https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog daily 0.75 2025-08-02 https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/ghmo344v7xf281i4hn0zom08aaav2z-tt4kj-3bpsw-zpxaa-er9mr monthly 0.5 2025-08-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/2217c9ea-bc48-420a-ba68-ab4bd3623100/IMG_0257.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - July - Make it stand out 2022 Topps Lando Norris memorabilia /1999 This has become the exciting addition this month, not because it was something I was looking for but my wife and I pulled this from a box I got to try to sell her on the hobby since she’s become a big F1 fan. These are only about 2 per case from this product, and have a long checklist and wouldn’t you know with beginner’s luck she pulled her favorite driver! An awesome moment we got to share that I think has pushed her into collecting. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/2fb7ea15-70ec-4781-9a47-1cf6bf75ec59/Century+Legends+Auto+Gold+104.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - July - 1998 SPX Finite Home Run Hysteria Alex Rodriguez /62 1999 Upper Deck Century Legends Epic Signatures Gold /100 Alex Rodriguez So many times when I was first collection A-Rod from 2016-2020, I had chances at this card but never really went after it. I was so focused on the inserts that this one was sent by the wayside. It was the ONE autograph that I found myself thinking about more than any other auto of Alex. The design is simple, yet elegant. The photo has the sunglasses which everyone knows I dig. The auto is also big and bold! What else can you hope for when it comes to an autographed card? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/4af9b712-061d-4d4e-8dc5-7a56373a3436/IMG_0259.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - July 1998 Fleer Ultra Diamond Producers This card is long awaited because I’ve continued to put it off. Of course as I waited the price continued to climb so then I had to hold out for a copy that was both still raw and didn’t have any major defects that would bug me. This one has some edge wear, but that allowed me to get it for circa 2017 pricing so I’m happy to have a copy. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/e9f4bc8c-d922-4f08-a6e9-61d89a738c0c/Extended+High+Gloss109.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - July - Make it stand out 2024-25 Upper Deck Extended High Gloss Marc-Andre Fleury /10 While this is a 2024-25 card, imagine knowing that your guy’s final active High Gloss parallel isn’t going to come out until the Summer time while starting in September. There was a lot of waiting involved before this card made it into the market…but man am I glad I was able to find a copy a week into the release! I still don’t have the 2023-24 High Gloss so this one is extra sweet! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/113d40f9-d163-43c7-9e3c-f0a6ea4b6ac4/IMG_0260.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - July 2004 Upper Deck SP Game Used Patch MVP /25 This to me is the height of Upper Deck’s powers when it came to patches. This is an incredible product with very meticulous design elements. I love this photo of Ichiro, and the patch is fantastic. As a bonus it’s always cool to have the 1/x when it’s a card this nice. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/a82bb5c4-d343-4339-a6ed-e63da1ec1874/Stat+Line+1996108.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - July - 2001 Donruss Season Stat Line 1998 Alex Rodriguez /42 2000 Topps Chrome Allegiance Alex Rodriguez /100 Few cards can match the shine of 1999 and 2000 Topps Chrome. When I had the chance to add this highly desirable insert, I jumped at it. It may have been a bit more expensive than I was prepared for, but eventually the price will match what I paid. Side note: If you plan on breaking a card out of a new PSA case like I had to for this, make sure you have every tool you need…it’s a journey! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/102cec60-f0e0-4439-9461-0cb5512b64b7/IMG_0258.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - July - Make it stand out 2002 Upper Deck Game-Used Base Ichiro I’m not actually sure that I overpaid for this one - they just aren’t that rare, you’ll see this card on eBay pretty frequently. What makes it special is I was able to look at it in person while hanging out with Matt in SoCal at a shop and Matt stumbled upon this one in a box. It is a really clean copy, and when you take a closer look the photos chosen for this card are everything early Ichiro: throwing in the field, Mariners logo hat, Juliette sunglasses. It’s perfect and presented on a nice clean white minimal design. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/d768b2a2-4c6b-4d2a-bdcd-78ce81cca748/UD+Game+Patch105.