Vacation pick-up, the prequel

I don’t remember if I mentioned it on this blog or not, but a couple of weekends ago I was in Bristol, VA to visit the inlaws.  Since I wasn’t home, where there are no card shops, I decided to Google if there were any there and I found one.  So on Friday, I hit that shop and spent about an hour in there and picked up a few things.  I got a box of pages for my stepdad who showed me his cards recently and he had the old pages that stick together so I told him he needed to replace those.  I went through a box of relics that were 4/$10 and I found 4 of those.  Then as I was walking around the store, I ran across these

That’s 5 1987 Topps rack packs and 1 1987 Donruss.  They were 6/$5 and I decided what the hell and picked these up for the vintage collection.  I didn’t get anything awe inspiring, they are 1987 after all, but it was a big boost to the 1987 Topps set.  Then as I was checking out, he had a small box of 1954 Bowman at the register.  I thumbed through those and found a White Sox card and grabbed it.  You’ll see that later.

Then on Saturday, I drove down to see my cousin (Sluggo) who lives in the Asheville, North Carolina area who, as you know, I have traded with so he’s a collector as well.  Although he has a relatively small collection for himself but he buys and sells at card shows which they have in his area every other weekend.  The weekend I went down was the off weekend from the card show but he was going to take me a few places.

First we headed off to South Carolina to a flea market where a friend of his sells.  We spent a couple of hours there and I got some great stuff.  He had boxes and boxes of stuff.  First I went through a rookie box at 5/$1 and found a few cards.  Then I went through relics & auto’s box and pulled multiple Paul Konerko autographs.  I knew I probably didn’t want to spend all my money on those but I set them aside just in case.  Then I asked him about vintage.  He had 5 boxes of vintage and I mean 1950’s and 1960’s vintage.  I went through those and ended up with a huge stack of cards.  First, I put back the Konerko auto’s.  Then I pulled out my phone and pulled up my want lists (got to love the Google Drive app) and started going through them.  I had so many cards that I was really hoping I had a lot of them already.  After getting through all of them, I still had a pretty good stack but I said screw it and bought the rest of them.

After there, we headed home but took an alternate route to go through Hendersonville and stop at a card shop out in the middle of nowhere.  A funny old man owned it and we spent a couple of hours there.  I mainly browsed his 5/$1 books.  I picked up a pretty healthy stack there, it was mainly 1990’s to newer stuff.  Then I went to get my phone out to check my want lists, and no reception.  I think he planned it that way just so I’d have to buy them all.  Well, it worked because I did.  I also picked up 3 relic cards at $2/each.

Then we headed back to his house and he had a few cards for me as well.  It was really a great day, I really enjoyed hanging out with people and talking about cards all day.  I wish there were decent shops around here that I could do that or at least a show once in awhile.  All in all, I spent a little over $100, which for me, is a lot.

Now your asking why I didn’t show any of these single card purchases.  Because I plan on showing them in the coming week so you’ll have to wait.  I’ll go ahead and post this today, even though I already posted once (I like to keep it to once a day) so I can start showing all the great stuff starting tomorrow.  Make sure you come back.

Cards from Baseball Dad

Baseball Dad/Dave from “Indians Baseball Cards” opened a pack a day last year from opening day till the end of the season plus some bonus packs.  You were able to claim a team or players and when they were pulled, you got the cards.  All he asked in return was to send him some cards in a trade or paypal him some money.  I don’t have much of anything to trade so I sent him some money a few days ago.  Let’s check out what I got.

First off, the odd shaped cards.  The Bobby Thigpen is a normal sized card.  You can see the 1986 Donruss cards are huge in comparison, I didn’t know they came that size until I saw Dave opening them.  And then the pop-up is from 1985 Donruss (I think).  I do remember having some of those back then so it wasn’t new to me.

All of these 1990’s cards are new to the White Sox collection.

As well as these from the 2000’s.  Nothing terribly exciting but I needed all of them so it’s still greatly appreciated.

