So, the corners and edges have seen better days, but the color, centering and surface look really nice.

Anyone good at estimating a grade, due share your expertise!

Last year I started working my way through the boxes of cards I have accumulated over the years. The box I opened this week is filled with cards from the 60’s and 70’s. I think some 50’s. Forgot I even had these cards as my collecting started in the junk wax era. I have a few of these booklets, I will share them over the next few days. I think these are pretty cool.

You don’t see these every day!

Happy Friday,

Today’s spotlight goes to a name A’s fans might want to bookmark early: Ayden Johnson and his 1st Bowman.

There’s something about this card that just feels right. Johnson looks completely at ease like he just stepped out of a laid-back spring workout and someone said, “Hey, hold that pose real quick.” No forced intensity, no over-the-top action shot. Just a young ballplayer who seems perfectly comfortable in his lane, already carrying that quiet confidence you love to see in a prospect.

Smooth athlete, steady approach, and the kind of presence that makes you think he’s in baseball for the long run not just the highlight moments.

That’s what makes this 1st Bowman feel special—it captures him right at the beginning, calm, grounded, and ready for whatever comes next.