Being Called Out

Everyone knows Fuji and his contest.  When he asks for participation, the blog-o-sphere answers.  When he asked for a question I thought I had a quick way to earn a point in his contest.  I didn't think he would put me on the spot, forcing my own question back at me.

No one card came to mind.  I had to rack my brain and my collection to come up with a response.

Then I saw it, a card I am actually trying to sell.

2005 Donruss Signature InkCredible Trios Autographs 

Cal Ripken/Jim Palmer/Rick Dempsey

The odd thing is that I was a huge Cal Ripken collector, forever.  Yet I bought this card when I was collecting anything and everything Rick Dempsey.  I paid $75 for it on eBay a bunch of years ago.  Probably why my asking price had been refused a few times.  It is still available if anyone is interested, check it all out here.

See What You Started 1987 Topps

Fuji-san was asked:

How did you first decide to collect sports cards, and when?

And I answered.

I started following baseball in 1985 when I went to a game with my Dad and was hooked.  No doubt about it, baseball was it for me.  So much so I didn't learn to ride a bike until I was 10 because all I wanted to do was play "catch" with my old man.

I didn't collect cards at all in '85 or '86, but 1987 changed the game.  Hands down the best design, ever.

I don't know the particulars, but I am guessing my brother and I got a box from Schviate Nikolai (Ukrainian Santa Claus) to split.  There was no turning back.  I shortly thereafter got my first newspaper route and first paycheck at the age of seven.  I had to buy cards and my parents weren't fans of an allowance.  My brother and I also started our own business cutting grass, raking leaves and shoveling snow.  We had our own fliers and business cards, all to buy wax.

I completed my 1987 Topps set at some point, although I no longer have it.  Unfortunately I am a collector who can cut and run.  When my wants change, everything I have collected before is fair game.  That's why I have done this.

I Always Knew I Was Important

And now I have the paperwork to prove it.  I just purchased my 2012 National Convention Super VIP package.  Not only am I Very Important, I am Super Very Important.  That's gotta count for something.

It does.  It counts for autographs.  All 18 of the VIP autographs.

I was able to connect with an old friend, my brother Todd, to split the cost of the tickets.  Who knew I didn't need to post about it on my blog, or on baseball card forums?  All I had to do was pick up the phone and call the Best Man from my wedding.  Weird.

I was looking for early entries, a lounge and free shit.  He wanted to secure autographs of Redskins for his budding collection.  The math was easy and now we are both Very Important.  I mean Super Very Important.

We will be utilizing the autograph tickets of: Dexter Manley, Ricky Sanders, George Starke and Joe Washington.  We are looking to trade for another Dexter Manley, Ricky Sanders and George Starke. 

So if you are in need of:
Mike Hargrove
Qadry Ismael
Chris Hoiles
Milt Pappas
Tom Matte
Don Stanhouse
Roger Wehrli
John Montefusco
Larry Sheets
Al Bumbry
Paul Blair
Jack Morris
Tippy Martinez
Ron Hansen
Bobby Grich

Please let me know.  I am looking to trade first, but would also cut a deal on the price or possibly take consignments.

A Six Pack of 'Slak

My TTM successes have slowed over the years as the easier signers have done their part and the toughies live up to their reputations.  Joe Orsulak has been a good signer over the years, even if it takes a while.

I sent 'Slak a TTM request with my early attempts...in 2009.  Yeah.  Three years to wait.  Since my request, I have added a bunch of Slak autographs but that doesn't diminish my success.

1989	Topps (TTM Autograph)	727
1991	Donruss (TTM Autograph)	654
1991	Fleer (TTM Autograph)	487
1991	Orioles Crown (TTM Autograph)	345
1993	Fleer (TTM Autograph)	549
1993	Upper Deck (TTM Autograph)	260

2012 National COnvention VIP

I have been debating over the last three months whether or not to purchase the VIP Package to the National this year.  Since it is in my backyard, I plan on attending three days, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

I don't plan on hitting many, if any, of the autograph stations this year.  No Orioles that I need for less than $100 and I haven't started paying for Redskins autos.  Some of the freebies are cool, but can't justify the huge outlay.

