Jeff Provide Hockey

 I don't have any creative or funny names for these - just a bunch of hockey cards from Jeff which will take a few days to get through, and which cover a smattering of many sets, and through it, some keepers and lots of traders.

These are the keepers in the cards today. One Topps card circa 1990-91, one gold parallel and a few 2021-22 Upper Deck MVP cards. I still have a box of this I need to crack into, but above are inserts/parallels that are keepers and should hopefully just be added to with the box when I get to it. The Mascot cards are pretty awesome too - wouldn't mind getting all of 'em!

As for the rest of the cards today, all up for trade...

Jef''s great for having the big names, even if these aren't expensive sets. Does help for fodder and being able to get some decent Bruins cards back for the man.

The couple early 90s Lindros cards are a great reminder of what a huge prospect and draw he was before even getting into a single game in the NHL. There have been some big stars like that since, but Eric was definitely the bog one from my childhood I remember, and part was the Quebec snub as well of course.

Not sure if it bodes well that I haven't opened that box, but all of these base cards are already dupes for my set build. If nothing else, guess that means the box will have some more trade fodder for me! Not a bad thing though as I am playing with the ideal of taking 2024 off buying and opening any new cards and just finishing getting through the unopened stuff I have and trading beyond that to reduce the trade piles which are getting a bit out of hand. Still going to keep up my Magic unopened packs collection, but that's about it me thinks. We shall see.

More hockey cards from Jeff tomorrow!

Jeff's Food Issue

 Was trying to think of ways to break out a bit the cards that Jeff gave me, and one grouping I figured, was food issue cards. Here, we are talking about Timmies and McD hockey cards from different sets over the years. Actually a few Leaf keepers for me to share from the bunch.

The bottom two are from the 2023 Timmies release which is a "Collector's Series". I didn't get any packs when this was released, so these are the first cards from the set that I have had in hand, and happy to get them as Leaf additions of course.

More keepers - I need a bunch of the McDonald cards from the 3D sets of 1995-96 and 1996-97, so some additions here for me. These ones actually scan pretty well considering the type of cards too.

A few more keepers from the same 2023 Timmies set, but Connor is the big helper for my master 2022-23 set as he was a need.

There are a number more cards which are dupes that I don't need, so sharing here, but also of course listed on TCDB if needed by anyone...

Still a bunch more cards to share from Jeff...and I like being able to show a bunch of the traders in case they are of interest to anyone out there, to get him some Bruins.

Jeff's 90s Upper Deck Hockey

 Rather than sharing all of the cards from each of the Upper Deck sets, here's a brief smattering of cards from each. I have updating the trade list in TCDB if anyone wants to take a look for any cards you need, but let's look at the early 90s Upper Deck designs.

1990-91 Upper Deck is where we start, and has a classic design that holds up well. Clear name, good border and team logo with the name clear as well. The cards are a sharp design and a good start to the 90s.

1991-92 Upper Deck was a tweak to the design, but kept similar with the fronts keeping the name clear across the top, team names across the bottom, but the focus on the 75 year anniversary taking up the team logo spot. Oh, and here some of the art inserts which were are very well fone and memorable.

1992-93 Upper Deck had a slight move with the name on the front, and the white text on black line worked well to standout, with team accent colours and logo puck. Of the years, I think this is my favourtie design.

1993-94 Upper Deck focused more on having the team colour border, and the name being in white, in some, doesn't stand out as much. Might just be my eyesight, but maybe not. I think the photo work from 1992-93 and 1993-94 are a bit better than the earlier years too.

Overall, I did need a bunch of the cards for my work on those two sets as well, but plenty from each year on the trade list now!

A separate share today - I don't usually do single card trades, but a quick add to my 1978 O Pee Chee set build...

melamathman at TCDB was nice enough to offer up Reggie - and I couldn't say no, even if just a card for card trade. May not be perfect condition, but good for me!

Jeff's Choice

 Today we get another set to focus on from Jeff's bunch of cards, and it isn't a set I plan to collect....1995-96 Upper Deck Collector's Choice.

A fine set, with some fine cards, like The Great One, I don't have any real complainst about the set. The design is similar to the set in other sports (I think about basketball because I have seen a lot of it).

