Rolling Brett Butler collection thread: Topps Vault mailday 9-15-17

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  • jbox
    jbox Posts: 408 ✭✭
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    Honestly, this is one of my favorite threads.

    jbox
  • Downtown1974
    Downtown1974 Posts: 7,189 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    << <i>Honestly, this is one of my favorite threads.

    jbox >>



    +1 One of the best threads authored by one of the best members.
  • thekid8
    thekid8 Posts: 1,507 ✭✭✭
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    << <i>Many player collectors get to the point where they'll take darn near anything they can get...... >>



    I couldn't agree with this more --- awesome pickups
    Gary Carter Fans check out www.thekid8.com

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  • thunderdan
    thunderdan Posts: 3,036 ✭✭✭
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    Nice pickups Geordie. Always fun to see new and interesting pieces to this collection.



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  • stown
    stown Posts: 11,321 ✭✭✭
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    How did I miss this thread?!?!

    Very cool items, G!

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    So basically my kid won't be able to go to college, but at least I'll have a set where the three most expensive cards are of a player I despise ~ CDsNuts
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    I'm usually very excited to obtain items from the Vault. Today's mail brought what should be my 6th Butler contract, although I'm not fully convinced. The first 5 (1988, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1994) I obtained were on full-color Topps letterhead and printed on a heavier paper stock. All 5 were co-signed by Philip J. Carter.

    This new one is from 1989 and bears Sy Berger's signature. I didn't bother looking at the provided picture as I have never had a negative experience with Topps - everything was 100% legit. A quick glance at my scans will show that there is one contract that is black & white, and is in fact a photocopy on regular ol' paper stock. Butler's sig looks to be original (hard to tell in my scan - looks better in person and under magnification), but I'm not completely sure. I sent a message to Topps through eBay to see what they have to say. If it proves to be what they actually used when he renewed in 1989, then I indeed have my 6th contract.

    Here are scans of all six contracts. The black & white one sticks out like a sore thumb... or a kshorton alt image

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    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • elsnorto
    elsnorto Posts: 2,012 ✭✭
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    Great stuff, Geordie.

    I love player collector threads, especially the ones that are hardcore and pick up relatively obscure items rather than just cards.

    The late 1980's and 1990's were a great time to be a player collector with so many oddball memorabilia items being produced.

    Let us know what you hear back from Topps.

    Snorto~
  • cpamike
    cpamike Posts: 5,580 ✭✭✭
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    Hey Geordie,

    Is it possible that the contract was faxed to Brett in 1989 explaining why it is in black and white instead of color? Maybe since Sy Berger signed it, he was being cheap and didn't want to print it out in color on the good paper. It is interesting that it is the only contract you have that Sy signed. Maybe something odd happened that year to the normal process. Congrats on the pickup!!!
    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep."

    "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans."

    Collecting:
    Any unopened Baseball cello and rack packs and boxes from the 1970's and early 1980s.
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    I've been looking for one of these for a long time. I was able to land this for less than I was anticipating. Pretty stoked to add it to my collection. This puts me at:

    1983 Braves game used jersey
    1991 Dodgers game used jersey
    1992 Dodgers used practice jersey
    1995 Mets used practice jersey

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    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • DanBessette
    DanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
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    Wow, that's a sweet pickup! Congrats! I love player collections, and this thread in particular, so keep it up!
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    Pictures of my '83 Braves gamer

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    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    1985 Topps 4-color mask film negative, which was used in the set's printing and proofing process. This piece was used for the magenta tone.

    imageimage

    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    I also picked this up from Lee.

