First Edition....third Elliott

One more month to go for my busy season...this is about when I can start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. It is also about now that I envy the US where the tax filing deadline is mid-April, though I know the US has filing extensions so returns can be dragged on and be done later, whereas Canada's filing deadline is end of April period (okay, self employed people and their spouses have until mid-June, but I digress).

Well, one way that helps be get through...looking at some new sports cards every day!

Highlights:

This is the third 1991-92 Dave Elliott card to the collection.

The rest
Keepers:

Down side - just one...up side - keeps moving the 1991-92 Pro Set Platinum set. The bonus - Joel Otto always reminded me of Otto the bus driver on The Simpsons. I can't believe how long running that show has been, though I watched plenty in the 90s and early 00s, I feel out of regularly watching in university and never got back to it.

Traders:

First Edition - I have just seen a couple of these cards from Upper Deck basketball though Topps, Fleer and Upper Deck produced sets at one time or another. I don't mind the design, and I can appreciate the simplicity of the gold parallel set. The string of 2007 Topps All Pro players isn't too shabby either.

Troy's card would have been much better without a helmet, and with a bit of wind in his hair, but again, I digress.

Through 7220 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

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

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 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 #64 Marcel Dionne Platinum 06/10

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

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	116	12
Inserts / Var Kept	272	30
Error	15	2
Keep	1510	216
Doubles/Sell	1000	134	1202	2134	257	27
Doubles Inserts / Var	89	1	96	107

Catching up and Creeping

Work has been crazy busy lately - plenty of March deadlines and April is busy with personal tax, s the fact I have had to deal with two colds and now an eye infection (thanks to my daughter) it has not been a great last week or so, but enough is enough and it's time for a change!

Wrestlemania 33 this Sunday woo hoo! Plenty of good, as it is a great time to get together with my brother and cousin to watch (and bet - because that makes it even a little bit more interesting), and usually an entertain show overall, so looking forward to it. I will say, with the kickoff show starting at 5pm EST and with the possible overrun like last year making the entire event over 6 hours (closer to seven), it can get exhaustive! Still a fun time to be had with family, pizza, betting, and chips - should be great.

Oh, and just to give a sense - the "betting" consists of us each throwing $20 (Canadian) in, so we are only talking $60 (Canadian) - so like $45US I guess, but we are hardcore enough to have the bets be essentially best call of the match (winner, how, and time of the match). Yeah, still way too into wrestling, but that is fine with me. It is this entertainment I get out of it that is why I keep considering getting into wrestling card collecting more seriously.

Anyway, on a more card related topic, I have seen the 30 days of cards blogging starting around, and I love the idea, but with a quick look through the list, the posts would be a bit exhaustive and unfortunately I don't have the time to do it right, but I will pocket the ideas for future posts I think.

If you came here for cards - not to be disappointed, let's peek at some more Santa Lot cards....

Highlights:

Slowly going on this set with a couple more adds. I like the horizontal pose use in this case with the action shot used.

The rest
Keepers:

A light day unfortunately, getting just the one more add.

Traders:

Some nice quality 2007 Topps football cards, including about 5 new to me cards. I have mentioned before, liking the base set "inserts" of league leaders and all pros.

A quick day today, and nothing overly exciting, but we will have to see tomorrow if we can do a bit better.

Through 7200 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

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

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 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 #64 Marcel Dionne Platinum 06/10

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

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	115	12
Inserts / Var Kept	272	30
Error	15	2
Keep	1509	216
Doubles/Sell	997	134	1195	2128	257	27
Doubles Inserts / Var	89	1	94	107

Slow and steady...

Patience is a virtue, and for a couple sets, a virtue needed because the gains now are slow in getting the base sets closer to completion. 2004-05 Legends Classics - we haven't seen much in a while - and 1991-92 Pro Set Platinum which has been a splattering of cards here and there throughout.

Highlights:

A few adds to these sets, which is great. The Essenza photo seems off centre - or just emphasizes the stick way too much. I like the Bathgate card if for no other reason than, the write up on the back includes noting he won a Stanley Cup with the Maple Leafs...hard to remember that some players actually did that back in the day.

The rest
Keepers:

The Stanley Cup Centennial card is very nice, even for early 90s Upper Deck which was otherwise quite standard. Add in the not often seen 2006-07 OPC and some mid 00s SPx, and these are some decent keepers.

Traders:


More dupe 2007-08 Upper Deck, but my favorite here is the Casey card. This is a great goalie card photo - and more centres than Essensa's card shown above.

