primetimepawich
Verified Trader ,
Hey all from Joe Pawich again. I hope collecting has been treating you all well. Here we are at the calendar end of our 2025 summer, and the end of another 2-month block means another 2-month Show and Tell for me. First off, let's just say business has been slow. Is it due to shipping uncertainty on both sides of the border, or just one of the random lulls that plagues my collecting? I don't know. I still plug away, and trusty Kevin Mitchell still helps me on the American side via his US mailbox, but honestly, I don't know what the immediate future of that will look like. Even small fry pickups are becoming a nuisance because of the extra hidden costs now associated with them. "Buying local" is a great concept in theory, it's just not very realistic with the global nature of our hobby. I hope we all can navigate this and come up with solutions to keep the pipeline flowing.
In the meantime, enjoy what I got these past 2 months. Is it enough to warrant its own post? For the most part, no. For the most part...
20/21 Pro Set 1992-93 Hockey Autographs Yellow #A92LM1 Larry Murphy 2/5 10.00 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
My most recent example of Kevin's help. A few years on and these are still pretty hard to wrangle, so when I find one with a reasonable BIN/OBO, I almost "have to" take advantage, US shipping be damned.
When the newest edition of Leaf Metal dropped this year, Larry was again featured. Not to the extent of 2024, but still with enough "para-hells" that I expected busier times than I've gotten. A number have been listed and I've tried to make a dent - been successful with some and the bridesmaid with others. Here are the recent successes:
2025 Leaf Metal Legends - Metallic Inscriptions Prismatic Green #MI-LM1 Larry Murphy 3/3 12.87 by primetimepawich, on Flickr
From Slab Sharks, and:
2025 Leaf Metal Legends - Metallic Inscriptions Prismatic Pink #MI-LM1 Larry Murphy 1/5 17.55 CDN by primetimepawich, on Flickr
From a Winnipeg-based Ebayer.
***
See what I mean? Short and sweet. Except I'm not done.
Some of you will know where I'm going next, and some of you won't. No matter which side you fall on, here's the story.
In early July, I was at work when I got a Facebook Messenger notification on my phone of 2 sent images from our own “HammerHawks”, Eric Andrews. Eric has found a few interesting cards for me in the past, and I'm always curious what he or anyone else sends me. I appreciate anyone who thinks enough of me to look out for me in any corner of the hobby world they can. It's impossible to follow every possible post in every possible group, and I shudder to think of the cards I've missed out on because of that. The other reality I have to contend with is that believe it or not, Larry Murphy doesn't appear in a lot of S+T or sale threads. Once a year, I'll spam my groups with an inquiry post to coax them out of hiding, but it just doesn't happen. To find stuff, you need a lot of eyes, a lot of luck and a lot of good timing.
When the spotty wifi at my workplace allowed me to open the chat and pics, the first pic immediately got my attention:
https://ibb.co/nq7KYfv4]
[/url]
I was familiar enough with this product to know that there were 2 possibilities:
1. This card is /5:
20/21President's Choice Game-Used Stick Rack Tape Job TJ-55 Larry Murphy2/5 byprimetimepawich,on Flickr
I have 3 copies of it and lost out on a 4th. Had Eric found the 5th and final copy? Because if not, by process of elimination it could only be...
2. The card at the top of my wantlist since I'd seen it on the 20-21 checklist*.
I say that with an asterisk because let's be honest – having seen both of the 23/24 Exquisite Collection Extra Exquisite 1/1 Murphy LA patches in circulation, those are more coveted. But having talked numbers regarding both, I also didn't think either was feasible in the immediate future. Thus, this other card was the default #1 sight unseen if it ever appeared in the wild.
And when Eric's second pic opened...it did.
This was a must-have, but there were a few potential hurdles. I didn't know anything about the group or the card's owner, a guy by the name of Mark. Was it even for sale? How much would he ask? I've been so jaded by disappointment and the stupidity of Ebay asking prices that I tend to fear the worst now, but I was damn sure gonna explore it. Eric tagged me in the post, flagged the owner and tried to bring me to his attention, and I took it from there.
