In the ongoing waiting game to see what White Whales and Unicorns the Topps Vault might set free, this past Thursday was a red-letter day for those who wait.
On the same day, eBay posted Vault images for long-sought players Greg Mahlberg (Rangers) and Chuck Machemehl (Indians), with two images of each. Since that painstaking search by Merkle last year, the Vault has been releasing its rarities seldom -- making Thursday's release of Mahlberg, Machemehl and Twins minor leaguer Chuck MacPherson, all for the first time -- quite a haul. Gene Martin, a seldom-seen Senator, was part of Tuesday's release.
In March of 2015, several key members of this site posted their White Whales (rumored but believed to exist) and Unicorns (wishful thinking only) that had yet to be seen in Vault releases. Many of us used their lists as a big part of our own search party.
Beginning in May of 2016, Folders beginning with the prefix "K" began, with thousands of images released beginning with KA until KZ filled earlier this summer. Some of those White Whales were reeled in.
Here are finds for one collector (we won't ID him): Al Fitzmorris (Indians) KX; Ed Farmer (Brewers) KQ; Scott Meyer (A's) GW, KG; Mahlberg (Rangers) PA 713-714; Gerry Pirtle (Expos) KG; Keith Drumright (Astros) KJ; Myron White (Dodgers) KX; Tony Castillo (Padres) GY, KT; Dave Wehrmeister (Padres) MM, but may be wrong uniform for his need; Mark Wiley (Padres) KX.
Here are another collectors's wants, all completely different that the other:
Tom Bruno (78, Cardinals) MT, KY; Don Werner (78, Reds) GZ, KU; Pete Broberg (77, Cubs) KC; Lerrin LaGrow (76 Cardinals) KQ; Sonny Siebert (75 A's) KD; Mike Caldwell (73 Padres) GZ; Eddie Leon (72 Indians) KY; Cecil Upshaw (72 Braves) KY; Hal Haydel (71 Twins) GZ, KH, KU.
Currently, the Vault releases NFL images on Friday-Saturday and baseball the rest of the week.
Chuck Machemehl
Greg Mahlberg