Hello All

Just throwing a Happy New Year out there and positivity. Good luck to all your goals, projects, collections for 2026 and beyond.

Looking forward to seeing what pops up on the Mantel Platform. Also what else Mantel bring us in 2026.

Cheers Alan | UK

Hello All

Another collecting prompt idea for me. No picture with this post. I am not sure 'established' is the right alternative word for arriving in this world. I thought it sounded funny so dropped it in. It is my birthday tomorrow. I can assure you this isn't a plug. 54 years old and as childish as ever.

It made me think, what cards were about in this specific year and would I like any of them to try and pick up. So I had a quick search and the answer is YES!. I am going to hunt out some 1971 connected cards. On first look a handful stood out. The obvious one it seems value wise would be the Terry Bradshaw #156 from Topps Football but this hunt is a personal one, so would rather pick up the Bob Griese #160 It would be a nice addition to the Dolphins section. Next up would be the legend Hank Aaron #400 Topps Baseball. From the same set Vida Blue #544 What a great photo. Last one for now Don Nelson #114 Topps Basket purely for the reason one of my nicknames is 'Don' - Now that could start a whole other line of collecting. How many 'Dons' have their been in sports? Oh dear!

What collecting prompts do you collect, outside of your favourite teams and players? Is it Birth Years, Birthdays, Nicknames, Favourite numbers, namesakes? Whatever it is, have fun and have a great weekend.

Cheers Alan | UK

Hello All

As promised, a follow up from my previous - Not your usual 'Rookies' post. Here we have some 'Origins' cards from the 1992 Impel Marvel Set #161 #165 #167 #168. Where a character starts their journey. Something created from nothing. A mark of something new.

First Cards, Debuts, First off the line, True Rookies and am sure there are plenty of 'origins' for many stories that are personally and individually collectable.

A tenuous segue perhaps but the spark nonetheless. The question 'Origins' raised was! Would a 'GENUINE FIRST' (is the name I was thinking) autograph. If it doesn't already happen, be a good addition to chases? The 'very first' card you sign in each of the specific products you sign for, is the GENUINE FIRST 1/1 - inscriptions of course (to add to it's individuality) - This could happen each year for each product (Company Exclusive) for the selected names signing in the products.

Origins of ideas. Has something sparked your ideas recently?

Cheers Alan - Keep creating