Show Spoils

I wasn't going to make the hour drive to today's "local" card show.  At dinner with friends last night, my friend asked about if I was going to any shows soon.  I mentioned today's show and he said he wanted to go and would drive, so I figured 'what the hell?'  He isn't a collector but did collect a little as a kid and after chatting a few weeks ago, he was all about it.  It seems like he bought more cards for someone else than himself, but he did pick up a few Cowboys cards.  I don't know that he's a collector, but he wants to go to more shows.  We shall see...

If you saw my 2018 collecting goals, my big one was to spend less money this year.  Most of the way through January, I've done well.  I spend some money today, but nothing was more than $2.  A lot of it was stuff to list on Trading Card Database and/or trade with other bloggers.  I didn't spend too much on myself, which was a win in itself.  It's also easy to do when it's mostly the same sellers that you've seen a dozen times and you aren't into the newest products. 

All of these were out of a dime box.  I hadn't seen that seller before but this was all that I picked up.  I feel that my BWTP Secret Santa gift I gave was weak compared to some others, so I'm hoping that he needs a few of these.   Now that I look at it, most aren't Ginter.  Maybe not.  BOOOOOOOOO!!!

The cards in the next three pics were all a quarter.  It was a different seller that I hadn't seen before, so I was willing to spend time digging through the boxes. 

The cards above will go into my Trading Card Database inventory to trade.  The Bo Jackson Rated Rookie is all mine!  It should have been in the picture below with the other cards I'm keeping. 

I was excited when I saw the first buyback card.  I was hoping there's be many more, but four 1970s buybacks for a buck makes me happy! 

As I was about to leave the show, I saw a 1955 Bowman football card on the top of a dollar box.  I've been acquiring cards from this set over the last couple of years.  I went through the entire four-row box and pulled all 14 cards from the set that I came across.  I know there were some multiples but I wasn't concerned.  I also picked up a couple of Charley Conerly cards.  For whatever reason, I pick up cheap copies of cards of the former Marlboro Man. 

As soon as I finish this post, I'm going to start sheeting up the 1955 Bowman cards.  I officially consider myself working on the set.  I stopped at my LCS on the way home and bought the sheets to make it official. 

Each of these was $2 and all but one if for me.  I'm thrilled with all of them!  I really don't want to pick up any more cards of former Mountaineers in their NFL uniforms, but that Owen Schmitt card is really sweet looking with the green bored.  This picture does it no justice.  I couldn't pass up a Dwight Gooden jersey card with a pinstripe.  I have a handful of the "Piece of the Game" bat cards and like the 1955 Bowmans, was "acquiring" them while not really working on the set.  A few more of these and I'll be working on the set.  I would have purchased as many as he had at $2 a pop.

There you have it, the cards I picked up today.  I truly didn't think I'd buy anything, but I'm really happy with what I got and for how little I got it for. 

If you shop online and haven't signed up and used ebates yet, you're missing out.  I also use it on eBay to get money back from purchases there.  Between referrals and cash back, I've gotten over $150 in a year (including $15 back on one Black Friday purchase last week).  FREE CARDS!

If you're on Twitter, please give me a follow.  You can also find me on Trading Card Database.  I love trading cards, when it makes sense.  Happy collecting!

The Mountaineer Mine #3.2 - Owen Schmitt

I can't narrow it down to just one Owen Schmitt card that I want to keep.  When all is said and done he may be the one that I keep the most cards of.

2008 Playoff Prestige - Draft Picks Light Blue #182 Owen Schmitt

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If you read yesterday's post, I posted a YouTube clip of when "The Runaway Beer Truck" was born.  This card is from that run.  If you look closely, you can see the Oklahoma defender in the background.  This is almost the card that I selected for the project.  I'll never be completely confident in the decision that I made.  I have four copies of this card and probably need to get to nine, just so I can fill out an entire sheet.  I don't have any of the other parallel levels, I love this one because it's blue.  The only "bad" about this card is the Seahawks helmet on it.  I wish it was a WVU helmet. 

2008 Topps Mayo #317 Owen Schmitt 

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This isn't normally the kind of card I would keep.  Schmitt is not pictured in his West Virginia uniform.  It's staying in the collection because the design used was copied from the 1894 Mayo Cut Plug set.  Owning a card from that set is something I hope to make happen eventually.  

2008 Score Select - Autographs Red Zone #413 Owen Schmitt 

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This card is another that doesn't really "fit" with my collection.  It has some sentimental value and that's why it remains.  I picked this up just a couple of days before I moved from Indianapolis to Texas.  It was my last card purchase there and for me signifies closing the door on that time of my life, and how much happier I am now.  I never noticed until today, but they have his school in 2003 listed incorrectly.  Schmitt didn't play four seasons at WVU.

2008 Donruss Elite #135 Owen Schmitt

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We return to the Mountaineer cards now.  I don't like that this card is a sticker auto, but it's the only one I'm keeping that pictures Schmitt in the gold uniform.  I miss this look.  I have a couple of copies of this one.  

2008 Press Pass - Autographs Bronze #PPSOS Owen Schmitt 

All I'm going to say about this one is that I miss Press Pass.  As a college collector, they offered things that wouldn't have been seen otherwise.  They also were good about understanding what players might have some secondary value and including them.  I salute you, Press Pass.  

