Mike > Kosmo: Cramer's Choice

I've said it before: Pacific may be long gone, but it made a positive and lasting mark in the hobby, and we still see the effects of that today. Don't tell me you don't see some super shiny insert with a gaudy, eyeball-burning pattern without thinking, "Wow, this reminds me of Pacific!" Its designs were out there, its inserts were ahead of their time, and some of its brand names (like Crown Royale) live on in other manufacturers' products.

Since I became aware that its founder, hobby legend Mike Cramer, was writing a book about Pacific's story, I've been looking forward to reading it. I figured I'd eventually check it out for free on my Kindle app via my library (Libby rules!) or see about buying it at a lower price after it had been out for a bit. But then an even better opportunity came up.

Former Wax Heaven blogger Mario (@BeisbolCardBlog) procured a signed copy of the book directly from the man himself, Mr. Cramer, and then decided to give it away on Twitter. I was thrilled to be the lucky recipient, and I'm even happier to announce that it arrived today:

Well now that's just beautiful! I like the mix of cards up front, from the brand's earlier baseball products to offerings from basketball and football, especially a Michigan-helmeted Tom Brady.

And as previously stated, it's signed, making it an especially cool piece in my collection.

Here's a few quick looks inside the book. I like the shots of cards found throughout the chapters and can't wait to hear about how each was created, including the iconic Cramer's Choice Awards.

So in my excitement I decided to celebrate with some images of some of my favorite Pacific cards found throughout my collection. From Prisms to die-cut gloves to foul pole nets, numbered and relics, English and Spanish, 80s, 90s, and 2000s, there's a lot to enjoy from Pacific's brief but productive history:

For those who made it this far, are you excited to check out this book too? What are you hoping Cramer covers in his hobby story? Any favorite Pacific products and cards?

I may do a follow-up post reviewing the book, but for now I'm just going to enjoy it for what it is.

Many thanks to Mario for his generosity which is no way limited to just this giveaway. I highly recommend following him, which is saying a lot because I follow very few hobby Twitter accounts that don't belong to my blogging and collecting buddies. But I'm a big fan of his opinions--he's often justifiably critical of Topps and their shenanigans--and his celebration of the greatness of the 90s era. So go check him out and keep an eye out for more contests like this one and you might just be a winner too!