2012 Topps: Observations, Hits, and Tradebait

I know everybody is sick of hearing reviews of the not-quite as new as it was last week 2012 Topps series 1.  I'm going to spare you a review but I do have a couple observations.

One thing I didn't touch on though is the black stripe behind all of the last names on the base cards.  It really makes the cards scan like crap.

I don't feel like I'm swimming in insert cards like I was last year.  There's a good little stack there but there wasn't 4 or 5 in a pack.  The most I ever got was 2 in 1 pack.

No reprint sets.  WOOHOO!

No ToppsTown set.  Double WOOHOO!

Moving right along, I didn't get any crazy mojo hits from my box, which I'm OK with... It's Topps Flagship, not Tribute or Triple Threads. I was fortunate to get this "Celebration" Shortprint of Ryan Braun.  I feel like an idiot.  Since Braun was the first base card everybody saw in the promos for series 1 way back in 1997, you would have thought this card would have made me look twice at it.  I didn't.  I skimmed right on past it and onto the next pack.  I didn't think anymore about it.  Then I was searching Baseballcardpedia.com the next day and looked over the variation list and this one was on it.  

It's still a thrill to pull a Cal Ripken card out of a pack after all these years.  Its the same photo they used for his Marquee base card last year but I don't care.  Its CAL!  I really wish they would have gold stamped the coin like they did the Gold Standard inserts.

Here's my hit.  Its a player I have a slight interest in since I see him play on MASN  when the O's aren't on and he went to UVA.  I'm still a little confused as to why Topps has the disclaimer on the back that says: "The relic contained on this card is not from any specific game, event, or season."  I wish they would do it like the old days when it said: "Congratulations, you've received a card with a piece of Jersey worn by Ryan Zimmerman.  Upper Deck Topps pledges to bring you closer to the game!"

So here's the rest of the inserts that I got if you are inclined to trade for them:

Gold Parallel: 29 Active NL Wins Leaders, 53 Cardinals WS GM 7, 90 Chambers, 91 Active AL HR leaders, 128 Duda, 170 Ellsbury, 231 Fowler, 292 Revere, 308 Leake

1987 Minis: TM-15 Cano, 42 Hamilton, 46 Price, 49 Weaver

Classic Walk-Offs: CW-12 Alex Gonzalez, 13 Podsednik, 14 David Ortiz(2), 15 Jeter

Gold Futures: GF-4 Freeman, 5 Hosmer, 9 Hellickson, 13 Rizzo, 21 Vizcaino, 22 Lavarnway, 24 Goldschmidt

Golden Greats: GG-2 Gehrig, 3 Gehrig, 8 Ryan, 15 Mays, 32 Mantle, 48 Koufax, 61 J. Robinson, 67 Pujols

Golden Moments: GM-3 Jeter, 8 Dawson, 10 Fielder, 15 Braun, 29 Pujols, 32 Maris, 42 Kaline, 46 Pedroia, 48 Aparicio, 49 Shields

Gold Standard: GS-3 Molitor, 8 Banks, 12 Kaline, 10 R. Jackson, 15 Cobb, 20 Jeter, 23 Seaver

Timeless Talents: TT-2 Utley/Ackley, 12 Pettitte/Lee, 16 Dawson/Upton, 19 Musial/Berkman, 23 E. Martinez/D. Ortiz, 24 Maris/Granderson

Trade with Greg of Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle

I'm quickly finding out that trade bait posts are good ways to start up trade talks  with other bloggers.  I've had a few great trades by offering up some nice cards I don't collect and getting something I do collect in return.  I've also read about other blogger's similar successes which brought me to my still forming conclusion.

Greg from the brilliantly named Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle blog liked the Albert Pujols relic card that I posted a little while back and offered to make a trade.

I was happy to get this card and I think it is a pretty even swap.  When I first scanned this card, I thought that I might need to clean the scanner bed before I really took a closer look at the card.  It looked like there were dust particles all over the glass or all over the card.  Upon closer examination, the speckles are actually part of the card design.  Another neat thing I noticed about the card is around the swatch where it says "Authentic Game Jerseys"  like there are 2 or 3 different pieces of fabric embedded in the card!

Thanks go to Greg for the nice and easy card swap!

Card Show Pickups: Discount Shopper

I am not what you consider a cheap person when I go to a card show but I will try to get the most for my money.  I didn't go dime box diving like last time but I was able to get the following cards at steep discounts:

I got this nice looking Ripken insert for a mere dollar.  It looks better in person as it has a rainbowy, refractorish, sheen to it.

All of the cards above were in the 50 cent box.  50 CENTS for Triple Threads, Marquee, and Tribute singles.  Ichiro is a favorite player of mine and I think that Pineda has a bright future.

I know its just a plain jane white swatch but I still like it.  This was one of the early GUs as it came out in 2001, right when GU cards were getting popular in the hobby.

