Accidental Set Acquisitions

I wasn't certain if the Taylor MI show would be viable a couple weekends ago but made it thanks to my bestie needing a Jim Price auto.  I took $80, picking up Heritage High singles and dime card finds.  I was leaving with $25 in my pocket which never EVER happens. My friend stopped to look at one more table. I'm so glad she did because ....

Old Guy on the right.

The next table over was loaded with 1000 count boxes containing two or three sets each.  No mixing of cards allowed. Boxes were 'as is.' There was an older gentlemen with boxes already set aside. Fortunately, he didn't know much about the years 1996 - 2006. He was looking through each box.  I chatted with him politely while working the other end of the table. The only cards in front of him that caught my eye were UD Vintage.  It was quite obvious to me, he hadn't made it to this end because...

Most of these boxes would've been in his stack. I pulled every box that contained cards I wanted or thought would be fun trade material. None of these cards were specific to my want list, which by the way, has been greatly revised.

One by one, I've gone through each box to find complete base sets. The original owner included the parallels pulled too! I've decided to keep the majority of them intact but am busting a few for trading.

One of the first sets broken was 2001 Fleer Futures. These were some of the last cards I purchased when I stopped collecting in 2001. With their sandpaper finish, I thought they were ugly then but bought them anyway. As a collector, that's what I was supposed to do...buy everything. 

The future was ugly.

The same box also contained 2001 Ultra and Greats of the Game.  I was fortunate the stranger started at the other end of the table. He now had at least ten boxes set aside, greedy old snot. This was mine! I didn't have a complete Greats set. Looking all 'Stadium Club', Ultra has been on my wish list for years - one of its best issues.

Great find!

My favorite Ultra is Michelob but these will do in a dry moment.

ULTRA GOLD

The second box contained 98 Ultra and Dugout Axcess. Though I don't care for the font, this Ultra had been on my radar for many of the photo selections used. Now I have the whole set!!  I'd come across an Axcess card or two in dime boxes. Thin and flimsy cards, I can't help but wonder what these sold for originally. I've plucked some keepers including the Name Plates. The rest - bye bye.

EXCESS

Cam, catcher beauties, floating bats, musicians and baseball! Piazza Pizzazz!

Gold Parallels here too!

Box three provided 2006 Fleer Tradition, Fleer Showcase and Ovation. Tradition does nothing for me. I kept the Verlander rookie and Tigers but the remainder is...meh.  The choice to break Ovation wasn't as easy. Of 126 cards in this set, 41 are short-printed and not included here. I love these cards but have no space for sets I'll never complete.

NON-TRADITIONAL

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO

Showcase? A beautiful set headed for the binder! Hey old guy. Look what I got!

SHOW-OFF

Two boxes remain.  One contains 2000 Skybox and Skybox Metal. What a cool set Metal was in its time.  There are a healthy number of parallels too. No need to rush a decision on this one. I lean toward keeping it intact.  Skybox on the other hand, or three arms...

made the decision easier.  Favorites kept. Cards like the one above and these:

fit nicely into my collection. While the full bleed colors are sharp, most of the set has a blurred or shadow effect that doesn't appeal to me.

METALISTS

EMERALD GEMS

The final box was nothing less than miraculous as far as 90s sets go. I couldn't believe my eyes. Stealing a quick glance at the old guy to make sure he wasn't encroaching upon my territory, I calmly removed this box from the bottom of a stack. Every single card of the three 1998 Fleer sets within were accounted for: Sports Illustrated, SI Then and Now and SI World Series Fever.

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

THEN AND NOW

WORLD SERIES FEVER

If you've stayed with me to this point, you may wonder what all of this glorious cardboard cost.  The old guy had someone take ten boxes to his car but he was still stacking 'em high. Why he didn't just buy out the table, I'll never know. I do know I saved him at least $25. That's all I had left.  $5 a box. All sets but one were complete.  I still can't believe the deal.

Thanks Old Guy!