Delivery Time! A Cracked Bat Cracks My Want List!

Back in the beginning of June, Julie (from A Cracked Bat) and I agreed to a simple swap.  I was able to send her a few cards she wanted...and in return, I am now pleased to report that I am two cards closer on my quest to complete the 2007 Allen & Ginter Flags insert set.

Both of the mini cards are quite cool.  I specifically like how each has imagery incorporated into the design that would only work for the given country.  In fact, some day I'd love to see the Pyramids for myself in person...but until then, at least I have the Egypt card to serve as a proxy.

In addition to the two minis, Julie also threw in one more mini:

Chapman seems to be a kind of jerk these days (the whole "shooting at his girlfriend" thing really soured me on Chapman).  However, this one has a shot at making it into my mini Frankenset (whenever I finally get the opportunity to start putting it together).

And finally, two Museum Collection cards:

I don't have the budget to ever bust high end stuff like this, so I'm happy to land a pair of nice Vottos for my collection!

Many thanks Julie!  And, as always, if anyone else would like to trade - be sure to check out my want list and make an offer!

How Many POUNDS of Baseball Cards Did I Send Out Last Week?!

As you probably know, I recently completed my first group break of 2017.  As part of the break, I promised to send everyone a small flat rate mailer full of cards from the teams in their slot (each slot had two teams in it).  I used the medium flat rate mailers for the two people who claimed two slots (so those boxes were extra heavy)!

I had to split up my packing and mailings across multiple days, but for posterity here is what I mailed out (in terms of pounds).

Monday, June 19:
3 packages, total weight:  7 lbs 1.7 oz

Wednesday, June 21:
5 packages, total weight:  7 lbs 15.0 oz.

Thursday, June 22:
3 packages, total weight:  6 lbs 7.8 oz

TOTAL WEIGHT OF BASEBALL CARDS SENT OUT:   21 lbs 8.5 oz
Total USPS flat rate shipping charges:  $91.55

I have to admit, I didn't expect my mail runs to be that heavy!  Each package that I mailed had a wide range of cards - some had some cards from before I was born, most had plenty of cards from the 80s and 90s, and then various cards from the 2000s and on rounded out each box.  I also tried to include some inserts/parallels where I could.

In addition to the group break cards and the bonus cards, I promised to include some extra "hits" since I pulled a Joey Votto relic for myself in the break (it's rare for a Reds' hit to show up)!  Since everyone should have their cards in hand by now, here are the four bonus relics that I was able to include in various group break packages.

I also threw in a nice autograph for one lucky team (courtesy of a prize I won from Night Owl quite some time ago).

I hope everyone enjoyed the break!  I hope to hold another group break this summer - so if you have ideas of what you'd like to see in a group break let me know ASAP!

Trade Stack 79: 18 Cards Total - Now Including 2017 Topps Archives!

Here is how this works:

Every so often (i.e. whenever I feel like it), I will add a card to a "Trade Stack".  Whenever the stack becomes appealing enough to someone, that person needs to comment on the post saying they'd like to claim the stack AND tell me which card they are sending off of my want list.  That's all you have to do - trade me ONE card (or more, of course) card from my want list for the entire stack of cards that I'm offering.  Each time, it will be first come, first serve...so act quickly (unless of course you are a gambler and hope to wait it out until there are 10+ cards in the stack that you want in exchange for a single 2004 UD Vintage card that I am looking for)!

The Trade Stack:

Last update: 6/27/17

Yesterday, I finally got around to posting my Trade Bait for 2017 Topps Archives (and I finally had time to update my want list with the set as well).  If you'd like to see what all I have for trade, you can find the full list here.  I need about half the base set for my own collection yet (which should make claiming the Trade Stack easier - shouldn't be too hard to find some cards for me now)!  You can find my full want list here.  And finally, before I get to today's addition to the Stack, I want to advertise my eBay auctions that are happening right now (here).  Lots of good stuff there including one of the best pulls from a pack that I've ever had.

With all of that out of the way, let's get to today's addition to the Trade Stack.  I have a pair of 2017 Topps Archives base cards - a super nice looking Todd Frazier and a Seth Lugo rookie card.  Perhaps you need one (or both) of them?  You'll get both by claiming the Stack as well as the other 16 cards that have already been added to the pile!

Remember, you get all of the cards in the Trade Stack in exchange for one (or more) cards off of my want list.

