More McD

Highlights:

Though Steen is a dupe, happy with it as a Leaf, and the other is a hole filled on the set (only 9 more needed in the 56 card set).

The rest
Keepers:

Yeah - light day on good cards for me with just the one other add.

Traders:



Lastly - on this last day of busy season - a bunch of 2007 Topps football, though a couple are new to me, they still don't overly interest me.  The McD theme continues though with a couple more 2006-07 McD dupes.

Through 11520 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	188	26
Inserts / Var Kept	367	63
Error	19	3
Keep	2280	348
Doubles/Sell	2018	268	1859	3167	312	43
Doubles Inserts / Var	155	4	183	217

The Packs

So today, a continuation of yesterday, we have 5 packs of cards out of the cube to open. So, let's get right to it!

2007-08 Ultra

I have to say, that is a darn good start. Malkin is a player I really like since he is a star on my second favourite team behind the Leafs, and then a nice insert for Past, Present and Future which is a great little concept for a card.

Only downside is that of three base cards, I only needed the Legace - but still a great pack overall.

Next, a few packs of 2012-13 Score (my guess is nothing to spectacular will come, but prove me wrong packs....)

A couple of the cards rode up a bit in the scan, but overall, a meh pack (though Henrik says hello Billy!). At least a parallel to keep, but that's about it for my collecting needs.

Next pack...

Awesome pack here because:

1) I got a Leaf card
2) A decent enough gold parallel
3) A nice (even if it is a Montreal card) Franchise insert
4) A Season Highlight base set subset card
5) Stamkos isn't a bad base card pickup

Excellent pack.

Pack number three of 2012-13 Score:

Not as good as the last one, but first Team Score card I have had in hand. I like the black and white photo - reminds me of early 90s Pinnacle cards.

Last pack...

We end with a bit of a blah. Happy to end with a Leaf, but that's about it for the pack (and yes, Ovechkin too).

So, was the cube worth $20? I'd say it was a fair price for what I got, so I can't complain. Will I get another one? Probably not any time soon, but it is a good way to get a decent cube for storing cards anyway.

Cube Break - Hockey Power Cube

So I saw a bunch of these new repack cubes at Walmart a couple months ago. I left them a few times, but with a price of just under $20, I knew I would pick up one eventually. Well, eventually is today, so let's see what the $20 gets you.


So for $20 we get:
1) A...I am going to say 200 card count...nice plastic box for card storage
2) 65 loose cards
3) 7 packs of cards

So you end up paying say $2 per pack - not too bad, but let's see what the packs are...

Well, two new ones for the unopened pack collection with the two newest Upper Deck packs, the rest I will open....tomorrow....

On to the 65 cards...of which, about 20 are early 90s Bowman (boo). I won't bother showing the duplicates, but here are the goodies I am keeping...


Two Leafs (yay) but I had both of them already (boo). The 2014-15 Gold Medallion Ultra parallel is fine - I like the wording better than the older ones that were sheer full gold background.


I don't have a ton of 2012-13 cards in my collection so nice to see the bunch of O Pee Chee and Score cards here.


More new hockey cards - here getting into 2015-16 Upper Deck. My favourite is the Perry, but overall, I will say I like the somewhat understated design. The colour swatch down the side doesn't take up too much of the real estate while adding a nice little dose of team colour.



2016-17 is another decent and understated design that works well. Nice to pick up a Young Gun card as well, though I don't chase after these as much as many.

So overall - decent so far on the buy. Tomorrow I will crack open the packs that I am not keeping, then we can see if the purchase was worth it overall.

Nearing the end

Nothing to do with the cards, but it is the last Friday of busy season, another year almost over, and as much as the weekend will be busy, it should mostly be processing stuff and just getting filings done electronically which is a different stress, but at least less of one than sitting there with hundreds of personal tax returns to review. Yeah, in Canada it's April 30, not April 15 for personal taxes to be due (but unlike the US, there are no extensions at all - it is either on time, or late).

Days like this, it is nice to unwind with some cards. which is where we are at today....

Highlights:

Easy enough to choose when it standout compared to the rest, as you will see below. There have been a good handful of these parallels in the last week or two here which is a nice streak.

