Finally some 2013 Topps Heritage.

But by the looks of things it only just made it. This package arrived squashed and soaked through. We have had some heavy rain (and snow) recently, however this package was not treated with tender loving care you might expect from the UK and/or US postal systems.
The inside of the package actually felt wet and the plastic wrapping damp. The blaster of 2013 Topps Heritage, although a little dented, looked fine. The cards within the blaster - undamaged and bloody brilliant.

I may have mentioned once or twice that 2013 Topps Heritage was hot on my list for set collection. In preparation for this monumental 425 card base set,  I tried to slim the other wants lists down a tad, (in particular completing a few sets), with a modicum of success-thanks largely to COMC.
But in doing so I realised that there a number of inserts that have used stealth to worm their way into my collecting habits, so rather than reducing the complete set wants list, I probably doubled it. Card collecting tends to do that to you.
This blaster was all that I could get my hands on, at the present time. A little demoralising when I saw that a fellow UK collector purchased a box of 2012 Panini National Treasures.
The blaster itself was opened quickly and the move to a complete set has now started in earnest,(or Westgate).

There are eight packs of cards within the blaster. There are nine cards per pack.

Pack 1:

#18 Cliff Lee Phillies

#38 J.D.Martinez Astros

#187 Tyler Clippard Nationals

#238 Joe Nathan Rangers

#246 Josh Hamilton Angels

#297 Jordan Lyles Astros

#314 Shane Victorino Red Sox

#359 Wilton Lopez Rockies

#445 Lucas Harrell Astros

 

Pack 2:

#45 Brandon Phillips Reds

#91 Chris Nelson Rockies

#185 Ian Kennedy D-backs

#241 Geovany Soto Rangers

#354 Sean Marshall Reds

#406 Jaime Garcia Cardinals

#419 Joe Saunders Orioles

#CCR-SC Stralin Castro Cubs

 

 

Pack 3:

#5 Strikeout Leaders

#102 Kirk Gibson Mng D-backs

#196 Chris Carter Athletics

#219 Young Aces

#274 Justin Morneau Twins

#360 Mark Teixeira Yankees

#402 Will Venable Padres

#416 Paul Maholm Braves

#449 Jered Weaver Angels

 

Pack 4:

#24 Anibal Sanchez Tigers

#32 C.J.Wilson Angels

#72 Chase Utley Phillies

#92 Chris Young Athletics Venezuelan

#194 Mike Moustakas Royals

#266 Lucas Duda Mets

#327 Heath Bell D-backs

#362 Ezequiel Carrera Indians

#384 Ryan Doumit Twins

 

Pack 5:

#22 Andrelton Simmons Braves

#197 Mark Buehrle Blue Jays

#222 J.P Arencibia Blue Jays

#239 Joel Hanrahan Red Sox

#386 Jared Burton Twins

#396 Jeff Karstens Pirates

#401 Alex Presley Pirates

#423 Tops in National League

#NF-TB The Beatles  

 

Pack 6:

#103 Gordon Beckham White Sox

#166 Dustin Ackley Mariners

#229 Jed Lowrie Astros

#265 Lorenzo Cain Royals

#353 Chris Heisey Reds

#378 Nyjer Morgan Brewers

#394 Brandon Inge Athletics

#425 Joey Votto Reds

#NAP-YC Yoenis Cespedes Athletics 

Pack 7:

#82 Pablo Sandoval Giants

#94 2013 Rookie Stars

#180 Carl Crawford Dodgers

#182 Felix Doubront Red Sox

#198 Gavin Floyd White Sox

#204 Gregor Blanco Giants

#275 Kevin Youkilis Yankees

#367 Jeremy Guthrie Royals

#MMBH Bryce Harper Nationals



 

Pack 8:

 #40 Carlos Beltran Cardinals

#56 Ross Detwiler Nationals

#78 Mike Napoli Rangers

#106 Mike Leake Reds

#193 Garrett Jones Pirates

#223 James Loney Bay Rays

#393 Pat Neshek Athletics

#410 John Lackey Red Sox

#488 Wilin Rosario Rockies

Another Cubbies relic, the last time I pulled a relic it was Cubs as well.
So the journey to complete the base set has started, fortunately I was able to bite a large chunk of 2013 Heritage off with a recent purchase from e-bayUK. Follow my progress here.

The Joy of Completion Part 2

It is delight to see.
Full 9 pocket pages.
Here is the complete base set of 2007 UD Masterpieces. I was 15 cards shy of the 90 card complete base set. I recently discovered the set collectors dream 'Check out my Cards'. They cost a little more to send than usual but they were delivered quickly and very securely. If you haven't already tried this site, I highly recommend it. Those last 15 cards were easily checked off and I can breathe a little easier now. That is until until 2010 Allen and Ginter hit the shelves June sometime.

This year I will be collecting !

Since getting back into collecting I decided to collect just one complete set every year. My choice is determined by four factors;
1. Availability. There is no point in choosing a set that is too difficult to obtain in the UK. The postage costs from the US are alright for a few cards and trades but complete boxes are just ridiculous.
2. Aesthetics. I choose sets that may not be everyone's cup of tea but they look good to me.
3. Price. (See point 1.) There is no point in trying to obtain the base set of Sweet Spot or Topps Finest. There is a small matter of food, utility bills, children and a wife to consider. And finally,
4. The Chase. There has to an effort to collect, which may involve trading or searching e-bay or picking up the odd pack.
I re-entered collecting in 2006 so the sets I have chosen so far are;

2006 Fleer Tradition

2007 UD Masterpieces

2008 Goudey (completed)

2009 Goodwin Champions

2010 ?

There is one other set which is 1994 Upper Deck All-Time Heroes for the simple reason that I was able to pick up half the set on e-bayUK. However being who I am I cannot leave it that way.
The wants list for these sets are;
2006 Fleer Tradition
To complete the 200 card base set, 28 still needed:
5, 6, 9, 11, 17, 22, 23, 28, 33, 34, 45, 47, 48, 51, 59, 60, 64, 65, 70, 76, 78, 84, 87, 89, 90, 93, 95, 115.
2007 UD Masterpieces
To complete the 90 card base set, 15 still needed:
1, 6, 8, 14, 19, 21, 28, 32, 34, 45, 47, 60, 66, 73, 79.
2009 Goodwin Champions
To complete the 150 card base set, still needed too many (34 cards obtained so far)
1994 UD All-time Heroes
To complete the 225 base card set,107 cards needed:
1, 9, 12, 20, 21, 22, 25, 30, 34, 35, 40, 44, 47, 57, 62, 66, 68, 73, 79, 88, 93, 95, 96, 98, 101-125, 135, 140, 143, 147, 150-178, 182, 186, 187, 188, 195, 199, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208-225.

So if you can help me out. It would be greatly appreciated.