Bob Walk vs Charlie Brown : a Valentine trade

Today, in my mailbox, I found a very special Valentine's day package (I find this to be a very funny word association). A special yellow bubble mailer straight from WV, which can only mean one thing : Blue jays goodness from my favorite Pirates collector (and one of my favorite people to trade with, period. This happens to be our fourth trade in as many months, and there's no slowing us down).

The note he sent warns me that there's a big surprise card in there.
Oh boy.

I've already said it, but all those sets from 2002-2005 confuse me. So many of them with so many variations and brands. This, for example, isn't an insert. It's from the Donruss Classics base set. Except it's a RC, numbered to 1 300 copies. Each auto is also available in gold, platinum and silver. OKAY. Thank God for my Beckett Almanac.

Those are part of a 100 card insert. So you have a 100 card base set, and a 100 card insert set. OKAY.
And that 100 card insert set (that I think looks great, btw) exists  in a bronze parallel. Fair enough. In a gold parallel. Makes sense. And in a silver parallel. Might as well.

It doesn't really show on the scan, but that nice, thick card has rounded corners, and that's a great idea. Plus, I love that patch !

I already had the Joe Carter in that collection. A card that shows a player from one of the two World Series won is always a great addition.

And finally, the big surprise :

Yup, absolutely, that's an auto of the former Pirate Jose Bautista. My very first, of course, considering their usual high value. I've been wanting to have one in my collection for a while now. All I needed was another great trade partner !

Thanks a million times Matt, you know how much I love (yes, absolutely, the L word (no, not that L word, the other one)) the back and forth between us (let me rephrase that...). A new stack will be headed you way real soon !

Japanese Incarnation

A Japanese ebayer put up an ad for 5 Encarnacion cards (including 2 Bowman Platinum gold I didn't scan because I already had one in my collection) for a couple of dollars. Almost as a reflex, I bid.
And won.
So I bid on a couple more cards to benefit from combined shipping. Turns out the dealer adds $1 per extra card, which isn't really cheap, but ah well, it's my fault, I should read the fine print.

I don't have anything insightful to say about any of those, besides that I find them pretty like a Valentine day flower and that I could clean my computer screen with the size of that first relic.

Mr Dutch Card guy had sent me one similar as my very frst trade (but numbered /50), and I'm glad to add a new Encarnacion Tier One card.

I don't like Bowman (yes, I'm a broken record).But I do like blue borders. This one is SN out of 500.

Already have a couple Arencibia autos, but couldn't pass on an A&G framed mini for a couple dollars.

As a Blue Jays fan, I suppose I shouldn't be buying any Yankees cards. But to tell the truth, I like the Yankees (and the Mets (yes, I'm a mess, I don't make sense)). And I like Gardner. I always have a soft spot for speedy guys who are patient at the plate and simply play the game hard. And come on, for $1.24, it's a steal (HAHAHAHA....herm).

T206 : Rise of the machines

Well, those cards from Ebay/Comc got here in a couple of weeks instead of the 4 to 6 weeks it usually takes. Nice surprise !

This time, there's a little bit of everything.

My first bit of everything is my very first...

let's make a pause for dramatic effect..

my very first T206 !

That's usually when I start dancing like Baloo and King Louie.

 I did a little research, and turns out Grimshaw never played for Toronto (he got signed but didn't play), but it's still a Toronto card. I had absolutely no idea that there was a Toronto team in the early century (there's no mention of it in my Baseball Encyclopedia, but I guess I'll trust Tobacco companies more than ESPN). I got it for $15, which seems like a good deal considering its condition (creases and dinged corners, but nothing ripped, including a clean back)

EDIT : Grimshaw DID play for Toronto, in the minor leagues. I need to study better.

Some 1939 Play Ball cards, that have a nice, clean, vintage look to them. Some real action shots ! Got those for about $3 each.

The facsimile auto gets in the way, but man what a great photo.

I also love all those 73 horizontal shots.

 I had never heard of Marquee before (I understand they only did it for one year, in 2011), but I do like its simple design. I think the whole parallel thing is ridiculous though, especially at $50 a pack of 5 cards. I have no idea why I got the Honus Wagner card. Maybe to send it to Matt one day. Or maybe to go with my T206.

Those cards are absolutely gorgeous. There's nothing I don't like about UD Masterpieces.

This was one of my favorite inserts back in the 90s. I had traded for the Piazza one at the time, and it's always been one of my favorite cards in my collection (and numbered out of 5000, which wasn't much back then). The cards are actually printed on real wood, which gives them that extra special feel. Leaf had great inserts ideas.

The only reason I got that awfully cut Brett Lawrie auto is because it was sold by the same dealer as the Frank Thomas and Starks. I usually like Playoff memorabilia, but that sticker is terrible. And the Barfield sticker works quite fine there.

