What To Do

 I mean, we have another day of Allure cards from the 2026 Lot, and we have just about seen it all with the base set, so other than showing you a summary of the cards in case you are interested...

I can't tell you I am still at just two true complete sets of the 1-100 base cards, and beyond that - what can I talk about today?

I took a look to see what other sets I have a lot of - now, I ignored the high production era of the late 80s and early 90s, which I have a lot of baseball and a few hockey sets that fit there, but outside of that, it's baseball flagship sets from 2019 through 2021 because of the big base card lot purchase I had a year or two ago.

Allure isn't quite there is numbers, but looks like I have about 500-700 dupes from the 100 card base set, and at least it's not a flagship set. I have had a few trades go on already with cards from the set which is great, so it's not the worst set to have in bulk. Time will tell if I can move enough of it though. Maybe I need someone starting the set, or some team collectors to take a few at least off in numbers.

Winning Trade

 Not too many cards to share today as it's a PWE trade with a handful of cards, but we have some great ones for show! This trade is with TCDB member gawinniwag - it's the same front to back and back to front, and this envelope is the same, great front and back, back and front.

I am never one to turn down a serial numbered card, let along three!

Hernandez was decent for the Jays, and has had team success of course with the Dodgers since. Here he is numbered to 150, and the couple 2018 Topps gold cards of course to 2018. The coupe Fleer cards along or the ride, are uncorrected error cards for that binder.

Figure it's worth showing the backs and the SNs. Though I am use to the gold or silver foil stamping, I like how easy a visual the black stamping like the flagship gold parallel cards is very easy on the eyes by comparison.

Big thank you for the great offer, and much appreciate the new additions all around!

Unsuccessful Draft

That's about what it feels like today with the 2021 Bowman Draft cards from the 2026 Lot. Many cards, but not a single Jays addition unfortunately.

I guess the good news is, we are still close enough, some of these players may still become bigger stars in the MLB, though time is running out on most. Jasson has made a few appearances in the NY pinstripes over the last couple years.

Not a bad set for what it is, and I do luck out as usually I don't get any keepers when there are no Jays on a set like this, but according to TCDB, the Ed Howard is an error card due to an incorrect date of birth, so I'll take as a little success at least!

Stars Are Good

 If we have to spend another day in 1991 Upper Deck football from the 2026 Lot, at least we get a few stars to talk about!

We get back to back two sport stars with Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson. My take on the two - both were very talented in both sports but the big difference, I think, was their attitude to their careers. As a kid, Deion always came off as more full of himself - it may have just been confidence, but Bo seemed more attractive as a child, to look up to. Sure, it may have also had to do with Bo being part of the awesome Pro Stars cartoon which was too short lived, and sure, wasn't his voice, but it wa still cartoon Bo!

What do others think of the two? I know I was a bit against Sanders as well because of the Atlanta connection and the rivalry against the Jays at the time - who was the better athlete / star?

Nice to get a Boomer too, as we round out another day from the set.

Panini Did It Right

Before the unusual of Panini doing something I like, a trade with someone I always like trading with, Tdorsay at TCDB. This small PWE saw the following come my way...

A 1993-94 Kraft Jell-O pudding "card" or panel, which is the only Toronto Maple Leaf one, so yay for a one and done on the oversized object.

As for the Hostess cards, both are in wrapper, which will remain the case, though I do still want opened ones.

Speaking of open, the Juan is the final one I did need open for the Jays set, so that's a nice box to tick as done. We also get a solid Vaive upgrade as I had a VERY beat up copy which I can replace in my team set. I don't usually replace for quality, but it was very miscoloured. Still keeping it, just as a duplicate.

A couple Jay needs and an awesome 1985 O Pee Chee WWF card. That is the one set I know I had a lot of (though they were well loved), but over the years had disappeared before getting back into collecting. Well, I have this one back now at least!

So, I may not be a fan of many things Panini when it comes to their cards, but I found something I actually REALLY like when it comes to the design on the 2022-23 Panini Contenders cards which come up from the 2026 Lot today.

If you are going to do a fake ticket style design, make the ticket mean something. Here, The section, row and seat numbers are the weight, height and jersey number. I know Panini does this on other sets like this, but nice to see it done, as the ones I am use to (thinking some of the inserts from Timmies hockey sets), don't mean anything.

Of course Panini then goes and screws it up by being all Panini-like and using the same back photo as the front, not putting on much for stats, but I guess a plus is a plus.

We actually get a red parallel of Hardaway Jr. which is pretty neat. Actually seeing junior is neat, though I'd say I remember his dad playing much more than anything now since I don't follow basketball now, but at least watched Inside Stuff regularly on the weekend as a kid. I didn't know that Inside Stuff was actually on until 2006 in it's initial run. I did watch through most of the 1990s, starting in 1990, but was out by the end of the decade.

Still, an above average offering here from Panini.

I finally fixed a little calculation snafu in the basketball total - oops. All good now though, and not doing too bad at about 19% keeper rate on the lot so far.

A Quick Set Addition

 The 2026 lot comes with a winner today. I may already have one full set, but it's a small one and a great one, so I'll be kepping this second copy as well...

The 1997-98 Upper Deck McDonalds hcokey set is a great one with the very nice and unique see through acetate cards and "ice" scheme to them. Horizontal cards with a great action shot. My only front complaint would be, the ice and Upper Deck logo piece could have been a bit smaller, but just a small complaint.

Everyone in the set is a great player and star, they got them right for the time, I think. The condition of these cards is really very solid. Sometimes with the black backs, they can get marked up and look a bit off, but not very much of that here at all.

The set has a solid goalie subset, except I'm not sure about that Patrick Roy guy being included...

They even have a subset of die cut cards - sure it's just a small cut to shape for a skate, but it still counts! May not be an overly expensive set - can pick it up on ebay for $10-$15, but a nice set nonetheless.

More Interesting and Less Interesting

We get to start with something more interesting today with a surprise package of cards from Angus - fellow Canadian sending from Ottawa. Once I am past busy season this year, will have to get something back out that way as a nice thank you for...well...these....

We get some great 90s McDonalds cards that I was missing. The 3D cards from 1996-97 and a couple hologram inserts from the McDonald release from 1992-93 when those holo cards were amazing and cutting edge technology. Unfortunately one is Rou, but I guess I am just one shy of completing the insert set, so I'll stay positive!

As for the baseball inclusions...

Wow - two surprise autos! Being drafted to Toronto, these are enough to hit my collection with these cards and they were so sparse with about 7,750 cards each, hard finds back in the 90s. I kid, I kid, but very cool cards to get, and the autos on card are really nicely done too.

Last up, Guzman as I am missing one for the Jays set. Except, I am missing an unpackaged one....and I don't have the heart to remove Juan from his plastic home. Another unopened pack is what he gets to be instead, which is just as awesome!

Thank you for the great cards Angus!

It can't all be more interesting all the time though. Unfortunately a less interesting day for my own collecting needs, when it comes to the 2026 Lot today as we get back to football...

Figure I'd show that there are some duplications which arise with some of these more "high production" years more than others. Maybe not a big deal when it's high calibre players like Sharpe though.

Another Warren Moon appearance as he seems to be popular in this lot when it comes to 1991 Upper Deck football cards - I think that's three or four that have made their appearance so far.

Same co9uld be true about Howie Long.

I guess I can't win at getting something for me every day on here from the lot I bought, but traders still be something I can turn into keepers at some point.