Bats on bats on bats

Over the last month I've focused on tackling some of the bat cards that I avoided in the past.  I like getting the bat cards, although I try not to think about where the bat sliver actually came from.  Glad that I've completed the run of the non-expensive 2012 Panini National Treasures bat cards, so hoping I can acquire some of the higher-end cards paired with other legends of the game.

I was also fortunate to acquire a tough card that rarely comes up with the 2005 SP Legendary Cuts bat /15 for a very decent price.

All below are the cards that I have acquired over the past month.

[new pickup] 2012 Panini National Treasures (again)

Took advantage of a possible bad listing on eBay and picked this short printed bat card up for $20. Unsure if I'm going to go after all of the other bat cards in the set; haven't been "known" to go after color variations, etc.

But who knows. I might take a bit of a break if I don't see anything I absolutely MUST have. Until further notice.

I do however want to post more about what I already have.  OH, and I need to post about my experience with Jordan Teicher.

Definitely more to come.

A once-in-a-lifetime Card: Now Mine

It's not often that a collector has a truly pleasant experience with a seller, but I can now say that I have.

In the post I wrote recently about 2012 Panini National Treasure I spoke briefly about an almost unobtainable card that I saw in the checklist. The card is a booklet of a cut signature paired with a jumbo piece of lumber. A card, no doubt, that could be the centerpiece of any collection.

After that post was published there were two more of those cards, numbered to only 5 that appeared on eBay. Aside from those two, there was one that surfaced that was a slight variation in that there was no nickname stencil in the other half of the booklet.

I then watched carefully as the high BIN prices were set, and never met. The National was approaching, and I knew my plans to go, do I figured I'd try to find one there. With no such luck of course.

A day after coming home from Chicago I had the itch for more. I looked up the completed, unsold card listing from one in Florida (the other being in Taiwan and I was not about to pay $30 to ship a card) and contacted the seller about the card since I hadn't seen it relisted.

Luckily he still had the card, and we came to an agreement (easily I will add). He gave me time to get paid from work to fund the card.

I paid for the card today, 8/19, it's in the mail and I am happy as a clam. And should get the card by end of week :)

National Treasure

With my second pickup from 2012 Panini National Treasures, comes this card:

This card is numbered to only 25, and features Detroit's two most feared hitters in the 30's. This card highlights both Greenberg and Gehringer leading the American League in 1934 with 63 doubles and 50 doubles, respectively.

This card cost me $50, a price I am pretty happy with. It's pretty much the only premium card from the set I would be able to afford at a decent price, at least for now. Many of the cards have superstars attached to some incredible piece of memorabilia, be it a jersey, patch or even glove in this triple including Jimmie Foxx and Mel Ott.

Who knows, if that stays reasonable I might snag that one as well, I don't own a glove card outside of this cool 2003 Joe Borchard card that isn't on eBay. Too lazy to scan it.

Year in Review

2012 was a good year for me, but a slow one comparably to a year like 2008-9 or 2011. Many of the cards I bought this year were what we call premiums.  These types of cards were given away if kids were to collect a certain amount of cards or candy wrapper, or of the like.

From my memory, the first card I purchased in 2012 was this premium from 1936 (Greenberg is pictures in the first row last on the right):

The next premium I got was a rather inexpensive 1950 Indians team issue. This large card pictures Greenberg as the GM of the Cleveland Indians.

The next premium is a favorite of mine, from 1939 Goudey, Black & White variation.  My favorite part of this card is actually the back, which I do not have a scan of.  It features a very dumbed-down explanation of how to hit; everything from the stance to hand positioning, etc.

The next card is a first of me.  A signed vintage card of Hank.  1939-46 Exhibits Salutations.

This card is a rather large, rather damaged, but nice premium from 1936 R311.

This next premium measures 7''x10'' and features a nice photo of Greenberg leaping in the air. It cost me a little bit more than I'd like, it has punch holes in the top, but is a rather awesome card to own from 1948-9 Sports Exchange All Stars set

The next card began a slew of Wheaties premiums that were originally cut out from the backs of Wheaties cereal boxes.

Another Wheaties panel.

This next premium was my only purchase at the National. 1936 R311 Leather Detroit Tigers team photo.  Greenberg is second row up last on the right.

This premium is a gorgeous Wheaties premium. Got it for a good price, very happy with it.

And the final card of 2012 was the most recently acquired 1939 Play Ball Sample back

Thanks all! Hope 2013 is a good year for everyone.

-Brian