London Buses and trading with Dan

There is a interesting saying, that probably has a number of variations around the world, which explains the frustrating occurrence of waiting for something to arrive and then multiple come at the same time.
In the case of the UK, in particular London, it is the appearance of London buses. For example,

'I waited for a hour for a number 53 and then three came at the same time'.

My dad use to say something about 'chorus girls', but I'm sure it wasn't related to this particular anomaly. He also bestowed on us the saying 'Beware of people who drive in hats', which I know is totally unrelated.
So I am waiting for a trade package to arrive and six arrive at the same time. In actual fact they didn't arrive at the same but over the course of a few weeks. My eldest, my very organised and helpful son arrives home first. He took the mail and sorted it carefully including the packages, which he knew where for me and placed it in the cupboard where I keep my baseball cards. Very helpful, except for one thing- he didn't tell me.
So I have a number of packages to share, the first being this beauty from Dan in Auburn, Maine. This package was interesting for two reasons it was choc full of Red Sox cards- Dan went above and beyond in this respect. And secondly it came from Maine. I had never received a package from Maine before.
It will take me a while to sift through the amazing number of cards Dan sent. He tells me they are all from the wants list, which is also incredibly impressive.
Thanks Dan.

The idea of busting baseball packs and sharing the contents with others is not a new concept. Sharing with strangers over the Internet may have its pitfalls, as many unsuspecting participants find to their peril. Caveat emptor. Having a regular, trusted and experienced blogger such as Tribecards bust some boxes and share the contents is a completely different story. When the idea of Indians Cards Always buck a box was mentioned I joined, a little surprised because there are so many other Red Sox collectors around.

Five boxes- $1 a box
1988 Sportflics
1990 Topps Heads -up
2009 Allen+Ginter
2011 Bowman x2

A rather diverse selection of boxes should make it very interesting.
Box 1 -Sportflics
Jim Rice, Ellis Burks, Marty Barrett, Wade Boggs, Bruce Hurst, Boston Logo
Call me stupid (hang on...) but I didn't realise that these cards contained 3 images , not 2 (now call me stupid)

Box 2- Topps Heads-up
No Red Sox from this box.
Box 3- 2009 Allen and Ginter
J.D.Drew, John Lester, John Smoltz, Jed Lowrie
Box 4&5 2011 Bowman
John Lester, Carl Crawford, David Ortiz gold, Garin Cecchini, Garin Cecchini chrome,

Not to left out Tribecards added a large number of other Red Sox cards including the Red Sox Rippers at the top of the post #57/62 and lovely sparkly Jon Lester Topps Diamond Anniversary.

I enjoyed it and will be looking out for more box breaks.

Here's what Tribecards thought of his first ever buck-a-box break-After thoughts.

Trade with Play at the Plate

A real easy trade with Brian at Play at the Plate. He was after the Diamond Giveaway codes which unlock unique codes. I unsuccessfully tried to participate in last years giveaway but only US residents (and members of the armed forces stationed overseas) could have the cards delivered. Always remember to read the fine print.
So Brian was collecting these to unlock special diamond digs. From this post it appears he is well on his way to achieving his goal.
I received some super Red Sox cards in my part of the deal.
Thanks Brian.

Trade with Dayf at Cardboard Junkie

One of the best things about writing this blog besides getting in touch with other card collectors, has been trading cards. It has been the staple of this blog since I stretched out the arm of collecting friendship. I sent a few cards to a well known card collector and blogger Dayf a little while ago but nothing in comparison to what he sent back. A whole raft of Jacoby Ellsbury cards including the highly allusive 2007 Topps Update Jacoby Ellsbury rookie card, numbered as 100, which is a super duper short print.
The 2007 Topps Update and Highlights checklist designates card number 100 as belonging to Phillies third base Abraham Nunez. Then Topps decided that, they needed something special and chose Jacoby Ellsbury although he was included, as a rookie, in the 2005 Bowman Heritage set, a card that Dayf included as well.
All the cards Dayf sent are great additions to my growing Jacoby Ellsbury collection. Not be outdone Dayf included some brilliant 'Vintage' Red Sox cards. How can I possibly match this?
Thank you.

2011 Walmart Value Box part 2

This is my secong helping of the Value Box collected by ny head techer while travelling in the USA. The Topps Value Box contains 2 packs of 2011 Topps Heritage, 5 packs of 2011 Topps Series 1, 2 Diamond Giveaway (which I have given away), an exclusive Chrome Refractor card and an interesting collectors guide.
I mentioned in a previous post that if these were available at my local supermarket at $14.98, I would buying these faster than they could stock them, however I may have to change my position on this...
The first Value Box contained a Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers, chrome refractor number 2 in the 3 card series. The second box contained a Jackie Robinson Dodgers refractor as well. The five 2011 Series 1 packs contained these cards;

47 base,
1 gold parallel (Jeff Keppinger Astros 0603/2011),
1 platinum diamond parallel (Alex Rios White Sox)
5 ToppsTown,
2 Diamond Duos,
2Lost cards insert, (1953 Stan Musial Cardinals, 1958 Pee Wee Reese Dodgers),
1 Topps 60 insert (Adam Ethier Dodgers)
1 Kimball Champions (Andrew McCuther Pirates)
1 Topps reproduction (1934 Goudey Jimmie Foxx)

The two packs 2011 Heritage contained;

17 base cards and
1 News Flashback (Mona Lisa visits US)

So my original assumption of supermarket leftovers may be correct.

Trade with Hairylemon from 7 Hours from Tampa Bay

It has been very quiet on the trading front recently, but things have been looking up more recently. I say quiet, however a stack of very nice Red Sox came my way a few weeks ago from a fellow collector in the UK. Simon also know as Hairylemon sent some Red Sox my way in exchange for James Shields and Tampa Bay Rays cards. A great selection of Red Sox old and new including my favourite Red Sox from days gone by Nomar Garciaparra.

If you haven't already been there, check out Simon's blog 7 Hours from Tampa Bay.

A simple request

It's a short holiday, (half term break), before the end of school year madness. Time once again to sort the growing piles and piles of baseball cards that are around the house.
I have a bunch of regular traders who I can rely on to accept, with arms open wide, baseball cards for a particular team or player, with the occasional odd-ball request such as 'cup cards'. However there are a number of traders that I have lost contact with, either through laziness on my part or lack of contact on their part so,
The simple request is...
I need to find traders/ collectors willing to take piles of cards from these teams;

Los Angeles/Anaheim Angels

Oakland Athletics

Seattle Mariners

Florida Marlins

New York Mets

Baltimore Orioles

Pittsburgh Pirates (have never found a trader for this team-so there is quite a few)

Cincinnati Reds

Detroit Tigers

Minnesota Twins

All I ask in return is that when you receive the cards, you acknowledge receipt and send back what you feel is fair trade. Nothing could be simpler.