primetimepawich
Verified Trader ,
Hey all. I'd ask how everyone was doing, but...you know. 2020. We've all been there, done that, got the T-shirt. We're about to turn the page on this miserable year, which means it's time for a year-end Show and Tell. I put this off as long as I could, hoping for a Christmas miracle and a last-minute addition or 2, but with one day left before the new year and nothing on the immediate radar, I feel pretty confident that what I've got is what I've got. Worst-case scenario, I update the thread, right?
The last time I did this was in early September, and really, the main reason I hadn't done it since was that I had neither the quantity nor quality to justify it. I still don't. I've continued to plug away at my beloved Larry Murphy collection, but it's been a tough year for it. Covid hasn't caused the liquidation of coveted cards on my wantlist, and what does get listed usually has ridiculous prices attached to it just as before (more on that later). I've tried to be good and stick to the tiered prices I've budgeted for my wantlist, which makes most of my pickups both gratifying and underwhelming. What does that look like, you ask? I'd be happy to show you.
First though, I wanted to thank everyone for indulging me with my recent Brent Bilodeau S+T. I appreciated the enthusiasm and support and hope you saw some of yourselves in the story of my experience. I'm waiting on a package of cards that I will be scanning and showing when I receive them, but in the meantime, I wanted to make a special mention of our own "Theideafactory" Pete (he of the wicked S+ T posted here today if you haven't already seen it) who read my thread and kindly offered this up at no charge, obtained IP during Bilodeau's playing days with Montreal's farm team:
91/92 Star Pics #53 Brent Bilodeau Autograph by primetimepawich, on Flickr
I've dealt with Pete and been the recipient of his hobby kindness before. Thanks again Pete, I appreciate your gesture and addition to my silly little side project.
Now with that being said, on with the show...
94/95 Hockey Wit UNCUT PROOF #48 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Bought this cheap oddball to take advantage of a 5% Ebay Bucks day.
94/95 NHLPA Phone Cards early production version #9 Team Ontario by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Along those lines, this is my most recent pickup. I have the actual phone card version of this and was intrigued by this as it seems to be a sample version. Seller originally had it as a BIN only, but when I was perusing my Watch List on a 5% Ebay Bucks day, I noticed they'd added the Best Offer option. I took a stab at it and got it.
03/04 Topps C55 Stanley Cup Winners #66 Pittsburgh Penguins Larry Murphy Autograph by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Saw this on Facebook - someone was liquidating some HOF cards on behalf of a former long-time autograph collector. I don't find much signed base I need nowadays so figured why not?
17/18 Artifacts Purple #136 9/20 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Shouldn't have taken me this long to add one of these, but I'm convinced that someone I've dealt with and sold to before has been snapping up everything Murphy from this release regardless of cost, even the low-end base, parallels, GU and autos (which are really all I want). I've seen some of these over the years but have hemmed and hawed and missed out on every one. This time, I didn't waste any time. It was listed BIN/OBO, and a few offers later it was mine. A bit more than I would've preferred to pay, but I think if I hadn't, this guy would've.
17/18 SP Authentic Rookie Year Milestones Autographs #RYMLM Larry Murphy 5/60 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Had been watching this one on COMC for a while as a potential jersey-numbered "upgrade", but even with sales, the price was never quite right. Finally, the price came down to a range that put my offer in the wheelhouse, and it was accepted.
16/17 Ultimate Hockey Ultimate Signature Memorabilia Prime Printing Plates Black #SMLM1 Larry Murphy 1/1 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Had this on my watch list for a while but the price was always well above what I was prepared to pay. Over time, sales started to bring it closer. Then, in October, the price dropped to the edge of my wheelhouse, I had $2.50 US worth of Ebay Bucks to burn and the stars aligned.
18/19 Chronology Canvas Printing Plates Cyan #CALM Larry Murphy 1/1 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
18/19 Chronology Canvas Printing Plates Magenta #CALM Larry Murphy 1/1 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Similar to the Ultimate plate, these 2 had been loitering on Ebay for a while with unreasonable asking prices. The high shipping prices from the States weren't helping their cases either. But over time, the BIN/OBO prices from both sellers were quietly and simultaneously coming down. It was another 5% Ebay Bucks day, and I noticed that both had dropped to a price range where an offer in my wheelhouse might get them. It got both. I don't know why these plates didn't result in an actual card - at least that I've seen yet - but I love the Cup action shot and these plates look great in-hand. And if they only exist in plate form, these plates are good enough placeholders for me.
