Saturday, June 30, 2018

Dollarama 80 for the weekend - Part 1

These are just too fun to go through. I picked this one up because there was a Panini Elite Extra Edition card on the front which was a set I never see much of, not that I have a huge interest in it, but it is different. So today, we will go through those 40 cards and then see if it ends up being the better half after tomorrow.

We might as well go from worst to first on what this half had to offer, so let's start with the dupes and trade material. This may actually be the most interesting part for you reading since I am more than happy to send these off wherever they are needed, just let me know.


No surprise we have a bunch of "junk" era Topps since I have moved well on those I haven't finished yet in this era. It makes me happy though that I have no problem in general finding homes for these cards, either to collectors like me just dabbling through a time they lived through, or younger collectors looking to pick up some "vintage" card sets - well vintage to them - for little cost.


Yeah, what would a repack like this be without the mandatory Cliff Floyd card. Though it does bring up a question - what one card do you have in excess in your collection, and if it matters - is it on purpose (a collecting goal) or by accident?

My by accident (and please take them if you want them) would be this Cliff Floyd as I only ever needed one, if that, and now have 6-7.

My "on purpose" card is the 1991-92 Pro Set card #43 Ed Belfour. Ed wore #30 for Chicago on the card, and I have 30 copies of it, plus the one in the complete set. It started because I picked up a dozen at once a long time ago, and liked Ed so didn't worry about getting rid of them, then collected a few more accidentally over the years.

Keepers:

Not bad that we get back to 1985. We have seen earlier cards in these, but anything pre-86 is good.



A few sets here I had never seen/hear of before, and no surprise they are from about '94 - '04 when I paid no real attention to cards. Fleer Mystique - first card for that one...Fleer Splendid Splinter - same for that set too.Playoff Absolute Materials I had heard of in football, first I have seen here in baseball. Those are the types of cards in these that make the repacks so much fun.

Lastly, the actual collection keepers:

The Woolworth is great, and a Bowman whatever...that's it. Not a single Jays card in the half so I have a feeling tomorrow may very well top today...

Friday, June 29, 2018

Continuin the horizontal

I swear I didn't plan it this way. Sometimes nice things just fall into place. Yesterday we saw some SPx cards with horizontal design, as was used in the couple base sets. Those cards are decent, mostly for their shininess as far as my like goes, but today we have a better example.

Highlight:

Of course this is a staged photo. They can work out alright sometimes, but usually an action shot is preferred. Here it works and makes this a memorable card to me. Why?

1) The background is dark which is such a contrast from the usual whiteness of hockey cards - something to do with the ice I think.

2) Head on to the net photo. Usually you get a TV angled type shot, so a head on shot of a net is a bit off the norm.

3) No helmet - yes, more of a phenomenon with recent cards, and can be done here with the staged shot. Reminds of the flowing hair on cards from the 70s.

4) Holy puck! I would take a wild guess and assume there are 50 in the net, but possibly more. Again, just to stress what kind of goal scorer |Brett was - his three most recent seasons before this card had goals of 72, 86, and 70. Almost a goal a game over that span.

The rest
Keepers:

A two diamond Naslund isn't too shabby, though I prefer when the diamond rank is quietly done in diamonds rather than a number.

Traders:


I like the bright colour on the Weekes mask - masks like that are why some out there just collect goalie and mask cards - the unique and individual style that goes into them can be awesome.

Through 12300 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 199 26
Inserts / Var Kept 380 64
Error 19 3
Keep 2410 355
Doubles/Sell 2224 277 2145 3235 312 45
Doubles Inserts / Var 171 4 213 218    

Thursday, June 28, 2018

Going horizontal

Horizontal cards can be problematic. They don't always present well when put into pages. It's hard to tell some times if they are supposed to be left facing or right facing. They don't always use the space well. Sometimes, and with some designs, they can work.

Highlights:

I won't say that SPx sets are a perfect 10 when it comes to design for horizontal cards, but these sets are growing on me a bit. By all means, they are decent and growing on me, but not enough full picture to be a perfect card.

Lowlight:

This is more stnndard fare for the landscaping, but only the second golf card like this, but it is Tiger which is a big name still...maybe...too bad it's splitting apart.

The rest
Keepers


Traders:


The Kurt Warner card is all kinds of nice and shiny with a gold/red shimmer and based on the other base cards, it's been done to match the team which comes off really well.

