Landing a Japan-Fractor

I first heard about Japan refractors from Zippy Zappy over at Torres Up Cards. I don't quite remember the context, but I remember being surprised to see these existed. (Kenny, I looked for a bit but was unable to find your post. Or maybe it was a Twitter post. I don't know). Maybe it was a Gary Sanchez card?

I wasn't quite sure where these existed (other than Japan, duh) or how frequently they were inserted into packs, but it was cool to know they were out there. Never did I think I'd land one of one of the main guys I collect.

Every couple of days I take a look at my Ty Hensley saved search on eBay. Usually it consists of stuff I already have, plus some ridiculously over-prized Rize brand cards from the same seller. I wish I could just ignore all of those from my saved search. They've been listed for years and never budge.

Anyways, once every blue moon a Hensley pops up I need - a printing plate or a low numbered autograph. Usually, they are over-priced because YANKEES 1ST ROUND PICK!

But like I said, once in a blue moon a card comes by that wows me. This was one of those times.

I was shocked when a 2012 Bowman Sterling Japan-Fractor popped up. I have a ton of the regular Bowman Sterling autographs, as well as the refractor and gold refractor. But this! This I had no idea it even existed. And it was numbered to just 5. With a starting bid of .99.

I immediately bid and placed a $12 bid. After a few days, someone outbid me. I was worried it might be someone who goes hard after these Japan-fractors. I bid it back up with a max bid of $25, thinking I would go a little higher since I'd likely never see this card again. Luckily, it ended at $13 and I was the winner. It showed up Saturday!

According to Cardboard Connection, these were actually the debut set of the Japan-Fractor, and "Japan-Fractor" is actually the name of the parallel. I wasn't sure if that was made up, but it looks to be the actual given name.

At the time, I assume these looked incredibly unique. Don't get me wrong, they still look great, but I also think I've seen this refractor design on a few cards now. Here's an example:

They also mostly look blue online, but they are a lot more silver in person. I've had a hard time seeing the blue I was expecting.

Still, for a player collector, nothing is better when I rare card like this comes out of nowhere and you're able to score it for a few bucks. Next to my SuperFractor, I have to say that this might be next in line as the crown jewel of my Ty Hensley collection.