Eric Staal Rookie - Topps C55 stuff again

Going with the theme from the last post, a few months back while getting supplies I saw this little guy sitting there for 2 bucks. Not having any Staal rookies in my portfolio, I decided that it would be a good idea to pick it up. 

This card is also from the 03-04 Topps C55 set, and unlike the original C55s, this card is your typical 2.5 x 3.5 inches and the backside also looks like a larger version of the old C55s. One cool thing about this set is in every 6390th pack, they had an original C55 from 1911 inserted in the pack. How about those odds? Boxes have been going for about 80 bucks, but at that price, I have been kept at bay.

There were 165 cards in the set and the Staal rookie is the second most expensive with a book value of 8 bucks. The highest valued card is the M-A Fleury rookie which books for 10 bucks. They also had relics and autos inserted in packs at various rates and like the autos, the relics are minis shrink-wrapped into larger cards.

The design of the set is pretty cool and I have been tempted to just try and buy the complete set, but I have yet to do so. Much like the Parkhurst retro set from 02-03, Topps did a great job mimicking a classic and I think it would be worth grabbing a single or two if you haven't already.

Stephen Weiss Auto

When the Devils drew the Panthers in the first round of the playoffs I was very happy. Well, as we all know, that series went to 7 games and the Panthers almost knocked the Devils off.  What is nice about a long 7 game series is you learn lots about your team as well as the team you are playing. Stephen Weiss is a player I knew about going into the series and I always felt he was a bit of an underachiever. I mean, he was a former 4th overall pick. However, in addition to providing a couple 20 goal 60 point seasons over the past few years, he actually plays a great two-way game and can step up his play when needed. I felt he was one of the better players on either team during that series and I have a new found respect for him. That is why I went out and found a pretty cool auto of him.  

03-04 Topps C55

Sorry for the poor scan, but for those that don't know, the card is a card within a card. The greyish blue layer encloses a small C55 style card with a plastic covering keeping them together. Combine that with a penny sleeve and a toploader and your scanning ends up like crap.

However, I really do like the card and the auto is pretty neat. There isn't much exciting on the back, a small hologram with a number and a note of authenticity. Just a cool card from a set that I knew nothing about.