Through 1280 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 199 26
Inserts / Var Kept 380 64
Error 19 3
Keep 2407 355
Doubles/Sell 2212 277 2143 3233 312 45
Doubles Inserts / Var 171 4 212 218    

Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Turning up Chuck

Highlights:

I am not use to seeing McDonalds cards that are of rookies - usually they are the stars of the day given the sets are roughly 50 cards each year, so a bit surprised with this one.

It did work out fairly well since he stuck around the NHL for 11 seasons, though they were spread out among 5 teams.


Parallel 2008-09 O Pee Chee is another great pick up.

The rest
Keepers:

2003-04 was Sauve's first year in the NHL (it was half his games in the NHL with 32 in total, the rest coming over a couple more seasons).

Traders:


Haven't seen a lot of 2008-09 Upper Deck basketball, but get a bunch here including Wade, but I like the couple football Leaf flashbacks with Williams and Green.

Through 12260 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 199 26
Inserts / Var Kept 380 64
Error 19 3
Keep 2403 355
Doubles/Sell 2204 277 2140 3229 312 44
Doubles Inserts / Var 171 4 212 218    

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

More O Pee Chee

Highlights:

A few more additions to the 2008-09 base set. I am a bit partial to goalie cards for being that bit different than the usual, and here is a good example - Biron just stands out more in these three.

The rest
Keepers:

2006-07 Upper Deck - funny, as much as I prefer vertical card design, I think as far as this front design goes, I would rather see it on vertical cards like this for the whole set.

Traders:


Is it a bit sad that of these, it is the Medicine Hat Tigers cards that stands out to me - these are really growing on me.

Through 12240 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 199 26
Inserts / Var Kept 378 64
Error 19 3
Keep 2401 355
Doubles/Sell 2203 277 2130 3224 312 44
Doubles Inserts / Var 171 4 212 218

Monday, June 25, 2018

Narrowed to two

Set completion, even when it is just getting close, is still exciting. Today, we get a bit of that excitement.

Highlights:

These knock the needed base cards for the 2007-08 Topps set down to a paltry two cards. If I were to guess, I think one of those two will be in the next few days since it is just one number off of the cards here. These are the final few cards in the set, some of the rookies. The other, maybe not - will have to see.

The rest
Traders:


1991 Upper Deck football isn't too exciting, though a solid set, but a needed 2007-08 insert for the 1957-58 subset is nice and SPx as always is pretty darn snazzy.

Yeah, a quick day today with nothing too exciting for my own collection.

Through 12220 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 199 26
Inserts / Var Kept 378 64
Error 19 3
Keep 2397 355
Doubles/Sell 2195 277 2124 3223 312 44
Doubles Inserts / Var 170 4 212 218    

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Looking for some Centennial gravy

Here we are with the final six packs of 2017 Centennial Maple Leaf cards. I likely won't be buying any more packs now that the set is completed as far as my need is concerned. If I pick up any additional short print cards or inserts it'll be through Listia, trade, or other mean than by pack.

Pack #1

The highlight of each pack is likely to be the short print base card in each case here, and we start strong on this one. That Gilmour retired number card is simply beautiful and does a great job in bringing the moment together in a card.

Pack #2

Terry Sawchuk in the short print here. A great write up on the back discussing how the Vezina trophy win in '64-'65 had the rules changed to include all goalies on the team who had over 25 games because Terry wouldn't accept the trophy if Johnny Bower's name wasn't also inscribed on it (Johnny only played a couple games less than Sawchuk).

Pack #3

Love the older pictured cards as I have said below, a nice Irvin here.

Pack #4

Man - that 80s hair Wendel Clark...can't really say much about it other than, man, that really looks like a dated 80s photo.

Pack #5

Red Horner wasn't a long serving captain - all of a couple years right at the end of his career, but a highlight for him from what he has said.

Pack #6

Baun's memorable moment being his Stanley Cup winning goal in game 6 on April 23, 1964 which he did on a broken leg which is just insane.

Well, no autograph, but I have 40 of the 100 short print base cards and a couple dozen die cast cards, so can't complain!

Saturday, June 23, 2018

Trying again to put this set to rest

Okay, so I have one tin left to try and finish this 2017 Centennial Leafs pure base set of 100 cards. Again, happy to get some of the short print cards 101-200, but my goal is really to finish up the 100. I would consider done and happy with the set and not go out of my way for the rest, but since it is all Leafs, would pick them up like anything else.