16/17 Black Pro Penmanship Spectrum #PENLM Larry Murphy 1/10 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Had tried to get one of these in my budgeted range for a while but always ended up the runner-up. Love how the gold signature meshes with Pens' colors. Saw this one listed on Ebay.ca by a seller with 0 feedback for standard auction or Best Offer. I tried the Best Offer to land it early but was auto-rejected, so I entered the same price as a snipe and won it for a few dollars less. Don't know if the Ebay.ca or 0 feedback factors helped me at all, but I figure they didn't hurt either. The seller had great communication and promptly sent a pic of the prepared bubble mailer after I'd paid at auction's end.
19/20 Superlative Signature Sweaters 6 Black #SSS05 Raymond Bourque/Chris Chelios/Phil Housley/Denis Potvin/Larry Murphy/Borje Salming 2/4 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Finally, the crown jewel of my last third of the year's worth of pickups. I'm always on the lookout for something different, and with the distinctive lettering from a Maple Leafs logo, this fit the bill. But it was originally listed with a $400 US BIN/OBO...hard no. Soon after though, it was ended and relisted as a standard auction with a low starting bid. I had to take a stab at it but didn't have high hopes. These cards feature other desirable players, but these other players don't affect my desire for the cards. I raised my budget for this card on the strength of the GU and entered a snipe. Imagine my surprise when I won it for close to my max. I guess I'd been too accustomed to the disappointment of missing out on things
***
So that's it. Most years, I can land at least one card that excites me and I can hang my hat on at the end of the year. That has not been the case in 2020. Earlier this month though, I thought I was destined to end this year on a high hote. The spark was kindled when one of the top cards on my wantlist since I'd seen it in a preview surfaced. That's what we all dream of, right? The chance. What could possibly be wrong with that?
Well, see for yourself: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2019-20-LE...a=1&pg=2334524&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042
So yeah, I'm hoping it's not too late for a Christmas miracle. If you know them, can you talk them off the ledge and down to earth? And if you don't, can you send me your good hobby vibes? This card could make my 2021 but I can't and won't be stupid about it. There's precedent for hope - I know patience paid off for our own g-force Greg with the same seller when they lowered an outrageous asking price on a Friesen Superlative Shield he coveted, so I'm hoping lightning strikes twice and the same happens here.
As we (thankfully) say goodbye to 2020, I thank you all for you continued support of my collecting ventures, and I hope for nothing but the best for all of you and your own collections. Thanks also for the welcome distractions during a most unwelcome year.
Joe Pawich
The last time I did this was in early September, and really, the main reason I hadn't done it since was that I had neither the quantity nor quality to justify it. I still don't. I've continued to plug away at my beloved Larry Murphy collection, but it's been a tough year for it. Covid hasn't caused the liquidation of coveted cards on my wantlist, and what does get listed usually has ridiculous prices attached to it just as before (more on that later). I've tried to be good and stick to the tiered prices I've budgeted for my wantlist, which makes most of my pickups both gratifying and underwhelming. What does that look like, you ask? I'd be happy to show you.
First though, I wanted to thank everyone for indulging me with my recent Brent Bilodeau S+T. I appreciated the enthusiasm and support and hope you saw some of yourselves in the story of my experience. I'm waiting on a package of cards that I will be scanning and showing when I receive them, but in the meantime, I wanted to make a special mention of our own "Theideafactory" Pete (he of the wicked S+ T posted here today if you haven't already seen it) who read my thread and kindly offered this up at no charge, obtained IP during Bilodeau's playing days with Montreal's farm team:
91/92 Star Pics #53 Brent Bilodeau Autograph by primetimepawich, on FlickrI've dealt with Pete and been the recipient of his hobby kindness before. Thanks again Pete, I appreciate your gesture and addition to my silly little side project.
Now with that being said, on with the show...
94/95 Hockey Wit UNCUT PROOF #48 by primetimepawich, on FlickrBought this cheap oddball to take advantage of a 5% Ebay Bucks day.
94/95 NHLPA Phone Cards early production version #9 Team Ontario by primetimepawich, on FlickrAlong those lines, this is my most recent pickup. I have the actual phone card version of this and was intrigued by this as it seems to be a sample version. Seller originally had it as a BIN only, but when I was perusing my Watch List on a 5% Ebay Bucks day, I noticed they'd added the Best Offer option. I took a stab at it and got it.
03/04 Topps C55 Stanley Cup Winners #66 Pittsburgh Penguins Larry Murphy Autograph by primetimepawich, on FlickrSaw this on Facebook - someone was liquidating some HOF cards on behalf of a former long-time autograph collector. I don't find much signed base I need nowadays so figured why not?
