MY COLLECTION - The Card Show Pickups

Gonna try and fire through a quick show and tell from last weekend's card show pickups.  It was a nice little haul.......especially from a cash standpoint.

The first two cards comes from one of my favorite products of all-time.  Between The Pipes is back and this year's mask cards definitely do not disappoint.

These two were freebies from one of the dealers who simply asked for me to fire off something in return next time I pop in.  Sweet.

By the way.....the die-cut versions are the regular base card versions.  The silver and gold parallels are not die-cut.  Finally, something for the little guy.

Two bucks.  No brainer.  I have a few other Winning Combos and this will help finish that 'One Sheet, One Set' page.

So will this......which was a freebie in the package that the Linden Dominion Sapphire /5 came in.

Rarely (if ever) do I receive freebies from an ebay sale (especially when the finishing price is in my favor heavily.  But I'll take it!  How the guy knew is beyond me.

Some great Canada vs. The World cards were in the dollar box.  I scooped all of them that I could find.

Which consisted of these four as well.  No brainer x2...........x4!

Jersey card.  A buck.  It's for the 'One Sheet, One Set' project.

Another jersey card.  A buck.  It's out of 35 and has a huge jersey piece.  Why not.

Buck, buck, buck and.......buck.  I like these pickups.

You're seeing things correctly.  That's a dual jersey card from Dominion in there.  It's /99.  That's ridiculous.

The Roloson is not only a cool closeup of the mask, but it's the rainbow parallel /100.

I'll give you a guess how much these cards were.

You guys are quick.

All in all, these pickups cost me a total of $17.  There's a box worth of hits in there easily (maybe not the 'big hit' but still).

I'll do that every day of the week.

LINDEN CARD OF THE WEEK - One More Piece Of Dominion

It's been a bit of a quiet last few days.....and that's just what I wanted it to be.

After some long work hours recently (finishing off a month-long project), I was given a couple extra days off.  So I took Friday and Monday and made a 4-day weekend sandwich........yum.

Friday was a sleep-in day coupled with my brother-in-law's birthday.  Nice.  Saturday was a trip to the monthly card show.  It's true.....for the first time ever, they put a show on in May (and they're having one in June as well).  It just goes to show just how much product is coming out year round now.

I was very responsible and kept my purchases to a minimum (you'll see the goods soon).  I did this mainly because I knew that the Spring Expo was taking place in Toronto that same weekend and there were a couple bigger Linden items I was hoping someone would keep an eye out for (and as it ended up......I landed one).

Saturday was also my nephew's lacrosse game.  It was a tough one to watch.  My nephew is in his first year of organized lacrosse (and he's got 10 other teammates that can say the same).  His team was clearly outmatched.  He was a little frustrated to say the least.  No goals scored for his team the entire game.  But I told him that their play improved drastically from the first 10 minutes to the last 10 minutes.  Gradual improvement.  And of course - effort.  You don't need to be a superstar to have that.

Sunday was.......what did I do Sunday?  Oh yeah - nothing.  I watched a little hockey, scoured ebay, tried to do laundry (but there was an invisible force field heading down to the basement).  I also plugged away on some customs that have been neglected recently.  But the creative juices just were not working and I am sure I will end up just scrapping what I did.

That leads me to today - Monday.  The last day before I go back to work.  Blech.  But I was happy to see one bubble envelope with my name on it in the mailbox.

2010/11 Panini Dominion

#150 Legends Emerald /5

This beauty leaves me with one more non 1/1 Linden left from the Dominion product released last fall.  I was worried that I wouldn't see a copy of this (having noticed 2 or 3 already hit the market).  The last one went for a ridiculous price......in a good way (about 1/4 of what I thought it would go for).  I was concerned when I saw this that the price would balloon as a result.

Nope.  I got this for a fantastic ending price.  I've said it before....Dominion is the single most volatile product from a price standpoint that I've ever seen.  When cards /5 go for less than cards /50.  When cards /5 are way less than half of what other Lindens /5 are in other products.  Crazy stuff.

Hopefully the 4 day layoff from work gets me a little re-energized.  Some new projects to work on during the day and some new Linden cards to chase.  Should be fun.

4 more days until Friday!

OPINION - Stealing Scans & Flat Out THEFT!

LIVID!!!  SEETHING!!!  I am choked and I will not - I REPEAT - NOT let this go lightly.

I apologize in advance if my post today seems a little terse.  I received some information today that has left me very.....very bitter.


Earlier today, I was conversing with a fellow hobbyists via e-mail and the other person simply asked about a person on a hobby card board.  He was asking me if I knew of this person, if I had dealt with this person and if this person was on the up and up.

The reason for the questions.....

This post.  Made by someone named 'sidthekid87', it shows off a rather nice Kris Versteeg patch/tag card /2.  He states that he "has this for you" meaning he is "selling" it.  He's even got a price listed next to the card.

Seems harmless enough right?  Well, the person I was e-mailing with remembered that I had a copy of that card (good memory).

