Cheap Cool Cards #28: 1976 Topps #564 Kurt Bevacqua Bubble Gum Champ

Vintage cards rule. There's just something awesome about the way they feel in your hands. They even have a certain smell to them that brings back memories of my childhood. And in terms of appearance... old school designs trump modern day designs every day of the week.

One of the coolest vintage cards in my PC is the 1976 Topps Kurt Bevacqua Bubble Gum Champ card. It features the photo of Kurt blowing a humungous bubble on the front and on the back there is the 1975 Bazooka bubble gum blowing tournament bracket.

If you're interested in reading about the competition and the story behind the card... click here. Personally, I've wanted to own this card since I first saw it back in the early 80's. Three decades later, I've finally added it to my collection.

I picked it up off of COMC for 75¢ a few months ago. They routinely sell on eBay in the area of 50¢ to $2, which shows that they're affordable... but at the same time are still in high demand.

Personally... I associate this card with the 1990 Score #697 Black & White Bo Jackson. They're both cards that every collector should have in their collection.

Today's question of the day:

What's a cheap (under $5), cool card you feel every collector should add to their collection?

1 point - Leave your response below.

3 points - Post your response on your blog and leave a link below, so others can enjoy what you wrote.

It took me almost an hour, but I tallied up the contest totals right before I published this post. If you're interested in seeing where you stand, click here.

I'll accept responses for this post until Monday at 3pm (PST). I look forward to reading your responses.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and sayonara!

Contest Standings Week #1

Thank you to everyone who helped plug & pimp the contest. So far forty-four collectors have joined in the fun and I'm sure we'll have a few more jump in from time to time.

My philosophy is... the more the merrier.

Here's a look at the current standings...

Six people share the lead with nine points. But the contest is young and there are still plenty more points to be earned. Stay tuned for the next contest question in the next 30 minutes or so.

Have a great Saturday & sayonara!

Flea Market Finds #19: Sets, Bum Fights DVD, & a Bobblehead

I'm starting to rethink my life as a flea market vendor. The past three times I've gone out, I've made just over $100... and increased my odds of having skin cancer by 500%. I'm just not sure it's the life for me. But there are some advantages:

A. I get to hang out with another human being who finds pieces of cardboard with photos of athletes interesting too.

B. I get to walk around and shop.

On Sunday, I took advantage of both.

I even made a trade with my buddy that landed me this box full of cards that included stars, rookies, inserts, and even a few vintage cards. It'll be a fun side project to go through this and pull cards for my vintage and 90's insert binders. The rest I'll add to my flea market boxes, give to my summer school students, or maybe even create a prize package for my contest.

Now onto my purchases. I ended up making only $10.50 from my sales, but that didn't stop me from spending $37 on stuff for me. Here's a breakdown of my purchases:

Purchase #1: X-Files Trading Card Collection $30

Here's an example of a guy purchasing something he doesn't need... and personally doesn't even want. However, it seemed like it was too good of a deal to pass up. The collection includes the following:

