Lesson learned

Isn't that a sad sight? There is a big, freakin' crease/wrinkle through the middle of my 2009 UD Spectrum Clayton Kershaw relic card.

The card wasn't like that when I saw it on Wax Heaven's review of this year's Spectrum release (Spectrum is such a hideous-looking product, by the way). When I saw the card featured, I was thrilled. Since I am down as the Kershaw collector in the Wax Heaven directory, I knew I'd be getting the card. Mario is cool like that.

But somewhere along the mailing route, the card was damaged. The SASE that arrived in my mailbox Saturday was not in good shape. It looked like it had been knocked around quite a bit, and a corner of the envelope was bent. Still, I have received card-containing envelopes in worse shape than that and the cards have always been perfect.

In fact, this is my first experience with receiving a card damaged in the mail.

I certainly don't blame Wax Heaven for this. Mario has been nothing but generous with his connections and his time. But I do blame myself. I should have sent something sturdier for Mario to enclose the card in, especially a relic. And when I send the next envelope down to Florida for my Kershaw Topps Heritage chrome card, I will be sending a bubble mailer.

I had skated by for too long without having any cards damaged in the mail. I guess my turn was up. I'm going to try to ensure that it doesn't happen again.

Thanks for the card anyway, Mario.