A Few Set Need Pickups From The National

The National wasn't all autographs.  I also knocked out a few set needs from two of the vintage sets I have been slowly working on.  I've been chipping away at the 1955 Bowman and 1962 Topps sets.  I didn't get any 1964 or 1967 Topps while I was there, mainly because it was so hard to get into any of the tables.

Still, I added around 10 cards, each to the 1955 Bowman and 1962 Topps sets.

I didn't add any huge stars to the sets, but there were a bunch of Yankees in thr 1962 pile like the above Elston Howard, a Bobby Richardson, a Whitey Ford in action, etc.

I have updated my needs list, so they are finally accurate, for now.

2023 National Pickups - Vintage Set Needs

Back with a post regarding the National, I only pucked up a handful of cards for set building purposes.  I just recently srarted building the 1962 and 1964 Topps sets.  The 1962 set is farther along than the 1964.  Both sets will take me some time to complete, but it gave me something else to look for at tge show.  I picked up three 1964 Topps, imcluding the above Jim Perry. 

I picked up 23 1962 Topps, including Jim Bunning, Ken Boyer, Vern Law, Reds and Red Sox team cards.

My set needs lists have all been updated (finally).  So, now when I go to shows, I cam bring the lists up on my phone and search away.  I still keep my notebook for set needs as well, but I will probably get away from that sometime soon. It's nice to have the needs on the cloud, because I tend to forget to bring the notebook, but I always have my phone on me.

2019 National Pickups - Unsigned Set Needs

I have neglected my sets that I have been working on for quite some time.  While I was at the National, and when I wasn't waiting in line to get stuff signed, I did try to knock a few things off of my lists.

I picked up 18 1955 Bowmans for that set.  The biggest card was the above Gil Hodges for $10.00.  I also upgraded my Ralph Kiner.

I really have left the 1967 set hanging, so I made sure to cross some numbers off of the list.  I picked up 13 1967s, so I made a small ding in the armor there.

Finally, I only picked up two high number 1972s.  I was going to look for more, but by the time I got around to it on Sunday, I had one $100 bill left, and I didn't want to break it.  Oh well.

I probably won't add much to the sets until next year's National, but you never know.  I might get an itch this offseason and pick up some more and cross some more numbers off.

My needs lists are all updated, in case anyone was wondering.

Awesome Mail From Carson

I haven't gotten mail from him in a long time, but that doesn't mean much.  I talk to my good friend, Carson, pretty much every day.  Recently, I had some really cool Topps custom cards made for him, which he seemed to really enjoy.

Carson messaged me a few months ago and asked me if I had Jose Canseco on a ball.  I didn't, since I had gotten him on some baseball cards when he was a free signer at the National.  Carson said that his dad (Tim, who I also have dealt with quite a lot) was going to see Jose, and would hook me up with a baseball.

The ball came out great.  Carson didn't want anything in return for the ball, which really made my day.  He has always been good to me.  I've always tried to help him out with his collection, as well.

Recently, Carson told me he was working on the 1972 Topps set, so I had him send me a needs list, since I had a bunch of extras from my box that I got from Conrad.  He, too, had some extras, so we made a swap.  He sent me 24 cards that I needed, and I sent him a stack (I forgot the count).  I was really nice being able to help each other work on the same set.

Finally, Carson tossed this signed 2013 Perfect Game Sean Reid-Foley auto in the box.

Thanks so much for the package, Carson!  Moreover, thank you for your friendship!

2018 National Pickup - 1955 Bowman Ernie Banks

I believe this is my last post regarding the 2018 National.  I succeeded this year where I have failed in all of the past years.  I got everything posted that I had set aside to post.

I decided to start the 1955 Bowman set so that I would have plenty of cards to look for while at the show.  With my 1969 Topps set winding down, I figured it would be good to go ahead and get rolling on 1955 Bowman and 1972 Topps.  With those two, I also have 1967 Topps and 1995 Topps going.  I plan on wiping out the last few 1995 Topps the next time I sit down to make a Sportlots purchase.

The 1955 Bowman set will be fun.  I have most of the big names already taken care of.  The umpires will be tricky, but that will be a large part of the challenge.

