I love it! And a psa 10 at that! Really glad you grabbed one, were you planning on getting the other two at some point?
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Already have them! If you like something buy it twice right?..or three times…in some cases four times …
I like all of these artworks but I especially love the Charmander.
Over time I’ve learned that when I love a particular card I tend to pull it out of the binder and handle it without considering the amount of grease/dirt/grime on my hands then end up kicking myself afterward.
Had to get ahead of this one and buy it graded knowing I’d eventually destroy the raw copy 
Thanks again for the inspiration. You have a great eye!
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Aw shucks man thank you. Your collection is looking fantastic.
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2024 Update # 2
This one was a bit of an impulse buy as a result of scrolling through ebay late one night after a couple beers 
The simplicity of the illustration, the little splashes of color, and Mewtwo being the “Ace of spades” really caught my eye.
The dimensions are a little smaller than a typical Pokemon card so it has a bit of room to move around in the case. Just something to consider if you’re in the market for one.
I’ve since looked into this “set” a little more and am planning on picking up a full deck for my binder because I like the art so much.
TBD…
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Awesome post and collection!
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Thanks! 
2024 Update #3/1999-2001 Update #1?
This is something I assumed was long gone but I found it in my mother’s attic today.
Flashback to 1999…
My elementary school was establishing their first student council and encouraged every student to run.
Having no political aspirations or knowledge of what the job entailed I threw my hat in the ring purely out of FoMO.
Given I had zero policy ideas, my entire campaign was centered around how much I loved Pokémon…
When it came time to make campaign posters I handed my “Official Pokemon Handbook” to my dad and asked him to draw a Charizard which I then colored in and put my campaign slogan on.
The slogan read “Vote for Mr.Garrison…or I’ll burn you to a crisp”
Unfortunately, the principal decided my slogan was “voter intimidation” and made me cut it off shortly after I hung it up.
She was also very stringent on 5th grade campaign deadlines and wouldn’t let me modify it after the fact. So it just became a random drawing of Charizard in a sea of campaign posters without any context
The most unfortunate part is I still got elected.
I had to sit through student council meetings once a month, every month, for all of 5th grade, bored out of my mind. #dontfomo
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2024 Update #4
Welp… life can happen in an instant. The company I worked for was purchased and I was laid off in April.
I decided to take the time to have a surgery I’ve been putting off for a while and the recovery has been more difficult than I anticipated.
My niece had a school fair/market(?) where kids make things/setup booths to sell them. I couldn’t attend because I’m still recovering but my mother purchased this for me.
Being laid up for a month while being unemployed is a bit of a bummer but I get a grin when I look at this.
The arms get me every time.
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2024 Update #5
I’ve been eyeing this card for a while. I like it so much I was dead set on getting a PSA10 but 10’s are difficult come by.
I found one on ebay that was BIN/OBO a few months ago but myself and the seller couldn’t come to a deal.
One morning I was watching “Top Ten Pokemon” and the same card I made an offer on was auctioned for half the price I offered when it was BIN/OBO.
Initially I was devastated that I missed the auction but then realized how comically underpriced these cards are.
Keep buying modern. Nothing to see here.
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Sorry to hear that. Hope the recovery fares better sooner than later. The Charmander is a cute little bugger, though!
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Thanks. The worst is already behind.
You ain’t kidding about the charmander. From what I’ve heard there were a lot of kids making Pokemon stuff and I’m looking forward to attending next year!
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Appreciate the updates friend. Like all things in life, ‘this too shall pass’. I wish you strength, courage and patience during your recovery and also during job searches.
Cheers!
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Hopefully things look a lot more bright soon, good to hear the worst is at least over. I can’t imagine any problem that wouldn’t feel so bad after seeing that charmander tho!
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2024 Update #6
The year is 2001.
A young Mr.Garrison encounters red Gyarados at the Lake of Rage and it blows his little brain.
He desperately wants it on his team but only has one great ball on his person.
Knowing the chances of catching it are slim, he battles until its HP bar turns red, then paralyzes it, then puts it to sleep.
Nonetheless, the great ball fails.
Young Mr.Garrison healed his Pokémon, stocked up on great balls, and spent every school bus ride for the next few weeks surfing the Lake of Rage in search of the red Gyarados.
He was unaware he had missed his only shot at catching it.
The red scale in his satchel was the closest he would get to the red Gyarados for 23 years.
Fast forward to 2024>>>>>
This card has been top 3 on my hit list ever since I started collecting again and became aware it existed.
When I first saw the red Gyarados I wasn’t aware that “shiny” Pokemon was a thing. I just time warped a couple decades back to the school bus and the hunt was back on.
I packed my paddles, put on sunscreen, surfed back out to the Lake of Rage and a battle ensued.
I finally caught it.
Luckily for me, an artist was there to capture the moment @TorterraSimp
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The card is beautiful. Lovely pickup and a great memory to go with it. Thanks for sharing the card and the feeling behind it. Happy for you!
Cheers!
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This entry into my collection journey is belated as far as the timeline goes but it’s the highlight of my 2024 acquisitions.
I reached out to @bbobrob earlier in the year asking if could acquire a piece of art and what I received didn’t disappoint.
The attention to detail is mind blowing!
I absolutely love the pose and the subtle splash of purple in her eyes.
I often find myself just staring at her in a trance and have to snap myself out of it 
Having a 1/1 in your collection is always nice. Having a 1/1 created by a fellow e4 member makes it even more special.
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2024 Update #7
My last entry for 2024 is my secret santa gift from @TorterraSimp . I could ramble on forever but I’ll let the work speak for itself. See ya next year
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I absolutely love your story telling! Now I get to go back and like these posts since the secret santa is out of the bag! 
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Oops, forgot to reply to your post before last regarding the Jolteon. Very happy to hear that the Jolteon was one of the highlights of your collection additions in 2024 
Although the E4 Secret Santa also looks like it was just as fun! The EX era reverses never lose their intrigue/appeal, and I spy some of my favorites in there (Hoppip, Wooper, and the Kizuki Marill)!
Look forward to seeing the collection grow next year!
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2025 Update #1
I’ve procrastinated a bit in keeping this updated.
At (belated) Christmas my nephew was showing me his “plushies” (I call them stuffed animals). He had Bulbasaur, Squirtle, Pikachu, and Snorlax. I complimented his collection and casually asked if they made a Charmander.
He said “yeah”.
I said “Nice! Maybe I’ll get one of those someday”
About 2 hours later I was playing bags with my brother. My nephew came running around the house with Charmander and I was floored.
According to my brother, my nephew had been pestering him to give me the Charmander ever since I first mentioned it.
No idea how the boy kept a straight face the entire time. It’s something I’ll never forget and cherish forever.
One of those things that makes you realize what matters.
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