It really is the most wonderful time of the year, as far as I'm concerned. The Halloween through New Year's stretch has always been the highlight of my year, and this year is no exception.Kate's favorite holiday is Halloween (and I'm pretty fond of it as well, though my costume selections in recent years have been a bit uninspired), our wedding anniversary is going to be on Oct 26th, meaning our friends can be expecting a Hallo-versary party every year henceforth. I'm an only child, so Christmas is always a good time, and my birthday is on Dec 28th, meaning double presents! Though it also means I get shorted on gifts each year...
But we'll overlook that!
And finally, I got word yesterday that I'll be starting a new job as a site director for an after school program in the city. It's going to be challenging work, but it's something that should open up some doors for me (not to mention some added infusion to the card budget).
But the thing is, even with all that great stuff, my favorite part of the holidays is giving gifts to other people. And after almost a year of blogging and meeting some fantastic people here, I think it's well past time to pass that forward to the great people on the blogosphere.
So here's the deal. Contest is a word I use very loosely. Heck, it's a word I really just used to boost my blog hits. It's a giveaway, with one of those tricky Canuck skill questions involved.
If you've been reading the blog for a while you'll know that some of my favorite cards are ones that feature city skylines. There's just something special between the city's identity and its team, and I love to see that captured on cardboard.
So here's the contest: post a picture of your favorite card that incorporates a skyline. It can be on the front or back or the card. It can be any city, in any sport. The only exclusion is no Pittsburgh skyline cards, because I don't know that I have the willpower to overcome hometown bias. Heck, this contest might even inspire me to start a new mini collection. Also feel free to include a brief list of some things you collect - I have a pretty good idea of what most of the regular bloggers like, but I'm sure free stuff will bring some new names out of the woodwork.
I'll let the contest run through the week, and contact the winner or winners on Saturday. I have lots of cards here I'd love to get clear out, so the festive tidings could be anything from a PWE stuffed with shiny cards to a bubble mailer full of Cole (Alex, Gerrit, Dick, or Victor, that is).
Speaking of which, did you know that of the ten players with the last name Cole who have played in the majors, 4 of them have been Bucs?
On with the contest!
I'm currently working on a Top 50 Ottawa Senators cards, and have 3 that are currently in the running.
ReplyDeleteThe highest will be the 05/06 Hometown Heroes insert of Daniel Alfredsson, which features a beautiful early fall shot along the Rideau Canal, with a hint of visible of leaves changing. In the background, you have the Parliament Buildings and Chateau Laurier is visible on the faded right portion of the card. The back features the same city photo, without the player.
Very postcardy.
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/4296/gxib.jpg
Runners up will be the Dominek Hasek from 05-06 Scrapbook, which features a picture taken on Parliament Hill with the Peace Tower in the background. Also, any Pinnacle City Lights insert, which features a view of the Hill from along the bridges to Gatineau, and, instead of a write-up about the player on the back, features the city instead.
A very cool giveaway! Here's my entry, a post I had on my favorite skyline set...2005 Donruss Studio.
ReplyDeletehttp://redscardcollector.blogspot.com/2012/01/2005-studio.html
10/11 Panini Hockey Pinnacle City Lights insert--#83 Nazem Kadri--Toronto's CN Tower and Rogers Centre in background
ReplyDeletenot mine
http://s49.photobucket.com/user/habsheaven/media/For%20trade%20or%20sale/Game%20Used%20FT/Kadri10-11PinnCityLights.jpg.html
collect hockey Leafs and baseball Jays
Thanks for the giveaway! As a New Yorker and Mets fan, I'm a fan of having the Chrysler Building and Empire State Building in this card. I could do without the player.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.comc.com/Cards/Baseball/1993/Topps/52/Bobby_Bonilla/2042383
My favorites would have to be from the 1993 Leaf set (one of my favorite early 90's sets). I'd say either Gene Harris with the Coronado Bridge and palm trees in the background, or Ryne Sandberg and the Sears Tower dominating the Chicago skyline. As with all of the cards in the set, the card backs featured shots from the city that the guy played for. Actually, the Bobby Bonilla one is pretty cool too.
ReplyDeleteHere's a post I wrote on how awesome the 1993 Leaf set is, with pics of all the cards I just mentioned.
http://backstopcards.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-beauty-of-93-leaf.html
I agree with Marcus on the '90s Leaf sets. I've always liked the skyline backdrops featured on mid 2000's Studio as well. Having lived near Chicago all my life, I'm especially partial to the Cubs-based ones.
ReplyDeletehttp://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Ya9zLVpkL.jpg
Also, although I (somehow) don't already own this one, the 2010 Upper Deck Rogers Centre card is a beauty.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51xy4xkRJ-L._SL500_AA300_.jpg
Augh! After digging through my Miscellaneous Padres binder, I might have to go w/ 2010 Bowman Throwback of Adrian Gonzalez. On-deck shot showing the SD downtown area. Too hard to decide.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see this many entries. I'll be out most of the day, but I'll random off the winners tonight when I get home. I'll probably pick two or three winners to spread the holiday cheer.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for some great ideas for the start of a new mini collection. I'm still partial to Pittsburgh's skyline, but there are some awesome cards posted here.
ReplyDelete