1939 Playball e-bay purchase

There are currently 954 baseball card related items listed on e-bay UK. They range from single cards, team sets, year sets and guides, not unlike the USA. They include the good; a set of 111 1971 Topps cards currently at 99p, the bad; a 1986 All-Star pop up of Dwight Gooden for £4.99, to the downright obscene: 240 1993 collectors choice cards for £25.00+ £10.00 postage.
There are mostly singles ranging from 1960 to present day. The term RARE is used or should I say overused in abundance. Occasionally there are items that draw some interest.
I have mentioned that in the past, when there was only about 100 baseball related items for sale on e-bayUK, I would bid every time. Now I am looking for specific items. Any card lot pre-1980. I usually go for lots of cards rather than singles. Besides the Red Sox there are other teams I look out for so I can trade with my friends in the US.
Recently a range of cards came up for sale. The seller had 10 lots, each was for cards from 1939 to 1960. They drew a great deal of interest and understandably grew quickly in price. I threw in a few bids for some of the bigger lots 40 1952 Bowman cards, 50 1958 Topps but one escaped my eye until quite late, the above 1939 Play Ball card of Thomas Carey. As I chased some of the other auctions I put in a bid for this card and didn't think (while really hoping) I would be successful in winning. I lost out on all the others, which went for reasonable prices but won the 1939 Thomas Carey. This is now the oldest card I have in my collection and it just happens to be a Red Sox player. It is not a big name player, it not graded, its not in perfect condition and its not properly centred. I like it.
I'm not sure how this card found its way into the UK, but it is now here to stay.

Thomas Carey

Infielder Boston Red Sox

born Hoboken New Jersey, October 11th 1908.

Bats right, Throws right.

Height 5'9" Weight 175 lbs

Tom Carey spent eight seasons in the minors before coming to the St. Louis Browns from Rochester in 1935. He was originally a short stop but switched to a second baseman under the coaching of Rogers Hornsby, and has been alternating between the two positions ever since. Tom was traded to the Boston Red Sox in 1938 where he is filling in as a utility infielder.

Tom's life time stats:

466 games 1521 at bats 169 Runs 418 Hits 2 Home Runs .275 avg.

I like his card even more.

Trade with I Love Halos

Its nice to come across a new blog dedicated to one particular team. There is not confusing who Ryan supports and collects, 'Anaheim Angels', although not many of their cards use this full moniker just the 'Angels' part. There must be some reason as most teams are referred to as both the place and name 'Boston Red Sox', 'Chicago White Sox' , 'Baltimore Orioles', etc. The angels of Anaheim are just Angels.
However Ryan loves the Angels as his brilliant blog I love Halos testifies. We put a trade in motion a while back. I was pleased to have a new trade buddy, he seemed pleased to be receiving Angels. My side of the trade can be found here. This is the return sent from Lakeside California:
1977 Topps #89 Butch Hobson
1978 Topps #83 Bob Montgomery
1978 Topps #105 Reggie Cleveland
1978 Topps #216 Mike Paxton
1978 Topps #545 Bill Campbell
1983 Donruss #30 Gary Allenson
1983 Donruss #260 Bob Ojeda
1987 Topps #12 Jeff Sellers
1987 Topps #285 Dennis Boyd
1988 Score #625 Jody Reed
1989 Fleer #79 Todd Benzinger
1990 Bowman #271 Tony Pena
1990 Donruss #712 Wade Boggs
1990 Upper Deck #465 Carlos Quintana
1991 Fleer Ultra #32 Mike Greenwell
1995 Fleer #33 Chris Howard
2002 Leaf #52 Manny Ramirez
2002 Fleer Maximum #NN Pedro Martinez Game used Jersey
2004 Fleer #14 Nomar Garciaparra
2005 Donruss Elite #27 Jason Varitek
2005 Fleer patchworks #67 Manny Ramirez
2006 Bowman #BDP12 David Pauley
2006 Fleer #296 David Ortiz
2006 Topps #407 Kevin Youkilis
2006 Upper Deck #79 Keith Foulke 170/299
2006 Upper Deck #379 Mark Loretta
2006 Upper Deck #1029 David Pauley
2006 Upper Deck #1031 Terry Francona
2006 Upper Deck TCD #UD9 David Ortiz
2007 Bowman #BDPP69 Clay Buchholz
2007 Bowman Chrome #BDPP96 Clay Buchholz
2007 Bowman Chrome #BDPP105 Jacoby Ellsbury
2007 Boman Chrome #27 Mike Lowell

