Back to Bowman International

Happy Halloween! Anyone giving out baseball cards for Halloween? I'd dress up and head out if someone in our area did...or at least send my kids over a few times...

Highlights:

So it wasn't until entering these today that I realized the 1999 Bowman International set is actually an insert for 1999 Bowman. I am not sure how I missed this originally, but I did, and have fixed the collection totals at the bottom accordingly to reflect the 9 inserts originally listed as just keeper cards. All those here are also new for me and added to the insert pile. How I found this out was in checking the insert sets when I got the Scouts' Choice inserts shown here.

Lowlights:

Really don't need 4 of these...but it did make me look at the details on the back. So the redemption program was - if you send in 250 points, you get a special memorabilia card as they still are available. My question is - how expensive would it be to send in 250 redemption cards - I mean, dang - youd likely need a 600 or 800 count box to send those suckers in. Wonder if doing so, and the related postage would be worth whatever card you got back in return!

The rest
Keepers:

The first 2005-06 MVP card I have - and unfortunately a bit of a crease in it - bottom left corner running up the card - but a keeper for now.

Traders:

Another needed 2007-08 Topps 1957-58 variation card that I needed for the insert set. Add in the couple McDonalds inserts as well - and these aren't too bad.

Through 4680 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subset (6 cards)

- 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #30 Bobby Orr (All-Star)

- 2004-05 Upper Deck Legends Classics Platinum Hockey #64 Marcel Dionne 06/10

- 2007-08 Topps 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	88	8
Inserts / Var Kept	139	24
Error	11	1
Keep	1166	134
Doubles/Sell	559	27	979	1112	236	22
Doubles Inserts / Var	51	1	59	63

Pack Attack - Dollar Tree 30 Card Pack

Finally getting to open one of these repacks of cards. For all of $1US you get 30 baseball cards. Of course, the expectation is a lot of junk cards, and possibly some dinged corners given the packaging.



I can't say I am expecting much, but am curious to see exactly what I get out of this. To me, a Jay and something else of use would be a big win.



ALl needs here - since I have over 50% the 1991 Topps set, good to get another. Other than that, some nice early 90s cards and a number of 1992 Pinnacle.Also, seems to be a bit pitcher heavy.



All needs again here, '98 Ultra and '99 Stadium Club sets are new to me, so nice to get these. I do wonder however, how the photo for Pedro was taken..an unusual shot to be taking of I presume batting practice and stretching by the pitchers. Another Wetteland, and Stadium Club is a pretty set here, full picture as expected and understated design.




A few 2000s cards here. Finest cards are - unique. I'm not sure if I like them or don't - they are quite Chrome like and "flashy" but sometimes too much so. Regarding, this 2000 Finest is the first I've seen. Same goes with the 2003 Fleer Platinum which reminds me a lot of 1987 Fleer.



Hey an insert! 1993 Topps Gold. A decent gold foil used on card without overtaking the card - one of the nice early gold foil uses that I recall.



Here are the four duplicated I pulled. I can live with four out of thirty, but it really bothers me that I ended up with two Doug cards - exactly the same - in the 30 cards. Sigh - I guess that is part of what you get with this many cards for $1...

There you have it. Well, not  great pack...kind of annoyed that I got two copies of the same card given the wide range of cards possibly available. Other than....wait a sec....* counts the cards scanned*...son of a...only 27 cards! OK, I get that these are cheap repacks, but the pack clearly states 30 cards and this sure wasn't. Heck, it's not like we are talking "oops" missed a card - it is 10% short! Well, all in, not likely to go out of my way to pick any more of these up, but may here or there on a whim if I get to the US again.

Pack Attack - 2015-16 Tim Hortons

Here we are with the last of the packs I will open, and that I currently have, for 2015-16 Tim Hortons...


First,t he two base cards.


The two base cards - decent enough players and I have talked about the cards here before (all of a week ago). What I do want to talk about is...


These above the ice cards are really cool. The cards are plastic, flexible, and see through - essentially where the ice would be, centre of the card. Doesn't hurt that the card here is of Stamkos, but the nice light blue border, clear "ice" and good (and unique) overhead picture, makes for a unique card.

Luckily there are no Leafs in this subset or I would need to get one immediately, but as an insert set, I will still keep an eye out for them.

Very nice pick up for today, and another reason I may be keeping an eye out for Tim Hortons cards...

Parallels with an old twist

Another good day today in a low number of traders from the Santa Lot 20.

Highlights:

All three of the 2007 Topps 1957-58 variation inserts are ones I didn't have, and the Bosh is nice as well. That said, the only one I am keeping is the 2008-09 O Pee Chee Luc Robitaille parallel.

Lowlights:

I'm a bit sad the ET card, card number 1 for the set, has a heay dent damaging the front. Won't be able to keep and trade this one, so to my son it goes. I should actually re-watch ET and see if it would be fine for him to watch as he is almost 6...

The rest
Keepers:

Glad to knock another 1990-91 O Pee Chee card off the want list. I like the Vincent Bee Hive card - it is a decent looking and different set...would love to see a bit more.

Traders:

Nicely, other than the basketball, glad only these three duplicates.

Through 4660 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subset (6 cards)

- 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #30 Bobby Orr (All-Star)

- 2004-05 Upper Deck Legends Classics Platinum Hockey #64 Marcel Dionne 06/10

- 2007-08 Topps 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	88	8
Inserts / Var Kept	139	9
Error	11	1
Keep	1163	143
Doubles/Sell	552	27	979	1111	236	22
Doubles Inserts / Var	49	1	58	63

Shark Fest

Before today's theme another quick 6 random hockey cards from Listia...


