2018 Panini Elite Draft Picks Aspirations Blue #50

     Things have been a little quiet lately at the Herschel Hoard, but I did manage to pick up this card:

   

This is the Aspirations Blue version in the 2018 Panini Elite Draft Picks series.  It took awhile for this one to become available to me, and now, I lack only the blue and red foil cards from this set; along with the teal 1 of 1's, and the printing plate 1 of 1's.

This card is serial numbered to 25, with this example being #12.

2002 Donruss Gridiron Kings Sample #160

   

After the base card in the 2002 Donruss Gridiron Kings set, there are eight more inserts or parallels to be had.  With the acquisition of this sample card, which can be identified by the word sample on the reverse, I lack only the samples gold card, and the Chicago collection card.

Welcome card #683, to the Herschel Hoard.

Ticket From Herschel's Pro Football Single Season Rushing Record Game

   

Above is a nice piece of memorabilia, which I am pleased to add to the Herschel Hoard.  This is a full ticket, from the June 10th, 1985 New Jersey Generals vs Jacksonville Bulls USFL game.  In this game, Herschel Walker set a new single season, professional football rushing record, when he surpassed Eric Dickerson's previous mark of 2,105 yards.

Walker rushed for 162 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns.  At the completion of the game, which was the General's 16th, Herschel season total was 2,129.  Dickerson's NFL mark also came in 16 games.  Herschel's final total yardage for the 1985 season was 2,411 yards.

The Single Player Collector's Dilemma

     Readers of this blog know that my collection is tied in closely with the Herschel Walker page at the Trading Card Data Base.  I've uploaded 682 out of a currently possible 937 cards. Of course, that 937 number can go up, as new sets are made that include Herschel; and occasionally, a set that has been around a long time, but hasn't been added to the database, pops up.

    Such was the case with a new blank space for a 1986 Sports Illustrated Poster Test Sticker #4286, that showed up recently.

     The problem for single player collector's, is that once your collection is past the beginning stages, it's fairly easy to buy a card you already own.  The Sports Illustrated sticker sounded familiar and a quick check of ebay showed the Herschel card in question, albeit graded, and for a pricey $200.

    I decided to pull out my original Herschel card binder, and go through it again.  I have the cards in chronological order, for the most part, but some odd shaped, and over sized cards are in the back.

     Lo and behold, I came across the test sticker in question, already in my possession.

   

The back of the card is blank.  Now I doubt that I'd pony up $200 for this card, graded or not, but the message is, when you see a potential  need for your collection, take a minute and make sure you're not buying something you don't already own.

I should note that many collectors don't mind, and actually seek out duplicates, but I have enough trouble trying to keep my one of's straight.

Top Ten Most Wanted Herschel Walker Card CAPTURED!

   

1993 Chris Martin Enterprises  Dog Tags   #112

A very happy day at the Herschel Hoard, as I was finally able to cross one of my Top Ten Most Wanted Herschel cards off the list.

The Walker example of the 1993 Chris Martin Enterprises Dog Tags set, is one I have been seeking for years. I saw other players in this set from time to time, but never Herschel.

The fun thing about chasing these cards, is that you just never know when one you're looking for will pop up.  I get updates from sites like EBay, when new Walker cards are available, but it seems like you can go months without seeing something you need.

The 2018 Panini set was a different animal.  Because it was a new set, the secondary market had many cards available, and I struck while the iron was hot, in that case.  But for older Walker cards, they can be almost impossible to find.

Coming across one of these, at a good price to boot, is what I enjoy the most.  This card has been officially removed from the Top Ten Most Wanted List, and replaced with a new card, the 1997 Stadium Club One of a Kind #138.

2018 Panini Contenders Draft Picks Collegiate Printing Plate Black #50

   

I am very fortunate to be able to add a second printing plate from the Panini Contenders Draft Picks set.  This is the Black Plate in the series, which joins the Magenta Plate, as another 1 of 1 card in the Herschel Hoard.

2018 Panini Elite Draft Picks Status Die Cut Orange #50

   

As this is not a serial numbered card,  I thought I would nab it early on, when I first became aware that Herschel was included in the 2018 Panini set.

That turned out to be not the case, as I couldn't find an example for sale until just recently.  Funny how what you'd think would be a more common card, are sometimes the tougher ones to acquire.

Welcome to the Hoard.