1 vs. 100 - Another haul

I'm sitting here watching a pair of exciting CFL football playoff games this afternoon. Sitting at halftime of the second game, I thought I'd post an update of my 1 vs. 100 project.

I went to the monthly local card show here with the intention of picking up some more cards for this set. I've got to admit, it was a ton of fun sifting through boxes of cards looking for treasures (something that my Linden collecting has limited me to over the years).

In most cases, either the table had no cards I needed, or they were way more than I was willing to pay at this time.

One table had just what I was looking for. Excited, I began to place cards aside. I ended up with some pretty good additions.

Here they are...


I got this card /21 for a great price as the vendor was from Edmonton. He absolutely couldn't stand Heatley and just wanted to give away the card. Happy to oblige.


This card is a brick! Super thick. I've never owned a card from this set before. Where do you get soft sleeves or top loaders for them? Oh, and who is Steve Wagner? I don't really care as his card is numbered /35 (tough to see in the scan).


Now I knew this set existed (as I need the Linden), so I'm sure this won't be the last time we see one in my quest. They take some random stat of the player and make that many cards.

Here, we learn on this card /42 that Bouchard went into the 05-06 season with 42 career points.

Now you know.


Another set I am aware of (as I do have the Linden /16) and a big reason I'm going for this 1 vs. 100 set. This numbering make a little more sense. The card is numbered out of the player's jersey.

Parros is number 57. Voila.


Here's another lame stat. Doug Weight had 79 assists with Edmonton in the 95-96 season. I bet St. Louis was wondering where that stat went.


Now, I must say, that in my excitement and haste, I ended up making a boo-boo. I will chalk it up to a learning experience.


Who would have thought that a table would have 2 cards for sale numbered out of 57.

Oh well, Brad Park's autograph looks pretty cool (but that's a topic for another time).

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

Go Stamps!

19 out of 100 (19%)

LINDEN CARD OF THE WEEK - 2007 UNO

Uno anyone?

This week's Trevor Linden card was a recent find - and came as a pleasant surprise for me. Nothing like picking up a card for your collection when you weren't even looking for it.

2007 Uno Blue #4

A trip to London Drugs scored me this Linden card. I had known about the NHL doing Uno card games featuring the various teams (not sure how many different teams - I've only seen Calgary and Vancouver).

Originally, I was scrounging around the internet trying to get some information on the release. No luck. I figured I would just not include them in my collection.

That was until I spotted the card set on the store shelf. I was just wandering by....not specifically looking for it or anything. I knew instantly that card game was coming home with me.

And if things couldn't get better, the set was on sale - reg price was $12, I got it for $5. YES! (fist pump)


Did I mention that thing s get even BETTER. Sure enough, Linden was in the set - not once, but 4 times. Fantastic!


Oh wait, did I mention it gets EVEN MORE BETTER. They have a second set of cards with a picture of him on it. That's 8 cards to add to my Linden collection. What a haul! Way to go London Drugs.

Oh yeah, it gets...you guessed it - even better. There are 2 of every card in the set. So I have a double of every Linden card. Add to that, the Luongo, Sedins, Kesler...I got good value for my $5. In fact, I could probably make a buck or two if I sold the cards. Wonderful.

While the cards are nothing special in terms of design, they have a great story that will forever stay with my collection.

That's what I like about this hobby.

Thanks for the look.

OPINION: EXPECTATIONS

For a while now, I've been going to card shows, perusing ebay, checking out trading boards and sticking my nose in the odd store or two - all in the search for hockey cards to satisfy my obsession.

Increasingly, I have been hearing of frustration or disappointment or even threats of this and that.

It appears that some people have certain expectations of this hobby and they are clearly not being met.

While I'm all for being constructively critical when it comes to the issues released, quality control, redeeming cards, having trades mailed out to you and so on, I've got to say that people need to realize that this is not the world of 'let's cater to you and only you'.

If people aren't happy with the hobby, if people aren't happy with their collection, if people aren't happy with prices, if people aren't happy with service, then take a step back. And in some cases - back all the way out.

Unrealistic expectations with this hobby just make me shake my head. Clearly some people see the hockey card industry as more than just a hobby. Some people see it as a money making venture. I've learned early that the majority of us will not succeed in making a considerable profit in the long run. I get frustrated by people who see this industry as a way to make a quick buck and then get out.

And they're the ones who want this and want that. Give me a break.

People who sell, can set whatever price they want. People who buy, have the option of either purchasing, passing or proposing a deal. What is so hard with that concept for some people to understand.

I'm not a big fan of seeing cards I want sitting with outlandish price tags on them only because they know that I want it. News flash - I don't need it THAT BADLY. I won't compromise the boundaries I have set for my collecting. That's why I still thoroughly enjoy collecting. I am the one in control of my collection.

