PC Spotlight #23: Another Form Of Cardboard

I'm a hoarder.  Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a little.  But at the very least... I'm a collector.

It started with Star Wars action figures in the 70's.  Baseball cards came along in the 80's.  CD's, VHS movies, vinyl records, and a variety of other sports memorabilia in the 90's.  Then in the early 2000's... my collecting days hit a wall.  I wanted to buy a place and become more responsible with my money, so I sold a bunch of stuff I collected over the years and only kept a handful of items.

A decade later, I'm back in the game.  But hopefully this time around, I'll be smarter about what I collect.

The days of busting boxes of cards and racking up credit card debt are long over and a big portion of my collectibles are based on discounted purchases.

However... one problem continues to haunt me.  Lack of storage space.

A few weeks ago, I decided to clean out my garage to consolidate my possessions, dump unwanted trash, and create more room to store things.  While digging through boxes, I came across a small stack of postcards:

I picked up the Bench a few months ago off of an internet dealer I've used for a few years now.  I have no way of knowing if the autograph is legit, but I've never had reason to think he'd sell me a fake autograph.  If any of you guys know your Bench signatures, feel free to comment below.

I'm not quite sure where I acquired this Koufax, but it looks like it's from the 60's.  There were a few other postcards of Dodgers in the stack, but this one was easily my favorite.

The last one I want to show off had been missing, but I thankfully found it.  Now it can hang out with the other Jackie Robinson pieces of cardboard in my collection.

Back in 2000, the United States Postal Service issued a sheet of stamps that featured a bunch of baseball legends, including the Jackie Robinson shown above.

Well... that's all folks.  As of right now, I probably have 10 to 15 sports postcards in all.  One of these days I'll create a binder dedicated to them and who knows... maybe I'll transition from sports cards to postcards.

Happy Friday and sayonara!

PC Spotlight #22: Topps Magazine Collection

Issue #1

Did you collect baseball cards in the early 90's?  Do you enjoy reading articles relating to baseball cards?  Are you a fan of oddball cards, like the ones you find in magazines?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then you might want to track down a few issues of Topps Magazine.  Each magazine contained articles on sports and trading cards, interviews, product reviews, and much, much more.  As a bonus, each issue had free trading cards and posters.

The magazine was published four times a year for four years straight (1990 to 1993).  Jose Canseco was featured on the inaugural issue back in the Winter of 1990.

Issues #2, #3, and #4

I remember owning a few of the issues back in the 90's, but over the years they were recycled.  Fast forward to a few years ago... and I started seeing these pop up here and there at the flea market.

That's when I decided to go out and track down all sixteen issues.

Issues #5, #6, and #7

I was able to pick up most of the early issues without any problem... especially issue #6 with Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla.  It seems like every other week, I'll come across that particular issue at the flea market.

Issues #8 and #9

Issue #10 AL and NL Covers

While putting the collection together, I also discovered that Topps released two covers for their 10th issue.  I found the Frank Thomas cover first, but the HoJo cover eluded me for almost a year.

Issues #11, #12, and #13

Issues #14, #15, and #16

In 1993, Topps decided to include oversized rookie cards of Dennis Eckersley, Dave Winfield, George Brett, and Nolan Ryan.  These are some of the coolest oversized, oddball issues around.  I'm actually trying to track down extra copies of these issues, so I can rip them out and display them.

Sadly that year also marked the end of Topps Magazine.  It's crazy to think that these magazines are already twenty years old.  Like most of the cards produced during that era... Topps Magazine will never pay for anyone's college tuition.

But if you're looking for some cheap, cool cards and excellent bathroom literature, than I highly suggest you grab yourself an issue or two.

Happy Sunday and sayonara!

PC Spotlight #21: The Surfer Project

Summer ended a few weeks ago, but here in California it's still hot and sunny.  So I figured... let's ride out this heat wave together with pieces of cardboards featuring surfers with boards.

But before I do, it's important that I start this on the correct note:  I'm a poser!  

I have never ridden a surfboard in my life.  But... I spent most of my childhood summers in Hawaii surrounded by cousins who surfed.

I'm not sure if it was "lack of skill" or "fear", but I always ended going boogie boarding or body surfing with the younger cousins.  Unfortunately neither of those sports are as glamorous as surfing.  Which probably explains why I was so fascinated by the sport in my youth... even though I never tried it.

How fascinated you ask?  Well... one of the first magazines I ever subscribed to was Surfer. 

And one of my favorite movies was North Shore, which featured legendary surfers: Gerry Lopez, Mark Occhilupo, Derek Ho, Mark Foo, Laird Hamilton, and Corky Carroll.  I remember seeing the Haleiwa Rainbow Bridge in the movie and thinking... that's right down the street from Matsumoto's Shave Ice.  

