Too Cool Not To Post

I was watching this one all week! Seldom seen, this card has a unique history (from the manufacturer anyway), according to Fleer, Precious Metal Gems was a parallel to the base set numbered to 100 copies. But the first ten that were produced had green foil (instead of the red foil that accounts for the other 90 copies). Evidently I wasn't the only one interested.

there were 31 bids and the final price climbed to $1,825.00!!!

In The Mail Yesterday

Bought these two off of Ebay last week and they were delivered super fast. The 00-01 Ultimate Collection (Duncan) I couldn't pass up for $1 (+$2 s&h), I've always loved the design and I'll pick up a star every time I can (if it's cheap enough). I also picked out the Stockton refractor to bring the total to $5. I thought it was a good buy. Not sure if I want to hold onto the Stockton or give it to a Stockton-collecting friend.

BGS Order Update

We braved some heavy weather on our way to pick up my BGS order, not to mention a less than business-like environment at the FedEx pick-up center. The staff seemed professional, but the pick-up desk/counter looked more like that check-out card table when you buy something at a garage sale. I was crossing my fingers that there weren't going to be any mix-ups. I knew the grades, but I still can't wait to see them. We stopped for breakfast and opened the box and it almost looked like there were four graded cards inside. I was surprised to see the new large-card slabs. "Slabs"? They should call these cases, 'cause there's a lot of room inside for each card. Like I wrote before, my string of 9/9.5s has ended with the UD Reserve patch card, but I'm not too disappointed. Especially with the other two. All three are the only copies graded, plus the SP Game Used patch is 21/75!

BGS Order Update

I finally got a confirmation email that my most recent BGS order is on the way. Here' what sent in;

1. 2005-06 SP Game Used Authentic Fabrics Patches Tim Duncan (#21/75)
   
2. 2006-07 UD Reserve Materials Patches Tim Duncan
   
3. 2007-08 Upper Deck UD Game Patch Tim Duncan

In case you didn't notice, I'm a Duncan fan. I'll post images when I receive the cards so you can see the grades, unfortunately my string of 9 or 9.5s has ended.

Also, look for a post tomorrow morning about a show I'm attending later this morning. I'll post images of any deals I find.

Head 2 Head: Malone vs. Duncan

Games played: 25

Wins: Duncan 17, Malone 8

Rebounds: Duncan 282, Malone 248

Assists: Malone 99, Duncan 75

Blocks: Duncan 21, Malone 68

Points: Duncan 629, Malone 517

Winner: Duncan

Notes: On January 10th, 2000 Duncan scored 46 points against Malone. Okay, maybe not all of them against Malone, but it's still a huge game.

Show Report

Jackpot!

Wasn't sure what to expect from a 10-12 table show at the Mermaid Event Center and Hotel with the very odd mermaid statue that adorns it. But I found a table with awesome deals. I learned never to underestimate the dime box. That's right each card was a dime. I found each of the cards on the bottom row of the image above for $.10 each. I even had to ask the seller to be sure. The deals were so good that I had to ask if he had any additional cards that he didn't already have out and he dropped another unpriced box on the table for me to sift through. I found one of my favorite cards (the Robinson jersey above) for $2.00!!! I guess one collector's trash...

This Week's Worst: Week 6

1998-99 SkyBox Premium That's Jam

The only comfort that could be provided to keep J. M. Smucker from completely rolling over in his grave, is that no one will admit to liking this set. Consisting of 15 of once-promising, young NBA stars, (most of which you couldn't remember what team they're on now, much less if they're still in the league) this theme was probably conceived by a once-promising, young Art Director (who no one could say what company they're employed with now, much less if they're still in the industry) who forgot about his marketing meeting that morning and had to come up with something. But there is one positive, the plastic stock is great for those grading hounds.

Name That Name: Answer

Here's the answer to yesterday's question. Tim Duncan has won 2 League MVPs, 4 championships, 3 Finals MVPs, has been to 11 All-Star games, is considered by many as the best power forward ever, and a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame.

Show Review:Earle Brown Heritage Center

With all the online auctions, it's easy to forget that collector's still enjoy sifting through rows and rows of cards to find that treasure that they were looking for that the seller didn't want to pay to put it up on Ebay and just wants to get rid of it.

I attended my first card show of the year (sorry TwinsFest) and was pleasantly surprised. Lately the shows have been the same vendors with the same cards. Of course it doesn't help going to the same show nearly every time. This show had a couple of the usual vendors, but some new participants with some great deals (shown). In this economy, there's obviously more and more customers going through the $5 and less bins and I didn't mind finding some of the cool 90's inserts and some new cards of old favorites.

Advertised as having 30 tables (which might have been the number available to vendors), I think there were more like 13 or 14 vendors. Plus there was one vendor in the center (like an island) that I almost missed/forgot about. Something I took away from this show (besides my cards)? Don't try to talk down a price that you know is a good deal to start.