I have my expectations - and I don't think they are unrealistic.

ONE SHEET, ONE SET - 2007/08 Upper Deck Ice

This week's set is another that Linden was not a part of. I was given these base cards by someone generous enough to help out with my project.

It's always nice to look at a fresh looking set.

2007/08 Upper Deck Ice

Upon first look, these cards come across as sharp-looking and definitely not low-end. The set consists of 226 cards but only 100 in the 'non-shortprint' collection. I will only be looking at the base cards.

The cards are of a thicker stock and have a gloss to them. The background has an 'ice surface' texture which is really nice while the middle 'marble slab has no texture. The player cutout is slightly raised and really punches out of the card.


The design of the card looks pretty good. It's a simple layout, but I like it. It's a full cutout of the player with no hint of a background at all. I'm on the fence when it comes to this kind of presentation, but in this instance, it works.

For all cards (that I've seen anyways), they use a full body photo. This creates a consistency from one card to another that I think in this set is necessary.

The Upper Deck Logo on top and the 'Ice' logo at the bottom are ok - although I would have preferred some sort of team branding. Maybe something like a faint logo of the team (sort of where the faint 'Ice' logo is now deep in the background in the bottom third of the card. A little team color action would have been nice.

The name font styles are simple and the layout is nice. The team name at the bottom along with the position could have been better laid out. It gets lost in the texture of the card.


The back of the card is one of the more sharp designs I've seen. Crisp, with a touch of the classic card backs. The name font style is consistent with the front of the card, the background is the same as the front (although the ice texture is reversed on the back - a little weird). I really like the player photo in the marble part of the background. And hey, a different photo - bonus points.

The stats....oh the stats. As long as the player has played for less than 5 years, you'll be good - cause that's all you'll get. Bonus point revoked.

Some nice info at the bottom of the card and the obligatory row of logos - why can't they do something about that.

The one other dislike about the back of the card would be that the player is embossed - thus allowing him to 'punch out' on the front side of the card. Ultimately, I would have preferred a completely smooth card back.

Overall, a really nice looking card. Off topic for a second, the parallel version of these /100 are even nicer.

More pros than cons. I guess you can't complain about that.

4 masks out of 5

BOX BREAK - 2003/04 Victory

A trip to the local card shop on the weekend was in order as I needed to pick up some magnetic one-touch card holders for some of my new Linden acquisitions.

I'm not normally known for busting boxes of wax, but this little sale item caught my eye.

2003/04 Victory

It's a low-end release that has some ridiculous parallels that fetch big bucks. I'm still looking for the Linden parallels by the way.

Anyways, let's take a look.


I gotta say, the base card design is really nice and 2003 gave a really good player selection. Young stars like Nash along side the vets like Lemieux. And remember when Dan Cloutier was good? Neither do I. What's not to like.


The inserts are also impressive (which come one in a pack). I really like the Freshmen Flashback cards - great player selection.

But as with many people's pack opening experiences, I was hoping to 'beat the odds'. Sure enough - I did....


That's right! TWO Trevor Linden cards, in one box. Incredible.

Actually, I'm kidding. I was very interested to see what parallel I would be getting as they tend to be about 1 per box. The Bronze parallels are numbered /199, the silver /50 and the gold /25.

Wouldn't you know it....


Granted, it's Geoff Sanderson, but all I need is to find a Sanderson collector and WHAM, I should be able to trade for something nice (or sell and recoup most of my costs for the box).

The box had 36 packs in it with 6 cards per pack. The box was $40. I think that was a good deal. A fun, inexpensive wax break that actually yielded results.

Crazy stuff.

OUTSIDE THE BOX - Harlem Globetrotters Article

There are times when my collecting interests drift from that which is just hockey. I enjoy non-sports memorabilia and autographs and recently have acquired a taste for Harlem Globetrotters stuff.

The odd post from me may be a little 'Outside The Box'...I hope you enjoy.

Last April, I took my 11-year-old niece and 7-year-old nephew to go see the Harlem Globetrotters. The first time I saw them was back when I was 11. The memories of that game were buried back in the brain for quite some time, but after seeing them again this year, they all came flooding back to me.


Curly Neal was by far my favorite player and this card came from the program I bought back in the day. I've kept it all these years and it was the inspiration for a magazine article I wrote for a magazine called 'The Insider's Edge'.

I have asked for permission from the editor of the magazine to post this article on my blog. Thank you again Bruce and the guys at hobbyinsider.net.

For those who have a little 'free-reading time' - enjoy.

THE YEAR IN CARDS - Week 6

Well, this was a pretty exciting week in hockey. Some unlikely heroes, some returns and some great finishes.

Enjoy the cards.