I am wondering if there is anyone out there in a similar scenario, only attending the Saturday and Sunday days of the Convention.  I am looking to split costs, VIP autograph tickets and freebies with any one person who is interested.  I would purchase the package and divide as fair as possible.

Anyone interested? Please email me at potziecards@yahoo.com.

Here is an update on the sale and contest updates.

Name	Total
David	16
Gotmelky	12
Diamond King	10
Coot Veal & The Vealtones	9
Alfredo	2
Dion	12
Brad	30
Parq	4
Plopowitz	6
Jniere15	2
Quota	17
Gumscards	5
Cubsfan1313
SmithA	19
Thoughts and Sox	17
Chris
Jason C.	5
The Lost Collector	7
Rosenort	1
Curtis Seidle	2
BA Benny	49
KoolsterKU	4

Emptying the Bases

We are slashing prices here.  Everything must go, go, go!

The Dime Box isn't safe.  I have decided to lower the price of all base cards in the dime box to 5 cents each.  This applies to just base cards and just the Dime Box.  Hopefully this will entice a few more people to make some purchases, or draw some repeat business.  This sale will also run until the end of the National Convention.

Dime Box

Quarter Box

50 Cent Piece

Dollar Box

Display Case

Breaking Out The Big Guns

I have been contemplating my personal collection for some time.  The Orioles aspect will never go away, that I know for sure.  But I have been holding on to a few remnants of my Cal Ripken collection for 3 years now.  After much deliberation and at least one sleepless afternoon I have decided to sell my remaining certified autograph and relic cards.  Not sure I am ready to part with his iconic rookie cards just yet, probably never.

I have also reevaluated my Rick Dempsey collection.  Another collection neglected since 2009.  What I truly love about that colection is the oddball items of the mass production era of baseball cards.  So I have decided to liquidate my post-playing career collection for Dempsey.  That means, a bunch of autographs and serial numbers out there if anyone is interested.

Cal Ripken 2003 Fleer Splendid Splinters Home Run Club Black Ink

Cal Ripken 2001 Fleer Genuine Material Issue

 Cal Ripken 2000 Fleer Gamers Lumber

 2005 Donruss Signature InkCredible Trios Ripken/Palmer/Dempsey

 2005 Donruss Signature InkCredible Duos Jim Palmer/Rick Dempsey

 Rick Dempsey 2005 Topps Retired Signature Auto

Rick Dempsey 2005 Topps Retired Signature Auto Refractor /25

All of the cards above are available via email offer until Friday July 20th by midnight.  After that I will see how eBay will do.  Below, you will find cards that are now in the Display Case of my sale.

 Rick Dempsey 2005 Donruss Signature Auto, Platinum/25, Gold/50

 Rick Dempsey 2005 Donruss Champions Auto

 Rick Dempsey Absolute Memorabilia Autograph Spectrum Gold/50

Here is a complete list of all the Dempsey cards being added to the sale.