The rest
Keepers:

Makes sense to see a couple more from the 2009-10 O Pee Chee set given the one above. As for the marquee rookie, Rev. Lovejoy here (no - not really a reverend, but that is where my mind went first)....actually a good one given he just appeared in 2 games in 2008-09. He played part of 2009-10 with Pittsburgh and then a number of seasons between Pittsburgh (two stints), Anaheim, and New Jersey. A "hit" as far as rookie card guessing goes.

Traders:



Not much to say other than, plenty of typical football between 1991 Upper Deck and 2007 Topps. Overall, meh, an okay day, but the thrill is the same, even when the cards are not.

Through 11500 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	187	26
Inserts / Var Kept	366	63
Error	19	3
Keep	2279	348
Doubles/Sell	2015	268	1856	3159	312	43
Doubles Inserts / Var	153	4	182	217

An Upper Deck Exclusive

Well, I was hopeful after the second period that the Leafs would be able to pull out game 7 and beat Boston, but it wasn't meant to be. Unfortunately, another year to wait until the next chance at The Cup.  In my misery, I ordered a couple more tins of the 2017 Leaf Centennial cards from 401games as they were on sale for less than $15. Hopefully this means I will have the 100 pure base complete, and about half the short print base cards too. This will be the last of them I buy, I will try and trade to complete the 200 card base set....eventually.

Highlights:

I believe the Exclusives parallel from Upper Deck started in the later 90s (not really a surprise there), but I didn't realize how many years it has actually been around. Especially considering, until the Santa Lot, I didn't even know these existed.\\I am not sure if the SN has always been to 100, but that would be part of the reason since, until the last handful of years and getting back into the hobby, I wouldn't have really researched or looked at such things. Also, as a kid collecting (which was before the time of Exclusives), I still wouldn't have picked up on it as I never looked at the "apck odds" and get curious about the cards I wasn't likely to see.

Happy to see another here and learn a little more in looking them up.

The rest
Keepers:

Even in the "junk wax" era, it wasn't unusual to see the use of Hall of Fame and retired players on cards for another reason to get collecting, and this Idols card which is a subset in the base from Pinnacle is a good example.

Traders:


The best kind of traders today - more 2005 Classics from Upper Deck. I don't recall junk wax era sets which were of this line - completely focused on stars of the past (other than the Conlon sets which were awesome - and I will say the Ted Williams sets had their heart in the right place in trying this as well). I should take a look again and see how much of an extra set I have together, if anyone is interested on a decent start to that one.

Through 11480 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	187	26
Inserts / Var Kept	365	63
Error	19	3
Keep	2277	348
Doubles/Sell	2015	268	1855	3143	312	43
Doubles Inserts / Var	153	4	182	217

Eye for an Eye

I m not going to call this one a highlight, but I couldn't resist using this as the first picture in the post today. I remember when this was a big deal and seeing her (Kim Goodman) on some of the talk shows for being the biggest eye ball popper - being the furthest obtruding from the socket. Fun stuff!

Highlights:

Even in hand, these O Pee Chee cards are SO dark that only by flipping it over to read the "normal" back, could I tell you it was Chad Kilger. As for the 1992 Triple Play Robbie, not the first in my collection, but each time I see it, I do wonder if having the shot from the other side would be a bit better, at least getting his face instead of his backside.

The rest
Keepers:

Decent keepers - the 1991 card is O Pee Chee with a nice bright back. Otherwise some nice 2007 Heritage.

Traders:



Unfortunately a couple more gummed O Pee Chee cards from 1990-91, but on the good side, a couple more nice McD cards.

Through 11460 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	187	26
Inserts / Var Kept	363	63
Error	19	3
Keep	2273	348
Doubles/Sell	2009	260	1855	3143	312	43
Doubles Inserts / Var	153	4	182	217

It's an Opening Day, yes it is...

Hopefully closing day is still a ways off for the Leafs. Happy they have come back and pushed the series to Game 7 and that maybe they can finally beat Boston. Given work is still crazy (I worked about 84 hours last week), I am not going to catch the game - but would like to see some games in May.....hint hint Leafs!

Highlights:

Seeing these makes me happy. These make cards 5 and 6 of the 8 card National Card Day base set from 2008 Topps National Card Day set. Would be happy to see the last two show up in the Santa Lot. Unfortunate they have to both be Red Sox, but Big Papi gets a pass regardless....

