We Did What Howie Says On That Game Show

Let me get this rolling - it's gonna take a while...

2024 Heritage is the annual tribute to one of the most popular vintage Topps designs.  (Just ask Night Owl).  1975 is also the birth year of my trading buddy and new blogger Stuart.  So, of course, this was going to be a big deal.  He said "Let's get a case!".

I said, "OK, what the hell...", even though I haven't been really into the current players since 2020.  At least the inserts will have a lot of the older guys I like.  So I ordered it.  It came in about a week.  

Two layers = 12 boxes

Unfortunately, Stuart wasn't going to be here in Maryland until June.  So we'd have to wait until he came for the shop and show tour culminating in Chantilly.  Finally mid-June came around and we could finally open the case.

Since this was an entire case, I figured we should document where the hits, etc. came out in which box and which pack within the box.  Not that many people care by this time, but it was interesting to me.  Just in case there was a pattern.

So I numbered each box - top and bottom layer in order.  I will open 1 thru 6, and Stuart will open 7 thru 12.

Each box is 24 packs - four stacks of six packs each.  

Stuart likes to open them a stack at a time.  I like to go by layers - top of each stack, then second pack, etc.  See if you think one method gave us better luck...

Stuart unwraps his first box...

And I pop the lid on mine....

As we went along ripping packs, we would take turns briefly announcing the cards we were finding.   We'd each open a pack and then listen to the other open his.   We were sort of mocking the hype of typical box breakers on YouTube, though we weren't recording.  And as we went, we gave goofy nicknames and other silly things to certain cards.

Just to spice it up a bit, since you can't watch and hear us do this, let me add some people who are good at this for other reasons.  Sorry, we're not nearly as pretty as the girls on Deal Or No Deal, but they are pros at opening cases.  :)

I'll mark each box opening with the girl and briefcase of that box number...

Box #1

Each box has some kind of box topper, either a jumbo copy of a Heritage card, or a '75 regular sized buyback card.  

First one out was the oversize local star Gunnar.  Stuart called dibs on the box toppers that weren't my player collections (seven out of 48 total boxloaders).  

First base cards we saw - Box 1 and 7.

First hit out of Box #1, Bat piece from Jose Ramirez of the Guardians.  Of course, we were just getting wound up and I forgot to write down which pack it came from.  I got the rest of them documented though.  Hit Location - Unknown

Pulled a couple white border parallels - which look really nice.  Also got one black...

...which as it turns out does not picture Hagen Danner, but Bradin Hagens.  So from then on, we announced this card as "Not Hagen Danner".

Also of note, the parallels are all marked above the card number as to what they are, but in the case of the black borders, they are marked "White Border".

Here are the final contents of Box #1.  Eight short prints (turned over), the jersey and the boxloader, the parallels (that Scherzer is a chrome /999), and the inserts.  The New Age Performers seem to be the most plentiful.  I do like the colors they used for the insert designs.  They go well with the '75 theme.  Those pink-framed Sensations and the mascot/nickname stickers are retail-only, so we didn't get any of those.

Box #7

Some of you might say "Why are you going out of order?", but it's just easier to do these as we opened them.  And it's the top box on the second stack anyway.

Stuart's first box topper was a buyback of Mike Caldwell.  I do like the Heritage buyback stamp the best of all of their various stamps, but they still put it in stupid places.  They really should come up with a better method of application.  I guess it's tough when you have to produce so many of them.

He also got two white borders and a black, but his was a chromey refractor out of 75.

He also got an image swap of Luis Matos.  

Luis Matos Hot Box!  The other white border was my guy Gunnar.

His first hit - Alcantara jersey.  It came from the top pack on the fourth (or rightmost) stack in the box.  Hit Location - Top 4th.

The rest of Box #7.  Eight short prints again, and similar quatities of the inserts.   Four "Nappy's", one or two Flashbacks, and a Then & Now.

Topps did a pretty nice job on the base cards.  There are only a few teams that look a little funky as far as the fonts, etc.  Every now and then I'd find this:

A run of three of the same color scheme back-to-back-to-back in the same pack.  But other than that, there are really no major complaints besides agreeing with the common observation that the backs are much harder to read than their original counterparts.  And I still don't know who most of these guys are....

Stay Tuned for the next few box breaks.  We get some great stuff...

