1997 Leaf Thomas Collection Hat Card #004/100

Please do not ask for trade or pitch a sale. <g>
This is a permanent part of my collection. I provide it for reference purposes only.

UPDATE! (06/12/05): What can say? I had NO idea that such a thing was possible - but - I now own two versions of the MLB Patch Hat card!

When I saw the auction on eBay I immediately thought: Fraud! I was hot blooded to alert them that this seller was attempting to auction a fake - since I had the 'only' MLB patch hat card in existence from this set. And I was literally minutes away from emailing eBay when the strangest of coincidences happened. An account executive friend, who also happens to have a mathematics degree, stopped by the office to talk business. When she saw my face she inquired as to why I was so upset. After explaining the situation, she asked to see an actual game hat. And as I happen to own several New Era 59's, I handed her one of my Chisox fitted caps. (by coincidence The Big Hurt and I wear the same hat size: 7-1/2).

Now I have to admit to being a bit confused, but very intrigued. Why she would be so interested in my problem? I watched as she took a ruler, a pen, my cap, a pad of paper, began jotting down measurements and working on some kind of equations. She paused only to ask me to roughly estimate the size of a cut hat piece. I did, noting that each piece is somewhat larger than what's seen in the die-cut window. After a couple of minutes she said this most stunning statement: "You don't have the only hat logo card."

{:-0

After I picked my jaw off the floor - I asked just how in the world she could possible know this. She explained that with a bit of basic geometry and basic algebra (skills I don't claim to have <g>), you can figure out the surface area of a cap. Then, by estimating the size of the cut pieces used to make each card, it was then possible to figure out how many cards could be produced from one cap. And she showed me her figures - it was impossible for one single cap to equal 100 cards. At most only 40-50 cards could be made from each cap.

{:-0

Holy crap.

I now had to face these facts:
A) I didn't have a unique patch card. AND...
B) Two hat cards definitely existed. AND...
C) I now had to face the possibility that perhaps as many as three of these cards may exist.

You gotta be !#@$% kidding me! {:-0

Well, after I asked the seller for some additional scans, I had to admit - it did indeed appear to be another genuine '97 Leaf Thomas Collection MLB Patch Hat Card.

So... you know me. <g>

May I present:
1997 Leaf Thomas Collection Hat Card #002/100

« Back to My Favorites | « Back to 1997 Leaf Thomas Collection | « Back to 10 Near-Toughest List