Parallels are the most direct way to my heart

 

Yeah, about that post title, I don't like saying that about myself at all.

Parallels actually aren't what I love the most about collecting, the 1975 Topps mini set an exception, obviously.

I most love vintage cards and '70s-style oddballs and filling some early '80s set needs. But those favorite pursuits take a lot more doing these days, with prices rising and card shows in short supply. Collectors simply don't have those readily on hand.

And, as a veteran collector -- I've been at this, off and on, for 40 years you know -- there just aren't a lot of the "regular cards" that I need anymore, even if it seems to me like there are tons and tons of base cards avoiding my collection.

So, if you're sending me cards -- and please do -- know that you're welcome to try to find base cards that might fit into my collection, but probably the most direct way to my collecting heart, the absolute guarantee of a forever home in my binders, is to send me parallels.

I do like me some parallels, I think I've said that. The more colorful the better.

Johnny knows this, and that's why he flooded a recent package send with Dodgers parallels. Oh sure, there were some flagship-type cards in there, too, but the majority of cards that landed were parallels.

Every one a parallel. Every one a need.

More. (Johnny doesn't seem to have a use for Justin Turner).

This shows a nice progression from the classic era of gold parallels to what's going on now. I prefer the classics.

 

Now we're into the shady world of back parallels as we pretend we're dedicated to one brand of tobacco like those addicts of the early 1900s.

Whether you're a Drum, Sovereign, Polar Bear or Piedmont smoker/chewer, all of these were needs. Personally, I'd rather collect than chew.

 

John also sent three Shawn Green minis, but I had two of the back variations already.

 

These could be parallels or regular base cards. I don't know. Panini confuses me. Panini's card designs are a complete smoke screen for its lack of logos.

 

So were there any flagship cards that cracked your collection, Mr. Veteran Collector?

Yeah, these two cards from 2021 Gallery were new to me.

 

And this Tommy Kahnle, which is a short-print, finally completed my 2021 Heritage Dodgers team set. Invigorating pose there (more on that tomorrow).

So, yeah, there are regular old base cards that I need for sure. Many, many of them. And, truthfully, the absolute best way to my collecting heart is to lay a 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson on me.

But if you don't have some cool vintage or Kellogg's 3-D lying around, a parallel could be your best bet.