NSCC15 Off to Chicago......

The most beautiful screen shot you've ever seen!!!!

2015 National Sports Collectors Convention---Blog Updates Wed. Thru Saturday

This is something that I will never take for granted, being blessed to be able to attend the National Convention.  Next year I will have to live vicariously through others, if you are unable to attend this year feel free to follow along and live vicariously through me.  I will do my best to post breaks, pics, videos from the floor, etc.  Feel free to also follow along on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JSPARTAN98SPORTSCARDS?ref=aymt_homepage_panel
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Twitter: @joreynolds56
Youtube: Jspartan98---Stottyboy4191---Yoshowyourhits---Mickey TheDude---LeftyNDV10--Bearsplayer23.

2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Retail Recap

2015 Topps Allen & Ginter Retail Review and Thoughts......

I'm still trying to figure out who actually reads this little thing we call a blog, but, if you have been here before you know that if I have one go to product that I will save up for all year long it's Allen & Ginters from Topps!

Most years I will save up to break a case, but there is a little thing they call "The National" www.nsccshow.com that typically falls right in line with Ginters release.  I broke a case in 2013, but had a three week turnaround before the National in Chicago to rip and flip, in 2014 the release came after Nationals, and this year the release falls exactly 1 week prior--leaving me no room to flip a case.   So this year I've decided to put all of my eggs in one basket, and save exclusively for Chicago, but that doesn't mean I can't still divulge just a bit into my favorite product.  

I purchased 2 Blasters and I hanger pack (which have better odds than blasters surprisingly enough).  I was able to pick these up Tuesday night at a local Target in advance of the Hobby Release, and as I'm sure many of you are aware--timing is huge with a product like this as far as return on investment goes!  The product always comes out smoking hot for the first week and a half and tends to die down a bit as far as singles and relics go...collated lots and carefully crafted groups of cards tend to still sell well as collectors are looking to buy lots for set building of various inserts and parallels.  Getting down to the nitty gritty and eventually back on track my point is there are things like minis parallels and RCs (ahem Kris Bryant) that start fast out of the gate, but tend to slow down a bit as the market fills up. So yes, after all that I bought mine on a Tuesday and was able to get a little value out of my purchase. 

Here is what I pulled---with links to the completed Ebay listings for some of the items:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/151753840244?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1561.l2649

Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/161770463394?ssPageName=STRK:MESOX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1561.l2649

Sold on Facebook group on Wednesday for $7.50

1st on Ebay Base RC (19.99): http://www.ebay.com/itm/2015-Topps-Allen-Ginter-KRIS-BRYANT-Rookie-RC-85-In-Hand-/171865248760?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2803f793f8

Some thoughts on The death of the "1/1"

Remember when......opening a $.50 pack of cards was a thrill?
Remember when......pulling a Griffey base card was considered a "big pull"?
Remember when......cards numbered to 3000 or less were considered a HUGE Accomplishment?
Remember when......1/1's were actually one of ones??
Remember when......enough is enough already, let's get down to business, I can remember the days not too long ago when 1/1's were treasures that drove a product-that left each of us holding onto the dream that we could actually be the one to pull THAT CARD!
    Those were the days when 1/1's actually meant something (ie. presidential cuts, historical cuts, etc. coming from products like Ginter, or SP Legendary Cuts, to name a few.) Those rarities brought huge money, and were unique in the fact that there were, well, just one of them across an entire product line.  Then something happened, our own desires and greed, led card companies to introduce the dawn of a new cardboard era- the era of the 'hits per box'. Our own hunger for product led us to consume every piece of garbage card companies would feed us, and the more we ate, the hungrier we got.  We are to blame, and I'm not sure if we can or will ever go back, and it's sad!
    Let me preface this by saying I don't think all 1/1's should be completely disregarded, as they are a part of the hobby now, but there comes a point where too much is just too much.  Let's remove Superfractors, Unique memorabilia, Hand Stamps, and Nameplates, because in many instances those gems are truly one a kind pieces for collectors, especially if they are limited to a handful of players or simply the rarest of pieces to be found in a product.  The waters are significantly muddied though when each and every player in a product has a 1/1 base parallel, a printing plate, and company made  products like Topps Vault blank back cards.  Too much is too much! And I'd like to avoid getting started on "1/1" printing plates that have multiple colored variations, not to mention autographed stickers that are placed on card stock foil stamped "one of one" or "1/1".  Is it really a 1/1 if one of 400 sticker signatures is placed on a piece of cardboard designated "1/1"......nope, not in my book!!
    Collecting should be fun first and foremost, and secondly should present a challenge. I don't find it much of a challenge when I can hit Ebay and grab a printing plate for less than $10, how unique is my card really if I know that 15 other collectors out there have multiple colored versions of plates that were produced for 20 different products? The answer is what we make of it I guess, and I invite you to disagree with my views, but relish the fact that your Magenta 1/1 is the evil stepbrother of my "Unique" Cyan plate.......is cyan a color???? I digress!! Remember when..........??
Check out some recent Ebay 1/1 auctions that ended at $10 or less:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MARK-REYNOLDS-2007-Bowman-Heritage-Printing-Plate-1-1-/380647539687?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58a05c83e7&nma=true&si=FX1oAPkJ%252FuwZrT7h7C0UNBDdBtI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
http://www.ebay.com/itm/MELKY-CABRERA-2015-Topps-Gypsy-Queen-BLACK-PAPER-FRAMED-1-1-Card-226-/311346064356?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item487dabebe4&nma=true&si=FX1oAPkJ%252FuwZrT7h7C0UNBDdBtI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2014-Famous-Fabrics-Bud-Melheny-Paul-Schreiber-Dual-Auto-New-York-Yankees-1-1-/261858700959?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cf7feae9f&nma=true&si=FX1oAPkJ%252FuwZrT7h7C0UNBDdBtI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

