Trade with Bound for Beantown ...

So Joe, a fellow Red Sox Nation member at Bound for Beantown dropped me a line not too long ago about doing a trade. Joe has recently got back into collecting and was eager to help me out on a number of fronts.

First up, three cards off my All-Time Red Sox Roster collection. Nick Green (kinda looks like Bradley Cooper), Paul Byrd, and Lars Anderson. Poor Lars finally got back on track last year only to now be block by Adrian Gonzalez. I don't see Lars reaching Boston again and think he'll be elsewhere come Spring Training's end.

Next up, some YYYYOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUKKKKKKKKKKK!!!! Love this sweaty guy. Kevin has really turned himself into one of the game's top players. He was never your typical top prospect, toolsy guy. He came from University of Cincinnatti—not exactly a baseball powehouse—he's slow, and does not look the part of an athlete, but sure knows how to play the game. His swing was built for Fenway and have turned himself into a great fielder no matter which side of the corners he plays from. The "Greek God of Walks" looks good here in this batch of cards, including his 2003 Bowman rookie that I did not have.

In this batch, we have another rising Sox star in Clay Buchholz. A guy that other teams have coveted in trade talks over the years. Now along with Jon Lester, has given the Sox an excellent home-built, 1 and 1A top of the rotation for years to come. I didn't have too many of his cards, so this was a nice add, especially his All-Star jersey swatch.

 Next up, some more BoSox including a Lester I didn't have in the '10 Upper Deck.

Joe also sent along a bunch of retro minis too!!! First in the lot was three, numbered to 99, T206 Cycle cards.

More Topps T206s from 2009 and 2010. As we now know, T206 is dead and will not return this year.

Next up, some Allen & Ginter minis. I have received a number of these lately and need to update my Frankenstein set wants. When I was at my local shop on Friday, he told me that he has not received any info regarding an 2011 Ginter offering. I wonder if Topps will push this later this year. Above are batches from the 2008, 2009, and 2010 sets.

And finally, we close with more retro minis from 2009 UD's Goodwin Champions. Will be building this set—love the artwork too much to not build it. A nice mix of SPs and black borders.

So thanks Joe!!!  I need to put the final touches on your package and get that out to you this week. You definitely hit on all my likes with this trade.

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Coming up this week, I'll have my trade bait Utley patch recap coming on Monday, plus I'll show what I picked up at the local card store, will do another trade bait post, plus will show a card or two I designed for "Cards that Should Have Been." I won't be doing any TTM requests this Spring Training, but for those that do, good luck and this is the week to get those requests in the mail. The earlier the better as most teams don't really get their workout going till later this week.

Trade from Bound for Beantown and some incredible baseball photography

So this shot is just a tease for the package I received yesterday from Joe over at Bound for Beantown. Will definitely upload more shots from this trade either today or tomorrow. Lots of Ginter, T206, and Goodwin minis to go along with a bunch of Youks and Buchholz cards!!!!

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Also, came across some fantastic baseball photography from Hy Peskin via the UniWatch blog. Awesome, awesome stuff!!!!!!!! Really, you need to take a look, especially if you are into vintage cards from the 50's and 60's. Absolutely stunning!!!

Trades via reader Matt and The Call of Cardboard

First up today on the trading front is a package I received from reader Matt. Matt contacted about a couple of weeks ago saying he had found my blog and thought he could fill in a couple of needs for me. Going his way later this week on some 2010 Allen & Ginter base and This Day in History cards along with some older Pirates and Cubbies.

First up is a bunch of 2010 Allen & Ginter minis that will go towards my frankenstein set. I am really getting to the point that I might consider going for the mini sets for all the years or just collect any mini I can and if I get build a set. If not, I'll have a hell of a Allen & Ginter mini collection.

I just can't bring myself to boot out a mini Washington Monument card for player X (when player X is a superstar). That's what I love about this set—it's more than just baseball, it's history and little factoids. Having visited my brother in DC a couple years ago, he explained why the monument was two different shades of color. Turns out, they had to stop construction during the Civil War, and when they resumed, the materials were of slightly different tone.

Ok, back to modern day, some here are some nice minis including the X-ray and a Red Sox. 

Second group is some 2010 inserts that I needed for various sets. Thanks again Matt and I'll throw you a note letting you know when your package heads out. Hope we can do it again!

Second trade recap is from Chris over at The Call of Cardboard. This is my second trade with Chris, also a fellow Red Sox fan and collector. We seem to collect the same things, but manage to trade pretty easily. Going his way on some various 2010 Topps set and insert set needs, some 2009 Goudeys and a couple of Red Sox 70's oddball issues that I don't think he's ever seen before.

First up is a card I once pulled out of a pack in 2009 but traded it away, I think to Nachos Grande back in 2009. From Ginter's 2009 Creatures of Legend, Myth, and Terror, the Vampire. Love this series and wonder what Topps will bring to the table this year.

Next two shots are of some 2009 Goodwin Champion minis!!!!  Man, I love these cards!!!  Great color and a nice mix of action and posed artwork. I definitely need to make a list and hit that local card shop this weekend to tackle this mini set. The cards are plenty and cheap, cheap, cheap!!!! Thanks again Chris, I'm sure we'll be trading again soon!