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    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • BenG76
    BenG76 Posts: 1,055 ✭✭✭
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    Nice I have never seen one of the Jumbo Sunflower seed cards before.
  • DanBessette
    DanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
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    I love following the dedicated player collectors on here. This is great stuff!
  • GDM67
    GDM67 Posts: 2,526 ✭✭✭✭
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    Not sure why I didn't comment on the powder blue awesomeness of that '83 jersey in July.
    My Sets
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    Got a couple more items from the Vault today. These are back color separation proofs, cyan and magenta.

    imageimage

    I already had a couple of these which featured two of the four colors on each. Here's the "rainbow" so far:

    Cyan, Cyan/Yellow, Magenta, Magenta/Yellow
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    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • LarkinCollector
    LarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    << <i>Got a couple more items from the Vault today. These are back color separation proofs, cyan and magenta. >>


    Nice pickups! Are those 94 Stadium Club?
    Who is the Golf Card Guy?
  • DanBessette
    DanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
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    I like your passion for butler!
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    Meh. I don't know that its much of a passion anymore, Dan. It's more like a feeling that I've built it up this far and now feel compelled to add little pieces to it whenever something obscure pops up. The cataloged cards I have been searching for for years never come up, so the excitement I used to get is long gone. I'm much more excited/passionate about adding beat-to-crap vintage Dodgers now. Don't get me wrong, I'm still quite proud of my Butler collection, but it's not near the man-crush people assume I have. To tell the truth, I really know next-to-nothing about the guy personally.

    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    I haven't been this excited for a Butler mailday in quite a long time. This pickup surpasses probably everything since The Contract arrived in 2009 (last scan in the post) and the game-used 1983 Braves jersey in 2012. Now don't get me wrong. I have loved every one of my Topps Vault arrivals - they're so cool, y'know? But this one. I've been looking for it for 17 years. Most veteran 80s/90s player collectors know exactly what it means to land a card that should be easy to find, but NEVER comes up. I'm sure every one of us has several of these so-called "White Whales" on their list.

    So last week I was doing one of my several-times-a-day Butler searches. I've gotten to where it takes me maybe 10 seconds to go through the new listings, regardless of how many there are - and sometimes there are surprisingly quite a few. It's literally been years since anything besides a goofy error or obscure variation pops up (I have a separate seller-specific search for Topps Vault items), so I almost missed this one. I actually scrolled right past it, paused, scrolled back, stared at the listing maybe five seconds or so... pulled up my list to verify that my eyes weren't deceiving me... I'll be darned. It really IS one of my White Whales.

    $9.99 BIN/BO. Best Offer? BEST OFFER? F*** that! Buy it NOW!! Pay for it NOW!!

    Okay, enough buildup, dummy. Let's see the card already.

    Here it is. The 1998 Score Team Collection Los Angeles Dodgers Platinum Team parallel. Elusive for 17 years (and believe, I've looked, and looked, and looked, and looked some more), but no more.

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    Okay. Now where the heck are you, 1997 Pinnacle Inside Diamond Edition?


    text goes here

    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • DanBessette
    DanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
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    Congrats on harpooning the whale! What are your plans for this card? Keep it raw or have it graded?
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    Dan, it stays raw. The only way I purchase or sub a slabbed Butler is if I already have a copy of it in my raw set.

    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • elsnorto
    elsnorto Posts: 2,012 ✭✭
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    Nice, Geordie, congrats on crossing off a tough parallel!

    There are a ton of rare inserts and parallels from the 90's that, other than the top names, don't show up too often.

    I think many sellers underestimate the interest some of the lesser star and semi-star cards can generate from player and set collectors alike.

    If this thing was offered as an auction, what do you think it could have gone for?

    I love those moments when a card you've been searching for a long time finally shows up and you freeze for a moment... "It has a Best Offer option, I could save some money... but what if someone comes along and hits the BIN before the seller sees my offer? Argh!" I've been there. Made an offer. Waited two minutes. Screw it! HIT THE BIN!

    Snorto~
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    Heh. Once I realized that it really was one of the cards I'd been searching for, the "Best Offer" wasn't even a blip on my radar. What would it have gone for at auction? Good question. I'd assume it would end at the opening bid, but you never can tell with 90s inserts. Collectors of those types of cards are a pretty passionate bunch. There's a 335-page thread over on FCB devoted exclusively to the 90s inserts/parallels, and it's the 3rd edition of that discussion!

