As I have a large majority of Andy Pafko's cards from his playing days, I spend my eBay time looking for those rare items that are effectively one-of-ones. These might be homemade cards or Pafko signed pieces. Pafko was a very generous signer and I'm in no danger of running out of signed items to add to my collection.
A while ago I came across this turquoise ticket signed by Pafko listed on eBay. Back in 1989 it looks like Handy Andy was the "special autograph guest" at a card show in Madison and someone had him sign their ticket.
I ended up losing the auction after a few bids and I figured it was another piece lost to the internet forever. That was until my parents came down for a visit here in Illinois a few weeks later.
My Dad collected baseball cards as a kid and he sometimes pick up cards for me at yard sales or junk shops and he is well aware of my Pafko collecting bug. He presented me with the ticket and I couldn't quite believe it that he was he was the person outbidding me during the original auction listing.
I imagine this sort of thing has happened to a few of you out there where you know the person bidding against you. I bet it happens a lot with player collectors among the most popular players. Thankfully there aren't too may Pafko collectors out there so there isn't too much back and forth bidding on items.
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