Video: Autograph Pull & Autograph Trade

I participated quite a bit in Upper Deck’s wrapper redemption program at The National.

In my very first redemption pack, I pulled an autograph. Upper Deck had a camera going and recorded my lucky pull:

Fortunately, I was able to trade the Sandberg autograph for an autograph of a promising young hockey player:

Who says people don’t trade trading cards anymore? I made several successful card trades at The National. Still, trading is the exception and not the rule.

Videos courtesy of Upper Deck.

1963-64 Parkhurst #36 – Claude Provost

One great thing about going to The National for all 5 days is that I was able to “punch out” of life for 5 days. No work. No familial responsibilities.Even put off meeting with a friend from out of town for a day (sorry, Phil).

But the downside to all that is that life is back in full swing. I have stacks of old cards to put away, packs of new cards to open and tons of awesome cards to blog about–but no free time to enjoy them.

So right now, here is a 1963-64 Parkhurst hockey card of Claude Provost.

Enjoy the card. I hope to have some video up later today.

Parkhurst Percent Counter: 34% Complete

1963-64 Parkhurst #51 – Hank Ciesla

OK, so I’m a little behind posting about The National–and all the cool stuff I got there. Free time after the show each night was spent revising want lists and pulling cards for the other bloggers (and blog readers) that I met up with over the weekend.

Right now, I’m working on one of the several box breaks I did, but in the meantime here is a 1963-64 Parkhurst Hockey card of Hank Ciesla.

Like the other two Parkies I bought, this one is in pretty good shape.Just a light crease on the back (between the 51 and the Parkhurst logo). I made a lot of steps towards completing this set, which you will see over the next week or so.

Parkhurst Percent Counter: 33% Complete

1963-64 Parkhurst #85 – Gordon (Red) Berenson

Happy Friday! Before I leave for Day 3 of The National, I thought I’d post another one of the sweet 1963-64 Parkhurst cards I got yesterday. This card of Gordon “Red” Berenson brings me one step closer to completing the 99-card set.

For those of you who hate vintage hockey cards, don’t worry–I’ll post some newer cards tomorrow soon.

Parkhurst Percent Counter: 32% Complete

1963-64 Parkhurst #13 – George Armstrong

On Wednesday and Thursday this week, I attended the 32nd National Sports Collectors Convention, a.k.a. “The National.” I am having a blast–and I still have three more days to go!

I’ll probably be blogging about all the cool stuff I got for the next few weeks, but in the meantime, here is one of my purchases from Thursday: a 1963-64 Parkhurst hockey card of George Armstrong. He spent all 20 years of his career with the Toronto Maple Leafs and is in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Here is a scan of the back. As you can see, this card is very clean. No stains or creases, just a top right corner that’s a bit dinged.

Parkhurst Percent Counter: 31% Complete

Who’s Going to The National this year?

If you haven’t heard by now, the National Sports Collectors’ Convention (a.k.a. “The National) will be held near Chicago from August 3 to 7. (link)

Not only is The National billed as the largest sports convention, but most of the card companies have special convention-only cards that you can get via wrapper redemption programs (like the Jonathan Toews you see above). For those two reasons, and because it is close to home, I will be going to the show all 5 days. 

Now I ask you, fellow bloggers and blog readers – are you going to The National? I’ve posted a poll (top, right), so please take a moment to vote in it.

More importantly, if you are going to the National, and would like to meet up for a bit, drop me a line at sjb44 AT hotmail DOT com.

I enjoy meeting other bloggers at card shows. Previously, I’ve met up with Tim (The Real DFG) and Justin G. (The Hopeful Chase), and those were some of the most fun shows I’ve been to. It was cool to meet people that I knew from the blogosphere, hang out for a bit and get rid of cards I don’t need TRADE cards with them.

So, if you’re going to The National, would like to meet up and maybe trade some cards, let me know.

Additional links of interest:

Sometimes I buy baseball cards

Although I consider myself strictly a hockey card collector, every now and then I stray a bit and buy baseball cards–but only if they are from my childhood.

As a kid in the mid-to-late 1980s, I watched quite a bit of baseball–sometimes because the Cubs games pre-empted The Transformers or G.I. Joe cartoons that I watched so religiously, and other times out of actual interest.

I bought my first pack of baseball cards in 1985, and continued buying them until 1990. But by then, hockey had taken over as my sport of choice to collect, and I sold off all my baseball cards.

Then a few years ago, I picked up complete 1985 and 1989 Topps Baseball and Traded sets.

Last week I picked up 4 more years from the “junk wax” era:

  • 1986 Topps Baseball Set with Traded Set
  • 1987 Topps Baseball Set
  • 1988 Topps Baseball Set with Traded Set
  • 1990 Topps Baseball Set with Traded Set

When I go to the National next month, I will try to find a 1987 Topps Traded set. It shouldn’t be hard, but the trick is to get one for cheap. Then I will have every Topps baseball card set from 1985 to 1990. Worthless cards to die-hard baseball card aficionados, but timeless for this hockey fan.

Poll Results: Winnipeg Jets

A few weeks back, I discussed the seemingly unlimited amount of hockey fans who are rejoicing in Winnipeg’s re-entry into the NHL.

I also posted a poll, asking “Are you excited about the Winnipeg Jets return to the NHL?” Here are the answers (as illustrated above):

76% -Yes
9% – No
15% – I could care less

So it seems that 3 out of 4 respondents were excited about the Jets making a comeback. The other two groups – who are not excited or could care less – account for 24% total. These numbers are based on 46 poll responses. I did not vote in this poll.

Why I’m not going to Hawks Con this year

The fourth annual Chicago Blackhawks Convention takes place this weekend. And for the first time, I am not going.

Sure, I like the Blackhawks, getting autographs and buying hockey cards. Those are three really good reasons to go.

Unfortunately, the cons outweighed the pros.

Here are the reasons why I’m sitting out this year’s Chicago Blackhawks Convention: Continue reading “Why I’m not going to Hawks Con this year”

Some 1961-62 Topps Hockey Cards

I recently purchased 7 cards from the 1961-62 Topps Hockey set. They either have creases, rough edges or minor staining on the back. But for $3 each, I can’t complain. These cards are 50 years old, after all.

Click on any of the images to see larger

#21 – Action Near the Cage – Vintage Bruins-Blackhawks action from the ’60-61 season.

#49 – Earl Ingarfield – Played in the NHL from 1959 to 1971.

#63 – New York Rangers Team Photo – I love these old team photos.

#8 – John Bucyk – The Chief! Bucyk played 21 seasons with the Boston Bruins.

#64 – Going, Going, Goal! – Rangers’ goalie Gump Worsley gest beat by Bruins forward Dick Meissner, who pokes in the puck at the goal line.

#20 – Boston Bruins Team Photo – Another great team shot. Team photos should be included in newer card sets, don’tcha think?

#23 – Rudy Pilous (coach) – Am I the only one who likes cards of coaches? From the back of this card…

Rudy, never a big league player himself, drove Black Hawks to Stanley Cup last season…Rudy’s a big, amiable guy with real gift for handling men.

See? Hard-hitting information you can’t find anywhere else but on the back of a vintage card.