30 Day Baseball Card Challenge

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Wednesday, June 12, 2013

It took awhile, but...


I've finally captured another white whale.  Correction... golden goose.  No wait... I mean Granny Goose.

 After years of searching, I was finally able to track down a 1981 Granny Goose A's team set at a reasonable price:  

Granny Goose is/was a potato chip company based out of Oakland, California and from 1981 to 1983, they produced cards for the Athletics.  The 1981 set is by far the most difficult to find.  According to Beckett and SCD, this set was only issued in bags of their potato chips.  However, I have seen uncut strips floating around the internet.

 On Sunday, a set popped up on one of my saved searches at a BIN price of $8 (free shipping).  I immediately dropped everything and bought the set.  A few hours later, another set popped up, so I grabbed it too.

 Now in order to appreciate this story, I probably should put things into perspective.  I've been tracking down this set for years... and "yes", they do pop up periodically on eBay.  But "no"... they're never cheap.  The Henderson alone books for $100 and is highly sought after by his collectors.

 What about the Dave Revering?  On May 20th, 1981, he was traded to the New York Yankees and rumor has it that Granny Goose pulled his card early in production.  In other words, they're harder to find.  Hopefully, I'll be able to add one of them eventually to my collection.

 And the moral of the story?  Well... for me, I learned that being "patient" pays off.  I've been tempted a few times to pull the trigger and pay the going rate for this set.  Luckily I didn't, because this Granny Goose fell right into my lap.

 Happy Hump Day and sayonara!
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10 comments:

  1. Zippy ZappyJune 12, 2013 at 4:01 PM

    And here I thought Japan was the only place that sold baseball cards with potato chips.

    For me the moral of the story is that Topps (or whoever) should do something similar with Doritos...

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  2. shoeboxlegendsJune 12, 2013 at 4:18 PM

    Nice job, I love it when patience pays off, one of the most rewarding experiences in our hobby.

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  3. night owlJune 12, 2013 at 5:40 PM

    I've often wished that there were Dodgers in the Granny Goose sets so I could say "I have a Granny Goose card."

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  4. The Lost CollectorJune 12, 2013 at 6:40 PM

    Wow. They don't come much cooler than these cards.

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  5. gcrlJune 12, 2013 at 6:55 PM

    I've got the two davey Lopes granny goose cards from 82 and 83, and that pleases me.

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  6. AnonymousJune 12, 2013 at 10:10 PM

    That Rickey card is also one of my 'white whales'. I remember seeing it in a beckett checklist years ago and thinking 'i have to have this card, if only for the name...granny goose!'

    congrats on a great new piece to add to your collection.

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  7. arpsmithJune 12, 2013 at 10:17 PM

    Dang, great pick ups. That Henderson is one of my white whales as well. I recently scored my other Rickey White whale - the last Permagraphics credit card-like card of his. I am going to have to save this search to see if I can get as lucky as you.

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    Replies
    1. FujiJune 14, 2013 at 5:34 AM

      I love those early 80's Permagraphics cards. Best of luck on catching your goose.

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  8. Greg ZakwinJune 13, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    congrats! a simple design....I like it.

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    Replies
    1. FujiJune 14, 2013 at 5:31 AM

      Love the card fronts... just wish they spent more time designing the backs.

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