2007 Topps Turkey Red Refractor #9 Josh Beckett 758/999

2007 Topps U&H #210 Daisuke Matsuzaka
2007 Topps U&H #247 Hideki Okajima
2008 A Piece of History #14 David Ortiz
2008 Topps Finest #FM-CB Clay Buchholz
2008 Upper Deck #225 Manny Delcarmen
2008 Upper Deck #229 Manny Ramirez
2008 Upper Deck #439 J.D.Drew

Thanks Ryan. A fantastic mix of old, new and SHINY! I love SOX that are RED.

Trade with David from Tribecards Part 1

A few packages arrived recently, while I was concentrating on 'the inspectors' at my school. A rather large box of cards arrived from Indians Cards Always. He has been a good friend and a generous trader. A seasoned and knowledgeable collector. I really enjoyed being part of the free card give away. The picture of the boxes to be delivered tells you clearly the sort of person and collector David is.
I need to divide this lot into 2 parts again, just to list the healthy helping of Red Sox that arrived from Prescott Arkansas. Speaking of that, which I will share if I can, I took a map of the US to pinpoint the states I have traded with. Actually its probably not that interesting at all.
I did manage to accumulate a pile of Indians to trade. See my side of the trade here.
Part 1 of the cards from Tribecards:
1972 Topps #218 Eddie Kasko
1978 Topps #597 Bob Stanley
1981 Donruss #95 Glenn Hoffman
1981 Donruss #215 Jerry Remy
1981 Donruss #216 Mike Torrez
1981 Donruss #337 Steve Renko
1983 Donruss #74 Jerry Remy
1883 Donruss #134 Bruce Hurst
1983 Topps #56 Chuck Rainey
1984 Donruss #606 Glenn Hoffman
1984 Donruss #611 Mark Clear
1984 Donruss #614 Reid Nichols
1985 Topps #37 Reid Nichols
1985 Topps #322 Dave Stapleton
1985 Topps #376 Jeff Newman
1985 Topps #734 John Henry Johnson
1986 Topps #255 Tony Aramas
1986 Topps #349 Mark Clear
1986 Topps #424 Rick Miller
1987 Fleer #33 Steve Crawford
1987 Fleer #35 Rich Gedman
1987 Fleer #37 Bruce Hurst
1987 Fleer Limited Edition #35/44 Jim Rice
1987 Donruss #643 Marc Sullivan
1988 Donruss Rookies #54 Steve Ellsworth
1988 Fleer #365 Calvin Schiraldi
1988 Score #352 Pat Dodson
1988 Score #541 Jeff Sellers
1989 Topps Big #18 Jim Rice
1989 Upper Deck #173 Marty Barrett
1989 Upper Deck #415 Oil Can Boyd
1989 Upper Deck #434 Ellis Burks
1990 Bowman #272 Jody Reed
1990 Bowman #275 Mo Vaughn
1990 Bowman #279 Dwight Evans
1990 Leaf #283 Luis Rivera
1990 Leaf #499 Greg Harris
1990 Pro Cards #474 Phil Plantier
1990 Score #345 Mike Greenwell
1990 Topps #206 Nick Esasky
1990 Topps #338 Dennis Lamp
1990 Topps #473 Joe Price
1990 Topps #529 Greg Harris
1990 Topps Big #44 Marty Barrett
1990 Topps Big #107 Ellis Burks
1991 Bowman #123 Derek Livernois
1991 Classic Best #83 Scott Taylor
1991 Donruss #513 Tom Brunansky
1991 Donruss #609 Tom Bolton
1991 Donruss #625 Mike Marshall
1991 Elmira Pioneers #24 Brian Young
1991 Fleer #99 Dana Kiecker
1991 Leaf #341 Dana Kiecker
1991 Leaf #356 Jeff Gray
1991 Leaf #405 Danny Darwin
1991 Leaf #488 Roger Clemens
1991 Pro Cards #445 John Pina
1991 Score #5 Jeff Reardon
1991 Score #77 Dana Kiecker
1991 Score #225 Dwight Evans
1991 Score #356 Tim Naehring
1991 Topps Stadium Club #201 John Marzano
1991 Topps Stadium Club #324 Greg Harris
1991 Topps Stadium Club #426 Matt Young
1991 Topps Stadium Club #500 Jack Clark
1991 Upper Deck #22 Scott Cooper
1991 Upper Deck #735 Jack Clark
1991 Upper Deck #740 Matt Young