Here they at least do the stats right by putting in full stats, and it being at the expense of a smaller picture is fine with me.

These aren't all the cards, but a good taste of what Jeff provided to me. All are on my TCDB trade list for anyone interested.

THere were some parallels also, and most of these, I may be keeping as I am actually getting close to 40% on the parallel set completion...

Okay, so a grey border may not make these all that much more exciting, and the stampjust sticks out a bit, but these are one a pack inserts, so....special!

If you wanted more special than the parallel, the platinum versions fall only every 34 packs, so much more scarce, but nice to add 5 more here, so I am up to.....seven....yeah, not going to be really working on THAT set, but nice to have a few regardless. Collector's Choice isnt the only set I got that was Upper Deck related from Jeff...more on that tomorrow...

Jeff Provides Football

 As the title suggests, the cards from Jeff include a small smattering of football cards which I will share today.

I mean, does any random bunch of football cards feel complete with out some 90s Upper Deck?

A bunch of newer Score cards, and I have to say, the design is very "Score", and I don't mean that in a bad way. Nice colour, maybe a bit big on the border, but solid front design.

Alright backs too, though I find too much wasted space with the bordering and design with the picture and logo - would rather stick them together and give more room for stats and write up!

A handful of insert sets represented, my favourite of which has to be...

the Next Level Stats cards. I mean, I am an accountant and the numbers just speak to me. Make them big! Make them proud! Apparently also make their border red because why shouldn't insert sets have parallels too?!?

All up for grabs in exchange for any Bruins cards - just putting it out there if anyone is interested. Now...going to need a little bit to get through all the hockey Jeff sent...

Cards From Gandalf

A trade to share today from TCDB member Gandalf33 who was kinds enough to offer up some things Toronto, so let's take a look.

The Mini Leaders cards are needed since a duplicate for the set build is necessary now! Add in some early Stadium Club and mid-90s DOnruss Jays to boot.

Definitely the late 80s / early 80s Leaf cards are the stars of this trade. I still don't get why the desire for the scratch off for the names on the 1980-81 cards. I guess I could try and get a version of scratched and not scratched though.

One variation card with Ranheim (some of these were printed with and without the Sporting News banner on the back), and the Douggie 1993-94 Upper Deck Silver Skates Silver Retail is a one and done Leaf insert set, so that a sweet little die cut pick up to end it!

Any PWE trade makes for a great day!

Jeff Provides More Baseball

 Although there's a bunch of hockey and a bit of football still to share from Jeff, today, we go through the miscellaneous baseball that remains.

There are a number of flagship Topps sets I am backburner building, so we at least have a few base keepers in the bunch, as well as some Jays dupe cards to keep as per below...

These are all from the 1993 Greatest Moments special release which had something to do with the back to back World Series wins by the Jays.

As for the rest, a bunch of nice cards, just all up for grabs as not fitting into my collection, and if you have any Boston Bruins cards to send my way, more than happy to make something work for Jeff.

Not too shabby getting to get some 70s cards for trade bait! Heck, Rod Carew is my fave name of the bunch!

A fewer newer cards as well which adds for some variety. Still not a fan of the overly silver/metal Panini releases, but Schmidt is a solid pick up if anyone's interested!

Jeff Set Help - 1989 Fleer Baseball

 Another set that many collectors likely have seen a lot of, but for whatever reason - I didn't get much of originally collecting at the time, and in getting lots the last number of years, finally started the slow backburner fill of.

The design is fine, and the 1989 year fronts may be a bit too grey, but it was fleer throwing some yellow on the back that I think was a pre-cursor to 1991.

I mean, the yellow highlighting sure brings out the backs and makes part of the card standout. I mean, it could only be better if the whole front was yellow right? Yeah, must have been the thinking for 1991.

I must say, I do really like the before and after breakdown on the bottom of the backs as it's unique and interesting as I always love a good interesting stat!

A number of uncorrected error cards to boot don't hurt, but all in, up another 70 or so base cards on the set build, and that's another really productive bunch from Jeff. There were some cards on the trader list now as I did have some of them, if anyone is interested.

I think there's a trickle more baseball before we get into the hockey (and a bit of football).

