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The Chronicles of Fuji |
Tuesday, May, 21, 2024
There is one particular collection of cards that I own that grows larger with each passing year, yet I don't actively seek new additions. This almost sounds like a riddle, right?
It's not. It's just my Damaged Card PC. Damaged cards arrive in a variety of ways. Today's post covers two of them.
#1: Purchased Mint, Arrived Damaged
2001 Upper Deck Ultimate Ichiro Base #UB-I2
This Ichiro is the perfect example of this situation. Back in March, I purchased this card on eBay for $18 (+ $6.68 tax & shipping).
I was pretty excited to add it to my Ichiro PC, because it features a swatch of game-used base from an official MLB game at Safeco Field during his (MLB) rookie season.
Unfortunately... the card was shipped in a PWE and arrived with some heavy creases. I reached out to the seller, explained the situation, and asked if he'd consider giving me a partial refund (I was willing to pay $10) and let me keep the card.
He replied back with a full refund... and told me to keep the card. Who says good customer service is dying?
#2: Cardboard Safe Haven
Damaged cards also arrive in care packages from fellow collectors. I'm assuming these people are hoping I will provide a warm, loving home for their flawed cardboard. I'd love to tell all of you that every damaged card sent to me goes into the Damaged Card PC binder, but it doesn't. The bottom line is lack of space.
That's why it comes down to whether or not these damaged cards make the cut. Johnny's Trading Spot sent a small stack of these cards and these are the ones who found a new home...
Let's start with the oldest and the one I'd love to hear the story behind:
1967 Topps #350
At first glance, this card looks pretty clean. However if you were looking at it in front of you, you'd see two staples puncturing this hall of famer. I wonder why someone would do this.
Regardless... I love it! Would I buy it? I actually would... if it was a buck or less.
By the way... I knew that Torre was one helluva manager. But take a look at those stats on the back. He had a great career as a player too.
Next up are a trio of vintage mis-cut cards:
1972 Topps #273
1973 Topps #498
I was able to figure out the guy under Mr. Segui:
1973 Topps #383
And rounding out the binder picks is this very miscut card from the 90's:
1996 Topps #223
The last card didn't actually make it into the binder, but it's featured on the cover of it:
This checklist suffers from water damage... with possibly a touch of mold on the back. I didn't feel comfortable sliding it into a nine pocket page. However I double bagged this card by putting it into a regular penny sleeve, then inserting it into a vintage penny sleeve going in the opposite direction.
1968 Topps #356
Believe it or not... it's not the only moldy card in my Damaged Card PC. Maybe one of these days I'll show it off, but this post has gone on long enough.
Kudos to all of the eBay dealers out there who offer great customer service.. and thank you to John for adding a few singles to my Damaged Card PC. I promise you I'll provide them a warm, loving home.
The rest? They were tossed into a box of cards that my students will use as samples for next year's civil rights leaders trading card project.
Happy Tuesday and sayonara!