    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • yankeesman
    yankeesman Posts: 1,078 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great collection! Butler is my wife's favorite player (and she really doesn't like baseball). Awesome stuff!!!
    Don Mattingly, Yogi Berra, Thurman Munson, Brian McCann and Topps Rookie Cup autograph collector
    www.questfortherookiecup.com
  • KennytheRat
    KennytheRat Posts: 68
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    Patience is a virtue. Congratulations on adding the card to your collection.
  • qualitycards
    qualitycards Posts: 2,811 ✭✭✭
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    Very impressive collection
    I like your dedication & passion image


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    Website: http://www.qualitycards.com
  • LarkinCollector
    LarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great add, those are so tough!


    << <i>There's a 335-page thread over on FCB devoted exclusively to the 90s inserts/parallels, and it's the 3rd edition of that discussion! >>


    Guess I know what I'll be doing my next several days image I think I've read earlier editions or maybe I'm just 100 pages or so behind on that one.
    Who is the Golf Card Guy?
  • DanBessette
    DanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
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    Nevermind, Stupid question.
  • FavreFan1971
    FavreFan1971 Posts: 3,103 ✭✭✭
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    I love threads like this. Congrats on your whale. I remember way way back I sent you one for your collection and it always means something to me giving a card to a die hard like yourself. Congrats on the pick up.
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    It's been quite a while since I've had occasion to update this thread. The Topps Vault finally released something worth going after: 1997 Finest Match Print photos.

    From the auction description: "... original color correction match print photo created and used to produce this player's baseball card." The photos also came with their original file cards, which is the first time I've ever had those included.

    Photo for the front and the resulting card:

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    Back picture and resulting card:

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    And the envelopes:

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    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • LarkinCollector
    LarkinCollector Posts: 8,975 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Nice pickup! I grabbed the Larkin from the same auction.
    Who is the Golf Card Guy?
  • Dboneesq
    Dboneesq Posts: 18,222 ✭✭
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    Geordie ... You are still a crazy SOB!!!!!! It's GREAT to see someone have as much enthusiasm about a single player or set as you do. Thanks for sharing and keep them coming!!
    STAY HEALTHY!

    Doug

    Liquidating my collection for the 3rd and final time. Time for others to enjoy what I have enjoyed over the last several decades. Money could be put to better use.
  • vandweller
    vandweller Posts: 205 ✭
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    Not much to add except that I love this thread.


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  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    Originally posted by: Dboneesq
    Geordie ... You are still a crazy SOB!!!!!! It's GREAT to see someone have as much enthusiasm about a single player or set as you do. Thanks for sharing and keep them coming!!

    Doug, I don't think it's as much as "I'm crazy" as it is "I'm so deep into this collection that I feel obliged to add to it when something comes along". I've said it many times before: my Butler collection is in large part accidental. He was my favorite Dodger for a time, and I picked up cards from time to time. Pretty soon I realized that I had a big collection and might as well see how many different cards I could get. I'm over 96% of the catalogued cards he's had, plus I own gobs more that aren't catalogued but are recognized by other player collectors as being legitimate variations. There are a dozen or so remaining cards that I have yet to nail down - either 1/1s or "shouldn't be rare, but I'll be darned if I've ever seen one surface" rare.

    Having said that, I know next to nothing about him. I (along with many player collectors) have been accused of being a stalker or obsessed, but that's far from the case. I've met the guy a few times when he was managing the Reno Aces, but otherwise have never conversed with him. I think he's got 2395 hits, but I'm not betting a house payment on that number. I know he's got a wife and kids, but darned if I know a single thing about any of them. I think he's still employed by the Marlins, but I'd have to consult the Google to verify that. In short, I've got this neat player collection and it's known and accepted among other player collectors as being one of the better ones. I suppose I'm proud of that, but I'm much prouder (by far) of my ratty old Dodgers collection.


    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • vandweller
    vandweller Posts: 205 ✭
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    Originally posted by: TNP777

    but I'm much prouder (by far) of my ratty old Dodgers collection.





    I love your Dodgers scans. You inspired a couple years ago to do the same kind of thing with Red Sox cards. Slowly, but surely...



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  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    Another cool mailday from the Vault. This one is a mask film negative (magenta) from 1983.

