Night Owl Cards

2008. The year that I started this blog. The year in which I was buying modern cards at a semi-ravenous rate. The year in which I still had money. I was a happy owl then. All you have to do is read those early blog posts with all the exclamation points to know that. Sure, I'll never be confused for the bubble-headed bleach blonde who comes on at five, but I was less of a cranker in those days. What 2008 night owl and 2013 night owl have in common though is neither one has a respectable hobby shop. So a hobby pack of these 2008 Trading Card History cards is something new for both of us. Actually, 2013 night owl knows that the cards aren't new -- he also knows he's probably seen a number of these already, might have a few in his collection, and probably can't give away the ones he pulls. But let's not spoil it for 2008 night owl. This was very nicely sent by reader Stewart, who also sent me some Dodgers, which you'll see some other time. Right now I w...

My box of Allen & Ginter arrived today. I totally missed it. Because I'm an idiot. Here's how: I happened to notice that several bloggers had received their boxes of Allen & Ginter in the last day or so. You had to look real close, but I figured it out. I assumed that meant that I would get mine soon, too, since I ordered it from a well-established, reliable supplier, who has done me well throughout the whole Gint-a-Cuffs era. But when the mail came and went this afternoon, I got a little panicky. I decided to send a pleasant email to Atlanta Sports Cards, mildly inquiring as to when my package might arrive. A responding email followed quickly. In it, they said that the box had been shipped and they added the UPS tracking number. When I clicked on the number, the drop-off information was documented. It said: "Delivered on Thursday, 1:40 p.m. Left at porch." I immediately stood up (oblique strain and all), walked to the porch, and there was the packa...

It's been over a month since I pulled this card and I still have it. Do you know how quickly this card would have disappeared from my clutches about two years ago? I would have had it for a week. Tops. There were about a dozen Mets bloggers at the time. I owed Mets collectors constantly. I couldn't keep Mets in stock, and I was afraid collectors were going to figure out a way to put a lien on my house. But things have changed. Just about all of the Mets bloggers have disappeared, or died off, or come to their senses, or something . There are a few around, but not in the numbers they were before. I find my Mets cards sitting on the shelf collecting dust. But nothing illustrates the lack of interest in Mets cards like this David Wright Gypsy Queen relic card. When I pulled it, I said it would take a Dodger Gypsy Queen relic card to get me to agree to a trade. I didn't really have any takers. It's a great-looking card. Of a popular Met. I suppose this is h...

I think everyone knows that they pay a premium for the concept of "new." New movies cost more. The latest styles cost more. The most updated gadgets cost more. New books, new tunes, new grub almost always demand more cash. The same goes for baseball cards. Everyone knows it. The new stuff always carries a bigger price tag (unless you're comparing it to super vintage). Yet, unlike some of the things mentioned above, I don't necessarily think you're getting more for your value with new cards. Unless you get lucky on one of those Topps Heritage value boxes (which I have), you're paying for "new" and that's about it. People have gone absolutely bat guano over Gypsy Queen, and I'm like the dog in the corner, tilting my head trying to understand. Aside from the framed paper cards, I have no idea what the hysteria is about, except that it is "new." Now people are getting bunchy about Bowman hitting the shelves. I know I enjoyed one of...

We have reached what is the traditional apex of a box of Ginter freshly purchased by me. Unlike your typical dramatic novel, the peak of a "night owl box" is not near the end but dead center in the middle. That way, we can crawl to the finish, all crippled and pathetic-like. But that's getting ahead of ourselves. And I wouldn't want you to get ahead of yourself. Remember, no peaking at the card that "somebody will want" later in the post. We'll get to it all in good time. Put on your patience pants. (Hint: It's not the Mike Leake card). OK, I'm at 72 points. Let's try to break 100 here with Packs 12 through 15. PACK 12 1. #3 - Ryan Braun (2 points, favorite player list). Otherwise known as the only player to receive more N.L. All-Star outfielder votes than Andre Ethier. 2. #272 - David Blaine (0 points). The guy who does all those magician shows. Personally, I think he's starved for attention. 3. #33 - Bengie Molina (0 points...