So endeth the 70's and 80's and some early 90's. I have plenty of Topps from the 80's but appear to have missed many of the Donruss and Fleer cards. This has really helped to fill some of those gaps. Thanks David.

Trade with Eric from The Pettitte Pursuit Part 2

Cards of different shapes and sizes has been the order of the day recently. Eric at The Pettite Pursuit is a generous and prolific trader. The second part, of a large helping from Eric contained, not only a healthy helping of Nomar Garciaparra, but cards that can be used to play a game.
Arriving from Bloomington Minnesota was:

1993 Upper Deck #497 Otis Nixon
1993 Upper Deck Collectors Choice #583 Jeff Russell
1993 Upper Deck Collectors Choice #602 Damon Berryhill
1996 Topps #362 Jose Cansenco
1997 Pinnacle #172 Nomar Garciaparra

1998 MVP #31 Nomar Garciaparra

1998 Skybox Doubleheader #6/20 Nomar Garciaparra
1998 Topps #225 Pedro Martinez
1999 Topps #265 Nomar Garciaparra
1999 Upper Deck Collector Choice #SQ15 Nomar Garciaparra
2000 Topps #135 John Valentin
2000 Topps #184 Brian Daubach
2003 Topps Opening day #25 Cliff Floyd
2003 Topps Opening day #145 Derek Lowe
2003 Topps Opening day #156 Nomar Garciaparra
2003 UD First pitch #90 Shea Hillenbrand
2004 Flair #35 Nomar Garciaparra
2005 Topps Total #220 Edgar Renteria
2005 Topps Total #274 Doug Mirabelli
2005 Topps Total #300 Manny Ramirez
2005 Topps Total #328 Jay Payton
2005 Topps Total #343 Trot Nixon
2005 Topps Total #398 Kevin Millar
2005 Topps Total #412 Matt Clement

2005 Topps Total #460 Mike Lowell

2005 Topps Total #478 Kevin Youkilis
2005 Topps Total #517 Mark Bellhorn
2005 Topps Total #527 Bronson Arroyo
2005 Topps Total #545 David Ortiz
2005 Topps Total #557 Wade Miller
2005 Topps Total #570 Curt Schilling
2005 Topps Total #646 Mike Meyers, Mark Malaska
2005 Topps Total #665 Alan Embree, Mike Timlin
2005 Topps Total #666 Keith Foulke
2005 Topps Total #701 Hanley Ramirez, David Murphy
2005 Topps Total #733 Jose Vaquedano, Stefan Bailie
2005 Topps Total #747 Jeremy West, Willy Mota
2007 Fleer #3 Julio Lugo mini
2008 Allen+Ginter #13 Mike Lowell mini
2008 Goudey #207 Wade Boggs mini
2008 Goudey #HPC-7 Carl Yastrzemski
2008 Stadium Club #11 David Ortiz
2008 Stadium Club #19 Jason Bay
2008 Stadium Club #55 Dustin Pedroia
2008 Stadium Club #105 Chris Carter 1st
2008 Stadium Club #119 Jon Lester
2008 Stadium Club #138 Justin Masterson 1st
2008 Stadium Club #145 Clay Buchholz 1st
2008 Stadium Club #145 Clay Buchholz
2008 Sweet Spot #36 Dustin Pedroia
2008 Topps #HTCP2 Clay Buchholz mini
2008 Topps Opening Day #40 Josh Beckett
2008 Topps Opening day #FC-DO David Ortiz
2008 Topps U&H #117 Jed Lowrie
2008 Topps U&H #150 Jon Lester
2008 Topps U&H #190 Manny Ramirez
2008 Topps U&H #195 Chris Carter
2008 Topps U&H #221 J.D.Drew
2008 Topps U&H #264 David Ortiz

Thanks Eric for this amazing selection of cards.

