X Marks the spot

Winding down through April, and almost survived another year...just a couple weeks left (May 1st is very much the best day of the year if you are an accountant in Canada - the longest possible time from the next busy season!).

That said, I have absolutely no segue into the Santa Lot cards for today...so here goes!

Highlights:

These are the only keepers, so it is an easy choice today. A 221 card set, of which I now have 31 cards. It is another one of those sets where auto and jersey and short print cards take up a bunch of the "base set". The pure base is only 90 cards.

The rest
Traders:


More 2004-05 Ultra basketball predominantly today. A couple actually which are new to me and get me that little bit closer to a complete base set. Down to only needing 23 of the 175 pure base cards - there are some serial numbered cards in the "base" - that's it.

Through 11360 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	185	25
Inserts / Var Kept	362	61
Error	19	3
Keep	2248	342
Doubles/Sell	1979	258	1837	3137	309	42
Doubles Inserts / Var	151	4	181	217

Not to gloss over the cards today...

Highlight:

A nice steady flow of getting these lately, one or two at a time - shiny and glossy. No where near having the full 800 card parallel set, but nice nonetheless. James spent most of his time between Minnesota and San Jose over 7 years.

The rest
Keepers:


A great bunch here including one add for 1990-91 O Pee Chee (about 80% done in that one, so any random add that I need is a good one). Also, a great bunch of Be A Player out of 2007-08.

Traders:


Through 11340 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	185	25
Inserts / Var Kept	362	61
Error	19	3
Keep	2246	342
Doubles/Sell	1979	258	1820	3137	309	42
Doubles Inserts / Var	150	4	181	217

Havlat it

The Leafs really need to have at it and get themselves back into the series so there is a chance I might get to watch a game or two after April is over as far as their playoff run this year is concerned. That said, the way they played the first two games, I don't have very high hopes.

Highlight:

It's nice to get parallels, but a good star to boot is even better. Havlat had some good years with Ottawa and Chicago through to 00s, then Minnesota and San Jose before winding down with some games in New Jersey and St. Louis.

The rest
Keepers:

Awesome little group of keepers here. Traders: Even the dupes are nice today. The Anthony Gonzalez card is quite nice in hand. I think I have a handful or two now. They make me almost want to collect football, but I'd really like if there was a similar baseball or hockey set out there. Otherwise, what do you call a retro card that is retrospective - the 1999 McD card which reflects on a younger Kariya from the mid 90s. Not really retro...but retro enough...I think. Through 11320 cards: Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	185	25
Inserts / Var Kept	361	61
Error	19	3
Keep	2235	342
Doubles/Sell	1975	258	1817	3136	309	42
Doubles Inserts / Var	150	4	181	217

100 cards - any keepers?

Today, I picked up a 100 Magic cards for $4 pack from Dollarama. I did this more for the fun of going through, as I am sure there may only be 5-10 artifact cards which is what I am really looking for and will be keeping.

So, Let's take a look at those keepers - the artifacts, as well as a few of the other cards of interest which, well, I have something to say about or share...or just look darn cool.


Not a bad little card for getting out right away since flying creatures, and low cost ones are a good quick hit, and useful for defending if nothing else.


I have picked up a few artifacts from this set, but didn't have this one yet. Nice for the flying ability, and in an artifact deck the condition of have three wouldn't be an issue.


I am going to count these as artifacts with the colourless casting cost, and the package does warn that the package can contain dupes - and this is one I don't mind.


These packs do seem to have quite recent cards too, right into 2017. I see a theme of flying with these cards so far...


Vehicles were an interesting twist. On older cards where a vehicle was involved, such as a war machine, it worked fully staffed as it's own card - no need for others to "run" it.


Last artifact and, other than the duplicate in two cards above, all of these were new for me, so a good pack that way.

I won't go through a lot of the other cards, but here is a smattering of interest as I noted.


Here is proof on the duplicates in the same pack note. Not really a big deal given the price of the pack, but still my preference would be 100 different cards. Much easier to do that in sports cards though compared to Magic cards.


I remember when counterspells were with a single casting cost, not two...I guess that would just be inflation....


The foil card on the right (best way to see would be the sumbol behind the text being a shiny colour in the scan).


A sampling of more of the uncommon cards - there were no rares in the pack but about 15 uncommons which is fairly decent.


Another interesting take on a counter by tying it to a land - don't see as many enchanted land cards these days (if much of any).


Finishing with the other foil card which, given the fire breath is quite appropriate. 5 mana to cause 5 damage to each opponent is a pretty sweet deal in group play - you just have to get it by everyone else, more people with more chances to counter doesn't mke that a guarantee. Especially i they have counters like above.

These packs are worth their value in opening, now I just need to find someone to trade/get rid of the extras I don't need or want - they are well worth finding a good home for.

8 for 1

I have no problem giving up more cards than I am getting, especially when I am getting cards I am missing and giving up cards that can help someone else. That is what happened with a small trade I did with MMehler30 at TCDB. He had only wanted a single card - a 2008 baseball insert of Prince Fielder (though I sent him a few other cards anyway).

In return I got these.

1992 Nabisco Jays cards that I didn't have before are a great add. Not sure Garth really wants to brag about that .258 lifetime average though.

The rest of the cards were filling 1987 Topps needs...

Really like the Gary Carter All Star card - the happy smile is just who I remember him to be.

A great thanks for the trade and happy to have been able to move a few cards in the trade as I continue on the way to 5,000 cards traded away this year.

O Pee Chee newer and older

Highlights:

Happily, it was tricky to pick today, but I will stick with the usual collection adds with a new Leaf card in Blake and another Gold parallel. Jason had about two and a half years in Toronto and was a decent hand. He stuck around the NHL for about 13 years which is a solid career.

Lowlights:

I'd love to see some of these without the damage because I do need more from this set to complete it.

The rest
Keepers:

Another add for the 2008-09 Upper Deck Masterpieces set is pretty darn sweet too! I almost wanted to call this a highlight, but still have enough to go that it isn't a done deal on completing yet.

Traders:


Through 11300 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	185	25
Inserts / Var Kept	360	61
Error	19	3
Keep	2228	342
Doubles/Sell	1968	258	1816	3135	309	42
Doubles Inserts / Var	147	4	181	217

Some rookies can turn out well

Highlight:

Some time when rookies are picked to highlight sets, they work out pretty well. Alex has been in the bigs for a decade, and though it has been with a few teams, has seen plenty of full seasons and success.

What can I say, sometimes they get one right - a nice change from those players that make it for a game or two and that's it.

The rest
Keepers:

A good assortment of keepers between the four sets.

Traders:


Funny - I don't think there have been too many checklists all things considered when we look back at everything that has come out of the Santa Lot of cards. Here is a fairly standard one out of 1991 Upper Deck Football.

Through 11280 cards:

Specific Accomplishments:

- Complete 2003-04 SP Authentic Basketball (90 card pure base)

- Complete 2005 Upper Deck Classics (100 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 Base (x 4) and 1957-58 Variations Basketball  #112 Kevin Durant (Rookie)

- 2009-10 Topps #321 Stephen Curry (Rookie)

	Hockey	Baseball	Basketball	Football	Austin Powers	Other
Toronto	184	25
Inserts / Var Kept	359	61
Error	19	3
Keep	2221	342
Doubles/Sell	1962	258	1811	3135	309	42
Doubles Inserts / Var	147	4	181	217