Samsonov

I don't know why I notice specifically but I tend to notice when I end up with Sergei Samsonov cards. I don't think I see him that much...according to TCDB I only have 16 cards between by keep and trade cards...but I just tend to nitce. Everyone probably has players like that. They may not show up all the time, but you just notice...

Highlight:

These give me a bit more hope in continuing and completing the 2005-06 Upper Deck set. I think we are far enough along, this is one set I will end up "going for it" on completing it, once the Santa Lot is done.

Lowlight:

Just following the comments of the other day, have to point out the further gum famage here.

The rest
Keepers:

I like the Black Diamond in contrast with the 2007-08 Upper Deck base set here - easy to compare side by side. Neither player is one I particularly follow, and neither are the teams, but I do like the Jerseys for both.

Traders:

Like the 2005 SPX shininess, and this also marks the team record 4th consecutive year of over 1,000 yards receiving. The balance of the cards are why I am typically happy not seeing 2005-066 or 2007-08 Upper Deck any more from the Santa Lot - I seem to hit a lot of the same cards. Come to be expected, but I don't have to totally enjoy it...

Through 6760 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 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 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	110	12
Inserts / Var Kept	227	28
Error	15	2
Keep	1431	207
Doubles/Sell	893	128	1158	1991	254	26
Doubles Inserts / Var	78	1	93	106

Whoopee Timmie and O Pee Chee

Alright, I didn't wait long until picking up a few more Timmies base cards off Listia...

Unfortunately one duplicate in the Duchene card, but with the other two, moves me above 25% of the base set with the Kessel and Josi. Not bad, but let's see what else we have today from the Santa Lot...

Highlight:

Nothing too spectacular today, but the 2006-07 O Pee Chee set hasn't been heavy in the cards from the Santa Lot, so nice to see it, though generally condition has been an issue with these cards. Not ideal condition on this one, but we will label it "good enough". I am not a fan of the design, but generally like O Pee Chee cards.

Lowlight:

Another O Pee Chee card suffering from some gum damage. Unfortunately seems par for the course with late 80s, early 90s O Pee Chee, but still sad...

The rest
Keepers:

A couple sets that have come up alot, so adds are fewer on these, but welcome.

Traders:

As I stated in the keeps - here are plenty more of the 2005-06 Black Diamond and 2007-08 Upper Deck which I didn't need. Also, still on the look out for Foxx to complete the Classics baseball set...

Through 6740 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 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 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	110	12
Inserts / Var Kept	227	28
Error	15	2
Keep	1425	207
Doubles/Sell	880	128	1158	1990	254	26
Doubles Inserts / Var	78	1	93	106

Dollarama hockey surprise pack

Yeah - not really a creative title, but at least you know what you are getting!

First we will go with a bonus round up of two Listia wins smushed together...

There were a couple doubles I didn't bother scanning, but a slew of 1979-80 O Pee Chee cards. None of the big names, but a couple I didn't have before here nonetheless. Really like the set in general, but the Leafs of course these a little bit more.

Another quick pick up from Dollarama, I figured why not try the hockey surprise bag for $2 - I wanted another card holder anyway, and knew I could pick that out (which I did). That's not what you are here for though, so let's see what cards came with!

Well, I was hoping for an unopened pack in case I lucked out and could add it to my collection...no luck. Instead:



Which provided:

A wide variety here - I like the Moog card best myself - even the ad decided to match the colour scheme for the card.



Which included:

I'm not a big fan of the Pinnacle card, and nothing exciting here...last one...


Well - those are good packs to pick out of these, hopefully including something from the 70s...


Boo - no such luck. Though I like the Cote card, nothing great for the collection here.

Personally, a bit of a dud for this one, but still fun to open, and still, a number of cards I don't have, so still overall positives I guess.

Pack Attack - 2016-17 Tim Hortons hockey

Before we get to the packs, a few Listia wins recently I haven't had a chance to share...