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - July - Make it stand out 2000 Upper Deck Game Jersey Patch SSP Alex Rodriguez When it comes to patch cards, everyone tends to be a fan…but do they know where they started? Right here on this card. Coming in at a whopping 1:2500 packs, these monsters were the first patch cards to be created! I was very fortunate that Kevin from the 90’s group was willing to let this thing go. As a lifelong Mariners fan, these colors will forever be etched into my memory. This right here is a perfect card! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/4a894941-d006-4bb2-b697-268eb2f0fd49/IMG_0256.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - July - Make it stand out 1954 Topps Joe Black I love the images of Joe here, and most folks don’t even know who he was - the 1952 NL MVP as a pitcher for the Dodgers. An incredible feat and I love the 1954 design. I’ll add this to the PC for $10 10/10 times. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/9534ad76-9f70-45ce-8ddd-626d9d55f61d/Aurora+Kings+of+the+Major+Leagues074.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - July - 1999 Aurora Kings of the Major Leagues Alex Rodriguez 1995 Select Artist’s Proof “Rookie” Alex Rodriguez The SHINE from the 1995 Select Artist’s Proofs was unmatched in 1995! Not only that, this was once one of A-Rod’s most desirable cards in 1996, the year he should have won the AL MVP. Everyone was after his cards and this parallel used to sell between $120 & $150! I got this for $30 shipped in a PSA case I cracked. I own something that was a big piece of Alex’s hobby history is very special, especially because the picture and card look so spectacular! https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/ghmo344v7xf281i4hn0zom08aaav2z-tt4kj-3bpsw monthly 0.5 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/47c2a259-9ca2-4636-8fa5-476e6c5d933f/IMG_0167.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - May - Make it stand out 2024 Topps Pristine Seven Wonders Mookie Betts /70 I’ve wanted one of these since I first saw this insert in the new pristine re-release. Part of me wishes they’d not done any parallels of this, and just kept it to 70 total copies. Alas, they did add a red /5 and a 1/1, but still that means there are only 76 copies of this artwork. And that scarcity and uniqueness makes this card super fun in addition to it’s theme and artwork. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/20cff3de-e016-4783-845a-b2950944ad9d/a6f8a553-1c2d-4d8e-bccd-42a1d090b8ff.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - May - 1998 SPX Finite Home Run Hysteria Alex Rodriguez /62 2023-24 EX-2000 Hall or Nothing Gold Speckled /25 When was the last time you completed a trade for a higher end card? I’ll wait….it’s probably been a while and that’s because we often would rather just get the cash for a card we are selling. Thankfully Eric from Center Ice Cardcast was willing to trade this to me for a Fleury Clear Cut Exclusives. It was a smooth trade and one that set the precedent for future trades with collectors! It’s extra special because Flower will most certainly be in the Hockey Hall of Fame during his initial year of eligibility! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/4b5e4927-8045-4f77-acae-9b69339dc8de/IMG_0170.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - May 2022-23 SP Game Used Juuse Sauros supreme patch /15 Long awaited first PC Hockey card! I had to go big and one of the things I’m so jealous of with Upper Deck and hockey is the amazing patches you can get without paying an arm and a leg, and you know they’re game used. AAANND the designs are always really interesting. The second I got this card in hand, I immediately wanted to get another cool patch. Juuse is my guy for the PC, so if you come across some killer cards of him, LMK! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/ab044b7b-5af0-46d8-beaa-68735594319d/d5da78e0-c8dd-4b55-8807-e342e95c278e.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - May - Make it stand out 1999 UD Choice Prime Choice Reserve /100 While I had stepped away from collecting A-Rod for quite some time (since 2020), this was a card that remined close to my heart. Now that I work for the amazing company that produced these, I wanted so badly to purchase a copy again. Think about how tough these are despite having 100 copies printed…they were released in a product made for kids, likely got thrown away to people not looking for the parallels, and came from a cheap product. I’m sure UD didn’t consider how collectible these would become but here we are. So happy to have this back in the collection! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/003a78d2-a9c9-4074-9467-5459a23d3385/IMG_0169.