Turns out Mark couldn't have been any nicer. He's no flipper trying to make a quick buck – his post wasn't even a sale thread, merely a genuine Show and Tell. A recent retiree from the States who had opened some niche product for fun and the mild gambling rush, he'd never sold from his breaks before and wasn't sure how to approach it. He spitballed an opening price that was...stiff. I'd tracked sales data of these cards from release in anticipation of this day eventually coming and knew the math didn't really add up. If it had been a firm price, with the exchange rate and cross-border shipping issues factored in, I don't know that I could've justified it. But it was not. I tried to dig up some recent sales data from 130point, similar cards of other HOFers from a similar tier to give him some comparables. Armed with the new info, Mark shot back a second price that was right in the ballpark of the recent sales, my past purchases and what I was hoping to pay. There was no more haggling – an agreement was quickly made and the deal was done.
A short while later, it was on its way to me, and a few weeks (and almost $80 CDN in associated duties and fees) later, it was in my hands. The fees were a very unwelcome, costly surprise and a stark reminder of how difficult the current political climate is making the hobby on both sides of the border. But the card is here now, and I guess that's the most important thing.
Timing is everything with this hobby. This card was buried in the photo comments on Mark's original post, so if Eric isn't in that group, doesn't see the post and drill into it out of a curiosity in what Mark got in the Stickrack break...then what happens? The post goes unseen and Mark quietly tucks the card away with the rest of his breaks? Another member replied to ask about the card after I had but the deal was already done. If they get it, maybe they don't want to let it go. So many ways it could've gone wrong, but thanks to Eric's prompt action, I was able to make it my own.
In my hobby resolutions for 2025, one was to land a “new-to-me 1/1 I haven't seen in the wild before”. Sure, I added the Butt End from our esteemed Doctor Price earlier this year, but that was just sitting on his website for the taking – all I had to do was wait for a sale. This one required actual effort, I hadn't seen it before, and was starting to question if I ever would. Every year, I always hope for that one key cornerstone pickup I can hang my hat on and judge my success for the year by. I think this one more than qualifies...
20/21President's Choice Game-Used Stick Rack StickHandle SH-82 LarryMurphy 1/1 155.00 byprimetimepawich,on Flickr
I finally have Detroit represented to go along with Washington, Pittsburgh and Toronto:
So unless/until he gets LA and Minnesota-themed Stickracks, I guess I'm up to date. And very happy.
Thanks Doc Price for making the card to begin with, thanks Eric for the heads-up, and thanks Mark for letting it come home. And thank you to everyone who ever sees a Murphy card, thinks of me and tries to bring it to my attention. Big or small, whether I need it or not, I always appreciate being thought of.
In the meantime, enjoy what I got these past 2 months. Is it enough to warrant its own post? For the most part, no. For the most part...
20/21 Pro Set 1992-93 Hockey Autographs Yellow #A92LM1 Larry Murphy 2/5 10.00 by primetimepawich, on FlickrMy most recent example of Kevin's help. A few years on and these are still pretty hard to wrangle, so when I find one with a reasonable BIN/OBO, I almost "have to" take advantage, US shipping be damned.
When the newest edition of Leaf Metal dropped this year, Larry was again featured. Not to the extent of 2024, but still with enough "para-hells" that I expected busier times than I've gotten. A number have been listed and I've tried to make a dent - been successful with some and the bridesmaid with others. Here are the recent successes:
2025 Leaf Metal Legends - Metallic Inscriptions Prismatic Green #MI-LM1 Larry Murphy 3/3 12.87 by primetimepawich, on FlickrFrom Slab Sharks, and:
2025 Leaf Metal Legends - Metallic Inscriptions Prismatic Pink #MI-LM1 Larry Murphy 1/5 17.55 CDN by primetimepawich, on FlickrFrom a Winnipeg-based Ebayer.
***
See what I mean? Short and sweet. Except I'm not done.
Some of you will know where I'm going next, and some of you won't. No matter which side you fall on, here's the story.
In early July, I was at work when I got a Facebook Messenger notification on my phone of 2 sent images from our own “HammerHawks”, Eric Andrews. Eric has found a few interesting cards for me in the past, and I'm always curious what he or anyone else sends me. I appreciate anyone who thinks enough of me to look out for me in any corner of the hobby world they can. It's impossible to follow every possible post in every possible group, and I shudder to think of the cards I've missed out on because of that. The other reality I have to contend with is that believe it or not, Larry Murphy doesn't appear in a lot of S+T or sale threads. Once a year, I'll spam my groups with an inquiry post to coax them out of hiding, but it just doesn't happen. To find stuff, you need a lot of eyes, a lot of luck and a lot of good timing.
