Christian Putz (Putzimet) 1968-2013

         

           A few days ago we lost Christian Putz known as Putzimet. Christian, I can write it with full responsibility, was my mentor, he was the person through which I began to collect Metallica tickets. In 2006 I was the owner of about 12 Metallica tickets including my own four tickets to concerts where I was. And one day in early 2007 I discovered on ebay Christian “about me” page with his bio and pictures of few tickets. And that was it, I knew what I wanted to collect and who can help me with this ... of course Putzi. I wrote to him, and so began our virtual friendship.

 

Putzi bio, back in a 2007

 

Beginnings were not easy, mainly because our English was far from perfect and we often wrote to each other not quite what we had in mind. I remember especially our first tickets trade when I trade three tickets from Metallica Polish concerts for 10 Putzi tickets (include one from 1984!). I was shocked because I do not think anyone offer me 10 tickets for 3, at the same time enjoy it as a small child. Just before shipping Putzi wrote to me to chose a set of three tickets from his trade set. I wrote him that the deal was for 10 instead of three so I do not understand why now he change our agreement. Because I wanted to trade I wrote to him that let him send what he thinks fit, keen on good relations with the such collector as Putzi. And guess what?. He sent me all of 10 tickets - Putzi was just that kind of guy. He always sent me the tickets packed so good as if they were famous Van Gogh's Sunflowers, not a piece of paper worth $10. Sometimes it drove me crazy that I could not win a ticket on ebay because Putzi bid. When he bid on something that for 99% there was no chance that anyone else won the ticket. I think all the top prices records for the Metallica tickets belong to him. He was a real old date die-hard collector.

The first time we met in real life in 2008 at a concert in Chorzow in Poland. Putzi arrived to Poland with his best friend Mike, whom I met earlier. From our first meeting, most sticks to my mind when we walked around the stadium and talking about tickets Putzi asked me one of the hostess asked if he can take a picture with her. The girl, of course agreed and Putzi was very happy.

 Putzi was very happy (Chorzów 2008)

Then there were some gigs in other countries where we met and countless ticket trades. I could always count on his help when it came to Metallica tickets. For a little over a month I had to go to Austria to meet with Mike and Putzi and silently hoped that I would see the world's largest collection of Metallica tickets, which was owned by Puzti. It was one of my dreams as a collector. Now I know that it will remain unrealized, but I would give all of my tickets to Putzi could still be among us.

We will miss you Ticketmeister.

Prague 2008