Here's to hoping I can get this one done soon, and not break the bank.

PA Comes Through With Some Set Needs

I was cropping this scan of a 1995 Topps Nomar that my friend, P. A. gave me and my first thought was "Why is that not signed?"  Then I remembered, I do more things with cards than just get them signed.  The last set I need to complete between 1973 and 2017 Topps is 1995.  I have been working on it sporadically for a long time.  When I was in Texas, I met up with P. A., and he hooked me up with a stack of cards that almost completes my set.

My goal, now, is to go on Sportlots and complete the thing, so I can get it out of my closet... into another closet where I keep my sets.

Thanks so much for the cards, P. A.  Even better was meeting up with him and catching up after all these years!

Christmas Gift From Nate - 1969 Topps Set Needs

My buddy, Nate, sent me a few 1969 cards for my set over the course of a couple weeks.  Apparently, he ordered a few and had them all shipped to me directly.  They were some pretty notable cards, starting with the above Denny McLain.

He also picked up two of the World Series Highlights cards and the Charlie Smith card on the right.

Nate has done more this year in helping me with this set than I have.  I really haven't done a whole lot, and I really want to close it out sometime soon and concentrate on other sets.  I just haven't had the time to sit down and search for some of the missing cards.  Maybe at the 2018 National.  Who knows.

Thank you so much for the cards, Nate!  I appreciate it, and they are about to be filed away into my set box.

2013 Topps Emerald Stack From Ryan

I was surprised to get a package in the mail from my good friend, Ryan.  I counted 50 cards for my set, which really helps make a dent!  I want to finish this thing out one day, and I believe that I can.  I was able to be patient and finish the Brooks Robinson letter patch set, so I know anything is possible in cards.  Except for rainbows.  Rainbows are impossible.

Thank you so much for the huge stack of cards, Ryan!  I really appreciate it!

The Green Camaro Rides Again

I got a one-card care package from my friend, Jeff, who goes by the name @green68camaro on Instagram.  He had found this 2013 Topps emerald parallel that I needed for my set.  I haven't forgotten the set, I just haven't done a whole lot with it lately.  I still have a log way to go on it, but I'll hit it on sportlots sometime soon and chip away.

Thank you so much for the card, Jeff, I really appreciate it!

1969 Topps Pickups From Sportlots

I knocked 8 more 1969 Topps cards off of my wishlist during my recent buying spree on Sportlots.  I have slowed down on this set, only because I have been busy working on other things in my collection.  I want to finish this set up sometime soon, but haven't been too motivated.  I only grabbed a couple 1969s while at the National.  Once I get these eight cards posted, my wishlist will be up to date.  This is the biggest reason why I went ahead and posted them today.

Tommy John was the biggest name in the group of cards that I got.  The rest were just random guys that I needed.

I'm hoping to get back to some National posts soon.  I still have so much from there that I have yet to show.  I hope it hasn't been too much!

Set Pickups - 2015 Stadium Club

I added a few more 2015 Stadium Club to my set recently with a Sportlots pickup and a nice care package from blog reader, Mark M.

Mark knocked four of the cards off of the list while I added ten from Sportlots.  I have been on Sportlots for probably 10 years (or very close to it) and have enjoyed using it as a tool to help complete sets.  I picked up the Stadium Club cards last week when I was working to complete the 1994 Topps set.

I also appreciate Mark helping me with this set.  He also was very nice to help with the 1994 set.

Set Complete - 1994 Topps

My last mailer from Sportlots came in today, from an order I put in last week.  I was filing away cards that I had gotten from two different packages and realized that I was missing one more card than I had on my wishlist (the above card number 777).  I also learned that card number 379 did not exist (and that there were two card 370s).  So, I picked up the remainder of what I needed and can finally mark this set off of my list.

I now need to sort what I have of 1995 Topps so I can get moving on that set.  Once it is complete, I will have an entire run of Topps sets from 1973 to 2016.  Add in 1951 Red Back, 1955, 1959, 1970 and 1971 Topps, and I am doing really well with my set building.  I also picked up a few 1969s in the Sportlots order, so keep an eye on the wishlist for an update soon.

