Oof, yesterday was a rough one. A longtime and well-loved former co-worker passed away over the weekend. I worked closely with him for a number of years and I'm almost the last one around from when he was working there, so I wrote the remembrance for him in the paper.
It was a long day and wore me out. But I appreciate the opportunity, although the rest of the week won't be any easier.
It's also another road block in my attempt to do card things and nothing but card things, so the 5,000-post/card giveaway encountered a little hiccup. But it's still in motion!
I had started out sending packages in the order of how winners commented on the giveaway although there was no real order set out.
Then in the middle of packaging the repack giveaways, I got an envelope from Jeff of Wax Pack Wonders. He sent a note saying he was sending a few return cards before he forgot in anticipation of receiving his giveaway package.
And, just like that, I instinctively started filling Jeff's giveaway package, throwing the whole "send-in-order-of-the-comment" routine out of whack! I don't know, but I think I just accepted a bribe!
I don't think you can blame me though. Just look at that '85 Fleer Ripken & Ripken card up there. Just about every card in the envelope was a hard-hitter like that.
Continuing the '85 Fleer theme, two more heavyweights from that set. I need to get moving on finishing the rest of these. I should've wrapped up this set by now.
A Kershaw card that I don't have is usually the highlight of any card envelope. Usually. (Also, short-print!)
Dodgers relics, autographs and parallels will hit the spot, too.
But this is about the best thing you can send me at the moment. You should see the '81 Coke cards that are coming to the house just about every day lately. I'm on a weird oddball mission, and now I don't have to do anything about the Yaz card.
I think this is the first 1967 Topps card I've added to my collection in months. ... OK, OK! I'll send Jeff the giveaway package!!
While I'm on the topic of unexpected cards received from the Upper Midwest, how about another unidentified envelope from reader Grant?
I'll start with this card because it doesn't resemble anything else in the envelope. I still don't get why we need Stadium Club Chrome, especially as its own set when there are chrome parallels, too, (I know, I know it's a plot to turn all collectors insane), but Me See Shiny!!! And it's refractory.
I told you the rest of the envelope would be totally different.
The 1975 Topps football set contains the first football card I ever saw, the Alan Page card. But the Bills cards from the set have somehow mostly avoided me until now. I am very hazy on Bills players from this time, except for the major stars. That's what happens when you don't collect cards.
Staying in 1975 and in Buffalo, some Sabres from the '75-'76 set, my favorite hockey set from the '70s as it's the only year I bought a pack of hockey cards as a kid. Love those orange backs and the ice skate for the card number.
Finishing up with a Brush With Greatness subject, Ted Kubiak's second-year card, which has seen better days.
That's OK, I'm sure Ted has seen better days, too. Heck, most of us have. At least we're still walking around.
I'll miss you O'D.
Comments
My envelope wasn't a bribe attempt to get my cards sooner, but I can't say I'm upset it worked that way!
That's a great package of cards from Jeff.
Maybe not the best place for this with the comment about but I looked up his birthdate and Cal Ripken Sr was born in 1935. He would have been 49 years old on that 1985 Fleer card if it was taken the season prior. He looks way older though.
Jeff's been nice enough to send a handful of PWEs my way as well, and you're right, he sure does have a knack for finding/picking out good stuff! Love the Yaz - that's the card I point to when people call '81 Topps boring.
Those cards are very nice though!