Monday, March 6, 2017

The most interesting thing that I have ever pulled from a pack

About a year ago now, I bought a box of 1990 Pros Set series 1, got what I believe might be the most interesting thing that I had ever pulled from a pack... and then within days, forgot all about it.

To make the proverbial long story short, a few days before the purchase I had found out that in the town that is the closest to me (about 10 miles), has a printing shop that also doubles as an unpublicized card shop. Why it's not advertised as such, I have no idea.

Having been here for a year or so at the time, I had been under the impression that there wasn't anything even close to a card shop anywhere near here, and it was only by a fluke that I even found out about it's existence in the first place. And of course after I found out about it, I had to go check it out. Which I did, bought a few "junk wax" boxes ($8 apiece) to satisfy my urge to open something, as well as a few really well priced 3200 ct boxes.The guy who owns and runs the card shop side of things is nice enough, although he does seem to be behind in the times when it comes to a lot of the pricing, especially on vintage stuff. I can't fault him too much though as that does seem to be pretty common with the few remaining brick and mortar sellers.

Over the years, especially during the 90's, I have pulled some pretty awesome things. But those were things, no matter how high the odds, that were at least supposed to potentially be in those packs. I'm fairly certain though, that what was gotten from my box of Pro Set wasn't supposed to be in there.

This was in the very first pack taken from the top of the box in between, if I remember correctly, the third and fourth cards. Before opening any more packs, I hit Google, which yielded exactly two things... diddly and squat!

Over the next couple of days I felt a bit like little Pete in The Adventures of Pete & Pete episode "Inspector 34", where after years of getting new underwear with the "Inspected by 34" card in the packages, Pete decides to find out who Inspector 34 is. Unlike Pete though, I didn't have any luck finding my inspector 34.

I had so many questions, such as: Who is "DC"? What time did shift 1 take place?  Where were did "DC" cut these? How did this slip end up in a sealed plastic pack?

Without any answers, I even started getting desperate enough, that I actually though about opening a thread on the Blowout cards forum in an attempt to find out anything. I've mentioned it before, but I really dislike the forums on that site, so that would've been a worst case scenario. Thankfully though, like most things, all it probably took was a combination of me putting it somewhere out of sight, and/ or encountering a shiny object... and just like that, it's forgotten.


For scale.
I have been suffering through a bit of a collecting conundrum over the last couple of months now, which has seen me reevaluating and reorganizing many a card. While doing so, I rediscovered my slip of paper, which had been put in a toploader (with a penny sleeve) for safe keeping... and now my interest has once again been  reignited.

I would be most curious to know if anyone has any thoughts or ideas regarding this bit of paper. If no information is gained from this post, I guess I'm going to have to breakdown and try asking for assistance from all the Pro Set aficionados lurking on the dreaded Blowout forums.


Thanks for taking a moment to look at my page

13 comments:

  1. Unfortunately I have no thoughts other than:

    1. Blowout is an awful place
    2. Great Pete & Pete reference.

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    1. Yeah, I saw your post a couple of days ago where you had expressed similar opinions. It's nice to know that someone else shares the same dislike for that sites forum.

      I figured that since so many of us (card bloggers) seem to be right around the same age, that a few people might understand and appreciate, a nod to Pete & Pete.

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  2. I have zero clue what that could be. Might I recommend joining the Trading Card Collectors Society group on Facebook and making a post about it there. Someone there might know.

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    1. Thanks for the recommendation, I will look in to it. I have been more than slightly hesitant to join things like Facebook and Twitter. Facebook because, I don't like the thought of logging in and having it always tell me that I have no friends. And Twitter I just don't understand.

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  3. It looks like a quality control sheet from someone who at the time worked for Pro Set. 1st shift and the employees initials of DC. Larger sheets of cards cut down by that person. It was never meant to be inserted into a pack but somehow, it made it into one of the ones you opened. Hope I didn't burst your bubble. Unless of course, Don Cherry or maybe Dino Ciccarelli (I'm a hockey guy) was working at Pro Set then you may have something special. Good luck in your quest into this and for certain everyone would like to know if you find out more.

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    1. I was thinking along the same lines, so it's nice to see that you were of like mind as well. So don't worry, no bubble has been burst. Now that I have re-found it, I fully intend to try and find out more info, and I will certainly do a follow-up post if any additional info is found out.

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  4. Marc's response seems reasonable. The odds of finding "DC" are probably astronomical but it would be something if you could.

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    1. If "DC" is still out there, I will be trying to find him or her.

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  5. I've never seen that episode of Pete & Pete, but it sounds like a good one. Finding "DC" would be quite an adventure, though it does seem like a tough task. Either way, at least you have a unique oddball item.

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    1. If you were a fan of the show, I would definitely recommend trying to see it. That particular episode had a good message, in that it's okay to be flawed, or in other words... to err is human.

      It is definitely a unique item. I'm glad a few other people thought so as well.

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  6. Post about it on the Trading Card Database. I believe there may be a former Pro Set employee in the community.

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    1. I will look into doing that as well. Hopefully the forums on that site are a little more cordial than Blowout's.

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  7. Congratulations on pulling the sweet & rare "cut" initials from your Pro Set box! Best of luck on solving your cardboard mystery. I for one... am DC (Damn Curious).

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