1994 Topps From PA and Mark M.

I got two care packages in recently that almost wiped out what I needed from my 1994 Topps set needs.  My friend, P. A., and blog reader Mark M., both attacked my needs list at the same time and sent me care packages.  I really appreciated both Mark and P. A. thinking of me.  I plan on hitting up Sportlots soon to wipe out what is left on the needs list, and also finish up some other outlying sets.

I also have a box of 1995 Topps that needs to be sorted so I can finally get to work on that set.  That project is going to happen very soon, I promise.  I really want to get these 90s sets done so I can fully focus on finishing 1969, and making a dent in 1967.

Thanks Mark and P. A. for taking a look at the needs lists and going out of your way to help me out.  It definitely doesn't go unnoticed, even though it might take me a while to get around to posting.

Set Pickups From The National

I didn't have a lot of time for box searching at the National like I had hoped, but I did get a few cards to help with some sets I have been working on.  I was disappointed that no sellers seemed to have any 2015 Stadium Club cards, but I knocked out 5 1969 Topps cards for the set, all big names.  The above Frank Robinson was actually on my Top Ten Wishlist, so I was able to cross a card off of that as well.

The other guys I got were Red Schoendienst, Ron Santo, Gaylord Perry and Jim Kaat.  We also walked into the show with Frank Robinson on Friday.  That was really cool.

I also knocked off all of the 2015 Topps Chrome cards that I needed, except for four short prints.  I need to get those from Ebay, I guess.  I nabbed 28 cards that I needed.  I wish I had been able to finish the whole set, but oh well, I'm really close.  I'll probably hit Sportlots and Ebay to finish Chrome and Stadium Club.

Set Needs Care Package From Mark

I got a care package in the mail the other day from blog reader, Mark M. who had a few 1969 Topps and 2015 Stadium Club for my sets.  Mark had commented on one of my Stadium Club posts recently, and was able to help me knock a few cards out of each want list.

Mark sent along 10 1969 Topps that I needed.  The cards were in decent enough shape for me to be able to cross them off of the list, just in time for the National.  I doubt I will pursue completing this set while at the show.  Completing the 1959 set last year was an expensive endeavor.  I may grab a few, though, enough to make a dent, I think.

Mark sent me three 2015 Stadium Club cards to cross off.  I do intend to finish this at the show.  I really want to put it behind me and move on to a more recent set.  I am excited to complete this one, since it is in an album.  I already enjoy flipping through it and looking at all of the photography.

Thank you so much for the cards, Mark!

More Stadium Club For The Set

I was out of town the last couple of days doing some training for work.  While I was heading out of town from the corporate office, I stopped by AAA Collectibles in Matthews, NC.  I used to go there a lot before I moved away from Charlotte, but since then, I have only been back a couple times.  The lady who co-owns the shop remembered me right away, which was nice.

I picked up a few things while I was there.  I got 19 cards for my Stadium Club set, which really helps me out.  That gives me less to look for next week at the National.  It's funny, some of the cards I needed were Orioles.  I have the above Chris Davis, but I got it for my PC before I decided to complete the set.

I'm not too far away from finishing the set now, which is nice.  I'll be glad to finish it up and put the album on the shelf.

Instagram Trade With Billy

I completed a trade recently with a guy named Billy.  He is a rare case of a younger person who is into building older Topps sets.  So, I sent him two team bags of 1984 and 1986 Topps in exchange for a few 1994 Topps that he had for my set.

I have since put together a stack of 1987 Topps that Billy needed for that set.  He is waiting to find a few things that he can send me for them, but I think I almost have that set knocked out for him.  It was nice clearing out some room in that box.  I really want to complete this 1994 set soon so it isn't hanging over me this summer.  I will then work on the 1995 set.

Thank you so much for the trade, Billy!

Thoughts on 2016 Topps

Well, football season is over and the NFL got what they wanted via tons of terrible calls and sent Peyton Manning off into the sunset with another ring and his 200th win.  Good for him.  I feel bad for my sister who is a huge Panther fan.  I'm no football expert, but it did appear that there were a lot of missed calls that could have benefited the Panthers, and several calls against them that were questionable.  Better luck next year, I guess.

