Collecting is a very different beast than when some of us were kids. A pocket change investment for many years, the hobby has morphed into an industry where the entry fee is in a range deserving some serious reflection! Given the not insignificant amount of dollars in play for even a single pack (anywhere from $3 to $300+), one has to weigh choices: Do I grab a bite or get this pack of SPx? Do I gas up both vehicles, grab a case of beer, and take wifey out for a fancy dinner, or buy this pack of Chronology? Do I pay my kids tuition this semester or get this pack of 16-17 The Cup? Not a kids game anymore my peeps!
Suffice it to say, one needs to play within their budget and comfort zone. For me, this has always involved looking at where I can get some bang for my buck, and at a price point that lines up with the finances. One place that has been quite rewarding to me over the years have been restaurant/store releases. These are essentially promotional series released in conjunction with a restaurant/business and their product. I’ve gotten some great product out of McDonalds, Petro-Canada and the Toronto Star over time, with some quality limited release cards and other collectibles. While I will surely take an opportunity to share some of these over these posts, my focus today is on a more recent entry into this category which has retained some solid aftermarket pricing compared to other releases: Upper Deck’s Tim Horton’s sets. Today specifically: the 2018-19 series.
2018-19 Upper Deck Tim Horton’s
So here’s the skinny: for a coffee addict like myself, the price point on a release like this is stupidly good: $1.99 a pack alone or $0.99 with a drink purchase. So we’re already starting at a cost that is $1 to $2 lower than an entry level product pack off the shelves of your local WalMart or Target. Therein lies the hidden beauty of these releases: people equate cost with value. In the case of the Tim Horton’s releases, the assumption is “If I’m only paying $1/$2 for these, they cannot be worth anything” because valuable cards only come from more costly products. This has not held true for any of the five years from 2015-16 to 2020-21. Why is this? Well for one, the release is limited to Canadian Tim Horton’s locations, making these more limited versus a wider North American product. Supply drives demand and, in turn, value in this situation. As for the cards themselves, they have consistently contained three cards, the majority of the time consisting of two base cards (of an achievable 100 to 150 card set) and an insert of some type. Base cards first: you will expect anywhere from 10% to 20%of the cards to price in the $2+(US)/$2.50+(CAN) range, reaching as high as the $5-$6(US)/$6-$7.50 (CAN) range for stars such as McDavid, Crosby and Ovechkin. Far from garbage! Then come the inserts, which are of a quality you would not expect from a product of this price. Over the years these have included die-cut offerings, foil and embossed cards, acetate variations, canvas inserts, and the high demand 3D inserts which have taken the form of franchise duos and trios in the past few releases. These are quality, well designed, eye candy pulls that can regularly book from $5 upwards into the $50-$60 range. Add in the chances at hitting a redemption for an autographed and/or game-used (my kid landed a $200+ jersey card with the inaugural release) and a $1 to $2 purchase is an absolute steal!
As for the 18-19 release, we’re going to take a look at one of the beauty inserts: Clear Cut Phenoms
This is a prime example of bang for one’s buck, no? Here we have an incredible acetate card featuring Auston Matthews for a $2 purchase. Featuring a great “in-action” shot from either his rookie year or the “no moustache” portion of year two, this card takes the acetate premise up a level. Rather than simply transparent, a vertical and linear texture is a feature in the background, reminiscent of an ice surface chewed up with a period filled of run and gun action. On top of the texture, the background also elicits an eye-popping amount of color when hit with light. There’s also the illusion of depth coming with these factors as well, with shifts in the position of the card creating the perception of background movement in contrast to the stationary player, creating a level of perceived distance and/or separation between the two planes. The beautiful aspect of all these is the subtlety of their presentation, adding to the overall experience as opposed to pulling you out of it.
The bottom third of the card is framed in with a small white band before giving way to what I see as the curving boards of a rink for the badging of the subset in both English and French. Captured between the boards and filling the remainder of the bottom is a more prominent ice surface providing the ideal deep blue canvas for a basic white nameplate. Upper corners nicely anchored with prominent “go to”’ Upper Deck foil logo, balanced by the team logo on the right. Less evident in the top picture due to my choice to highlight the background effects, but more noticeable in the lower, is the fade form a darker blue into white background as you move from the card sides to center. Another progressive, soft transition that does wonders for containing focal points without the use of harder, drastic boundaries. So much detail in here, and yet it sits together so naturally and effortlessly. Love it!
As much as the front of the card contains lots to drool over, the rear is hella basic in light of the give and take of acetate. Sometimes it’s cost/appearance constricting to image or print here. So we get this. That being said, I’m still a fan given I know the “why” that comes with it. Too light, you get the image still popping through well, albeit not with the detail you do from the front, while the opportunity to provide set name and details in a size that doesn’t trigger an eye strain migraine is nice!
All and all, we’re looking at a card that books in the $10/$25 (US), $12.50/$30 (CAN) range, with rarity and player potential possibly supporting, or increasing, that pricing down the line. All for a $1 to $2 pack. Bang for the buck!
Previous “Ultimate Set Build” Articles
1959-60 Parkhurst
59-60 Base
1980-81 O-Pee-Chee
80-81 Base
1991-92 Upper Deck
High Series Young Guns
20008 UD Champs
Champ’s Mini Signatures
2016-17 Upper Deck Parkhurst
Rookie Red Parallel
2017 Upper Deck Toronto Maple Leafs Centennial
Maple Leafs Marks
Positive vibes to you all. Please put some care into you and yours this beautiful day and look out for one another where possible! Our impact on others with even the smallest of actions, is far greater than we tend to realize. My best your way…
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Do you have a piece of treasured memorabilia that has a great story behind it? Let me know and you can be featured in an article. Doesn't matter how big or small the piece is, how valuable it may be, or whether it's a common item or more oddball. If you think it has a story, contact me via the information below and we'll chat. In the meantime, check out some previous "Display Case" articles via the links below to see what others have submitted in the past...
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Shawn Gates
[email protected]
Facebook: ShawnMcShawn
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Previous “Who Am I?” Articles
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Previous “Devil In The Details?” Articles
Centering
Corners
Previous ”The Display Case” Posts
#1: The “Frankenstick!”
#2: Your desk has the right to remain collectable!
#3: Have Pads, Will Travel
#4: Pick a Pekka (Rinne) Autographed Mask
#5: Ted Lindsay Gets Kronwalled?
#6: The Only Thing We Have To Fehr Is Fehr Himself
#7: “Hungary” For Team Canada Swag
#8: The Soldiers Kid and “The Kid”
#9: Fan Appreciation & Player Humility Via The '72 Series
#10: Bobby Orr and....Birth Control?!?!?!
#11: Johnny Bower The “Portrait” Of Health At 88!!!
#12: Scotty Bowman – Stick Detective!!!
#13: Touch 'Em All Joe!!!
#14: Joey and Sergei's European (Lockout) Adventure!!!
#15: I’d Give The Jersey Off My Back For You…
#16: The Case Of The 1940’s Era Leafs
#17: Scrapping The History Of The Isles...
#18: Gretzky “Re-Signs” in Edmonton
#19: Gilmour Is Such A Caricature!!!
#20: Toys In The Attic
#21: The Right King Place At The Right King Time
#22: Momma Bear Takes On A “Killer”!!!
#23: Leafs Lunch Stool
#24: The 50 Goal Stub
#25: Scoring From The Rafters
#26: Junior Jersey Mail Order Mayhem!
Previous Random Hockey Musings
Oh? Canada? A Hockey History…
Industry Blow To Topps Possible Foreshadowing For The NHL, NHLPA & UD
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