primetimepawich
Verified Trader ,
Greetings, everyone. I hope Hobby Santa was good to you and you all stepped into 2024 on a high note.
It appears I last did this in June, at a time when adding to the PC was like pulling teeth. With the market being slow to correct itself after the Covid card boom, and both Ebay and the postal service making it more and more difficult to do business with our neighbors to the south, I go through my droughts for sure. Yet I continue to hang around the edges, chipping away and trying to make the hobby work for me. What does that look like, you ask? Well, I'll show you...
93/94 Leaf #16 Larry Murphy Autograph by primetimepawich, on Flickr
This was not a "new to me" IP base autograph, but was a clear upgrade on my previous copy (which was a slight upgrade itself on a copy before that). Yes, it sometimes gets to a point now where I'm so bored that I upgrade IP base autographs
But as part of a super-cheap 3-card lot (with COAs, no less) I considered it a no-brainer.
2017 In The Game Superlative Signatures #SSLM1 Larry Murphy 5/30 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Another non-"new to me" pickup, I nonetheless had my eye on this one for quite a while as a potential "upgrade" because it pictures Murphy with LA and the serial number was his LA jersey number. Yet it sat on my COMC watch list for some time because I just couldn't come to an agreement on a price. That's been an ongoing problem for me with COMC over the years. Then recently, I saw that the asking price had lowered just enough that the offer system put it in my wheelhouse, so I made it mine.
20/21 Pro Set 1991-92 Hockey Autographs Green #A91LM1 Larry Murphy 1/5 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Another COMC breakthrough this year. Was close to a deal for it on Facebook some time ago before it was sold elsewhere and disappeared, so when it showed up on COMC with a price range I could work with, I couldn't let it get away this time.
20/21 Leaf Pro Set Memories - Buybacks #91-146 3/5 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
My last pickup of 2023 and first of the Pro Set buybacks, also from COMC.
Now, many of the following wouldn't have been possible without the help of a US liaison. In my case, that continues to be fellow Canadian hobby friend with the benefit of a US mailbox, our own Kevin Mitchell. Murphy has featured prominently in recent Leaf releases, but as the majority of sellers of these seem to be south of the border, patience and Kevin have allowed me to make inroads with them like this:
I later added these to the fold from Canadian sellers:
21/22 Art Of Hockey Autograph Portrait Navy #PALM1 Larry Murphy 12/15 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
21/22 Art Of Hockey Visual Art Navy #VALM1 Larry Murphy 9/15 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
When ITGU dropped, our own Eric Andrews got the ball rolling with this offering from one of his case breaks:
22/23 In The Game Used Auto Purple Foil #GUALM1 Larry Murphy 16/30 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Then with Kevin's help, I knocked these down in quick succession:
And this joined his brothers via another Canadian Ebay seller:
22/23 In The Game Used Auto Silver Pattern #GUALM1 Larry Murphy 1/4 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
00/01 BAP Memorabilia NHL All-Star Fantasy Black #194 Larry Murphy 3/10 PSA GEM MT 10 (POP 1)
by primetimepawich, on Flickr
PSA GEM MT 10s have long been a niche part of my collection, but much harder to find now. I have many of Murphy's '80s cards covered, though his OPC RC remains a longshot on my wantlist - you'd think the more they emerge and trade hands, the easier it'd be, but you'd think wrong. When this card popped up, of course I was interested, but the price had to be right. Slowly and steadily, it dropped until it was, at which time I asked Kevin to pull the trigger and he kindly obliged.
2023 Ultimate X Signature Relics Purple Spectrum #UXSRLM1 Larry Murphy 2/9 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
This was a pickup around my birthday from north-of-7, a long-time supplier of ITG and Leaf products to my PC. I hadn't seen anything out of them in some time though so it was nice to see them resurface with a few wants I was chasing.
20/21 Superlative Collection Superlative Streaks Memorabilia Purple #STR11 Mike Gartner/Rod Langway/Scott Stevens/Larry Murphy/Doug Jarvis/Pat Riggin 3/12 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
If you know my collection, you know I've streamlined it to the point where I try to target as many different types of memorabilia cards as possible with each of the teams Murphy played for. With some, like Washington, those are pretty much nonexistent other than stick-based cards. So when Leaf included these cards in Superlative, I was pretty excited. His first jersey/patch cards with Washington - kind of. These clearly include Red Wings' GU, but hey, they're red. I could easily use my mental gymnastics, pretend it's a Washington jersey and check that off the list. And that's exactly what I've done. This was another COMC success story. I've had bad luck with all of these parallels on Ebay, and the original asking price was no different. But when they ran a 49% off sale? Yeah, I could make that work.