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - May 2022 Panini Cornerstones Blue Steel Mookie Betts A gift made the list! Matt was kind enough to send me some Mookie case hit SSP cards, I’ve had them displayed on my desk for the last 2 weeks and this one is the first that catches my eyes every time. It’s got a crazy shine, cool color match and that raised foil font for the team and name that makes it look expensive. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/19c629be-7df5-4fcf-a07b-9caa6b7cc554/6d10edd6-acd9-4a1e-bff0-5a741dce5787.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - May - Make it stand out 2000 Topps Chrome Allegiance Alex Rodriguez /100 Few cards can match the shine of 1999 and 2000 Topps Chrome. When I had the chance to add this highly desirable insert, I jumped at it. It may have been a bit more expensive than I was prepared for, but eventually the price will match what I paid. Side note: If you plan on breaking a card out of a new PSA case like I had to for this, make sure you have every tool you need…it’s a journey! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/7888882e-2743-474e-9e24-b2d4ccd3ed51/IMG_0166.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - May - Make it stand out 1997 Pinnacle Clout Manny Ramirez artist’s proof So I did a BIN on this card because I’ve always thought the 1997 Pinnacle artist’s proofs were gorgeous and this subset has become really sought after (especially the Griffey). My brother in law is a big fan of Manny and his Boston days, so this might end up being gifted as part of the ‘hobby pay-it-forward good karma’ we all like to participate in. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/5733ebdd-c669-4698-af99-02cc85aee667/069bd68d-d756-481b-a3c7-fe6558e3abe9.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - May - Make it stand out 2024-25 SP Game Used Websites /15 Marc-Andre Fleury Like last month, one of the most unique game-used cards falls into the #1 spot here because it was very expensive…however, we have never put a game-used twine from a goalie glove in a card before, but my teammate Billy Celio had the vision for it and here we are. I am so happy to own a piece of Flower’s glove, albeit from his Pens days. The best part is the black puck marks on the webbing chunk in this card! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/7a3c8f6c-7437-4a2f-b0bc-d12369b7d64d/IMG_0168.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - May - Make it stand out 2008 Upper Deck Game Jersey Albert Pujols I will always love this design, and this is a true throwback to the first every game jersey cards from 1997. I just ran across this one and if Pujols were around in 97, he definitely would have made it onto that checklist. I’ve thought a number of times about going after the full 2008 checklist to put in a binder - should I? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/b3e46173-dc3a-4fcc-ad10-043f5dac76c1/f3125e6a-e662-404f-a26c-de602a4351b0.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - May 1995 Select Artist’s Proof “Rookie” Alex Rodriguez The SHINE from the 1995 Select Artist’s Proofs was unmatched in 1995! Not only that, this was once one of A-Rod’s most desirable cards in 1996, the year he should have won the AL MVP. Everyone was after his cards and this parallel used to sell between $120 & $150! I got this for $30 shipped in a PSA case I cracked. I own something that was a big piece of Alex’s hobby history is very special, especially because the picture and card look so spectacular! https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/ghmo344v7xf281i4hn0zom08aaav2z-tt4kj monthly 0.5 2025-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/df5cf5db-fef8-46cb-8043-6f61398806cd/IMG_0139.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - April - Make it stand out 2004 SP Game Used edition Tony Gwynn HOF numbers patch /19. This is one of the best patch designs Upper Deck ever did in the 2000s. The patch and middle of the card is die-cut and ‘lifted’ around the background by like ¼ of an inch, it’s incredible in hand and I’m happy to own a copy from this set. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/f067c1da-f685-4bd6-9f56-0ab4628cddb9/Fleury+GOld+Speckled.JPG Blog - Monthly Wrap - April - Make it stand out 2023-24 EX-2000 Hall or Nothing Gold Speckled /25 When was the last time you completed a trade for a higher end card? I’ll wait….it’s probably been a while and that’s because we often would rather just get the cash for a card we are selling. Thankfully Eric from Center Ice Cardcast was willing to trade this to me for a Fleury Clear Cut Exclusives. It was a smooth trade and one that set the precedent for future trades with collectors! It’s extra special because Flower will most certainly be in the Hockey Hall of Fame during his initial year of eligibility! