A Continuing Look at Less Important Things
BY MARK A. LARSON
I’ve noticed lately there are many sports collecting terms that need defining for newcomers and oldcomers alike:
• “MINT-MINT” … This could mean an unused Tic-Tac – but seriously folks – the term Mint Mint refers to a baseball card that hasn’t even been manufactured yet. After all, nothing could be mintier than a virgin piece of wood or a roll of film waiting to be turned into a cardboard masterpiece.
Virgin wood + Film = Masterpiece (1962 Topps)
• “LEGITIMATE/ILLEGITIMATE SET” … A Legitimate Set is one you like and buy. An Illegitimate Set is one you dislike and someone else buys.
• “MEETING/SHOW/CONVENTION” … Meetings usually take place in dark alleys. Shows usually take place in theaters. Conventions are places where you pay to get in so you can pay some more for autographs and pay still more for sports memorabilia.
1981 Fleer
• “ROOKIE CARD FEVER” … A contagious condition among sports hobbyists for which there is no known cure. Often referred to as J.C.S. (Joe Charboneau Syndrome).
• “REPRINT/COUNTERFEIT” … These two words are synonymous (see also: fake, fraud, rip-off, phony, bogus, flim-flam, forgery). After all, those who reprint $20 bills get sent to the slammer for counterfeiting, right?
• • • • • •
• Originally Published in May 1985 “Twin Times” •
THIS ARTICLE FROM THE “TWIN TIMES” NEWSLETTER – OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TWIN CITIES SPORTS COLLECTORS CLUB – IS REPRINTED WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR. IT HAS BEEN RETYPED, BUT NO CONTENT HAS BEEN CHANGED (EXCEPT FOR VERY MINOR ADJUSTMENTS, CORRECTIONS TO ANY TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS AND THE ADDITION OF GRAPHICS). COMMENTS OR INFORMATION IN THE ARTICLE MAY BE OUT-OF-DATE.
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