I had these, all are extra copies for the collection - but enjoy them nonetheless. I like the sleek design of the 2015-16 Upper Deck set.

Lastly...

A nice Kaberle autograph card however, and it is a bit hard to see, there is a bit of a bend in the top middle of the card. Really a shame, and I am not sure if it was that way, or if it was due to the poor shipping (it was photographed in the auction in a hard plastic sleeve, but then sent in only a soft sleeve unprotected otherwise), in an envelope. A shame, but I will keep it of course.

Last three pack of these to open and review from the cards I got at Christmas...



Pack 1:

Rask is the first base duplicate I've got, but more than made up for with the single Leaf Game Day Action insert card - so this pack is a good one overall....oh yeah, and that Montreal goaltender guy...boo Montreal (yay Price, when he plays for Team Canada).

Pack 2:

The Franchise Force cards come up one every 24 packs, so I beat the odds there since we have opened 11. Add in another Leaf card for the Leaf collection, and this pack is also a win.

Pack 3:

Well, knocking off the McDavid base card to go with the insert of McDavid we saw last time, at least those are out of the way if I do decide to go for a full base set (or more). The Pure Gold parallels are one every 5 packs, but honestly, these are probably my least favourite insert. They remind me of some of the Ultra designs, but the gold is just too overwhelming on the card here, and so dark with the scan.

That is it for my current Tim packs (and likely any I will otherwise see. We shall see how much more I gleam off of Listia or in trades to further the set.

Similar but different and an end to the minnow thanks

Here it is - the final go of cards in the massive box I got from Trevor. Today's cards are a big variety of O Pee Chee as well as a sprinkling of others.

Some excellent 80s O Pee Chee, including a couple from 1985-86 which are the first cards I have from that set.


A whole variety here, including a few different McDonalds sets touched on. I always loved the mid-90s sets, especially the Doug top middle.


I don't have many 2010 onward O Pee Chee Leafs, so these have found a great home. I especially like the throwbacks (and the 2008-09 we have seen plenty - and will see more below).


Another bunch of Leafs from the last few years of O Pee Chee. I love the McKegg with the extra blue from the border.


Topped off with a few Timmies cards - a great end to an amazing box of cards. Now the tough task of getting a return box together for Trevor!

Now moving on to the Santa Lot for today...

Highlights:

5 more of the retro parallels which I didn't have yet - that makes it a good day overall from the 20, regardless of the rest. Having seen a number of them at this point, it would have been a bit nicer to have some more action in the photos, but I can't say if that is purposeful in being consistent with the photos from the retro year or not.

The rest
Traders:

More 2005 Classics including another Griffey. I wasn't sure if this would be the last card I need given it was a Griffey (even if it was a Sr not Jr Griffey card), but luckily no. Seeing enough of these, it simultaneously gets my hopes up for more Retro Rookies, and hopes down that I am going to end up with a lot of dupes from the set.

Through 6720 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 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 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	110	12
Inserts / Var Kept	227	28
Error	15	2
Keep	1422	207
Doubles/Sell	869	124	1158	1988	254	26
Doubles Inserts / Var	78	1	93	106

The Russians keep coming

So what do we have from Trevor today?


A bunch of 1990-91 Score (Canadian) Leafs. Some in duplicate, but that more than works for me. A number of classic Leafs including Al, Wendel and Damphousse.


Further score cards, but I absolutely love the Pinnacle Mint cards. I have the medal Sundin card, so having this card as well goes with it nicely. I don't mind the coin/cards, but as long as they are together - the card looks odd with a massive hole. These make up for it by having a "coin design" in the same spot.


Ok - you have to first mention the Tucker (bottom middle) card for such a unique photo of him flying through the air. I will even give in and say the middle Belfour card is a nice horizontal one also.


Finish up with a number of newer(ish) Leafs including a 2013-14 Black Diamond card (my first). Same as the 2008-09 Ovation. Another great pile of Leafs today!

