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.

Two New

 Part of why I enjoy buying these random sports cards lots is the chance to see and get cards from sets I haven't seen or picked up cards from before - even if they are sets I am just going to be trading from because I don't collect the sport.

2015 Prestige is a pretty nice looking set and has a good feel to it. You get a decent action shot, though a little "misted" in design, and some solid players here including Eli.

The back continues the classic Panini trick of overusing a single photo front and back, but overcoming that, a focus on the stats and names is fine, though whether you feel a bit put off by the lack of write up will be something some likely won't be able to get over.

Next we have some 2020 Playbook which I hadn't seen before either. I am not a fan of the border colour, but I can see it working with some team colours.

The backs are a little more in line with Panini products like Prizm - though of course we also re-use the photo. I like the write up and though Prestige is a different product overall, I'd rather the layout and information on the Playbook set if I were to choose between the two....but a better colour choice for the front would make it a much easier choice.

More McD For Me

The 2026 Lot giveth more food related cards today as we get more McDonalds related cards...

The 1992-93 McDonald's All-Star set is one I have seen a fair amount of. I have a complete set, including the checklist, and a number of Dave Ellett cards. Actually, logging these couple I can tell you I am now up to 11, including the one in the set.

I didn't know back in the 90s, but did know because I picked up one before, that the following year had an NHL Postseason All-Stars Hologram insert set. I mention because, I got a second one now with...

The Eagle! Speaking of inserts, a later 90s insert with Fuhr too, very cool.

Plenty of other cards that I already have as I have done fairly well on McDonald's sets since they have historically been small in size (25-50 cards for the base set), and plentiful enough in lots I finished many by trades already...

I may have another complete 1992-93 set if anyone needs help on this one at all. I can't possibly trade away Ellett, but have dupes of everyone else at this point.

We get representation right through to the mid-2000s for McDonald's sets, though again, sets I have completed, and even insert sets I have done. Still doesn't change the fact the cards are pretty cool, just not going to have a home here.

Absolutely Continuing

The 2026 Lot decided today we would continue, in Absolute fashion to work through more cards from the lot. 

Of course that's a poor pun at Absolute cards showing up in the lot with the football run today. The more I get cards from the sports I don't collect at all, the more I am considering a local sale or dump of them. I am torn though as I do still get many trades with TCDB that are fine sending baseball or even hockey and wrestling in exchange for football. I don't want to burn chances away, and I am probably getting more "value" in the trade than I would in cash selling the lot, but even from a space perspective, it's tempting.

I THINK, though I may choose different when the year starts, that 2027 I am going to focus on two items almost daily for the blog and for collecting.

First, if I finish the 2026 lot this year, I want to spend all of 2027 opening a pack a day from my backlog of unopened materials. It will give me a chance to go back to my "best buy" scoring and see how well I can do on the various buys, as well as clean up some space, and maybe retire....you never know when a multi-million dollar card might be hiding in a pack (and no - I am not looking at the 1990-91 Pro Set box when I bring that up....).

Second, trade sharing. If I am not really buying at all, which will be the plan, I don't think I can hit a trade a day to share, but I might be able to do 2-4 a week, which would be great to reduce the trade piles. Then maybe I do a local sale when the football trades (and basketball), dry up.

That was quite the tangent, but that's where the cards today led me - what can I say?

Still some solid cards in the group today, and a couple Joe Burrows isn't too shabby. If there is anyone wanting dibs on a football team even, let me know as I am sure I can trade well in your favour to move football cards!