What all of this means, and with the receipt of my three jumbo boxes of 2016 Topps Series One, baseball is right around the corner!  With that, I spent the majority of today by sorting through the cards and building my set.

This year's design is probably one of Topps' best yet.  From what I am hearing from a lot of my trading partners, lots of folks are really happy with the changes that were made.  Gone it the standard white border seen on so many Topps offerings over the years.  There are a ton of great photography shots this year, as has been customary in the recent past.

I did ok with my hits from my boxes.  I feel like I will be able to move all of them very quickly, which is something I haven't been able to say about hits from some of the past boxes I have bought.

I also did pretty well with my own PC needs.  As you can see at the start of this post, Chris Davis was in Series 1.  He also shows up in the AL Home Run Leaders and RBI Leaders cards.  I have plenty of parallels to pursue as the year moves along.

I finally was able to pull an actual PC parallel in one of my boxes, with the above Davis gold parallel.  It is numbered 969/2016.  I like how the color parallels are very subtle this year.  I think it is a nice way to do them.  They're subtle, but you can still tell what is a parallel and what isn't.

Another cool parallel that I was happy to see return is the Topps retro parallel.  With the Topps retro logo and an old-school card stock, these are pretty nice cards.  I pulled this Sonny Gray numbered 81/99.  Another cool parallel not shown on this post was the black and white negative parallel.  This aren't numbered, but are seeded one in every 22 jumbo packs.  I pulled two of them (Curtis Granderson and Dee Gordon) and already have one sold.  The only drawback from the black and white parallel, is that they look too similar to a printing plate and I'm sure there will be some initial confusion when folks pull them.

Finally, I didn't feel bogged down by a ton of inserts.  There are several insert sets, but I won't be pursuing them.  I did pull two of these Ripken/Murray Back to Back inserts, so there are two new additions to those PCs.  Not bad.

Overall, I was really happy with this year's Series 1.  While I didn't have any super pulls, this one was solid, and being able to move almost everything quickly helps me out.  I will be able to move the rest at next weekend's card show.  Come on out to see me if you can make it!

1969 Topps Set Pickups From The Antique Shop

When I wasn't buying high-value vintage cards or stuff for friends at the Columbia antique shop, I was knocking cards off of my 1969 Topps set wishlist.

I picked up 41 cards that I needed for the set.  After this trip, I need 178 cards to complete the set.  I couldn't believe that I still needed this Brooks Robinson for the set.  I thought I had added it a while ago.

There were a bunch of stars that I picked up,  This Don Drysdale was a nice pickup.  It is far from mint, but it is still a nice addition.  This is actually Drysdale's last Topps card, as he would retire due to chronically sore shoulder during the 1969 season.

This Bob Gibson is nice, but will probably be upgraded at some point.  I didn't notice that it had a big crease near the bottom right corner.  I know not to expect my vintage sets to be mint, so I may ot even upgrade it at all.

I picked up several of the All Star cards that I was missing.  I added this Brooks (again, I thought I had an extra of this from my PC), Willie McCovey, the below Ron Santo and a Bob Gibson.

So, I made a nice dent in the 1969 set.  I am happy with what I spent, and I hope to keep chipping away at this set this year.  It would be really nice to close it out BEFORE the National, that way I can pick up other stuff, but I don't know.  Events are piling up already for me this year, and budgeting is going to be tough.

Ebay Pickup - 1969 Topps Rollie Fingers Rookie Card

With the little bit of Christmas money that I had left over following my purchase of the three Hall of Fame balls that I added, I was able to knock a key piece off of my 1969 set.

This Rollie Fingers rookie card was one of the higher profile cards that I needed.  To be honest, I had no idea that Fingers's rookie card was in this set, until I looked at a checklist to see what big name cards remained.

I was able to knock it out for $9.95 shipped on Ebay, which is a steal, I think.  I have seen these go for around $25 or so, so I made sure to not let this deal pass me by.

The 1969 set is a goal of mine for this year.  I have been working on it long enough, and it is time to close it out.  Here's to hoping I can meet that goal this year.