Trade with BoxBusters

I sent some Cardinals cards out to Boxbusters recently.

This is what I sent.

October 15th 2008
http://boxbusters24.blogspot.com/2008/10/mail-call_15.html

October 20th 2008
http://boxbusters24.blogspot.com/2008/10/mail-call_204.html
A package today from Boxbusters, all the way from East Alton Illinois.
Mr Ross enclosed these beauties:

2008 Topps Allen + Ginter #284 Daisuke Matsuzaka
2008 Topps Moments and Milestones #199 Manny Ramirez 134/150
2008 Topps Moments and Milestones #142 Daisuke Matsuzak 118/150
2008 Topps Trading Card History Chrome #TCHC1 Jacoby Ellsbury
2008 Topps Trading Card History Chrome #TCHC3 Daisuke Matsuzaka
2008 Goudey #22 David Ortiz
2008 Goudey #24 Josh Beckett
2008 Goudey #25 Dustin Pedroia
2008 Goudey #28 Daisuke Matsuzaka
2008 Goudey #29 Jonathan Papelbon
2008 A piece of History #13 Josh Beckett
2008 A piece of History #16 Dustin Pedroia
2008 A piece of History #76 Jason Bay (Pirates)
2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #795 Josh Beckett

Another Jacoby and its a 'shiny' one!
Thanks for the great cards.

The Pursuit of Jacoby

Jacoby Ellsbury.
Boston Red Sox centre fielder.
A quick search through Beckett tells me that there are 257 cards depicting Jacoby Ellsbury from 2005 to 2008.
A refinement of the search tells me that 96 of these cards are 1 of 1's.
Wait a second... 96?
There are 96 cards that a collector like myself never has a slightest chance of seeing, let alone owning. What is the point?
There are a further 55 cards limited from 5 to 100 and another 43 cards that are limited anywhere from 100 to 2008.
So in reality there are only 62 cards without a specific print run that I have a real chance of collecting.
Sounds like an achievable goal.

Collecting and waiting!

The world of card collecting has gone eerily quiet. I am waiting for a number of packages to arrive and I am becoming impatient.
I have waited a few weeks now for 100 cards from the Topps 1980 set I won on e-bay. I haven't been contacted by the seller, so I am little worried that they may never arrive. This is the first time buying cards from the US that I have experienced a problem. Pity as this was going to make a big dent in my 'Pursuit' of the 1980 set.
Secondly, I am waiting for a blaster of 2008 Goudey also purchased from e-bay in the US. I haven't had trouble from this seller before but again is it taking longer than I expected.
Thirdly, I sent out a load of trade packages and was hoping to receive some cards back. Nothing has arrived for a week or so.
So I am collecting and waiting. So what does a basbeall card collector do while waiting, sort through their collection and in doing so I decided to add another pursuit- Jacoby Ellsbury.

Trade with Eric

A package from Eric 'a Yankees fan' today.

Another state to tick off the list. This lot of cards came from Minnesota. Bloomington to be more exact.

Here's the selection form Eric~

1989 Fleer #4 Dennis Eckersley

1990 Donruss Carl Yastrzemski mini puzzle

2005 Fleer Authentix #52 Pedro Martinez

2005 Fleer Authentix #72 David Ortiz

2007 Bowman Heritage #14 Mike Lowell

2007 Bowman Heritage #250 Daisuke Matsuzaka

2007 Topps Turkey Red #130 David Ortiz

2007 UD Masterpieces #22 Babe Ruth

2007 UD Masterpieces #31 David Ortiz

2008 Goudey #22 David Ortiz

2008 Goudey #29 Jonathan Papelbon

2008 Topps A+G #US22 Jason Varitek

2008 Topps A+G #US37 Jacoby Ellsbury

2008 Topps A+G #62 Dustin Pedroia

2008 Topps A+G #63 Jacoby Ellsbury

2008 Topps A+G 171 J.D.Drew

2008 Topps Chrome #124 Jacoby Ellsbury

2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #429 Josh Beckett

2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #744 Josh Beckett

2008 UD Baseball Heroes #24 Jacoby Ellsbury

2008 UD Baseball Heroes #176 Wade Boggs

2008 UD Baseball Heroes #198 Jonathan Papelbon, Manny Ramirez, Jason Varitek, David Ortiz

2008 UD First Edition #SQ14 David Ortiz

2008 UD First Edition Update #SQ41 David Ortiz

2008 Upper Deck X #11 Daisuke Matsuzaka

Thanks Eric.

