Want List (Part 6)

Here are 4 random bobbleheads.  I really don't know anything about any of them!  So, after a week-long delay since my last blog post, this one won't be very long.  The 4 bobbleheads are, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Nissemaend, Ron Meshbesher, and the Spam guy!  I think the Wilder and Spam bobbleheads are retail ones that can still be bought today.  The other 2 - no clue.  If I see pictures of bobbleheads with a Minnesota connection, I save the picture and start researching.  I didn't get very far with any of these!  

Want List (Part 5)

The second part of my mini series focuses on two different bobbleheads from the Runestone Museum near Alexandria, MN.  I know one (right side in the picture below) is available for sale from the museum, as for the other - I'm not sure.  I've only seen it in pictures.  My hunch was maybe it was a prototype or first edition type of bobblehead.

I think these are pretty cool bobbleheads, with some nice detail!  Hopefully I'll be able to add both to my collection at some point!

Want List (Part 4)

I'm going to try to do a mini series within this Want List series of posts.  The next few posts will focus on a bit more random Minnesota bobbleheads.

Below are a couple pictures of the iconic Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox.  A few different small towns have done bobblehead promotions in effort to raise funds for specific events in their communities.  Paul Bunyan and Babe make great bobbleheads.  I believe both come from northern MN towns, one in the Brainerd area and the other set from Hackensack.  I'm sure there are several bobbleheads out there like this - if you know of some, please email me!

Want List (Part 3)

In the third part of my Want List I'm featuring a few more rare bobbleheads.  I see them occasionally but am not looking to spend ridiculous money on these bobbleheads.  They are kinda funky looking but many people like them.  They are called SAM's bobbleheads.  I believe they were originally produced in China and from what I've heard the factory they were made at burned down.  So many collectors never got their grubby little hands on them!  If you know more about SAMs in general - please share!  Otherwise here are the 3, the first is a generic Vikings player, in the middle is Rod Carew and on the right is a generic Twins player.  

 

Want List (Part 2)

My second post in this series revolves around the Saint Paul Saints.  The Saints have definitely had some interesting giveaways in the past and their bobbleheads have been a big part of that.  I believe I'm missing 2 from having a complete set.  The first is Duke Snider and the 2nd is a Vintage Saints nodder.  I think the Vintage nodder is from the 2000 season and I'm unsure when the Duke Snider bobblehead came out.  Neither are super rare or valuable, but definitely would like to add them to my collection!

Want List (Part 1)

I believe I'll be able to create a "list" to display the entire series of my Want List.  I'm hoping this will appear on the right side of my blog so you in case you miss an entry its easy to spot or you can come back and see what is on my want list and find it easily down the road. 

Part 1 - A couple gopher related bobbleheads.  Neal Broten and Johnny Pohl - 2 former Gopher greats.  I haven't been able to track down any information regarding the Broten bobblehead.  As for the Pohl one...its from the Worcester IceCats, a former AHL team that Pohl played for.  I've seen this one twice and missed on it twice.  I've got 2 strikes on me and not looking to strikeout!  

As always - with this entire series, if you know any other information regarding any of these bobbleheads, please pass it along.  

My much anticipated Want List!

Much anticipated might be stretching it!  I know several people have inquired about bobbleheads I'm looking for and I have a list in my head but to get it on paper (and more important in picture form) takes a bit of time and work!  I've been working on it for the past couple of months.  Trying to come up with pictures at the very least!  

So over the next week or 2, I'll be doing a "blog mini series" on my want list.  I'm not sure how many blog posts it'll cover but I'm sure there will be several.  My want list covers the minor leagues, northwoods league and the pros.  In most of the major sports as well!  Also, random Minnesota bobbleheads too - which are the ones I know the least about.  So if you have information on a random bobblehead that has Minnesota ties...PLEASE let me know!  

Check back soon for the first part in this multi-part series!  

TwinsFest 2015

TwinsFest returns to Target Field this coming January.  Read more about TwinsFest 2014 at the 2 links below!

Twinsfest!!
Twinsfest = Success

Here are a couple more pictures from the 2014 TwinsFest.  Target Field probably looked the same last night (if the lights were on).

