Pie Face Funded: Gypsy Queen Greens

I picked up 3 of the green paper framed parallels I needed from 2011 Gypsy Queen- all big stars.

I only need 4 more:

Carl Crawford
Albert Pujols
Stan Musial
Ozzie Smith

Nothing more to say today- let's all focus on another Razorback victory!!!

The Elation of a Filled Up Sampler Album Sheet: 1965 Topps

I've mentioned my Sampler Album project before in several posts, so I've decided to start tracking the progress here on the blog.  As I complete pages for each year in the album, I'll write about it, and leave a link to the post in the "Sampler Album Project" page at the top of the blog.

Quickly, the Sampler Album project is simply an album that has a page dedicated to each Topps flagship set from 1951 to today.  I can't (and don't want) to try to try to build every set, and I thought this would be a nice efficient way to look over the history of Topps cards over the years.

The fun part of this project is that each page is never really "finished" until I have 9 cards for that page that I'm totally ecstatic about.  I'm sure there will always be a card out there for each year that could warrant a spot in the page over another. 

However, I have to say I'm pretty darn satisfied as it is with my 1965 page:

That card 3-6 run of Robinson, Mays, Koufax and Aaron is very strong and the other cards certainly aren't junk either.  Eventually I'd love to upgrade the Koufax since there is a pin hole in his hat and the corners are pretty worn.  The Aaron is in incredible condition, and has sentimental value as well since it was a gift from a family friend years ago when I first got in the hobby. 

Maybe I'll trade out the Piersall and Fox if I find a couple of other 1965s I like better, but for now, this page is set, and by far the best page in my sampler album.

Big Cards This Week At Cleve's Including A '33 Ruth

I usually go by Cleve's Friday or Saturday each week to pick up cards that I won from the previous auction,  and to see what is on the docket for the upcoming week.  This Tuesday is going to have some pretty primo stuff and I thought I would give you a taste of some of the stuff that comes through these auctions:

This is a view of one of the 4 display cases that are filled with auction items.  This week there are several high end cards from Triple Threads and Topps Sterling as you will notice on the top shelf.  The middle shelf is where it gets interesting.  See if you recognize the heads that are popping up below the Sterling Relic cards in the bottom left corner.    One is a very nice 1958 Mickey Mantle:

 Cleve has quite a few Mantles come through, and one of these days I'm going to nut up and get one.  This one is a beaut and will go for way more than I can afford.  But it won't go for more than this beast:

Yep, that's a 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth, and it is in unreal condition.  The seller has a min bid of $1,500, so it  may not sell, but it's amazing to see one of these in person.  Still, after looking at these on eBay, $1,500 for a card in this condition is a pretty good buy if one could afford it. 

There are a ton of great vintage cards this week (and every week really) including this 1956 Sandy Koufax.

Back to the cards little leaguers like I can afford:

 I put in a decent bid on this Tony Gwynn Sterling relic/auto.  I'm hoping the big spenders blow their budgets on the other stuff and this falls to me.

Here were a couple of other cards I am targeting.  The Pence card is 1/3 and the patch is utterly ridiculous.

As you can see from the top picture, there are tons of other gems this week.  Again, I will be competing via write-in bids, so I don't have much control over how things go.

Big Auction This Week At Cleve's

Does anyone have a few bucks to spare?  Because I'm going to need some help this week paying for all the stuff I'm planning on buying at Cleve's auction.  I'll let the pictures do the rest of the talking:

Several Mantles this week.  I don't know what this dairy card is, but I like it.

Some great vintage!  I didn't get a good shot of it, but there will also be a 1952 Andy Pafko, card #1!

There are some great modern cards too!  Again, I missed taking pics, but there were about 4-5 nice Tom Brady Relic and Rookie Cards.

And a sweet Michael Jordan auto!  Flanked by another Mantle and a Roger Maris auto card.

I realize in looking at these cards, I missed several other key items.  For example, there was a really nice Pete Rose framed autograph jersey, some other great football and basketball cards, and some authenticated autographed photos, one of Joe DiMaggio!

Tuesday night can't come soon enough!

On The 5th Day of Brycemas

My Harper Gave to Me:

5 Gol-den Kiiiiiings:

I hope and think Bryce Harper will do well.  I don’t think he’ll be as good as this guy:

Or Him:

Or Him:

Or Him:

Or Him:

My first vintage Koufax card ever!  Yes, there is a push pin hole at the top of his hat, but I love the 1965 set and this was the best shape of the card I was going to get if I wanted to be able to buy anything else with my Harper funds.  It’s good enough for me.

Cyber Monday- Big Etopps Week!

Etopps continues it’s T206 offering this week, and it’s a big one!  It’s been a long time since they have offered 4 cards at IPO, and the cards this week are outstanding!

 Sandy Koufax

 Buster Posey

Ryan Howard

Walter Johnson is the fourth card, but no image is available yet.

The Koufax and Posey are must buys, regardless of print run, and I’ll wait and see what the prices and print runs are for the Howard and Johnson.    I’m pretty sure I’ll get the Johnson too.

Be sure the order at 1 p.m. est, as these will likely be hard sellouts.

****UPDATE******
Looks like the Posey and Johnson will not be offered this week.