Connecting the Card With the Day

It's often a tough task figuring out the exact source of a photo from any given card set that doesn't deal directly with a particular show, movie or event. But it can happen.

Case in point, below is a card that arrived yesterday. It may show volleyball players Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, but I bought it for the yuckster in the middle. For whatever reason, I hold onto cards with presidents. I'd hold onto Canadian Prime Ministers too if they made more of them.

As soon as I saw this card, I recalled back to last year when some hilarious photos surfaced of Bush getting cozy with some soon-to-be Olympians. May-Treanor and Walsh were two of them. Here's a photo from the same day:

And another:

And one more for good measure:

(Source for all three: UK Daily Mail)

By now, most of you have probably seen these pictures. I've seen them several times but they're still worth a laugh.

And now back to the topic at hand. Check out the clothes: White bikini? Check. Red and black bikini? Check! Faux light denim collared shirt? Check!!

So the photo from the card in question was taken August 9, 2008. Thanks, Internets! You make sleuthing fun. And thank you Topps for creating a memento to commemorate one of Bush's final acts of unintentional hilarity.

THIS is the Ugliest Card of 2009

In reference to dayf's claim that the Allen & Ginter Suez Canal card is the hobby eye sore of the year, I present this:

2009 Topps American Heritage: Heroes Edition
64. Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail

This is in by no means a slight against the subject matter but rather the technical aspects of the card. It looks like I've blown the card up a lot. But look at the fineness of the Heritage logo. It's still in focus. This is one ugly picture that lacks even the most basic graphic design skills.

If you're a fan of the American Heritage line and have some kicking around the house, go and dig this card out. You'll notice the picture on the front looks like it's been blown up 20 times from a low resolution avatar. The pixelation is inexcusable.

With dayf's permission I propose that we hold a poll for the year's ugliest card. Start digging, folks, and get 'em posted. Then I say we collect all the nominees and vote. What do you say?

More American Heritage and UFC Coming from Topps in June

According to Previews Magazine, Topps has follow-up sets scheduled for June for both their American Heritage and UFC brands.

American Heritage: Heroes Edition appears to be following a similar path to the original set: old school Topps designs for old school folks that helped shape American history. The basic breakdown is two autographs or relics per box, six inserts and eight parallels. There will be eight cards per pack and 24 packs in a box. No details were given as to the subjects, signers or memorabilia that will be used, although my guess is that those who liked American Heritage are going to think the same about this set.

Topps UFC 2009 also seems to be much the same. Small boxes (16 packs), emphasis on autographs and memorabilia. Maybe this time Brock's autograph will show up.

I'll keep my eyes peeled for more info as it is released.

Stretching It: Obamna and Robinson Dual Cut Autograph

So Topps has announced they're including a dual cut signature card featuring Jackie Robinson, the first African American Major Leaguer, with Barack Obama, the first African American president of the United States in their American Heritage set. While both accomplishment are and will be major parts of US history, I think featuring them both on a single card is stretching the connection a little bit. Personally I would've rather seen them on separate cut signature cards as either one would be "lifetime" pulls that any collector would have been ecstatic over. That being said, if I somehow manage to pull it, I'm not cutting off one side and sending the other back.