He’s getting ready to draft this years cards so jump on over to “Indians Baseball Cards” and get signed up.

Completed Team Sets–2011 Bowman

I needed 2 cards for this set, ended up picking them up twice, go figure.

Another nice set from Bowman, although they don’t change a whole lot year to year for a bit.  Black borders always look good with Chicago White Sox cards.

It does have a Chris Sale rookie though so the set is not all bad.  Although it looks like his arm is broke.  Topps decided to include the team captain, Paul Konerko this year, unlike the last one.

Completed Team Sets–2010 Upper Deck

I was one card short on this set as well when I picked it up at COMC too.

This was the last Upper Deck set produced or at least just an Upper Deck set.  I think there was a Goodwin Champions set in 2011 by Upper Deck.

Great action shots, no borders, good mix of players, the only thing it’s missing is the team logo on the front.  But we all know why that is.  I say let Upper Deck come back and compete because I like the looks of this set.

I like that they include the stadium card and even a team leaders card.  I always liked those in the early 80’s set.

1973 Topps

I got this one from Rob over at “Blue Batting Helmet”.  Always thankful of fellow bloggers who help fill this set.

I picked this up at my LCS for $3.  It sounded like a good price, I checked ebay and the cheapest one I found that sold in the last 30 days went for $2.27 but it was in horrible condition so I think it was a good deal at $3.

• Total price paid – $81.11
• Average price per card – $0.25
• Percentage completed – 320/684 (47% completed)

Completed Team Sets–1998 Donruss

A small set I didn’t realize I was only a card short from completing.

I picked it up on a COMC purchase.  Another small set with no Paul Konerko.  I guess with all the complaints about Topps at least they have a set that shows most all the players on the teams.

1981 Topps

Picked this up on Ebay for $.50.  Already have one in my White Sox collection.

I got these 4 from Potch of “Potch Wheeler and the Cardboard Heroes” blog.  Those are some big names, well, except Rod Scurry so big thanks to Potch for those.

• Total price paid – $15.23
• Average price per card – $0.03
• Percentage completed – 514/726 (71% completed)

Trade with 2 by 3 Heroes

Jeff over at “2 by 3 Heroes” has a thing going where you can get a PWE trade from him.  Apparently, he just decided to send me one without requesting it.  I got these 2 cards for my player collections.

The Tom Seaver is a 2010 Topps Vintage Legends Collection card which will fit in nicely in the Tom Seaver Collection.  The Peyton Manning is a 2008 UD Goudey Hit Parade of Champions that goes in the Peyton Manning Collection.

Thanks again Jeff, check him out at “2 by 3 Heroes”.

Completed Team Sets–2010 Bowman

A nice small set, not sure why it took me so long to complete it.

While I do like the way Bowman looks, I’m not a huge fan of the set in general.  I’m not a prospect chaser so it’s pointless.  Besides, how can you have a team set and not include Paul Konerko.  I understand the earlier years of his career, but in 2010.  It’s his team, he’s the team captain, and he can’t even get a card.  I don’t understand it at all.

It does have our starting catcher’s rookie card in it though, Tyler Flowers.  Of course, he was supposed to take over a few years ago so we’ll see if he finally got his act together.

Trade with O No, Another Orioles Blog

Ryan contacted me about a trade, said he found some cards on my want lists and wanted to work out a trade.  I hit up his want lists because I had never traded with a Baltimore Orioles collector so I thought I might have something for him.  Nope. Nada. Nothing.  I let him know, he said he’d go ahead and send them anyways.

I haven’t looked to see if he completed any sets for me yet but he definitely went through my lists because I had none of these.  As a matter of fact, that was my first 1997 Topps (kind of pathetic if you ask me), I didn’t have any 1996 or 1995 Bowman either.  I stopped looking after that, it was embarrassing.  The pic above is 1997-1993.

These are the 1992-1990 that Ryan sent.  I’m curious to see how close I am on the 1992 fleer set because I know I have some of those.