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/476d76ff-ed1d-4d34-8784-b29c73bbfa24/IMG_0135.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - April 2004 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Career Best Patch /25 Long awaited in this case means the right opportunity. I knew I wanted a Pujols patch card for the collection and I wanted it to have a great design and be a Cardinals early years card. I’ve been keeping an eye out for a while and this one came up on auction: the perfect opportunity. The black and red look great, the spectrum foil pops and the patch is perfectly angular for the card design. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/7f241dad-01b0-4555-a22e-201a723c6430/IMG_8239.JPG Blog - Monthly Wrap - April - Make it stand out 2023-24 Upper Deck Credentials Purple /10 While this product hasn’t even been out a year, this product/card holds a deep meaning for me. That’s because I got to case check this product on the day I was interviewed. Not only that but the Fleury picture is just plain awesome in that retro setup! The purple is the second rarest parallel, and I’d lost two prior to winning this one! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/3427f617-cf5b-4a7e-88a4-f82eb07d69bc/IMG_0138.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - April 2000 Stadium Club Beam Team /500 This is one of the most intricate die cut inserts ever! And with the refactor to boot this card looks like it should be waaaay more expensive than it is. Great design for Bonds too with the black background mixing so well with the orange accents. A stunning and display worth piece! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/f2c3d743-57c4-460e-b10b-5560b1bc9ff2/IMG_8238.JPG Blog - Monthly Wrap - April - Make it stand out 2024-25 Panini Court Kings Rose Gold SSP There aren’t many Panini sets that get me excited now that I see the abilities of our design team! Court Kings is one of the few sets that still combines artistic elements with spectrum foil…and it’s a perfect combination here! Shai is a player I latched onto this winter/spring as I got settled into living in San Diego. Action shots are always preferred, and he’s known for making acrobatic layups & shots throughout every game. This card depict his game so well and just looks plain amazing! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/c99e0235-31ec-4f97-a235-72a3f7b8f84d/IMG_0137.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - April - Make it stand out 1997 Pinnacle Totally Certified Platinum Gold /30. Ok this card is pretty well known! Now, I’ve owned the red, the blue and came across a Boggs gold back in 2019 but it was the unnumbered proof version (considered much rarer, but it doesn’t match my blue and red!). So when this one came up I has happy to place a nuke bid to make sure I could update my run. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/e0399e94-7119-450c-bf6f-179acae64798/IMG_8175.JPG Blog - Monthly Wrap - April - Make it stand out 2023-24 Upper Deck Premier Neckline /3 Lately I’ve been trying very hard NOT to purchase cards over $25 or so…collecting Marc-Andre is an expensive endeavor and I’m nearing the time to move on from at least half of the collection. However, the neckline mem parallels of the Premiere base set are ALWAYS something to get excited about! I was able to purchase this from a person who was in a group break and the price was actually better than the other two I purchased! I love seeing the size of his jersey on this piece…it’s so unique! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/7ed8873e-2bce-4487-bc2c-005d6d589205/IMG_0136.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - April - Make it stand out Leaf Vivid Gold Vinyl 1/1 Who doesn’t like a gold vinyl! The most well known 1/1 look in modern cards, and I was able to pick this Ichiro up for $10 total. It’s one of those Leaf vivid ‘pre-production’ 1 of 1s, which are a dime a dozen every year but this card with the gold and cool 80s style coloring (and photo hiding the lack of licensing) looks so cool for that price! