Are you up for a new $10 Card Shop Challenge?
By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor
It’s time for another version of the $10 Card Shop Challenge … Are you ready? The deadline is Friday, Jan. 25 …
Here is the back story — and the instructions are after the jump.
An after-work card shop visit long ago prompted a challenge to one of my Twitter followers, so I sent another message to the masses curious few who enjoy hearing not much from me 140 characters a time on my Twitter feed. I issued a collecting challenge. It’s time to do it again.
A few replied seeking details, but this time I’m taking it a step further as I want to see what many of you can come up with by hitting your local card shop. (If you don’t have an LCS, hit a retail store.) Call it the $10 Card Shop Challenge.
Should you choose to accept this mission, you will add something new to your collection — and maybe something more as I’m going to cough something up for the entry that you guys find to be the most interesting or impressive entry of the bunch.
The Mission: Spend $10 or less on something you like but try to land something that will impress the masses. It could be anything cards — but no wax (unless you’re a retail-only person). Are you a vintage fan? A prospector? A non-sport collector? A buyer in bulk? Was it just a good deal you couldn’t refuse?
It’s all game — as long as it only cost you $10 (or less). You can go over with taxes.
In a previous challenge, I landed a 1909 T206 common for a mere $9.50. Another time, I found a relatively high-grade copy of a 1974 Topps card I have been meaning to pick up for some time — Hank Aaron‘s home run king commemorative — for just $5.50.
I’m headed to the card shop later today. I’ll post my entry in the comments below along with you guys.
Leave the following info in a comment below and include a link to an image of what you picked up:
1. Name & location (include your email so you can be contacted)
2. Shop/store you visited
3. What you bought
4. Why it’s the winner
5. Include a photo!
After the deadline, we’ll set up a poll for you to decide the winner right here.
Are you ready to take the challenge?
Remember, our winner will win something cool … and it’ll cost more than $10, too.
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an e-mail to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
Voting closes on March 1.
The $10 Card Shop Challenge ... who wins?
- Jason Taylor (56%, 370 Votes)
- Bruce Katto (38%, 250 Votes)
- Dan Hromas (2%, 13 Votes)
- Tim Sill (2%, 13 Votes)
- Chris Olds (What?) (1%, 5 Votes)
- Brandon Andreasen (1%, 4 Votes)
- Mitch Jomsky (0%, 3 Votes)
- Brady Wright (0%, 2 Votes)
- Ben Aguirre (0%, 1 Votes)
- Chris Vesper (0%, 1 Votes)
- Jon Dyer (0%, 0 Votes)
- Swingkat (0%, 0 Votes)
- Mike Thouvenot (0%, 0 Votes)
- David (Orting, WA) (0%, 0 Votes)
- Coffeyfan (0%, 0 Votes)
- Rick Lindeman (0%, 0 Votes)
- Doug Allen (0%, 0 Votes)
- Jeremy Balliet (0%, 0 Votes)
- Chaz (0%, 0 Votes)
- Shawn Davis (0%, 0 Votes)
Total Voters: 662
Loading ...
1. Doug Allen, San Diego, California
2. I went to Clairmont Sportscards
3. I bought an SGC 92 1989 Donruss Ken Griffey Jr. Rated Rookie
4. It is the winner because it is a Griffey RC in very nice shape, especially for $9.
Not fair for the people who don’t have a hobby shop near them. The closest one here is 500 miles away.
Did you read the item? If not, you might revisit it.
1. New brockton alabama
2.target dothan alabama
3 bought a 9.99 value pack ( 50.00 minimum catalog value)
Got a 1999 fleer tradition cal ripken jr starting 9. #8/9
4. The card speaks for itself plus it one of the cards featured on the front of the of the pack. Pics if wanted
From mod: Please post pics of all items!!
1. Ben Aguirre
2. Peninsula Sports Cards, Belmont, Ca
3. 1998 Press Pass Autographs Jason Williams; 2009 Press Pass Authentics James Laurinaitis autograph.
4. This is the winning entry because Jason “White Chocolate” Williams was a legitimate point guard and highlight reel for about a decade, and Laurinaitis is the son of wrestling legend Road Warrior Animal.
Chris Olds
Nick’s Sports Cards, Dallas
$7.50 for this card … http://img.beckett.com/news/news-content/uploads/2013/01/Challenge.jpg
Not answering No. 4 … because I can’t win!