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    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • craig44
    craig44 Posts: 13,163 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Love threads like this.

    George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.

  • DanBessette
    DanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
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    Geordie, you and Kyle have inspired me to save eBay searches for Topps vault items of the players I collect. Thanks!
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    Originally posted by: DanBessette
    Geordie, you and Kyle have inspired me to save eBay searches for Topps vault items of the players I collect. Thanks!


    Way to go, Dan! You'll find some pretty cool stuff coming out of the Vault sometimes.

    I know there's a TON of Butler stuff in there, and I'm jonesing to see what they have. On the flip side, I'm sorta glad they release it little-by-little. Otherwise She Who Must Be Obeyed might get grumpy with my card spending. image


    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    Items have been popping up pretty regularly over the past several weeks, so time for an update.

    Back in 2012 or so, I picked up this mask film negative for his 1986 Topps Super card - this one was used for the yellow tones in the final card.
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    A few weeks ago, the mask negative for the magenta tone showed up. Just need cyan and black for the set.
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    I picked these up soon after.

    1985 Topps cyan/magenta and cyan/yellow proofs
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    They go nicely with the blackless and black/white proofs I have had for several years.
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    I won these at the same time as the 1985 proofs - 1994 Stadium Club black/cyan and black/magenta proofs.
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    Last up is this 1992 Topps mask film negative that was used for the yellow tone.
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    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • DanBessette
    DanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
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    Wow, Geordie, lots of great stuff!
  • vandweller
    vandweller Posts: 205 ✭
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    I love it all. I've been refraining from buying the Vault items for Dewey Evans, because I would just blow my budget. But it hurts to see this stuff passing me by.



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  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
    edited August 14, 2017 10:04PM
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    Pretty significant arrival today: 2015 Miami Marlins road uniform, game worn (as a coach, of course). iPhones take pretty crappy pictures, so these don't really represent the jersey very well. It's pretty darn nice in person.

    8-14-17 edit: **** you, Photobucket. I'll be tarred & feathered before I pay you a red cent for the right to share my own scans/photos. shakes fist and yells at cloud












    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • DanBessette
    DanBessette Posts: 6,421 ✭✭✭
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    I love this thread
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    Wow. Been just over a year since I last updated this here thread. Guess the reason is that it's been sorta quiet on the ol' Butler collection front.

    Couple of new updates to report - both from the Topps Vault.

    First up is a 1983 cyan mask film negative. It goes well with the magenta mask film negative I picked up... sometime in the past.

    The next arrival is from the 1986 Topps Tattoo set. This is the paste mock-up. It's on clear plastic - I scanned it with my scanner lid open and closed. No particular reason why - just thought it looked cool both ways. I included a small scan of the finished tattoo.



    That's it - hopefully my next update is less than a year from now. Comments are welcome and appreciated.


    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • TNP777
    TNP777 Posts: 5,711 ✭✭✭
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    I can't adequately express how much I loathe Photobucket right now. I'm very late to this particular hate party - I'm sure when they went to their new pay format there was quite a bit of rage going around. I'm just now trying to edit my various posts to get rid of their "please update your account" stamps, and found that I don't have many of the original images on my portable hard drive. I think many of them were stored on my old desktop computer that crapped the bed a couple of years back. So now I've gotta wade through PB's endless BS popup ads and navigate what was already a supremely clunky site to find the image and download it. Of course, that's not as easy as it sounds.

    **** you, Photobucket.

    /rant


    Dodgers collection scans | Brett Butler registry | 1978 Dodgers - straight 9s, homie
  • ZTarg
    ZTarg Posts: 497 ✭✭✭
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    Good to see you my friend.

  • Stone193
    Stone193 Posts: 24,832 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Hiya Geordie

    Had time since can't go out with the hurricane heading our way.

    I re-read your thread - very entertaining - and the variety of "vault" items you have eclipses mine by lightyear!

    I know what you mean about sh!tbucket!

    When I find a scan I want which takes quite a while - I file it and then post it here/anywhere as needed.

    I've got quite an old file - but it's tedious to go thru also.

    Good to see you - missed you in Chicago.

    Mike

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