Card Show Haul - Ooopsie!

I made a few mistake purchases at the show a couple weekends ago. Who doesn't, amirite? Luckily, it was only three cards and they were all from the discount boxes.

I bought this Jay Austin auto card because I thought he was one of the hot prospects in the Yankee organization. Alas, that prospect is Tyler Austin, who is tearing up the South Atlantic League with Charleston after a .354/.418/.579 year last year in rookie ball and low A. Jay Austin? In the Astros system, but on the DL with a broken hand and hasn't played yet in 2012. Interesting side note: this is my second Jay Austin auto card. I managed to acquire the first in a group break over at Crinkly Wrappers last year. I think it was in one of the rounds of the break where I picked near the end and didn't have a lot to choose from. Hopefully, this kid will turn into something and I can make my fortune on the two auto cards.

No idea whatsoever why I bought this. None. Anybody want it?

This little oddball was bought with Chris over at Nachos Grande in mind. Unfortunately, after I got home I realized he actually collects Barry Larkin, not Ken Griffey. So, anybody want this?

Next up: 1961 Fleer.

Card Show Haul - Miscellaneous Pickups

Since it seems to be the trend out in the blogosphere, I spent a little time pawing through the discount boxes at the show I went to a couple weekends ago. I didn't have much in mind other than to find some things that I liked and maybe find some trade bait.

Three sepia parallels from 2010 Triple Threads. I really like Triple Threads designs and have picked up some of these base cards previously. I don't like Triple Threads enough to actually buy it off the shelf, but I'll be happy to grab cards out of the discount boxes. I particularly like the Berra card with the bat in motion.

2004 Topps Tribute Cool Papa Bell. I just like it. It also reminds me that I wanted to do some reading about the old Negro Leagues.

1975 SSPC card 616 - Willie Mays. I like the simplicity of the SSPC cards, although the backs are kinda phoned in (IMO.) At some point, I'd like to actually put the set together. But, I have too many sets that I am in the process of building now. Perhaps after I finish the Topps 1970s sets, I'll loop back and work on this and the next set.

1979 TCMA 1950s Ernie Banks and Willie Mays. As I said a moment ago, this is another set I would like to work on at some point. I like the simple front and the back is almost identical to that of 1952 Topps.

1973 Juan Marichal. It is in pretty good shape and given that I'll probably work on 1973 in earnest next year, it was a bargain at 50 cents.

1969 Topps Deckle Edge Ron Santo. A neat little card that is part of a 33 card insert set (actually 35, since cards 11 and 22 come in two versions with different players.) I am not sure if the 69 Deckles were the first modern insert set or not, but they are surprisingly affordable. This one was found in a dollar box. I've added these cards to the list of sets I'd like to work on...........some day.

1965 Dodgers Rookie Star card. There was one seller with a huge box of cards from the early to mid 1960s for a dollar apiece. I bought this on the hope that Night Owl needed it (he did.) But, even if he didn't need it, I would be happy to have it. That "picture" of John Purdin is freaky, isn't it? Al Ferrara is all, like, "Dude?!?!!?!? WTF!??!!?!??"

This is another card picked up with Night Owl in mind. He probably has it already, but this card is so awful, so terribly bad, that I couldn't not buy it. I mean, WTH? Did Upper Deck do a whole series of cards of players dressed up like 1930s gangsters, or is it just this card? Either way, this is definitely on my list of worst cards ever.

Up next: a few discount box mistakes.

Show Haul

I am back from the card show and I am a little hungover, although that has nothing do with that Left Hand Polestar Pilsner.

My plan went out the window pretty much from the git-go. Roger Neufeldt, of Sports Memories of Oklahoma, was there but didn't have the opportunity to grab his 1971 commons before heading to the show this morning. So, I ended up changing my focus from just 1971 to both 1971 and 1976. Also, since my severance buy-out from my former employer arrived in my checking account overnight, I decided to splurge on a hobby box of 2012 Heritage and one big ticket card. I haven't decided yet how many posts I am going to milk out of this haul. But, I need to figure it out right quick because I am itching to get these cards put into their respective binders.