Jeff 1978 O Pee Chee Baseball

 Okay Jeff - you got me. I am going to have to try and finish this set now since you gave me about 60% and I already have the Jays cards as well.

This will be oldest set that I work to complete. I know that isn't saying alot, but it is what it is.

As the O Pee Chee set is much smaller than the Topps set (about 1/3 of the size), it's a much more manageable goal to begin with. A bit of a shame because I think I previously had the Expo cards, and that's a good part of what I am now missing, but that's fine as I know I passed the ones I had before, into good hands.

I am Fairly confident that I wouldn't have thought of Ron being a Jays card until seeing this. Didn't realize he was in Hlue Jay garb in the photo, so bonus pick up there.

In case it's not clear, two big gieaways for O Pee Chee versus Topps - the O Pee Chee backs are much brighter and probably can be noticed right away. If you need further clarification, the copyright line does say O Pee Chee instead of Topps. May seem a simple thing, but I know that, as a kid, that wasn't something I necessarily looked for.

I though this was all the baseball cards from Jeff, but there's actually a bit more before we get to the hockey, and the next may actually help a bit on another of my set builds.

Jeff Baseball Inserts

 A smaller bunch of cards from Jeff's which are still baseball cards, but some interest insert and other such sets.

Drake's cards are really cool, and I don't see much of them, so one from 1985 is a nice pick up.

A few of the 1986 Topps glossy send in All-Star cards which are new to me, as well, we have a Baseballs Best from 1987 of daddy Guerrero.

These are more what I am use to seeing when it comes to 80s Topps inserts with these 1988 Topps All Stars cards Definitely one I wouldn't mind completing.

Very nice cards, and tomorrow, another set I wasn't thinking off collecting, but will be starting....stay tuned!

Pause For Wrestling

Well, it's not more cards from Jeff, but it is Jeff related. So, I went over to www.baseballcardstore.ca to look at maybe picking up a few Bruins cards for Jeff and some wrestling cards for me, and it was very quick to arrive so I wanted to share the "what was in it for me" portion of the package. 

In picking up wrestling cards on the site, I try and look for inserts because, with them being the same price as base cards, why not? I will absolutely grab base cards when looking to complete sets or if there's something else about them, but my first go to is inserts. As such, here we have a bunch from 2018 WWE Then Now Forever and the 25 Years of Raw insert set. It's 50 cards, so still plenty to go, but was able to knock a number off here. With them being in time order, it's a neat go through of some of the big moments since 1993.

Didn't realize I had a few already, all the new ones bring me to 31 of 50.

I also picked up a handful of insets from 2016 WWE Topps Heritage which remind me what a beast (pun intended) Bam Bam was.

We end with two cards which remind me of a few things:

1) Not all change is good - the Panini-ness of the newer cards and the higher price points are just making it hard to want to buy compared to the prior Topps products.

2) Panini still generally makes cards that can be described as gaudy, tawdry, garish, flashy, or excessive. Some of those aren't necessarily bad things, but, I just don't like them generally.

3) The cards pick up every little nick with the way they are finished/glossed, which makes it had to keep them in great condition.

4) Dana Brooke tries more and more to look like Charlotte did a few years ago, I swear!

Jeff Upgrades - 1988 Topps Baseball

 I know. I could have done the 1987 through 1989 sets in order, on consecutive days, but I wanted to save this one for last because it's a set I only had about half done before going through these cards. In fact, I had 359 of 792. Again, I am not going to show everything, but some highlights, and discuss how much I was able to add to the set build.

There was only a handful of Jays cards here, they may have already come my way before - not sure, but from a base perspective, I am now up to 609 - so a massive jump which is awesome. There were plenty of dupes, so if anyone else is still working on this set, let me know!

A number of error cards as well, mostly uncorrected, so nothing "special", but still nice to have.

Figured I would end with this card as it embodied, well, to my childhood, the story of the time - the Bash Brothers. Sure, this has been changed with time given the steroid issues, but as a kid, not knowing about it, the power was crazy to see. As a Jays fan, it was the "bad guys" too given the number of battles the Jays had against the A's and working to overcome them. A cool card looking back still, even though the accomplishments of the men on it may be tarnished.

I think that's the last "set" helpers from the Jeff cards, but a bunch more for sharing to come!