When the spotty wifi at my workplace allowed me to open the chat and pics, the first pic immediately got my attention:
https://ibb.co/nq7KYfv4]
[/url]I was familiar enough with this product to know that there were 2 possibilities:
1. This card is /5:
20/21President's Choice Game-Used Stick Rack Tape Job TJ-55 Larry Murphy2/5 byprimetimepawich,on FlickrI have 3 copies of it and lost out on a 4th. Had Eric found the 5th and final copy? Because if not, by process of elimination it could only be...
2. The card at the top of my wantlist since I'd seen it on the 20-21 checklist*.
I say that with an asterisk because let's be honest – having seen both of the 23/24 Exquisite Collection Extra Exquisite 1/1 Murphy LA patches in circulation, those are more coveted. But having talked numbers regarding both, I also didn't think either was feasible in the immediate future. Thus, this other card was the default #1 sight unseen if it ever appeared in the wild.
And when Eric's second pic opened...it did.
This was a must-have, but there were a few potential hurdles. I didn't know anything about the group or the card's owner, a guy by the name of Mark. Was it even for sale? How much would he ask? I've been so jaded by disappointment and the stupidity of Ebay asking prices that I tend to fear the worst now, but I was damn sure gonna explore it. Eric tagged me in the post, flagged the owner and tried to bring me to his attention, and I took it from there.
Turns out Mark couldn't have been any nicer. He's no flipper trying to make a quick buck – his post wasn't even a sale thread, merely a genuine Show and Tell. A recent retiree from the States who had opened some niche product for fun and the mild gambling rush, he'd never sold from his breaks before and wasn't sure how to approach it. He spitballed an opening price that was...stiff. I'd tracked sales data of these cards from release in anticipation of this day eventually coming and knew the math didn't really add up. If it had been a firm price, with the exchange rate and cross-border shipping issues factored in, I don't know that I could've justified it. But it was not. I tried to dig up some recent sales data from 130point, similar cards of other HOFers from a similar tier to give him some comparables. Armed with the new info, Mark shot back a second price that was right in the ballpark of the recent sales, my past purchases and what I was hoping to pay. There was no more haggling – an agreement was quickly made and the deal was done.
A short while later, it was on its way to me, and a few weeks (and almost $80 CDN in associated duties and fees) later, it was in my hands. The fees were a very unwelcome, costly surprise and a stark reminder of how difficult the current political climate is making the hobby on both sides of the border. But the card is here now, and I guess that's the most important thing.
Timing is everything with this hobby. This card was buried in the photo comments on Mark's original post, so if Eric isn't in that group, doesn't see the post and drill into it out of a curiosity in what Mark got in the Stickrack break...then what happens? The post goes unseen and Mark quietly tucks the card away with the rest of his breaks? Another member replied to ask about the card after I had but the deal was already done. If they get it, maybe they don't want to let it go. So many ways it could've gone wrong, but thanks to Eric's prompt action, I was able to make it my own.
In my hobby resolutions for 2025, one was to land a “new-to-me 1/1 I haven't seen in the wild before”. Sure, I added the Butt End from our esteemed Doctor Price earlier this year, but that was just sitting on his website for the taking – all I had to do was wait for a sale. This one required actual effort, I hadn't seen it before, and was starting to question if I ever would. Every year, I always hope for that one key cornerstone pickup I can hang my hat on and judge my success for the year by. I think this one more than qualifies...
20/21President's Choice Game-Used Stick Rack StickHandle SH-82 LarryMurphy 1/1 155.00 byprimetimepawich,on FlickrI finally have Detroit represented to go along with Washington, Pittsburgh and Toronto:
So unless/until he gets LA and Minnesota-themed Stickracks, I guess I'm up to date. And very happy.
Thanks Doc Price for making the card to begin with, thanks Eric for the heads-up, and thanks Mark for letting it come home. And thank you to everyone who ever sees a Murphy card, thinks of me and tries to bring it to my attention. Big or small, whether I need it or not, I always appreciate being thought of.
