2017 Black Friday Boxes #4: 2012 Panini Golden Age

Well, we've finally made it to the last box, which is nice because I'm getting a little bored with writing about the same topic over the last four posts. The last box was another of the 2012 variety, I have long since completed the set, and there aren't a lot of inserts to be had in the inaugural edition... but those possible case hit original Goudey's are just too much for me to resist, so that's why I ended up with the two boxes of 2012.

As usual too, the base cards and the minis are being excluded... well sort of. You'll see what I mean by that at the end.

My streak of only getting the yellow pennant toppers continued with this box, but at least I got a pretty good one this time. And even though I'm not actively seeking these out, but on the off chance that I ever do go after all of them, it was nice to get one that I didn't already have.

Amazingly, both the Batter-Up's were set needs.

The Truman Headlines was a duplicate.

This Jayne Mansfield Newark Evening World Supplement was needed as well. As a quick aside, my compliments to Panini for the photo selection on this one :)

Ugh, another Rusty Staub bat relic! I have nothing against Mr. Staub, but if you recall from the first post in this series, I pulled one from that box as well, which wasn't terribly exciting since I already had one. Being in possession of three now, I can't help but wonder how many more it would take to reconstruct the bat.

Even though Ron LeFlore isn't the most exciting autograph from the checklist to pull, I at least needed it, and that's the first time that I've been able to say that during these four posts.

The LeFlore auto came in the second to last pack, and it shouldn't be too much of a surprise to hear me say, that going into that final pack of the last box, I wasn't expecting anything to make up for what had been up 'til that point, a pretty disappointing quartet of boxes. It shouldn't be too surprising to hear as well, that as I was starting in on that last pack, I was doing so amidst the strongest feeling of buyer's remorse that I have ever known.

So anyway, as I'm opening the pack, I notice a white border amongst the normal French vanilla colored borders... which was mildly interesting, but not much, as I have pulled a white bordered parallel from the 2013 edition, and after looking for info on that one at the time, I found there wasn't much interest in them.

Here's who that white border belonged to. Again, while different, I was just thinking that it would be similar in value to the 2013's, aka nothing that would make up for these bad boxes.

Upon turning the card over, I found that not only was it a white bordered parallel, but a short print as well. Now that made it a little more interesting, but not much, as I also have a 2013 white bordered short print that as far as monetary value is concerned, has very little.

Here's the Bobby Jones parallel next to the regular base card, when their side-by-side you can really see the difference.

So out of curiosity, I started looking around online to try and find any info on the 2012 white border short prints. The only place I could find anything was on the Cardboard Connection site, which to my surprise, said that they have a print run of just /10. That's certainly rarer than the 2013's that I been comparing them to.

While it's kind of fun to have something that is apparently pretty rare, I'm not made of money, and these boxes weren't very good, so my thoughts very quickly turned to seeing if I could sell it and recoup some of the money that was spent on the boxes.

After more searching, I couldn't find any of these (there are ten different short prints, I believe) listed anywhere for sale, nor could I find any mention of one ever selling period, which made me even more hopeful about getting some of my money back.

Not knowing what kind of price to put on it, I decided to shoot for the moon and listed it with a $200 BIN or best offer, and to my surprise... I had an offer within two or three days! The initial offer was for $150, which wasn't bad at all, but I am human ( I think), so I of course tried to get a little more and countered with $175, which was excepted immediately by the buyer.

At one time, I thought I was going to try my hand at completing master sets for all three years worth of Golden Age, but after finding out about all the 1/1's (literally a couple hundred for each year), and of course, now knowing of the 2012 white border short prints and much they can sell for... that thought of master sets seems absolutely ludicrous.

The four boxes (with shipping) set me back $109.25. After eBay and PayPal fees, plus shipping costs, the card netted me roughly $145 (I also used that Groupon offer, where if your item sells in like two weeks or less, you get a $10 gift certificate... which I did). So when all was said and done, I ended up making around $45 in profit, plus I got one needed relic, one needed relic, a couple of needed inserts, and was able to get a couple more cards closer to completing two of the base sets. The idea of opening boxes, only to turn around and try and profit from the contents doesn't do a whole lot for me, but in this instance, it kind of felt like a necessity, so I'm glad it worked out alright.

Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, these most likely will have been my last boxes of Golden Age. From here on out, it just seems to make more (financial) sense to buy any of the cards I still need individually, as opposed to trying to play the lottery by buying more boxes


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2017 Black Friday Boxes #3: 2014 Panini Golden Age

Today's box of 2014 Golden Age is the second to last in this break, and without giving anything away, is a box that I can honestly say... I will never forget.

Of all the three years worth of Golden Age box toppers, the oversized base card out from the 2014 edition is my least favorite. They are really thick, and heavy (like four pounds), which makes them a real to try and store. I keep hoping to get one of the giant memorabilia toppers, but as you can see, I get no respect!

Before opening this box, I needed ten base cards to complete the set...

... and after opening the box, I still need five!

Both of the Headlines were duplicates.