Finally, an on-card John Starks auto, that actually cost less (a little under $5) than the sticker auto I got a few weeks ago.

ps : yes, when I put a T in front of something, it always reminds me of Terminator movies. I can't help it. Though the third one just may be one of the worst movies ever made.

Trading : some random thoughts

Those three cards, I received today following auctions I won with one seller in Japan.
Those who have been following my blog for a while (yup, I've been here for a while !) should notice that, even though I don't exclusively buy BLue Jays or Knicks cards, those do not seem to fit my collection.

And you, my friends, are absolutely right.

I've come to realize that at least half of the cards I buy off ebay or comc, I'll get for fellow bloggers. I remember, a few months ago when I was reading blogs trying to understand what was out there now, I came across a blog post (I'm sorry but I don't remember whose) where the writer explained that he was at a card show and got a bunch of cards for several bloggers. It seemed impossible to me at the time to imagine someone just knowing what to get others. But now, I understand. After awhile, you just get to know other bloggers. What they like, what kind of collector they are and how to make them happy, without Oreos and a glass of milk being involved.

Like many, I started this blog in order to trade and to interact with people who share the same weird interest in cardboard depicting overpayed players in uniform. And I'm starting to understand what drives me and what makes me happy. And I particularly enjoy being happy.

1/ Blind trades

just send me whatever, and I'll send you whatever. I have a want list, but I understand how tedious it can be to look at it and check each and every card in your collection. So go ahead, just blindly send me some blue jays, it's fine. Most of the time, I need half of any random stack (unless they're mainly base cards from the 90s or recent Topps base cards), as I don't collect duplicates per se. And like they say, it's the thought that counts. If the trade is really one-sided, a natural readjustment will of course occur. It's all about trust.

2/ No hassles

of course, sometimes it's best to trade for a specific card, especially when there's some value involved. But if it means going back and forth for 40 mails, it's not my thing. If I pull a card that suits best someone else's collection (well, someone I trade with regularly, that is, I'm generous, but not THAT generous), I'll just send it to him and we'll figure out the details later.

3/ Compatibility

We don't all need to be friends, but I do like to know that we like each other. I know it sounds a little stupid, but I put a lot of thought in my trade packages (ok, not always a lot, but at least, I try to ! ), so I figure it's best for a long term relationship (I've already stated that I'm all for long term) if we share the same sense of humor, or, more importantly, views about the hobby (I'm not talking about Archives vs Heritage or who's the worst between Panini Pinnacle or Panini Donruss, but just the basic enjoyment of the hobby for what it is). Then again, the vast majority of bloggers do, so what am I blabbing about ?
Julie is always fun to talk to and I know she laughs at the same things I do, same with Junior Junkie, I'm really starting to get to know Matt and I enjoy the discussions we have, Mark has some incredible stories to share (despite being a man of few words !), it's always nice to try and surprise someone like Wes or Nick, and the list goes on and on.

I know who to send Reds, Brewers, Pirates, Red Sox, Braves, Blue Jays, Yankees, catchers and Tigers cards to, and I'm always looking to expand that list, as it's been as much fun chasing those, as chasing my own cards for my own collection. Because, as cheesy as this will sound, I know it'll come back ten fold at me. And I hope that soon, most of you guys will look at Blue Jays cards and have me in mind, alongside Robert (no hard feelings !), Richard and Al.

Cheating across the pond

A week ago, John from Pursuit of Red Sox sent me an email asking me if I'd be willing to be on the receiving end of some Blue Jays cards he had around. Just because, I suppose, I look like a swell guy (I am. If only because I use the word 'swell'). I answered yeah, sure, I'm always looking to trade, except I hardly have anything left Red Sox wise, since I send all my hits to Mark Hoyle. No problem, he says, he's not looking for a return package, he just wants those cards to find a nice, warm and welcoming home (I am very warm and welcoming, despite being French). John is from the UK, and it's always nice to find fellow European collectors. It's also nice to see there are no grudges left from 700 years  of bickering for God knows what reasons, but it was probably our fault to begin with.

So today I was looking at a healthy stack of 40 cards, of all brands and years, most of which found a place in my binders. Here's a small sample :

The 2002-2005 period is really a grey area for me in terms of collecting. I've been back in the game for 8 months now, and all the different sets from those years still make my head spin. Seems like I'm discovering new ones every week. It's the case with that Donruss Fan Club.

And with those Upper Deck cards. Standing O, with a giant baseball and a miscut photo ? Really Upper Deck ? But hey, it's still a Delgado card.

I have no idea what that Mlb Showdown card is all about (damn you, year 2002). Looks like some kind of game, obviously, but I can't imagine anyone playing it. Maybe it's like Magic cards ? And since I've never, ever understood those either, it makes sense that their grasp is beyond me. I'm not a very smart person.