Here's my blog post from January.  It shows off the exact same card.  I picked it up in a trade (swapping the /2 in my 1 vs. 100 project for the Versteeg).  Here's the whole blog post.

Well, I can assure you that the card is still in my possession and is not going anywhere soon.

Sadly, someone might end up being the victim of this guy's scam.  Selling cards that he clearly does not own and does not have.

And just so there is no doubt in anyone's mind.....here this.

Take a close look 'sidthekid87'.  See the date on the screen.  Take a look at the date of your post.

End of discussion.


START OF RANT!!!!!!!

'sidthekid87'........where do you get off pulling crap like that!!!

note: I'm going to be good about following my own "no swearing" rule on this blog.  But rest assured.....I'm letting the colorful metaphors fly right now.

You have the nerve to steal one of MY SCANS and claim it as your own?

How dare you!!!!   HOW......DARE.......YOU!!!!!!!!

'sidthekid87'.......you know where you can go and you know what you can do when you get there.

And make no mistake.....I am coming after you!  I will make sure that you are not only exposed as a fraud and a thief on Blowout Cards, I will make sure that your name is smeared throughout all the hobby boards I know.  I refuse to sit back and let you try and rip people off.  Rip off decent people who are looking to get enjoyment out of this hobby.

'sidthekid87'.......your name is dirt!  And I will make sure that you are swept up and thrown out.

MARK.......MY.......WORD!

OUT!!!!!!

You have taken a hobby that I love and enjoy.  Taken a hobby where I have met dozens of great people.  Taken a community that I cherish and have made it a lot less fun today.

And I am NOT ok with that!

Enjoy what little time you have left on the hobby boards.

Screw you 'sidthekid87'.........screw you!

LINDEN CARD OF THE WEEK - This One's Got Teeth!

It's the last day of April.  Do you know what that means (other than making sure you got your taxes filed)?

The year is already a third of the way done.  Gak!

It's been a busy 4 months for me.  In addition to work, my niece's softball and my nephew's lacrosse, I've been more active pursuing Linden cards for my collection than I have been in years.  And while it's been a lot of fun, I am hoping the summer months can offer a bit of a reprieve as my wallet is shedding a few tears.

I know there are going to be a few more cards of his in the next bit.  Panini Elite has already shown off one of the nicer autos I've seen in a while and In The Game has Trev in their expo redemption products.  One card (a dual memorabilia card with Ken Griffey Jr.) has me interested to see the demand for this unique item.

But this post is going to focus on (yet another) Linden mailday.

I saw this card pop up on ebay and my first thought was "This must be the Gold 1/1 patch".  There haven't been too many Linden patches that I've seen as nice as this one.

But alas, it's just the silver version (9 copies).....and dare I say, the nicest.

2011/12 In The Game Captain-C

#M-56 Game-Used Silver Patch (print run of 9)

When I say this card has teeth.....I mean it.  I don't think I've ever seen a Linden patch card with this kind of design on it.  And of course, the asking price was reflective of that fact.

While I didn't pay the full asking price, I felt the actual purchase price was fair, but a little more than I was hoping to pay for one.  But what can you do.

My only beef about the card is that the patch swatch comes from a jersey type not depicted in the photo.  A minor detail, but something I think could have been avoided.

This leaves me with just a few more cards to obtain to finish the Captain-C portion of my Linden collection.  I'm in no real rush to land the rest.  There are a couple of cards I should be able to land for less than $10 but there are a couple that might be a little tougher.  I keep telling myself "It's not a race"......once in a while, I listen.

Hopefully over the next couple weeks, I can get to a few more posts.  But with the summer months around the corner, things might be slowing down a little while work (and golf season) ramp up a bit.

Happy May!

MY COLLECTION: A Slew Of Good Things

Yesterday I received a fantastic 'thank you' package from Casey over at Drop The Gloves!.  A while back I built a custom cut auto of Reggie Lewis for him and this was his way of letting me know how much he appreciated my work.

I don't want to diminish the cards (because they are very cool), but the gesture in itself is more than enough.  Thanks Casey for the fantastic gift.

As I always say....do good things and good things happen.

So without further ado, let's check out some of the goods.

BAM!!!!!  Right off the bat.  This card is awesome!

I have seen numerous articles about this card.  It's constantly on the 'top baseball cards of all time' list and I've wanted a copy of it for quite some time.

It is a stunner.

In fact, I like it so much, I'm making it a part of my little shrine at work.  I know the guys will get a huge kick out of it.  They thought I was a card geek before.....this'll put things over the top.

I literally jumped out of my chair when I saw this card.  It'll always bring a smile to my face.  And if you readers have a moment...do a Google search for Oscar Gamble hair (good times).

Some non-sport now.  I like the change-up.  I've never even seen some of these cards (not all of them have been scanned).  But that Buffalo Bill card is downright awesome.  The companies these days with the retro sets really do a nice job.

Goalies.  Lots and lots of goalies.  Good choice.  I love 'em.  Their masks are fun to look at and they are an eccentric bunch to say the least.