Both of the Star Stamps were duplicates as well. If the Patron Saint of bloggers sees this, he needs to let me know if he wants the Russell/Hondo stamp before I make it available to anyone else.

I didn't need either of the Fan Craze's either. I feel like I'm starting to sound like a broken record.

Ah, Farrah, prrrrrrrrrr! And she was actually a set need!

In case you can't tell by first glance, this is a First Fifty parallel, it even says so at the top.

This is my third one of these parallels, and I'm really not too fond of them. Their basically just a base card with a serial number, I tend to like my parallels to be, you know... more parallely (is that a word?).

Some decent names here for my two 1913 The National Game inserts, I initially thought that I needed them both, but apparently I already had the Josh Gibson.

The good news that this a semi-uncommon relic, but if you've read the previous couple of posts, then you should know that if I start a sentence off with the good news, that there will be bad news following it... and this time is no different as the bad news would be that I got this card on COMC early last year. The even worse news was that I opened this box one day after putting in my COMC shipping request (Cyber Monday, aka the last for free shipping), and of course this card just happened to be among those cards to get shipped. Had I opened this box the day before, I could have held this one out and tried to recoup what I had spent on it, but I guess that would've been just too easy.

Now that we've seen the one promised memorabilia card per box, it's time for that promised autograph:

No, I didn't forget too add the picture, and no, Blogger didn't have some sort of technical difficulty. This empty space represents the non-existent autograph that was within this box. Yep, you read that right, no promised autograph for me!

After doing some checking online, Panini is apparently very good about making things right when something like this occurs, even when it comes to an older box like this. So far though, I haven't seen any evidence of that, as they seemingly never answer their phones, and still haven't replied to messages that were left over a month ago. Normally I probably wouldn't let this go easily, but if you remember the first post in this series, I mentioned a "saving grace" coming out of the last box (tomorrow) -- which, after you see and hear about -- might make my decision to forget about this missing auto a little more understandable.

Since I started with the topper, I might as well finish by showing the box bottom panel, which by the way, I actually needed. Panini bringing back box bottom cards was a fun idea, I just wish they would have done them for the 2012 and 2013 editions as well.

As bad as this box was, I still can't say that it's the worst box that I've ever opened, as that designation is still reserved for a box of 1999 Skybox Premium football that I opened way back when, which was so disappointing at the time, that it may have actually been partially responsible for making me leave the hobby for over a decade.


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2017 Black Friday Boxes #2: 2013 Panini Golden Age

As I'm sure you were able to discern from the title, today's box will be of the 2013 variety (top right of the picture). Since I have yet to complete the base set, there will actually be a few of those shown this time. And like yesterday's box, the mini's are being left out, but since the 2013 edition had quite a few inserts, it should help make up for that (from a viewing standpoint).

Of all the three years worth of Golden Age box toppers, the 2013 Exhibit cards are by far my favorite. Even though Harry Truman isn't one of the most sought after, I still think it's pretty nifty, and I needed it, so that was a good thing.

Before opening this box, I needed 18 base cards...

... and I managed...

... to get...

... nine! It seems like I should have been able to get a few more needs than that, but that is kind of the way these boxes went.

Now we're getting to my favorite Golden Age insert set, the playing cards. I love both of these photo's so much that can't even come with the right words to describe it. And both were set needs too!

Both of these were duplicates.

Didn't need either of these either.

War Admiral was a set need, Frank Chance... not so much.

The Tip Top Bread inserts are pretty fun too, and thankfully I didn't already have Curly here.

The Musial is a duplicate.

Before this box, I only had two of the nine Three Stooges cards, and wouldn't cha know it, I had to go and get one of those two.

 Had both of these already.

I have always been impressed with the colors on the Delong Gum inserts, even though they're flat, they still seem to pop, especially in person. Mel and Curly were both set needs.

Now we're getting to what I consider to be the best "hit" of the box. When she passed away in 1937 (at just 26 years of age), Jean Harlow was not only one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, but also the biggest box office draw among the other starlets of the time. I have seen Hell's Angels more times than I can remember, so for me, this particular relic is considered a pretty good get.

The good news is that I defied the odds and got two autographs, instead of the promised one per box. The bad news is... I already have both of them. It's kind of funny that the only other box of 2013 that I opened a couple of years ago had multiple autos has well (three to be exact), and one of them just happened to be a David Pollock too. Panini's really great about fulfilling expired redemptions, so I'm not worried as to whether I will get it or not, especially since I know Carl Eller did get around to signing for them, as I wouldn't have been able to get one off COMC a while back if he hadn't.

Overall, this box wasn't too bad, I just wish I would have been able to get more that I needed. The 2014 box is up next, so until then...


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2017 Black Friday Boxes #1: 2012 Panini Golden Age

It's hard to believe that it's already been over a month since I first got these. It seems like December went by so fast that I didn't have enough time to get to them. So, I guess before I start delving into the COMC pile, I should probably get these out of the way, lest they get pushed back even further in to the year.

I was going to do just two posts with the contents of two boxes in each post, but I think all just do one box per post, that way with less to write per post I should be able knock these out over the next four days... or at least four in five days.