Trade with Justin

Another day, another trade. Brilliant!
I sent a bunch of cards to Justin, a Tampa Bay Rays collector and today a package from Largo Florida!

Here's what was enclosed:
A pack of 2008 Goudey (a nice surprise to start off)
1982 Topps #25 Jerry Remy
1986 Topps #60 Dwight Evans
2003 Bowman #109 Pedro Martinez
2003 Upper Deck #23 Nomar Garciaparra
2006 Fleer Ultra #HRK5 David Ortiz
2007 Bowman #BDPP105 Jacoby Ellsbury
2007 Fleer #RS-JP Jonathan Papelbon
2007 Goudey #32 David Ortiz red back
2007 Goudey #47 J.D.Drew red back
2007 Topps #16 Jason Varitek
2007 Topps #142 Trot Nixon
2007 Topps #475 Kevin Youkilis
2008 Topps #360 David Ortiz
2008 A+G #62 Dustin Pedroia
2008 Upper Deck #773 Josh Beckett
2008 Upper Deck series 1 Starquest #18 Manny Ramirez

plus a bunch of Goudey's I need to complete the set.

Thanks for the great trade Justin.

Trade with Nightowl

I contacted many blogs to try and trade some of the baseball cards I have sitting around in boxes. It seems a tragedy that these cards are not enjoyed by a 'collector'. All the people I contacted have e-mailed back, which is a testament to the hobby and the people who belong to it.
As I have mentioned I collected anything and everything. Now my collection has grown I am more mature about what stays and what goes. I made a decision.
The decision ?

' To collect more Boston Red Sox cards' and

' To trade all other teams for Red Sox'.

It's going well. I send off 10 packages to various collectors today.

At the beginning of October I contacted 'Nightowl' in the hope of trading some LA Dodgers, his team of choice.
A package arrived from Watertown New York today!

This is what Greg sent over received in return.
1984 Topps #320 Bob Stanley
1986 Topps Traded #89 Rey Quinones
1988 Fleer #348 Ellis Burks
1988 Topps #70 Roger Clemens
1988 Topps #96 Todd Benzinger
1988 Topps #125 Bruce Hurst
1988 Topps #152 Jody Reed
1988 Topps #299 Steve Crawford
1988 Topps #354 Marc Sullivan
1988 Topps #377 Sam Horn
1988 Topps #394 Roger Clemens
1988 Topps #653 Jeff Sellers
1989 Topps #71 Mike Boddicker
1989 Topps #205 Dwight Evans
1990 Topps #495 Lee Smith
1991 Topps #675 Tom Brunansky
1992 Score #156 Greg Harris
1998 Pacific Collection #49 Mo Vaughn
2006 Fleer #HRK6 Manny Ramirez
2006 Topps #6 Josh Beckett
2006 Topps #27 Matt Clement
2006 Topps #102 Curt Schilling
2006 Topps #183 Tim Wakefield
2006 Topps #269 Boston Red Sox
2006 Topps #407 Kevin Youkilis
2006 Upper Deck #539 Doug Mirabelli
2007 Topps #538 Wily Mo Pena
2007 Topps Update #90 Julian Tavarez
2008 Topps A+G #134 Jason Varitek
2008 Topps A+G #200 David Ortiz
2008 Topps A+G #296 Hideki Okajima
2008 Topps Heritage #HDP1 Manny Ramirez
2008 Topps Heritage #HDP4 David Ortiz
2008 Topps Heritage #12 Curt Schilling
2008 Topps Heritage #249 Jonathan Papelbon

Thanks Greg. I like the mix of late 80's with the 00's. More Dodgers are on their way.

Trade with Capewood Collections

I sent some cards out to Cliff at Capewoods in the midst of some turmoil in his area.
This is what I sent.

September 22nd 2008
http://capewood.blogspot.com/2008/09/trade-with-john-in-uk.html

Glad he liked them.

Received a BIG box of cards from Cliff today! Super cards, excellent condition.

