A short but sweet blog post tonight. It's zoo time at work and that means little time for much else. It's the norm for this time of year and it's not as bad as it seems. It helps when the weather plays nice too.
But when I got home tonight I saw a nice little bubble envelope sticking out of the mailbox. I knew exactly what was in it (seeing as it was the only item I've picked up from anyone, anywhere in a while).
ITG's Ultimate Memorabilia 12 just keeps pumping out the solid looking card, but this one might just take the cake. I've been wanting one of these ever since I learned that Dr. Price and the gang picked up a Linden game used Habs jersey a while back.
2012/13 ITG Ultimate Memorabilia 12
Journey Autograph & Dual Patch Gold 1/1
Not much to say here. It looks even better in person. A superb Canucks patch from Trev's glory days and a solid 3 color Montreal piece. The auto isn't a sticker, but rather a signed tab that is inserted into the ITG card (designed specifically for this design....a nice compromise to stickers).
I was unsure if I was going to chase this card when it popped up a couple weeks ago but after some quick chats I decided to go for it. Somebody said the words "run the table"....I don't know if I can go that far, but I do feel pretty lucky to have 4 1/1's in my possession just a month after the products' release.
We'll see. I think I'll take it one card at a time.
Most of the cards that I have featured in my Cardboard Photography posts have great action, vintage equipment, unique angles or just an overall oddball feel. For this particular card...it's something else.
As you may know, I'm a big fan of goalie masks. I like looking at and knowing about as many different goalie masks that have been worn in the NHL as possible. Be it the classics like Martin Brodeur, Ken Dryden and Jacques Plante all the way up to today's art like Al Montoya and Corey Crawford.
One goalie who definitely has an iconic mask is that of John Vanbiesbrouck from his days with the Florida Panthers. Proof's in the pudding.
I don't think there's any debate that when you see this mask - you know who it is.
What I find interesting is that in his days beforehand with the Rangers, Vanbiesbrouck switched up his mask a number of times. I guess he was never quite happy with the look. His days after Florida, especially with the Flyers, saw more variations (I remember him adding a glitter-type look to some of his lids).
But with Florida.....it was status quo.
Or was it?
Check this card out.
1993/94 Topps Stadium Club
#85 John Vanbiesbrouck
Lovely posed shot I know, but take a look at the goalie mask John's leaning on. Clearly something different than his go to mask. Remember, the Panthers just came into existence in the league and I don't even think Beezer had even played a game in Florida colors before this photo was taken.
Could this be a first version mask? Is it a mask that belongs to another Florida goalie (Mark Fitzpatrick was the other goalie picked in the 1993 Expansion Draft)? Or is it a mask that was brought in specifically for the shoot?
In doing some research, I found dead end after dead end. It doesn't seem as though much is documented about the mask. Believe it or not, I have seen it a couple times before.
Here's an insert from Skybox Impact's 1996 release. Clearly a different mask (and I think it's the same lid as in the TSC pic). So did he wear it in a game? Maybe practice only? Do card companies use a lot of practice photos on their cards? The questions just pile up.
I also saw this mask (don't ask me how I remember this all...it must be from my obsession with masks at the time) in an NHL-produced video called NHL's Masked Men - The Last Line Of Defense. Here's the snippet with Vanbiesbrouck (go to about the 3:15 mark).
No mistaking John Vanbiesbrouck there with comedian Jay Mohr....and it's Mohr who is wearing that rare mask.
So what's the story behind this goalie mask? I for one would love to know. It just goes to show you...photos can often reveal the answers, but there are occasions where it will instead pose more questions.
Most of you know that I like to dabble in custom card making and have designed, printed and assembled a number of items over the past number of years. It is something that I thoroughly enjoy and it makes for a (relatively) inexpensive side aspect to my hobby collecting.
I have been asked by a few people over the years if I could help them by creating something for their special autograph, ticket or TTM endeavors. And I've been happy to help when I can. I find it time consuming, but something that I embrace as I feel it's just "part of the job".
I've always wanted to see how the pros do it though. One of the things on my lifelong hobby "bucket list" would be to travel to one of the big card companies and see the inner workings. Especially the concept and design standpoint. To me, that would be one of the ultimate thrills.
Well, a couple of days ago, I was made aware of a few short sentences from one of the big companies that got my juices flowing.
Huh. Essentially an invitation to apply for my dream job.
It's funny, even though (based on the requirements listed) I'm very underqualified, it would surely be a job that would require relocation and the learning curve would be probably more than I have ever encountered...I feel compelled to apply. Part of me wants to put my name in the hat for no other reason than to say "I did it."
At the same time, I can honestly say that I have never been more happy in a work environment than I am right now (no offense to past co-workers). My career is one that I am very passionate about, I work with fantastic people and the job itself is challenging and at times very rewarding. Add to that the biggest trump card of them all - I'm a hop, skip and a jump away from my niece and nephew and can go see them pretty much whenever I want.
Why would I want to change that?
If everything remained status quo, I don't see any reason why I would want to rock the boat. That said, I've thought about this job opening on more than one occasion every day since I learned of it.
Do I apply? Do I sit back and continue to enjoy what I have and where I'm at? Do I pursue more knowledge of the equipment, software and techniques used by the card designers and hone my craft a little more?
Lots to think about. But in the end I can honestly say that whatever happens....I'll be in a good place.
Lately, ESPN 30 for 30 has put out some fantastic short films on their website. From The Irrelevant Giant and Holy Grail have been two of my favorites but their most recent short might have the deepest connection with my knowledge of the subject.