2004	Greats of the Game	77
2004	Greats of the Game Battery Mates #'d 366/1977	9
2004	Greats of the Game Blue #'d 376/500	77
2004	Maryland Lottery	34
2005	Absolute Memorabilia	178
2005	Absolute Memorabilia Autograph Spectrum Gold #'d 27/50	178
2005	Donruss Champions	388
2005	Donruss Champions Impressions	388
2005	Donruss Champions Impressions Autograph T4	388
2005	Donruss Champions Impressions Blue #'d 8/100	388
2005	Donruss Champions Impressions Gold #'d 1/50	388
2005	Donruss Champions Impressions Green #'d 24/25	388
2005	Donruss Champions Impressions Orange #'d 66/75	388
2005	Donruss Champions Impressions Red #'d 16/250	388
2005	Donruss Signature Autograph Gold Master Series #'d 36/50	18
2005	Donruss Signature Autograph Platinum Master Series #'d 13/25	18
2005	Donruss Signature Autograph Silver T6	18
2005	Donruss Signature Century Proofs Gold #'d 3/25	18
2005	Donruss Signature Century Proofs Platinum #'d 10/10	18
2005	Donruss Signature Century Proofs Silver #'d 56/75	18
2005	Donruss Signature INKcredible Combos w/Palmer /100	13
2005	Donruss Signature INKcredible Trios w/Palmer/Ripken/80	13
2005	Topps All-Time Fan Favorites	106
2005	Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Auto I	RD
2005	Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Best Seat in The House Relic (D. Johnson) #'d 84/125	BS-JD
2005	Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Best Seat in The House Relic (Rip/Rob/Rob/Dempsey) #'d 62/125	BS-RRRD
2005	Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Best Seat in The House Relic Rainbow (D. Johnson) #'d 13/25	BS-JD
2005	Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Refractor #'d 20/299	106
2005	Topps Retired Signature	108
2005	Topps Retired Signature Autographs	108
2005	Topps Retired Signature Autographs Refractors B #'d 19/25	108
2005	Topps Retired Signature Black #'d 24/54	108
2005	Topps Retired Signature Gold	108
2008	Tri-Star SignaCuts Cut Autograph #'d 10/17	NNO

Their proper boxes are here:

Dime Box

Quarter Box

50 Cent Piece

Dollar Box

Display Case

All rules and details can be found here.

Additions to the Sale

I had completely forgotten about my neglected Nick Markakis collection and hadn't added a card since 2009.  So it is only fitting I try and find a better home for his cards. 

I have added nearly 100 different Markakis cards, plus an entire box of 2012 Topps Series II to the boxes.

Josh Johnson 2012 Topps Golden Moments Relic

Jonny Paredes 2012 Topps Black #585  /61

Nick Markakis 2008 Upper Deck Ballpark Collection Dual Jersey

Dime Box

Quarter Box

50 Cent Piece

Dollar Box

Display Case

Welcome to Baltimore Taylor Teagarden

Not a bad way to make your debut.  A walk-off 2-run home run in the bottom of the 13th inning.  His first hit of the season after battling injury all year long.

Buck Showalter likes him and now, so do I.  The Orioles needed this win, in a big way.  The team has struggled recently and more bad news came down today, Jason Hammel to miss a start.  But tonight that doesn't matter.

I get to cross another name off the list because of this:

Taylor Teagarden 2012 Orioles Postcard

10 straight extra inning wins.

Contest Update

For the two new followers and a handful of purchases. 

Alfredo.  Adam.  Each of you earn an entry for being new to my blog earn another entry because you have been the only new followers, so congrats on that.

Name	Referrals	#	Purchase	Ref/Purchase	Total
David			11		11
Gotmelky			11.85		11.85
Kevin			8.15		8.15
Dustin			7.3		7.3
Alfredo		2			2
Dion			12		12
Brad			11		11
Parq			4		4
Plopowitz			5.85		5.85
Jniere15			1.5		1.5
Quota			16.9		16.9
Gumscards			4.1		4.1
Cubsfan1313			0		0
SmithA			18.7		18.7
Thoughts and Sox		2	14.65		16.65
Chris					0
Jason C.			4.55		4.55

I know some of you have blogs that I don't know your real name. Post a correction and your blog will proudly be featured in the spreadsheet.

Thanks again.

Does Anyone Care...

about my contest?  Short answer, no.  But I can fix that, I hope.  I had asked earlier not to pimp my contest, I was misguided.  Obviously the world, and my contest needs pimps.

Adendum 1. Pimping of my contest gets one entry into my contest.  Just post a comment with the link and you are in. 

Official Rules:
1. For every $1 you spend (sale price only) you earn an entry
2. Every new follower of my blog receives an entry
3. Anyone who refers a new follower to my blog receives an entry
              a. The new follower must post a comment with their referral source for proper accounting
4. If a new follower makes a purchase, the referral source receives an entry
5. Each entry will have equal chance in randomizer, lucky number 8 will be the winner in the         randomization.
6. Winners are able to choose their prize, no assignments

Gimme The Loot, Gimme The Loot.