17/18 Artifacts Purple #136 9/20 by primetimepawich, on FlickrShouldn't have taken me this long to add one of these, but I'm convinced that someone I've dealt with and sold to before has been snapping up everything Murphy from this release regardless of cost, even the low-end base, parallels, GU and autos (which are really all I want). I've seen some of these over the years but have hemmed and hawed and missed out on every one. This time, I didn't waste any time. It was listed BIN/OBO, and a few offers later it was mine. A bit more than I would've preferred to pay, but I think if I hadn't, this guy would've.
17/18 SP Authentic Rookie Year Milestones Autographs #RYMLM Larry Murphy 5/60 by primetimepawich, on FlickrHad been watching this one on COMC for a while as a potential jersey-numbered "upgrade", but even with sales, the price was never quite right. Finally, the price came down to a range that put my offer in the wheelhouse, and it was accepted.
16/17 Ultimate Hockey Ultimate Signature Memorabilia Prime Printing Plates Black #SMLM1 Larry Murphy 1/1 by primetimepawich, on FlickrHad this on my watch list for a while but the price was always well above what I was prepared to pay. Over time, sales started to bring it closer. Then, in October, the price dropped to the edge of my wheelhouse, I had $2.50 US worth of Ebay Bucks to burn and the stars aligned.
18/19 Chronology Canvas Printing Plates Cyan #CALM Larry Murphy 1/1 by primetimepawich, on Flickr18/19 Chronology Canvas Printing Plates Magenta #CALM Larry Murphy 1/1 by primetimepawich, on FlickrSimilar to the Ultimate plate, these 2 had been loitering on Ebay for a while with unreasonable asking prices. The high shipping prices from the States weren't helping their cases either. But over time, the BIN/OBO prices from both sellers were quietly and simultaneously coming down. It was another 5% Ebay Bucks day, and I noticed that both had dropped to a price range where an offer in my wheelhouse might get them. It got both. I don't know why these plates didn't result in an actual card - at least that I've seen yet - but I love the Cup action shot and these plates look great in-hand. And if they only exist in plate form, these plates are good enough placeholders for me.
16/17 Black Pro Penmanship Spectrum #PENLM Larry Murphy 1/10 by primetimepawich, on FlickrHad tried to get one of these in my budgeted range for a while but always ended up the runner-up. Love how the gold signature meshes with Pens' colors. Saw this one listed on Ebay.ca by a seller with 0 feedback for standard auction or Best Offer. I tried the Best Offer to land it early but was auto-rejected, so I entered the same price as a snipe and won it for a few dollars less. Don't know if the Ebay.ca or 0 feedback factors helped me at all, but I figure they didn't hurt either. The seller had great communication and promptly sent a pic of the prepared bubble mailer after I'd paid at auction's end.
19/20 Superlative Signature Sweaters 6 Black #SSS05 Raymond Bourque/Chris Chelios/Phil Housley/Denis Potvin/Larry Murphy/Borje Salming 2/4 by primetimepawich, on FlickrFinally, the crown jewel of my last third of the year's worth of pickups. I'm always on the lookout for something different, and with the distinctive lettering from a Maple Leafs logo, this fit the bill. But it was originally listed with a $400 US BIN/OBO...hard no. Soon after though, it was ended and relisted as a standard auction with a low starting bid. I had to take a stab at it but didn't have high hopes. These cards feature other desirable players, but these other players don't affect my desire for the cards. I raised my budget for this card on the strength of the GU and entered a snipe. Imagine my surprise when I won it for close to my max. I guess I'd been too accustomed to the disappointment of missing out on things
***
So that's it. Most years, I can land at least one card that excites me and I can hang my hat on at the end of the year. That has not been the case in 2020. Earlier this month though, I thought I was destined to end this year on a high hote. The spark was kindled when one of the top cards on my wantlist since I'd seen it in a preview surfaced. That's what we all dream of, right? The chance. What could possibly be wrong with that?
Well, see for yourself: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2019-20-LE...a=1&pg=2334524&_trksid=p2334524.c100667.m2042
So yeah, I'm hoping it's not too late for a Christmas miracle. If you know them, can you talk them off the ledge and down to earth? And if you don't, can you send me your good hobby vibes? This card could make my 2021 but I can't and won't be stupid about it. There's precedent for hope - I know patience paid off for our own g-force Greg with the same seller when they lowered an outrageous asking price on a Friesen Superlative Shield he coveted, so I'm hoping lightning strikes twice and the same happens here.
As we (thankfully) say goodbye to 2020, I thank you all for you continued support of my collecting ventures, and I hope for nothing but the best for all of you and your own collections. Thanks also for the welcome distractions during a most unwelcome year.
Joe Pawich
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