Buying the wrong card....

The above card turned up this week in my mail-day package. Unfortunately though it is the wrong card. There is though only one person to blame. Me....I simply bought the wrong card. 

I clearly was just not concentrating when I hit the BIN at the time and did not pay attention to the auction description that accurately detailed the card in question. I was looking for the 2007-08 Upper Deck Premier Penmanship Autograph of Horace Grant, to go with the other five cards I have from the set. 

It transpires that there is a gold parallel version of  the set as well! And it was the parallel version of Mr Grant that I unintentionally purchased. 

I really should pay a bit more attention before I hit that Buy It Now button!   

2014-15 Immaculate - 'The Dream' additions.

I took delivery of another batch of recent 2014-15 Immaculate purchases today. In amongst the cards I received were two of the legendary Rockets centre Hakeem 'The Dream' Olajuwon.

Despite winning back-to-back NBA Championships, both the NBA MVP and Finals one, and making 11 All-Star appearances, Olajuwon rarely received the love from the hobby than less successful players that played the game in the 1990s.  Even today his cards are priced lower than the likes of Anfernee Hardaway, Tracy McGrady and Karl Malone, who did even come close to achieving that success that this versatile Nigerian center achieved in his 18-year pro career.

The advantage that this state of affairs to those collectors who are interested in his cards, is that they can be picked up pretty cheaply. The two cards pictured feature on-card autographed and serial numbered cards were obtained for a combined cost of $75.

I am currently on the look out for the Olajuwon NBA Champions insert, to complete my collection of the on-card autograph / memorabilia from this years Immaculate release.

Hall of Fame Heroes

Shadowbox - standard

Alex English - front

Alex English - back

Walt Frazier - front

Walt Frazier - back

Basketball card auctions on eBay constantly appear to be littered with the phrase "1 of 1". Sellers use the phrase to describe almost any serial numbered autograph or memorabilia card. Invariably it is used to describe the first, last and jersey number of the player. So for LeBron James cards numbered 1 of 25, 25 of 25, and 23 of 35 are ridiculously all listed as "1 of 1" cards. Taken to its logical conclusion ALL serial numbered, autograph, or patch memorabilia cards are going to be unique...so could be regarded as '1 of 1" cards!!!

So the card collecting hobby now has the term a 'true 1 of 1'. Two such cards [pictured above] formed part of my recent delivery of cards from the 2014-15 Immaculate release; namely the Shadowbox Signatures - Platinum cards of Hall Of Fame legends Alex English & Walt Frazier.

I have previously mentioned that I had been been very impressed by the initial images of the Shadowbox Signature cards posted by Panini, which in turn led to the decision that I should attempt to put together the complete 71 card set. What I had no initially realised that there were two parallel (Gold serial numbered to ten and the Platinum 1 of 1) versions. Whilst I have no intention of chasing these more seriously, I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to pick these two up at a pretty reasonable price.

The bonus, is that they are the first 'true 1 of 1' cards that I now have in my collection.

2014-15 Immaculate - Hall Of Fame Heroes

I have-not had there opportunity to  post here, as my wife & I have spent the last couple of weeks back in the UK visiting friends and family.  But now I am ensconced back home in Jordan, I would have the opportunity to update things more regularly.

Whilst away,  I took delivery of my first purchases from the 2014-15 Immaculate, which I'll write about over the next couple of updates. First up are seven cards from the Hall of Fame Heroes autograph set that I have decided to try and chase down.

A combination of  the silver on black on-card signatures, Hall Of Fame logo strong checklist and reasonable prices for single cards attracted me to this set. Serial numbered to 75, they have not been too difficult to pick-up on eBay. With a fair wind this set is one I should be able to complete over the next few weeks.

Gary Payton

Walt Frazier

Clyde Drexler

James Worthy

Rick Barry

Dan Issell

Joe Dumars