Saved From The Hype Monster

Before I get into the case break, I want to share another box opening that I did a few weeks ago.  

This one was part of the hoard that I am liquidating which is composed of mostly basketball.  If you know me, you know that is the one sport I don't really delve into.  I have a small Michael Jordan collection, but that is all baseball.  I have a couple other sets in one binder, but that's it.

Anyway, this collection has a lot of wax boxes, but the majority of them have already been opened.  There are, however, a few that weren't.  One was this 1999-2000 Upper Deck flagship box.  It's the size of a hobby box of the time, but it's more like a blaster in that it's priced at $20 and only has eight packs of ten cards.

I looked up the odds on the Database and put them in my eBay description:

Possible Inserts:

Basketball Heroes: Julius Erving (1:23 packs)
Future Charge (1:8 packs)
     Quantum Silver (/100), Gold (/25)
Game Jersey swatch
     (Kidd, Shaq, Duncan, Barkley, Garnett, Stockton, Van Horn, Olajuwon, Pierce, and Jordan 1:2500 packs)
     (Kobe, Pippen, Hill, Payton, Carter, Miller, Iverson, Robinson, Walker, Malone 1:288 packs)
Game Jersey Patches (1:7500 packs), Super (/25)
History Class (1:11 packs)
     Quantum Silver (/100), Gold (/25)
Jamboree (1:11 packs)
     Quantum Silver (/100), Gold (/25)
MJ: A Higher Power (1:23 packs)
     Quantum Silver (/100), Gold (/25)
MJ's Final Floor relics (1:2500 packs)
Now Showing (1:4 packs)
     Quantum Silver (/100), Gold (/25)

Pulling a jersey would be epic!  Especially if it was Jordan, Shaq, or Bryant!  The big names garner three and four digit crooked number prices on eBay!  

So full hobby boxes go for $750 or so on there.  Since this was just about a third of a hobby box, I put mine at $275 initially, I think.

It sat.  There were some followers.  But it sat.  I got a low ball offer the first few days.  But then nothing.  I figured it might get snatched up quick.  Nope.

So I let it on there for about two months at a lower price.  After that, I figured it isn't going anywhere.  So I took it down.  Thought there might be someone who messages me wanting to get it after it was taken down, but no.

After all that, I couldn't take the suspense.  

I opened it.

I'm ultimately glad I didn't sell it to someone for $245!

I snapped photos as I went, so they're not quite in logical order.  Here's the box topper ad.

"7 Packs plus 1 extra pack".  No UD - It's eight freakin' packs, OK?  Stop it.

So this is a typical pack, from what I recall.  Eight silver foil base cards (as opposed to the bronze foil in baseball and football) and two inserts.

Some decent names in the base cards.  And there were inserts that contained Jordan, et al, or were all Jordan.

Other insert sets were rookie-centric, of course.

The Jordan on the left is the most valuable card found in this box.  It goes for about $15.  No jersey, sorry.  No blockbuster pulls here.

I should have expected the absence of a big hit.  But what I really didn't expect was the absolutely HORRIBLE collation of the base cards within this box.  As you can see here, there were TRIPLES of a few cards, and doubles of a significant number as well.  I've lost track of the exact numbers, but out of 80 cards, 12 were inserts, and only about 50 couple were unique base cards.  Over a third of them were dupes within the same box!

I wouldn't have been surprised if the buyer immediately asked for a refund after blowing almost $250 for this.  It's really only worth about a tenth of that.  

I probably should have taken pictures of all the inserts at the end, but they'll likely end up trade bait on the Database after a while anyway.

Let me know if you've ever pulled something awesome from a small box like this, or ended up with jack squat from one.

A New Voice And A Lot To Talk About

A few of my regular readers have found it already, but let me announce to the other few dozen of you that my friend and great constant trader Stuart has plunged into the blogging pool.

His writings can be found at https://sr75cards.blogspot.com/.  Bear with him as he learns the inner workings of Blogger and Google. For now, his posts will be simple, but in time he'll figure out pictures and links.  (And spaces after commas 😜.)

Also, stay tuned as I chronicle our first official case break.  We cracked 12 boxes of 2024 Heritage and are just now trading for the rest of the inserts and shortprints.  We hope there are some of you that aren't finished with Heritage yet.  Some nice pulls came from that case.

