasure find nonetheless. As I was going to my first post at work today, I was called back to the central office by one of my superiors. When I arrive he gives me this sly 'come back here, got something for ya' look.
We go into the back office where he shows me a large box stuffed with sports cards. The box contained full albums of cards from the eighties and nineties, special Superbowl sets, a wooden tribute plaque of a female NHL goalie, charity hockey game programs...all kinds of stuff! A collectors dream! He tells me I can have it all.
When I was finally able to raise my jaw off the floor and my eyelids off the ceiling, he explained that he knew I was a collector and appreciated them more than his sons would. I thanked him profusely and told him I would put them in my car at lunch time.
After lunch I was assigned to an area that would allow me some time to look through my new treasure trove. Every player worth his salt in the 80's and 90's were represented. Pete Rose, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Greg Maddux, Nolan Ryan. I could go on all night.
I then noticed a small transparent plastic box containing one lone card. As I picked it up for closer inspection I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a 1935 National Chicle #19 Ralph Kercheval staring back at me.
I quickly went to eBay to see what this card would realize on the auction market. The median range of this beauty was $167.00 out of 9 listings. Several graded examples were well into the $500.00 range with others of a lesser grade fetching around $300.00. The one I had was in at least VG/EX condition and would possibly grade out to a 6 or better which is really good for a seventy five year old chunk of cardboard.
It was then I realized that I couldn't keep this card. He couldn't possibly have known it was in that box. Or could he? Was he testing me? No, that can't be it. Of all the people I've ever worked for he is one of the most stand-up guys I've ever known and has gone to bat for me several times. The decision was a no-brainer.
I called him and told him I was giving one of his cards back and explained what it was and why I was returning it. I think he was as shocked as I was earlier when he presented the cards to me. He knows my financial situation and how easy it would have been to make a quick bundle by auctioning it off. It had crossed my mind too but as I like to say, I'd rather sleep well at night.
Turns out he DID vaguely remember the card, forgot where he got it and simply thought it was a repro. I assured him it was not. One smell of the old cardboard along with my own authentication know-how was enough to verify that he indeed had a winner.
The pictures are of the box and contents. The Ralph Kercheval card I attached is copied from eBay and is only for reference. I couldn't get a picture of the actual card because...well, I gave it back.
I only had it for a few hours but I sure will miss that card. Who knows? There may be another treasure waiting for me in that big box.
We go into the back office where he shows me a large box stuffed with sports cards. The box contained full albums of cards from the eighties and nineties, special Superbowl sets, a wooden tribute plaque of a female NHL goalie, charity hockey game programs...all kinds of stuff! A collectors dream! He tells me I can have it all.
When I was finally able to raise my jaw off the floor and my eyelids off the ceiling, he explained that he knew I was a collector and appreciated them more than his sons would. I thanked him profusely and told him I would put them in my car at lunch time.
After lunch I was assigned to an area that would allow me some time to look through my new treasure trove. Every player worth his salt in the 80's and 90's were represented. Pete Rose, Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, Greg Maddux, Nolan Ryan. I could go on all night.
I then noticed a small transparent plastic box containing one lone card. As I picked it up for closer inspection I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a 1935 National Chicle #19 Ralph Kercheval staring back at me.
I quickly went to eBay to see what this card would realize on the auction market. The median range of this beauty was $167.00 out of 9 listings. Several graded examples were well into the $500.00 range with others of a lesser grade fetching around $300.00. The one I had was in at least VG/EX condition and would possibly grade out to a 6 or better which is really good for a seventy five year old chunk of cardboard.
It was then I realized that I couldn't keep this card. He couldn't possibly have known it was in that box. Or could he? Was he testing me? No, that can't be it. Of all the people I've ever worked for he is one of the most stand-up guys I've ever known and has gone to bat for me several times. The decision was a no-brainer.
I called him and told him I was giving one of his cards back and explained what it was and why I was returning it. I think he was as shocked as I was earlier when he presented the cards to me. He knows my financial situation and how easy it would have been to make a quick bundle by auctioning it off. It had crossed my mind too but as I like to say, I'd rather sleep well at night.
Turns out he DID vaguely remember the card, forgot where he got it and simply thought it was a repro. I assured him it was not. One smell of the old cardboard along with my own authentication know-how was enough to verify that he indeed had a winner.
The pictures are of the box and contents. The Ralph Kercheval card I attached is copied from eBay and is only for reference. I couldn't get a picture of the actual card because...well, I gave it back.
I only had it for a few hours but I sure will miss that card. Who knows? There may be another treasure waiting for me in that big box.
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