So again, half the packs and the topper today, and the other half of the packs tomorrow.

At least this is a success in not getting a repeat topper...

This gives me '32, '45, '47 and ,51.

Pack #1:

Well, at least the short print Darryl Sittler is new. I guess works that I only had one of a couple the other cards (Iafrate and Boschman). Still none of the 5 I have left in the pure 100 base.

Pack #2:

A bit better - the short print Ed Belfour is new, as is the die cut Kadri.

Pack #3:

Rick Vaive short print highlights here as the only new addition. Half way through the packs for today and getting a bit worried....

Pack #4:

Boom! Here we have three of the base card needs filled, so down to 2. With Bester, Martin and Bozak. Not to mention a new short print Potvin and a die cut Maloney - pack of the day so far.

Pack #5:

Woo hoo! Done on the 100 pure base cards with the last two here being Turnbull and Warriner. So glad to have this one done, and with the short print Douggie to boot.

Pack #6:

We cap it off with another needed short print Vaive and a die cut Potvin.

Well, a great day with finishing what I wanted on the set, the only question let is, will I get an auto in the last packs tomorrow. Autos are one every two tins roughly, and I didn't get one last tin, so here is to hoping!

Friday, June 22, 2018

X marks the spot

Highlights:

Even though I am not a fan of the lack o background, the shiny of this set has grown on me over the time of going through the Santa Lot of cards. Still, not sure I'd bother collecting the whole base set, but I have seen enough to want to ensure I get the Leaf cards into my collection.

The rest
Keepers:

This is the perfect example of a great picture telling a story. It doesn't need to even be  a specific story. I don't know what the call was, or who the reaction was related to, but the expression and the "oh come on" arms out wide just make for a picture with a story. To all the card companies these days - more of this please.

Traders:




Through 12200 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 199 26
Inserts / Var Kept 378 64
Error 19 3
Keep 2397 355
Doubles/Sell 2195 277 2115 3213 312 44
Doubles Inserts / Var 170 4 211 218    

Thursday, June 21, 2018

2005-06 Upper Deck

Highlight:

A little late in the game to wish for a complete set, but happy to get a number of new cards for the 2005-06 Upper Deck set. Up to about 43% complete on the base set, so decent, but not going to be completing it purposely.

Also - a bit more difference in photos would be good - looking specifically at the Redden and Varada cards.

Oh - and to go on the checklist rant again (which I won't), the Joe Thornton card would be one. I like the extra picture photo front, and checklist on the back.

The rest
Keepers:


Traders:


Sure, just got one Jianlian, which took a while, and then another just like that.

Through 12180 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 199 26
Inserts / Var Kept 378 64
Error 19 3
Keep 2394 355
Doubles/Sell 2194 277 2100 3212 312 44
Doubles Inserts / Var 170 4 211 218

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Highlighting with a dino

First, I did something painful, but at the same time, a good thing to do. I packed up about 1,500 cards, most of which I got from my sister which are junk era and not great condition, and donated them away. The condition isn't good enough that I would want to trade them away, but good enough I don't want to just throw them away, so donating works. Doesn't matter what cause you can find to donate to, if they will take cards and be able to benefit a good cause, works for me. Also, it creates a bit of space in the basement. I am not counting these in my goal this year of getting 5,000 cards traded away though - not that I consider it cheating, but this was something I had been thinking of doing since last year, just was finding it hard to get rid of them.

Anyway....

Highlight:

Remember when Pro Set Platinum did their impression of Stadium Club with the full bleed photos? Still would be nice for the name on the front, but otherwise was nice and different back in 1991-92.

So, I decided to take a look at Dino Ciccarelli's stats which made me feel old when I saw his last season was before 2000. I remember him well enough I figured into the mid 00s, but apparently not.

The rest
Keepers:


Traders:


Well, 2007-08 Topps is down to 8 base cards being MIA as these knocked another off the list. If you are interested, the add was Jianlian which is the interesting draft day card photo.

Through 12160 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 199 26
Inserts / Var Kept 378 64
Error 19 3
Keep 2386 355
Doubles/Sell 2184 277 2099 3211 312 44
Doubles Inserts / Var 170 4 211 218