Nick’s is the best! You can find some real vintage gems in there!
http://imgur.com/RZrsX
1. chaz bono los angeles, ca
2. ebay.com
3. 1988 donruss mark grace
4. best prices guarenteed
Tim Sill Tacoma, WA
Bases Loaded Sports Cards
1990 Topps Emmitt Smith Rookie Card
Why it should win. Not because it is the oldest or the most increased in value, but because I am a HUGE Cowboys fan. I love this card. Emmitt Smith is the leading NFL rusher, a Super Bowl MVP, and a member of the Hall of Fame. Plus, this was my first purchase at the shop. I have passed it multiple times on my way home, but stopped because of this challenge and was excited to buy this card. It should win because I bought it out of love for the player, the card, and the sake of collecting.
http://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/46126_548146961865027_1579567442_n.jpg
1: Brandon Andreasen
2: Baseball Card King, Plainfield, IL
3: 2011 Bowman Chris Archer Auto, 2011 Bowman Jean Segura auto
4: Its a lot easier to find deals on older cards with less of a market than to get a really good deal prospecting on two future stars. Both guys were named to Keith Law’s top 100 prospects prior to the 2012 season.
https://twitter.com/theBman/status/291326182081843201/photo/1/large
1. Jeremy Balliet Kalkaska, mi
2. Nothing but Sports, Traverse City, Mi
3. 1986 Topps Jerry Rice rc $8 (that’s not a crease just a little scuff mark)
4. It’s Jerry freakin’ Rice
http://i737.photobucket.com/albums/xx18/griffcrazy/DSCN6576_zps50eb9fee.jpg
1) Mitch Jomsky, Hollywood, FL
2) RJ’s Cards located in Comics & Games, Pembroke Pines, FL
3) RJ has these $1 grab bag cards. Usually about 100 cards and usually 90% 86-94 donruss/ fleer/topps common garbage, but every so often, he puts in something cool. Really hit and miss …. Mostly miss. :) but usually there’s enough common stuff that fills in my collection, so you really can’t go too wrong, right?
I decided that for the $10 challenge to p/u 10 grab bags and see what’s there. Figure that worst case scenario, I might impress you folks with a 1000 card display, and perhaps a good card or two.
4) this should be the winning entry because in the very first grab bag that I opened there was an upper deck 1991 team set of the Oakland A’s, 91 fleer Griffey, jr. Rickey Henderson, a Griffey jr & Boggs 7-11 phone card, 3 Denny’s cards from 1997 (bichette, Sheffield, and Justice) …. But if that wasn’t enough, there was a 1981 Topps #302 (BV $8) which happens to be a Dodgers Rookie card featuring a young Fernando Valenzuela and a very skinny Mike Scioscia, in near mint condition. All in all, not a bad haul, for a buck. In the other grab bags I got lots of trash, but there were the following gems… 1986 topps 20T Canseco rookie, 2012 topps 446 Trout, (2) 2007 Bowman BP17 Brandon Morrows 1st, 1997 SP Bonds Marquee Matchups (BV $5) 2008 Threads Austin Romine, 2010 Upper Deck #14 Esmil Rogers rookie 1/99 (BV $12) 2004 Donruss #263 Helton 103/117 (BV $ 5) 2005 Donruss #80 Ludwick 25/25 (BV $4) … Should I continue :)
Here are a couple of before and after links
http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/DrMitchJ/baseball%20cards/b6d0bafc11b155a96fbba8d4c35671cb_zpsadc9ae54.jpg
http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/DrMitchJ/baseball%20cards/55413e9a1b2a04aee51c9a7cee13fc9e_zps2178e9ac.jpg
http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/DrMitchJ/baseball%20cards/c430839936e1209878cc86fbb7c04afb_zps6403a143.jpg
http://i1352.photobucket.com/albums/q641/DrMitchJ/baseball%20cards/090373e9b51009a1417ce9f6a696cd64_zpsa42beba0.jpg
Hope the links work, and thanks …. The $10 challenge was fun!
BTW … Anyone need 1988-1994 donruss ? :)
1. Brady Wright Waco, TX
2. Bankston’s Cards & Comics
3.1952 Topps Johnny Sain Redback
4. 52 Topps is probably the greatest baseball card set ever made. It’s easily the most recognizable card sets ever & has great value from beginning to end. Plus, Sain was in the Majors for over 30 yrs as a player & coach. It’s a real piece of Americana.
http://i1291.photobucket.com/albums/b557/bcw716/Sain_zpsb85b64b2.jpg
1. Jon Dyer Brunswick Maine
2. Dons Sports Cards
3.1965 Topps Ernie Banks EX
4. It’s Ernie Banks, and even though the condition isn’t great, I couldn’t pass it up. He was before my time but he was An amazing player from everything I read. Winner!
