September of 1986 was the month that I started college at the University of Maine. For that reason (I think) this was where my brain would eventually draw a line between childhood collecting, and the nostalgia that goes along with that, and adult collecting, which will never be as good as childhood collecting.
I had no idea as that summer wrapped up that I wouldn't give much thought to collecting again until 1989. I bought a few loose packs here and there in '87 & '88, but without any of the vigor that I'd had up until then. Money was earmarked for more important things like booze and albums by the time I got to college haha.
Looking back, I think 1986 was the calm before the storm that was the junk wax explosion. Not that these cards are expensive, but because there don't seem to be as many oddball releases as in the previous few years and certainly not as many as in the years to follow. That being said, there wasn't a lot out there this time that I needed to track down. But I managed to find some fun stuff anyway.
Robby Thompson
I've never actually PC'd the guy with the same name as me even though I've snagged a card here and there if I see one in the wild. This time I made a concentrated effort to snag his rookie cards. It'll be a PC going forward.
OPC
I didn't grab as many of these as I have in prior months. That will give me something to chase down next year.
Topps Game Card
LOL I guess Topps was tired of having to count up runs every time they received an order for the Send In Glossy All-Stars. Just send us 6 of these fucking generic cards and let's get it over with.
Dave Anderson
Charlie Lea
These are for the alma mater collection. These are the only two Memphis State Tigers for the bulk of the 80's as well as two of the guys who had pretty long careers. Tim McCarver and Dan Uggla had pretty long careers and Hunter Goodman appears to be headed for one after his monster 2026 season.
Kirk Gibson
A couple of oddballs that look like they came from the same photo shoot.
Darrell Evans
After his big 1985 season, Darrell was making the round in the '86 oddball sets.
Fleer Miniatures
I've had one of these sets in a box forever but it's been so long since I opened it up I'd forgotten that they had their own stickers too. I like it.
Fleer Box Sets
I may or may not already have these. At a quarter each I wasn't going to pass them up.
Tru Value
Interesting little oddball. I already had one Gibson, so I was pleased when the Whitaker showed up and I could see what an entire piece looked like before it was town apart. I'm guess it's near impossible to find these that have never been opened up?
Sportflics
When I place two of the same cards side by side, the pics are different. It makes me wonder if at some point in the production process that the lenticular layer was spun 180 degrees or something when it was adhered? The printing nerd in me thought that was pretty cool. (One of my favorite things about the junk wax era was watching the prices of Sportflics crater once the internet was invented. Hands down this was the coolest set released in 1986!)
Well it's on to October and 1987. I feel like I'm running out of steam a little bit and I'm sure a large part of that goes back the previously mentioned nostalgia effects. 1986 was the last year that has a nice warm glow around it when I think back on collecting in my youth. I'm sure I'll find something though. I always do.
