Worth Checking

 Hockey cards from the 2026 lot, and we get some needed set helpers to start!

I got reminded that I am not perfect (it's okay - no one is), as the Scott Thornton card was not showing as being in my collection on TCDB. I am counting this as an addition because it made me check and - the card is part of a boxed set I listed a long time ago on TCDB, adding the cards for the set, but somehow I had missed this one. No idea why it took this long to find out, and glad I do have it completed, but I do wonder what other human errors I have lurking in my TCDB records - but it's okay, as I say, no one is perfect.

The rest of the sets are ones I don't keep in mind as set builders as they are all on the back burner, getting build when I pull cards from random lots, etc....like this! Two Lindros from his time with the Rangers isn't too shabby for picking up cards though.

I don't know WHY it took me this long to figure out the Overtime sets, but it did. I have never spent the money to get these promotional related cards, and only ever really see one here or there is these lots (probably because they are promotional in nature). As such, I hadn't collected or held on to these as being "special" or "unusual" for the promotional way they are sent out, but now that I know, I may keep them like I do food issue or inserts. Not going out of my way for them, but I appreciate the unique backdrop of the sets.

Though a little more interesting than the Hat Trick inserts from early 90s Bowman, but as much as I don't really like the design, I like the insert set itself.

All the keepers accounted for, we have the cards up for trades remaining...

I wouldn't actually do it, but I do think 1990-91 Bowman would burn nicely if put in a big pile....just saying....

A couple more early Carey Price cards are a solid pick up as well making for a nice day of pulls from the lot. Still not planning to build the 2022-23 Upper Deck flagship set, but the lot keeps poking me with it.

Adding Value

A couple trades to share today, and the first is one that I think helps with "value", if you care about such things. I really don't from a monetary side but do with a view to my collection - if cards are new and add to my collection as a Jays collection of cards, they have value, whether worth ten cents or ten dollars.

That said, I can appreciate monetary value does matter in so much as it's not realistic to trade a base card for an auto. Where I am going with this is - I was offered up a trade of about 130 base Topps cards from 2023/2024 in exchange for three Topps Now Jays cards.

These are the cards I got  in the trade with JRB1819. Depending on how you value base cards, it's probably a fair trade still given the cost to get Topps Now cards. Here is where it really works for me - the cards I gave up were from lots, so the cost was about a penny a card (so $1.30), and I was able to drop off the cards on the way to Niagara Falls, and make the exchange, so no cost to postage for me either.

I would call that a huge win for my collection, and my wallet. I think JRB was more than happy with the trade to knock off a bunch of base card needs - otherwise he wouldn't have made the offer, and even if the dollars didn't work the same way, getting the three additions as my first Topps Now cards - I'm thrilled too.

The second trade was with OwensJes7, and it was to help me with a base set build.

I still need a few more copyright line variations for 1992 Stadium Club Jays, but these additions to the 2020 Topps flagship set have me down to 47 cards to go on the 700 card set.

Also, no better way to end a trade than with a wrestling card that is cool, cocky, and bad!

A $600+ Treat

 I am going to find 100 ways to justify this pricey purchase, but the bottom line is, for my Magic unopened pack collection, I am down to needing packs from only:

- Alpha

- Beta

- Unlimited

- Antiquities

- Arabian Nights

- Legends

- Portal Three Kingdoms

Well, we can take the last one off that list now.

The Portal Three Kingdoms set had a low run in English which is part of what makes these packs so expensive, and that they were only released in Asia, not in North America. Add that I LOVED the Romance of the Three Kingdom video games and history in the early 90s, I loved this set, but even when it came out, only saw a few singles second hand.

I picked up these packs from Skyfox Games online - a first time source for me, but they have been around a number of years and have a good online presence. The transaction went well, and I only have positive things to say about the experience for anyone interested.

As you can tell, they also had a couple other unusual packs which I picked up, and which hopefully don't mentally open the floodgates for me now getting into box toppers, and other promo packs.

Yes, back in 2013, there were video game console related packs - I was looking for the Steam one as well, but their inventory was wrong and that pack wasn't actually there for purchase - it happens, and I don't knock them at all for it.