Trade with Mark from stats-on-the-back

In a recent trade with Mark from stats-on-the-back he decided to 'go BIG and ODD.

'If you hate 'em , let me know,' he added.

I let Mark know that I didn't hate 'em at all, in fact quite the opposite. The set of Red Sox photographs from 1981 are 5 inches wide by 7 inches tall. The checklist is the who's who of Red Sox baseball. What I would like to know is if the players knew the photograph being taken would appear on a glossy 5x7. Some of the younger players posed batting or fielding but the 'Hey Dennis', 'What?'-snap photograph is an unfortunate one. But then, 'Hey Carl', 'What?' -snap that's is unforgiveable. What about the 'If you take my photo I will jam that camera..!' from Carlton Fisk. At least Frank made an effort, perhaps that hat just belongs to someone else.

They look as if they were taken at spring training, that is a palm tree I see in the background?

Are there many in New England? Along with these great cards, Mark added:

A big Carlos Quintana sticker
Two large 1985 Donruss cards #15 Dwight Evans, #27 Jim Rice

Three large Donruss Champions #4 Jim Rice, #10 Carl Yastrzemski, #16 Wade Boggs

1989 Bowman #32 Wade Boggs

1989 Bowman #36 Ellis Burks

Honestly Mark these are fantastic. Thank you. I love them.

Seriously Bob, these will go on a 5x7 glossy. Look at Dave at least he tried.

2007 Upper Deck World Series Champions Box Set

In my pursuit of Red Sox cards I cannot fail to get 100% from this box set sent by Eric from The Pettitte Pursuit.

The World Series Champions Red Sox Box Set contains:

25 Regular Season Players cards

15 Regular Season Highlight cards

9 Postseason Memorable Moments cards

1 World Series MVP card

1 Oversized Commemorative card

The Oversized Commemmorative card, which is 3 1/2in x 5 in. Has the Red Sox celebrating their win, but with no added photoshopping. After a 86-year gap between World Series titles ended in 2004, the Red Sox didn't need to wait nearly as long to add another ring to their collection.

Mike Lowell, the series MVP gets his own card. He was named MVP after he had a .400 batting average, six runs scored and four RBI's. He lifted the Red Sox to a title win over the Rockies.

100% success! Every card a Red S0x.

Trade with Mr Ross from Boxbusters

A good friend of this blog since its humble beginnings is Mr Ross from Boxbusters. Advice, a friendly chat and card trades, there isn't much more you need from a trading buddy. He collects Cardinals and like similar collectors such as Steve at White Sox Cards and Greg at Night Owl Cards, he possibly has most of the Cards cards I send. But in the spirit of trading he always sends something back.
Here is the helping from Mr Ross in East Alton Illinois:

1991 Donruss #684 Roger Clemens
2008 Donruss Threads #58 Luis Exposito
2008 Donruss Threads #62 Jon Still
2008 SP Authentic # AP22 J.D.Drew
2008 SP Authentic #AP32 Julio Lugo
2008 Topps #YR151 Clay Buchholz
2008 Topps U+H #46 Kevin Youkilis
2008 Topps U+H #68 Jonathan Papelbon
2008 Topps U+H #107 Jason Varitek
2008 Topps U+H #190 Manny Ramirez
2008 Upper Deck #436 Julio Lugo
2008 Upper Deck X #X-JB Josh Beckett
2008 Upper Deck X #X2-BE Josh Beckett
2008 Upper Deck X #X3-JB Josh Beckett

I read on many blogs that the UD X was a pointless set of cards and if I remember correctly was voted the worst (or runner up worst)set of 2008. The scan doesn't really do these cards any justice. They are shiny, super shiny and I am like a Bower Bird in mating season and drawn to all things shiny. I like them, worst set 2008 or not.
Thanks again Mr Ross for the great cards.