1. Rick Lindeman
2. Card show in St. Louis Missouri
3. 1978 Topps Molitor/Trammell Rookie card for 10 bucks and it is EX-MT+
4. One HOF and a borderliner on one card. A classic card! Winner
Sorry, lindeman79@yahoo.com
1. Bishop Peachtree City, GA
2. Sports Legends Fayetteville GA
3. 1967 Topps Hank Aaron
4. When one speaks of superstars, Hank Aaron is always mentioned plus in Beckett it books for $40-80. Paid $10 on the nose.
http://s1282.beta.photobucket.com/user/bishopscards/media/0F7AD51F-8C85-4E01-B945-563FDBEE22FB-84420-0000184B4033365A.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
http://s1282.beta.photobucket.com/user/bishopscards/media/2B0292AE-5A4A-49DB-A24C-7FCF236B7246-84420-0000184963620093.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1
1. Bishop Peachtree City, GA
2. Sports Legends Fayetteville GA
3. 1967 Topps Hank Aaron
4. When speaks of superstars, Hank Aaron is always mentioned. Plus it is a book value of 40-80 bucks that I got for 10.
http://s1282.beta.photobucket.com/user/bishopscards/media/0F7AD51F-8C85-4E01-B945-563FDBEE22FB-84420-0000184B4033365A.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
1. bishop Peachtree City, GA
2. Sports Legends Fayetteville, GA
3. 1967 Topps HAnk Aaron
4. When one speaks of superstars they always must mention Hmmerin’ Hank Plus it books from 40-80 and I paid $10.
http://s1282.beta.photobucket.com/user/bishopscards/media/0F7AD51F-8C85-4E01-B945-563FDBEE22FB-84420-0000184B4033365A.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0
1. David (Orting, WA)
2. Tim’s Sportscards Burien, WA
3. 1986 Donruss Jose Canseco RC, 1985 Topps Kirby Puckett RC
4. Been wanting a Canseco Donruss RC since I was 7. Back then, my neighbor and I had a plan to pool our money together to save up the $150 or so that it was worth back in the late 80’s. Not sure how we were going to split the card, but that’s a kid for you. Glad to own one now for $5. ALso, picked up my other favorite player’s rookie card for another $5. “Centerfielder #34, kirbeeeeeeeeeeeeey Puckett!
1. Jason (Fallston, MD)
2. Simms Sports Cards
3. 1958 Topps #436 Rival Fence Busters (Willie Mays and Duke Snider!)
4. I have been working on a 1958 set for years. I started it in the late 90’s, but it wasn’t until the past year when I was less than 50 cards away that I really went for it in earnest. It took me so long because I’m a high school teacher on a budget, so patience is my one asset when buying cards. Anyway, the Fence Busters card was the last big money card in the set that I needed. So when I went into the shop, and saw it sitting there, I was elated! Now, working on a budget, I can’t be too picky about the condition. Most of my cards hover around VG, which is about where this one was (NM has a bv of $100). I couldn’t believe my fortune when he let it go for $5! I got a card of two of the best centerfielders in baseball history for less than $10, and it was the last star card for my 58 set!
1. Mike Thouvenot / Gold Bar WA.
2. Mill Creek Sports, Mill Creek WA.
3. I got a 2002 Upper Deck Alex Rodriguez 4 color Logo Patch card (5 breaks), card PL-AR off their “any card on this shelf $10” display
4. This card should win because it’s a very rare card with a gorgeous patch, plus it ‘s BV is $150!! Obviously it was a mistake by the shop to price it at $10, but that’s the way they had it marked, so that’s what I paid.
From mod: Got a pic??
1. Bruce Katto Fredericksburg, VA
2. I went to The Card Cellar Fredericksburg VA
3. I bought a 1909 T206 Fred Clarke
4. This card is from the famous Honus Wagner Card set and is a $400 value that I snagged for $10!
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc104/ckatto71/Bruce/Download_IMAG1102-1_zps320c9256.jpg
Bruce W. that photo is really grainy, but it looks like to me the price is marked $30.00 and the receipt looks to say $30.00 when I blow the picture up. How about a better picture of both the card and the receipt?
1 – Christopher Vesper – Rolling Prairie, IN
2 – Target – South Bend (No Hobby shops nearby)
3 – $9.99 Fairfield NHL Jersey Card & Three Packs of Hockey Cards (08-09 OPC, 06-07 MVP, 09-10 Ultra)
4 – With no local hobby shops that are big into Hockey, I decided to hit up Target for one of these Bonus Packs… Figure 3 packs to try and pull something in, plus I get a guaranteed jersey card to celebrate the NHL & my Wings on the fast track to the Stanley Cup! Why does a random pack like this win… well Guaranteed jersey was 08-09 UD David Legwand Game Used Jersey… BUT the the coolest card of the pack/box was a Wayne Gretzky Retro from the OPC. How could the second best NHL player ever (Yes…as a Wings fan, Yzerman always gets first billing!) not win???