And finally, my second-last pickup of 2023:
81/82 O-Pee-Chee #148 Larry Murphy RC PSA/DNA Certified Autograph by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Inscribed, slabbed Murphy RCs are usually listed on Ebay for a small fortune, so I was intrigued when this one wasn't. Don't think I'd seen one with 3 inscriptions before, certainly never one with "Murph". So with Kevin's help again, I reeled it in through the offer system for a price I could live with.
It was a nice note to end the year on, but not the once-a-year cornerstone pickup I usually like to hang my hat on. I never really had that this year. For my best "pickup" of 2023, I'd have to circle back to the custom I dreamed up and had Glenn Conners of our own "Barracuda Customs" bring to life earlier this year:
Memorial Cup Memories Championship Cuts Larry Murphy Autograph 1/1 outside by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Memorial Cup Memories Championship Cuts Larry Murphy Autograph 1/1 inside by primetimepawich, on Flickr
Customs aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I wanted the definitive Peterborough card. Despite the limited resources, thanks to Glenn's help, I think I have exactly that. For me, one of the best parts of the hobby in recent years has been making Glenn's online acquaintance and working closely with him on 2 projects. He really helped get my creative juices flowing and kept me engaged when the hobby slowed to a crawl. He's even seeked feedback on projects of his own and it makes one feel good to think their input is valued and appreciated.
So thank you Glenn, thank you Kevin, thank you Sean "Ranfordfan" McCafferty...thank you to all my hobby friends who tolerate me on social media and on rare occasions in person in the wilds of Calgary. I appreciate everyone's support and always pledge to try to offer the same. It's not always easy, but you all do your part to keep this hobby fun for me and remind me of what it's supposed to be. All the best in 2024 and I hope to keep the party going.
Joe Pawich
It appears I last did this in June, at a time when adding to the PC was like pulling teeth. With the market being slow to correct itself after the Covid card boom, and both Ebay and the postal service making it more and more difficult to do business with our neighbors to the south, I go through my droughts for sure. Yet I continue to hang around the edges, chipping away and trying to make the hobby work for me. What does that look like, you ask? Well, I'll show you...
93/94 Leaf #16 Larry Murphy Autograph by primetimepawich, on FlickrThis was not a "new to me" IP base autograph, but was a clear upgrade on my previous copy (which was a slight upgrade itself on a copy before that). Yes, it sometimes gets to a point now where I'm so bored that I upgrade IP base autographs
But as part of a super-cheap 3-card lot (with COAs, no less) I considered it a no-brainer.2017 In The Game Superlative Signatures #SSLM1 Larry Murphy 5/30 by primetimepawich, on FlickrAnother non-"new to me" pickup, I nonetheless had my eye on this one for quite a while as a potential "upgrade" because it pictures Murphy with LA and the serial number was his LA jersey number. Yet it sat on my COMC watch list for some time because I just couldn't come to an agreement on a price. That's been an ongoing problem for me with COMC over the years. Then recently, I saw that the asking price had lowered just enough that the offer system put it in my wheelhouse, so I made it mine.
20/21 Pro Set 1991-92 Hockey Autographs Green #A91LM1 Larry Murphy 1/5 by primetimepawich, on FlickrAnother COMC breakthrough this year. Was close to a deal for it on Facebook some time ago before it was sold elsewhere and disappeared, so when it showed up on COMC with a price range I could work with, I couldn't let it get away this time.
20/21 Leaf Pro Set Memories - Buybacks #91-146 3/5 by primetimepawich, on FlickrMy last pickup of 2023 and first of the Pro Set buybacks, also from COMC.