Card Show Goals

I'm so excited about this weekend's card show, I can barely stand myself. I've got my want lists together and just need to get through the rest of the day. My priorities for the show are fairly simple. I don't need to hit all of these to consider it a successful show. If I can do a credible job on the first two, I'll be happy.

1. 1971 Topps - I need 111 cards to complete the set, 101 of which are the semi-high and high numbers. I also have 78 cards I would like to upgrade into the EX+ range. My focus tomorrow will be on knocking off some of those semi-high and high numbers I need and upgrade some of the worst of the low numbers. I harbor no illusions that I will be able to complete the set. I won't have enough coin with me to do so, even if all the cards were available.



2. 1976 Topps - I only need 91 cards to finish this set. My intent for tomorrow is to try and knock off a lot of the commons I need. My approach to building sets is to get as many commons as I can at a card shop here in Norman, then repeat at another card shop up in OKC, then hit the bimonthly show. I then repeat the cycle with the stars in the set and finish up getting whatever is left on the want list (usually 10 or less cards) at COMC. Since I am not yet at the end of the search for commons, I'll likely stay away from the stars tomorrow, and hit the LCS sometime in the next few weeks.



3. 1956 Topps - This is the one set I am actively working where I am not overly concerned about condition, so I'll probably just pick up a few 1956 cards out of the discount boxes and call it good.





4. Dime/Quarter/Dollar boxes - I'll probably go through some of these boxes looking for trade bait and other cards that might catch my fancy.





5. 1960s Fleer - I have started on 1963 Fleer set but can be a bit expensive since it was the first Fleer set printed with contemporary stars. I may see if I can find some 1960 and/or 1961 Fleer cards, which are far less expensive since they were really "stars of the past" sets. Indeed, I would expect to find 60/61 Fleers in the dollar boxes. So this goal may well be a subsidiary goal of the one above it.

So, there it is. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve. I hope I can sleep tonight.

Off to the Show

When this post goes up, I'll likely be driving up to OKC for the October card show. I am not real hopeful that it will be real productive for me. My favorite seller, Roger Neufeldt of Sports Memories of Oklahoma is in Virginia this weekend at the Chantilly show*. Plus, the show looks to be in a smaller room than normal, which may mean there are fewer sellers overall. I think the main focus of the organizer tomorrow is really the autograph signings, which include NFL Hall of Famer Mel Renfro and Heisman Winner Jason White.

My goals for this show are going to be modest.

1. Start whittling away at my want list for the 1971 set


2. Pick up a few inexpensive 1956 cards


3. See if there is any reasonably priced boxes of 2010 or earlier Heritage

If this show ends up being like the one in July, with little vintage on the tables, I'll just bail earlier and head to my LCS, where I know I can find some 71s to paw through.

* I did actually meet Roger at his warehouse as he was swapping inventory out from the Houston show he as at and adding in what he was taking to Virginia. But, that is a story for another time.

Saturday Show Preview

So, I am back from the show. I only made progress on two of my five goals, but I consider it a success nonetheless. So, what did I bring back with me:

1. 22 cards for my 1977 set, including some of the bigger names. Roger Neufeldt managed to leave his 1977s back at the warehouse, so he is going to bring them to the show tomorrow (Sunday). So, I am going to go back tomorrow for those


2. For around $32, I got 7 cards from 1955 and 1956, including 3 Hall-of-Famers


3. For $5 I got a 1973 card of Hall-of-Famer.


4. A couple of interesting cards from the dollar box, one of which is going to be added to an upcoming trade as a little bonus

So, I'll probably get around to scanning some of these later in the weekend and line up some posts for next week.

