Domo Arigato: Card Collectors World

Want to hang out with fellow collectors and win free cards? Then head over to Card Collectors World Forum and create an account.

I recently entered one of their contests and won a bunch of UFC cards. All I had to do was comment on their 2011 Topps UFC Moment of Truth card review and post my favorite MMA fighter.

Here's a look at my winnings:

Showdown Shots & Heavy Hitters

Ramsey Nijem (#'d 05/88)

Nate Marquardt (#'d 30/88)

And this awesome relic of The California Kid: Urijah Faber:

Thanks CCW for your generosity. The Faber has already been added to my MMA PC.

Have a great weekend and sayonara!

Domo Arigato: Jon @ State of The Hobby

A few weeks ago Jon over at State of The Hobby...I'm Your Average Card Collector held a little giveaway to kick of the new year.

And voila... I won! He graciously sent me two hits:

2011 Bowman "Autograph" #BPA-CS Cody Scarpetta (#199/199)

According to www.scoutingbook.com, he's a big, strong right hander with an effective fastball and a decent curve, but lacks a true third pitch. It looks like the Brewers called him for a day last year, although he is still waiting to make his MLB appearance.

2011 Topps American Pie "Relics" #APR15 Gilbert Gottfried

This is the first 2011 Topps American Pie card... and I couldn't be happier. I'll admit, I've never been a Gottfried fan... in fact his voice & facial expressions drive me nuts. Never heard/seen it?

But... he was definitely a part of my childhood and a piece of American pop culture... so I welcome this relic to my collection with open arms.

Thanks a million Jon for these two generous gifts. Have a wonderful weekend & sayonara!

Set Showcase #18: 2011 Topps "Prime 9 Refractor" Set

What do you get when you cross refractors with redemptions and modern day stars with legends?

Well... if you answered the 2011 Topps Prime 9 Player of the Week Refractors... then pat yourself on the back.

Last summer, Topps inserted special redemption cards into their Series Two Hobby (1:18) & Jumbo (1:5) packs. Each redemption card had a specific week designated on it... and collectors could bring them in to their local HTA store during that week and redeem it for a special refractor card.

Set: 9 Cards

#PNR1 Johnny Bench

#PNR2 Albert Pujols

#PNR3 Jackie Robinson

#PNR4 Derek Jeter

#PNR5 Mike Schmidt

#PNR6 Hank Aaron

#PNR7 Mickey Mantle

#PNR8 Ichiro Suzuki

#PNR9 Sandy Koufax

The program ran nine weeks which means that there are nine cards in the set. As you can see the checklist contains some of the biggest names in the game and no scrubs.

Hall of Famers: 66.6% (6 Players)

With only nine cards in the set, there's no surprise that the Prime 9 players are all big names... including "The Mick". In twenty years, all nine of these guys will be in Cooperstown.

eBay Value: $5 (+ Free Shipping)

These sets will never be rare, since I'm sure Topps sent their HTA stores a nice handful of these to hand out to their customers. Recent completed listings show that people have picked up complete sets for as low as $0.01 (+ $3.75 shipping). However, one seller even managed to sell his set for $9.99 (+ free shipping).

Beckett Value: $25

This is another example of inaccurate pricing in Beckett's price guides. Their complete set pricing ranges from $10 to $25. Based on my research... it should be more like $4 to $10. But I guess Beckett has to play their role in blowing smoke up peoples' butts... and making people feel like they're getting a great deal.

So... if you're not in it for the money... and are looking for some cool refractors... I encourage you to grab one of these sets. You really can't go wrong. For under five bucks (or the price of three hobby packs), I was able to add two players that I PC (Ichiro & Robinson).

If you're looking for specific cards, I encourage you to head over to COMC. Everyone (except for the Mantle) is listed at $0.79 or less, while the Mantle is listed at $1.95.

Okay... time to hear your feedback. I'm sure there are a fair number of collectors out there who wish card companies would end their use of "redemption cards" when it comes to redeeming them for a promised hit in a pack/box. But...

What's your opinion on redemption cards that encourage you to interact with local card shops? Would you rather just have card companies insert the cards into packs?

Personally... I like the "idea" behind the "concept"... however as with anything there are flaws. What happens if you don't have any local card shops in the nearby area? How do you prevent card shops from selling them, instead of handing them out?

Anyways... it's been a long week. I hope all of you enjoy your weekend. Sayonara!

PC Spotlight #15: The Jackie Robinson of Hockey

Fifty-four years ago on January 18th, 1958... Willie O'Ree etched his name in hockey history when he broke the color barrier and became the first black player in NHL history.

I've always been fascinated by sports history... and remember the first time I was introduced to O'Ree. Back in the day, I was at my local card shop busting a box of 1997-98 Pinnacle Beehive, when I pulled this:

Hockey cards had been a part of my collecting addiction for several years... but I had never heard of this O'Ree fella. But, I figured I had something special... because the sepia toned photo hinted towards him being an older player. That's when my buddy who worked at the shop told me he was known as the Jackie Robinson of hockey.

It still surprises me to know that you can pick up certified autographed cards of O'Ree for under five dollars... including this Beehive card... which is an autographed version of his rookie card.

If you're not familiar with this product, they are larger than regular issue cards... and didn't seem to be very popular among the collectors I knew. And like most products from the mid 90's... Pinnacle Beehive eventually showed up at online stores for $10 to $15/box. I decided to bust a ton of this product and eventually built the complete twenty-five card autographed set that includes early autographs of Roberto Luongo & Joe Thornton, along with NHL legends like: Stan Mikita & Maurice "The Rocket" Richard.

The next time I'm down at my parents, I'll try to remember to dig this set up and do a write-up on it. The over-sized cards and on-card autographs truly makes this one of my favorite sets in my collection.

Today's question of the day...

What are some of your favorite autographed sets?

Happy Hump Day! Enjoy the rest of your week... and sayonara!

I Have A Cardboard Dream...

January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968

Whether you lived to see him in action or if you've only heard his story through movies, speeches, or books... if you're an American, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. made an impact on you and your family's lives.

His leadership and hard work during the Civil Rights Movement has made the country I live in a better place for me, my family, and my friends. And for that... I am thankful.

In honor of King, I figured I'd "Pay It Forward" and share with all of you my "Cardboard Dream"...

I have a dream that one day more of our country's youth will discover the entertainment and knowledge found on tiny pieces of cardboard... so that our hobby will bounce back to the popularity it once was... and local card shops and card shows will flourish with fellow collectors.

I have a dream that card manufacturers will come together, make collectors their priority, give up their monopolies, be rid of redemption cards, sticker autographs, & vague memorabilia card COA's (thanks Chris P), and produce high quality products, instead of overproducing garbage.

I have a dream that Beckett, the so called Holy Grail of Cardboard Price Guides, will use the money their subscribers spend on their guides to hire the manpower required to track sales... in order to give collectors more up to date & accurate values... instead of the unrealistic, comical prices they feed us right now. (thanks G_Moses)

I have a dream that collectors will embrace the community and live together in peace... instead of using cardboard as a motivator to rip each other off in hopes of making a quick dollar... Yes that includes you too... Mr. Pack Searcher. Just because it isn't illegal, doesn't make it right.

I have a dream that these pieces of cardboard will continue to bring joy and happiness throughout my life... that it will give me the desire to continue writing this blog... and finally I hope that this hobby will continue to add new friendships and strengthen the camaraderie we have in this community.

This is my hope... and this is the faith that I go back to my stack of cardboard on my office desk with.

What about you?

What is your "Cardboard Dream"?

I hope all of you have a great week and have the opportunity to see your "Cardboard Dreams" come true. Sayonara!