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/ffdb5114-36c8-46bf-bd67-bed75375d870/IMG_8242.JPG Blog - Monthly Wrap - April - Make it stand out 1996-97 Upper Deck Ice Acetate Parallel 1:40 Packs No matter how much 90’s knowledge I feel that I’ve amassed, I still find cards I didn’t know about. I was looking up our first ever Ice product, and noticed that Thibault had a few different cards in the set, including this parallel. It actually came with a film over the top, which I of course peeled off. I do love how clear and beautiful both photos are of JT, and even better, it was less than $10! Talking to Doug who joins our podcast regularly, he mentioned the Bure is a $60-80 card. That certainly helped me appreciate the desirability of this parallel! https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/baseball-season-is-here-yearly-flashbacks monthly 0.5 2025-04-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/e74e8ba0-cf65-4442-895e-63254d049044/4cb865cc-dc67-4161-9ae7-f4ae973a6dbc.jpg Blog - Baseball Season is Here - Yearly Flashbacks! - Make it stand out 1996 Metal Universe Ken Griffey Jr. Base Card I still remember finding this card at the card shop in the mall. 1996 Metal Universe made me fall in love with baseball cards, and nothing can replicate the feeling I had when I saw this card for the first time! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/0fe3764f-b435-4ea6-913c-06f0af698ec0/c051d8b1-659b-4451-9e20-aeab49c67c3c.jpg Blog - Baseball Season is Here - Yearly Flashbacks! - Make it stand out 2000 Invincible Wild Vinyl Alex Rodriguez Serial #d 7/10 *Special Thanks to Mike Cramer! My relationship with Pacific’s Mike Cramer is still something I can’t fathom when I look back to coming back into the hobby in 2016. Not only did we get to interview him, but I got the special chance to meet him in person. Afterwards he sent this near ghost-like insert of A-Rod! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/2f64fd52-df26-42c3-b423-a37c2088cbf6/78bd3963-e8ba-4f13-94c3-a1a7072ab64b.jpg Blog - Baseball Season is Here - Yearly Flashbacks! - Make it stand out 2024 Topps Chrome Black Depth of Darkness Julio Rodriguez These Super Short print parallels changed the game for me as a future set builder. Taking a typical base card and paralleling it out to 180 point card with many layers/intricates to it’s design is wild! Ben and I have talked about how unique these are, and it’s a card that I truly love, not only for the player on front, but for the innovation! https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/why-do-i-own-so-many-cards monthly 0.5 2025-04-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/1744476422103-LKGY0QP4EN2JA064AETM/491008709_1862374297934966_6034793140119171882_n.jpg Blog - Why do I own so Many Cards? - Make it stand out This is everything I am keeping + what is in the display cases! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/1744476421968-804RK1HDHYMRI8ISQXOZ/482766065_1012529097039739_4853863504111154557_n.jpg Blog - Why do I own so Many Cards? - Make it stand out This is everything I am willing to let go! https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/the-pleasure-trap-guest-blog monthly 0.5 2025-04-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/c3d2b2d7-de9d-4454-a5e7-51a43d963090/cfe09283-8df3-4768-85e3-b33356672fae.jpg Blog - The Pleasure Trap (Guest Blog) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/63a0aff7-5a8e-40fb-8ba6-4d5b52917551/e3bc7f82-401c-4db9-810b-7298f7dd5b35.jpg Blog - The Pleasure Trap (Guest Blog) - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/defining-my-checkboxes-helps-land-a-new-favorite-card monthly 0.5 2025-04-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/ff530a9a-5f55-4a0b-815c-f4b6371607c1/IMG_0060.jpeg Blog - Defining my ‘checkboxes’ helps land a new favorite card - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/9275b667-3f2f-4e04-8071-ff94db6da91b/IMG_0068.jpeg Blog - Defining my ‘checkboxes’ helps land a new favorite card - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/ghmo344v7xf281i4hn0zom08aaav2z monthly 0.5 2025-04-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/b73a56b6-ec02-4b99-b7c4-b752a1739112/plate+front.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - March - Make it stand out 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/85a489fe-b32a-44d0-9013-645b9d795c46/486677126_3528119077492574_9036602722903645597_n.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - March - Make it stand out 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! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/c8562970-3e3e-4be6-9311-ce64fbf4ac0b/IMG_0066.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - March 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/0ca292c7-171f-4a29-9cb7-331e6a9fbd97/486765883_672929701949841_543593049332672848_n.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - March - Make it stand out 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! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/44533bd0-4cbe-45aa-9e22-43f44a97733f/IMG_0065.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - March 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/34163833-b2b9-4e59-9a98-a0af4feb5885/486259629_669846749311815_778685727103042116_n.