Through 7180 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

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

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 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 #64 Marcel Dionne Platinum 06/10

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

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	115	12
Inserts / Var Kept	272	30
Error	15	2
Keep	1506	216
Doubles/Sell	995	134	1195	2115	256	27
Doubles Inserts / Var	88	1	94	107

A change of pace

There seems to be a bit of a shift in the cards and sets coming out of the Santa Lot 20 the last day or two, and here today. Not a major shift, but a slight one in seeing a few more sets that we only saw a few cards of previously. Specifically some more quality 1990-91 O Pee Chee cards, more 2008-09 Upper Deck basketball, and even 2008-09 hockey.

Highlight:

Well, we have seen a few of these before, but another Leaf will not make me upset!

Lowlight:

Not all of the 1990-91 O Pee Chee came out clean, but at least I already had a Fleury, so no issue giving this one to my son.

The rest
Keepers:

Happy to get a 1990-91 O Pee Chee card I need (even a Montreal player...I guess), and a couple other keepers from sets that haven't been heavily received.

Traders:

I think I touched on these above, some being the "usual suspects", but a couple lesser seen sets as well. 2003 Sp Authentic - still missing one card from a duplicate set, and no luck with these.

Through 7160 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

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

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 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 #64 Marcel Dionne Platinum 06/10

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

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	115	12
Inserts / Var Kept	272	30
Error	15	2
Keep	1498	216
Doubles/Sell	983	134	1195	2115	256	27
Doubles Inserts / Var	88	1	94	107

What does the Foxx say?....Done!

Well, if you follow the blog somewhat regularly, you will know what I am referring to as the Santa Lot 20 has led to another complete set. To qualify it, this is completion of the 100 "true base" which does not include the Retro Star Rookie cards, though I have about a third of those as well. What I am referring to is...

Highlight:

This is the last card from 2005 Upper Deck Classics that I needed, so you know what that means. Now that I have......IT....I'm going to add it to.....The list (below). Oh, and there was this too...but it does pale in comparison, though still a highlight.



The rest
Keepers:

2006-07 Upper Deck...haven't seen much of that, but I'll take it, along with another "new for the set" 2007-08 Upper Deck...but someone needs to tell Paul to get back into a Ducks jersey...

Traders:

It has been a while since getting some 2003-04 SP Authentic basketball - and these just miss out on the one card needed for the second completing of the set.

Through 7140 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

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

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 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 #64 Marcel Dionne Platinum 06/10

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

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	114	12
Inserts / Var Kept	272	30
Error	15	2
Keep	1495	216
Doubles/Sell	977	134	1190	2110	256	27
Doubles Inserts / Var	88	1	94	107

There is a reason I don't do this often...

I don't normally spend this much on a single box of sports cards. Actually, if I spend this much, I'd rather get say - a Santa Lot, but today, I picked up this...

I really like the base set, and was thinking of picking up a blaster to move along the base set completion, but then thought - why not? Why not get myself a little something for this busy season?

Once I opened it, I had t decide - which pack do I put aside for my unopened pack collection? Ideally I would pick the pack that had the (now expired) Rookie Redemption card. Well, I set this aside...

Hopefully it was a good pick...more on that at the end....but let's see what I did get...

Pack 1:

There is basically a hit of some kind in each pack, here it is a Ruby parallel Spezza. As I say, I am trying to complete the base set, and before this box I had 52 cards of the 100 true base cards - ideally I can get to at least 2/3rds and get some decent hits, this can be a success.

Pack 2:

The goalie cards are serial numbered and part of the base set - and also then have the different colouring.

Pack 3:

Darn - there is the redemption card unfortunately. Well, here's to hoping it is just a serial numbered card maybe in that unopened pack...

Pack 4:

There is big hit number one (to me). A nice dual jersey card, even if both swatches are plain white, it suits the team.

Pack 5:

A ruby parallel rookie card, but also - talk about a Montreal hot pack!

Pack 6:

What will likely be the lowest numbered parallel card to come out the box - the Ranford is a very nice card. Also the number 85 of 85 is pretty nice too. Nice to get a new Leaf card here as well.

Pack 7:

Here is a "normal" rookie base card compared to the ruby rookie parallel we saw before.

Pack 8:

Here we have the auto insert of the box. Dillon is a decent enough player - too bad it wasn't a Leaf, but I couldn't expect a Leaf hot box...

Given the "on average odds" the last two packs should both have something memorabilia to them so - good news is I have a hot pack - bad news is, I am not opening it any time soon.