Now, many of the following wouldn't have been possible without the help of a US liaison. In my case, that continues to be fellow Canadian hobby friend with the benefit of a US mailbox, our own Kevin Mitchell. Murphy has featured prominently in recent Leaf releases, but as the majority of sellers of these seem to be south of the border, patience and Kevin have allowed me to make inroads with them like this:
I later added these to the fold from Canadian sellers:
21/22 Art Of Hockey Autograph Portrait Navy #PALM1 Larry Murphy 12/15 by primetimepawich, on Flickr21/22 Art Of Hockey Visual Art Navy #VALM1 Larry Murphy 9/15 by primetimepawich, on FlickrWhen ITGU dropped, our own Eric Andrews got the ball rolling with this offering from one of his case breaks:
22/23 In The Game Used Auto Purple Foil #GUALM1 Larry Murphy 16/30 by primetimepawich, on FlickrThen with Kevin's help, I knocked these down in quick succession:
And this joined his brothers via another Canadian Ebay seller:
22/23 In The Game Used Auto Silver Pattern #GUALM1 Larry Murphy 1/4 by primetimepawich, on Flickr00/01 BAP Memorabilia NHL All-Star Fantasy Black #194 Larry Murphy 3/10 PSA GEM MT 10 (POP 1)by primetimepawich, on Flickr
PSA GEM MT 10s have long been a niche part of my collection, but much harder to find now. I have many of Murphy's '80s cards covered, though his OPC RC remains a longshot on my wantlist - you'd think the more they emerge and trade hands, the easier it'd be, but you'd think wrong. When this card popped up, of course I was interested, but the price had to be right. Slowly and steadily, it dropped until it was, at which time I asked Kevin to pull the trigger and he kindly obliged.
2023 Ultimate X Signature Relics Purple Spectrum #UXSRLM1 Larry Murphy 2/9 by primetimepawich, on FlickrThis was a pickup around my birthday from north-of-7, a long-time supplier of ITG and Leaf products to my PC. I hadn't seen anything out of them in some time though so it was nice to see them resurface with a few wants I was chasing.
20/21 Superlative Collection Superlative Streaks Memorabilia Purple #STR11 Mike Gartner/Rod Langway/Scott Stevens/Larry Murphy/Doug Jarvis/Pat Riggin 3/12 by primetimepawich, on FlickrIf you know my collection, you know I've streamlined it to the point where I try to target as many different types of memorabilia cards as possible with each of the teams Murphy played for. With some, like Washington, those are pretty much nonexistent other than stick-based cards. So when Leaf included these cards in Superlative, I was pretty excited. His first jersey/patch cards with Washington - kind of. These clearly include Red Wings' GU, but hey, they're red. I could easily use my mental gymnastics, pretend it's a Washington jersey and check that off the list. And that's exactly what I've done. This was another COMC success story. I've had bad luck with all of these parallels on Ebay, and the original asking price was no different. But when they ran a 49% off sale? Yeah, I could make that work.
And finally, my second-last pickup of 2023:
81/82 O-Pee-Chee #148 Larry Murphy RC PSA/DNA Certified Autograph by primetimepawich, on FlickrInscribed, slabbed Murphy RCs are usually listed on Ebay for a small fortune, so I was intrigued when this one wasn't. Don't think I'd seen one with 3 inscriptions before, certainly never one with "Murph". So with Kevin's help again, I reeled it in through the offer system for a price I could live with.
It was a nice note to end the year on, but not the once-a-year cornerstone pickup I usually like to hang my hat on. I never really had that this year. For my best "pickup" of 2023, I'd have to circle back to the custom I dreamed up and had Glenn Conners of our own "Barracuda Customs" bring to life earlier this year:
Memorial Cup Memories Championship Cuts Larry Murphy Autograph 1/1 outside by primetimepawich, on FlickrMemorial Cup Memories Championship Cuts Larry Murphy Autograph 1/1 inside by primetimepawich, on FlickrCustoms aren't everyone's cup of tea, but I wanted the definitive Peterborough card. Despite the limited resources, thanks to Glenn's help, I think I have exactly that. For me, one of the best parts of the hobby in recent years has been making Glenn's online acquaintance and working closely with him on 2 projects. He really helped get my creative juices flowing and kept me engaged when the hobby slowed to a crawl. He's even seeked feedback on projects of his own and it makes one feel good to think their input is valued and appreciated.
So thank you Glenn, thank you Kevin, thank you Sean "Ranfordfan" McCafferty...thank you to all my hobby friends who tolerate me on social media and on rare occasions in person in the wilds of Calgary. I appreciate everyone's support and always pledge to try to offer the same. It's not always easy, but you all do your part to keep this hobby fun for me and remind me of what it's supposed to be. All the best in 2024 and I hope to keep the party going.
Joe Pawich