He even went back to the late 80’s.  There’s a bunch of 1988 Topps so I want to see how close I am to that set as well, because I already have some of those as well.

Thanks Ryan, be sure to check him out at “”O” No!!! Not Another Orioles Blog” blog,  I’ll be on the lookout for some cards to send back.

Ebay and LCS Pick Ups

I decided to pick up a couple vintage cards with last quarters Ebay bucks instead of getting a bunch of cheap cards.

I picked up this 1972 Topps Boyhood Photos of the Stars card to add to my Tom Seaver collection.  I always like getting a good vintage card for my player collections.

I also picked up this 1975 SSPC card.  My Ebay bucks are never a huge amount.  I don’t know if it’s ever been over $5 but I’m not going to let it go to waste either.

I was happy with these 2 purchases for the Tom Seaver collection.

I picked this up at my LCS, I was excited because I have a bunch of 1960 Topps so I was thinking I was closing in on the set.  That would be awesome.  I looked, I have 20 cards, 21 including this one.  Then I looked at how many I still needed, 19 cards.  Damn, not as close as I thought.

Complete Team Sets–1976 Topps

Another vintage completion.

I like the red jerseys but I’m not in love with them.  I prefer to see the Chicago White Sox in black and white.

Beltin’ Bill Melton and Wilbur Wood.  Both vintage players I like.  Can’t say much about the look of this set.   Kind of hideous if you ask me.  I guess I can’t complain about the red since it was one of their colors that year, but the green?  And I don’t like the little logo guy in the bottom corner either.

I had to pick up a couple of cards from this set to complete it.  I do like the team card, I have always liked them.  They remind me of the team photos they’d send you when you sent the teams letters.  I used to send a letter to each team to get their fan packs.

Royals and Random

Both of these awesome cards landed in my lap awhile back.  Josh over at “Royals and Randoms” sent these over.

I scanned them backwards because I’m going to talk about the 1970 Topps first.  I had actually purchased this card and posted about it in January.  Josh had posted the comment that he had just picked one up out of a quarter box but apparently I didn’t need it anymore.  I emailed back and said if he just needed to get rid of it, I still needed one for my White Sox collection.  Josh, being the awesome person that he is, sent it to me.  For the record, I need another one for my Vintage collection, just saying.

But on top of that he sent me the 2008 Donruss Threads card.  It looked familiar so I was thinking I already had one, but that was cool because it could still go in the White Sox Collection.  But then I flipped it over and saw this

Holy crap!  That’s not the same as the one I got.  Numbered out of 25.  I couldn’t find what parallel it is but who cares.  It’s a sweet card.

Thanks Josh, check him out over at “Royals and Randoms”.  He’s been a great trader with me, he was a big help on my 1981 Topps set if you followed all those posts.  Now I just have to figure out something else to send him.

Ebay–Paul Konerko Collection

I actually decided to change up a little bit from the previous years.  I used to buy packs after packs and try to collect the team sets.  Last year, I vowed not to buy any more packs but I got in on some box breaks and I would get most of the team set and get the rest in trades, well, more in the generosity of others because I don’t really trade much anymore.  This year, I decided just to get them from Brent and Becca who I follow on twitter and break cases of cards and put them up on Ebay.  They have team sets of just the base cards, then they also have what they call Master Team sets which include all the inserts as well.  It doesn’t include relics, autos, SP or manupatches because they sell those off separately.  That is what I did and this was even a cheaper option then the box breaks.  I still have to go and pick up the other cards, but I complete teams sets easier and cheaper.

I picked up the 2013 Topps set (series 1) but since I complete my player collections first, you won’t see it until I pick up another Paul Konerko.  All 3 of the above all came in that set but they go to the Paul Konerko Collection. 

I think I may do this with all my team sets this year.  Right now, I’m waiting to pick up the other cards when prices go down.  I’m not so hardcore that I have to complete them this instant.  Give them about a month and they will be about half the price that they are now.  I’ll start picking up some of the parallels then as well.