We also did the annual shop and show tour in my local area (MD, PA, VA).  If I don't end up putting it all away first, I'll try to sprinkle in some of the interesting pickups I got.

Thanks for stopping by!  More to come when I recover from starting back to 4x10 hour work days....

When The Cardboard Gods Smile Upon You

You ever had the experience of beating the odds while handling your cards?  

I don't mean pulling that 1/1 out of a pack - that's collation and doesn't have much to do with you.  Unless you just paid for one pack out of a box and then reached in and randomly selected the third one in the center stack and it had the case hit...

But I'm not even talking about that much of a win.  More like the subtle little things that happen that just seem lucky or almost supernatural.

What inspired me was the other day when I was pulling cards for the TCDB trades that had stacked up late in the week.  One collector wanted a single card from my 1994 Pacifics among a whole line of other cards.  They are in a three row box, separate from my other trade stock.  It was a number in the 300's, so it would likely be right in the middle.  I reached in and flipped the center row forward, and the first card was the exact card I was looking for.  There was only one, even though so many of my dupes have multiple copies of the same card - up to double digits.  I hit the one card in the entire box that was the one I needed.  What are the chances?

I can't think of what these kind of experiences are called.  My knee-jerk reaction is usually "Damn, I'm good!"  I won't say it happens a lot, but it happens often enough that I either think I've been doing this so long that I've developed psychic powers, or that I need to get out more.

Like when you open a book (or a binder of cards in pages) to the exact page you want without it being marked.  Do things like that happen to you too?

Let me know in the comments.

Gavin Rocks The Custom Card Art

After a flourish of show loot posts, I have maintained my pattern of silence for almost a month between posts.  Between sorting the Storage Hoard, adding to my TCDB trade lists, and now setting about 100 new cards on COMC for sale, all my card time is used up in the evenings lately.

There have also been a steady (though not as heavy) stream of trade mail, including a package from Gavin of Baseball Card Breakdown.  He made me several customs in response to some loot I snagged for him at a couple of the shows.  Just recently, he posted many similar customs on his own blog just this past week.  

He did send me a few actual cards...

Three Topps All Time Fan Favorites...

And this Leaf Bo Jackson, which killed my set.  More on him in a moment...

So here are the customs I got, though now with somewhat less mystery.  And the scans don't do these justice visually....

Sparkly Ozzy that he showed too.

 

Two of Ozzy's guitarist and Black Label Society front man Zakk Wylde

Bulletboys with the gold swirl background that is even cooler in person.

Customized on the backs as well.

 

And back to Bo - several takes on the '88 Topps design.  You almost need a laser to cut out around the letters, I suppose.

 

These are cool too...not sure which one I like best.

Hybrid '87D/'90T?  I like it!

And finally, what I think is the cleanest custom, this '90 Fleer Bo football card - front & back.

Thanks Gavin, these are definitely a unique addition to my rock and player collections!

Recycling

I try to use the top loaders, penny sleeves and some of the modified 9-pocket sheets that I get from trade shipments.  Mostly for shipping other cards out, since they generally aren't clean enough for display or long term storage.  It's better than throwing it all out.  There's enough plastic out there as it is.

The same goes for painter's tape.  If you're doing it right, you're using painter's tape to secure your card shipments.  If you're using scotch tape, deduct three bonus points from your collector score.

I keep mine on the front of the file cabinet next to my computer desk.  That way it's handy to grab some when I'm packing packages.  I've seen other bloggers do the same thing. 

Mine is getting full.  Thanks TCDB traders!

Blog Bat-Around: Best Pack Pulled "Hits"

I'm not a big autos & relics guy, but I have some.  I'm also not a big pack ripper, especially after 2020, since I only buy a couple products and only one of them consistently.

Having said that, here is my stab at Diamond Jesters' Best Pack Pulled Hits.  He limited his original list to five, but what fun is that?

When ranking these cards, I considered rarity and player star power.  Autographs trump jersey swatches, and unless it's another piece of something from the playing field, no other "relics" really count.  I'm combining football and baseball.

OK let's quit wafflin' and get crackin' with the list...  (Twelve bonus points if you know where that expression comes from.  Hint ~ YouTube.)

A few Honorable Mentions first.  I've got plain jersey swatches from Dan Marino, Barry Sanders, Bob Griese, and a few others that didn't make the (scan) cut. 

