My Favorite Frank Stuff
Okay, these are
things that I just plain like - regardless of collectibility or rarity or anything.
It's just stuff that brings a smile to my face whenever I get them out of their
boxes. While they include my favorite cards, this also includes items I have
on other lists.
Note: This page used to have over 40 different items. Unfortunately,
as the site expanded I slowly had to cut away at my favorites list in order
to get other material inside. The result is not nearly as expansive as I would
like, but the deletions helped fulfill my original goal: To give all Thomas
Collectors a better platform to build their own collections.
• 1997
Studio Point-Of-Purchase Display. Possibly the final time you'll see
Frank as a spokesperson for any national brand. I guess that's the reason why
this piece talks to me. It's a sentimental highlight for a great ballplayer
and a great career. Plus its just plain neat. <g>
• 1996 Upper Deck V.J. Lovero Collection
# Card FRONT. I can see why Sports Illustrated and every major sports
magazine uses the man's work. He captured my most favorite image of Frank on
a card front. 'Nuff said. <nod> :)
• 1996
Upper Deck V.J. Lovero Collection Card BACK. It's difficult to imagine
a better card since two of my all-time favorite images of Frank are on the
very same card. It's terribly small on the card itself, but I've scanned
& enlarged it so that we fans can enjoy the skills of Mr. Lovero. I remember
my photography teacher once telling me when a picture crossed the line between
technical skill and fine art - you've succeeded as a photographer. V.J. you
absolutely rock! :-)
• 2002
Studio Private Signings Autograph (#'d to 15). Like so many "favorite"
cards - if it speaks to you - it speaks to you. I was so taken by this issue
that I swore that I'd pay a huge premium just to get one of the 15 in existence
for my own. Here's the kick in the pants - I got it for $38 bucks, including
shipping. Wanna know why? Because I took a chance. I admit that it was a dangerous,
even stupid chance, but it paid off.
• The Donruss Studio Private Signing
Series (2002-2005). Ever try to eat just one potato chip? <g>
• 1993
Upper Deck Authenticated Triple Crown Contenders 2-Card Auto. When I
first busted the regular versions out of '93 UD boxes I was hooked. I genuinely
love the design, the theme, the photography - these are just fantastic
cards of Frank. Then to top things off, around this time, I received
Upper Deck Authenticated's first
public catalogs. At the time I wasn't able to purchase this incredible 2-card
autographed card set. And sadly, by the time I was finally able to afford it,
UDA was sold out. I decided then that I would hunt for this UDA set until I
got one for myself. 'Course it turned out to be a 10-year search
but it was worth it. It was then, and remains today, one of my favorite Frank
cards. Collector's
Note: I've seen several fake versions of this card being offered on eBay
and Yahoo. Be a smart consumer and check out the provided scans & information.
• 1999 Lumber Company
Poster. Flat out my favorite poster of Frank. True,
it's not just of him, but that's what makes this so great - it's Frank and his
friends. Awesome. :-)
• 1995
Leaf Statistical Standouts #. This was, to the best of my knowledge,
the first time that any baseball card looked and felt like an actual baseball.
There was a partial embossing from 1993 UD's Home Run Heroes inserts, but only
a small portion of the card was embossed and it represented the woodgrain of
a bat. '95 Statistical Standouts really does look and feel like the real
thing. 'Course nowadays it's a fairly common technique to brand a product,
but in 1995, this was da bomb! I can still remember busting two Franks, both
consecutively numbered, out of the boxes I bought. I regret now that I sold
off one of the pair, but it doesn't take away from the pleasure I get from this
insert.
• 1992
Pinnacle Team Pinnacle Original Painting by Greco. I was really stunned
that I was able to get this amazing piece for what amounts to a song. But you
have to remember that I purchased this during one of Frank's lowest periods,
his 2001 season, and there weren't exactly a bunch of so-called-fans paying
cash money to collect him. Well... so much the better for me. <vbg> :-}
• 1996
Frank Thomas Candy Bars (Charity Version
or Retail Version) Seven years. Seven
torturous, painful, agonizing - YEARS! That's what it took. Now that I have
them - I'm taking them to the grave. <lol>
• 1997
Leaf Thomas Collection Hat Card. If you're reading this you already
know the history behind these first-ever game-used memorabilia cards in card
collecting history. Click here
if you're not familiar with this wonderful issue. In 1999, before it became
fashionable to focus on multi-color patches, I was fortunate to win a furious
& costly auction for this - the key card from the Hat inserts. Check it
out yourself. And remember these very important facts: IT IS ABSOLUTELY NOT
FOR SALE. NOT FOR NEGOTIATION. AND NOT FOR DISCUSSION. <g>
• 1998
Pinnacle Brands Bankruptcy Cards. I'm deeply interested these unissued
cards. Mostly because there's this mystique surrounding cards that "aren't
supposed to exist". Fun stuff to collect, a bit pricey, but awfully fun.
If you ever run across the 1998 Pinnacle Certified Mirror Red or Mirror Gold
- let's talk about a deal. You know I'm a dedicated fan and I'm financially
secure enough for serious negotiations.
• 1997
Topps Proshooters Marble Test Issue + Checklist Card #2. You guys should
know something about me - anything with the words 'Test', 'Unreleased', or 'Oddball'
are just about my favorite words in collecting Frank stuff. This kind of test
market material is the very air that I breath when it comes to collecting. Not
only is it fascinating, its like archaeology - you never know what you're going
to uncover.
• 1997
Pinnacle Inside Dueling Dugouts #8. Fun! How many times can you say
that about a collectible card? (I love spinning that wheel) Notice that the
steel grommet actually forms the "O" in SOX on Frank's uniform? Fantastic!
• 1997
White Sox Pocket Schedule. a.k.a. 'Sked'. These are free giveaways that're
printed up by the bucketloads for easy lookup of game dates, so this is hardly
a valuable collectible. But I happen to LOVE this image of The Big Hurt. It's
powerful, both literally and figuratively. Something that card manufacturers
would likely never print since it doesn't clearly show Frank's mug. This really
appeals to me as a graphic designer and fan of Big Frank. Just fantastic. <nodding>
:-)
• 2005 Donruss Playoff Prime Patches
All-Star Game Patch #05/20. Just acquired one of only two known genuine
2003 All-Star Game Patches from this amazing issue. I'm still floored at how
much patch is used for these cards - wow!
• 1998
Flair Perfect 10
• 2002
UD 40-Man Power Chart.
Sweet image that always brings a smile.
• 1992
Mootown Snackers.
It's more well-known nowadays; but let me tell you, back in the day - I spent
YEARS trying to locate, purchase, and eventually learn the history of this wacky
& wonderful food issue!
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Please note that NONE of the cards or collectibles on this page are for sale
or trade
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