If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
Let's try to keep this on-topic. Any further posts in this thread regarding the origin of the term white whale (or anything else off topic) will be deleted.
This reminds me of Pat Riley trying to claim the term three-peat.
"Three-peat is a contraction of the words three and repeat, which has been trademarked for commercial use by retired basketball coach Pat Riley; the active trademarks in force are registered under numbers 1552980, 1878690, and 1886018. (A fourth registration, #1977620, expired in 2003). It is used either as a verb or noun used in American sports to refer to winning a third championship in a row."
Much like Mark Zuckerburg has said, Topps can kiss my ass. This Facebook is mine
Don't want to hijack the thread so this will be my last comment on the subject. (The Hamilton bat deserves to be shown to as many folks as possible so the fact it keeps going to the top of this section when there are no other threads shouldn't break the rules)
My friend who isn't in the hobby was referencing a huge photo of a beluga whale I took at the Mystic Aquarium which hangs next to my favorite item, with the intent being it was my "White Whale" I didn't feel the need to make the entire conversation and context known as the idea of asking what other collectors considered their Moby Dick was the intent of the initial thread.
I can't believe you found another example Smitty. Thanks for pointing out where you found the writing, I couldn't see it with out your direction. While I still contend it's my term introduced to this hobby for the item we most wish to obtain, I digress.
I'm going to hit Post Comment now, rather than ruin this thread.
But, as far as White Whale in the hobby Gingi... I hate to disappoint you and your reported 2009 quote as the term has been around a a bit longer than that in the collectibles hobby including Topps using it on the back of their Printing Plates for Topps Triple Threads as early as 2007:
In the 2nd photo, if you look next to the Topps Hologram - the words on either side of Printing Plate are 'White Whale'.
And in reference to the Game Worn hobby - the card does have Game Worn pieces in it... not that I want to start that war all over again...
Sorry Herman, Ahab, Ishmael - or whichever you would prefer...
I have seen no older thread or mention of the term prior to mine. You will notice several others by contributors to the thread and older members who read said thread. To those who say I am taking myself too seriously, for shame! It is a great sense of pride to know you personally added something to a hobby you so deeply treasure.
"It isbetter to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation." –Herman Melville. Moby Dick
Well...really my sons' white whale. My boys asked Mr Hamilton for one of his bats and THIS is what they got. My oldest wanted to try to photomatch it, so he began his search. They were told it was a "special" bat...little did they know this bat was used in Game 2 (6th inning) of the 2010 World Series!!!
Leave a comment: