If You Gotta Cut...Cut here.

i am a huge fan of how this card turned out. as some of you may know, i am not partial to re-cut photos or cards as the medium for the signature in question. this one has such an iconic stance highlighted from the knees down. combine this with the chucks and socks and we are not only  looking at classic basketball posture, but fasion as well. sheer excellence in where to cut if you have to. [oh and my shift keys are crapped out so deal.] i bought one blaster of cut signatures and landed this...

'daffy' was realted to 'dizzy' dean, and made some fame for himself as well. wouldn't you know i was strapped for cash and sold it the next day for 120.00and change. if i were a retired/deceased auto collector this would never have left my hands. it is an awesome piece but i have to get used to only keeping a photo of some of my pulls.
next up;
pulls from the fall/winter; rack packs been berry berry good to me. eff you sammy.

peterson

Duelling Autos: 2008 Upper Deceased Legendary Cuts

Wonder who got to this one first?

Shoot, John. I'll just use what's left...nice comeback Russ, trying to match the scale of his HOF co-signer

Casual Fingers:Sticker Master

The Trouble With Triples

These three could not be more different if the guys were signing these all on-card. Yamaico has a tight little sig with the ever-endearing number inscription. Mr Chang writes his out using the full characters, which is a major attractant for me when judging autos. I love his, it was written quick, but suffers very little from it. Oscar will not catch alot of heat from me just in case he learned how to write at a late age...I'm kinda soft about that stuff. However, despite his lack of apparent confidence during the signature process, we come away with one of the most unique autos on the block. My main complaint about this card is just the sheer amount of detail imparted by the "busy"stickers from the just company. eyuch.

This thing is so f..ked. All three signatures are covered at some point, and the design looks phoned in at best, at worst: pointless. If you are going to showcase signatures in such a way as to attempt to inspire awe, then don't blow it with stickers not made for the product.

Wow, what a pull. you got the case hit, bro. The design is not too bad despite UD's overuse of this particular curve in too may products since test-marketing it in the Icons sets...If any of these guys are starting in the next five years, I owe you each a beer.

Gentlemen:The Curve vs. The Straight (things I already miss about UD)

I just wanted to point out that the Pep auto is so sick It's like he knew what Pokemon were in 1988, like visionary. Anyway. What we have up top is the fail at UD to produce something unique. The font, the boxes, even the proportion have been used again and again in the last 10 yrs...So sick of it.

Press Pass, with no MLB licence, and not a huge signing base, is looking like they may be able to fill those empty spots on your Dance-card in the coming years.

Now both of these signatures are exceptional by modern standards, but what I want to look at here is the "curve" theme vs. the "straight", or "classic", theme. I am speaking of vertical cards. Obviously PressPass Fusion took a line from Ultimate's recent playbook and it doesn't play badly necessarily. The step-sister seems to have learned the older sister's dance moves pretty darn well. The batter in the lower corner seems a little forced, but all in all, by not using blinding colors (or even color photos) but the foil is in moderation and the suto is on card. big points.

I'm just sayin.

I have no money and no one shops for cards at my target but me. 2010 blasters are still there...I now officially hate how well Yo Momma's Trash Promo is working, but only because I can't play right now.

For Your Consideration: Mat Gamel's Rainbow of Style

We'll start with the ugly ones... I would like you all to take a look at all of the 2008/9 topps sticker autos, and notice the sheer variegated nature of it. I liken Mat's signatures for topps and Upper Deck to date to Darwin's finches. Each one's existence a sum of gradual adaptation and evolution over time. The only thing wrong with this theory is that these stickers were most likely procured all at the same time or in several seperate sessions, nonetheless, you find me sigs that vary like this (seriously, if anyone out there knows of a great signature, please leave a comment).

This one flows, which asks relaxed? in a hurry? or sloppy drunk? no. but there are others...........(I have to say upon further inspection, this might be his best...but there are so many to choose from. How could someone like me decide which Mat Gamel AUTO I will actually pay for.

Super tight flow, Mat. I totally see the "M" in there...

On to TTT. ok, I bought one single, and it is not Mat Gamel. It's Justin Masterson, but that's another post. Observe as Mat's signature transforms and contorts in a vain attempt at escaping the cruel holographic hell in which they are captured (a la zod).....

.....and then gives up and seems to return to a more "natural shape". At least it doesn't look like he signed it while on a treadmill like we will see below.

Below is probably my favorite overall, but the whole Parabell look is so 1261. Notice that in this example, the loop around the "M" is clear and round and equidistant from the "M" shape. The "T" to the right of center sealed a sweet deal with the Brewers.

Here, things get kind of hectic. I am not sure how this is the same guy as the one who signed those stickers. This one has my vote for being purchased. The boy's a flat-brim. I can't lose. This is the first time we see the "triple feature" in Mat's sig. the first to the left is the loop around the M, then the G and L curves follow. They are really more scratches than curves here.

Here he went with the "less is more" technique. fail. I have seen a few of these with better autos, but the picture and design are a turn off.

Hands down winner of best card, although I was never a huge fan of the whole "floating head" trend, wasn't it Pete Rose who had a floating head RC. Plus this is ON-CARD. It could have been placed better, but the full M, triple feature, and beautifully horizontal line catch my eye again and again. Which one of you doesn't want to collect things that catch their eye no matter how many times you look at it? I had to close out with at least one photo of Mat after the call-up and hair cut. Too bad it's wasted on this garbage dump of a card.

You are the best mat. get to MKE soon as possible. (and bring up your strikeout-to-walk ratio for us)

Best Card, Worst Auto: Emmitt Smith

Sucker Punch II:D-R-C Joke's on Me.

This kid (with a lot of help from A-Rodg) suckerpunched this PACKER fan.

feelin kinda ill...need yardage transplant...What is it with the first play of the game today?

[EDIT: feeling better at the half, two score game that I still think we can win.]

I implore you Mr. Rodgers...Please steer clear and find your way out of this god-awful storm. This is as bad as it gets...I know I have picked on your shitty sig in the past, but ignore me, I don't even live in wisconsin anymore. Carry on, do not be phased.

Peterson

Sucker Punch: Ray Rice

I'm not much for the Ravens, or the Pats for that matter, but that was one of the very best suckerpunches I have ever seen in playoff football. Imean, Ray's not even that fast...pats got played on the first play. guh. suckerpunch.

Inscriptions: Felix A. "The Cat" Jones

Felix "The Cat" A. Jones II

this guy is helping keep me half-way honest for today in the waxaholic pick'em. I hope alot of other dopes picked the raging pussies. I love the fact that Felix has chosen to buck the popular "junior" moniker for the rather romanesque numeral "II". The lower "ultimate" version (I Heart the "") is on card and includes the "nickname" "the Cat". I am a huge fan of this card, about as much as I am NOT a fan of the cowbouys.

Felix's signature was consistently the best looking and most well crafted of his rookie class. Despite some seriously misguided play-calling in the recent past, Upper Deck saw their way clear to create these two fine cards of a hard working playoff starter.

gonna have to look at some other people's picks to see how bad I'm doin so far...

Cheers,

peterson

Really?!: Tristar Signa Cuts

Your bad #1
the name of your product is Signa Cuts, only one of which is a word. weak. Just because you don't have a liscence doesn't mean you can treat us like were too young to have ours. This is not a "cut" in ANY WAY(see #3)
Your bad #2
Do I really have to say anything about the fact that the only thing I know about this guy from the card (without a computer) is that he won the heisman trophy in '69...(supposedly, I am still at a lack of proof) not what he looks like, who he played for, or even that you were ever in his presence(see #3)? (answer: no, idiot)
Your bad #3
you put a goddam sticker in the middle of a field of white with some vaguely "woody" (or realtree as we call it round thsese parts) borders and make people take it out of a box for you and covet it for you?...after you have already taken some of their hard earned money? you know what? F**k you. yeah f**k you and the sticker you wrote in on.

I can't even read the signature for chrissakes.
cool visuals to follow soon.

Peterson

and they're autographed?!

This may be the only thing not named Michael Jordan that makes me want basketball cards. These cards are sick topps retros of some of the best of their era, and the autos are on-card. (if it is not too insensitive for you, insert your own "Pistol" Pete Maravich/ Gilbert Arenas joke here)I'm not feeling that funny.

Gentlemen: Gale Sayers

I like, not love, the card design, but the signature stands alone in the light. I haven't seen any instances where Gale created a much different insignia. I love the unintentional way that both initials look like numbers (9, 2 backwards). I am like deleriously hungry, and may or may not be hallucinating. This also looks like it was a signature style that Gale picked up around 8th grade, when he had to start writing essays more. We all know an essay won't get graded without writing your name on it (I teach 18yr olds who still have a problem remembering. some of them must be stoned right?) Damn sticker auto, at least it doesn't cut the y off......wait I just wandered out of the light!
love,
Peterson

More is Less: Playoff Contenders

I will only leave this card at the top of my blog for the next 10 minutes. that is how ugly it is. I had a headache after seeing my JV Team take conditioning BP today (after finding out head coach is in a sling for the next 6 weeks), and this is a test of my will. That's it I'm posting. Damn, I looked again.
Donruss, more is less.

Another Time and Place...

This one's called "El Viejo". It belongs on a stained document signed by someone who knows where the "Pecos" is. and where to find the gold. in the desert. I want it.

Best unliscenced, sticker-auto I have seen to date. (is that the bat-symbol in the "E" of Americana? sorry that just caught my eye. I found a fair amount of images of the checklist of this subset while floating in the reatail world. There are two different coices for photo. "The player" or the "Hall of Famer"The photo of a young Johnny is so much nicer than some of the other double-chin, unavoidable, over-the-hill look from the night they were inducted into the hall, all stubble and rolls. I would certainly like to be remembered with a smart-looking photo of me taken during my playing days, not bloated at the podium. I didn't even have the heart to put up the "Hall of Famer" images. My Cal never looked like Dr. Evil and never will.

Craftsmen: Jame Lofton (Packer Playoff edition)

Congratulations to the Packers for making a play-off run possible for 09-10. I can't wait.

Mr Lofton Here brings me back to a different talented receiving core in Packer history. Ahman Green is is back, we have an unselfish quarterback and a couple guys named Jennings and Driver who know how to keep their mouths shut and produce.
The Star: the ultimate commitment in an autograph nowadays is the "jersey number"...the star is for only a select few. I truly appreciate the fact that Mr. Lofton used both of his "Major Letters" to exhibit one of each. The card designs here are kind of hurt up, but both the vertical and horizontal orientation work, well.

Casual Fingers #3: on the ball.

I know someone whose signature does not suffer from being written on a curved surface. I am not looking at you Mr. Sizemore.

Ones that speak to me: Tommy Hanson

Tommy's signature looks like a fastball. with this photo, its even speedy in the right direction. This type of signature indicates possible hyperactivity and the ablitity to make the ball move exactly where you want it to. Sometimes. I like this guy, saw him pitch last year and thought he had kind of a Derrick Turnbow like body-throw/almost sidearm delivery. That's what she said.