Continuing in '82

Every now and then, I complete a trade which helps to move along my 1982 Topps set build. We get such a trade today with TCDB member crabby1701.

I'm over 650 for the set, though Cal's rookie is not one of them and will likely be the card I will need to shell out cash for if I really want to complete this set.

I wasn't a fan of the old Pittsburgh uniforms from the time, but I am sure I am not the only one. Still a fan of the trade and getting 13 cards closer to done on this very nice set!

Also wanted to continue with the MTG Marvel card additions I made as I had a chance to scan the artifact cards I picked up from the base set, the foil parallels and the commander run as well.

I like Marvel, but I am not a huge comic book guy. I like the movies, but I am not out there waiting for opening day to see any of them. There are ones I still haven't seen, but I can appreciate the crossover and like the nods to some of the characters, and can see the bigger appeal of the set, even if it doesn't hit a big home run with me like Final Fantasy did.

The artwork does well in keeping the MTG feel while encompassing the Marvel universe. The Vibranium Energy Daggers looks solid, and some of the lands are really well done too.

Happy to pick up a solid bunch from the sets, though there are a decent number of cards I'd still need, and as usual, a couple of them are expensive cards right out of the gate that I probably won't be picking up, though I'd love to have them. Still, a good start on yet another new MTG set.

Irregular 4th Colours

I may not be an American, but instead be a northern neighbour to our American friends - and yes, despite the ever changing political scene, I like to think that the actual people's of both countries are still on same terms as we were a decade ago. Hopefully the 4th can be happily celebrated by all (safely of course).

It's a big day in Canada as it stands with the Canada vs. Morocco round of 16 game from the World Cup happening this afternoon. Realistically, Canada has met or exceeded their expectations for the tournament, but I think this is the end of the line, barring a major upset. Don't get me wrong, upsets can definitely happen, especially when it's playing a single game, and as Morocco had a very tough match in order to get by into the round of 16, but if I were to guess, I'd say Canada works hard to keep it close, and whether it's a 3-1 Morocco win or something much closer will depend on how much Canada might give up in chances in trying to score or keep up on offence, and how much Morocco is able to take advantage as Canada stretches away from their own end to do so.

Before the 2026 Lot share today, as mentioned, I did pick up more of the Marvel Play boosters, so wanted to share the pack artwork because it is great.

Sometimes it doesn't have to be complicated to be good. Wolverine and Scarlet Witch join Black Panther. Yes, I now have an extra play booster to put aside and open since I have a Black Panther pack already, so that will be a nice open...eventually.

I pulled some hockey cards from the 2026 lot today and figured, there may not be red, but some blue and white Leaf cards would be good. Then of course...

I mean, if you want to go with a vastly different alternative jersey, this is pretty good. I know it's throwback about 100 years to the near decade long run as the St. Pats, but the green stands out big time in my otherwise blue Leaf binders.

I am just glad these uniforms don't get regular use - leave it to the white and blue thank you.

More success with the 2023-24 flagship Upper Deck build as we can share the rest of the keepers. There a good run of the set and I will probably go through it in a couple days in the near future, so that will only help to this set build, though I expect I won't see any Young Guns.

I do miss Kadei as a Leaf, but he made the right choice for himself given how his career has gone since leaving. A Stanley Cup in Colorado would likely make the move worth it, and the Calgary contract a great way to maybe (I'd guess, given his age), finish his career.

Now there are green uniforms that make more sense!

Hard to believe McDavid may be only about half way through his career.

Still liking the simple and understated backs.

A fantastic bunch of additions and anyone needing any help on the set, especially the extended series - cards 500-700, let me know as I would be happy to start moving a bunch!

Blame Sue

Yes, apparently it is complete Sue's fault - at least that is what TCDB member sues2blame seems to be saying with their member name. So, I will blame this great trade accordingly, as here are the Jays that came my way...

Delgado is a 1994 Pinnacle Museum Collection parallel which had a print run of 6,500 - very cool. It's my first Jay card from the parallel too - nice.

Benito is another parallel, this one from the Always Mint parallel of 1997 Topps Stars, another first for my collection.

Tony is another first for me - it being a copper parallel for 2000 Pacific Paramount.

Brisker isn't as exciting, but does add a new Jay and the second of four from the insert set.

Wellinton is an insert of Chrome Prospects from 2010 Bowman - just one more Jay to get there.

Manoah is my second rainbow foil parallel of 2022 Topps Gallery.

Daulton is my first Logofractor parallel of 2023 Topps Chrome.

Well, pretty darn good trade with all those new to me sets (parallel or otherwise) being represented. Will definitely be blaming Sue for the awesomeness.

