Monthly Wrap - March
Note: Ben’s Additions are on the left, Matt’s are on the right!
Exciting Addition
Y’all have already seen this card, but it easily made the list as my first Ichiro 1/1 - how is that not exciting!! 2006 Topps Turkey Red Black Printing Plate. I love the additional detail put into this card with the frame, the one of one sticker and the full housing of the plate in card stock. Plus the throwback design mirror the old T3 cabinet cards perfectly.
Finding a card with this unique of a game-used piece is always extremely gratifying! I recently purchased the Blackhawks version and was fortunate enough to find that someone was selling the next year’s copy for a very fair price. We worked out a trade plus cash to help me add this. This makes two adidas logos in the Fleury collection!
Long Awaited Addition
Now this one took a long time for me: 1995 Pinnacle artist’s proof ‘test’ rainbow foil. These were not actually what went into packs with that great looking rainbow foil finish, but MAN that would have been awesome. I first saw one of these in the rare 90’s inserts Facebook group and really wanted to own one and be a part of the cool kids club '(lol). Walker’s a solid HOFer I remember enjoying watching when I was a kid, and when his version popped up for a steep discount compared to other HOF guys I had to pull the trigger.
The phrase “long awaited” can mean many years, or many months in this case. As many of you know, when a new product comes out, the rarer cards tend to get hit in breaks within the first week or two, then make it to eBay shortly after. In the last two years of Metal Universe, this is the FIRST Green PMG of Marc-Andre I’ve seen! I am so thankful the person who pulled this card was willing to let it go so an amazing price. It sits proudly in my display case now!
Captivating Addition
I think the picture of this card speaks for itself: 2002 Bowman Chrome Refractor /500. This one where the refraction works so well with this picture of Ichiro on the base path during a day game. I like that this card design went full sharp edges and lines and kept it simple. Surprisingly I also like this photo because it is different, you can see how focused but seemingly calm as a runner.
This category is perfect for cards that scream beauty when you look at them! The use of the pink color with the sparkling foil, combined with the retro background color scheme make this a card I can’t stop looking it. Just look how well it photographed!! What also makes this one extremely fun is how rare it is. They fall 1:120 retail blaster packs and it’s a 100 card set…let’s just say there aren’t a ton of them in existence!
‘Overpaid but stoked’ Addition
Where do I start here - firstly I’ve had this as a saved search since this product was released last May. Now, of course I took a break during work to roll through my searches real quick, nothing for this card was there, and wouldn’t you know 5 minutes later Matt texted me the listing and sure enough there it was - listed right after I’d looked. Nice having friends in the hobby keeping eyes out for you! This card has everything for me so I made sure I had a nuclear bid in place as the auction closed. Estimated print run of 7 or 8, beautiful design with the cityscape in the background on this variation, refraction, good photography, ode to a well know vintage set I love. It’s basically the perfect card that encapsulates everything I love about baseball, it’s history and the hobby.
Deciding to collect a modern player who has Young Guns + parallels is not always a wise choice when it comes to the wallet…thankfully Joel Blomqvist isn’t super expensive compared to the variety of skaters you’ll find in Series 1, 2, and Extended. While getting a Red Outburst Young Guns for the price I paid may seem cheap for most rookies, paying that much for a side PC card is not something I’m typically comfortable with. I’m really glad I did for this one though and I look forward to following his career from here on out! Go Pens!
‘Cheap but fun’ Addition
Now this is just a cool looking card, and every fourth of July I see folks posting very red/white/blue patriotic cards and I remembered this subset from 195 Topps. This was the Cyber Stats parallel, but you could only get this version with the flag in the background in complete sets. Given I paid exactly $1 for this card and it’s something I can post or look at when I’m feeling patriotic, absolutely a fun cheap pickup that’s worth it.
Not only does this card have a top notch picture of Marc-Andre, but it also comes with the rarity factor (1:240 packs). I’m always thankful that Billy adds a goalie set each flagship release, which allowed Fleury to make it into this set. If anyone in the league is known for making flashy & sometimes unorthodox saves, it’s The Flower!
Month in Review
Ben: This was probably one of the more focused months of collecting I’ve had since I got back into cards in 2018. Almost every card I picked up this month is on this list. I got to pick up a copy of hobby innovation history with the test foil, a 1 of 1 and a card I’d desperately wanted since the product had been released. It really doesn’t get much better than that, which means the new alignment Matt and I had planned for this year really is paying off for me. Yes, I have fewer mail days, but each one is greeted with maximum joy and anticipation. At the same time I do have to be honest that almost ‘making sure’ I snag something cheap and fun every month, if only for this blog post - is a great reminder that not every card has to be some ‘big deal’ - it can also just be something fun that looks cool.
Matt: Similar to Ben, this month had the fewest Maildays in years! We’ve both set the goal of not venturing outside of major wants and it’s helped each card feel very significant lately! I love that I was able to add a second Adidas neckline logo patch, and just as excited to see Ben add a card that we both thought he’d have to wait ages for! Remember everyone: If you are just as excited for your friends pickups, then you will likely have a long and fulfilling journey in this hobby! With the release of E-X 2000, SP Game Used, and 23-24 Premier, you’re likely to see an appearance from each in the upcoming Monthly Review. Until then, remember to collect in a way that brings you everlasting Joy!