 

H1 - Aaron Judge 2023 and Yaz 2022 A&G mini relics

I also have similar ones from Vlad Guerrero Jr. and a couple other decent names.  That's always better than pulling some no-name rookie from an inferior team, though.  Between these two, I like the Yaz better because Vintage players > Modern guys.

 

H2 - 2014 Topps Valor Tajh Boyd Heart patch

I know what you're thinking - "How can you put a 1/1 in the Honorable Mentions???"  If Boyd had turned out to be the next Warren Moon, than this would be huge.  Unfortunately, he didn't, so it's not that fantastic.  It's still the only 1/1 I've ever pulled.  Still working on the rainbow for this one.  I mean, why not?  I have the tough one.

H3 - 2013 Topps Archives '65 Tall Boy Robert Griffin III autograph

This signed oversize card was a miraculous pull from a box of Archives that was purchased by friends on my pool team.  They had no idea about cards, but managed to pull me a box with the exact autograph that I was looking for.  (Just noticed there's also an Alfred Morris in the checklist too.  That just went on my wantlist.)

OK, on with the really good stuff:

#10 - 2023 Allen & Ginter Carlton Fisk mini bat

I know the Honorable Mentions were basically the same thing (even down to same team, HOF'er, bat swatch.)  But this guy is one of my PC's.  That's more points in my book.

#9 - 2012 Piece Of History Nolan Ryan ERA Leaders jersey

Biggest name I could have pulled from a set about Vintage guys, especially pitchers.  One point off for plain white swatch.  

 

#8 - 2015 Gridiron Kings Jameis Winston Rookie Studio Signature
(/75)

Kicking off the autographs, I felt lucky to get this one at the time because he was the #1 overall pick.  I also got a jersey of Teddy Bridewater out of the same box.  I rooted for both guys to have great careers.  They did OK, but this card won't buy a Maserati.

#7 - 2017 Topps Manny Machado patch (/25)

When Manny was tearing it up for the Orioles, I unwrapped this patch card from Topps flagship.  Nice to get a fancy patch - even better if it's the hometown favorite guy.

#6 - 2006 UD Artifacts Satchel Paige Awesome Artifacts (/45)

I somehow obtained several boxes of this product and pulled a couple dozen relics and a few autos as well (more later).  But this jumbo swatch of a vintage legend was mind-blowing.

#5 - 2016 Panini Classics Ronnie Lott autograph (1/15)

I actually didn't remember pulling this one when I was searching through my hits.  (Also got a Jalen Ramsey auto from this product).  But figured it makes the cut being #1 out of only 15 and a HOF'er.  I know a TCDB trader who collects him heavily.  I'll have to see if he has this one.

#4 - 2006 UD Artifacts Reggie Jackson Auto-Facts (/200)

Yes, it's a HOF'er out of 200, not 15, but it's Reggie.  Told you there was going to be more from this set.  (I should go back and see who else I got - might be a big name that wasn't so big in '06).

 

#3 - 2008 Topps Heritage Bill Mazeroski red ink autograph.

I thought these red ink versions were much rarer than their non-crimson counterparts.  Could have sworn I read that the autographs were all the same and only the last few were red ink.  Not the case now that I look at the database listings.  Regulars are not numbered, and reds are  /59.  Oh well, still a great pull, and probably one of my oldest.  I opened some of the others years after those products were brand new.  This one I got in 2008.

#2 - 2011 Topps Legends Stamp Of Approval Joe Flacco auto/relic (1/10)

2011 Topps Gridiron Legends is one of my favorite products.  I don't remember how many boxes I opened, but this was an incredible pull.  A stamp relic - which is a bit weird - but it's the signed version and #1 of ten.  And local dude Joe Flacco.  (It's just fun to say "Jooooe Flakko!")

#1 - 2021 Allen & Ginter Manny Machado metal mini (/3)

Had to hold it to keep the reflections at bay.  These metal minis were inside rip cards - mine was Kyle Lewis.  They're not marked as such, but are stated to be print runs of only three.  too bad he wasn't still in Baltimore at the time.  Machado gets the #1 spot since he's both super rare and was physically birthed from another card.

 

I still prefer to buy my "hits" in the secondary market (and that's rare).  I buy boxes to collect the set.  Any nice hits are just a bonus.  I'm probably forgetting a couple more that would bump some of these, but it's not a bad list.