 

Beaten Up

We have two very different instances of being beaten up to share today....the first being a potential one.

So, I tried something different and I think I get to share a lesson, but that will have to wait. On April 1st, I pre-ordered a collector booster of Secrets of Strixhaven off of Amazon. It was sold and shipped by Amazon, and the set was to release later that month. I tried it because the pre-order price was $36 compared to what was expected to be about $50-$60, and because it was being sold by Amazon, I figure I would take a chance.

Well, first, it was supposed to be delivered on release....it wasn't, and I didn't get it until June 30th. So, if anyone cares about timing, I wouldn't count on Amazon being delivered at time of release if you pre-order.

Second, this is what showed up....

Okay, this looks good and promising - legit and proper through and through, but as I collect the unopened packs, pop this open and see our pack...

Well - not sure how easy it is to tell in pictures, but I am not sold on the legitimacy of this pack because the crimping looks all wrong. Now, it's possible it's just a one of issue of some kind, but if I were to guess, I'd be concerned it was re-sealed. On the front, the crimp below RIX in Strixhaven and directly above on the top, where the flap on the back overlaps, it feels very thick, hard and kind of crusty instead of smooth like the rest of the crimp area usually is. The colouring is even of that you can see the foil colour. I couldn't take a good picture, but if you look at the top and bottom, it's not a clean end, and at each end, the material goes into a little open looking (though tiny) loop, like the could pull the pack opening like a Ziploc bag when it should just be stuck together.

Now, with how late it was running, I figured I was screwed and going to have the order cancelled on me in the first place, so I bough a draft night bundle which includes a collector booster, so I am going to put this pack with it and when I open the Draft Night booster, will keep that pack and open this one to see if I did get banged up on the purchase.

Even if I didn't, I wouldn't buy from Amazon again for these packs. I'd rather support local game stores, even if it means paying a few dollars more as I know I am getting exactly what I want, and helping support a business I believe in. Amazon has it's place, don't get me wrong, but I won't be buying cards there again.

Oh, and the other beat up, courtesy of the 2026 Lot as sometimes the cards in these lots are a little worse for wear, and that's okay, I don't mind the packing material, but a shame with some of them...

Namath looks a bit beat up in the card itself, and the card is quite creased and dirtied, so kind of fitting. This card is one of the inserts of the Football Heroes sets from Upper Deck, which they did across the sports, inserts on past stars, which is cool, too bad the card didn't survive condition wise for me.

Speaking of past stars, 2022 Donruss here touches on a number of such players in the set - heck, I know the names for Kelly, Vinny T. Romo, Vick. Okay, Vick maybe not for the right reasons, but still. Definitely a good mixture of players from past years to add to the current year offering.

Definitely seem to be a lot of offering for the 2023 Donruss set in this lot though. Not a problem really, but will keep an eye on how complete this set gets.

Hockey In July

First, a Happy Canada Day! Can't think Canada without hockey and when it gets this hot out, nothing like some puck cards from the 2026 Lot to cool things down. 

Murray's career started somewhat like Oatrick Roy with a starring role in the playoffs in his first year, ending with a Stanley Cup - with Pittsburgh for Murray.

He didn't have that success in Torobto before trying to take a Krak with Seattle.

This set is another builder for me, so keepers to share first...

Copley looks like a machine in the black and white of LA. We also get Fleury who Murray actually came in for during his magical first year with the Pens.

As for the trade bait...

Another solid day of pickups on a great day for Canada.

More Jays On The Way

A nice way to get through half the year and close off another filing deadline for work - another bunch of 2024 Topps flagship baseball, and we get some Jays to start.

A couple pitchers that are no longer with the team. Some would say Kikuchi traded up given he left Toronto for the Dodgers.

Manoah just seemed to fall off on production from looking like an ace.

A bunch of keepers for the build...

Not a fan of the Houston blue, but like the Kimbrel full extension.

Wow - definitely a solid day for additions. I do like the design, though maybe a full black border would have been a better option than the fade.

Traders for those fellow builders of the set...

Getting a solid bump in the lot results...more baseball being kept than hockey at this point which is pretty cool.

Trade With miabert1

Like it says, a trade share for today, and as usual, some great cards received which hit a few different parts of the collection 

A second Cecil for the 1987 Fleer Update as I may get to building it.

A couple error/variation cards, a couple variations on copyright lines for the Jays with Rance and Pat, before some more Jays help from Collector's Choice.

Of all the help, only the lone hockey card provides a completed team set - even if it's just two cards 

We end with a fantastic memorabilia cards for Teoscar from 2022 A&G to finish.

Fantastic cards, and big thanks for the trade!