2013 trade package #1: Uncle Moe flips a coin, sends me some Tigers

Last Sunday, Uncle Moe (a.k.a. Larry) of My 2008 Topps Set Blog was showing off a new part of his Luis Aparicio collection:  a 1964 Topps Coin.  These are a bit on the oddball side for me, but still fairly cool, (and much better looking in-person, I now realize) and while I hadn't planned on adding Bill Freehan's version from this set, Moe mentioned he might have a few extras, so I asked after Bill's coin.  He said he had it and would send it to me right away, since he's awesome like that:

So here's the newest member of my Freehan collection:

1964 was only the second year Topps produced cards of Freehan, so this fits beautifully towards the front of the group, smack between his RC and second-year issue.  It's #57 in that PC, and I'm excited to have added yet another piece to my favorite combined Tiger/Wolverine player set.

Moe also was kind enough to send some new Tigers my way, and I mean brand new:

I'm sure you're all well aware these are 2013 Topps cards, and I do have to say I like how the base stuff looks, especially the Verlander, which is a great example of a horizontal card done right.  I also appreciate getting something of Smyly, especially since he may become an important part of the rotation before long.

Thanks again, Larry, for a great Tigers package!  I have something on the way from COMC for you that I hope you'll like, so watch for that soon.  Everyone, please head over to Larry's unique blog to appreciate his Herculean effort at acquiring a complete 2008 Topps TTM autograph set as well as Luis Aparicio, Daniel Hudson, and Diamondbacks.

Moe trade posts: Larry sends me a JV

Ok, back to stuff that I think more of you will find interesting:

One of the envelopes I received this week was one that I wasn't really expecting.  I did recall that I had sent a ton of my unwanted D-Backs to Larry/Moe of My 2008 Topps Set Blog.  When I did, he promised he had something he knew I'd like in return.  As is my way, I completely forgot about it until I received a bubble mailer with a familiar name on it (and, very helpfully, a big "MOE" on the back!).  It including two things:

To the bloggers that send these in trade packages:  please keep it up!  I occasionally enjoy flipping through the different promotional items people send me, and I may do a post covering what I have so far at some point.  For now, this sticker joins very good company.

The other item was of a bit more interest to me, though:

This here is a Justin Verlander 2012 Topps Historical Stitches manupatch.  To be fair, I've ragged on Topps manurelics like this quite a bit.  However, I reserve the right to reverse my stance when a player I like is in question, especially my current favorite Tiger by a mile, Justin Verlander.  And I do have to say, at least in this case, this is an awesome looking card in-person.

Thanks again for the deal, Larry!  To honor such a great trader and fellow Simpsons aficionado, please to enjoy the following (sorry I couldn't find the originals):

The rest of you should head on over to see the amazing job Larry's done on his 2008 Topps autograph project and other endeavors, including collecting Diamondbacks and Luis Aparicio!

Thanks, Larry!

Hooray for more contests

(I'm sure I'll find more to post about in the next couple days, but this one can have its own)

Uncle Moe's My 2008 Topps Set Blog is giving away a box of 2010 Bowman Chrome (as donated by Atlanta Sports Cards apparently).

Requirements?  Follow his blog (which is great, by the way), and for an easy bonus entry, make a post about it like this and let him know about it.  In summary, reasons to enter:

• Free Strasmas cards
• Easy to enter
• My favorite Google avatar ever:

So make sure to enter (and read this great blog too).