So, I finally got my hands on a card I've been hunting for a while – the 1988 Topps Nolan Ryan. You know, the one with the Astros rainbow uniform, kind of a classic, simple design. I didn't pull this one from a pack, I'm not that lucky...or old. I got it the modern way, i grabbed it.
The Hunt Begins
I started looking, seeing what kind of prices I was dealing with. Checked around a few of online shops, even hit up some collector friend. Man, the prices are all over the place! You got your beat-up ones for a few bucks, all the way up to graded mint condition versions. So, figuring out what I actually wanted was the first step.
Making a Decision
I wasn't looking for museum-quality. I mean, I wanted it to look decent, of course. No giant creases or anything. So I thought, I will buy the best card with my budget.
The Acquisition (Finally!)
After a few weeks, and then I finally found one that looked pretty darn good. Corners looked sharp, centering was decent, no obvious surface scratches. The colors looked good and didn't seem faded. I pulled the trigger and bought it.
Holding the Card
When it arrived, I was stoked.
It's just one of those cards. You know? It's Nolan Ryan, the "Ryan Express" in his prime. He's a legend!
It's now safe and sound in a top-loader, sitting pretty in my collection binder. My 1988 Nolan Ryan Topps, Mission accomplished!