2017 Topps Archives:
208.  Todd Frazier - White Sox
267.  Seth Lugo - Mets

2016 Topps Gypsy Queen:
8.  Freddie Freeman (Braves)
113.  Joe Ross (Nationals)

2014 Topps Allen & Ginter's:
Reg. back mini:
38.  Don Sutton (Dodgers)
A&G back minis:
252.  Didi Gregorius (Diamondbacks)
265.  Sam Calagione (Businessman)

The front and back of each mini card.

2014 Topps Heritage:
3.  AL HR Leaders 
4.  NL HR Leaders

1995 Upper Deck Collector's Choice:
26.  Paul Shuey - Indians

2013 Topps Chrome:
119.  Michael Wacha - Cardinals

2000 Fleer Tradition:
255.  Cincinnati Reds
412.  Detroit Tigers

1997 Fleer Sports Illustrated:
172.  Ken Griffey, Jr. - Mariners

2014 Topps Allen & Ginter's:
180.  Ryan Riess (Poker Champion)
265.  Sam Calagione (Businessman)

1999 Upper Deck Collector's Choice:
254.  HR Leaders (Griffey, Jr. - Mariners, Walker - Rockies, McGwire - Cardinals)


2000 Skybox Metal:
Emerald Parallel:
235.  Matt Riley - Orioles

If you want the stack, remember - all you need to do is offer up any one card from my want list.  

Want the card(s) in the stack?  Act fast - tell me which card you will send me off my want list in the comments below!  You must leave a comment on the trade stack post in order to claim the card - no more claims via email!  If no one claims this card within a reasonable amount of time (a few hours up to a few days, depending) - I'll add another card to the stack and the process will start again!

Previously Claimed Trade Stacks:

Stack 01:  2 cards by dayf
Stack 02:  8 cards by Justin
Stack 03:  17 cards by Cam
Stack 04:  4 cards by Cam
Stack 05:  9 cards by Daily Dimwit
Stack 06:  4 cards by The Lost Collector
Stack 07:  1 card by Baseball Dad
Stack 08:  1 card by M. Spiegel
Stack 09:  6 cards by bwsmith25
Stack 10:  6 cards by Baseball Dad
Stack 11:  1 card by Patrick
Stack 12:  5 cards by Matt B.
Stack 13:  4 cards by Steve G.
Stack 14:  3 cards by ShaneK
Stack 15:  7 cards by Ryan G
Stack 16:  1 card by longlivethewho
Stack 17:  4 cards by hiflew
Stack 18:  4 cards by Potch
Stack 19:  2 cards by Axemanohio
Stack 20:  5 cards by by Play at the Plate
Stack 21:  5 cards by BA Benny
Stack 22:  1 card by IkesCards
Stack 23:  8 cards by Axemanohio
Stack 24:  1 card by BA Benny
Stack 25:  2 cards by Jeff P.
Stack 26:  10 cards by Axemanohio
Stack 27:  1 card by BA Benny
Stack 28:  7 cards by ThingsAreFunnerHere
Stack 29:  3 cards by TheBrooklynMet
Stack 30:  4 cards by Adam C.
Stack 31:  10 cards by Play at the Plate
Stack 32:  8 cards by Josh D.
Stack 33:  6 cards by Baseball Dad
Stack 34:  1 card by Potch
Stack 35:  9 cards by Cool Breeze
Stack 36:  11 cards by Kev 
Stack 37:  6 cards by Tunguska
Stack 38:  12 cards by Baseball Dad
Stack 39:  8 cards by Spiegel83
Stack 40:  1 card by Kyle4KC
Stack 41:  4 cards by dayf
Stack 42:  1 card by AdamE
Stack 43:  1 card by madding
Stack 44:  10 cards by Commishbob
Stack 45:  1 (almost complete) puzzle by Baseball Dad
Stack 46:  8 cards by buckstorecards
Stack 47:  5 cards by The Junior Junkie
Stack 48:  4 cards by dayf
Stack 49:  9 cards by Swing and a Pop-Up
Stack 50:  9 cards by Commishbob
Stack 51:  3 cards by Need More Cardboard
Stack 52:  1 card by Play at the Plate
Stack 53:  12 cards by buckstorecards
Stack 54:  4 cards by The Junior Junkie
Stack 55:  9 cards by Spiegel83
Stack 56:  2 cards cards by Joe Frecker
Stack 57:  4 cards by buckstorecards
Stack 58:  2 cards by Chunter
Stack 59:  9 cards by Baseball Dad
Stack 60:  8 cards by buckstorecards
Stack 61:  13 cards by Mark Hoyle
Stack 62:  9 cards by Nick
Stack 63:  9 cards by buckstorecards 
Stack 64:  7 cards by Mark Hoyle
Stack 65:  2 cards by Play at the Plate
Stack 66:  10 cards by Roger
Stack 67:  14 cards by buckstorecards
Stack 68:  5 cards cards by Jeff Jones
Stack 69:  17 cards by Steve D.
Stack 70:  2 cards by Jeff Jones
Stack 71:  8 cards by defgav
Stack 72:  24 cards by Trevor P.
Stack 73:  1 card by NIght Owl
Stack 74:  3 cards by David
Stack 75:  4 cards by Trevor P.
Stack 76:  14 cards by Trevor P.
Stack 77:  15 cards by Dayf
Stack 78:  29 cards by Chris
Stack 79:  ?? by ??

