May Card Show Pickups: Before I Was Born...

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Before I was born, Topps was making baseball cards. In fact, they had 28 years of experience by the time I opened my eyes.

I'm not big on putting vintage sets together from before I was born. I can get more bang for my buck working towards the sampler collection and modern offerings. It doesn't mean I don't respect it, or want it. A recent trade brought me a new selection of sample cards. I have had plans for another sample collection of base brands for a while, but never really started. This trade renewed my interest in this project. I'm being secretive about the details because if I can get it started soon I want to surprise everyone!

Ted's cards started with 1975. I needed to fill in the gaps, and this past weekend, I did a pretty good job of that. Every card was $1 or less, so I didn't spend much putting this together. And sorting through a tub of vintage bargains is a lot of fun.

In year order, I present, 1953-1975 Topps.

 Yes, there are two hole punches in the '53 Topps. Hey, it was a buck. Wasn't Andy Pafko somewhat good?

 1957-1959. The '57 set is such a plain set, but if you're showcasing full-color photos I guess that's the design to use.

 The "62" on the 1962 Topps is actually written on the card. But that's okay.

 I like the pennant cards of 1965. Compared to the years before and after, it stands out because of the team logo and curves.

 1968 Topps will always remind me of either burlap sacks or that awful '60s textured wallpaper.

 The bottom of the scan was cut off. 1972's design is pretty radical compared to the minimal designs that preceded it.

Let's finish off the mid-70s strong. 1975 Topps for the win!

Where do I stand on this project, now? I need the following years: 1951 red, 1951 blue, 1952, 1955, 1961. Yup, that's it. 60 years of Topps (61, really), done with real cards. Eventually, all these cards will come back again for a wrap-up post. Oh, and I still don't have a '51 Red for my normal sample collection.

But the vintage isn't over yet! What more is there? No, not Bowman. I had a thought of picking some up at the show, but let that go. Instead, something more oddballish.

 1960 Fleer Frank Baker. The back labels this card set as Baseball Greats. Unfortunately I already have a sample from this set. But it is a nice card, if not plain.

 The back of this one has no copyright data. It must be old, but it was printed after 1942. That puts it as a 1961 Golden Press card. A little more research confirms it. Sure, there's a big crease and nice soft corners, but it's a Hornsby that cost me under a buck! And I need it!

 This one took a little research too. 1961 Fleer Dubble Bubble Transfer. Apparently if you put this in water for about 30 seconds, you can then use it like a sticker on glass, wood, metal, and other objects! According to this site, these were inserts in 1961 Fleer packs. Someone clipped the corners on this "card".

 Alrighty, more Fleer goodness. These three cards are in pretty good shape. If I had a set of these, it would make my awards/leaders collection so much easier.

 Dodgers/Yankees for under a dollar?

1961 Yankees for under a dollar?

You betcha! While I don't need these cards for any current set or collection, I have been pondering putting the set together eventually. So, I'll add those to the "deal with it later" stack that is quickly growing.

That's the end of the vintage. Knowing I need five more cards to finish the Topps set run means I'll have a goal when I go to the June show.

Tomorrow, I'll wrap up this series with the awesomely sick mojo hit collection I picked up!

On Location: Walter Johnson's High School

Each card will present a stadium or other baseball landmark I've visited. This is card number twelve in the series...

May Card Show Pickups: A Honus Wagner T206 card?!

The greatest threat to democracy is that we get to vote! And vote we will! In my poll, located on the left side of this page!

Let's continue the party with a little Bowman Chrome from 2010.

•  Eric Young Jr. refractor: need it!
• Drew Storen BDP pretty in purple refractor: nope. Oops.
• Tyler Colvin refractor: wait, I just had a refractor. Bust.

•  2010 Bowman Draft Picks Blue Brian Matusz: Need it. A sigh of relief.
• 2002 Topps Pristine Gold Refractor Greg Sain #21/70: Need it. I think these might have originally been sealed in a case, but that's quite alright. 
• 2008 Playoff Contenders Rookie Roll Call Black Angel Villalona: Need it! Nice parallel, but you wouldn't know it's a parallel unless you looked it up.

•  I'm taking a chance again with this 2003 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Status Gold parallel of Jeff Duncan. And yes, there's a lot of strange die cut going on. But I need it!
• 2005 Origins Old Judge Ryan Garko. Another card I took a chance on, but this one is a bust. Trade stack.
• Here's another colored parallel from 2005 Upper Deck Reflections. This is the Turquoise version, and I need it. There are two more parallels (emerald/25 and platinum/1) from this set I don't have.

 The last bit of normalcy for a minute, 2002 Donruss Rookies Phenoms of Bill Hall, which I need, and 2001 Topps Traded Chrome rookie reprint of David Justice, which I don't need. I keep picking up these cards, for some reason.

Now a few oddball cards for you to examine. Let's start with this card. It's a 2000 Topps Honus Wagner Reprint. That's all there needs to be said about this card. It's nice to have a little history behind The Card on the back, even if this is just a promo for an auction. If you're interested, there's a good book about this exact card.

Next is this 1981 San Diego Show promo card. The card store referenced on the card, Collectors Dugout, is now an Avon store. 

Now we have a subscription trading card featuring Lou Gehrig from 1983 Baseball Card News. Searching the Beckett database, I think I have a card they don't know about. They list two other cards from this set, but no Lou Gehrig. I feel special. Should I send them an email or just let them be ignorant?

Last of the oddballs, this Lou Boudreau card with no copyright information. There are a couple clues that this is the 1981 Red Sox Boston Globe, because of the trivia and text on the back. Doing a little bit more research, I find that I appear to be correct. Score another oddball for the collection!

 Now that the research and black and white cards portion of the post is over, let's finish with a few slabbed Topps cards. First, 2003 Topps Chrome Uncirculated Xfractor 01/57 of Eric Chavez. Need it! I was afraid I wouldn't.

 2004 Bowman Chrome Blue Refractor of Joey Gathright, numbered 014/290. I need that one too!

 Okay, I've already got a few Pristines in my collection. This is 2004 Topps Pristine Refractor #555/999. Score! Need it!

Will I finish strong with this other Topps Pristine? 2003 Refractor, #96/99. Nope. Oh well. Can't win them all, right?

Stay tuned, folks. Tomorrow is an awesome collection of vintage, and I still have the hits to show too!