Cliff sent.
2008 Bowman #121 Bortlo Colon
2008 Bowman #198 Mike Lowell
2008 Bowman #BP36 Ryan Khoury
2008 Bowman Chrome #BP36 Ryan Khoury
2008 Topps #OTG7 David Ortiz
2008 Topps #64 Mike Lowell
2008 Topps #90 David Ortiz
2008 Topps #99 Highlights
2008 Topps #122 Jason Varitek
2008 Topps #13 Terry Francona
2008 Topps #174 Julian Tavarez
2008 Topps #178 Dustin Pedoria
2008 Topps #217 Postseason Highlights
2008 Topps #229 Dustin Pedoria
2008 Topps #232 Clay Buchholz
2008 Topps #234 Postseason Highlights
2008 Topps #250 Jonathan Papelbon
2008 Topps #258 Classic Combos
2008 Topps #282 Jon Lester
2008 Topps #295 Tim Wakefield
2008 Topps #379 Hideki Okajima
2008 Topps #386 Julio Lugo
2008 Topps #502 Alex Cora
2008 Topps #550 Curt Schilling
2008 Topps #552 J.D.Drew
2008 Topps #555 Josh Beckett
2008 Topps #586 Coco Crisp
2008 Topps A+G #US18 Jonathan Papelbon
2008 Topps A+G #US22 Jason Varitek
2008 Topps A+G #10 Manny Ramirez
2008 Topps A+G #13 Mike Lowell
2008 Topps A+G #55 Josh Beckett
2008 Topps A+G #113 Curt Schilling
2008 Topps A+G #130 Tim Wakefield
2008 Topps A+G #171 J.D.Drew
2008 Topps A+G #219 Charles Dickens
2008 Topps A+G #308 Jed Lowrie
2008 Topps A+G #349 Justin Masterson
2008 Topps Heritage #73 Dustin Pedoria
2008 Topps Heritage #220 Mike Lowell
2008 Topps Heritage #249 Jonathan Papelbon
2008 Topps Moments & Milestones #102 Mike Lowell #72/150
2008 Topps Opening Day #56 Jason Varitek
2008 Topps Opening Day #100 David Ortiz
2008 Topps Opening Day #154 Curt Schilling
2008 Topps Stars #TS15 David Ortiz
2008 Topps Trading Card History #TCH5 Clay Buchholz
2008 A Piece of History #15 Manny Ramirez
2008 A Piece of History #16 Dustin Pedoria
2008 A Piece of History #18 Jonathan Papelbon
2008 A Piece of History #20 Curt Schilling
2008 Baseball Heroes #19 Mike Lowell
2008 Baseball Heroes #20 Jason Varitek
2008 Baseball Heroes #21 David Ortiz
2008 Baseball Heroes #30 Dustin Pedoria
2008 Baseball Heroes #92 John Lester
2008 Goudey #22 David Ortiz
2008 Spectrum #12 David Ortiz
2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #221 Tim Wakefield
2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #223 Julian Tavarez
2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #224 Hideki Okajima
2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #225 Manny Delcarmen
2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #226 Doug Mirabelli
2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #227 Dustin Pedoria
2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #229 Manny Ramirez
2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #384 Clay Buchholz
2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #430 Jon Lester
2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #432 Jonathan Papelbon
2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #435 Jacoby Ellsbury
2008 Upper Deck First Edition # SQ14 David Ortiz
2008 Upper Deck First Edition #185 Julian Tavarez
2008 Upper Deck First Edition #187 Doug Mirabelli
2008 Upper Deck First Edition #189 Mike Lowell
2008 Upper Deck First Edition Update #316 Curt Schilling
2008 Upper Deck First Edition Update #320 Jacoby Ellsbury
2008 Upper Deck First Edition Update #321 Julio Lugo
2008 Upper Deck First Edition Update #322 Sean Casey
2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces #84 Jason Varitek
2008 Upper Deck X #12 David Ortiz
Plus a shed load of 2008 Upper Deck and 2008 Topps

Completely overwhelmed by the amount of cards again. Thanks to Cliff I think I only need a few more 2008 Red Sox cards.
Thanks Cliff. Take a big bow.

Trade with Darkstar

For my very first post on APAD, I wrote about the 2007/2008 Topps Match Attax Football cards. Darkstar (aka Todd) commented that he would like to get a hold of some 'soccer' cards and we organised a trade. Todd also mentioned he supported the Kansas City Royals. A package of Royals, Match Attax and assorted other football packs were on their way.

