As card collectors, we are accumulators of these objects that are generally rectangular in shape and contain the image of one player or more. It could be a as a part of a set, as a part of a quest, as a part of nothing at all. But there are times when even our normally lucid clarity of judgement becomes clouded by the deal of the day, by the thrill of the hunt, and by the small chance of an exclamatory card that makes your arms go numb.
When this happens, in this modern card collecting age, it comes in the form of boxes. Unnecessary packs can easily be excused. Oh, I just wanted to see what the set looked like....Oh, I wondered what all the hype was about....Oh, I got started on my favorite team's set from this brand....
But when buys a box with no purpose except to scratch the itch or to seal the bargain of your soul to chase these constantly multiplying creatures, then one must either drown in giddiness or disappointment.
Such was the case when I purchased this box of 2008 SP Authentic. I like to call these boxes ghost boxes. The brands don't exist for you as possibilities to collect or bust or flip, but a deal comes and you start thinking about it.
You look at the checklist and think why didn't I look at this before. There's some great names on here....hey look, is that an Evan Longoria rookie, is that a Clayton Kershaw rookie...I can totally get my hands on of those...and all for the low, low price of less than I though I would pay.
This is especially a great ghost set because the base set is forgettable, the inserts are indistinguishable and generic and the hits are surprisingly strange.
Here's what resulted from this box of regret. (Note: The base set made my want list because I'm nothing if not a completist....I think I'm missing 7 cards out of 100 or something)
Justin Verlander base: Ghostly Justin Verlander is just completely surrounded by emptiness. Even an MVP can't buy happiness in an empty void like that.
Paul Konerko Base: Paul Konerko is feeling the ghost of pennant collapses past....that he hasn't really experienced.
Hanley Ramirez base: All Marlins fans now regard Ramirez as a ghost.
Jimmy Rollin Authentic Achievements insert: This ghost insert looks like a base card, but isn't. Check out the ghostly figures in the background.
Ken Griffey Jr Authentic Achievements insert: Griffey's Reds career was notorious for his time away from the field. The specter of the Kid loomed for a decade.
Albert Pujols/Brad Lidge Marquee Matchups: This matchup made Lidge want to disappear at one point, but that was 2005....already 3 years before. Plus, they weren't even in the same division anymore.
Pedro Martinez/Ryan Howard Marquee Matchups: This matchup disappeared when Pedro became chronically injured and took a turn as a Phillie in 2009.
Brandon Jones Auto: Here's the first of three hits. See the auto, it's recessed in the card; it's actually worse than a sticker.....
Wesley Wright Auto/Jersey: .....as demonstrated here in the 2nd of 3 hits, where the auto runs off the recessed window.
Here's the 3rd hit.....
Yes, it's invisible because it was an expired redemption, and therefore, does not exist.
How appropriate for the ghost box that I should never have meddled with.
9 comments:
Damn them dastardly ghost boxes... I've had a few myself.
On a side note... I actually prefer it when card companies embed the autograph in the card (like your Jones auto), unless of course it covers up part of the player's autograph (like your Wright auto).
Indeed, a disapointing box, but quite amusingly reviewed, sir. And, like Fuji, I also dig the recessed autos. But that doesn't make up for the ghost box.
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Ghost box...I like that term. You should copyright it before some other blogger steals it.
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