A couple weeks ago Mark from the Chronicles of Fuji sent me a ridiculously generous trade package. I'm talking flat rate box generous. A huge chunk of that box was filled with great Tigers stuff which I posted on TMV, but Fuji balanced things out nicely with some top notch Michigan stuff as well! Check it out:
Barry Larkin 1998 Leaf Rookies and Stars
My 251st Larkin is this base card from Leaf's inaugural Rookies & Stars set, and that's a product that still exists today under the Panini umbrella. It has a nice shot of the HOFer at the plate.
<Ron Swanson voice> End baseball section </Ron Swanson voice>
And now for some basketball:
Kicking off the surprisingly large basketball haul is this Glenn Robinson 2001-02 Fleer Authentix jersey, a fun relic (literally!) of the bygone era that resulted in some fun designs from manufacturers such as Fleer. I actually kidded around in my recent Sports Cards From the Dollar Store trade post about starting a "Michigan relatives" PC after Doug sent me cards of a couple Wolverines' sons, and now I have a hit of a father to go with those in the form of Purdue and NBA star Glenn (Jr.).
Louis Bullock 1999 Press Pass Authentics Autographs auto
Bullock was one of Michigan's better basketballers of his era, one that proved to be a difficult one for fans because of Bullock and others being involved in the Ed Martin booster scandal. Though Milwaukee drafted him in 1999 and then flipped him to Orlando, he never appeared in the NBA, but he did carve out a decent European career. He's one of two new players heading to my basketball collection courtesy of Fuji.
Jamal Crawford 2006-07 Upper Deck UD Game Jersey jersey
Crawford isn't exactly a stranger to this blog as this is his third hit I've shown here (all relics), a nice blue Knicks swatch. I'm happy that he's been able to last this long in the league, and he's currently with the Clippers, though right now apparently he's hurt.
Juwan Howard 1994 Signature Rookies Tetrad Autographs auto (#2257/7750)
The well-known Howard also reaches three hits thanks to this Signature Rookies card, my first autograph of one of the famous Fab 5 Wolverines. Jesus, I can't believe these guys had to sign that many cards!
Ray Jackson 1995 Signature Rookies Draft Day Signatures auto (#4949/7750)
Did somebody say "Fab 5"?! Uh, yeah, I just did. The other collection newcomer today is Jackson, who was one of just two in that group (Jimmy King) to stay for all four years of his college career, plus he wasn't involved in the Martin scandal. This is a great shot of him throwing one up, and I like that he added his jersey number to the signature, especially considering he also had to sign an insane 7750 of these.
Robert Traylor 1998 SP Top Prospects Vital Signs auto
This is my second autograph of big man Robert Traylor, another Martin scandal player who was later drafted in the first round by Dallas in '98 and then flipped to Milwaukee in a deal that included some German dude named Nowitzki. He sadly passed away about four years ago.
The rest of this post focuses on my favorite Michigan sport, football:
Tom Brady 2008 Donruss Gridiron Gear Playbook Gold (#205/500)
A serial-numbered insert of 2014-15 NFL champion Tom Brady for my football inserts collection? Don't mind if I do!
Mike Hart 2008 Press Pass Autographs Bronze auto
A new Mike Hart auto and it's a Michigan uniform card? Awesome! I have a Hart from a different Press Pass set from the same year but I really prefer this one with its horizontal layout, great design (including the photo), and Mike's excellent signature with his jersey number. This is Hart #57.
The other Hart in the package comes from 2009 Topps' Career Best auto set. I think the last time I flipped through Fuji's trade bait he had something like three of these, so I wasn't shocked to see it in this package. The back, by the way, lists his bests during his Michigan days, which is a nice touch.
Sticking with 2008 and going back to the Michigan uni theme is this 2008 Topps Rookie Progression auto of LT stalwart Jake Long (who hopefully won't be forced to retire from the NFL after multiple injuries). I have a feeling a certain Michigan fan to my southwest will appreciate finding this in his mailbox along with...
...this beautiful 2002 Finest auto/RC of former star WR Marquise Walker. It also features a Wolverines game photo, Walker's excellent signature (with jersey number), and serial numbering to 1200.
Marquise Walker 2002 Playoff Prime Signatures Autographs auto (#20/95)
However, this Walker auto, which was signed on my favorite type of Panini sticker (what? The holofoil looks awesome!) is mine all mine. It's my 21st different card of the former Buc and the sixth card of him that includes an autograph.
Mark, I was absolutely blown away by the quantity and quality of what you sent this time and I promise to get you back before much longer!
Y'all should look out for more trade posts, some of which may also be two-parters, soon!
That is a really nice assortment of autos. Fuji is the man!
ReplyDeleteFuji IS the man, and everyone should know that!
DeleteI absolutely love the Ray Jackson autograph... but knew it was meant to be in your collection, not mine.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the generosity, then, and I do appreciate how nice the card is!
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