Zistle Trade #4

I acquired a decent sized stack of 2012 Topps base cards in a Zistle trade recently in exchange for a similar amount of Blue Jays cards from the 1986 and 1988 Topps set.  The Blue Jays are one of those teams that I have always found difficult to trade because there seem to be few trade partners available.  So, I am happy to find a Blue Jays fan who is willing to trade.  Anyway, here is a sampling of all of my loot.

Listia Mailbag: Trevor Cahill

I found a certified autograph card of somebody I've heard of on Listia that was actually reasonably priced so I pulled the trigger.  The card is a 2011 Topps Autograph of Trevor Cahill.  The price was about 13,000 credits.  The card is beautiful and in great shape.  Admittedly, it is a sticker autograph.  But, the signature itself is even borderline legible. 

Zistle Trade #3

I completed another trade on Zistle.  Here, I received some Topps base set cards from 2012 to 2015.  For some reason, I don't have much of the base set from 2012, 2014, or 2015.  In exchange for this bounty, I gave up a bubble mailer full of late 80's goodies.  Zistle is quickly replacing Listia (which replaced eBay) as my favorite online source of individual cards. 

A Pair of Hanks

I picked up a pair of Hank Blalock game used jersey cards from 2003 and 2004 Topps on Listia for around 9,000 credits.  They are both good looking cards and in very good condition.  I didn't realize that Blalock had actually been out of baseball for 6 years.  Where have I been?

Zistle Trade #2

I have completed another trade on Zistle.  I have found it very easy to use the site so far.  There seem to be enough users so that everyone can have a trading partner.  In this trade, I picked up 6 2012 Topps Archives cards.  In exchange, I gave up a few 1980's-1990's cards, many of which were from 1987 Topps.  I honestly think we should have a giant bonfire for all collectors to dispose of our 1987 Topps cards.  In fairness, the set had some decent rookie cards.  Anyway, my haul consisted of Desmond Jennings, Todd Helton, Justin Verlander, Hunter Pence, Aroldis Chapman, and Michael Morse. 

To Patch or Not To Patch

I picked up these 3 manufactured patch cards on Listia recently.  They feature Josh Hamilton, Adrian Gonzalez, and Johan Santana.  I paid about 22,000 credits for the lot.  I actually have the rookie cards of Hamilton and Gonzalez featured on the patches.  That's why I bought the lot.  I am not really a fan of manufactured patch cards.  Unlike, a game used relic card, these patches were made for the sole purpose of becoming part of a baseball card.  The patch itself really has nothing to do with the game of baseball.  Still, I think I got a decent deal.  I may consider relisting the Santana card by itself on Listia to recover some of the cost. 

My First Zistle Trade

I recently completed my first trade on Zistle.  Zistle is a site that allows collectors to post what's in their collections, participate in forums, and trade cards.  The trade was fairly simple.  I gave up a bunch of 1991 Fleer base cards that I didn't want.  In exchange, I received a bunch of 2015 Topps that I did want.  I probably spend way too much of my free time posting the cards that I have on the Zistle site. 

Random Diamondbacks Lot

I picked up a lot of 7 Diamondbacks cards on Listia for a mere 76 credits.  There's nothing too special here.  It's mostly mid-2000s base cards.  It was a cheap lot, and I didn't have any of these cards.  However, the shipping lesson here is to utilize the penny sleeve.  It will prevent many dinged corners.  I'm complaining about some damage to a few of the cards caused by a lack of protection.  I don't think it's visible in the scan.  But, it's a pet peeve of mine. 

2015 Topps Series 2 From the Dollar Store

The Topps base set is a lot a nice dinner.  Series 1 is the appetizer.  Much like filling up on bread and salad, I usually buy enough Series 1 to satisfy me for the entire year.  Series 2 is the main course.  It looks good, but I have had too much of the Series 1 product, so I only take a nibble.  The Update Series is the dessert.  I don't have any room for it, so I typically skip it.  I bought 8 packs of Series 2 at the dollar store.  This will probably be my only Series 2 that I buy.  My haul was rather ho-hum.  The highlight of the packs was the base card of hobby friend Pat Neshek, which comes in an attractive landscape format.  The only duplicates that I found were of Twins' infielder Danny Santana.  I got what I paid for.  No complaints. 

Listia Mailbag: The Bossman

I picked up this game used jersey card of BJ Upton on Listia for just about 4000 credits.  The card is from 2014 Topps Heritage.  I wish I bought more Heritage, because I really like the card designs.  In 2014, he was BJ.  But now, he is Melvin Upton, Jr.  That sounds like the name of a scientist, not a baseball player.  The card came with a couple of small stress creases, but they don't take away from the card's overall appearance.