It's been 72 days, 12 hours, 33 minutes, and 44 seconds since Napkin Doon gallantly galloped off into the blogging sunset.
While I was mostly on blogging sabbatical, the gone-but-not-forgotten Napkin Doon and I got a trade going. I hope it won't be our last one, even if his blogging days are over. I still really wish it wasn't entirely true.
Anyway, I'm back, and Nap is gone, and I also wish it was the other way around. But, oh well. He's a busy guy. I have a busy scanner.
Thus, the results of our glorious trade:
I always love Kalines, and the weird-looking under-sized one is from a Milton Bradley game in 1969. Nap bought it special for me at one of Cleve's auctions. Remember those? Ah, the good ol' days.
Of course, what's amazing here is the 1957 Kaline in beautiful condition. Nap generously dipped into his sampler album for me, and I'm thrilled to own this card. Remember the sampler album? Damn, all those series Nap had just make me feel like an inadequate aimless blogger. Nap, we need you!
And he sent these:
Shiny!
He also sent me a pack of 1990 Topps, which I let my one-year-old daughter open (after checking for no-name Frank Thomas, of course!). She loved it, and still has some creepy mustachioed guys in her toy boxes.
Any time you want to come back, Nap, I'll be reading. Or, hell, come guest write on my blog.
Trading is one of the best parts of being a blogger, and I'm way behind (as always) in showing off my trade goodies. If you trade with me, man, I will put my all into sending you great stuff, but know that I'll take twenty-two and a half years to post about it.
So, speaking of a trader who deserves thanks, I traded with Roy at Plain Gray Swatch, back when he was still getting his blogging legs. Hell, now he's a veteran. I sent Roy some stuff off my trade bait, and here's what I got in return:
A very shiny, very smiley Miggy Cabby Icons jersey. This one's a plain white swatch. What gives? I expected plain gray.
Even plainer white is this Pudge Masterpieces GU. I'm such a sucker for framed cards, and I love this one, despite the humdrum headshot. This card is classy, as is everything Masterpieces did. Now, I owe Roy extra thanks for parting with this beauty, as he's a Pudge fan himself. That's blogger generosity for you.
Here come the extras, and what fine extras. I especially love the Archives Ripken. I'm getting closer to finishing that Ultra Iron Man insert set. Sweet trades are made at Plain Gray Swatch, as well as some great writing. Be sure to check them out. And, Roy, I have a stack of cool Jays I've been holding for you when you're ready to trade again.
Next up, Fantastic Catch answered my plea for an Inge GU. I still need an Inge auto, if anyone has one.
But now I have some Inge jersey goodness. This is a great looking card.
Here are some of the sweet extras sent to finish off this trade with Fantastic Catch. Love the Kaline.
To finish off this trade trifecta, I have cards to show from everyone's favortie Napkin: Mr. Doon. We've had a few trades before, and he always sends great stuff. He's also one of my favorite blog writers--a well-yielded sense of humor goes a long ways.
Nap posted this card on his blog, and I had to have it. I love all Cabrera cards, whether in Marlins gear or the correct uniform.
Nap tossed in some shiny Cabrera extras. I wondered if I'd ever snag one of those Spring Fever cards, and I hardly even had to wait, thanks to everyone's favorite Doon, Mr. Napkin. With this grouping of shiny Cabreras, this post has reached its cyclical end.
Thanks to all these great bloggers for their trading generosity. And if any of you out there want to get a trade going, just send me a message.