The Great Reorganization: Step 25: Is 1985 Vintage to You?

As usual, my baseball card collection was mostly neglected during the past spring semester (work always keeps me busy, especially this year since I had to plan a course trip to Europe in addition to my usual duties)!  Because of work (and then the group break), I haven't had a chance to do any reorganizing of my collection since January...but luckily for me, that streak ends today!

It's time to take a look at 1985 - a year that I suppose some people consider vintage seeing as how it was over 30 years ago (boy that makes me feel old as a 1982 baby).  I, for one, do not consider '85 vintage...for me, vintage is pre-1980...and because of that, cards from 1985 are going to have to earn my respect or else they are destined to end up in my various trade stacks.

Let's see how the year in cards stacks up for 1985.

First up, the main set from 1985:  Topps.

The 1985 Topps set isn't my favorite design, but it's also not the worst design.  I actually like the design of the front of the cards quite a bit - but the dark green card stock with red lettering was a poor choice for the card backs.  No matter, this is the one set from 1985 that I already have completed - so it gets an easy "keep it" rating.

1985 Topps Traded:

The Topps Traded sets never appealed all that much to me, if I'm being honest.  I guess the idea was novel at the time but it simply didn't ever inspire me.  Luckily (?), I only own a single '95 Traded card (the Browning you see above) so this is an easy choice:  skip it.

O-Pee-Chee:

When I was a kid, the O-Pee-Chee cards were sort of like finding a four leaf clover.  You heard about them, you knew they existed, but man, finding one in the wild was pretty rare (and kind of cool).  Unfortunately, my infatuation with O-Pee-Chee ended long before I gave up eating Lucky Charms for breakfast...so again, this is a "skip it."

Moving on to other brands, let's take a peek at 1985 Fleer first.

The '85 Fleer set isn't terrible,, but that's probably the best praise I can give the set.  Based on my relatively small sample size, I would say that the majority of images in the set are boring posed shots...that's fine for one or two photos, but who wants binder page after binder page filled with boring photos like that?  Certainly not me - and so, sorry Fleer but I'm skipping you too.

Finally, the only other set from 1985 that I have more than a handful of cards from:  Donruss.

This one is easy to decide - black borders are almost always a deal breaker for me...put black borders are terribly cheap card stock and it is a no brainer.  No thanks Donruss.

And so that does it for 1985.  In the end, I'm only keeping the '85 Topps flagship set - but when you look at the rest of the baseball card offerings from 1985, I think that's the decision that most people would make.

Let's hope my next update to my Great Reorganization project occurs before December...otherwise I'll never get my collection under control!

For Trade: 2017 Topps Archives

I have the following 2017 Topps Archives cards available for trade.  I also have updated my want list (see here).

2017 Topps Archives:  FOR TRADE
Last update:  6/26/17

Base:  5, 7, 14, 21, 32, 35, 38, 53, 76, 76, 77, 78, 81, 82, 83, 84, 87, 101, 101, 105, 106, 106, 107, 118, 118, 129, 130, 131, 135, 148, 148, 155, 155, 162, 162, 168, 168, 169, 174, 174, 178, 178, 183, 200, 203, 208, 208, 208, 212, 223, 224, 224, 238, 238, 241, 242, 243, 245, 247, 257, 260, 260, 262, 262, 264, 267, 267, 267, 270, 271, 271, 273, 273, 278, 279, 279, 282, 285, 285, 298, 299, 299