The Great Zo
Verified Trader,
This mail post really does have a bit of everything -- parallels for the tradelist, cards for the wantlist, and non-card items as well!
This is mail post #27 on the year.
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90-91 Score Cam Russell RC -- Autographed!
Wow, is this card a long time coming! Here's the story...
At one point, I needed a regular copy of this card for my Best-RC project. I acquired one a while ago, but that's beside the point. Anyway, Trevor (Fritz) managed to come into personal contact with Cam through his work. Trevor got a copy of the rookie card, and had a friend get some cards signed -- including one personalized for me!
So, Trevor, thanks for thinking of me with this one, and this is certainly one of the more unique items in my collection.
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Upper Deck Holograms
I don't know who these are, or what year they are from. Trevor included them in the package with the Russell, so I guess I'll keep 'em!
-------------------------------------------------------
00-01 UD Pros and Prospects Game Jersey Autographs Lubos Bartecko
03-04 Upper Deck MVP Souvenirs Practice Jersey Patrick Roy
A month ago, I learned that Upper Deck would not be producing the 05-06 Upper Deck Notable Numbers autograph card of Kevin Weekes. This was a real shame to me, as I was looking forward to owning it. As for Upper Deck, it's nothing but absolute junk planning on their part, as usual. After the release of 05-06 Upper Deck, Weekes appeared in 3 or 4 other sets -- with autographs both hard-signed and on-sticker. It is absolutely beyond me as to why Upper Deck could get hundreds of signatures for other products, but couldn't manage to spare 80 more for one of the most popular insert sets they've produced in recent memory. It is no surprise to me that interest in the Notable Numbers set has waned significantly -- probably due to the defaulted redemptions and erroneous published checklist.
As for my replacements? It's right on the borderline between "marginally acceptable" and "a typical UD joke." The Roy is a decent card, but it's a practice jersey. The Bartecko is just a classic kick to the junk. After reviewing some completed sales on ebay for the Roy and Bartecko, and recalling what the Weekes Notable Numbers redemption cards were selling for, the cash value just does not add up. I lost out on this one -- and it took 20 months for the whole thing to play out. Two thumbs way down to Upper Deck.
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03-04 BAP Memorabilia Emerald Mike Dunham (08/10)
This was a random ebay pickup, and will go on my tradelist.
-------------------------------------------------------
02-03 Parkhurst Stick and Jersey Sergei Samsonov (/90)
Here's another pickup from Brian Pri...er...Robyn at North-of-7 on ebay. This is one of the last Samsonov ITG memorabilia cards I needed from the 02-03 season, and it's the finest copy I've ever seen! For one, it's nearly impossible to find a copy with a multi-color jersey piece. I've only seen a couple. To top it off, the lower part of the jersey swatch is actually a gigantic seam in the white section! The stick swatch is very busy as well, which makes for an attractive memorabilia card -- the way they should be done.
Alright -- now, to switch gears. I was able to pick up two more game-used autographed hockey sticks recently on ebay. These came from a person who attended Vipers games personally, and acquired some memorabilia. She actually sold a couple of game-used jerseys a few weeks ago, but those were well out of my price range. Anyway, she felt it was time to part with the items, so I was able to pick up two of the sticks she was selling.
Here is my 17th game-used stick -- Andy Bezeau Detroit Vipers Game-Used Autographed Stick!
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This is a pretty short hockey stick -- Bezeau was a very short player! However, he was a spark plug and a pest -- one of the most infamous in the IHL.
-------------------------------------------------------
Bezeau wore #13 with the Vipers. This stick was used in either the 97-98 or 98-99 season.
-------------------------------------------------------
There's no nameplate on Bezeau's stick, but perhaps it's fitting that there's a blood stain where the name plate should be! Supposedly, this blood belongs to fellow IHL tough guy Mel Angelstad, who Bezeau fought against.
-------------------------------------------------------
The blade is signed by Bezeau. What a great, full signature! Certainly one of the best signatures on any of my sticks.