Contest prizes are:
1. Jim Palmer Autographed Orioles Program

2. 2011 Topps Lineage Base Set (1-200)

3. 1994 Mickey Mantle Metallic Images 10 card set w/tin

4.1995 Cal Ripken Metallic Images 10 card set w/tin

OH, I am still selling out

Dime Box

Quarter Box

50 Cent Piece

Dollar Box

Display Case

Let's Do This Thing!

Selling out for the 2012 National: In Progress

Never in my wildest dreams did I think it would take off like this.  Not a whole lot of referrals, but sales galore.  I have spent nearly 3 hours today processing requests and will have more to do in the coming days.

For anyone who has made a request, I am looking at the time the request was made and using that time to establish an order.  I will do my best to let you know when an item is no longer available.  I have also been updating the google docs whenever I make a change.

On the home front, power is still a no go for my family in Baltimore.  We are staying with my in laws, sans baseball cards.  Hopefully this weekend.  When I get all cards pulled, each person will get an email and an "invoice" of what they are receiving.  Please let me know if there are any questions.

So far the following have been bought completely:
Derek Jeter
Evan Longoria
Tim Lincecum
Buster Posey
Albert Pujols
Justin Verlander
Al Kaline

Thanks again for the looks, thoughts and orders.

Here are the links again:
Dime Box
Quarter Box
50 Cent Piece
Dollar Box
Display Case

And for full details on the contest, rules and shipping, click here.

Selling Out For the 2012 National: The Contest

With "The Kid" arriving, the budget for baseball cards has been shortened, to nearly nothing.  I have been able to sneak a pack or two here and there but nothing of consequence.  That being said, I want to go off at The National Convention this year.  There are very few autographs I am looking to track down through personal signings, but I am hoping to cross some obscure guys from my list.

So I have decided to sell out.  Or at least try to.  In person autographs are most likely off-limits, trading only, but everything else is fair game.  As an homage to those of you out there who love to scour through boxes at card shows I have divided my collection into virtual boxes.  Some cards don't fall into those categories and will be priced individually.

Shipping has always been an issue when selling cards so I have decided that a sale will be broken into two parts, sale price and shipping.  Sale price is easy; 10 cards at $.10 each, $1.00, paid through PayPal as an example.  Shipping; I send the cards, the price of postage for whichever way the buyer chooses, will then be paid.  Packaging is on the house.  Hope that was easy to follow, if not just ask.

Did someone say "Contest"?  Yes.  I did.

I will also parlay this sale into a contest.  Here are the Rules:
1.  For every $1 you spend (sale price only) you earn an entry
2.  Every new follower of my blog receives an entry
3.  Anyone who refers a new follower to my blog receives an entry
      A.  The new follower must post a comment with their referral source for proper documentation
4.  If a new follower makes a purchase, the referral source receives an entry

I am not saying to go right out and pimp the blog, it is not necessary, but couldn't hurt.  With many of us bloggers reading each others stuff it should be interesting to see where loyalties lie.

The contest will run through August 5, 2012, the end of the National.  Any payment made before 11:59pm on this date will be counted toward contest entries.  Same goes with followers and referral bonuses.

Contest prizes are:
Jim Palmer Autographed Orioles Program

2011 Topps Lineage Base Set

Mickey Mantle Metallic Images Set

More to follow.

I will randomize for winners and each winner will be able to select their prize.  Also, the person with the most referrals will receive a prize of unspeakable value.

Now that all the legal stuff is out of the way, on to the virtual card show.

Dime Box
Quarter Box
50 Cent Piece
Dollar Box
Display Case

For those of you who don't like scouring through pages upon pages of Excel spreadsheets, email me with wants, needs, or collections and I can pull lists together.  Thanks for the help, the time, the referrals and the cash.

*Disclaimer*
First come first served to email potziecards@yahoo.com.  Some items may not be available due to prior sales.