5 – http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t297/VespersCards/GretzkyOPC_zps0a15f227.jpg
1) Dan Hromas – York, NE
2) Wes’ Baseball Cards – Lincoln, NE
3) 1970 Topps “The Reggie Jackson Story” Booklet No. 10; 1970 Topps “The Ernie Banks Story” Booklet No. 14
4) I bought the Reggie Jackson Booklet for $6 and the Ernie Banks Booklet for $4. Up until yesterday, I never knew these cards existed; I’ve never seen these inserts before in the 27 years I’ve been collecting. Apparently 1970 Topps Baseball had these booklets inserted into packs, and there are 24 booklets in this “insert” set. Each booklet contains a 6-page comic book style story on it’s respective player (in my case, HOFers Reggie Jackson and Ernie Banks). I believe these items should be the winner because of their uniqueness. It’s a different way to learn more about the baseball players and fun to read, especially if you enjoy comic books.
1) Dan Hromas – York, NE
2) Wes’ Baseball Cards – Lincoln, NE
3) 1970 Topps “The Reggie Jackson Story” Booklet No.10; 1970 Topps “The Ernie Banks Story” Booklet No.14
4) I bought the Reggie Jackson Booklet for $6 and the Ernie Banks Booklet for $4. Up until yesterday, I never knew these cards existed; I’ve never seen these inserts before in the 27 years I’ve been collecting. Apparently 1970 Topps Baseball had these booklets inserted into packs, and there are 24 booklets in this “insert” set. Each booklet contains a 6-page comic book style story on it’s respective player (in my case, HOFers Reggie Jackson and Ernie Banks). I believe these items should be the winner because of their uniqueness. It’s a different way to learn more about the baseball players and fun to read, especially if you enjoy comic books.
Here is a link to a scan of the two booklets I bought:
http://i1353.photobucket.com/albums/q667/danio36/1970Topps_zps18c612f7.jpg
Here are some better pictures. I have already placed the card in a better mount, so the card is no longer in a sleeve with price tag; but the Receipt has the card information on it. I hope these new pictures help.
http://s217.beta.photobucket.com/user/ckatto71/library/Bruce
1. Eric McCutcheon – Newark, CA
2. Stevens Creek Sports Cards – San Jose, CA
3. I bought an 1887 Duke’s Cameo Cigarettes No. 69 Varonia tobacco card
4. I’ve always been a fan of anything vintage, especial pinup model-ish. I didn’t expect to find something from the late 1880’s, especially as interesting as the card is. Granted, for an oddball card from 125 years ago, it’s still in relatively remarkable shape. I have tried to research Duke’s Cameo Cigarettes tobacco cards, but have yet to turn up any true information. And as someone who only breaks boxes and for this being my first actually card purchase, I think I found a pretty rare vintage gem that may turn out to be the only one of No. 69 left in existence.
5. http://intstagr.am/p/U75_E8jQ2x/
The last link doesn’t work. This one does…
http://i1299.photobucket.com/albums/ag66/Swingkat/2013-01-25_21-27-52_223.jpg
Just curious, but when is the poll going to be set up to determine the winner of this challenge?
The voting closes on March 1 — and includes only those entered above this comment.
Uh, can we check the validity of a guy getting 250 votes in a day?
This will be the final challenge with a voting component.
Sounds good, Chris. I’m still going to try to win!
my son in law is awesome. He deserves to win!
Wow, doesn’t seem legit to me, but hey what do I know. Obviously, friends and family voted for him. Guess that’s what you have to do to win this contest. Way to go Bruce, hope the prize is worth it. Hey Chris, would you let us know the prize when you reward it. Thanks.
Tim, that was actually my mother in law. That guy Bruce got exactly 250 votes in less than 24 hours. Smelled like a bot of some sort to me. So I told a few of my friends and family members about it, and they tried to help out.
I was making my comment towards the guy “winning” this contest. I don’t have a problem with you or your mother in law. I hope you don’t think I did. Keep trying. Good Luck.
Nope, not at all. :) I hope my little grass roots campaign takes off! I’ve never won a Beckett prize before, so I’m going to keep at it. Good luck to you, too!
Hey Tim and Jason, just for the record I have no idea where all those votes came from. I’ve been away from home on business since I submitted the card. The only thing I can think of is the guys downtown in the card shop I frequent (where I bought it) got REALLY excited & active about it. But if there is some kind of glitch or inappropriate activity that I can find, I will withdraw. I am an Army Vet of 21 years and want no part of something I didn’t earn legit. Hope this adds some clarity.
I have no problem with how this plays out. Legit or not doesn’t matter to me. It’s just a contest and probably the only time I will remember to enter it. I never expected to win anyways. Truth be told, I voted for myself 10 times so my votes aren’t really real. There was some sort of glitch with the system that allowed it to happen.
Just wanted to post my winning prize: I got a 2012 Crown Royale Marvin McNutt (Eagles) auto #’d to 149. Thanks again for the contest!