Cutthroat, which debuted just yesterday on the site, takes a look back at one of the most frightening injuries ever in pro sports. It was March 22, 1989 and Buffalo Sabres goalie Clint Malarchuk (who is now the Calgary Flames' goalie coach) nearly lost his life when St. Louis Blues d-man Steve Tuttle's skate blade sliced into Malarchuk's neck.
While the initial collision didn't look too bad, it was the aftermath image that would be engraved in everyone's mind. Clint had mere minutes to live.
Nearly a quarter-century later, the emotions are so raw and entrenched that it's a struggle just to hear him talk about it. But it's a powerful story.
HEADS UP!!!! There's some text at the start of the film, but I'll add it as well. There's some graphic images in the video. I still have a tough time watching it.
There were many things I didn't realize about Malarchuk before watching this film, but the one that stuck out was his embracing of his OCD. Telling people to use it as a positive. Use it as a driving force forward. Rarely have I heard anyone talk that way about OCD.
It sounds like he is in a better place today as the Flames' goalie coach and I hope he can control that which has controlled him in the past.
After watching this short, I came across an interesting supporting article. Most people think of what Clint Malarchuk must have been going through and the struggles post injury. But what about the forgotten player in the event.
There's a great article by Sean McIndoe (AKA Down Goes Brown) about the forgotten players involved in some horrific injuries. AGAIN, HEADS UP!!!! There are some tough pieces of video to watch.
Do you remember the Malarchuk incident? What are your thoughts on the 30 for 30 short? What did you learn or not know before that you found interesting?
Another month down and another book off the list. This past month was a bit of a blessing as I had a couple long plane trips and needed something to kill the time. Nothing like a good book and an ipod full of tunes to make time go by pretty quick.
It also allowed me to get a bit beefier a book than the titles I've flipped through so far this year. And I had this title on the radar ever since I saw the cover.
May's book is about the Boston Bruins' charismatic and controversial character - Derek Sanderson.
Crossing The Line
Derek Sanderson with Kevin Shea
372 pages
If Derek Sanderson doesn't epitomize an NHLer from the 1970's - nobody does. He was born to play the game in that era. Rough, unforgiving and often unfair. He worked for everything he gained and then basically threw it all away. Numerous demons grabbed a hold of him and it nearly cost him his life.
If you ever wanted to read a roller coaster ride of a story, this is the one to get.
Sanderson gained a strong work ethic from his parents. His father really impressed on him to work hard - harder than everyone else. His teammates with Boston continued that drive and no doubt, guys like Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito didn't hurt either.
But there were many other names that influenced Sanderson's career both on and off the ice. Owners, coaches, fringe players. Derek knew to keep his eyes and ears open and continuously learn.
Sanderson played in an era when player salaries were just a fraction of what they are today. But to Derek, it was more about playing for the Bruins and getting paid what he thought was fair. But the stars aligned and he was given the almost unthinkable opportunity to not only become the highest paid player in pro hockey....but in all of professional sports. He could thank the upstart WHA for that.
Or maybe not. The road that Sanderson decided to take led him down a path of destruction. After reading the book, it's pretty amazing that he made it through to the other side.
It's a fairly well written book. Engaging at times, but a little choppy in others. He hits a few too many subjects and I think it would have been a better book if he narrowed the focus at times and just elaborated more.
There are some great stories from his playing days (and his pro career takes up a good chunk of the text) but his post-career tellings felt a little rushed - like he was trying to wrap things up quick.
This is a must for any Bruins fan, 70's hockey fan or anyone who like to read about the sensational side of hockey.
Slowly but surely I'm scanning in more and more of the cards I picked up at the Toronto Expo. I have motives other than just a quick show & tell with this bunch though. I'm trying to sell.
One of the things I told myself when I decided to open a couple boxes of ITG's Ultimate Memorabilia 12 was that I would not let these cards just sit in my trade box. I'd need to be more proactive in making these cards work towards more Lindens for the pc.
So I'm starting small...four UM12 Redemption cards. But these ones just happen to be gold parallels each numbered to just 5 copies. The triple player/jersey pieces should be a desirable bunch for player collectors (I know it was for me) so I'm hoping these will be quick sales.
I posted them up on the hobby board I am a regular on but I thought I'd share them here as well just in case any of you are interested.
If there's anything that catches your eye, drop me a comment. We can discuss price, shipping and any other questions you may have.
Still going through my Expo pickups and thought this would make for a nice little post.
Without sounding like a broken record, I like cards that capture a memorable moment in the NHL's vast history. And while newer releases seem to do a great job of celebrating moments via insert or subsets, it's the older moments that can at times be overlooked.
Back when I was a kid collecting cardboard, there were few cards that would not only celebrate moments, but have the photo to match. There are a few (and I find them really cool) but they are limited.
Some of today's products have picked up a bit of the slack and have really grabbed some nice photos to add to their sets.
2011/12 ITG Broad Street Boys
Greatest Moments
#98 1974 First Cup Victory
This card caught my eye on one of the discount tables at the show and I knew it would be coming home with me. It's a super simple design, but it lets the photo do all the talking. Definite win there. It's got a nice silver foil finish and really reflects the light well (scans not too bad to boot).
Just look at Bobby Clarke's grin. Dare I say iconic. Parent looks a little squished in the shot and the angle isn't the most flattering, but the fact that I've never even seen this photo.....let alone on a hockey card is just awesome.
A great moment.
Current Collection - 109 cards
And as a bonus, I found another card from this all Flyers product. And once again I knew it would be in the keepers pile.
Now that's a goalie mask. Pure vintage goodness. Just look at the glare Stephenson is giving out. I'd love to think that he's eyeing up an opposing player just ready for him to drift a little too close to the net.
And just as a topper....I love that ITG used the moniker "Broad Street Bullies" - that's what they were called as opposed to the product name Broad Street Boys.
