East Coast National: Part One

I spent the better part of last Sunday attending the East Coast National Card Show in White Plains, NY. Because I had a pretty busy week, I am spending this Sunday going through my loot, scanning cards, and posting about the show. Admission was $8.00 and Parking was $4.00. The free autograph signer was Roy White. I didn’t have anything to get signed so I skipped the autograph line. It’s a good thing that I did because I was still going through the 10 cent boxes as the show ended. I didn’t even have time to eat lunch. A few dealers had 10 cent boxes with some decent cards inside them. I will usually spend at least an hour going through these boxes looking for bargains. I am not a set builder. I just look for cards that I like and buy them. It’s that simple. I also bought a couple of game used jersey and rookie cards. However, I mostly bought certified autographs. I didn’t plan on that – it just happened. I overheard more than one dealer complain that they were not making too many sales. Of course, some dealers can blame that on their ridiculous asking prices. But I suppose the down economy has something to do with that. With this in mind, I was able to haggle with most dealers. Overall, I pretty satisfied with the experience. I just wish the show lasted a little longer. Over the next few days I will show off all of the cool stuff I picked up at the card show. For now, here’s a small purchase from a dealer I met on the stage. I picked up three 1999 Topps Traded rookies of C.C. Sabathia, Carl Crawford, and Alfonso Soriano. Soriano was a Yankee, Sabathia is a Yankee, and Crawford may become a Yankee at some point. These were the only base rookie cards that I bought. I paid a dollar each which seems pretty reasonable. I love the 1999 Topps Traded Set. I actually own two of the Chrome Sets. I never bought a base set though. Those are where the autographed cards are contained. For some reason, the Chrome Set does not have any autographs. I also own various singles, most of which are graded for some reason. Anyway, here is a photo of the cards.

2008 Topps - Erick Aybar

My latest eBay purchase is a 2008 Topps base card of Erick Aybar. The card was only a nickel shipped so it wasn't a big investment. Aybar is featured in an Angels uniform on the card. You might notice the AT&T logo in the background. I can't make out the other ad. Aybar is still playing shortstop for the Angels. He hasn't had a great season. But how can you go wrong on a 5 cent investment?

2010 Topps Silk: Michael Bourn

I purchased another 2010 Topps Silk card from a seller on eBay. This one features Michael Bourn of the Houston Astros. It is serial numbered 41/50. I only paid $2.00 including shipping. That’s a steal. I have never found a Silk card priced this low. I know it’s Michael Bourn but still it’s a pretty cheap card. Unfortunately, there is a tiny spot on the bottom of the front of the card frame. It looks like it may be glue. It doesn’t hurt the appearance of the card, so I really don’t care. Bourn is having his typical year – a mediocre average, a token home run, and a bunch of steals. These Silk cards have the same novelty level that game-used jersey cards had about 10 years ago. I still love game-used jersey cards. I hope I still love Silk cards in 10 years. I hope Silk cards still exist in 10 years.

Trip to the Bargain Bin

I purchased 5 common cards for a grand total of 20 cents. They is something addictive about hunting through nickel boxes. Anyway, in chronological order they are:

2007 Upper Deck First Edition Curt Schilling – As a Yankee fan, I naturally hate this card but I had a lapse in judgment. Is his sock still bloody?

2008 Topps Stephen Drew – I’m starting to get sick of 2008 Topps. Drew is only having a so-so season.

2010 Topps Francisco Cordero – I like the design of 2010 Topps. I also like closers.

2010 Upper Deck George Kotteras and Jeremy Hermida – Both players are actually with different teams. Hermida is with Boston and Kottaras is with Milwaukee. But don’t say the actual team names or Upper Deck will get in trouble.

eBay Mailbag: Certified Autographs

The only thing better than a TTM autograph is a certified autograph, even if the autograph is on a sticker. For the record, in person autos fall in between the two. I purchased the six autographs pictured from an eBay seller for a grand total of $4.00 including shipping. I received two autos of Willy Taveras from 2004 Just. I will probably sell those to recover some of the cost. I think I will keep the rest of the cards. I received a 2005 UD Ultimate Signature card of Mike Morse. I also got two autographs of Beltran Perez. One is a 2007 Topps Chrome. The other is a 2007 Topps Co-Signers. The final card is a 2008 Topps Finest auto of Ross Detwiler. I think that one is my favorite. It is a blue refractor and it looks pretty cool.

Contest From Play at the Plate

Play at the Plate has just gone through its 500th post. So it's time to have a contest to celebrate. The prize: An A&G Blaster. That's a pretty cool prize. All you have to do to enter is visit http://playattheplatedude.blogspot.com/2010/08/post-500-involves-free-ginter-and.html