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - March - Make it stand out 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! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/c1d7f4b7-d81b-4b61-ab40-3c08a1a748cc/IMG_0060.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - March - Make it stand out 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/343cced5-d289-4aba-98f4-d37793ac00d8/485759147_2048826472268039_3277556497021931773_n.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - March - Make it stand out 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! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/47be905f-e2b5-4df5-9cce-121d3146ffd5/IMG_0057.jpeg Blog - Monthly Wrap - March - Make it stand out 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. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/d73d0812-7215-433c-b4ef-d10067c90be5/486763382_1154429776125934_2358739436456364688_n.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - March - Make it stand out 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! https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/the-power-of-community monthly 0.5 2025-03-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/5140f7fc-5015-4e4b-98d1-b17945319c8b/Marchand+GT.jpg Blog - Guest Blog - The Power of Community - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/3950b516-9c4c-4d1b-9d84-0f65e2820445/God+Box.jpg Blog - Guest Blog - The Power of Community - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/guest-blog-entering-the-world-of-hockey monthly 0.5 2025-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/1741924691347-M250A6GDEM87RNYGZLSZ/Kirill.jpg Blog - Guest Blog - Entering the World of Hockey - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/maximizing-joy-in-1-of-1-pickups monthly 0.5 2025-03-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/1741645239373-BE709U9DBDSFUB4LN4L5/plate%2Bfront.jpg Blog - Maximizing joy in 1 of 1s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/1741645103450-WA4SNZ462CVXSWV83LWJ/plate+back.jpg Blog - Maximizing joy in 1 of 1s https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/25-years-in-the-making monthly 0.5 2025-03-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/1741924417340-SU0TN8PO70931VGALQUK/Rick+Ankiel+SPX+Radiance086.jpg Blog - 25 Years in the Making! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/1741924415584-HEN52YWMSUY6QQO4F2XF/Curtis+Joseph+Ultimate+Victory085.jpg Blog - 25 Years in the Making! https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/monthly-wrap monthly 0.5 2025-03-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/f0daee14-4fa4-4a3b-8eb7-2dd3e06c6684/IMG_0037.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - Feb 2025 - Make it stand out 2003 Donruss team heroes Ichiro #460 statline /51 Any early MLB career Ichiro numbered to his jersey number is going to be an exciting pickup. This is one is particularly fun because his RBIs happened to match his Jersey number, so it’s a fun cross over addition! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/b54d8635-7fe1-4d2c-89ca-b984dec5b2f1/Limited+Logos079.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - Feb 2025 - Make it stand out 2021-22 Upper Deck The Cup Limited Logos /50 John Gibson Now that I am learning how to play goaltender, one goalie has stood out as someone who I can learn something from other than my hero, Marc-Andre Fleury. John Gibson plays an hour from where I live, and is essentially the same build as me minus being in much better playing shape. I wanted to add a few essentials to my collection of him, and this card continued to catch my eye. I can’t think of a much better patch to own than this! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/afd95d47-0cbd-4c40-b910-0a4ce3c403d8/IMG_0036.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - Feb 2025 - Make it stand out 2001 eTopps Albert Pujols RC #143 This is a pickup that is readily available on eBay. In fact so readily available that’s the reason it qualifies as my ‘long awaited’ addition - I just put off picking up a copy for sooooo long. I ended up picking this copy up from the one of the new owners of the hobby shop where I had my first job - so it's got a extra special place in the PC. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/8004148a-ae95-490b-9c6f-2135edd56371/2021-22+Fleer+Ultra+Medallions+Sapphire081.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - Feb 2025 - Make it stand out 2021-22 Fleer Ultra Medallions Sapphire /25 Marc-Andre Fleury This set has been out for nearly two years, and I’ve owned all of the medallions minus the 1/1 for over a year! I’ve been waiting and waiting for a copy of this to pop up and low and behold, one showed up on eBay for so cheap that I mashed the bin! So happy to have the full rainbow minus the 1/1 now! Mission accomplished! