1983 Donruss HOF Heroes Auto Project

Gonzaleznut · Jan 2, 2012

I started collecting in 1981 at the tender age of 8. I was fascinated by the history of the game. In 1983, Donruss released a 44 card set of notable HOFers. It was my first real opportunity to own cards of these legends. I loved the Perez paintings and memorized the backs of the cards.

Anyway, fast forward 30 years and I have really expanded my collection simply due to having more disposable income. I have started getting heavy into HOFer autos and the cards in this set looks fantastic when signed.

I am going to try and pick them up as I can and I will update this thread with my progress. Here are the ones I have so far...

Let me know what you think and who I should get next.

Mizzourah · Jan 2, 2012

Ralph Kiner and Monte Irvin are both good TTM signers if you wanted to go that route.

Great looking set by the way! Keep it up.

walter55 · Jan 2, 2012

Go for one of Greenberg it is one of my favorite cards. What is the checklist of set of players that could have autographed cards?

MaineMule · Jan 2, 2012

Wow, those are a great set to collect. Well done and keep us posted on your progress. Here's the check-list from what I find on-line

1983 Donruss Hall of Fame Heroes

Return to Baseball Card Database
Card # Card Description Notes
1 Ty Cobb
2 Walter Johnson
3 Christy Mathewson
4 John Gibson
5 Honus Wagner
6 Jackie Robinson
7 Mickey Mantle
8 Luke Appling
9 Ted Williams
10 Johnny Mize
11 Satchel Paige
12 Lou Boudreau
13 Jimmie Foxx
14 Duke Snider
15 Monte Irvin
16 Hank Greenberg
17 Roberto Clemente
18 Al Kaline
19 Frank Robinson
20 Joe Cronin
21 Burleigh Grimes
22 Paul Waner The Waner Brothers
Lloyd Waner
23 Grover Alexander
24 Yogi Berra
25 Cool Papa Bell
26 Bill Dickey
27 Cy Young
28 Charlie Gehringer
29 Dizzy Dean
30 Bob Lemon
31 Red Ruffing
32 Stan Musial
33 Carl Hubbell
34 Hank Aaron
35 John McGraw
36 Bob Feller
37 Casey Stengel
38 Ralph Kiner
39 Roy Campanella
40 Mel Ott
41 Robin Roberts
42 Early Wynn
43 Mickey Mantle Puzzle Card
44 Checklist

Austin · Jan 2, 2012

It's a beautiful set to have autographed.
Back in the '80s i would mail the cards to the players' homes to autograph.

I was able to get: Luke Appling, Johnny Mize, Lou Boudreau, Duke Snider, Monte Irvin, Al Kaline, Frank Robinson, Yogi Berra, Cool Papa Bell, Charlie Gehringer, Bob Lemon, Stan Musial, Carl Hubbell, Bob Feller, Ralph Kiner, Robin Roberts and Early Wynn.
(None are for sale or trade)

A_Pharis · Jan 2, 2012

Nice set! Some have certified buybacks and/or reprints:

I'm actually in need of the Stan Musial Recollection. I believe there are a couple of others, too, from a reprint set in 2004.

A_Pharis · Jan 2, 2012

And I don't know if this is part of that same set or not --

Sean_C · Jan 2, 2012

That Snider was part of the 1984 Donruss set (the puzzle that year if I'm not mistaken). Snider has a regular card from the 1983 HOF Heroes set.

The toughest one to get in the set is the Joe Cronin, as he passed in 1984. I'll try to see if I can scan mine tonight (I've debated going after this set for years, and grabbed a Cronin early on to ensure I'd have one should I start it).

A_Pharis said:
And I don't know if this is part of that same set or not --

Gonzaleznut · Jan 25, 2012

My newest two...up to 12 now.

Gonzaleznut · Jan 26, 2012

Lucky number 13

olerud363 · Jan 26, 2012

Beautiful autographs! I think the oldtimers have better penmanship that makes their autographs really look nice. The blue Sharpie makes them really pop out of the picture too. Do you plan to have them all slabbed?

Good luck with the set!

- Rod

Gonzaleznut · Jan 26, 2012

Thanks. Yes I want to have them all slabbed. I am also partial to the blue sharpie. It looks great!!

Gonzaleznut · Jan 31, 2012

Here is a list of possible autos within this set. There are 25 possible autos to get. I have 15 of them so far.

"Yes" is I have it or it is on the way. Two Yeses is that it is already slabbed.

Card # Player Name Have PSA/DNA
7 Mickey Mantle
8 Luke Appling Yes Yes
9 Ted Williams
10 Johnny Mize Yes Yes
12 Lou Boudreau Yes Yes
14 Duke Snider Yes
15 Monte Irvin Yes Yes
16 Hank Greenberg
18 Al Kaline Yes Yes
19 Frank Robinson Yes Yes
20 Joe Cronin
21 Burleigh Grimes Yes Yes
24 Yogi Berra
25 Cool Papa Bell
26 Bill Dickey Yes Yes
28 Charlie Gehringer Yes
30 Bob Lemon Yes Yes
31 Red Ruffing
32 Stan Musial Yes
33 Carl Hubbell Yes
34 Hank Aaron
36 Bob Feller Yes
38 Ralph Kiner Yes
41 Robin Roberts
42 Early Wynn Yes Yes

TBTwinsFan · Jan 31, 2012

I believe Yogi signs TTM with a fee.

You should get the checklist signed by Dick Perez to top the set off... I think that would be cool

MaineMule · Jan 31, 2012

...these look great- keep up the posts and good luck with the remaining ones......

olerud363 · Jan 31, 2012

TBTwinsFan said:
You should get the checklist signed by Dick Perez to top the set off... I think that would be cool

Great idea!

TBTwinsFan · Jan 31, 2012

Perez is a great TTM signer so if you decide to go that route, let me know and I will send the address over.

Gonzaleznut · Feb 5, 2012

Nos 14 and 15 came in yesterday. Here they are:

Gonzaleznut · Apr 11, 2012

I have gotten 3 more lately. I am up to 18 (11 of which are already slabbed). I only need 7 more, but they are the expensive ones. I will easily spend over $1,200 to finish this project out. I still need Mantle, Williams, Berra, Bell, Greenberg, Cronin, and Ruffing.

Here are the three latest additions

I know the Aaron doesn't look quite right so I might try to get one already slabbed to take its place.

Yes, I plan on sending in all of them in for slabbing.

Gonzaleznut · Feb 21, 2015

Update from three years later. Now down to only 3. See the OP for what I have.

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