A solid day today all around from the Santa Lot 20 as well. Always nice to have such days at this time of year because work is starting to get really hectic, which it will stay through the end of April.

Highlights:

Two more cards knocked off the Sharks and Russian 1991-92 O Pee Chee insert set which continues to fill in nicely.

Marc Denis was an okay goalie in some tough spots in his career. For example, he was the Blue Jackets goalie in the early 2000 when they couldn't buy a win so his record was brutal for a few years.

The rest
Keepers:

Some nice Black Diamond moments here with the Nieuwendyk 2 star card, and some adds for 2008-09 Black Diamond.

Traders:


Through 6700 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 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 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	110	12
Inserts / Var Kept	222	28
Error	15	2
Keep	1422	207
Doubles/Sell	869	116	1158	1982	254	26
Doubles Inserts / Var	77	1	93	106

Some base highlights

Trevor didn't just provide junk wax era Leafs in the box - so today we see some mid 90s through late 00s Leafs...

Didn't have any 1993-94 Topps Leafs beforehand, but end up with about half of them.


We move on to some early 2000 Leafs including some 2003-04 In The Game Toronto Maple Leafs which are nice (evenif I generally don't like In The Game sets).


I have some of the Ovation cards, but not these - so happy to get those added, as well as the later 00s Upper Deck Leafs which include...


Some Young Guns! Love these cards and most all of the 36 shown above are new for the collection - can't go wrong with that!

With those great cards shared...now let's go on to the Santa Lot...

I'm not against the base sets of cards having what some may consider insert set material such as All-Stars or Season Highlights for example. Especially these days when there are 4,000 parallel and insert sets as it is.

In 2007 Topps, the last range of cards in the base set was for items such as these, and today we end of with a string of these cards.

Highlights:


These are actually cards numbered 423 through 436 and obviously cover all of the stars of the year given the subject material. I can understand the League MVP card being a single base card, but that is one subject where I can see maybe a 10 card insert set being a good idea - or even a card a game from the year outlining the MVP season.

The rest
Traders:

Giants! Nothing more be said...but I don't want to ignore Coleman just based on the fact that he did spend his whole career in Washington. I always appreciate any player, any major sport, that is able to do that.

Through 6680 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 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 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	109	12
Inserts / Var Kept	219	28
Error	15	2
Keep	1413	207
Doubles/Sell	864	116	1158	1980	254	26
Doubles Inserts / Var	77	1	93	106

Shooting Blanks

Just a few days of thanking the Minnow left...but still plenty of goodies!


I'm not going to scan the additional 1990-91 Upper Deck Leafs - though they came aplenty, and actually completed the team set and then some! I will share these 1990-91 Bowman as these filled in the holes for that team set to sit on top of the complete Bowman set that I have.


I will show these few 1990-91 Pro Set error card Leafs. There were others as well, but again, just figured I'd show the errors - my favourite is the Bester and misspelled first name on the front. Atleast these are all for keeps, unlike the Santa Lot today...

As said in the title, getting nothing for keeps, but also, a lot of basketball today.

Highlight:

The best card of the 20 to me though, is the Joe Montana insert. I've mentioned before my like for Montana - I was a casual fan who latched onto the Montana-Rice 49ers combo. Never followed religiously, but did enjoy the highlights and cheer them.

The rest
Traders:

With all of the Ultra cards, the good is there were a few new to me, so we continue to slowly work on the set. Interesting that the Willie Green seems to have a defect in the coating - there is a definite line across the card that goes through the first name. Wonder how much of a "thing" that is in the set, though this is the first one I remember seeing. Interesting with these cards together - the Divac and Webber cards look pretty similar.

Add on to that, we may be working on another trader set for the 2007-08 Three Star Checklist insert set...only one or two more to go for it.

Through 6660 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 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 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	109	12
Inserts / Var Kept	219	28
Error	15	2
Keep	1413	207
Doubles/Sell	864	116	1158	1960	254	26
Doubles Inserts / Var	77	1	93	106