In The Mail Yesterday

1998 Upper Deck Hardcourt Homecourt Advantage PLUS

I've always liked this set but it's unfortunate that it wasn't released until after the season was over. This meant that the rookies the previous year aren't labelled as official "RCs". But I still like the design and the gold (or PLUS) parallels are awesome. Numbered to 500 copies and having a wood feel, I couldn't pass up this Drexler. Again, under $5, this was an awesome deal.

If I Only Had The Money...

1996 NBA 50th Anniversary Autograph Lithograph

Sure the design isn't all that great, but for the NBA collector, this is the "holy grail" of any collection. Signed by 49 of the 50 players (minus Maravich who passed away in 1988) this lithograph was limited to 250 copies with the first 50 going to the players. A majority of the remaining 200 were distributed to league officials with the few remaining copies offered to the anyone willing to cough-up $25,000. But there was a cheaper option with an unsigned version numbered to 500 copies which sell for $50-$75 each.