Damaged Goods

There is one particular collection of cards that I own that grows larger with each passing year, yet I don't actively seek new additions.  This almost sounds like a riddle, right?

It's not.  It's just my Damaged Card PC.  Damaged cards arrive in a variety of ways.  Today's post covers two of them.

#1:  Purchased Mint, Arrived Damaged

2001 Upper Deck Ultimate Ichiro Base #UB-I2

This Ichiro is the perfect example of this situation.  Back in March, I purchased this card on eBay for $18 (+ $6.68 tax & shipping).

I was pretty excited to add it to my Ichiro PC, because it features a swatch of game-used base from an official MLB game at Safeco Field during his (MLB) rookie season.

Unfortunately... the card was shipped in a PWE and arrived with some heavy creases.  I reached out to the seller, explained the situation, and asked if he'd consider giving me a partial refund (I was willing to pay $10) and let me keep the card.

He replied back with a full refund... and told me to keep the card.  Who says good customer service is dying?

#2:  Cardboard Safe Haven

Damaged cards also arrive in care packages from fellow collectors.  I'm assuming these people are hoping I will provide a warm, loving home for their flawed cardboard.  I'd love to tell all of you that every damaged card sent to me goes into the Damaged Card PC binder, but it doesn't.  The bottom line is lack of space.

That's why it comes down to whether or not these damaged cards make the cut.  Johnny's Trading Spot sent a small stack of these cards and these are the ones who found a new home...

Let's start with the oldest and the one I'd love to hear the story behind:

1967 Topps #350

At first glance, this card looks pretty clean.  However if you were looking at it in front of you, you'd see two staples puncturing this hall of famer.  I wonder why someone would do this.

Regardless... I love it!  Would I buy it?  I actually would... if it was a buck or less.

By the way... I knew that Torre was one helluva manager.  But take a look at those stats on the back.  He had a great career as a player too.

Next up are a trio of vintage mis-cut cards:

1972 Topps #273

Not familiar with Mr. Floyd, but I am familiar with the Atlanta Braves player attached to him.  That's card #299... Mr. Hank Aaron.

1973 Topps #498

I'm not sure who is attached to Mr. Nettles... but he's a pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.  Nettles was part of the 4th Series and there are only two Giants pitchers in that series: Juan Marichal and Sam McDowell.

I was able to figure out the guy under Mr. Segui:

1973 Topps #383

I looked up all of the players with the name Rich and looked for the unique hat in the cartoon on the back.  Was crossing my fingers it was Rich Gossage, but he's in the 2nd Series.  This Rich is Mr. Hinton who pitched winter ball in Latin America... hence the hat.

And rounding out the binder picks is this very miscut card from the 90's:

1996 Topps #223

Holy cow.  This card is so poorly cut that I doubt it was inserted into a pack of cards.  My guess is someone got their hands on an uncut sheet and had some fun with a paper cutter.  This card is awesome!

The last card didn't actually make it into the binder, but it's featured on the cover of it:

1968 Topps #356

This checklist suffers from water damage... with possibly a touch of mold on the back.  I didn't feel comfortable sliding it into a nine pocket page.  However I double bagged this card by putting it into a regular penny sleeve, then inserting it into a vintage penny sleeve going in the opposite direction.

Believe it or not... it's not the only moldy card in my Damaged Card PC.  Maybe one of these days I'll show it off, but this post has gone on long enough.

Kudos to all of the eBay dealers out there who offer great customer service..  and thank you to John for adding a few singles to my Damaged Card PC.  I promise you I'll provide them a warm, loving home.

The rest?  They were tossed into a box of cards that my students will use as samples for next year's civil rights leaders trading card project.

Happy Tuesday and sayonara!