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/617ec9d1-08d4-4447-a7bb-5b472ecea02e/IMG_0035.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - Feb 2025 - Make it stand out 1996 Select Certified certified red Barry Bonds #31 The first 1996 select certified I’ve ever owned. Even the lowest tier parallel if this card is pretty. It feels ‘luxe’, like a truly expensive card regardless of the rarity. Am I tempted to go for the full run? Absolutely. but maybe just getting all of the non-mirror parallels would be enough for me after seeing this one in person. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/34d05c32-c2c2-44e9-ad93-7476b9cbe32b/2024-25+O-Pee-Chee+Premiere+Diamond083.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - Feb 2025 - Make it stand out 2024-25 O-Pee-Chee Premier Diamond /75 Marc-Andre Fleury Cards don’t need to be expensive to be beautiful and fun to collect! This beauty came from one of our first 2024-25 products and while it’s a rare parallel /75, it came with a $15 price tag…hard to beat when it looks as amazing as it does, especially with movement in the light! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/cec664b8-fa6f-4cc6-8348-289fe829f23c/IMG_0034.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - Feb 2025 - Make it stand out 2005 Fleer Ultra platinum medallion /50 Ichiro I can’t even say I really overpaid for this card since they so rarely surface. That being said, it’s not an inexpensive card so it warrants existing in this category. I’ve always loved this iteration of the platinum medallion design (obviously doesn’t hold a candle to ‘98) but it’s one of the best from the early 00’s https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/c2f6aeeb-cbe7-450b-a8fe-3a6c809b7d49/Desbiens+Young+Guns+Exclusives084.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - Feb 2025 - Make it stand out 2024 Upper Deck PWHL First Edition Ann-Renee Desbeins Young Guns Exclusives /100 The only reason this card makes the list is because someone listed one for cheaper right after I purchased this lol. Right now I am chasing each of the PWHL goaltenders exclusives /100 cards. I am only two away and Ann-Renee was the only rookie card I needed. She’s been the best goaltender in the league this season and I truly feel this will not be an overpay in the near future! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/7638c1c0-7ed0-420d-ac4a-d852f1b1f372/IMG_0033.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - Feb 2025 - Make it stand out 2005 Bowman Chrome Ichiro refractor #95 Picked up for $4 - and I already have the x-fractor version so a really fun addition to that little run. It’s also one of those ‘picture day’ style photos that makes me laugh. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/9b2494d4-8d0a-4156-ad49-0716d0afadf6/Sign+of+the+Times+Black+Auto082.jpg Blog - Monthly Wrap - Feb 2025 - Make it stand out 2022-23 SP Authentic Sign of the Times Black Gold Ink Elvis Merzlikins Auto Now that I’ve devoted my resources to only goalies, I’ve been looking to add certain cards of the league’s top tendys, and I came across this beauty for $10…I am still shocked. This card of Fleury, which is /15 and inscribed, sells for $3-450. Safe to say I am overjoyed to own such a beautiful copy of this card! https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/calling-all-collectors-looking-for-ideas-and-tips monthly 0.5 2025-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/d0ddb26f-15da-46a3-b858-0cb126b3a7ff/collection+location.jpg Blog - Calling all hobbyists! The collection had to relocate - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/connections-are-everything monthly 0.5 2025-02-24 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/0c0172f1-daa6-41c4-9a11-f8eecb7ba3d6/Ultimate+Patch+Auto076.jpg Blog - Connections are Everything! - Make it stand out Our most recent trade! John Gibson is the same height and weight as me, and since I just started playing goaltender, he’s someone that I have loved watching lately to learn as much as possible! 2019-20 Ultimate Collection Laureates Patch Auto /99 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/fffe4e20-b943-41c6-b828-42a5af3777bf/2009+Sp+Authentic+Patch+Auto258.jpg Blog - Connections are Everything! - Make it stand out This is the card that started it all! Making new friends through deals in the hobby is always fun! 2009-10 SP Authentic Limited Auto Patch /25 https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/taking-time-to-enjoy-your-pc monthly 0.5 2025-02-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/399f0693-fd31-48ef-925a-8dcbb6387e9f/477005386_951528087122077_8974467380225486633_n.jpg Blog - Taking Time to Enjoy Your PC - Make it stand out Have you thought about adding a Curio cabinet to your home office? https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/4f376cf1-4171-4728-8abe-98daf030b7c7/477842170_611135508295491_6547734087647010708_n.jpg Blog - Taking Time to Enjoy Your PC - Make it stand out Any time I get the Cup box out, I am reminder about how fortunate I am to have such an amazing collection of my favorite All-Time athlete Marc-Andre Fleury! