Domo Arigato: Classon Ave

A few weeks ago, I wrote about my innaugural SPx project and Classon Ave offered to donate a few of the hockey cards I needed for my set.  On Wednesday, I received his package.

He wasn't able to find the hockey cards, but he sent me a pair of SPx baseball cards:

In addition to those, he donated a trio of Tony Gwynn cards I didn't own:

He also added a pair of cards to my Japanese PC binder:

And a rookie card of my favorite basketball player... the Black Mamba himself:

And a bunch of other cards including some oddballs, teams I collect, and some San Francisco Giants for my students:

Thanks Classon Ave!  This care package is thoughtful, generous, and much appreciated.  Expect something in your mailbox within the next week or so.  Take care and thanks again.

Happy Friday and sayonara!

Cheap Cool Cards #33: 1992 Alrak Griffey Golden Moments

A few weeks ago, I picked up these five credit card/phone card wannabes at the Serramonte Mall Show.

Ken Griffey Jr. has always been one of my favorites, so whenever I find something of his that's cheap and unique, I'll pick it up.  A dealer at the show had a table full of sets priced at $1 each, so I swooped in and grabbed the last one of these.

From what I've seen on the internet, these were produced by a company called Alrak Enterprises for Grand Auto Supply.  According to Beckett, they produced 85,000 sets.  In other words, the supply definitely exceeds the demand.  Oh well... can't complain too much since I only spent a buck.

One look at the card numbering and you'd think that there are five cards in the set.  But after checking Beckett and eBay, I discovered that ten cards were actually produced.  Oh well... can't complain too much since I only spent a buck.

If you're a fan of oddball stuff, they're pretty cool.  But beware.  The cards I purchased are severely discolored and look faded.  Oh well... can't complain too much since I only spent a buck.

And if you tend to steer clear of cards produced without team logos, then these aren't for you.  You won't find any Seattle Mariners emblems on Griffey's hats or jerseys.  But oh well... can't complain too much since I only spent a buck.

In other words, I bought a incomplete set of damaged, wannabe phone/credit cards of a player whose jerseys and hats are logoless.

Oh well... can't complain too much, since I only spent a buck!

Happy Wednesday and sayonara!

Sports Card Trifecta #19: Ray Lewis

Love him or hate him... the Ray Lewis era has reached the end of the road (cue Boyz II Men).  His legacy will be remembered by those who appreciate his talent, effort, and leadership he provided his teammates and fans.

I've been looking forward to showing off my Ray Lewis Sports Card Trifecta ever since he announced his retirement last month and kept waiting for him to play his final game.  I never expected the Ravens to reach the big game.  But honestly... you couldn't write a better ending to his storybook football career.


Memorabilia Card:  2001 SP Game Used "Authentic Fabric" #RL

Rookie Card:  1996 Bowman's Best #164

Autographed Card:  2009 Exquisite "Endorsements" #ERL

Congratulations on your Super Bowl victory Mr. Lewis.  Thank you for providing all of your fans those entertaining pre-game dances and of course the in-game vicious hits.  It was an honor to be able to witness the final game of your NFL career.  Enjoy your retirement, because you've earned it.

Happy Monday and sayonara!

Set Showcase #28: 1998 Collector's Edge Super Bowl Gold Foil Set

It's Super Bowl Sunday and neither of my favorite teams are playing.  But it's the biggest game of the year (at least for me), so I feel obligated to write a special Super Bowl post.

Fifteen years ago, Collector's Edge produced a special set for the Super Bowl card show.  It featured twenty-five of the biggest stars and rookies from 1997.  Collectors who attended the card show could turn in three wrappers at the Collector's Edge booth for a single card pack.

A month later, Collector's Edge created a gold parallel and distributed it through a separate wrapper redemption program.  This time collector's could send in three wrappers for a single card pack or thirty-six wrappers for either the AFC (13 card) or NFC (12 card) set.


Set:  25 Cards

Jamal Anderson, Antowain Smith, Corey Dillon, Emmitt Smith, and Terrell Davis

John Elway, Barry Sanders, Brett Favre, Antonio Freeman, and Marcus Allen

Dan Marino, Cris Carter, Drew Bledsoe, Troy Davis, and Ike Hillard

Adrian Murrell, Tim Brown, Napoleon Kaufman, Jerome Bettis, and Kordell Stewart

Jim Druckenmiller, Jerry Rice, Mike Alstott, Warrick Dunn, and Eddie George

This set is the epitome of 90's insert sets, as it contains several of the attributes that makes these sets so awesome:  gold foil, acetate, and a refractor like appearance.


Hall of Famers:  28% (7 Players)

Emmitt Smith, John Elway, Barry Sanders, Marcus Allen, Dan Marino, Jerry Rice, and newly elected Cris Carter are all enshrined at Canton.  But there's a good chance you'll be seeing a few more players from this checklist entering the HOF in the next few years.


Beckett Value:  $47.75

Beckett doesn't list a completed set value, but the twenty-five inserts combined lists for $47.75.  Elway, Favre, Sanders, and Marino are the highest listed singles at $4 each.  Jim Druckenmiller and Ike Hillard represent the two cheapest singles at 50¢ each.


eBay Value: $12.99

There aren't any current listings for this set, but I found a pair of completed listings for $12.99 (free shipping) from December.  A month earlier, a seller sold the rarer Proof Set for less than $10 delivered.

So if you're a fan of wrapper redemptions, 90's foil inserts, acetate cards, shiny objects, or all of the above... I encourage you to track down this set.

Okay, it's your turn to chime in...

Who is gonna win Super Bowl XLVII?  Who are you rooting for?

I'm a huge fan of Ray Lewis and Ed Reed, so I'll be quietly cheering for them.  It would be nice to see #52 leave the game on top.  But if I were a betting man, I'd place my money on the San Francisco 49ers.  I've watched plenty of their games this season and they look good.  Their defense is second to none and CK is having a Cinderella season.

Happy Super Bowl Sunday and sayonara!

Sometimes I build...

And sometimes I buy.  It just depends on the set and the mood I'm in.  In the case of 2008/09 Topps Murad basketball, I've wanted to add this "throwback" set to my collection since its release.  I researched and discovered that it would take a minimum of four boxes (with perfect collation) to build the 230 card set.  Unfortunately... after four years, hobby boxes still command over $100.

In other words... it's more cost effective to just buy the set.  Less fun... but less work and money too.

So when I discovered my buddy over at Basketball Card Blog (And More) was parting ways with his Murad collection, I quickly inquired about his completed base set.  Guy was more than willing to give me first dibs and we immediately settled on a price that both of us considered to be fair.  

2008/09 Topps T51 Murad #171 Derrick Rose (Standing)

The set includes rookie cards of Derrick Rose, Kevin Love, Russell Westbrook, and Brook Lopez, along with thirty short printed veterans.  Guy also sent me the thirty different checklist cards as a bonus.

He also threw in these jumbo sized cabinet cards:

Three silk cards:

A 2009/10 Certified Imports insert set:

This 2011 Topps Marquee "Monumental Markings" on-card autograph of Brett Anderson:

And best of all, a huge lot of Batman, Star Wars, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics:

Thanks Guy for giving me the opportunity to purchase your set and for the extra goodies.  Best of luck on your 2012 Heritage baseball project.  It sure looks like you're having a blast ripping them packs.

Everyone else, if you collect sets...

Do you usually build them yourself or buy them completed?

If you checked out the number of sets I'm currently building, you might think I'm a set builder.  But when I really think about it... I probably have built less than 20% of the sets in my collection.  Like I said earlier... I guess it just depends on the set and the mood I'm in.

Happy Saturday and sayonara!