Oh, and one other highlight....

Sweet. Didn't need it for the set, but a double to ensure I have one for the Leaf team set in addition to the set attempt.

The rest
Keepers:

Nice, but nothing extraordinary to discuss here.

Traders:


First, big props to Fleer Brilliant for making parallels nice and easy. The number of the card? 13B, the B standing for Blue parallel. I wouldn't mind if this was done on all card parallels, but that is the visually impaired me saying that...and the fact that I couldn't tell a blue from a purple from a navy blue from a baby blue from a whatever other of the thousand colours are being used these days for parallels.

Also, has to be pointed out - Fizer doing his best impression of coming down on someone from above.

Bosh sighting too!

Through 11440 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	187	25
Inserts / Var Kept	362	63
Error	19	3
Keep	2272	344
Doubles/Sell	2005	258	1851	3143	312	42
Doubles Inserts / Var	151	4	182	217

Nothing but the Finest

I never had many Finest cards from any sport. Though the set started in the early 90s in baseball (where I really know it), it was across other sports as well as highlighted today. I can't give an overall opinion of it, because I really have had so few cards from Finest in my collection, but they do have a higher end feel, especially with the peel that was on many of these cards.

Highlights:

So, a few good points to these:
1) They all still have the protective peel on them which is a nice plus
2) The design isn't half bad
3) The condition is really good
4) These are pretty nice stars of the times

Cards that age me....I can't believe Patrick was 1st round pick in 1985...Smits hanging with Regiie Miller with the Pacers is classic 90s, just like Patrick as a Knick.

The rest
Keepers:

Nice adds to the 2008-09 O Pee Chee set, so let's take a little deeper look at the rookie Theo....well, 160 games in Edmonton over 6 seasons and a number of years in the minors and overseas. Still, would say that is a better than average outcome for someone stuck on a rookie card in a massive O Pee Chee hockey set.

Traders:


Raptor sighting with Chris Bosh!

Through 11420 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	186	25
Inserts / Var Kept	362	61
Error	19	3
Keep	2269	344
Doubles/Sell	2002	258	1849	3138	309	42
Doubles Inserts / Var	151	4	181	217

Not just anyone but Akenyon1

Today, with just over a week left in busy season...a trade recap from a trade with Akenyon1 which did a decent job of moving along my 1987 Topps set completion.

Here are the cards I picked up...

A variety of needs - and a snazzy checklist, as the wood grain does look really nice on it.


A nice "join the" Carney Lansford and the "he seemed to be everywhere cardwise" Frank Tanana.


We finish up with a couple other Jay adds to with a Rickey documenting his short tenure in Toronto, and a more recent Hutch card.

A quick thanks for the trade, it made my busy April a little more enjoyable.

A lack of Magic in this one...

To be honest, after opening this pack of 100 Magic cards for $4 from Dollarama - I don't think I will be doing one of these again for a while. It is pretty hard to feel a bit ripped off on one of these, but there is really not much for me in it, except a pile of cards to get rid of unfortunately.

Here are all the Artifact cards I got....

Yes - 100 cards, and I only got two. Now typically, there are not a ton, but I expect to get at least 5, and best case maybe 10, so quite low on that regard.

The only saving grace is that the Razorfield Rhino is new for me, and a nice big beastie as a 6/6 typically if you play an artifact deck, for a cost of 6.

Though generally a let down, best to look at a few of the cards that are a bit interesting at least.


Leveling up was an interesting change. Don't really see it any more, but an interesting change to the cards that could have been interesting if continued.


A nice big creature which will generally end up just being a defender given the ability.


I like big baddies, and a 5/5 creature for 5 mana isn't bad, but the ability to be an 8/8, excellent.


Not every day that you have a 0/0 creature, there have been a few, but not many. Interesting as the number of creatures in all graveyards could be pretty big.


Nice to get a rare card, though not an overly useful one.


I like this one for the picture more than anything else - reminds me of the older style of Magic cards for whatever reason.


Lastly, another rare card that isn't greatly useful, especially given it is a Jace card and Jace is generally a pretty powerful character.

So yeah, not a great pack, but a pack nonetheless....hopefully a better go tomorrow!