Pack 9 - Last pack:

Well - we end on a great note with a dual artifact Leaf card with Bolland.

Overall - probably wouldn't pay $70 for a box like this again. I'd rather spend $70 on Leaf or Jays cards I really want for my collection. Still, fun to open, and share/post, but with just getting to 66 of 100 base as well - still a while to go on the base completion as well.

Anyone able to help on this set with me, just send me a note, would love to get more of this base out of the way.

A Rosenort by any other name

Received the cards in a trade I had with Rosenort from tradingcarddb.com. It was originally just a few cards, but Curtis sent a number of extra cards with those in the trade and today is as good a day as any to take a look at what came across.


I don't like the 1992-93 O Pee Chee design - EXCEPT, with the Leafs, the light blue accent is okay (not excellent, but OK). Still love seeing the C on Wendel Clark.


Other than Eric Fichaud's card trying to run away from the rest of them here, and trying to hide by being near impossible to read the name on due to the foil....still a nice card in hand. Maybe not as nice as Grant Fuhr (who I still always consider mainly as an Oiler), but decent photo nonetheless.

Also, like Clark, always love getting a Gimour card.


I think a lot of people forget at times that Dave was quite a sniper at times. This 1993-94 score is after his 92-93 season in which he had over 50 goals between his split time with Buffalo and Toronto.

As much as I love getting the early 90s cards, there were a few newer cards also...

The Canvas cards scan nicely as far as being able to see the texture. I never really got on the Phil bandwagon in Toronto, but a Leaf is a Leaf, so into the collection he goes.


More "design" to this insert Kessel, and atleast it scans so you can read the card, but I prefer the Canvas design and picture.


Yes - a triple Kessel combo! More of a basic photo in this 2015-16 Timmies card, so my preference of the three is still the Canvas card, but all three are great adds to the collection.

Lastly...

Yup, one Blue Jay! I like the different look, and older look of most Gypsy Queen sets. Might be my favourite card of the ones I received from Curtis, even as the only Jay. With that I'll end the post today, though with one last big thank you to Curtis for the great cards. I look forward to being able to trade again with you some time soon!

Paul Molitor in rookie form

Well, another new to me card from 2005 Upper Deck Classics, but not the one I am waiting to see. Still, continued hope of getting all the Retro Rookies...

Highlight:

Another excellent card from these Retro Star Rookies, and a pre-Jay at that. I know, and agree, he is a Brewer first and foremost, but I appreciated his time in Toronto.

The rest
Keepers:

2009-10 Ultra - few and far between - would love a couple Leafs from the set since I don't have any....

Traders:

Plenty of Eagles here, but believe it or not, the one that interests me right now, is the Storm card - not from the same set as most I have, but another one for the pile. I should really look at how many teams were in the league when these cards were made to know how far I have to go to get a complete set - and this is under the assumption that there is one for each team.

Through 7120 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 #64 Marcel Dionne Platinum 06/10

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

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	113	12
Inserts / Var Kept	272	30
Error	15	2
Keep	1492	215
Doubles/Sell	972	131	1186	2108	255	27
Doubles Inserts / Var	88	1	94	107

Reminding me of Bam Bam

Yesterday was a busy day. The federal budget was announced in Canada and our firm gets a quick one page tax summary out ASAP afterwards, so a bit stressful, but in a good way. One of those days though, that looking at some cards is a nice stress reliever.

Highlights:

I've mentioned before that I liked these Collector's Choice cards across any sport. Here we have two very solid players as well. Randall Cunningham and Lawrence Taylor. Truth be told, my best memory of Lawrence Taylor are from his wrestling match against Bam Bam Bigelow at Wrestlemania XI. As far as having celebrities in wrestling, this was the best participation until probably a certain broken nose to Big Show. He was a huge name at the time which made it a big deal, and there were big deals since such as Tyson and Trump, but he was one of the good ones from the earlier years.

The rest
Keepers:

Again just the one, similar to yesterday. Unfortunately another bombardment of football as shown below...

Traders:

Yeah, lots more 1991 Upper Deck football...including two Anthony Carter cards...but more importantly - an Austin Powers card! One I did already have though...

Through 7100 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 #64 Marcel Dionne Platinum 06/10

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

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	113	12
Inserts / Var Kept	272	30
Error	15	2
Keep	1490	214
Doubles/Sell	969	131	1186	2094	255	27
Doubles Inserts / Var	88	1	94	107