Here's one prospecting card of the show.  When I first saw it I thought that the "S" was the only piece of fabric in the card.  Upon closer inspection, I was surprised to see 3 swatches and even a bit of a dirt stain on the "S".  I love to find jersey cards with dirt or grass stains in them.  I can't wait to see what Nick does in his first year in the minors for the O's this season.

I close out with another trio of Triple Threads O's greats that I picked up out of a quarter box.  I was hoping I'd find a Ripken but somebody probably already pilfered that before I dug through the box.

So, as you can see, there are always deals to be had in the bargain bins.  Next up:  Trade Bait!

Trade with Michael of Nomo's Sushi Platter

This trade really takes me back!  No, Really, I think we completed this trade in September!  Michael from Nomo's Sushi Platter and I have a pretty good trade agreement.  I look for and set aside cards he collects and he does the same for me.  Then, when either of us has enough to make shipping worth it, we send.  I'm really pleased how this works out.  Not many people (night owl notwithstanding) on this side of the country collect Dodgers, and not many people on the west coast are interested in Orioles cards.  This turn out great for the both of us.

I was able to bundle a couple of nice Dodger GUs to trade for this great looking Cal GU card from 07 Ultimate Collection.  The more I look at the card I just appreciate it more and more!

Michael also was kind enough to throw in a few parallels from various sets.  This Melvin Mora hails from 06 Upper Deck   Flair Showcase.  I haven't heard much from Mora since he left Baltimore so I don't even know if he's still playing or not.

This is another parallel from 2000 Pacific.  The red foil makes it a fitting Will Clark card.  When you think red, you think intense.  When you think intense, you think Will "the Thrill" Clark!

Thank You Michael for the awesome cards.  I already have another trade pile in the works for you!

Trade with AJ of The Lost Collector

There is not much to say about this trade that AJ hasnt already said at his blog. But, when I saw this card from the blaster he busted a week or so I knew I had to have it!  I love when Orioles GUs have Orange swatches in them.

Thanks for the quick and easy trade AJ, its a pleasure to trade with you!

Trade with Beardy from The Mojo Beard

A short while back Beardy posted a box break of 2007 UD Masterpieces. One of his featured hits was this Cal Ripken Captured on Canvas GU jersey card. Since he already had one, he made it available for trade. I quickly sent an email, and before I knew it we were talking trade! I sent him a pretty good size stack of some of my extra Orioles inserts, parallels and refractors and in return I got the Ripken GU:

A shiny new Markakis Blue Refractor I didn't have:

And a GU bat card of a Hall of Famer:

I wish that my collection was as vast as his to have doubles like this laying around! Thanks for the great cards Mr. Beardman!

Trade with Jimmy from prophet got it...

After seeing one of my previous posts, Jimmy of the new-ish prophet got it... blog sent me an email showing some of the cards he had for me that were on my wantlist. While he sent me more cards than what I am showing here, these are my favorites...

I'm actively seeking out the team set of refractors from Bowman Chrome. I'm doing it with trades and have picked up a few via CheckOutMyCards.com. The scan isn't showing off the refractory goodness but believe me, it is a refractor! I have a soft spot in my heart for Chris Tillman because of his kindness to me and my fiancee at Orioles FanFest this past January. Chris had a great minor league season this year but mixed results with the big club. Here's to 2011 Chris, Good Luck!

Holy chunk of cardboard Batman! This is probably one of the thickest relic cards I have. I might have to go and buy a pack of the toploaders designed for thick GU'd cards just to house this one! I'd never seen any of the relics from 2008 Topps before. I wonder why they were so thick?

I remember having this card at some point in time but I don't know what happened to it. Nonetheless, I am glad to have it back in my collection!

That's all I have for now. Thanks Jimmy for the trade. I hope we can swap cards again in the near future.

Jimmy also has a contest going on right now that's super easy to enter so get on over and win some free cards! Here's the link: http://phale28.blogspot.com/2010/12/contest-time.html

Card Show pickups #1: Game Used and Autographs!!!

As many collectors that live in the mid Atlantic region know, this past weekend was the Collector's Showcase of America card show in Chantilly, Virginia. I was able to go on Friday the 15th. With my trusty "Wants Binder" in hand and plenty of cash I set out to find some great deals. Here is the first batch of cards from my weekend haul:

I was able to add some new GU's and autographs. I bargained my way to a $20 price tag for the above lot. I think I got a great deal on these cards!

My Favorite out of this group is definitely the Markakis Autograph. The Scan doesn't do it justice as it has a refractory-ish shine to it and I have always liked the Turkey Red design. I picked up the Snyder as an investment piece. I hope next year he can build on his sucess from his September call-up this year. The Ripken GU I thought was just a nice looking card with the American Flag and the retirement logo on it. I have no idea what set it is from. The copyright on the back says 2001, but has no card number or set anywhere on the card!!! If anybody has any clue what this card is, please let me know.