Recent APC Trades

...and by recent, I mean within the past...ohhhh....three weeks or so. Mail has dried up recently but I am expecting about 10 cards from eBay and maybe some trade packages by Friday. Hopefully. Also, I may purchase (packs of) cards again on Friday. May.

First up, loot from the Great White North (Central), or, Carl Crawford Cards, if you prefer. Paul, the Niemann ink is on the way to the big ND. Hopefully you'll get it by this weekend, but you never know (postmarked 2/16).

This Ichiro is downright nuclear.
Hooray for the Soria boost. And chromed!
It's a rough looking swatch, but hey, I wouldn't believe a Pudge swatch was authentic without some wear.

That's some mighty fine cardboard (and fabric) Paul. Mighty fine.

On to a second package, also received weeks ago, from Dan at It's Like Having My Own Card Shop. He also sent some goody Ichiros, and this guy I needed:
Terrible scan, fantastic card.
On to the Honey-Nut Ichiros:
'04 Donruss Diamond Kings Season Stat Line. It looks light blue as that is how the scan refelcted the holofoil, but its' well done, and certainly not overdone. Great looking card, and #'ed to 159.
My first Turkey Red, of any sort. I kinda want more.
Ichiro, horizontal, on a dirty scanner. Nice.

Thanks guys. Dan - you've already got your package, and Paul, yours is on the way.

Yesterday I also sent one package to Collective Troll for the newest group box break, and to Chris over at Nachos Grande.

Custom Base Card Attempt #1 - Brandon League

So, some of you may have seen the JD Salinger custom I showed the other day. Some of you may have not, but how would I know, there were no comments.

I decided, since there are hardly any cards of possibly one of my favorite all-time players, I would just go and make one me derned self.

So here it is, 2010 APC #1 - Brandon League.

Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

And by the way, I like the Mariners, but it killed me to put that "S" logo on there. I did it to spite Upper Deck. I'm sure they'll notice.

Plain Beautiful Cards: Volume 10 - 2009 Bowman #73

In the past, I've despised Bowman flagship. 2009 changed this. In my opinion these are the best new era Bowman set, with a sick dose of improved photography, card composition and design. This is the only Bowman set I've ever seen and though: "I wouldn't mind collating the whole set." But really, it's all about #73. I really wish Johjima would have stayed in the US for at least the remainder of his contract, but at least that means I can chase down a defined set of cards rather than a never-ending crusade for all things Kenji.

On to the card. What's not to love? Action Shot - Check. Horizontal - Check. Play at the Plate - Check. General badassery - Checkmate.

Plain Beautiful Cards: Volume 5 - 2004 Fleer Inscribed Ichiro #63

Perfect. This is a set I intend to collect eventually, but just never see it in anywhere anymore, whether it be in foil, box or single form. These guys were pure eye candy. The scan just doesn't do it justice. Speaking of Justice...look for David in this segment soon.