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And....... Here is my 18th stick -- John Gruden Detroit Vipers Game-Used Autographed Stick!
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The stick is made by Easton. Gruden, a defenseman, shoots left.
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Gruden wore #44 with the Vipers. This stick was used in the 97-98 season, and was given away by Gruden at the end of the Turner Cup Playoffs Conference Finals. The Vipers beat the Orlando Solar Bears to advance to the Turner Cup Finals, where they lost to the Chicago Wolves in 7 games.
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The back side of the blade shows plenty of game-use.
-------------------------------------------------------
Finally, here's the autograph on the blade.
Gruden was one of my favorite players, because he was always extremely friendly with me during my time with the team. I mentioned him in my BHC article earlier this year. Both Gruden and Bezeau appear to have retired from the sport.
-------------------------------------------------------
The mail post is almost done, but I've got one more item to share! This came from ebay, and is an item I've been looking to acquire for years!
-------------------------------------------------------
Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins Bobblehead -- Rich Parent
I recently completed my Rich Parent card collection at 26/26 -- and I also own a game-used autographed stick of his. So, acquiring his bobblehead figure from the WBS Pens really seals the deal on the collection.
Rich now takes his place alongside his other friends -- Stan Drulia, Jeff Shevalier, Trevor Koenig, and Kevin Weekes.
To the best of my knowledge, I now own the only five bobblehead figures of the players I collect.
-------------------------------------------------------
News and notes:
**I am continuing to update the Upper Deck Press Plate trackers. Here are the links: 05-06, 06-07.
**My game-used memorabilia website has been updated with the new sticks. It can be found here.
**The cards I received during my meet-up with Dave Rearick are still a mailpost or two away -- but I'm getting caught up!
**Something very important is coming in the mail -- something magenta!
That'll be it. Thanks everyone!
LINKS:
Andy's Hockey Cards - Player Collection Website
Vipers Best-RCs Project - Lightning Best-RCs Project
Wantlist - Tradelist
This is mail post #27 on the year.
-------------------------------------------------------
90-91 Score Cam Russell RC -- Autographed!
Wow, is this card a long time coming! Here's the story...
At one point, I needed a regular copy of this card for my Best-RC project. I acquired one a while ago, but that's beside the point. Anyway, Trevor (Fritz) managed to come into personal contact with Cam through his work. Trevor got a copy of the rookie card, and had a friend get some cards signed -- including one personalized for me!
So, Trevor, thanks for thinking of me with this one, and this is certainly one of the more unique items in my collection.
-------------------------------------------------------
Upper Deck Holograms
I don't know who these are, or what year they are from. Trevor included them in the package with the Russell, so I guess I'll keep 'em!
-------------------------------------------------------
00-01 UD Pros and Prospects Game Jersey Autographs Lubos Bartecko
03-04 Upper Deck MVP Souvenirs Practice Jersey Patrick Roy
A month ago, I learned that Upper Deck would not be producing the 05-06 Upper Deck Notable Numbers autograph card of Kevin Weekes. This was a real shame to me, as I was looking forward to owning it. As for Upper Deck, it's nothing but absolute junk planning on their part, as usual. After the release of 05-06 Upper Deck, Weekes appeared in 3 or 4 other sets -- with autographs both hard-signed and on-sticker. It is absolutely beyond me as to why Upper Deck could get hundreds of signatures for other products, but couldn't manage to spare 80 more for one of the most popular insert sets they've produced in recent memory. It is no surprise to me that interest in the Notable Numbers set has waned significantly -- probably due to the defaulted redemptions and erroneous published checklist.
As for my replacements? It's right on the borderline between "marginally acceptable" and "a typical UD joke." The Roy is a decent card, but it's a practice jersey. The Bartecko is just a classic kick to the junk. After reviewing some completed sales on ebay for the Roy and Bartecko, and recalling what the Weekes Notable Numbers redemption cards were selling for, the cash value just does not add up. I lost out on this one -- and it took 20 months for the whole thing to play out. Two thumbs way down to Upper Deck.
