An O Pee Chee kinda day

I know some people collect brands only, be it Topps, O Pee Chee, Upper Deck, etc. The one I always find interesting is O Pee Chee versus Topps.  I think it may be obvious for some to collect one over the other (if they wish to be traditional Americana - Topps or Canadiana - O Pee Chee), but personally - I am happy collecting both.

During the time that the sets were fairly similar, during my childhood - I honestly didn't know enough at the time to see the difference. It was much later in organizing my cards in my later teens to store them away, that I noticed the difference. The one that sticks to mind is 1991 Baseball - because the difference was essentially the copyright line, and lighter coloured backs, I thought I had a lot of one set when in fact I had a lesser part of two different sets.

Oh well, at least we are well past such issues and the sets are much different in the hockey sets these days.

That said, I did a bit of Canadiana picking off Listia with a couple early 80s O Pee Chee wins which included all the following:

1981-82 O Pee Chee - glad to get some of these as I only had one of the above. Still missing plenty of Leafs, but with most older designs, generally simple, but still very nice.

As for the O Pee Chee influences through the Santa Lot 20 today...

Highlights:

2009-10 Retro parallels, and being O Pee Chee are just great. Also nice that, if they arenèt Leafs, they are atleast Canadian teams.

The rest
Keepers:

Excellent to get a number of 2009-10 O Pee Chee cards. This seems to be the most recent period of time covered in the Santa Lot. This isn't a bad thing since my "out" period was roughly the 00s decade anyway, so many of the cards we are seeing are great helps.

Traders:

As usual, Star Rookies may be great, may be not so much. For example, Alen Brink never reached the NFL as he never played a game whereas Erin Henderson who played games in each of 6 seasons with Minnesota, and in two seasons with the Jets.

Through 5500 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

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

- 3 Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subsets (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	94	8
Inserts / Var Kept	160	24
Error	11	1
Keep	1244	152
Doubles/Sell	640	34	1078	1595	243	22
Doubles Inserts / Var	60	1	66	67

All Aboard

Just the Santa Lot 20 today...

Highlights:

With these, finally creeping up to 50% completion on the 2007-08 McDonalds set - now at 44%.  think we have seen Cheechoo and Vanek in other McDonalds cards, but good to get them here of course. I wonder how many choochoo Cheechoo train jokes have been made...not that I would make one...

The rest
Keepers:

Unfortunate to only get one other keeper in this pull, but lots of love for Teemu. I never liked these Duck uniforms, preferring the original Mighty Duck ones, but atleast here he is atleast with the Ducks.

Traders:

Obviously struck into a line of 2007-08 Topps basketball cards here, getting multiple cards of multiple...cards....A couple nice ones though. First, the pre-Metta World Peace, Ron Artest. Second, TJ Ford.I remember him playing for the Raptors, though nothing specific as far as memories go.

Through 5480 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

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

- 3 Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subsets (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	94	8
Inserts / Var Kept	158	24
Error	11	1
Keep	1237	152
Doubles/Sell	636	34	1077	1589	243	22
Doubles Inserts / Var	60	1	66	67

Stay In School!

I've been having a couple issues with blogger lately...and with my own scheduling. I try to keep a few post ahead, but sometimes blogger scheduling gives me some problems. Bottom line, oops, I had a post go up too early last night...but problem fixed. If you didn't notice - perfect! If you did, keen eye. Regardless, consider it an early preview. As life can just come up at times, I like making sure the blog is good to go.

Well, not the way I wanted to mark one year down, bu oh well! With that behind us, on with year two, and at least the traders bring along something new.

Highlights:

A good turn out today in the Santa Lot 20 with two nice McDonald set cards. The nice motion Koivu card is pretty darn good - it may not be high tech, but appreciate it just the same.

The rest
Keepers:

Joe Girardi - decent as a player and doing alright now as a manager. I like the mid swing Schofield though the bottom looks very slightly damaged.

Traders:

Interesting that this is what I have most to say about today. Two items here..first...stay in school. Cute message which was the thing to do in the early 90s so fit right here in 1991 Upper Deck. I wonder how successful a campaign this ended up being - when it really started or ended, but it was all the rage. Maybe it still is and being older now I just don't notice these things...

Second - that is a fine looking Kobe Bryant card. It is much better in hand than scanned, and I have never seen any of the Brilliant set cards before - definitely a two thumbs up front design. Also, as I say, any new set is a good set here!

Through 5460 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

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

- 3 Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subsets (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	94	8
Inserts / Var Kept	156	24
Error	11	1
Keep	1236	152
Doubles/Sell	634	33	1064	1588	243	22
Doubles Inserts / Var	60	1	66	67

Happy Anniversary!

Given the anniversary, I had to pick up something a bit different for myself to share here. It so happened that Toys R Us had these different repacks which I believe were $6.99. Packaged in a clear clam shell, I could see the following items which is why I picked it up;

- A Black diamond pack I didn't have

- A 2008-09 O Pee Chee oversized card pack, which I didn't have

- An oversized Leaf Victory card of which I have none

Yes...so the package says...

Here are the unopened packs included...

Actually there are two of the Black Diamond packs, so we can save one of those for a separate post.

Also included were there oversized cards:

Lastly, there were also 10 Upper Deck Power Play 2008-09 cards (you couldn't tell these with the package closed). Unfortunately, I have a box set of the 300 cards (there are 400 in total, the last 100 being the update), but it is not opened, so interesting to see these, but nothing I am going to be keeping. 

