Time to finish up showing off my goods from the card show. Today, we'll rehash my favorite part of the card show: the dime boxes.
OK, I only wish these were dime box finds. These came out of a 6/$5 box. Each of these are numbered. The 2004 Throwback Threads card is as cool as it gets for a Tigers collector. Pudge, Trammell, and Mr. Tiger all on one card. Yes, please. And some sweet Verlander parallels, copper Topps and light blue Heroes. I might just have to go after a Heroes rainbow or two one of these days.
Now we're back to talking dime boxes. I snagged a gaggle of these cards from the 1983 Kaline story set. I didn't even know about this set, but now that I do, damn, gonna have to finish this sucker. These cards are fantastic.
Here are some more glories from this set. I love the cameos, including the whole 1974 all-star team. And that top right card is a masterpiece. We have to have a closer look:
Perfect.
More goodies for my various player collections. Just when I think I have all the Pudge rookie cards from his 1991 I find another. And up top, there's Cobb being a douche.
Along with all the cards above, I snagged one of these Mars Attacks cards from the same dealer's table. Just one. He noticed, and offered me all of them he had as an add-on to the already great deal he'd given me. These are a few of my favorites. Who of us cardboard connoisseurs don't appreciate the history of Mars Attacks? Some of us more than others, of course.
To wrap this up, some randomy randomness. Refractors, gold, and the Finest I could never afford when I was a kid.
Not a bad dime box haul. At most shows, I usually end up with a lot more randomness and much less for my actual player collections. I managed to stay on track this time and get stuff I actually needed. Well, the word "need" is always relative to a cardboard addict.
As I mentioned a few months ago, I had to miss my favorite annual card show in Kalamazoo, and I didn't care at all because of a special little lady. But I did make it to another annual show in Grand Rapids recently. Not as good as the Kalamazoo one, but I got some sweet stuff.
I've mentioned plenty on this blog how much I love the 1952 Bowman set, probably my favorite vintage set. I'm getting close on my Tigers team set. But I also avidly collect catchers in gear. The gear here is awesome. Love the mask in hand, the chest protector, and the iconic Catchers-Finding-Jesus pose (term copyright the wise doctor over at Carl Crawford Cards). We also get one of those oddball backgrounds often featured on vintage Bowman cards. Overall, a fantastic card of an average player.
Along with the Eddie Fitz card, I picked up this Ray Scarborough. It's a cool card, that I'll probably trade eventually. I know there's probably some Red Sox collector pals out there who need this one and have some sweet Tigers vintage to send my way.
This Mike Schmidt jersey card was my other big purchase of the show. I've always admired Schmidt, and this card was a great deal. The design is fun with Minty Beans' friend Elmer McPunchy bounding out behind Mike's knee. Also, you can't beat that jersey pinstripe.
I notice a lot less collectors being interested in GUs these days, but I still love them. Then again, I got this for a few bucks, not as my one hit in a $75 box. I have to say, though, I'll always be a fan of these cards, especially with great designs like this.
Next post, I'll jam out my dime box finds. You never want to miss those.
In this installment of Iconic Rookies, I might be jumping the gun a bit. Is this card or Clay's career old and established enough to be iconic?
I'm going to argue yes. Clay is certainly making a case for iconic status with the crazy-good season he's having this year. This is his first Bowman rookie card, and in the tradition of first Bowman cards, this one is pretty awkward. Clay looks gangly and spindly, wearing a jersey a few sizes too large, a jersey he probably put on just for picture day. At least we can be grateful he's not wearing a tropical button-up and white khaki shorts on his Bowman rookie card.
As awkward as this card is, if you're a rookie collector, this is Clay's true rookie, and, I think, one worth having in a rookie collection. I acquired this off of eBay a few months ago for less than a dollar shipped. I bet it's not going that cheap now, but I bet this card has made it into a dime box or two.
