Collecting Catch-Up and Ghostly Kell

It's been a busy day of updating the blog. I've received a ton of great trade packages lately, just went to a card show, not to mention a slew of eBay packages. Lots to scan, enter into the want lists, and then put away. After a busy summer semester and a week of work in Kentucky that involved grading thousands of papers and drinking dozens of beers, collecting has taken a back seat, and now it's begging for attention. Catching up has been a lot of work today, but I realized, while leaning over the computer and squinting at card numbers, that I love this work. Completely calming, and there's something so nice about the clarity of this task, the instant gratification, and the opportunity to be a kid and play with cardboard.

Anyway, the want lists are now all up-to-date. Go check them out. I'm ready to trade, folks. Of course, quite a few of you know this. I've got a bunch of trade packages going out tomorrow. And those of you who have sent me trade packages in the last month or so, thanks a ton. You guys have made a tough few months better with cardboard. I'll be posting about them soon.

And, so this trade isn't just a bunch of boring words, it's time for a picture:

I picked this one up on eBay for about $3 shipped. This is a great set. I love the design, the way the background weaves in and out of the picture of Kell. There's kind of a ghostly effect happening here. Kell's kind of looking like Marty McFly after he's been messing around with his mom too much.

This is my first relic of George Kell, a legendary Tiger who I've been meaning to collect more. The chunk of bat here is very cool. There's something clearly different about the woodgrain from the older generations. I can't quite put my finger on it: more imperfections in the wood maybe?

Now it's time to get back to rocking out those trade packages.

Check Out All My Trade Bait!

Time to add a few more cards to the trade bait page. If you see anything you like here, let me know in the comments or shoot me an email. And don't forget to check out the trade bait page--which I've just finished cleaning up and making all pretty--for bait blasts from the past.

Michael Young: 2010 Upper Deck Game Jersey

Daryl Thompson: 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects Refractor Auto

James Shields: 2011 Topps Manu Glove Nameplate (#89/99)

Jose Reyes: 2005 Skybox Autographics Jerseygraphics

David DeJesus: 2011 Topps Lineage 1952 Autographs

Matt Garza: 2011 Topps 60 Relics (jersey)

Joey Devine: 2010 Topps 206 Mini Framed Caramel Autographs

Alex Rios: 2007 UD Game Materials (jersey)

Ron Hunt: 2001 Upper Deck Decade 1970s Game-Used Bat

Hung-Wen Chen: 2009 Bowman Sterling WBC Relic Gold Refractor (jersey #ed /50)

Josh Johnson: 2011 Topps Lineage 1975 Mini Relics (jersey)

George Bell: 2005 Upper Deck Classic Seasons Signatures

Thanks for looking. Again, if you don't see anything you like here, go check out the trade bait page and make me an offer. All of my collecting interests can be found on my want lists here. I look forward to doing some trading, folks.

Sweet Lou TTM, a Momentous First

William over at Foul Bunt scored a beautiful Lou Whitaker signed ball through the mail, and William graciously shared it with us (check out the awesomeness). Well, I commented, we got to talking, and he sent me Lou's TTM address. I had no idea how to go about the process, and William gave me a good run-down on the process. I've never done a TTM auto before, and Lou was a perfect first. Less than a week after I sent it out, I found my SASE in my mailbox.

I don't know how all of you go about picking cards for TTM, but '88 Fleer seemed like a good choice. All the brightness of this set lends itself well to ink. It gave Lou plenty of room to include his highlights: '78 ROY and '84 World Series Champion. Hey, Lou, you earned it, and I'm glad to see you showing it off on my baseball card. And, you have to love Lou's half-smirk on this card.

Maybe I'm a little greedy, but I thought I'd go for a double. I sent another card in the same envelope, which Lou also signed:

Another awesome TTM. I should also mention what a nice signature Lou has. I love the "L," how it loops and swoops to the "W." All very legible. Very cool stuff.

I doubt the likes of Lou actually read our blogs, but just in case: Thanks a bunch, Lou. You were one of the greatest heroes of my youth, and you're very generous with your time and ink. It's always so gratifying to find out your heroes are also stand-up guys.

But I shouldn't forget about Coot, right? I don't know if I can completely say Lou is my first TTM. Long ago, the son of Coot contacted me and very generously offered to get his dad to sign a card for me. You can read about that more here. Those Veals and Whitakers are some amazing families.

The Vealtones will now play this post out with my XRC TTM auto:

Kaline the Giant Ate My Brain

I recently completed a second trade with Scott over at Sports Cards Ate My Brain. Well, actually, I'm about a month behind, but I figured I better hammer this post out, since Scott and I are wrapping up yet another fantastic trade.

It all started with a bit of vintage. I had a 1952 Bowman Braves card and Scott had this:

This is an Al Kaline Exhibit card. I really don't know too much about this set, but this card is awesome, and a great addition to the Kaline collection. What I do know about this set is that the cards are huge. I had no idea when Scott sent the scan. Here's a comparison for those of you who haven't seen these in person:

Scott also sent this slightly over-sized 2009 Cabrera A&G Ginter card, and most of you are probably familiar with how big these are. Well, Exhibit dwarfs big Ginter, as you can see. This will likely be the largest Kaline card I ever have in my collection. Scott's making records here at the Vealtones.

And these two cards would have sufficed to make a perfect trade, but Scott's the kind of trader who always fills trade packages with awesome surprises, like a slew of Verlander rookies in our last trade. Here's some of the extras he tossed in this time:

A smiling Goudey Kaline. I've always been a fan of these sets, and Kaline's smug posture may be my favorite card from any of these sets.

Short prints, rookies, and inserts--all great cards to add to the Tigers binders.

Here are two hits. German has quite the squiggly signature. And another nice looking Goudey card. I just keep getting Bonderman hits in trades, whether I'm trading for them or whether they're just getting tossed in. Bonderman recently visited the Tigers after completing surgery, and I have to say that it was nice to see him, if only hanging around the dugout. I really do hope he makes a comeback. I wouldn't mind seeing him pitch for us again with his new bionic arm in 2013.

Rounding out the trade are a slew of Cobbs. Including, of course, one of the coolest cards ever, the Masterpieces Cobb kick. Somehow, I was the last Tigers collector to get this card, but I have it now, thanks to Scott.

If you have some Braves cards to trade, be sure to look up Sports Card Ate My Brain. Scott's one hell of a trader, and our third trade promises to be just as good as the other two. On top of that, he's a great writer and puts together an awesome blog. I feel a bit like I've stumbled upon one of the best-kept secrets in the blogosphere. He still only has 24 followers. That's ridiculous. Go over there and start following! You won't regret it.