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2008 Upper Deck Masterpieces - Stroke Of Genius Autographs #SOG76 Owen Schmitt 

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When I spoke on the phone last week with Upper Deck's Chris Carlin, I told him that canvas cards are one of the best things in the hobby.  I wasn't giving him lip service, I truly believe it.  I miss Upper Deck producing football cards.  Losing the NFL license didn't completely break my heart but now that they've lost the CLC license, WVU cards just aren't the same to me.  

2008 Upper Deck Draft Edition - Autographs #78 Owen Schmitt 

2008 Upper Deck Draft Edition - Autographs Bronze #78 Owen Schmitt

It's no secret that I dislike sticker autos, but what can you do?  I don't really need either of these and it's possible that they will leave via another card purge sometime down the road.

2008 Press Pass SE Gridiron Graphs Gold #GG-OS Owen Schmitt 

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Something I loved about Press Pass - ON CARD AUTOGRAPHS!

2008 SAGE HIT - Autographs Silver #A70 Owen Schmitt 

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I've heard more than a few people in the hobby say unflattering things about SAGE, and it pisses me off.  They certainly have their place in the hobby.  If all you're doing is trying to make money, either short or long-term, SAGE isn't for you.  History has shown this.  However, they provide affordable autographs of some top-tier players collectors might not otherwise be able to afford.  Also, they include players that may not get an autograph from any other company.  As a college guy, I love this.

Thanks for taking a look and I hope you enjoyed it! If you shop online and haven't signed up and used ebates yet, you're missing out.  I also use it on eBay to get money back from purchases there.  Between referrals and cash back, I've gotten over $100 in about seven months.  FREE CARDS!  If you're on Twitter, please give me a follow.  Happy collecting!

The Mountaineer Mine #3 - Owen Schmitt

WHO:  Owen Schmitt

WHEN: 2005 - 2007

WHERE:  From Fairfax, VA

WHY (this card):  I don't like that it's a sticker auto.  I debated between this card and one without an autograph, but I love that Topps used the 1951 Topps Magic design.  Not only did they use a great design, they used it in a set picturing players in their college uniforms.

LINK:  WVU's Schmitt Is the Gift That Keeps on Hitting

LINK:  Former WVU Fullback Owen Schmitt to open Morgantown saloon

LINK:  No Flash, Just Smash From Eagles Fullback

How (he's remembered):  Owen Schmitt is my favorite Mountaineer (from my adult years) that played on the offensive side of the ball.  He was hard-nosed, but still ran the ball well when fortunate enough to have his number called.

The play I remember above all others was in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma (see below).  It was that play that earned him the nickname "The Runaway Beer Truck."  One of his cards is from this particular run and I almost chose it instead.

I don't believe it's my bias that makes me believe that he's one of the most beloved Mountaineers of all time.  It probably doesn't hurt that he ended up falling in love with Morgantown and wound up there after his NFL playing days ended.






If you shop online and haven't signed up and used ebates yet, you're missing out.  I also use it on eBay to get money back from purchases there.  Between referrals and cash back, I've gotten over $100 in about seven months.  FREE CARDS!  If you're on Twitter, please give me a follow.  Happy collecting!

Too Many Davises? Negative, Ghost Rider.

I thought my title was witty when I came up with it yesterday.  It obviously isn't, as I've seen two similar titles on mail days from Too Many Verlanders/Too Many Manninghams.  Ah, well.  I'm worn down today and I'm just going to stick with it.

When I send cards out to others, I don't do so in anticipation that I will receive something in return.  Don't get me wrong, it's nice, though.  Dennis said that I've sent him two things and I won't argue, I can't remember off the top of my head.  He definitely read through my want lists and what I collect pages when he found some cards to send me.

There had to be 50 or more Russ Davis cards in the envelope!  A few months ago, I was making progress on cataloging my Davis cards.  I've spent a bit less time on my collection lately and with the time I've had, some other projects have taken priority.  I do know there are more than a few of these that I need.  My baseball collecting tapered off toward the end of the 1990s and some of the later cards are ones that I know I need.

I love the Collect-A-Book Will Clark!  I had a bunch of these as a kid and I loved them.  At some point they left my possession and I'm thrilled (see what I did there?) to have one of them again.  The Clark Orioles card is definitely one that I don't have.  I don't understand why so many people hate on Pacific.

My other favorite from this group is definitely the Steve Slaton/Runaway Beer Truck card.  Owen Schmitt will always hold a special place in my heart.  On a related note, I was saddened to learn of Bob Stoops' retirement this week.  The 2008 Fiesta Bowl will always be one of my favorite football games ever.

A few months ago I picked up a few of these "Club 3000" cards and added the rest to my want list.  Dennis certainly came though by adding these nine cards to my collection.  I would like to do the memorabilia set as well, but I do believe that will likely never happen.

Last but not least, Dennis helped finish off two sets.  I actually finished the 1986 Topps set recently, but it's entirely possible that these could go into the set.  There are so many poorly centered cards and also ones with print defects that these might be in.  The two Stadium Club cards are the only two that I didn't get in the one box that I bought.  I'm happy to finish off the set.  I guess now I can open that Series 2 box that I have and work on that set!

Thank you so much, Dennis!  You're certainly added a lot to my collection.  There's also another package of goodies coming for you at some point.  I just need to get them mailed!

If you shop online and haven't signed up and used ebates yet, you're missing out.  I also use it on eBay to get money back.  Between referrals and cash back, I've gotten over $100 in about seven months.  FREE CARDS!  If you're on Twitter, please give me a follow.  Happy collecting!