That time I bought a Yogi Berra

Well, I suppose it should be those "times" I bought a Yogi Berra.  While this isn't my first one, it is a cool one.

I was walking around the National on Saturday with a fellow collector looking to buy the one box of 2005 Topps Bazooka I had seen earlier in the week.  I had fun with that product in '05 and wanted to rip something relatively cheap at $40.  Oddly enough the same seller had vintage cards and I decided that for $10 more, I would rather have a sweet Yogi Berra card than 3 useless game used cartoon cards.

While I don't go out of my way collecting anything vintage I do like to pick up the occasional Yogi card.

It should also be noted that several "supplies" tables told me that a snap case or screw down case for a 54 Topps did not exist.  I knew they did but no one had one.  Thanks to my local card shop, Yogi is safe in a screw down case living in a cardboard box with his friends.

My Loot from the 2010 Topps Million Card Giveaway

I finally decided to give in a redeem these Million Card Giveaway suckers to see what I got, or didn't get for that matter. I had 10 codes to redeem and toyed with selling them on eBay for a while but figured I should take a shot just in case there is a Pujols card in the bunch here.

Here is my loot:

1. 1969 Rookie Stars Jerry Crider/Geo. Mitterwald, Minnesota Twins

2. 1970 Sporting News Don Kessinger, Chicago Cubs

3. 1959 Andy Pafko, Milwaukee Braves

4. 1979 Dave Heaverlo, Oakland A's

5. 1963 Ernie Bowman, San Francisco Giants

6. 1959 Sporting News Rookie Stars Dick Stigman, Cleveland Indians

7. 1972 Carlos May, Chicago White Sox

8. 1976 Joe Niekro, Houston Astros

9. 1979 Ron Jackson, California Angels

10. 1964 Dave Wickersham, Detroit Tigers

I am rather surprised that I got all vintage cards, but surprised in a good way. I was expecting to end up with some cards that were a year or two old at most and ended up winning with all vintage. For the record, all of these codes were from retail packs. I didn't buy a single 2010 Series 1 Hobby pack. I probably will not have a single one of these shipped to me, but the process was more fun than I thought it would be.

If anyone is interested in any of these let me know, I'm more than willing to trade them.

1954 Bowman Update

I talked to my uncle about what to do with these cards and he told me to sell them or flip them, whatever I want he will go along with. So, I'm open to offers.

The cards I have from that set are here, and I have one other that is not in good shape at all.

More Vintage Treasure

So I scoffed these cards from my uncle because I wanted to blog about them, although I know nothing about them. They were in a small plastic bag in the shoebox and I thought they would make for great conversation, and perhaps we can identify these because like I said I am too lazy to do the leg work on this. Not to mention have a ton to study, which clearly you can see isn't getting done. I just had a glass of milk and I am ready for bed despite not knowing half of what I need to know. I have turned into an old person, a glass of milk and bed. Sad.

Here are the cards, I scanned the back of one as just a sample of what they look like. There was one other card that is in terrible shape, it was bent down the middle and looks like it may have been stored that was for a long time, or used in flipping or a bicycle years ago.

I think these cards are awesome because they are actual vintage as opposed to "new" vintage designs we see now. I am very partial to retro designs and love them, but nothing comes close to holding onto cards like this. I won't lie and say I know the value but value is only what someone is willing to pay or accept for something as far as I'm concerned. If anything here strikes anyone's interest let me know and I will relay it to my uncle and see what he was going to do with these.

Stay tuned tomorrow when I am not studying and blogging about the contents of 2 OPC blasters. I have become slightly obsessed with these cards since finding out they will be scarce later.

Jose... Jose... Jose... Canseco

I was looking through some random old boxes of cards trying to put together some team lots for the collectors that I have traded with in the past in the event any of them are needed and stumbled across some vintage fun. I like odd cards, but what I like better are the cards or promos that most people never thought to keep, much less toss into a penny sleeve for safe keeping.

Here is my classic find:
1985 Burger King - Jose Canseco card



While the back of the card didn't translate well in the scan, you get the idea. I have a whole mess of random old sets from Burger King, Wonder Bread, Mc Donalds, etc. I wish they would do stuff like this now, it adds a little spice to your collection and it's something that you don't have to buy a hobby box to complete. You just have to cough up a little cash to get it, or eat your weight in french fries.

If my memory serves me correctly, I believe 2001 was the last time one of these sets was around (at least in the NY area). I have a McDonald's team set of the Yankees from then, and it's one of my favorites despite putting players separately with their respective cards. One day when I am motivated I will scan some of those.

Since this was in the box as well, I figured I would feature another one of his cards that stood the test of time nicely. I have a soft spot for the 89 Bowman, they were slightly oversized, had nice pictures which were mostly headshots that they have shied away from over the years for action shots, and they would be great for signatures if I ever get motivated for TTM stuff.