1995 Pinnacle Checklist Artist's
Proof #450
I'm guessing you're
surprised that I chose this to be on the toughest near-toughest list*
- right? In my experience this was a monster task to get ahold of an example.
Even though I was already a five-year collecting vet by the time '95 Pinnacle was released I wasn't in a hurry to pick up this "checklist" card. Like so many newbie collectors - I was focused on the wrong thing.
In this case, I put all my energy and funds into getting Frank's three other Artists Proof cards from this series, leaving this 'common checklist' for a later date. Not realizing that I would be searching for an agonizing 8 years. I can't begin to tell you how long I searched and searched - and searched s'more. I literally spent thousands of hours online (no exaggeration), cold calling on the phone, making contact with just about every major dealer in the country, and practically asking anyone who ever opened a box if they had this insert. When I finally found an example in September of 2003 - I flat out offered the guy a stack of cash. He leapt at the money and, almost to the very second we made the exchange, never realized what he had. Although I think he had second thoughts after he had some time to think about it, but by then, it was too late. <g>
Again, for an inexperienced collector this is 'just' a checklist card. But have you ever looked at this card? I mean really looked at it? :-}
While all us collectors were scrambling to get one of the 1,000 AP player cards - it never occurred to us that this checklist card, even though also one of a thousand issued, showcases four superstar players. Remember: Four of the major's biggest stars of the 1990s are featured on this single card. Now figure this into your mental calculations: If all four players have a huge following, and they do, then all four fan groups are going to be searching for "their" player - trying to make a complete set. If you do the math it works out to 250 APs per collector - and that's only if all things were fair in this world - which it ain't. <g>
Additionally, we're talking about fan groups which include some of the most zealous and relentless collectors in the hobby: Ken Griffey, Jr., Mike Piazza, Jeff Bagwell, and of course, Frank Thomas collectors. Guess I don't have to say that it's a mother of a search to get one nowadays. I honestly wish you the very best of good luck if you're just starting out - believe me - you'll need it.
And for those who were smart, or lucky, enough to have purchased this years ago - I salute you! :-)
UPDATE (02/26/05): Was recently watching an eBay auction - the first one I've ever seen for this particular card in almost six years. And when the timer finally ran out, the winning bidder won by fighting off several furious, last second sniping attacks. Winning bid price? $81.00 --- roughly 700% more than the so-called "high book value".
Something to keep
in mind when you're looking for this bad boy. <wink> ;-)
*UPDATE (6/12/07): Have recently seen several more of these tough inserts hit the market. Due to the recent sales (five separate auctions since the beginning of the year) I have elected to move this from the 10 Toughest down a notch to the 10 Near-Toughest.