It sounds silly... but it was cool to see places I hung out at in scenes from the movie.

Anyways... that's why I was stoked to see Upper Deck include autographs of surfers in their 2009 and 2011 Goodwin Champions sets.  Over the past three years, I've slowly been picking them up here and there.  And two weeks ago, I was finally able to obtain the Tom Curren autograph that had alluded me for so long.  It cost me more than the seven other autographs combined, but I can finally say the Surfer Project is complete.

Or is it?  I just discovered that Upper Deck added three more surfers to the 2012 autograph set.  Damn them!

Whatevahz, here's what I have so far...

2009 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions #CC Corky Carroll

2009 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions #LH Laird Hamilton

2009 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions #LO Gerry Lopez

2009 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions #PA Mike Parsons

 

2009 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions #TC Tom Curren

2011 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions #BE Layne Beachley

2011 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions #CJ C. J. Hobgood

2011 Upper Deck Goodwin Champions #DH Damien Hobgood

In addition to my Goodwin Champions autographs, I also picked up this 2009 Sportkings autograph of 11x ASP World Champion Kelly Slater:

I know he's one of the surfers who signed for the 2012 set, so if anyone out there has his autograph and is interested in trading it... please contact me.

Until then... let's hear your thoughts:

How do you feel about UD including autographs of bull riders, hacky sackers, runners, motocross racers, and poker players in their Goodwin Champions set?  Love it, hate it, or somewhere in between?

Aloha and have a great week!

PC Spotlight #20: Manon Rheaume Collection

Every now and then a historical event takes place that sends shockwaves into our hobby.

Twenty years ago on September 23rd, 1992... that caliber of an event took place.

It was on this date that Manon Rheaume became the first and only woman to ever play in an NHL game for the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In an exhibition game against the St. Louis Blues, Rheaume played one period facing nine shots and allowing only two goals... one against future hall of famer: Brendan Shanahan.

Anyways... if you collected cardboard back in 1992, then you know the impact she had on hockey cards and one card company in particular:  Classic Games, Inc.  She became an overnight sensation.

Twenty years later, her trading cards have cooled off a little.  But her autographs still command a decent dime.

Here's my cardboard collection of Manon Rheaume:

2008/09 Upper Deck Masterpieces Brushstrokes

1992 Classic Four Sport

1993 Classic Acetate

1995 Assets Gold

1992 Classic

1993 Classic Pro Prospects

1993 Classic Four Sport

I picked up the Masterpieces autograph last year for under $10 on eBay.  The acetate card is a sweet looking insert that I found sitting in one of my rookie card boxes from the 90's.

But the rest of the cards have been dime card purchases from card shows over the past few years.  In fact, the last three cards were picked up this weekend at the Serramonte Mall Show.  I'll have a recap of my show purchases tomorrow.

Until then... 

Who are some of your favorite female athletes?

Happy Anniversary Manon!  And the rest of you... have a happy Sunday and sayonara!

PC Spotlight #19: LeBron James Advertising Sheet

Congratulations to the Miami Heat on their 2nd NBA Championship in franchise history. More specifically... congratulations to King James and his loyal followers on his first NBA Title. There's no doubt in my mind there will be more to come.

The past few years, I just haven't been into the NBA as much as in the past. I even tried to make the huge jump from being a Los Angeles Lakers fan to a Golden State Warriors fan this past season to shake things up. And although I truly enjoyed attending Warriors games this season, I just had no interest in watching any of the NBA Playoffs.

In fact, the only thing I wanted... was for someone... anyone (even the Boston Celtics) to beat the Heat. Call it "sour grapes", but I'm just not a fan of King James anymore. Like others... The Decision debacle made me realize he wasn't the type of player I wanted to support.

Oh well... someone has to win and it was only a matter of time before the best player in the game became a champion. So to honor LeBron, I figured I'd show off one of the very few PC items I have of The King:

It's an advertising sheet from a magazine from a few years back. I can't remember which magazine it came from, but if I had to guess, I'd say Dime Magazine. The sheet is perforated, so you can turn it into four postcards featuring The LeBrons: Business LeBron, Athlete LeBron, Wise LeBron, and Kid LeBron.

The entire sheet measures 7.5" x 10.5", but the post cards are your standard 3.5" x 5" and are printed on glossy card stock. Kudos to Nike and their creative marketing strategies.

Okay... since we already have the A's Predictions part of the contest. I'm going to make today's contest entry short and simple.

How many NBA Titles will LeBron James have at the end of his career?

1 point - Leave a response below... the simpler... the better.

I'll accept responses for this post until Sunday at 3pm (PST) and should have a Week 2 update as soon as I get the results from the A's/Giants game.

Have a great weekend and sayonara!