1995 Topps X-Files Season One Set (72 cards)

1995 Topps X-Files S1 Etched Foil Insert Set (6 cards)

1995 Topps X-Files S1 Finest Chromium Insert Set (4 cards)

1995 Topps X-Files S1 Promo Cards #0, P2, & P6

1996 Topps X-Files Season Two Set (72 cards)

1996 Topps X-Files S2 Etched Foil Insert Set (6 cards)

1996 Topps X-Files S2 3-D Hologram Insert Set (4 cards)

1996 Topps X-Files Season Three Set (72 cards)

1996 Topps X-Files S3 Etched Foil Insert Set (6 cards)

1996 Topps X-Files S3 Finest Chromium Insert Set (2 cards)

1996 Topps X-Files S3 Hologram Insert Set (2 cards)

1996 Topps X-Files S3 Promo #P1

1997 Intrepid X-Files Contact Set (90 cards)

1997 Intrepid X-Files Contact Alien Visitations Foil Insert Set (9 cards)

1997 Intrepid X-Files Contact Colony Acetate Insert Set (3 cards)

1997 Topps X-Files Showcase Set (72 cards)

1997 Topps X-Files Showcase X-Effect Insert Set (6 cards)

1997 Topps X-Files Showcase Laser Insert Set (6 cards)

1997 Topps X-Files Showcase Promo #P1

1998 Topps X-Files Movie Set (72 cards)

1998 Topps X-Files Movie Mystery Insert Set (6 cards)

1998 Topps X-Files Movie Autographs (4 cards)

1998 Topps X-Files Movie Promo #P1

2001 Inkworks X-Files S4/S5 I Want to Believe Insert Set (3 cards)

2001 Inkworks X-Files Season 6 & 7 Set (90 cards)

2001 Inkworks X-Files S6/S7 The Truth Revealed Insert Set (3 cards)

2001 Inkworks X-Files S6/S7 Promos #P1 & P2

2002 Inkworks X-Files Season 8 Set (90 cards)

2001 Inkworks X-Files S8 Believe to Under Insert Set (3 cards)

A quick look on eBay shows that I should be able to get my money just from the binders alone.

If not, most of the sets and inserts sell for $5 to $10 a piece, which will help cover the four autographs I'm keeping for myself.

Purchase #2: Dick Williams Bobblehead $5

Dick Williams managed both of my favorite teams: the Oakland A's & the San Diego Padres. And he managed to lead both clubs to the World Series. So for $5, I figured this bobblehead was too good of a deal to pass up.

Purchase #3: Bumfights #3 DVD $1

I originally picked up this DVD, because it's unique and I had never seen it before. And after reading about the history behind it, I now know why. According to Wikipedia, this video (along with the other Bumfights videos) has been banned in several countries and on eBay due to its content. Not exactly sure what I'll do with it, but it'll probably end up next to my Faces of Death VHS tape. In other words, inside of a box buried in my garage, so my nieces and nephews can never find it.

Purchase #4: 1980 Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Playing Cards $1

I hate the Dallas Cowboys... but c'mon, who doesn't love cheerleaders?

Okay, now that my contest has officially started. Click here if you need to review the details. Let's start earning some points.

Do you ever go to flea markets in search of collectibles? If so, what are some of your favorite flea market purchases?

1 point - Leave your response below.

3 points - Post your response on your blog and leave a link below, so others can enjoy what you wrote.

Extra Points - I'm a teacher, so don't be surprised if I give extra credit points to people who put extra effort into their posts.

Deadline - Responses for contest points on this post will be accepted until I publish my next blog post (which will probably be Saturday morning).

Best of luck and I look forward to reading your responses.

In the meantime... here are three of my favorite flea market finds:

1972 World Series Program $25

The Road Warrior 10 Figure Set $20

Game Used/Practice Used Al Iafrate Autographed Stick $1

Happy Thursday and sayonara!

Y'all want this CONTEST started... right?

It's the third week of June, which means two things:

1. The regular school year is officially over and I'm starting to teach summer school.

2. It's time for my 3rd annual The Chronicles of Fuji contest.

First off... let's take a look contest description:

As with my other annual contests, this contest will run for approximately 6 to 7 weeks. During that time, participants will be asked to answer questions, leave comments, and participate in mini contests. Every time you do, you will receive points. For every 5 points you accumulate, your name will be entered once into random.org to receive one of the prize packages (see below). In other words, the more you participate, the better your odds are.

The top 3 point earners will automatically win one of the prize packages. All prize packages will be assigned randomly using random.org. However, there will be a period of time for collectors who want to trade their prizes at the end of the contest.

There are two key changes from last year. 5 points = 1 entry. This doesn't take anything away from the contest, but it will save me a lot of time when entering names into random.org.

If you're worried about entries, trust me there will be plenty of points to go around. Last year, added 524 names into the website. I figure this change will simplify things.

The other major change is the addition of a Blog Bat Around component. What's that, you ask?

