The Cup ARTIST PROOFS

[sedinfan]

I finally got one myself as a "bonus" to my team collection. Thing to note:
- they are regular card stock, not the thick type that Cup cards typically are
- they are larger than a regular card size. So it can't be put into a page, a sleeve or a one-touch. It might fit into a top loader, I haven't checked.
- the backs are blank

The size thing might have been an error on the part of the guy who got the sheet cut, I'm not sure. The only reason why I'd think "maybe not" is because I have a card that was cut from a Pacific sheet that is larger than the actual card that came in a pack.

I don't think the size is an error... the image is always a bit larger than standard card stock and normally when the manufacturers produce the cards they'll trim the excess off each side (the extra image means you don't get an annoying sliver of white if the centering is not dead perfect). The seller who does all these proofs presumably just slices down the middle between the cards, not doing extra cuts to shave it down to normal card size. These proofs always fit in a regular top loader but not a sleeve.

Personally I pick them up every time I find them as a novelty, especially cool when it's for a card that was never made (i.e. Emblems of Endorsement or Honorable Numbers that the Sedins never signed and UD yanked from the set). Part of me thinks it's too bad someone chops up what would be a pretty unique display piece, and I'm sure others felt the same way about Vezina pad being chopped up, but it is what it is, since they are out there and i have OCD I want them all.

[subban7677]

And then, there's this.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/13-14-The-Cup...p2056016.l4276

[30ranfordfan]

Been pretty standard practice for him, for years now....

Buy sheet.
As high selling price for most cards. Only get it for a few of them
Lower the price, sell a few more
Lower the price again, sell a few more still

Eventually go to auctions, if there has been no luck selling them on BINs.


I've chatted with that seller a bit in the past. Nice guy, really easy to deal with. It's no secret what he's doing: Buying uncut sheets, and slicing them to make a profit.... and he's trying to make as much profit as he can. Can't blame him for that. Does he really think he'll get $100 for a Michael Bournival?? Probably not, and you can always make an offer, and see how low he'll go.

And then, there's this.

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/13-14-The-Cup-ARTIST-PROOF-ROOKIE-AUTO-PATCH-GOLD-Michael-Bournival-Canadiens-/391071923793?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276

[subban7677]

I am still befuddled by the pricing, but I guess if someone is ever willing to pay it, good on him. But I am very impressed in the description of what these cards look like.

[30ranfordfan]

Yeah, the description is very good. Well detailed, and explain exactly what they are.

I would not like to see anyone listing these, and trying to pass them off as anything they are not. Not pack inserted cards, so as I've maintained.... I get that many people do not like that sort of thing.

They keep popping up though, so there's got to be a market for them.

And I will openly admit that I purchased two Ranfords from the same seller earlier today!

I am still befuddled by the pricing, but I guess if someone is ever willing to pay it, good on him. But I am very impressed in the description of what these cards look like.