TTM Success - Roy Oswalt

Another private signing that I participated in recently was one for Roy Oswalt.  I had a few of his cards put aside in the event that one would pop up.  When it did, I narrowed my choices down to two, then above 2009 Topps Heritage and the below 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen. 

Both cards look great.  The price wasn't too bad, so I was happy to add two cards to the autograph album. 

Oswalt (b. 1977) played in the majors from 2001 to 2013 for the Astros, Phillies, Rangers and Rockies.  He had a record of 163-102 with 1,852 strike outs and a 3.36 ERA.  

He was a 20-game winner twice in his career (2004 and 2005), and was a three-time All Star (2005, 2006, 2007).  He never won a Cy Young Award, but finished in the top 5 in voting five times.  He was the 2005 NLCS MVP.  He appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot in 2019, but fell off with only 0.9% of the vote.

I mailed to the signing on October 16 and got the cards back on December 23 for a 68-day TAT.  I paid $15.00/card.

2024 National Free Signer - Doc Gooden

The 2024 National has come and gone.  I picked up a decent amount of stuff and still cake home with a little money in my pocket.  I wanted to lead off with the first free signer, Doc Gooden, who was one of the VIP party signers.  I wanted Doc on this 2000 Topps Chrome All Star Rookies card.  I thought the card was cool, since he only played one game with the Astros in 2000.

I also got a 1985 Fleer, 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen and a 2016 Topps Bunt signed after a couple trips through the line and a little help from Michael's Uncle Stanley.

Gooden was really nice, and it was cool to meet him.  It was a great way to start the show.

FYI, I don't plan on doing each and every signer/pickup in order.  I want to mix the posts up.  We'll see how it goes.

Care Package From Grant

A while ago, I sent an Orioles rally towel to a guy named Grant on Instagram and YouTube, since we had both followed each other for a while, but hadn't made any deals.  I figured, I'd hook him up, since I liked his YouTube channel and Instagram page.

He turned out to be a pretty cool guy, and reciprocated the gesture with a care package of his own.  What was in the package was what really surprised me.

The above Cal Ripken 2007 SPX relic card is a bit damaged, but I'm not complaining at all.  Just having it in my hands and being able to add it to the Cal PC is great.  The card is numbered 130/175.  I can't believe that Grant included this in the care package.

The Cal card wasn't the only thing in the package, though!  Grant also included this 2012 Gypsy Queen Adam Jones relic.

I love these framed relic cards from GQ and A&G.  I think the frames add something to the cards.

Thank you so much for the package, Grant!  I hope you all can check out Grant's YouTube page: Grantsautos.  Subscribe to him!!

Mail From Max

I got a huge stack of cards from my buddy, Max, a few weeks ago that had a ton of Hall of Famers and Orioles.  In there were a bunch of these Action Packed cards from 1993.  I had forgotten about these cards until Max had sent them.  The Hall of Famers he included are all guys I like.

Another nice card he included was this 2012 Gypsy Queen Adam Jones relic.  I think I have one already, but I don't remember.  I'm glad I got it, regardless.

Thanks so much for the cards, Max!  I wish I could type more, but I am smack in the middle of wrapping presents and doing the mad dash to the holidays.

Instagram Trade With Luke - 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Tim Lincecum Relic

I made a quick and easy one for one deal on Instagram with a guy named Luke for this 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Tim Lincecum relic in exchange for a 2006 UD Artifacts David Wright relic.  This had to have been one of the easiest trades I have ever made, as Luke and I reached a deal within something like 5 minutes from initial contact.  Luke turned out to be a really cool guy and has already added me to one of his trading groups on Facebook.

I'm sure you all know where this Lincecum is headed, it is on Chris's desk waiting on him to get home from visiting his grandparents.  I know he will be excited when he sees it.

Thanks for the trade, Luke, I really appreciate it.  I hope you enjoy the Wright relic, I've had that thing for years!

2012 Gypsy Queen Box Break

I'm starting to feel better, so hopefully, this illness is moving behind me.  I meant to post the results of my Gypsy Queen box break the other day, but I wasn't really feeling up to it, so here it is today.

I got a couple Orioles, including the above Brooks Robinson and the below Nick Markakis.

I got two different Tim Lincecum cards, so one has to be the SP variation.  Not bad, considering they will be assumed into my son's Lincecum collection.  I'm glad I got his variations as opposed to someone else's.

I was supposed to get 2 relics and 2 autos, but I got 3 autos and 1 relic.  I got autos (on card) of J. P. Arencebia, Nelson Cruz and Kyle Seagar and a relic of Brian McCann.

Finally, I got some nice minis as well.  I got basic minis of Bob Feller and Babe Ruth, a Green mini of Mickey Mantle, black minis of Nick Markakis and Sandy Koufax and an exclusive mini of Adam Jones.

I think I did pretty well with the box break.  I'll be able to sell off a good bit of it at the upcoming card show and make my money back.  It would have been nice to pull the Koufax auto, but oh well, I can keep dreaming.

Thoughts on 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen

Last year, I only opened two or so packs of Gypsy Queen before it disappeared from shelves.  So, when I saw that 2012 Gypsy Queen was out, I had to head over to the LCS and pick up a few packs.  They were selling packs for $4.50 and boxes for $125.  I picked up 5 packs.  I didn't get any crazy pulls, as far as I know.  I got a green mini and a black mini.

I did pull an Oriole.  I always enjoy pulling Eddie Murray cards, so this one is a nice addition to the collection.

I also liked the Sliding Stars cards that I pulled.  I got this one and Starlin Castro.  I thought they were really cool looking, especially this Jemile Weeks.

In all, I think Gypsy QUeen is a solid offering from Topps.  I have grown a bit complacent with Allen and Ginter.  Maybe it is time to retire that brand and do Gypsy Queen or some other vintage type (maybe American Caramel or Playball).

If they are still available, I might pick up some more of them.  If not, I'll be looking online to get the Orioles that I need, that's for sure.