Well... essentially, I'll be offering bonus points on specific posts if you're willing to share your responses on your blog. I'm a huge fan of blogger interaction... and this is a way for my blog to interact with yours.

Next... let's check out the rules:

1. There will be at least 10 prize packages. I'd like to spread the wealth, so I'm going to set a limit of one prize per household.

2. To qualify you must be a follower of this blog.

3. CCW members are welcome to join, but you must submit your answers & responses directly on my blog. I don't log into CCW on a regular basis, so answers left on CCW posts will not be counted.

4. Please be aware that there are expiration dates for your contest entries. Typically, I allow people to add comments, responses, or answers until the next post. However for certain posts, I make exceptions.

5. I reserve the right to add additional rules or make amendments if any problems occur. I don't remember having problems in the past, but I'll put this in just in case.

Now... here's a peek at some of the prizes:

Prize Package A: Kellogg's Lenticular 15 Card Lot

If you follow my blog... then by now you should know that I'm a huge fan of food issues... especially Kellogg's cereal cards. Here's a small starter lot for someone who shares an interest.

Prize Package B: 2012 Wax Eye Cereal Killers Series 1 Sticker Set

While we're on the subject of cereal, we might as well get this prize package out of the way. I recently busted several boxes of this stuff and was able to build several sets. The winner will receive the full 55 sticker set. If you're not familiar with this product, check out my review. If you weren't a fan before, you might be now.

Prize Package C: 1983 Donruss HOF Heroes Set

Last month, I busted a box of this product and was able to build 5 sets. The winner will receive one complete 44 card set w/ a wrapper. If you'd like to see which hall of famers are in the set, check out my review. I scanned every card and the checklist.

Prize Package D: Graded Football Card Lot

Three football players, three different grading companies, and three different grades. What more do you want? I mean, who can't use a PSA 9 rookie card of one of the biggest draft busts in the history of the game? LOL... let's see if anyone is willing to trade for this prize package.

Prize Package E: Japanese Kitty Cat Cards, Promos, & Baseball Card Lot

This is another prize package you probably won't understand unless you're a reader of the blog. But the key to this prize are the two unopened packs of kitty cards. Go ahead... click here and see for yourself. They're weird... but the post was surprisingly popular. The winner will also receive two promo cards for Robert Fitts' book, an Ichiro "wannabe" rookie card, and a memorabilia card of Kazuo Matsui.

As usual, I'll start the contest off by showing you the first five prizes. Over time, I'll throw in more prize packages. I guarantee there will be a minimum of 10 prize packages handed out at the end of the contest.

Last, but not least, here a chance for you to start earning some points:

1 Point: Follow my blog & comment below.

6 Points: Follow my blog, plug my contest on your blog, & leave a link to your plug below.

I'll accept your contest entries for this post and any contest plugs until this Friday at 9:00pm (PST). Thanks for participating and I hope all of you enjoy this year's contest. Let the games begin!

Happy Monday & sayonara!

Banzai Babe Ruth Promo Winners!

I apologize in advance for the delay... but I wasn't around the computer until about 4:30 this afternoon. Why, you ask? Well... I was selling, buying, and even trading cards and crap at the San Lorenzo Flea Market. But I'll save those details for tomorrow's post and get to the winners of the promo card sets featuring Banzai Babe Ruth & Wally Yonamine.

Fourteen collectors participated (11 on my blog & 3 from CCW). If you're wondering why I allowed members from CCW to participate, it's because all of my blog posts are published on their site & I forgot to write a disclaimer telling them to enter on my blog itself.

I used random.org and randomized the list 5 times & here are the results:

I have a few of these promo pairs to hand out, so the top 3 people on the list are the official winners. Josh D, jacobmrley, and A2 Wolverine... please email me your mailing address and I'll ship these out ASAP.

Thanks again to everyone who participated. I will be handing out one more pair as part of a promo card package in my upcoming summer contest, so stay tuned.

Have a great week and sayonara!