122. Essential Credentials, Exquisite, Gold Vinyl and a Tariq Abdul Wahad Grail!

122. Essential Credentials, Exquisite, Gold Vinyl and a Tariq Abdul Wahad Grail!

In this episode Will and John are joined once again by fan-favourite guest Jon @eurofractor for an episode packed with incredible pickups, NBA draft talk, and the stories that make collecting so rewarding.We open the show by discussing two of Spain's most exciting young NBA prospects. Jon gives his thoughts on what the future could hold for Hugo González following Boston's offseason moves, before sharing his expectations for Oklahoma City's No. 12 overall pick, Aday Mara, and how he thinks the talented big man will fit with the Thunder.Then it's time for everyone's latest pickups!Jon kicks things off with two absolute monsters. First, he unveils a stunning Sergio Rodríguez Essential Credentials Rookie numbered to just /31, one of the hobby's most iconic parallel sets. He follows that with a breathtaking Star Rubies Tariq Abdul-Wahad, a true '90s grail. Jon also shares the story behind why he collects Abdul-Wahad, touching on his European roots, his trailblazing NBA career, and the social activism that has made him such an inspiring figure.John is up next with two incredible additions of his own. He celebrates picking up his very first Exquisite card—a gorgeous Dual Scripted Swatches autograph featuring Peja Stojaković and Mike Bibby—before showing off an absolutely massive 2024 Optic Gold Vinyl Domantas Sabonis, one of the most coveted modern parallels in the hobby.Will rounds out the pickups by explaining why he's recently fallen down the Spectra rabbit hole. From the premium chrome finish and incredible game-used patches to the on-card autographs and consistently low serial numbering, he shares why Spectra has become one of his favourite modern products to collect.To finish the episode, the guys discuss their collecting goals moving forward, what they're chasing next, and where they see their collections heading in the months ahead.If you love basketball cards, rare pickups, international collecting, and hearing the stories behind the hobby, you'll love this episode.Don't forget about signing up to Card Ladder and using the promo code: GLOBAL10.Take care everyone!

121. How an All Black Is Helping Ex-Players Cash In on Their Game-Worn Jerseys

In this episode Will sits down with All Black #1085 Scott Waldrom for a fascinating conversation that goes far beyond rugby.Scott reflects on his professional rugby career, including memories from the infamous Munster clash that remains one of the most talked-about matches of his playing days. He shares stories from life at the elite level, what it meant to wear the black jersey, playing alongside Jonah and some of the toughest moments he experienced on the field.The conversation then shifts to another passion that has become a major part of Scott's life: collecting. From building his own card collection to helping former players generate income through the sale of game-used jerseys and memorabilia, Scott has become a key figure in New Zealand's sports collecting community.Will and Scott also discuss the growth of the hobby, the Wellington Cards & Collectables Show, the unique stories behind game-worn items, and why collecting continues to connect fans with the athletes and moments they admire most.Whether you're a rugby fan, a memorabilia collector, or someone who loves hearing great stories from elite athletes, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

120. From Bargain Bins to Grails: What Makes the NZ Card Collectors Show Special

The NZ Card Collectors Show is back and bigger than ever.In this episode, Will sits down with one of the show's organizers Keiran to discuss what makes this year's NZ Card Collectors Show one of the most anticipated events on the New Zealand collecting calendar. Run by the NZ Cartophilic Society as a not-for-profit event, the show brings together collectors, dealers, and enthusiasts from across the country for a unique celebration of the hobby.Keiran shares what attendees can expect, including hundreds of tables packed with trading cards, collectibles, and hard-to-find treasures from a wide range of collecting categories. The pair discuss why the show has earned a reputation for offering cards that simply can't be found anywhere else, from affordable bargains to ultra-rare grails.They also reveal details about this year's incredible promotional cards, including an exclusive autographed Christian Cullen card and the show's first-ever Pokémon promo card—two must-have collectibles for attendees.Whether you're a lifelong collector, a sports card enthusiast, a Pokémon fan, or simply curious about the hobby, this conversation offers an inside look at one of New Zealand's premier collecting events.🎟️ Learn what makes the NZ Card Collectors Show special.🃏 Discover the exclusive promo cards available this year.💎 Find out why collectors travel from around the country to attend.🤝 Hear how the show continues to bring the collecting community together.

119. Matt's Card Shop on Cards, Content & The Future of the Hobby

In this episode, Will sits down with Matt from @mattscardshop for a wide-ranging conversation covering sports cards, content creation, basketball, and the Australian hobby scene. Matt shares his journey from passionate collector to online card seller, show vendor, and one of the most recognizable card content creators in the hobby. We discuss the realities of building a brand in the card space, creating content consistently, and what it takes to stand out in a rapidly evolving market. As both of us are basketball stans, the conversation naturally shifts to Matt's favorite NBA team: the Houston Rockets. We break down the disaster of the second half of the year, the team's future, we deep dive the impact of Ime Udoka, and debate whether Alperen Şengün needs a European coach instead of tough love. We also take a deep dive into the Australian sports card market, how it differs from the United States, and why Australia continues to produce an incredible number of high-level NBA players despite its relatively small population. Whether you're a collector, basketball fan, content creator, or someone interested in the global hobby landscape, there's something here for you. Topics Covered: • Matt's journey from collector to content creator • Building a brand in the hobby • Houston Rockets future outlook • Ime Udoka's coaching impact • Alperen Şengün discussion • The Australian card market • Why Australia produces so much NBA talent • The future of sports card content Subscribe for more conversations with collectors, creators, dealers, and hobby leaders from around the world.

118. Are Tom Brady's New Grail Cards a Bubble Waiting to Burst?

In this episode, Will (@kartadami), John (@istanbulcards), and Ryan (@rookiemoonshots) get together for another hobby roundtable to discuss recent pickups, collecting philosophies, and one of the biggest questions facing the modern card market. We kick things off by sharing our latest additions. Will shows off a 2026 Donruss FIFA World Cup Costco Promo Box featuring a guaranteed Jumbo Kaboom, while John reveals that buying the same box for himself and his son helped reignite his passion for collecting. Ryan then shares a monster Barry Bonds chase card before John tells the story behind acquiring his first-ever Luka Dončić 1/1 and explains why the card means so much to him. From there, the conversation turns to serial-numbered cards and the true meaning of rarity. Is a 1/1 automatically special? Or can a card be technically unique yet still completely uninspiring? We discuss why the design and significance of a card may matter more than the 1 of 1 stamp. Finally, we tackle one of the hobby's most controversial but underdiscussed topics: post-playing-day cards. Why are newly created Tom Brady cards selling for hundreds of thousands of dollars? Should collectors be excited-or concerned? If manufacturers can continue producing new "grail" cards of retired legends indefinitely, where does the market eventually find its limit? Topics covered: • 2026 Donruss FIFA World Cup Promo Boxes • Jumbo Kaboom cards • Ryan's Barry Bonds pickup • John's first Luka Dončić 1/1 • The true value of 1/1 cards • Serialization and manufactured scarcity • The problem with post-career cards • Are modern Tom Brady grails sustainable? • When does the hobby reach saturation? Let us know what you think: What makes a card truly special-a 1/1 stamp, the design, the player, or the story behind it?