Jamie Cooper Wraps Up His Latest MLB Masterpiece

Renowned sports artist Jamie Cooper recently completed his latest piece of MLB artwork.  This masterpiece was done for a private collector in California.  After working on it for three years in Australia, its finally arrived in its new home.  Complete with a museum grade frame of water gild gold leaf.  This All Stars painting now rests peacefully in what looks like a very high-end collection located on a sprawling seven-acre estate on the side of a mountain.  The collector’s name was left unsaid for privacy.  I think we can all agree this collector has some cool stuff we can only dream about owning.  Jamie Cooper documented his entire trip to the U.S. on Facebook.  There you can see where this painting now resides.  In addition to the painting, its fun to look around the room to see what else is there.  I spot a lot of bats, and what looks like some 1992 Donruss Diamond Kings – Supers.  Jamie Cooper is pictured on the right, with the owner to the left.

One glance at this painting and you’ll see a who’s who of ballplayers coming from multiple generations.  Much like the Phillies and Yankees Dream Scenes he has done.  My eyes go straight to Mike Schmidt.  That powder blue uniform and red hat really stand out.  I think I can even see Jamie Cooper and the painting’s owner back there behind the dugout next to Nolan Ryan.  I wonder what all these guys are talking about while sitting around 1933 Comiskey Park?

Card companies here in America need to recognize Jamie Cooper’s talent.  His work would look great on some MLB sets.  He’s already done caricatures for an AFL product.

Card of the Day: Tom Brady 2000 Fleer Showcase #136 1 Of 1 Masterpiece

Kalas Cut Added To The Collection

On Monday, UPS dropped off the newest addition to my Harry Kalas collection.  This is a Harry Kalas 2012 Leaf Executive Collection Masterpiece Cut Signature serial numbered 1/1.  Leaf started their Executive Collection last year, and I had been looking for a Kalas item to send in to them.  I finally came across a PSA/DNA certified signed index card that worked perfectly.  Leaf’s Executive Collection basically allow collectors to create their own cut signature as long as the autograph is certified by either PSA/DNA or JSA.  Leaf did an excellent job on the turnaround time.  It only took a few weeks.  No Harry Kalas autographs were submitted for the 2011 set, and this is the first one in 2012.  The chrome border used for the Masterpiece 1/1 cuts look a lot better than the plain white ones from last year. 

I guess you could say I’m a Harry Kalas supercollector.  He doesn’t have that many cards, and when his autographs pop-up collectors go nuts over them.  The longtime Phillies broadcaster has a big following, especially in Philadelphia.  This is one card that will stay in my personal collection for quite some time.

Here is my other Harry Kalas one-of-one I own.  Sports artist Monty Sheldon did this sketch card for me.  Sheldon has worked on many products with Topps such as Chicle, Allen & Ginter, and Gypsy Queen.

I’m still looking for these cards:

• Harry Kalas 1984 Tastykake Phillies Broadcasters #7
• Harry Kalas/Gary Maddox/Richie Ashburn 1988 Phillies Tastykake Phillies Announcers #39
• Harry Kalas/Chris Wheeler/Andy Musser 1990 Phillies Tastykake Phillies Announcers #35
• 2004 Fleer Greats of the Game Mike Schmidt/Harry Kalas Announcing Greats Dual Auto #’ed/25
• Harry Kalas 2004 UD Sweet Spot Classic Signatures Auto Black #’ed/100
• Harry Kalas 2005 UD Sweet Spot Classic Signatures Auto Black Stitch #’ed/1
• Harry Kalas 2005 UD Sweet Spot Classic Signatures Auto Red-Blue Stitch #’ed/40
• Harry Kalas Sportkings Premium Back Redemption Sketches #’ed/1
• Harry Kalas Sportkings Series E Top 50 Broadcasters Cut Signature #’ed/1

The Cardboard Connection Break – Part 1

Mike Smeth of The Cardboard Connection sent over a large box of cards last week since we have decided to do a trade.  This afternoon I made my way through the first row of the box.  Along with a ton of base, I discovered some nice hits, including a ten year old one-of-one.  Tune in next week for Part 2!