Seeing these in hand, they are a fairly nice design. A couple complaints though. First, the names are a bit faded on the front that makes them hard to read. Also, as much as the photos and overlay of the player over the back design is nice, it does make the cards look generally similar to each other without significant standout pics.

Overall a nice little opening for the anniversary, a couple new packs for the collection, and some new to me cards - can't ask for much more. Here's to another great year ahead!

Almost a complete Timmies subset

So I don't do current release crazes. I didn't even bother going out and getting packs of hockey cards at Tim Horton's when the 2016-17 hockey cards were release. I did ask a couple people to pick up packs for me as a Christmas idea though.

I did of course start keeping my eye open on Listia for any of the cards that I really wanted (see Maple Leafs). I may be paying a bit of a premium, assuming there are people through the US without easy access to the cards, so willing to pay a bit more, but it worked out alright below.

I was able to pick up sic of the seven cards for the Local Leader insert set, as shown here:



I obviously wanted to pic up the Bozak card, but given I was able to get 6 of the 7 insert cards in one shot, figured it may be a good pick up to be able to search out the one final card to complete the set.

That aside, the city shots are quite nice and make for picturesque cards overall - not sure if black for the border was the right call, but it is ok. Would make for decent photos on postcards.

Anyone else out there collect the set feverishly - or with an extra Ottawa local leader card up for trade so I can make quick work of the insert set?

More Platinum

Highlights:

As much as we have seen a lot of 2004-05 Ultra basketball, including a couple Gold Medallion cards, but this is the first Platinum version. As you can see, they are serial numbered to 100 whereas the Gold versions aren't.


Though these aren't serial numbered, these inserts are really nice in hand. Not to mention it is Messier.

Lowlights:

So, this would normally be a great highlight card, except there seems to be a bit missing from the card. I guess the gold foil rubbed and scratched off the front of the card - you can hardly tell who the player is by the name, anyway. Not to mention the triangular design which is supposed to go over the position and number.

The rest
Keepers:

Though I may not be a big fan of the Heroes and Prospect sets, atleast these are coming from a new one we haven't seen. Add in that, and a Guy LaFleur (who looks extremely young - wow), and they are alright I guess...

Traders:

Good thing the Mellanby is a duplicate because the damage will have it go to my son. As for the Ultra cards, the string of them are atleast ones that I haven't seen yet, filling a hole in the missing cards for the base set.

Through 5440 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

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

- 3 Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subsets (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	94	8
Inserts / Var Kept	153	24
Error	11	1
Keep	1233	150
Doubles/Sell	633	33	1054	1587	243	22
Doubles Inserts / Var	60	1	66	67

Ol' McDonald Had A Cup...and Oh Henry too

Oh Henry issued a number of Jays team sets, though honestly, I don't have much of them. So when I saw 9 cards from 2000 on Listia, I had to jump to pick these up...

Back when the Jays were very hands on, having both a Carpenter and a Painter in their pitching staff as well as the baseball appropriate named Homer Bush. Homer is one of my favourite baseball player names since I don't think there are any players that have been names Groundrule Double or such.

As for today's Santa Lot pulls...

Highlights:

Lanny at his most successful with the Cup in Calgary. Obviously I have a soft spot for his time in Toronto, but he's such a great personality, he would be a personal collection type of guy - but I am just not a personal collection type of guy so, may not be a card for me in that manner - but is one I needed for the Masterpiece set!

The rest
Keepers:

Still continue to trickle in some more 2008-09 O Pee Chee needs which continue the growth of the cards I have knocked out of this large set.

Traders:

I really like the Duncan card for the background. A great picture of crowd involvement with Duncan at the light shooting a free throw. Also helps to know I have a few Kevin Garnett cards, so he won't be a last hold out for the 2007-08 Topps set being completed.

Through 5420 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

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

- 3 Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subsets (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	94	8
Inserts / Var Kept	152	24
Error	11	1
Keep	1228	150
Doubles/Sell	628	33	1046	1587	243	22
Doubles Inserts / Var	60	1	65	67

A Rocky card

I am not the pickiest of people when it comes to card condition. If it is for my collection, I'd rather have a, maybe not so great condition card, than nothing at all (I'd always look to upgrade).

Highlights:

Nice to see a mid 70s card as there have only been a couple out of the Santa Lot so far. May not be a set or team, or player I collect, but I can appreciate the age of the card, even with some rounded corners.

Lowlight:

Unfortunately, tjis is the back of the card. So this is a bit extensive and I will not be keeping it (another card for my son). A disappointment, but hey - can't win them all.

The rest
Keepers:

I was never into Pogs, but seeing more of these (I think we saw just one before), I like them for their oddballiness - if that is a word. Not much you can put on a little Pog, but I like the use for a full head or mostly body shot - decent photography considering.

Traders:

I wanted to ensure the rounding corner on the Gold Medallion 2004-05 Ultra basketball was clearly seen. An interesting look for the cards which kinda works, though they are a bit hard to grab in a "pack" similar to the Pogs (but not that bad). Crittenton is another I didn't have have from the 2007-08 Topps variation set, though too bad the corner is a bit banged - might luck out with another one though - still plenty to get through!

Through 5400 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

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

- 3 Complete 2007-08 UD McDonald's Hockey Checklist Subsets (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	94	8
Inserts / Var Kept	152	24
Error	11	1
Keep	1224	150
Doubles/Sell	626	33	1032	1587	243	22
Doubles Inserts / Var	60	1	65	67