Night Owl Cards

I was out of town over the weekend, visiting my folks. Whenever I see them, I try to stop by an antique shop that is about 12 blocks away from their house. In the past, I would drive there. I walked there this time. I like this particular shop because it doesn't sell musty old furniture and nothing else, like the one in my town. It features a wide variety of items. Just about anything you would consider collectible -- and some things you wouldn't -- you will see there. Even if I wasn't constantly on the prowl for baseball cards, I could spend a good hour or two there. The card selection is never great. You have to hit it at the right time. In the past, they've had booths selling vintage from the late '60s/early '70s. But the last number of years, it's been mostly junk wax. I did find a box of 1995 Score a little while ago . And if I wanted, I could buy 1989 Fleer there all day. But, of course, I'd never want to do that. I did find three separa...

(Last night, I lived in fear that Bryce Harper would do something to embarrass the Dodgers. Instead, despite some impressive moves by Harper, L.A. showed exactly who the star of that game was. Isn't that right, Topps?  Here's to appreciating proven veterans like Matt Kemp over "the next sensation." Time for Cardboard Appreciation. This is the 140th in a series): I know not everyone reads set blogs. They just aren't every collector's thing. Obviously, I find them very interesting, for a variety of reasons. One of those reasons is that set blogs seem to attract those connected to major leaguers unlike your generic blog like Night Owl Cards, probably because they can find their relative's name in the post title. I've been blessed to receive correspondence from former big leaguers or their family members on both blogs. But the one that receives the most interaction, far and away, is my now completed 1975 Topps (it's far out, man) blog. The mo...

A few months ago, I announced that I was going to feature "The Best Glasses On Baseball Cards. Period" countdown in April. I figured that would give me enough time to search out the cards that I needed for an appropriately classic countdown. Unfortunately, a few things happened. First, life threw me a few curves. I've been dealing with them ever since. Also, I wasn't able to track down any glasses cards at the last card show because other objectives interfered. So, here I am, three days away from the end of April, and this countdown ain't happening this month. But it WILL happen. I just need some more time to round up a few more cards. Besides, a new contender heard there was a contest and wanted to enter so badly that it found its way to my home. Carl Crawford Cards realized that the countdown includes only cards that are in my possession. So, he put a 1933 Goudey card into my possession. Here it is: Holy octagon. Is there any reas...

I've never been a big dreamer. Even when I was in high school and college -- the times when we humans usually dream the biggest -- I was content with your painfully average future. If the future me had a wife, family, dog, house, job, car, a few random interests and a connection to the community, then I would be happy. No need to travel to exotic locations. No need to experience hang gliding or motorcycle jumping or mountain climbing. I don't want to be a rock star or a media mogul or David Beckham. I'm satisfied with little victories. The same goes for collecting baseball cards. The biggest coups in collecting don't interest me. I have no desire to own a 1952 Mickey Mantle. I know people find that hard to believe -- like this is every collector's dream. But it's not mine. If I could get it, so I could sell it, then, OK, I want to own it. But there is no yearning for the Mick. The same goes for a 1933 Goudey Nap Lajoie. Or a 1914 Cracker Jack Shoeless...