BUDS' Breaks...Check out these New Breakers!!!!!

This Blog is here because I love the hobby of collecting, and when given the opportunity to plug fellow collectors and hobby enthusiast I am always more than willing!! Given the opportunity to support fellow Iowans and the additional opportunity to support Veterans in the hobby----it's a no brainer!!!
Introducing BUDS' BREAKS: Two veterans who have created a breaking channel on Breakers.tv http://breakers.tv/budsbreaks
Check out their Bios, in their own words here: http://www.budsbreaks.com/bios.htm
Go give Adrian & Josh a look!!!!

Purchase your spots here: http://budsbreaks-com.3dcartstores.com

Demarcus Cousins 1/1 Veteran Film Cell Autograph Platinum

Recent pull courtesy of Chad at Firehand Cards!!!

Demarcus Cousins 2013 Signatures

Platinum 1/1 Vet Film Cell Autograph

Currently on Ebay (check it out here):

http://m.ebay.com/itm/151619878493?nav=WATCHING_ACTIVE
Thanks for checking it out!!!

2014 National Treasures Football (April release)

2014 National Treasures Football

Panini America's high end product is set to arrive in early April and along with it comes high anticipation from collectors to get their hands on "premium" cards from the 2014 rookie class!  What makes this product so interesting is the wide mix of Rookies, vets, and Hall of Famers.
Check out the history of this product here http://www.cardboardconnection.com/brand/panini/national-treasures/ courtesy of CardboardConnection.
In the days prior to the case breaking phenomenon, (yes, collectors did consume product before this new dimension of ripping) National Treasures was a product that was tough for the average collector to get their hands on due to price.  Many of us were left to buy singles on the secondary market or pickup product that was busted by shops, etc. Now that case-breaking is here to stay, it allows us a shot at ultra high end cards for just a fraction of the cost of a case--which typically run $400/$500 a box.  This product has become a favorite for collectors, because unlike other rookie heavy product, collectors are assured the chance at pulling vets or Hall of Famers and those athletes that sign very little cardboard! While the 2013 rookie class left a lot to be desired, the product was still widely consumed due to the fact that there were numerous gems to be had.
Here is a look at a card that I pulled from a break in 2013 National Treasures:
https://m.facebook.com/JSPARTAN98SPORTSCARDS/photos/pb.414034855393730.-2207520000.1424195197./467986623331886/?type=1&source=42&ref=bookmark
Happy Collecting!!!!

Friendly Box Breaks...Offering Affordable Breaking!!

As we are all aware, the world of group breaking has swept the collecting hobby off its feet--offering consumers the chance to "pull" a variety of cards from a variety of products at a discounted price.  There are many options out there, and many credible "breakers" are offering new and different ways to draw in collectors with affordable breaking opportunities.
In this particular post I will be concentrating on FriendlyBoxBreaks http://www.friendlyboxbreaks.com/ 
What led me to writing this was the fact that the entity from Virginia has made breaking available to those with little or no breaking experience, those with deep wallets, and affordable breaks for those looking to go easy on their wallets.  They offer many single box breaks for a variety of products that make it easy to get in on the action for a small price, and if one is willing they offer the ability to purchase a handful of spots for better odds of grabbing your favorite team or PC.  Best of all, no matter what break you are involved in, whether it be a 36 pack--base loaded product, or a 3-4 hit product, all cards are shipped for your drawn team!!
I recently got my brother-in-law hooked on breaking, and he started with FriendlyBoxBreaks, and he has been hooked ever since.  He loves the variety they offer from single auto jersey breaks, ball breaks, mini helmet breaks to the typical box breaks and the not so typical like golf, Nascar, and Benchwarmers cards.  I just recently started breaking again and I love the affordable options they offer when money is tight!!
The rooms are always alive with A.J. or Chris running things and the turn around on shipping is extremely fast and careful!! Go give them a look on Breakers.tv, and most importantly have fun with the opportunity to grab some great items at a great price.  Happy Breaking!!!

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