Yesterday a package full of Red Sox cards arrived from Iowa, which in itself is pretty cool.

Here is what he enclosed:

1999 SP Authentic #15 Nomar Garciaparra

2004 Donruss Leather and Lumber #28 Pedro Martinez

2005 Zenith #10 Manny Ramirez

2007 Topps '52 #TCRC60 Jacoby Ellsbury RC numbered 1780/1952

2007 Topps Allen+Ginter mini #126 Curt Schilling

2007 UD Elements #6 Manny Ramirez

2007 UD Elements #48 Manny Ramirez

2007 UD Masterpieces #5 Carlton Fisk

2007 UD Masterpieces #14 David Ortiz

2007 UD Masterpieces #16 Roger Clemens

2007 UD Masterpieces #22 Babe Ruth

2007 UD Masterpieces #27 Daisuke Matsuzaka

2007 UD Masterpieces #31 David Ortiz

2007 UD Masterpieces #59 Bobby Doerr

2007 UD Masterpieces #86 2004 World Champions

2008 Goudey #23 Manny Ramirez

2008 Goudey #24 Josh Beckett

2008 Goudey #25 Dustin Pedroia

2008 Goudey #28 Daisuke Matsuzaka

2008 Goudey #29 Jonathan Papelbon

2008 Goudey #30 Kevin Youkilis

2008 Topps #TS4 Josh Beckett

2008 Topps Allen+Ginter Mini #13 Mike Lowell

2008 Topps Allen+Ginter Black border Mini #10 Manny Ramirez

2008 Topps Co-Signers #54 Daisuke Matsuzaka

2008 Topps Co-Signers #100 Clay Buchholz

2008 Topps Finest #45 Manny Ramirez

2008 Topps Heritage #TN9 David Ortiz

2008 Topps Heritage #88 Clay Buchholz

2008 Topps Heritage #358 Hideki Okajima

2008 Spectrum #12 David Ortiz

2008 Spectrum #13 Daisuke Matsuzaka

2008 Spectrum #14 Manny Ramirez

2008 SP Legendary Cuts #26 Daisuke Matsuzaka

2008 SP Legendary Cuts #27 Curt Schilling

2008 SP Legendary Cuts #64 Josh Beckett

2008 SP Legendary Cuts #99 Jason Varitek

2008 Upper Deck Series 2 #744 Josh Beckett

Thanks again Todd -Superb cards.

1955 Topps Doubleheader's

On my stroll around looking at baseball cards. I am continually drawn to the Topps Double Header cards from 1955.
What is it about this particular set? I'm not sure. It may be the design, the dimensions, the fact that they join together to make a ballpark scene or simply that they are different. What ever it is, I would like to explore this set further.





1955 Double Headers are based on an older set called the T201 Mecca Double Folder series from 1911.
These were distributed in packs of Mecca cigarettes. The set consisted of 50 cards showing baseball players of the era, each card showing two players. One player when the card is open and another when the card is closed. Although the upper part of the players are different they share a pair of legs.
The cards measure 2¼" by 4¾" when opened.
Some of the 100 players featured include Chief Bender #6 (who shares the card with Reuben Oldring), Christy Mathewson #10 ( Albert Bridwell), Ty Cobb #17 ( Sam Crawford), Nap Lajoie #28 (Fred Falkenberg) and Tris Speaker #32 (Earl Gardner).

Sometimes, just sometimes on E-bay

In the past I've tried to buy just about anything on e-bay, baseball related. As more items became available, I became more discerning.

Around April of this year there was a glut of cards available, possibly a 5p listing promotion. But an auction came up 'Some 70's and 80's baseball cards' and was listed without a picture. For just 99p (plus £1.00 postage) it was a slight risk. Similar I suppose to the blind trades I'm trying to arrange.

If I remember correctly the item description was as brief as the title.

I took a punt and won.

