The Elation Of A Filled Up Sampler Album: 1964 Topps

I noted yesterday that I'll miss showing the progress on the 1952 Bowman set when I turn out the lights on Napkin Doon March 4th.  The other bit I'll miss is showing off my Sampler Album progress.  I'd say my Sampler Album has been the most fun and interesting project I've taken up with my card collection.

I filled up my 1964 page a few weeks ago, and it's very lovely in it's completed form:

 

I expect to tinker and change cards with most of my pages over time, but I can see this one pretty much standing pat.  I've got some big names, and some minor names and no repeat of teams.  Except for the Staub, all the cards are in first rate condition.  The Staub is ok, just a little dinged in places. 

Topps Rookie Patch Addition: 1959 Bob Gibson

I added another Rookie Patch to my collection this week:

I guess I'm all in on this set.  I've got 6 of them now and will try to get a couple a month.

I could force out some other words on this card, but I'm doing this on the sly at work, so see ya later.

The Elation of a Filled Up Sampler Album Sheet: 1966 Topps

With my recent acquisitions of a pair of 1966 stars (Stargell and Cepeda), my 1966 page is looking pretty serious now:

Several Hall of Famers here, with some other very good players too.  Certainly I'm pleased with the big names, but I'm pretty proud of the Don Kessinger too.  Not only is it Kessinger's rookie card, it is in pristine condition.  I'm proud to say Kessinger was born in Arkansas, but mortified to say he went to Ole Miss.  Boo.  Kessinger has a lot to be proud of:

• 6 time all star
• 2 Gold Gloves
• Coach of Ole Miss (BOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!) baseball team from 1991 to 1996
• Member of several other Halls of Fame:  Chicago Cubs, Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame (yeah!), Ole Miss Hall of Fame (BOOOOOOO!!!!!)

This one may stay as-is for a while.  I'll look to complete other pages before I start worrying about upgrading some of the names since all are pretty solid.

First Trade With $30 A Week Habit

Sometimes you can just tell when someone is a nice guy.  Robert from $30 A Week Habit is one of those people.   While there are some unstable psychopaths out there, like the Lost Collector, most of the bloggers I deal with are swell fellows.    This is my first trade with Robert, and it was a very efficient effort, knocking off one of my Gypsy Queen insert sets, getting me all but one away from finishing another:

With the Hosmer and Kimbrels, the Future Stars set is done, and with the Gibson, I only need Lou Gerhig to wrap up Hallmark Heroes.

Thanks for the trade Robert, and I hope to deal with you again soon!

Writing It In At Cleve's

My little boy's second season of baseball has gotten underway lately, and practices and games are Tuesday's and Thursdays.  Which mean, unless there is a rain out on a Tuesday, personal appearances at Cleve's auctions will be delayed a few months.  That's no big deal, as I get infinitely more enjoyment out of watching a bunch of 6 year old kids having fun playing baseball.  Besides, I can always write in my bids.  That certainly is not ideal, since you are basically starting the bidding at the highest price you are willing to pay.  When you are there in person, you might be able to get it for less than you set out as a maximum. 

This week I had several write in bids, and came away with 4 wins.  No vintage this week.  In fact, everything I won was 2011/2012 gimmick cards.  But they are very cool gimmick cards:

I'm not sure what the general opinion is on these World Series Pins, but I think they are incredible.  I'm not a big Reggie Jackson fan, but I was very happy to get this card for $6.  Had I been at the auction, I might have got it for less, but oh well.

I'm also a big fan of these di-cut cards from the Topps Diamond Giveaway site.  I am a fan of Bob Gibson too, so I was thrilled to get this for $4.  I was a little surprised to get it at this price, since NW Arkansas is mostly Cardinals country.

I like these fake leather nameplate cards.  I don't think many agree with that sentiment though.  I got the Ozzie for $5 and the Sandberg for $4.    From a cost standpoint, probably not the best bargains around, but still pretty dang good.

Grades:

2012 Topps Reggie Jackson World Series Pin  $6:  A-   I could flip this and double my money now, but I really like this card, so I'll probably keep it.

2011 Di-Cut Bob Gibson $4:  A  These cards are some of my favorites from 2011, and Bob Gibson is the boss.

2011 Leather Nameplate Ozzie Smith #99 $5:  B+  

2011 Leather Nameplate Ryne Sandberg $4: B-  I didn't need this and am ambivalent about Sandberg.  But it's a cool card nonetheless. 

Not sure if any of this is for trade.  The Gibson is not, and the Jackson would take some persuasion, but the Smith and Sandberg probably are.

Cleve's Auction Night: I Have Something You Don't Have..

Once again, work travel blocked me from attending Cleve's auction this past Tuesday.  Once again, I placed several write in bids.  Unlike the last auction, I managed to win a few things this time.  One of wins was something I was shocked to get with a low write in bid considering it's age, uniqueness and what I presume to be scarcity.

Here are the spoils:

First was this 1970 Topps "Supers" Bob Gibson.  I don't know a whole lot about this set.  I've seen plenty of the 1964 Topps Giant Cards around, but hadn't ever heard of the 1970 "Supers Set."  I like this quite a lot though, and may pick a few more since they seem to be pretty affordable.

I put in a $2 bid on this 1978 Topps Dave Concepcion and that was enough to win.  I have no real interest in this other than the fact that I don't have any cards graded by SCG.    The slabs from SCG are very nice, and makes this ho hum card look and feel more expensive. Plus the grade is a 96 which is near perfect.

Finally, I previously had posted about a 1950 Callahan I bought online.  Last week at Cleve's one of the auction items was an original box that had contained a complete set.  I thought it was very interesting, and with my recent discovery of the Callahan cards, I wanted this empty box if I could get it cheap.  I put in a bid for $4 and that was all it took:

I only see a couple of these on eBay right now, and they are selling for way more than $4.  I'm not sure if I want to unfold the box and make it flat for storage in a binder, or leave it as a 3D box (it's not glued and breaks down and re-boxes very easily).  Either way, this an awesome addition to my collection!

Grades:

Bob Gibson Topps Supers:  $3 B+:  It has a crease in the bottom, but it's still a nifty card of a HOF pitcher.

SCG 1978 Dave Concepcion  $2  B+:  A nice card of a multiple All Star that I picked up with couch change.

1950 Callahan Box $4 A+:   A great, historical oddball item that I may not see available again.  Big win for me!