A couple of housekeeping things before I get to the topic tonight. First, I've figured out the issues I've had with commenting on some other blogs as well as, probably, why others sometimes can't comment on mine.
It comes down to Google being extra particular/unhelpful and requiring the Google Chrome browser for some blogs. I don't know why it's just some and not all. But it explains why I can comment on those difficult blogs at work because I use Chrome at work. Should've made that connection earlier.
Also, I'm still building stacks of Dodger cards for those who said they were interested. It's going to take a minute. March has slowed things down as it likes to do (its final kiss-off is really sucky weather this weekend). Hopefully next month I'll be sending packages out.
One of those collectors getting a gift of Dodgers is Jason, a.k.a., Heavy J, who recently took up the challenge of sending me Dodger cards I don't have already. This is always tricky for many collectors, but Dodger collectors are a special breed and can usually find something that fits into my collection.
Out of the approximate 150 Dodger cards he sent, I needed 31, which is a percentage I will take every time. Jason is the eclectic sort so there were other items, too, custom cards -- he whips up a mean custom -- and other great stuff, like the 1982 Topps stickers you see up top.
You could be saying, "don't you have all the '82 Topps stickers already -- I seem to remember you going on and on about that?" Yes, I do. I've got them all and they are all stuck in the '82 sticker book. But as someone who likes to collect, not stare at a book of stickers, I will take all the unstuck '82 stickers I can. This stack is about 40 percent of the total stickers.
As for the needed Dodger cards, they were across the board. Jason deals in a lot of super old stuff, so I was a touch surprised he had -- Panini available, for example.
Both the stickers ...
And the cards ...
I threw the Bowman needs in there, too, because like Panini, you can almost guarantee that there are "needed" Bowman cards. These are lesser-priority items for collectors like me, and easy targets when hunting for cards someone needs. Jason knew this and was happy when I could use other stuff, too.
For example, this excellent Mike Piazza card from 1996 Pacific Crown Collection. It's a "Hometown of the Players" insert, and, yes, I had no idea this existed.
And there's this weirdness. This is something called "Historic Autographs," issued last year. There are seemingly too many versions of each card with similar crazy border designs. The image is nothing to look at -- obviously not my style but it seems people are collecting them.
More typical needs -- which, of course, mean parallels. Some are long overdue, like the Big League orange Turner; some are my first, like the Archives Will Smith mini; and some are the bizarre "lava" parallels that are now plaguing Chrome Anniversary (see the Lasorda) and other sets.
Here are parallels I understand better. Allen & Ginter minis, woooo! I don't have time to chase these like I once did (comparing my success with 2008-12 A&G Dodger minis and more current sets is a good way to make me sad), so I appreciate these more than you know.
There were also a couple of Allen & Ginter relics that I needed. Gray swatches, but sharply designed.
Definitely the thickest and most eye-popping card in the package. This is the first "coin hit" in my collection. I'm on record as not getting these -- I have plenty of nickels. But, then, I don't collect coins. I do love the 1972-esque design though, so this card will always make me happy.
There were a few just regular team set needs, too (I know I'm stretching the definition with that rub-on set in the middle). These are the most welcome.
Finally, just a couple of the customs Jason sent. These two are appropriate after yesterday's first pitch thrown by Kirk Gibson to Freddie Freeman before the game. Dodger fans always have moments like these to share. We never have to worry about having nothing to talk about.
Hopefully I can get some Dodger cards into Jason's hands that he needs. I'm looking forward to having more time to devote to stuff like that.
Comments
That '88 Score-style Freddie Feeeman custom is awesome.
How do you store your stickers? I have a small box that fits Panini-sized stickers nicely but it's not great for flipping through/displaying. Are there albums for sticker-sized cards?
I'll see myself out.
Chris - BCW makes these Bowman inserts. They are similar to penny sleeves except they're slightly smaller and are made to be used with 9-pocket pages and top loaders. Anyways, the 1982 Topps Stickers fit perfectly into them, so if you want to display your stickers in 9-pocket pages you might want to look into them. The only downside is that they're $1.59 for 25 inserts, so it wouldn't be cheap.
Ultra Pro does make a 12-pocket page that holds cards that are 2.25" x 2.5". I don't have any stickers in front of me, so I can't measure it. But based on a quick Google search, it says that the 1982 stickers were 2 and 9/16 inches tall which if true would mean they'd stick out slightly.