My Latest COMC Purchase (Part 1)

Right before Christmas 2023, I received my most recent order from COMC.  While it is now officially 2024 and I'm finally showing off the cards, I did count the cards under my 2023 resolutions in terms of set building, etc. (since the cards technically arrived in 2023).

I ended up with a mixed order in terms of what I purchased - as expected I tried to find cards that I needed for my various older set builds but also grabbed a bunch of new Ginter minis I needed plus a healthy smattering of Barry Larkin cards that I didn't yet own.  

I've decided to split up my COMC package into multiple posts beginning with today's batch of cards which all belong to 2023 Topps Allen & Ginter!

Let's start the mini parade with a quartet of Save Room for Dessert minis:

Personally, I'm not a big sweets guy so most of the above desserts don't appeal all that much to me.  That being said, I'm writing today's post in December and Christmas cookies are definitely on my mind so I'd give the nod to the cookies card as my favorite of the four.  The worst of the four desserts, by far, is the Crème Brulee, I've never been a fan though I'd admit at least the image that Topps used looks appealing.

Next up, the final six cards I needed for my Wonders of the World mini set.

I love this batch of cards in particular because this coming May I'll be taking my History of Mathematics course abroad and we'll be seeing two of those six wonders!  More specifically, we'll start our trip in Italy and see (among other sites) the Colosseum and then later we will fly over to Greece and we'll visit the Acropolis.  I'm super excited to get to travel abroad again as I haven't been able to run the course since Covid took over the world.  I'm also excited to have the Wonders of the World mini set complete as that's one of (if not the) favorite mini set in the 2023 edition of Allen & Ginter.

Sticking with the international theme, I was also able to complete my International Delights mini set!

Another six cards here that I needed, though this time I can't say that I've been to most of the locations featured on the cards.  I was in Spain once but it was only Barcelona and it was only 2.5 days so I never had the chance to try Ropa Vieja.  I've been in Mexico for about 4 hours total in my life and I didn't anything while I was there so no Mole Poblano for me.  I've never been to any of the other four countries, though at least I have had sushi so that's something!

Next, I also grabbed the last four cards I needed for my Only In... set:

This is another great set that celebrates something unique about each of the 30 MLB ballparks.  This past summer I was able to see a game at Camden Yards and in the past I've visited both Progressive Field in Cleveland and Comerica Park in Detroit.  I've never seen a game in Houston, however, so I guess that's a bucket list item for me!

Finally, we end today's portion of my COMC purchase with one last mini from 2023 Ginter:

That's the final card I needed for the Rarest of the Diamond mini set.  

All told, this was an extremely successful portion of my COMC purchase.  I've now knocked out all but one needed mini card from 2023 Allen & Ginter (and that final mini is also in my possession thanks to one of my Not-So-Secret Santa senders - that package has yet to be shown off).  As I said at the top, I'm still trying to get caught up on the flurry of mail that arrived at the end of 2023...but with every post I'm getting closer to being ready for 2024!  I'll have more from my COMC purchase to show off in upcoming days as well - including cards from a bunch of older sets that I'm excited to show off!