In a little over 2 months thousands of Twins fans will fill up the Target Field corridors.  This is the second year the annual event will be held at Target Field.  It's definitely a more intimate setting when compared to the Dome days of TwinsFest.  The biggest complaint I heard last year (and continue to hear from dealers and collectors) revolved around the memorabilia showcase area.  I wonder if the Twins will move this to a different area in Target Field.  I have to think there are better areas for it, but the big question is if those areas are available!  

Check out the announcement about TwinsFest 2015.  

2014 Spring/Summer Finds #1

The top spot on my 2014 Spring/Summer Finds list is all about one lucky day.  I went to a few garage sales and thrift stores late this summer.  The first one I stopped at, I found this Josh Willingham bobblehead.  No, not the "hammer" bobblehead, the red base, season ticket holder one.  Definitely the most valuable Willingham bobblehead!

At the very next stop, I found one of the most popular recent Twins bobbleheads.  Kent Hrbek and Ron Gant from the 1991 World Series.  

And lastly I found these 2 bobbleheads at my last stop.  Quite the haul for me!  Easily my biggest haul in terms of value when you consider there were only 4 bobbleheads total.  Chi Chi Rodriguez and Maya Moore from the Lynx.  Luck certainly one out that day!

2014 Spring/Summer Finds #2

Number 2 on my 2014 Spring/Summer Finds list is a moving sale I found earlier this summer.  The gentleman that was moving, was truly getting rid of everything.  He wasn't necessarily a collector but had lots and lots of bobbleheads as well as a ton of other sports memorabilia.  We had emailed a couple times and he told me the names of guys he had.  I knew he had some good bobbleheads, but wasn't sure just how good they were.  When names like Puckett, Hrbek and Killebrew get thrown out there, I'm sure everyone hopes for the first year bobbleheads.  But we all know that each player has several bobbleheads and really the first year (both SGA and STH) are the ones worth good money.  

Knowing he wanted to move them, I was intrigued, so I went to the sale and bought several bobbleheads.  I had a great time chatting with him and learning more about his "collection" even tho he repeatedly said he wasn't really a collector.  

I came away with about 14 bobbleheads.  Below is a picture of the best set.  

That's right, Kirby Puckett, Tony Oliva, Kent Hrbek and Harmon Killebrew.  On top of those 4, I also picked up a couple of the 1965 Ecumen bobbleheads and a complete set of the 2001 SGA set that includes Kirby Puckett, Rod Carew, Bert Blyleven and Dave Winfield!  Sometimes its better to be lucky than good.  On that summer day, I was 100% lucky.  

2014 Spring/Summer Finds #3

Earlier this summer one of the first good finds I had was at a garage sale in Farmington.  They had several bobbleheads, mainly Twins, but a few othe random ones as well.  There are a couple reasons that this sits at #3 on my top 5 Spring/Summer Finds list.  The first, I was able to add a couple bobbleheads to my collection.  One (or should I say 2) is a bit more rare than the others.  This one was extremely cheap, actually a bit cheaper than great garage sale prices!  So I lucked out on it!  This is a retail AGP Minnie and Paul bobblehead set.  They are shaking hands (held together by magnets).

I bought several and there was a Twins nesting doll set that was intriguing.  Because I love to wheel and deal, before I accepted the sellers price for all of the ones I was buying I asked him to throw in the nesting doll set.  He had no problem doing it.  I had 2 thoughts - it was cool and possibly rare/unique.  The cool factor meant that at the very least I'd keep it for my own collection.  I hadn't ever seen one like it before but I don't really search for things other than bobbleheads.  I did a little google research and that turned up zero, which was either good news or terrible news.  I went to a local sports collectibles store and talked to the owner.  He said he had seen them before but not for quite a while and offered me $50 cash for it.  At that point I knew I had something that was somewhat unique and valuable.  Add to it that it contained the biggest of big Twins names (Kirby Puckett, Harmon Killebrew, Rod Carew, Kent Hrbek & Gary Gaetti) I knew I'd eventually sell it on eBay.