I was so happy when I found out about the existence of these underground TCG exclusive Sugimori’s, those (you indeed have it correct) only two in Web. When I happened upon them, it felt like finding those unreleased GB promos, like the Pidgeot and Eeveelutions. They are superb! And such slab-able cards if I do say so myself
And the Masago is brilliant, seeing it in your hands is a happy moment! I got my fingers crossed for its being graded a 10.
And I will put in my vote that the botany journal entries are fan favorite, I think adds a wonderful and even more unique (chh, as if your thread and style wasn’t already so…) touch to your presentation. Beautiful flower. Loved this update!
Amazing update as always @muk , thanks for the shoutout, talking of which I need to update that tread with the latest set, which that amazing FA Training Court. I’ve no doubt you’ll fill that empty spot with one in no time . Also those flowers are nuts
@dizzylochs thank you Dizzy! You really are my lord and saviour in regards to FA Stadium cards, because I had no idea that there has a new one been released! I’ve immediatley ordered a copy a few moments ago. Looks really, really nice in my opinion. I’m kinda glad this one’s been done by 5ban again. They just have this distinct sterile aesthetic that I love so much about this niche of cards.
(Yes, yes I know I shit on 5ban on a regular basis (rightfully so), but their style simply works for these FA Stadiums.)
However I’m not yet fully decided whether I like the super sparkly finish of the SS era FA Stadiums. Sometimes it’s almost hard to see what’s going on on the card as opposed to the clear, straightforward SM era style with more focus on textures.
Haha, any time @muk . Agreed, they did a great job with it. I love how it’s a nosey peek over the garden wall looking in. I also know what you mean with the sparkly finish, I really like it as a texture, though the solid gold lines that defined the space so well in the SM ones aren’t nearly as effective in the ones being release now
@muk, I’m here to agree with everyone in the room! These cards are great, and the picture of your flowers is a delightful touch!
I don’t think I knew about this Tangela before. What a special card! Congrats to you, and cheers for introducing it to me!
Sableye, a gemstone-eating, cave-dwelling “Darkness” Pokemon
Looks like it’s suddenly appearing out of the dark directly in front of you at point-blank range
Holo pattern***perfectly*** matches its geometrical crystalline body shape and references the relation to gemstones, to the point where the whole Pokemon itself almost looks like a gem
Everything matches up. You really can’t make this any better, it’s an absolute card. The artwork matches the lore, the holo pattern matches the artwork and the lore, the lore itself is just super interesting. So good, it’s almost haunting.
Sableye has some of the most underrated arts in the EX era. All of them are really stellar and tell a great story too. I agree that it should get its own post
@brendantheclayboy thanks my friend! I could use a collection update from you aswell, if I may say so
@pigeonsyndicate glad you like it as much as I do
Heavy agree on Sableye having underrated artworks! I’m still not super into Gen 3, but Sableye has absolutely one of the coolest designs with highest artwork quality of all Pokemon I know.
Dang @muk! That Sableye is easily one of my favorite artworks in the TCG. I have the non-holo Japanese version, but after seeing yours, I need to pick up a holo. Amazing update and pics!
Hell yeah, you really have to! EX era “reverse” (=stamped) holos are some of the veeery few exceptions where, in my opinion, the English version is far superior to the Japanese.
This card in particular looks like it was specifically made to match the EX Deoxys rev. holo pattern (or the other way round).
This might be my biggest update yet. It is also (by far) the highest value single shipment I have ever received.
Also one of the cutest packaging jobs yet. May I introduce you to… the DUDE.
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Yes, I finally got my shit together and just bought that damn boy directly from Mercari Japan. Condition isn’t exactly minty, but for a card with a release of 272 copies I won’t be that picky.
And with that last missing piece of the puzzle, the most beautiful* first binder page ever is finally complete. (*if you like awkward human photographs on Pokemon cards as much as I do)
I’m so happy to finally have my grail card secured. It’s certainly the big daddy of cards with real photographs on them (that are reasonably possible to acquire. Let’s not talk about the 1/1 trophy cards with the winner’s faces). I know it’s not for everyone, but that might actually be a big part of why I like it so much.
In other news:
In the same shipment I received a Mysterious Mountains Houndoom that’s not quite gem mint (so my search continues), a Mirage Forest Armaldo ex that should be able to score a PSA 10 (yaayy ) and a Shaymin EX to complete my Shiny collection Secret Rares (which sit nicely alongside the SR Stadiums).
Last but not least: I bought two full sets of the 2003 Movie Commemoration Pack (for super cheap), which by now I can confidently call one of my top favorite mini sets. The average artwork quality is through the roof, even on the trainers. Sadly I had to leave one of the 19 cards out to fit them on a binder double page. Sorry Keiji, but such is life.
I can only imagine how much this was. What an incredible card and release. Seeing it in your hand is seeing it where it belongs. What a year! Now, look at that stellar page!
I certainly needed calming after seeing this banger. Masago’s lookin’ great, stadiums looking great, VS pack looking great! Don’t worry about offending any Keiji there, they are just reprints.
What an update. Phew! Well done, well done! Must feel so great. I know the feeling!
Fantastic update!!! When I saw the title I thought the grail was maybe a PSA 10 Neo Scyther, but this is somehow even better. That Jirachi deck may be my favourite of all of them.
Thank you!! Luckily I was already able to snag a PSA 10 Scyther back in July. But you’re absolutely right - that sucker is a grail in its own right. Glad you like the Jirachi deck! Couldn’t believe I can get a full NM-M deck for a measily 40 bucks in Japan. Heavily overlooked imo.
Soo, are you telling me you actually went out and found the perfectly fitting GIF of THE DUDE to comment on my update about THE OTHER DUDE?!?! Man, you’re insane . I don’t know if anyone ever told you, but you’re a friggin genius when it comes to posting on e4, haha.
Let’s just say, it was far cheaper than buying it from ebay, but expensive enough that it bought the whole German customs team a nice lunch with its import fees
And yes, what a year indeed. Glad the prices fell right as my income grew, otherwise I would’nt have been able to make such a progress on the more expensive goals. I still want to “get over” with the remaining higher value stuff rather sooner than later, then I can accumulate some funds to get my cards graded and focus on my artist binders again
@muk, congratulations on acquiring your grail! That is a fascinating mini set you have there! Your collection has such an impressive range! I think I now want to research these to learn about the special figures they feature…
+500 extra points for the grail’s particularly grand packaging as well as the lovely picture of the flower and insectoid!
Haha thanks Tob! Your kind words bring a grin to my face
Well I’m glad it wasn’t too crazy a price, which is beautiful. But yeah I wanted to say I am totally there with you, feeling the same scratch needing itched at the moment. I also want to get those big ones just over with at this fatigued point, just as you stressed so perfectly for me and others to really feel and know just how that can be. We both want to get to the same place currently, a few hurdles, then onto more comfortable (and frankly enjoyable) acquisitions, even though the big ones are definitely essential, and hugely satisfying, of course.
On that note I made a few monstrous scores the other day, and I was elated, so I am only a couple cards away from being able to do my equivalent of my artist binder collecting. Well, actually, technically it is artist bindering, but only I am not currently focused on one, but many!
Damn dude! I’ve been eyeing that card for a while as well, congrats on the acquisition! Also, really funny that you bought those vs movie decks right now! I literally just bought three sets of them as well haha! For some reason a ton just popped up on Mercari recently As always our taste continues to be in line. Love the updates, keep it goin
. Also those flowers are nuts
. I don’t know if anyone ever told you, but you’re a friggin genius when it comes to posting on e4, haha.
As always our taste continues to be in line. Love the updates, keep it goin