Completed Team Sets–2007 Fleer

I finished this set awhile ago and am just not getting around to posting it.  I have some new stuff (2013) to scan, hopefully tomorrow.

Action shots, team logo and player name, it has all my requirements for a good card.  No border would have made it better and I don’t know that I need to see the team name when the logo is on there.

But it is a nice set, all in all.  No complaints really.

Trade with Potch

Although not technically a trade, Potch sent me some cards out of the blue.  Eventually he’ll get a return package which will make it a trade but it may be awhile.  Let’s get to the cards.

He sent me some 1980’s.  I don’t think I have very many of any of these years or manufactures.  Although I remember having a bunch of the 1988 Donruss back in the day.

Early 90’s, stacked by year.  What’s great about this package is it’s all kinds of cards I would have had problems finding and picking up.  Whenever I get off my ass and update my want lists, he might have finished some more team sets for me.

A couple of later 90’s cards.  I remember Darren playing for us, Brett, not so much.

And some 2000-current.  Really like the Topps chrome Alexei Ramirez.  Mainly because it’s chrome.

Like I said before, I love these kinds of packages because it fills a bunch of needs.  Big thanks to “Indianaland” or “Potch Wheeler and the Cardboard Heroes”.  Be sure to check him out.

Completed Team Sets–1989 Topps

I believe I was one card short when I received it from Jeff over at “2 by 3 Heroes” to complete the 1989 Topps team set.

I know it’s not a flashy site but some of the cards aren’t bad.  And look, a Topps All-Rookie, you know they always predict the next super star.

Ozzie Guillen and Harold Baines, previous manager and coach.  Steve Lyons, and he has his pants on.

I do like the cursive team name but they definitely could have done better with the pictures.  Carlton Fisk and Greg Walker.  HOF and hitting coach, it’s close.

Jack McDowell, great pitcher.  And our current coach’s rookie card, Robin Ventura.  Ok, so Chicago White Sox team sets aren’t expensive to complete.  Makes you wonder why I don’t have more.

Thanks Jeff for completing another team set.

Package from Blue Batting Helmet, part deux

You saw the post from yesterday of the cards Rob from “Blue Batting Helmet” sent me for my White Sox Collection.  Today you’ll see the additions to the Vintage Collection.  They are all Chicago White Sox  cards but I already had them.  Luckily they still went into this collection.

First we start off with the babies of the vintage collection, everybody’s favorite wood panel cards, 1987 Topps.  You might even recognize both players, Ozzie Guillen and Carlton Fisk.

A 1985 Topps Julio Cruz.

A 1983 Topps Tom Paciorek.  I seem to notice a pattern here, 1987, 1985, 1983.  Apparently Rob collects all even years because he isn’t giving them up.

There we go, an even year, and a true vintage card at that.  A 1978 Topps Bob Lemon.

As I stated yesterday, Rob always give a good selection of cards.  Thanks again Rob.

Package from Blue Batting Helmet

As per his usual, Rob of “Blue Batting Helmet” tends to just send me packages out of the blue of White Sox cards he picks up here or there.  This is the latest of his surprise packages.

He sent me some 1980’s.  The 1986 Topps is a Traded because I have already completed that team set.

Some early 90’s.  Pretend your in another country and look at the cards right to left.  I always forget which way my scanner comes up.  They are in piles of the year.

Some late 90’s.  Not sure why I put Ozzie Guillen on top and buried a Frank Thomas.  Fail on my part there.

Even a couple from the 2000’s.  Rob always send me a good random selection of cards to help out with my White Sox Collection.

He even managed to hit a new card for the Paul Konerko collection with the Metal Universe card.

He did such a great job with variety that some more of his cards will be featured in 2 more posts.  One tomorrow, and one in the near future.

Thanks again Rob, be sure to check him out over at “Blue Batting Helmet”.  He is a Chicago Cubs fan, but I forgive him for that.