 Blue Jays players don't always have cause for celebration. Let's give them that moment. They're just celebrating a walk-off 11th inning HR from a september regular season game against Boston, but hey, a win is a win.

I had no idea there was a Hobby Reserve parallel set to 97 Score. Those medallions are a tad distracting...

This is technically a Blue Jays card (it's on my official checklist and the name is on the front).But still, it looks weird. I think my criteria for what constitutes a Blue Jays card will from now on be to see the player in a Blue Jays uniform.

Finally, the Clou du spectacle (yes, that's French). An incredible Halladay patch, 3 colors and all. Just like that. Just because I'm swell.

John, thanks a lot for your generosity, and expect some Red Sox cards real soon, I'm sure Mark won't mind my infidelity.

We need to talk about Kevin's inserts.

From time to time, I like browsing Comc listings just for fun. And sometimes, I'll add stuff to my cart. And sometimes, I'll have it shipped to me. I'm a very organized man.

Those two are obviously reprints, and I believe Nick talked about them one day. I find them amazing. I want more.

A couple of key RC of players I like. Yay.

And now, for the biggest portion of this month's haul : INSERTS ! For nostalgic reasons (obviously), I'm a big, big fan of all cards from 91 to 96. There's something about them that simply brings me joy. And you can't compete with joy. One of the things that characterized the card world of these days were inserts. Tons of inserts. It was a treat finding them in packs (unlike today, where they're the norm and everywhere), and always jaw-dropping to see their book value (that term really makes me laugh now). Now that I'm a (somewhat) grown man, I can add all those high end (haha) cards to my collection.

It's no secret that my absolute favorite set is 93 UD. And I'm planning on collecting it all, including the inserts. That I love deeply. Look at those beauties. All valued $8 to $15 in 94. How times have changed...

Did I ever mention I love Holograms ? The bottom right one was made by Score. That came as a surprise to me.

Oddballs ! That Nabisco card is great, I need the others from that set. The French text translates like this : "When he came to the Blue Jays in 1977, the way he raised his leg surprised everyone". Okay.

Aaaah, Leaf and that gold foil logo. The second one is actually a gold version of the normal insert. Even though there are no gold versions of any other card in the set.

The Leaf Limited is SN 10 000. And we all went OooooOOooooh at the time.

More 92 and 93 UD inserts. On the back of the On deck card, Robbie advises kids to stay away from drugs and says he'd pick Kirby Puckett to start a team. I agree with one of the two.

Electric Diamonds AND foil everywhere ! No doubt about it, this is 1994.

An insert like only Fleer can think of. They probably had extra blue sky left from their Flair series.

Typical FLeer Ultra. 92, 93 and 94. How insane is that Delgado ? God I love Ultra inserts, can't get enough of those.

And finally, the king of inserts (after UD of course) : Pinnacle. They tried a whole bunch of different stuff. ANd they all worked. In a Pinnacle way, that is.

So there you go. Typical cards from a typical era. I'm excited about 2015 Topps flagship coming out, but I'm even more excited when I get those in the mail.

Disguised bitterness and Ebay mail day

Well, the results for the Bip awards are in and....I made (distant) second. I'm a little disappointed, I won't lie (it's not my fault, I just need to feel loved), but then again, I should've handed out flyers, or made a commercial or something, instead of just waiting for people to vote. I could've reached out to my 1 800 friends (yes, I'm a popular guy. It doesn't really show here because I collect baseball cards of Blue Jays players, I know) on Facebook, for crying out loud. What a dork.
All (half) joking aside, congrats to Tony, it's amply deserved ! Maybe I'll lobby for a 'Most Improved Blog' entry next year and try my best to make it this time (yeah right), as I don't see what kind of other selection I might make...or, as Matt suggested, I should lobby for 'Best blog about Blue Jays and Knicks cards in English from a French speaking dude'. THEN I'd have a chance.

Aaaaaaaaaaaanyway, today's mail day brought me some ebay auctions. I like buying from Chinese or Japanese sellers, as they often offer affordable international shipping fees (between $3 and $5), and I don't have to worry about the horrendous Global shipping program. I'm especially fond of card lots, which is exactly what I got there.

This is typical of a card I get only because there's Delgado on there.Not that I don't like the other players, but let's just say I don't really care about them. It's silly to add a card that's shared with 2 others and includes a tiny photo , but hey, it's the joys of a team collection !

My first Jose Cruz Jr auto, and it's on card and I love it and I'm so sad he got injured and was all hype etc etc etc. I also like the fact that's it's from 98, before the hobby world really got auto crazy (ok, right at the moment when it was, actually, since Leaf Signatures series was already out)

Besides those two, there were some framed minis. Which is the greatest invention since baguette. I got them because they were cheap enough and because I love the way they look, regardless of the player. I think I'll be able to redo my floors one day with all those bat pieces.

Some of those will probably eventually end up in some of your collections, that's also why I like buying random lots !