Old, New, and Everything in Between

Today I finally found a few minutes to scan, crop and inventory the latest PWE from one of my most frequent trading partners, Joe Shlabotnik of The Shlabotnik Report.  I never know what cards await me in one of these, and once again Joe did not disappoint in terms of variety!

There were some cards inside that are older than I am, like this awesome Dennis Eckersley sticker.  I've had this one in my cart on COMC many time before but could never find anyone willing to take my low-ball offers.

Here's another one from the same year, the latest in a string of great '70s and '80s O-Pee-Chee Red Sox that have been coming in trade recently.  This one's in pretty immaculate shape for an O-Pee-Chee card too, hard to believe it's now 35 years old.

From there, how about some new cards?

This pair of First Home Run inserts are from 2015 Topps Update, so they're only months old.  I don't recall seeing these plain white iterations (as opposed to silver or gold stripe down the center of the card) in the flagship set, thinking this was an Update-only thing maybe?

One last insert from 2015 Update, the lone representative for Boston at the 2015 All-Star game, utility superstar Brock Holt.

That covers the old and the new, time for the "everything in between"...

My very first Arquimedez Pozo card!  Pozo did appear in 25 games with Boston between 1996 and 1997, and since he's depicted with Boston's AAA affiliate here this counts as a new card for my all-time Red Sox collection.

Here's a set I've never seen before, 2003 Donruss Team Heroes.  New cards of longtime backstop and team captain Jason Varitek are always welcome around here.

Same with Nomar.  I was at a very impressionable age when Garciaparra burst onto the scene with Boston, and he was certainly among the small group of players that were boyhood idols for me.

I'm up to a dozen Red Sox cards now from 2002 Topps Total, plus an insert, and I believe every single one of them have come in trade.  This hobby certainly seems to attract generous people.

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that my hockey collection was missing this junk wax staple until now.  Had I ever come across this one in a dime or even a quarter box I would have snapped it up instantly, but that's just never happened.  Very grateful that Joe included it.

Finally, my favorite card in the envelope...

I was really astounded by this one!  The 1988 Starting Lineup cards may be my favorite oddball release of all-time, certainly within my top five.  This is just my third card from a set that's design was practically tailor-made for Red Sox cards.  This is possibly the greatest Roger Clemens card of the dozens and dozens I've received in trade over the years.

Thanks for the killer envelope Joe!  I'll see if I can find some time before the Super Bowl tomorrow to get a return PWE prepared...