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/13f832e7-d436-4f00-9d3f-19343106ace7/474036709_609736828456707_3087649160054188389_n.jpg Blog - Taking Time to Enjoy Your PC - Make it stand out You have to let the PC “breathe” from time to time! https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/oversized-cards-extra-large-display-for-extra-joy monthly 0.5 2025-02-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/c7a58695-9297-4596-bf82-a9bd2101689e/IMG_2648.jpg Blog - Oversized cards: Extra-large joy - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/finding-joy-in-making-a-run monthly 0.5 2025-02-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/092a148e-85f0-4dfd-b937-4c6c53c09b14/Ichiro+rainbow.jpg Blog - Finding joy in making a ‘run’ - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/96bbbbf7-bc02-49fe-98f0-6d2fccb3eb09/ichiro+authentic.jpg Blog - Finding joy in making a ‘run’ - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/creating-a-personal-connection-with-your-pc monthly 0.5 2025-02-07 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/c1dd8cf5-d7a2-4893-9304-86b2bb6472e1/Premium+Stock+Case+Hit074.jpg Blog - Creating a Personal Connection With Your PC - Make it stand out 2023-24 Premium Stock Hipnotized Case Hit The vibrant colors on this card are perfect! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/4e47cac4-ba32-471b-b4c8-af9e925b004d/2023-24+Photogrenic+Ice060.jpg Blog - Creating a Personal Connection With Your PC - Make it stand out 2023-24 Photogenic Cracked Ice /75 What a sweet action shot of SGA with the “Atomic” foil! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/9411f040-dfdd-4bbd-9214-051b3be9d299/Premium+Stock+072.jpg Blog - Creating a Personal Connection With Your PC - Make it stand out 2023-24 Premium Stock Marvels Case Hit I just LOVE Comic Book style inserts! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/c8153703-7a1e-4c60-b0cb-f941c745146e/Optic+Phazes059.jpg Blog - Creating a Personal Connection With Your PC - Make it stand out 2023-24 Contenders Optic Phazes Case Hit This takes me back to the 90’s with multiple photos on one card! The rainbow colors with shiny foil make it a perfect combination! https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/hbqyz1znry13t5fe5ax2ozz1krfzpw monthly 0.5 2025-02-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/5fd72c47-a8c4-4b83-94cd-3f152879ae9b/ichiro-bonds-gwynn Blog - Reminding myself it is a hobby https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/what-brings-us-joy-in-the-hobby monthly 0.5 2025-02-01 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/30cd9b4b-2e3a-498c-a260-da153c57a81f/Machmeyer+Exclusives071.jpg Blog - What brings me Joy in the Hobby? - Make it stand out 2024 PWHL 1st Edition Emerance Maschmeyer UD Exclusives Not only have I been given the reigns to the third PWHL set and beyond, it has motivated me to collect each UD Exclusives /100 of each goaltender in the 1st Edition set! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/bcfdb8f6-0312-4da2-b7a3-6b53e7859224/2006+Ice+Blue070.jpg Blog - What brings me Joy in the Hobby? - Make it stand out 2005-06 Upper Deck Ice Rainbow Huge shout out to Dynasty Central Sports for helping me add a big want. People like him who go out of their way to help fellow collectors are the real MVPs of the card community and deserve lots of love for the joy they bring others! Dynasty Central Sports YouTube Channel https://www.joyofthehobby.com/blog/g540qylyie6acot7hx6qj8l4bu8qn0 monthly 0.5 2025-01-29 https://www.joyofthehobby.com/schedule daily 0.75 2025-03-10 https://www.joyofthehobby.com/schedule/live-stream-podcast-1 monthly 0.5 2025-03-10 https://www.joyofthehobby.com/schedule/live-stream-podcast monthly 0.5 2025-01-29 https://www.joyofthehobby.com/home daily 1.0 2025-04-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/85576b3c-7801-4900-938e-3796c4844d54/Ben+Kit+photo.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/6796e2b9404fcd2e583198ec/de637d44-7a7f-4201-8fc4-7746df19224b/me_3.jpg https://www.joyofthehobby.com/matt daily 0.75 2025-03-11 https://www.joyofthehobby.com/ben daily 0.75 2025-03-11 https://www.joyofthehobby.com/merch daily 0.75 2025-01-29