Again, too many to scan so here are the selects.

Oh, and when I say goalies.....I mean the vintage dudes too.  And these cards are in really nice shape.

Casey included a number of the 70/71 singles....more than enough to build a very solid 'One Sheet, One Set' page.  Thanks very much for that.

Speaking of....I received a great selection of OPC Legends.  These are always a favorite subset.  The Fuhr and Bossy rock.

More Legends.  Love the helmetless look.  The game seemed to have more character and grace back then.  Of course I say that and look at Gordie there.  Can your elbows have grace?

Me thinks so.

The cards Casey sent were really way too much.  But when I saw this dual patch card, my jaw dropped.  This is a fantastic piece with two great swatches.

I gotta say, a huge thank you for the kind gifts.  As much as I love the cards, the gesture is what resonates with me.

Makes me motivated to do more good things.

SCRIBBLES & SCRIBES - Some Playoff Excitement

I haven't commented too much about the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs....mainly because I'm going to get killed in both my playoff pools.  Pittsburgh, Vancouver final.......not so fast.

It's been a bit of a frustrating watch for other reasons too.  While the plethora of shenanigans have slowly subsided, I've been drifting further away from what I was anticipating to be a very exciting playoff year.

Here's hoping round two and beyond is a better watch than the first 10 days.

That said, there has been some exciting hockey out there.  I think the Florida-New Jersey series has been a sleeper pick for exciting hockey.  Back and forth, good speed, good stories and good hard working teams.  No need for the goonery.

So for that reason, I've decided to showcase a scribe from that series.

But first.....we need to show off a scribble.

Alex Pietrangelo

SCRIBBLE

Speaking of solid playoff starts, the Blues now have a real good chance of getting to the finals.  If Phoenix pulls off the victory, we'll have St. Louis, Nashville, Phoenix and Los Angeles.  Who'd have thunk it.

Alex, by the way, has decided to go the route of numerous young stars in the league.  Leaving you to decipher his signature.

A true scribble.

Zach Parise

SCRIBE

Taking a page from his dad J.P., Zach has a well structured autograph.  Both purpose and patience are needed to pull this off (something lacking in todays game....both on and off the ice).

As for the Devils, they've got their hands full with the Panthers.  They'll need Zach to be at his very best just to get out of the first round.

Have you come across an autograph worthy of being a 'scribe'?  Now of course, the veterans of the league and those who have come and gone from their playing days are easy pickings.  I'm talking about guys in the league today.

Hit me with something that'll make me say "Wow....I had no idea."

LINDEN CARD OF THE WEEK - A Very Special Addition

With the numerous show & tell posts showcasing (and dominating) my blog site over the past few weeks, I'd be leaving out a huge addition if I didn't include this beauty.

2010/11 In The Game Decades 1980's

#M-62 Game-Used Emblem Gold 1/1

That's right.....it's a Linden 1/1.  But this isn't just any regular 1/1.

Over the past year, I've been on the lookout for the various jersey, number and emblem card variations put out in this stellar product.  A grand total of 9 cards to complete the board.

Of course getting all 9 is pretty much impossible seeing that there are just 10 copies of the gold jersey parallel, just 6 copies of both the black number and black emblem parallel, 3 copies of the silver number and silver emblem and only one copy each of the gold number card and the gold emblem.

Well, as luck would have it....I had 8 of the 9 cards after some good fortune on the hobby boards, some timely bids on ebay and some tremendous (and appreciated) help from various collectors who know of my hockey card (and Linden) obsession.  The only card left on the list was the emblem gold 1/1.

The search didn't take long before I found out that another Linden collector had the final piece of the puzzle.  What to do?

On one hand, the card was in the personal collection of a fellow Linden collector.  Someone I've known in the hobby for years and who I've had the pleasure of meeting during the Trevor Linden jersey retirement ceremony a few years back.  On the other hand, it would be a stunning accomplishment to have the full set of cards.

So, I respectfully e-mailed him, made him aware that I had the other 8 cards and asked if he would consider trading his 1/1 for one of my 1/1 Lindens.  I had never asked a person to part with a pc item....so it was something that I wanted to make sure was done with the utmost respect and care.

The initial response was a positive one (in that it wasn't a flat out - NO).  But I thought that if he were to part with the card (even for one of my 1/1's) I should at very least add some additional cards to show my appreciation.

He's also a Sedin collector....so the hunt was on.  I added a few cards to the deal.  In the end though, it was unnecessary as he indicated that a straight up one-for-one trade was a fair deal to him.

Linden collectors are the best.......I'd like to say that right now.

That didn't stop me from sending the additional Sedin cards as a very heartfelt 'thank you' for the kind gesture.

The cards traded hands and the newest addition arrived last week.

So here is the full tic-tac-toe board - the only Linden one in existence.

Definitely worthy of its own post.

Thank you very much Victor for trading an item from your pc.  It is a card I will cherish.  I appreciate your hobby approach and enjoyment.