I'll warn everyone in advance too, these boxes didn't turn out as well as I would've hoped, in fact they were pretty darn disappointing. Thankfully though, there was a saving grace that came out of the last box (that will be day 4, as these are being shown in the order that they were opened), that prevented this purchase from being a complete disaster. With that being said, you have my my apologies if these posts end up being a little more negative in tone than usual.

Up first was a box of the 2012 edition (one of the ones on the left of the photo). Since I already have a completed set, none of the base cards from this box are being shown. Also, since I don't have a list of which minis I have, I didn't end up including any of those either, so at least for this box (and the other 2012) you're just getting the inserts and the proverbial "hits".

Since it's the first thing you seen when opening a box, it seems only logical to start with the box topper. I keep hoping to get one of the movie poster toppers (or even one of the blue pennants, just to switch things up a little), but the three or four boxes that I've opened so far, have all been of the yellow pennant variety. Not a bad fellow to get though, and I didn't already have it, so that's a plus.

Both of these Headlines are duplicates.

The Batter-Up cards are my favorite inserts from the 2012 edition, unfortunately I already had both of these. The two cards shown here though, are a perfect example of why I love Golden Age so much,  I mean just try and name me another product in which you could get cards of both Jack Dempsey and Jayne Mansfield?

This Newark Evening World Supplement of Thurman Munson is pretty neat, and on top of that, I actually needed it.

Well, the good news is that this box had two memorabilia cards in it, instead of the promised one. The bad news is... I already have both of them :(

And finally, more disappointment, as I already have this Cleon Jones autograph as well. Considering that I don't even have half the autos, or half the relics from this set, you'd think I would have been able to get at least one that I needed.

Wasn't that exciting? If you answered yes, you'll probably enjoy tomorrow's box too. If you answered no, well... come back anyway, as your views and comments (if you're felling generous) will make these breaks a little less sucky.

Oh, and one other thing, since this post -- as well as the next three -- will contain many a duplicate, don't be shy if you see something you like that has been indicated as such. There are also plenty of base card duplicates as well, all of which are looking for a happy home.


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Where's the stamp?

I don't know how many times now that Jim (proprietor of cards as i see them) and I, have exchanged cards, but I do know that since starting this blog, he has been by far my most frequent trading partner.

To date, Jim has always sent buybacks my way, which have been immensely helpful in getting my frankenset as far along as it is. I believe however, that the two cards he sent me last week, mark a turning point in our relationship, as neither of them were a buyback... dunh dunh DUNH!

Instead of old cards that have been stamped, Jim sent just regular old (old) cards, aka vintage cards, both of which were set needs:

 This 1960 Topps Gil Hodges card is really great, although at some point during it's transit, bits started flaking off the top right corner. Having never seen that happen before, I have no idea as to what could have caused it. Looking on the bright side, I guess I can say that I am now in possession of the only known example of a 1960 Topps puzzle card :)

Straight Outta Compton (sorry, I couldn't resist), comes Charlie Neal, being featured here on this really cool 1962 Post card. This particular card has been of interest to me for a few years now, primarily because of the seemingly unending number of variations (skin color and hat color) that one could chase, for anyone interested, I would imagine that most can be seen on COMC. This is also the second Post card that I have been sent in as many weeks (thanks again, Nick), I can't imagine that it will keep occurring at the same pace, but I could really get used to this.

Jim, thank you for the cards, even though the buybacks are always appreciated, it was really great to switch it up and get something from you... that hasn't been stamped.


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TTM Triumph: Alvan Adams

It's been almost two months since my last success was shown, during that time I've received six or seven more positive returns. Today's card is probably my favorite of those returns:

After three years at Oklahoma, where he had set many a school record (most of which have since been broken), Alvan left after his Junior year to enter the NBA Draft, which him being selected by Phoenix with the fourth overall pick in the 1975 draft.

Even though he had a very successful 13-year career (all with Phoenix), Alvan is best remembered for his rookie season in which he averaged 19.0 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 5.6 apg, 1.5 spg, and 1.5 bpg -- making his lone all-star appearance, and winning Rookie of the Year honors.

That 1975-76 season was not only memorable for Suns fans because of Alvan's debut, but also because of the team's unexpected playoff success. Their record of 42-40 gave the Suns the number three seed in the west, which meant they had a first round bye (this is back when only five teams made the playoffs in each conference). Their first playoff action saw them upset the number two seeded Seattle Supersonics in six games. That win sent them on to the conference finals where they would face the previous season's champion, and owner's of the number one seed, the Golden State Warriors. In a strongly contested, and often heated series, the Suns would emerge victorious, defeating the heavily favored Warriors in seven games.

Going to the NBA finals for the first time in franchise history, the team would meet up with a much more experienced Boston Celtics team, who eventually go on to take the series in six games. As an aside, game 5 of that series, the famous triple overtime game at the Garden, is still considered by many to be the greatest game in NBA history.

As always, many thanks to Mr. Adams for taking the time to sign my card. With his card, I now have 22 cards from the 1978-79 Topps set signed.


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