When the package finally arrived I was stunned. There was 24 cards from 1970 to 1992. Amongst the cards were:

1970 Topps #321 Lou Piniella

1972 Topps #72 Bruce Kison

1972 Topps #93 Pitching leaders

1972 Topps #95 Strikeout leaders

1972 Topps #112 Greg Luzinski

1972 Topps #103 Checklist

1972 Topps #520 Larry Bowa
1974 Topps #10 Johnny Bench

1974 Topps #136 Ricky Reuschel

1974 Topps #251 Graig Nettles

1974 Topps #280 Carl Yastrzemski

1974 Topps #315 Ron Cey

1974 Topps #562 Bucky Dent

1974 Topps #610 Dave Kingman

1980 Topps #220 Dave Concepcion

1980 Topps #544 Rick Sutcliffe

1983 Fleer #40 Paul Molitor

1983 Fleer #613 Gary Gaetti

1989 Topps #691 Roberto Kelly

1991 Fleer #524 Tommy Greene

1992 Topps #156 Manny Ramirez RC

and some cards that I have not been able to find anything about

1990 Superstars #2 Ken Griffey Jnr

1990 Superstars #3 Rickey Henderson

1990 Superstars #6 Jose Canseco

It says on the back they were 'limited' to 10,000. Is that the whole set or each card?

The highlight of the package being the 1992 Manny RC and 1974 Carl Yastremski.

However this is not just a random mixture of cards. My only possible conclusion being that the seller of these cards didn't know that some of them were collectable. Are collectable! They knew that they were significant in some way. But why list without picture or a list of the names 'Bench', 'Yastremski', or 'Molitor', 'Griffey Jnr', even 'Canseco'. Odd, very odd.

Trade with White Sox Cards Part Deux

When I started to send cards out to fellow collectors in the USA. I wasn't sure what the response would be. In reality, they have much easier access to cards than we do in the UK . Cards that I think may be special or difficult to get, turn out to be paper fodder.
A few of the people I sent cards to were seasoned collectors with a speciality subject. Such as Steve at White Sox Cards, Dave at Tribe cards and Kevin at Orioles card 'O' the day, whose Blog names speak for themselves. They probably had all the cards of their respective teams from 1960 to present and only needed a 1914 Ewell Russell or a cut signature of Bob Feller.

But to my surprise they accepted the cards gratefully and send some back. Today an outstanding package arrived from Steve at White Sox Cards full of perfect condition Red Sox cards. All the way from Oak Lawn, Illinois.

I will do as Steve does and list all the cards.

1987 Fleer Update #U15 Ellis Burke

1987 Topps #175 Bob Stanley

1988 Topps #245 Jim Rice

1988 Topps #405 AL leaders Roger Clemens

1988 Topps #653 Rich Gedman

1990 UD #354 Mike Greenwell

1991 Classic #T18 Roger Clemens

1991 Classic #T19 Wade Boggs

1991 Classic #T20 Tim Naehring

1991 Classic #T22 Phil Planter

1991 Classic #T24 Maurice Vaughn

1991 Classic #T65 Roger Clemens

1991 Classic #T66 Phil Plantier

1991 Classic #T99 Jack Clark

2007 Bowman #134 Curt Schilling

2007 Bowman Chrome #BC16 Yahmed Yema

2007 Fleer #20 Curt Schilling

2007 Fleer #25 Manny Ramirez

2007 Fleer Ultra #FG-CS Curt Schilling Fabric swatch

2007 Topps #116 Tim Wakefield

2007 Topps #236 Boston Red Sox

2007 Topps A+G #100 David Ortiz

2007 Topps '52 #117 Jeff Bailey

2007 Topps Co-signers #19 Curt Schilling

2007 Topps Finest #96 Mark Loretta

2007 Topps Turkey Red #130 David Ortiz

2007 UD Artifacts #3 Manny Ramirez

2007 UD First Edition #PC-MR Manny Ramirez

2007 UD Masterpieces #59 Bobby Doerr

2007 UD Spectrum #6 Jason Varitek

2008 Bowman #80 Josh Beckett

2008 Bowman #BP56 Iggy Suarez

2008 UD #314 Josh Beckett

2008 UD APH #13 Josh Beckett

2008 UD Baseball heroes #25 Kevin Youklis

2008 UD X Baseball #11 Dice-K

2008 UD X Basbeall #13 Manny Ramirez (X-cut out)

2008 UD X Baseball #13 Manny Ramirez

2008 UD X Baseball #15 Josh Beckett

2008 UD X Baseball #16 Clay Buchholz

Thanks Steve. Really appreciate the trade.