Loving the PWEs

I think I've previously stated, but it feels like PWEs find their way to me in bunches. I could go months without getting one, then three pop up in one week. That's why it's always fun to go to the mailbox.

Last week, Adam from Cardboard Clubhouse sent an awesome PWE. It definitely struck a really nice vintage chord, and are some big-name players!

 I love it! They were all in great condition too. I definitely didn't have that Jim Hunter, and the Murcer is a really special card given what we meant to Yankee fans.

I really liked this Ken Greer card from Star. I've gotten a lot of Star cards over the years, but I don't recall seeing the purple border. I kind of like it! Very different.

Tanaka time! Being that this is his fifth Yankees season, I need to start counting how many Tanaka I have. It's gotta be in the 50 or 60 range.

Adam, this was a most appreciated and unexpected surprise. Thank you!

JBF Epic Boxes: Packs 9-10

Two more of SIXTEEN total team bags that Jaybarkerfan sent me in his epic flat rate boxes full of Yanks. We are now on to box #2!

Here is how Pack 9 unfolded:

First up, another Mattingly oddball. I love his follow through on the swing. These KMart cards were always a favorite growing up. I feel like they came in a small box, like a deck of cards would. Can anyone confirm that?

A pair of Jeters I didn't have, nor had I seen. These were from my non-collecting years, so I appreciate the enlightenment.

And the card of the pack? It was tough choosing this, but I liked the cloth stickers a lot from 2012 Archives. I had actually traded this one away to someone who needed it, so the card karma gods hooked me back up.

Total cards in pack: 43
Running total: 308

Pack 10

Spoiler alert! Packs with a relic may contain less cards!

But first, this should be called the Topps Traded pack. There were near team sets of both 1986 and 1989 Topps Traded. From '86, all that was missing was Lou Piniella. From '89, two cards were missing: Bye Bye Balboni and Leon Sandcastle. Question - why were the backs of Topps Traded cards always lighter in color? To differentiate?

Next, a few cards from one of my all-time favorite sets (no joke): Tristar Projections. I love the look of the set. The scan doesn't do it justice, but the white is stunning. I love getting these cards signed too. They look awesome. Almonte is currently helping the Yanks as a 5th OFer.

Ugly Tino alert!!!! Circa!!! AHHHH!

Ok, for as bad as Circa was, Upper Deck SP was usually pretty classy. This Paul O'Neill is no different.

Here's the relic! It's also the card of the pack. Why? Simple! It's a Tino relic I didn't have. This one is super cool. It's from 2003 Stadium Club, and I love how the bat is shaped like the state of Florida, where Tino was born. Very, very cool card, and not just because it's one I needed! I appreciate when companies try to back a relic an odd shape. Helps make it more interesting.

Total cards in pack: 38
Running total: 346

The nicest '56 Topps I've ever seen

A few days ago, I got an email from Mark Hoyle saying that he had a 1956 Topps Jerry Coleman and 1976 Hostess Catfish Hunter, if I wanted it. Not one to pass up such vintage goodness, I said sure. A few days later, they arrived.

Holy crap, that Colemen's condition is phenomenal. I've never see a 1956 this nice. Very good centering, exquisite color, no creases. The corners might be a litttttle fuzzy, but honestly, it's gorgeous. It's gradable, for sure, although I don't get cards graded.

The Catfish, however, looks like someone cut it out right handed with some lefty scissors. Still very cool though, as this is my first Hostess card from the '70s. Man, I wish Hostess or Drake's or Little Debbie's or whomever would put cards on boxes again.

Mark, thanks for the cards. I love 'em!

A list of the top cards Night Owl sent me

Last week, Night Owl sent me a bubble mailer full of Yanks. It was most appreciated and unexpected, especially because I bashed the formation of lists on one of my posts around the New Year. Hey, countdown lists still aren't my personal preference, but if it results in free Yankees cards, I'll keep it to myself.

So to humor us both, here are the Top 9 cards Night Owl sent me, because Top 10 would be too cliche:

9. Brett Gardner 1987 Topps Mini

I'm pretty sure this is a night card. And a mini. Greg, are you slipping? Is this a dupe? Or do you hate the Yankees so much that you don't even care it's a night time mini card?

8. 2010 A&G Jorge Posada

This is one of my least favorite A&G sets. Sometime I should list my favorite to least favorite ones. Heh. Bad joke.

But truthfully, I didn't love the white border around these 2010 A&G's, and wish it was all one color. I like the red splash though. And the cool managerial pose.

7. 1981 Topps Ruppert Jones

Because Ruppert. And stirrups.

6. Andy Pettitte 2013 A&G

I didn't get too many Allen & Ginter's in 2013, but I don't mind these at all. I like them more in person than I thought I would. The border is a little overdone, but still feels pretty classy. The thin lines helps. I love the ecto-cooler green behind Pettitte. It's a great color.

5. Derek Jeter 2013 A&G Across the Years

This is a cool card. I like the shield, and love seeing Jeter spray a ball the other way. The back lists some cool fact for Jeter's birthday, like it was the first time the UPC code was scanned. No kidding.