June Card Show Pickups

There was a card show this weekend that I had been looking forward to for a while. My main goal was to make a dent in the remaining 1977 cards I needed. I have pretty much gone through all the 1977 common boxes at my LCS and was still 200-220 cards away from completing the set. These shows usually have at least one guy with boxes of vintage commons. Roger Nuefeldt, of Sports Memories of Oklahoma is there sometimes. Roger deals in real high end stuff and normally only does shows in MLB cities, but does the local show a few times a year.

Unfortunately for me, Roger was at a show in San Francisco and the other fellow, a young kid from Wichita, wasn't there either. So, basically, my plan for the day was shot to heck right out of the gates. So, I decided to spend an hour or two pawing through the dollar boxes. More disappointingly, there was alot of football dollar boxes, but only one guy that had any significant amount of baseball. So, I spent most of the time at his table. In the end, I bought 9 cards for a total of $10. Slim pickings, but I did manage to find 3 1977s I needed and some other cards that I like real well. So, it wasn't a total loss.



2004 Fleer Greats of the Game Roberto Clemente.

I have posted about this set before. I really like it and have most of the first series (out of two total series). However, I have been completely unable to find a box of the second series. I actually thought that I had located a box twice, but both times the vendor cancelled the order and refunded my money because they were out of stock. I still am looking around half-heartedly, but am mostly resigned to having to finish the set by buying singles. If any of you see a box of 2004 Fleer Greats of the Game Signature Cuts Edition at you local LCS, let me know. I'll pay a finders fee in cash or cards.....



2004 Upper Deck Sweet Spot Jackie Robinson (114 of 1947)

I like this design and might try and put the set together. Might. After my travails with Fleer GOTG, I am a little gun shy regarding this type of set.



Upper Deck SP Etched in Time Satchel Paige

I like the design of this card, although the wood detail seems a bit superfluous given that it is just a random piece of wood and not a game relic. But, I am strangely drawn to Satchel Paige. I've come across two of his cards (including this one) and have bought both. I am going to have to read more about him and, at some point, look for an original 1953 Topps card of his, although they appear to be fairly expensive.

Now here are the real jewels of the show for me:





1977 Renata Galasso TCMA cards

You can read about the cards here. And be sure to visit the Wikipedia page about Renata Galasso to read her story. I really, really like the non-nonsense feel to these cards. I basically decided to definitely put the set together. They are a cool part of sports card history and quite affordable. I have already bought one of the six 45 card series on EBay and am keeping my eyes on auctions for two others. Now, don't any of you scamps go bidding them up on me.

Card Show Haul

So, I am back from the card show, where I dropped around a C-note, mostly on my 1974 set. When I got home a lot of 9 1974 stars that I picked up off of Ebay was in the mail box. The haul breaks down like this:

86 from the 1974 Base set which brings me to a total of 541 of 660. My haul includes a fair number of stars, one of which I will come back to in a moment. The only disappointment was the Dave Winfield rookie card from my Ebay lot which had one slightly bent corner and a three soft corners. But, given I paid $29 including shipping for cards that booked at over $130, I won't complain.

2 from the 1974 Traded set, which brings me to 43 out of the 44 card subset.

6 out of 16 of the rare Washington Nat'l Lea. variations, including Hall of Famer Willie McCovey, to match up with his Padres card that came in the mail. The hair is courtesy of one of my dogs.

A couple of Kellogg's 3-D Super Stars. This was a risk buy. I have been keeping my eye out for a Kellogg's 3-D Paul Blair for my player collection. They have been listed for $15 or higher. At $3 for both of these cards, I figured I might have a chance to turn a little profit. Alas, the Blair is a 1971 Kellogg's and these are from 1980. I might still be able to sell them for more than I spent, but it probably isn't worth the effort for a couple, three dollars. Live and learn.

The last two cards here I bought solely because I like them and they were only a buck each. They are a 1999 Topps Chrome Hank Aaron '55 and a Topps Archive Satchel Paige '53 Refractor.




So there it is. I had hoped to knock of more of the 1974 commons than I did, but I am happy with the day nonetheless.