A great treat, and helps me get close to finishing my MTG pack wall/display...just came at a fair but hefty price!

What does the wall look like?

The two spots empty are the two items after Revised that aren't up - Legends as I don't have a pack, and a Mystery booster as I have a box but haven't opened it yet to pull out a pack for display. I may be a newer set or two behind as well, but new sets are easy to still get and add.

Boldly Going

I have cards to share, but first, I have to talk about the passing of Patrick Stewart. At the age of 86, he had a full life and live wonderfully, sharing his talents with the world in so many ways, and to that a thank you to him for the opportunity. Specifically for me, he is why I love science fiction and shaped me more than I probably realized as a child.

Star Trek The Next Generation was right in my wheelhouse and as a 7-14 year old when it was watched heavily, I was intrigued by the science fiction, but behind it, Patrick played a great man and someone to look up to in many ways. I appreciated the character, and grew to appreciate the actor who played the character. From all accounts, the man that Patrick was, was loved by all and had a great heart. A shame that he passed, and whether you enjoyed him in Star Trek, as Professor X, or through his many forays on the stage I hope you were able to enjoy him as much as I did.

It's funny because, as a child watching him on Star Trek, I looked at him and thought he was so old (as most bald people look to kids), though I had no idea it was a condition Patrick had - apparently he was bald by the age of 19. Now that I am 46 and realizing he was 47 when he started on the show, I realize he wasn't so old after all.

Also yes, I am glad the Brewers won the World Series since the Jays didn't make the playoffs, and I was all set to talk more about it - but between that and Patrick Stewart's passing, Patrick's passing definitely hit more close to home. Not to take away from the Brewers - they do deserve and should get plenty of love over their run, but today, I'm just thinking more about Patrick - he will be missed.

Somewhat appropriate we do gaming cards - I was never into the Star Trek game that was out briefly in the late 90s, so of course instead we have a 401games.ca purchase today which was made with Un sets in mind for my Magic The Gathering artifact collection. Namely, the last few cards I needed for Unhinged were available, so I finally finished off that artifact set to start.

The Rod of Spanking (and other two cards in the top row), were the last I needed. The Rod was $6, and I wouldn't have bought it if it wasn't the last card I needed.

I also picked up some scattering promos, and I didn't check for those, whether I needed them or not as they were each only a quarter, and I'd keep up to 4 copies of each, and knew I didn't have any promo cards in those numbers. Doing so, I did end up with some dupes that are keepers - see the scan below...

The rest of the purchase is mainly cards from the 2022 Unfinity set as there are variations on all of the contraption cards which are all considered artifacts, so I picked up many, again, for only a quarter each. I haven't scanned all those variations, it just has to do with the numbers highlighted on the right side of each card.

I first though, did pick up some more late 90s, early 2000s world champion deck print artifact cards...

Keeping with the Un sets, we have some Unstable set cards as well (the wrench set symbol). Not a bad haul all in for the dents this put into a number of artifact sets.

Below are the contractions I speak of from Unfinity.

I will say that I have been pleasantly surprised lately at how much churn on older set singles 401games has had. There would be stretches before where certain sets didn't seem to get any inventory for many months (or I just missed it), while now, it seems very much in constant flow - makes for a good resource!

Multi Trade Round Up

 I have a backlog of a few trades to share today, so let's get right to it. All trades were with TCDB  members which continues to be my go to place for such trading and as it continues to provide enough by itself, I haven't yet stretched to other venues for trading - but maybe in a year or two if things were to really dry up there, but I doubt that will happen.

First trade is with member skipt.

A first time trade, and I received the 5 cards above - all 1994 Collector's Choice Silver Script parallels. I still need a few more for my Jays set, but I am more done than left to get so, that's some sweet progress. My fave of the bunch is the crouched Alomar.

Next up, refmichel who I have done trades with a few times before.

The first is the big one for me in this trade because it completes the 10 card Salt Lake Gold insert set from the 2002-03 McDonald's offering - yay!

I do love a good Artifact Leaf card, and the 2025 National Hockey Card Day Auston is great as it's a one and done Leaf "set", but I had been keeping an eye out for completing the McD insert set, so that does win for best in the trade.