Also born the same day: Abner Doubleday, Babe Herman, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Shannon Sharpe, Michael Vick, and Deron Williams. Cool. Seems like it would be a good concept for an Opening Day insert too.

4. Mike Wallace 1975 Topps Mini

I love 1975 minis. They are cool as hell. Greg is collecting the set, so I'm assuming this was a dupe. What is with Mike Wallace's hat? It looks like a cartoon hat, like the one the guy on the Big League Chew packet wears. Honestly, is it painted on a picture of Wallace?

Night Owl sent me Bobby Bonds from this set in the last package, so I'm hoping he'll eventually just send me the team set.

3. Jim Hunter 1979 Topps

What a great card. A few things stick out to me. I know 1979 wasn't THAT long ago, but the gloves look pretty similar to the way they do today. I would have expected them to look a little different. Not weird Phil Rizzuto giant Hamburger Helper hand gloves, but just a little less advanced.

Two, I realized this was probably taken at spring training, but I swear, that's an airport runway behind him. Spring Training complexes have come a lot farther than baseball mitts since 1979.

2. 1982 TCMA Yankees - Mantle, Berra, Ford, DiMaggio

I've really come to appreciate TCMA. I used to see them as "no man's land" cards...not quite vintage, but not new. But I like them more and more every time I receive them. The write-ups are always pretty good, and the designs are always simple yet elegant.

1. Thurman Munson 1977 Topps

Munson was a bad ass. Even when he smiles, he's still cooler than you. I actually didn't have this Munson, and now just need one or two more to complete my Topps set of him. Ever notice how similar this background color is to a 1952 Topps Mantle?

And that's the list. That wasn't so bad! Greg, thanks for the cards.

Eleven HOFers from a reader. Just unreal.

I’m already a little backed up on posts in 2014. Nothing substantial, mostly show and tell stuff, including a long overdue sharing of some great cards that Zippy Zappy of the new blog ‘Cervin Up Cards sent me. Rarely do I get cards and feel the need to post right away. They just go to the back of the post line. It's like milk at a grocery store.

However, the generosity toward my son’s of HOF collection has warranted me to post as soon as new cards roll in. Last week, out of the blue, Ryan from Ryan’s Pitch sent a 1952 Topps Red Schoendienst for Joey’s binder. After posting about that, I got an unsolicited email from blog reader Mark. He asked for my address saying that he’d like to contribute to the collection I’m amassing for my son. 

First off, it’s always a surprise to me when a new reader and collector reaches out. I often make the mistake of assuming that the only people who read my posts are other bloggers, and they read my stuff as a courtesy more than anything else. Yet when a reader reaches out and has a question about a card, comments on a post, or offers to make a trade (or in this instance, send cards), it’s always really gratifying. It just goes to show you never know who is out there reading.

Anyhow, Mark and I emailed back and forth a bit, and he shared his story about collecting in the ‘70s and ‘80s, and recently coming back to finish off some of his older Topps full and team sets. I’m impressed that after 20+ years of being out of the collecting game, Mark actually held on to his old cards. And naturally, Mark is a Red Sox fan. I’ve got to say, for as much dislike as I have for the Red Sox, the Sox bloggers and traders I’ve interacted with have been fantastic (I’m looking at you, Doc Holoday, Shane, and Adam E.).

This email exchange with Mark took place on Saturday, he plopped an envelope in the mail the same day, and it arrived yesterday. You go, USPS!

The cards! Enough blabbing, onto the cards! In all, Mark sent ELEVEN HOFers for Joey’s binder! Eleven. 1-1. All of the cards were from the ‘60s and ‘70s. Just unreal! I figured he might send two or three cards, but ELEVEN? Duuuude.

Here is each card in its glory. I told Mark that I didn’t even own a Killebrew for myself. And I still don't. Rest assured every card sent for Joey goes in his binder. Mark, I can’t thank you enough. Keep an eye out in the mail for some Sox cards as a token of thanks.

 

ATBATT PWE

I amused myself with the title of this post.

Anyhow, out of the blue, Oscar from All Trade Bait All The Time sent me a PWE bomb (err, might be time to stop with that term) filled with a few Yanks. Here are a few favorites below, all new cards for my collection.

Oscar, it was a great surprise. Thanks, bud!

A vintage trade with ATBATT

Recently, I posted a few vintage cards for trade (clickhere). I thought it would be fun for someone to claim a card, and send me a vintage in return. Just a card from around the same time.

Oscar from All Trade Bait All The Time claimed a 1974 Topps Bert Campaneris. I had no idea what he would send, so I was excited when his PWE showed up. The first card I saw was the 1979 Topps Bill North, which I would have been more than happy with on its own. But then I flipped over the top loader, and saw a 1979 Topps Catfish Hunter as well! Seriously, Oscar? Not necessary, my friend. But very much appreciated, and it will go straight into the HOF binder for my son.

I’ll post a few more vintage cards in the near future for trade, and if anyone wants to trade me any 70’s card for this Bill North, the door is open.