All Griffeys Great and Small: Quality Meats and a Mystery Solved

I always seem to get trade packages on Mondays, which is cool because it makes them suck less. 

First, old business.  Remember that trade post wherein I had no idea who sent me that stuff, and I decided it was probably Bill Murray? 

Turns out I was wrong.

The generous Griffey-mailing culprit is none other than renowned blogger Wes from Jaybarkerfan's Junk!  He's a Braves collector, which means he is about to get mail-pounded with red and blue cardboard.

Here's another look at what he sent my way:



Look at the picture on that 1999 Ultra checklist.  What a goofball.



I've never heard of Topps HD, but this card looks and feels expensive.  Penny sleeved....



One with a coin, one without.  I have neither, so a welcome addition.  I'ma  bit of a coin collector, too, so this makes perfect sense.



Thanks, Wes!  You're in my address book now, so here's to many successful trades to come....

Kerry from Cards on Cards sent me some beautiful Upper Deck Griffeys and a few other surprises.  Check 'em out!

I already had one of these, but it was in horrible condition.  These are minty fresh.

Kerry posted that Buhner a few weeks ago and I drooled in the comments (Buhner and I have a platonic love thing going on).  Being the stand-up dude he is, Kerry sent me two of them: one for the binder and the other for the bathroom mirror.  Or perhaps the ceiling above the bed, whichever my wife lets me get away with.  Now that I think about it, they'll probably both go in the binder.

I am proud to be part of Kerry's excuse to continue buying basketball packs.

Being a New Orleans boy, it's hard not to root for the Hornets who are about to undergo a name change to the Pelicans next season.  Hopefully that will energize the team a little.  First pick will help, too (we're very much on pace to get that).

This thing is HUGE:

It's a big ol' 5 x 7 baseball card.  It is thick like double-stacked mat board.  The picture is high-gloss, multi-level and the border is a nice textured matte silver.  I may have to run by Michael's and pick up a frame for it.  And check out all the data on the back:

Oh, man.  Remember Posse?  And how about toughest pitcher to face: Scott Radinsky?  We'll have to spend more time on this 5" x 7" beast in my eventual GOUS post wherein I'll cover all my Griffeys of Unusual Size.

Thanks, Kerry!  I'm assembling a package for you, too!

I also got some great new Griffeys from Jason over at The Writer's Journey. 

More lovely Upper Deck Griffeys plus a Bowman with a great shot of the crowd.  I still hope to find someone picking their nose in the background.  Someday....

I get so excited about oddballs, especially if they are for brands I've never heard of.  This one has a reasonably nice design and no logo.  Let's flip this baby over:

WOW!  This card was made for Kahn's Quality Meats out of Cincinnati.  And what did they do?  An amazing job - that's what.  Look at that stat box!  They even included Griffey's three AAA at-bats when he was in recovery following his wrist injury back in '95.  I am blown away by this beast.  I may even put it into a screw case.

So, I am now on the lookout for Kahn's Quality Meats cards.  No joke.  I want them all.

Thanks for the amazing cards, Jason and this, the king of branded oddballs!

Larry the Legend and Possibly Bill Murray: a Trade Post

[Note: for an update on Bill Murray's true identity, click here.]

I received two amazing trade packages recently.

Let me rephrase that: I received one amazing trade package and one massive, hairy carton of face-melting Griffey uberspooge that called forth tears of joy and excitement beyond human capacity.  Also, there was drooling.

Now I have to go to the doctor and get a new face.

Larry the Legend of Emerald City Diamond Gems hooked it up fat - here's the box he sent me.

That card on top is a beauty - a 2012 Topps Commemorative Ring card.  I've wanted one of these since I first learned about them.  I'm glad he put it on top as it set the tone for the rest of the box.  Otherwise I may have had a stroke.

I didn't scan every card, but the only ones I didn't scan are the ones I knew for a fact I already had.  If you like perusing scans and pictures of little plastic figures, this section is for you.

BEHOLD!

That ring card - this thing is mighty thick.



This figurine is very flat on the edge, but appears 3-dimensional from both the front and back.



Here's the back.



Wacky circular card I forgot to scan.



I've been wanting a phone card for a while now, and that Stadium Club Never Compromise has tectured writing printed right into the background.  Wild..



The ever-popular Topps Laser, an awesome newspaper card, and I am loving this 1991 Topps All-Star with its great nostalgic design.

That orange one on the top left is a rookie.  I have a ton of You Crash the Game cards from buying lots of Collector's Choice, but this one I've never seen.  The Topps Gallery Exhibitions has some crazy texture stuff going on, and I can't get enough Flair.



Some shiny, some oddballs, a few that are definitely new to me.



I'm a sucker for the Chrome process.



Serial Numbered Topps Gold parallels FTW!  And this Upper Deck '89 tribute card is fantastic.



These American Hero cards are all numbered out of 725.  I have quite a few of them and hope to one day complete the set.  These four will help.



And two entirely new Will Clarks.  I've never seen either of these.  Very cool.



Larry is a Mariner collector.  If you read his blog, you'll see that he has almost every Mariner card.  He's getting very close.  As a card collector and a Mariner fan, I freakin' love that.  From this day forth I will be sending him all my Mariners.  You should too.

Thanks, Larry!

This next trade package is a bit of a mystery.  There was no note, no name, nothing indicating the sender except for the initials W M and an address.  I've scoured my e-mails, messages, comments, everywhere!  No W M. 

This person sent me a solid stack of Griffeys, many of which I have never seen.  I'd like to return the favor, give them a nod, something.  Who are you, mystery trader???

Could it be William Murray?  As in Bill Murray?  Is it you, Bill?  If so, I loved Groundhog Day and Rushmore....

Here's what Bill Murray sent me:




Look at the picture on that 1999 Ultra checklist.  What a goofball.

 


I've never heard of Topps HD, but this card looks and feels expensive.  Penny sleeved....





One with a coin, one without.  I have neither, so a welcome addition.  I'ma  bit of a coin collector, too, so this makes perfect sense.



I feel bad now.  These cards are beautiful.  This person deserves my gratitude and a nice trade package.  Then again, if they are looking to remain anonymous I can understand that. 

Until I have more information, mystery trader, I dub thee Bill Murray.  Many thanks, Mr. Murray.



Don't drive angry.