Next up, Travellerofdawn sent along the following cards in a trade which helped to complete one set and add some more Leafs...

The winner from this trade has to be the Alfredsson as it was the last card I needed to complete the 1996-97 Pinnacle McDonald's 3D Ice Breakers set. Putting it away, the Belfour card I have is a bit rough, so I may upgrade it, but otherwise, I'm good and I'll still consider it complete whether that happens or not.

Not to be outdone, Domi's Boomtown insert is a one and done Leaf team set for the inserts and the 2025-26 Timmies Goalie Etchings Woll is the same.

A serial numbered Minten from 2023-24 SP Game Used, numbered to only 265 is like awesome icing on a great trade!

The last trade to share today comes from FLYERSLOD.

The baseball portion of the trade brings in a number of 2025 and 2026 Jays. I don't mind the rainbow foil or foilboard look as it stands out and is very different from the chrome rainbow look. I mean, if we need 100 different parallels, this one is a good choice at least.

The Titans of the Game insert of Bladdy is a cool one. Hopefully he can get back in form to show that Titanic role and presence with his stats as well in 2027.

We end the trade with the hockey portion, highlighted by a lone Leaf insert from 2005-06 Upper Deck's Stars in the Making with Steen being a one and done team set.

We also get my first four Holiday parallels for the team in the 2025-26 Upper Deck set which has the green foil on the front. I mean, at least adding a snow effect or design would be fitting with hockey and the ice, and make the cards stand out a little more, but it is what it is.

Thank you again to all for the great trades. Much appreciated!

A Likely Trend

As I wind down(ish) on the 2026 Lot, I think we are close to just having hockey and baseball cards left for the last few thousand which is - well - great news in many ways, since it may mean less sport variety, but more to keep as those are "my" sports to collect. As such, we start with some baseball today given hockey was yesterday, and a bit of 2024flagship help.

Love leader cards as they provide a nice snapshot on the season, and Carroll has a great sliding photo shot for his card.

Not just set help today - we get a run of Bowman which means some draft related insert cards for keeping...

I am slow building a "full" variation set of the 1991 Topps dark logo backs. I don't think it's on all cards, so I treat these like parallels or inserts and keep them as I get them.

We of course then get the Bowman influx of keepers.

I think my favourite card for the day is the Yount. When I think Brewers, he is THE name that comes to mind and is a good representative of the franchise historically, so like his use on the Franchise Feats card.

I don't usually keep small printing errors as "error" cards as I see a lot of little kniks or marks on the printing backs, but when it's on the front and such an obvious one like by his name here - I will make an exception and keep it.

As for the trade bait today...

As I had a bunch of 1991 Topps at the time, it's that Rickey card which I think of if ever asked for a Rickey card. Second up is the one that shows him holding the base above his head regarding his stolen base record. Both great cards.

The Bowman duplicates doesn't surprise me - have seen this before in the lot, and it shows, I think, some of this lot was dumping of "failed" prospects. Works for me, I'll keep copies for myself and trade away the rest!

Assorted Hockey

Today's 2026 Lot pulls are a hockey variety - always a fun go through, and a few set helpers to start from a few different sets.

I forgot I was collecting 1999-2000 Topps because it's been a good while since I have added any cards from the set. Not surprising as it's not a set I see a lot of and seems to be on the lower end of what's around in numbers for trades with others on TCDB. Also, isn't a top priority set for me, so there you have it.

At least Eddie and Jere, I saw and was hoping were additions when I saw them, and happily they were.

Phil is definitely not one of my favourite Leafs of all time....but he was a Leaf! Not a new card for my collection, but another copy of the man on a card early in his Toronto tenure, added to the collection.

My favourite additions from the day ot the Marquee Men inserts I picked up, the new ones being...

Hard to go wrong with a new Hasek. Reason I say these were the best keepers, is because card of the day isn't one I am going to keep...

You may have spotted it in the run of hockey traders - a Carey Price Prospect card which is a great "hit" for a lot like this. He may have spent a period of time for ...."that team"....Montreal, but I can admit he was a great golaie who just got stuck playing for a team I am not a fan of.