Lucky that I needed both Parkhurst cards, and this is the first 2011-12 Artifacts card I have received. I generally really like Artifact cards, so no surprise that I enjoy this set as well based on this first card anyway.


A glossy parallel - at least this makes the 6 a win since I will keep this in my collection.


Lastly, the couple cards for trade. I really don't need the minor league cards...but am sure we will see more of these through the Santa Lot.

Moving on...a theme for today, straightforward and simple...Sharks...easy to follow along I swear, but here we go...

Highlights:

This is oddball enough, I just had to put it as a highlight.Nothing on the card tells me the year of this, the perforations make it appear to be an insert, my guess is, from the National Geographic Kids magazines, though period, I'm not sure about.

Add in a 2008-09 Metal (or is it Gold...hard to tell with the scan...) parallel, and that is a couple nice highlights.

The rest
Keepers:

The 2004-05 SP Authentic cards eek me closer to 1/3 completion, even if the cards include one ugly King retro jersey. Well, I will say the Joe Thornton card is more the Shark I was expecting to see in these cards than the Pelagic Thresher above.

Traders:

Nicely on the smaller side, a lot of keepers today which is great. Continuing the Shark theme - Rob Blake, who I remember most as a King, but did end up with the Sharks for a short spell as well as documented here.

Through 4620 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subset (6 cards)

- 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #30 Bobby Orr (All-Star)

- 2004-05 Upper Deck Legends Classics Platinum Hockey #64 Marcel Dionne 06/10

- 2007-08 Topps 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	88	8
Inserts / Var Kept	138	9
Error	11	1
Keep	1153	143
Doubles/Sell	548	27	979	1111	236	21
Doubles Inserts / Var	49	1	54	63

Khabbi Days Are Here Again

Highlights:

I like the pose with Khabbi here - full picture pose, stands out in front of the background - fabulous photo with him at the ready. Shanahan - a nice new to me 2006-07 McDonalds card, so I'll take it too!

The rest
Keepers:

So this is the first 2006 Panini sticker I've got...meh on the design. I know stickers are fairly plain to begin with, but the design cuts down the picture on the front and leaves some white space for borr. I'd rather it atleast be square with a minimal white border. As for the 2006-07 Black Diamond card, a slight difference in design compared to 2005-06 (see below) and I think I like it slightly better overall.

Traders:

Nice getting as many McDonalds hockey cards here as I did...too bad so many were repeats (this is Ribiero number 4 now...if anyone wants one or two..). The good duplicate to get was the Iginla since one of the three I pulled was in rough condition. Overall though, very Khabbi with today's 20.

Through 4620 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subset (6 cards)

- 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #30 Bobby Orr (All-Star)

- 2004-05 Upper Deck Legends Classics Platinum Hockey #64 Marcel Dionne 06/10

- 2007-08 Topps 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	88	8
Inserts / Var Kept	137	9
Error	11	1
Keep	1142	143
Doubles/Sell	545	27	975	1111	236	20
Doubles Inserts / Var	49	1	54	63

I don't care what my teachers say...

I'll give you a minute to think about the reference in the title...as it works out, it actually references two cards in today's Santa Lot 20, and given how odd these cards are, definitely had to put them in the highlights today. Part of the reason I got the Santa Lot to begin with was for the off and unusual that I may find in the cards, even if they may not be something I collect, they would something that would entertain.

Highlights:

..I want to be a supermodel" is how the line of the song ends. Appropriate for the card above. This is one of a handful of cards in this basketball Bazooka set which are for non-basketball people, such as Jay-Z and Christie as shown here. Now, the song itself comes from a movie you probably know, whether you like it or hate it...Clueless. As for clueless, I am completely Clueless as it comes to this next card...

I had no clue what this card was from, and honestly, I still don't fully know. The best I can manage is that it came out of cards that were inserted, likely 9 to a page, which came in the Guinness Book of Records hardcover books in 2006-2007 or such period. If anyone has any additional information on it, please let me know. Definitely an interesting card though.

The last, and more obvious highlight - late 90s Maple Leaf.

The rest
Keepers:

The more I am seeing these 2005 Leaf Certified Materials cards, the more I like them. We will see if that trend continues...

Traders:


I love the name Mookie. Blaylock is a good one, but personally I have to go with Wilson as my fave.

Through 4600 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subset (6 cards)

- 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #30 Bobby Orr (All-Star)

- 2004-05 Upper Deck Legends Classics Platinum Hockey #64 Marcel Dionne 06/10

- 2007-08 Topps 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	88	8
Inserts / Var Kept	135	9
Error	11	1
Keep	1139	143
Doubles/Sell	543	27	968	1111	236	20
Doubles Inserts / Var	43	1	54	63

Nothin' but a gum stain

Yet again the gum stain strikes. At least it makes my son happy as he knows he gets some more cards, but it does mean I have to scrimp for a highlight today...

Highlight:

Yeah - that's it. I picked this because of the pic - nice determination shot on a great player.

Lowlight:

So 5 cards ruined by gum stains and a point card....so over 25% of this group was nothing...boo...

The rest
Traders:

Unfortunately, not even anything to keep at all - just these for trade including more 1991 7th Inning Sketch QMJHL cards I don't collect...oh well, can't win them all. If anything here interests anyone else though, just let me know!

Through 4580 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subset (6 cards)

- 1973-74 O-Pee-Chee Hockey #30 Bobby Orr (All-Star)

- 2004-05 Upper Deck Legends Classics Platinum Hockey #64 Marcel Dionne 06/10

- 2007-08 Topps 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	87	8
Inserts / Var Kept	135	9
Error	11	1
Keep	1137	142
Doubles/Sell	541	27	955	1111	236	19
Doubles Inserts / Var	43	1	54	63