30 Day Baseball Card Challenge

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Friday, September 6, 2013

Set Showcase #30: 1991 Space Shots: Moon & Mars Special Edition

There are so many things in our lives that are truly amazing when you sit back and think about it.  Night vision goggles.  Artificial organs.  The ability to see and talk to someone on the other side of the planet.  The internet.  Seriously... the list could go on and on and on.  Every year inventions and mankind's accomplishments get cooler and crazier.  In fact as time goes on, we often forget about past accomplishments in favor of these newer trends.

 But one event that has stood the test of time is the Apollo missions that sent astronauts into space and walking on the moon.  Insane... right?  At night, you can look up into the sky and say... 40+ years ago 12 men walked on that giant ball in the sky.

 Anyways... it's one of those things that will always leave me in awe.  That's why I'm pretty excited to own this 36 card set produced by Space Shots in 1991.

 Back then everyone was cashing in on the trading card industry... including NASA.  There are at least three different sets produced by Space Shots, but this set is the only one I know of that is completely embossed.  If you're not sure what I'm talking about... remember Action Packed trading cards from the 90's?  These cards are just like those.

 Here's a look at the complete set:

#1 - #9

#10 - #18

#19 - #27

#28 - #36

 Here's a closer look at card #4... Mr. Neil Armstrong:

It's actually a pretty amazing looking set... especially when you consider that it was produced over twenty years ago.

 Each set also included an unnumbered header card and a checklist:


And everything you see above was packaged nicely into this decorative box:


Since it was produced during the Junk Wax Era, you can find these factory sets for under $10 on eBay.  And if you check you local flea markets, you can probably pick them up for a lot less than that.  I grabbed my set for a whopping... one dollar.

Not bad for some cardboard that commemorates an event that will never cease to be amazing.
What are some of mankind's inventions and accomplishments that leave you in awe?

Happy Friday and sayonara!
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14 comments:

  1. JediJeffSeptember 6, 2013 at 7:56 PM

    This is a set I should pick up. My 10 year old inner child must have it.

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    1. FujiSeptember 7, 2013 at 9:54 PM

      I definitely recommend it if you're a fan of the space program or just into beautiful photography. I'm hoping that I stumble across this lady again, because I'll definitely pick up more sets to use as stocking stuffers.

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  2. night owlSeptember 7, 2013 at 9:35 AM

    I'm still amazed by whoever it was that invented the donut.

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  3. Greg ZakwinSeptember 7, 2013 at 1:01 PM

    That Face on Mars card is only mildly creepy.

    And to answer your question, whoever created Kate Upton and Alison Brie.

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  4. DawgbonesSeptember 7, 2013 at 5:24 PM

    In a word, since I've spent the entire day riding them, Motorcycles!!

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    1. FujiSeptember 7, 2013 at 9:56 PM

      Nice. One of these days, I'll get around to learning how to ride one.

      Delete
  5. SpankeeSeptember 7, 2013 at 6:16 PM

    I love the Space Shots sets. I'd have to say X43...though I'm a little biased since that's the kind of stuff I work on.

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    1. FujiSeptember 7, 2013 at 10:00 PM

      Nice. My pops worked on the SR-71 Blackbird. I remember he was always so hush hush about it when I was a kid. To this day, he doesn't say much other than that he played a role.

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  6. petethanSeptember 8, 2013 at 12:32 PM

    Nice to see actual heroes on cards. Considering that they're from the junk wax (and dawning of the steroids) era, it's a nice change of pace.

    The thing that blows my mind about modern technology is the way it has facilitated instant gratification. There are people still living on this planet for whom a trip to Europe was a multi-week journey. Messages traveled only as fast as they could be carried on horseback. People may have had to wait for several days to find baseball cards to add to their collections! The horror!

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    1. FujiSeptember 9, 2013 at 6:46 PM

      I know right. The internet has forever changed the hobby.

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  7. Ana LuSeptember 10, 2013 at 1:34 AM

    That set is beautiful. At the time those cards were the few merchandising one could get of the theme.
    Inventions and accomplishments that leave me in awe? Well...after watching History Channel the other day I have to say the toilet! That is awesome! ;)

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    1. FujiSeptember 10, 2013 at 4:52 AM

      Yes... yes... yes. Can you imagine living without toilets? I can't.

      Delete