-------------------------------------------------------
03-04 BAP Memorabilia Emerald Mike Dunham (08/10)
This was a random ebay pickup, and will go on my tradelist.
-------------------------------------------------------
02-03 Parkhurst Stick and Jersey Sergei Samsonov (/90)
Here's another pickup from Brian Pri...er...Robyn at North-of-7 on ebay. This is one of the last Samsonov ITG memorabilia cards I needed from the 02-03 season, and it's the finest copy I've ever seen! For one, it's nearly impossible to find a copy with a multi-color jersey piece. I've only seen a couple. To top it off, the lower part of the jersey swatch is actually a gigantic seam in the white section! The stick swatch is very busy as well, which makes for an attractive memorabilia card -- the way they should be done.
Alright -- now, to switch gears. I was able to pick up two more game-used autographed hockey sticks recently on ebay. These came from a person who attended Vipers games personally, and acquired some memorabilia. She actually sold a couple of game-used jerseys a few weeks ago, but those were well out of my price range. Anyway, she felt it was time to part with the items, so I was able to pick up two of the sticks she was selling.
Here is my 17th game-used stick -- Andy Bezeau Detroit Vipers Game-Used Autographed Stick!
-------------------------------------------------------
This is a pretty short hockey stick -- Bezeau was a very short player! However, he was a spark plug and a pest -- one of the most infamous in the IHL.
-------------------------------------------------------
Bezeau wore #13 with the Vipers. This stick was used in either the 97-98 or 98-99 season.
-------------------------------------------------------
There's no nameplate on Bezeau's stick, but perhaps it's fitting that there's a blood stain where the name plate should be! Supposedly, this blood belongs to fellow IHL tough guy Mel Angelstad, who Bezeau fought against.
-------------------------------------------------------
The blade is signed by Bezeau. What a great, full signature! Certainly one of the best signatures on any of my sticks.
-------------------------------------------------------
And....... Here is my 18th stick -- John Gruden Detroit Vipers Game-Used Autographed Stick!
-------------------------------------------------------
The stick is made by Easton. Gruden, a defenseman, shoots left.
-------------------------------------------------------
Gruden wore #44 with the Vipers. This stick was used in the 97-98 season, and was given away by Gruden at the end of the Turner Cup Playoffs Conference Finals. The Vipers beat the Orlando Solar Bears to advance to the Turner Cup Finals, where they lost to the Chicago Wolves in 7 games.
-------------------------------------------------------
The back side of the blade shows plenty of game-use.
-------------------------------------------------------
Finally, here's the autograph on the blade.
Gruden was one of my favorite players, because he was always extremely friendly with me during my time with the team. I mentioned him in my BHC article earlier this year. Both Gruden and Bezeau appear to have retired from the sport.
-------------------------------------------------------
The mail post is almost done, but I've got one more item to share! This came from ebay, and is an item I've been looking to acquire for years!
-------------------------------------------------------
Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins Bobblehead -- Rich Parent
I recently completed my Rich Parent card collection at 26/26 -- and I also own a game-used autographed stick of his. So, acquiring his bobblehead figure from the WBS Pens really seals the deal on the collection.
Rich now takes his place alongside his other friends -- Stan Drulia, Jeff Shevalier, Trevor Koenig, and Kevin Weekes.
To the best of my knowledge, I now own the only five bobblehead figures of the players I collect.
-------------------------------------------------------
News and notes:
**I am continuing to update the Upper Deck Press Plate trackers. Here are the links: 05-06, 06-07.
**My game-used memorabilia website has been updated with the new sticks. It can be found here.
**The cards I received during my meet-up with Dave Rearick are still a mailpost or two away -- but I'm getting caught up!
**Something very important is coming in the mail -- something magenta!
That'll be it. Thanks everyone!
LINKS:
Andy's Hockey Cards - Player Collection Website
Vipers Best-RCs Project - Lightning Best-RCs Project
Wantlist - Tradelist
