McFarlane Sports Figures has added a Series 15 and this years starting Bear running back, Cedric Benson enters his career into toydom. The McFarlane packaging is considerably more compact this year, but the figure is still nice.
Forever Collectibles has created their 2007 Series 3 version of the Brian Urlacher Christmas ornament, and being that I have first 2 series, and the fact that I have an admiration of Chicago Bear figurines, I most certainly needed to buy this.
The following is is small figurine that I consider one of the gems of my collection. It was part of Tudor's 1983 Quarterbacks of the NFL collection. All teams and their starting quarterbacks were to have been represented. Even though the figure is only 3 inches tall, it has a value of $20.00, and being that it is still in the package, that value doubles to $40. I made a bargain with an auction price of $10.50. The package lists Jim McMahon as the Bears starting quarterback that year, which was true. But, his uniform number was #9. The figure shows #8, which was Vince Evans' number that year. Bob Avellini was #7. All three QBs played during the season. My guess is that the figures for all teams had #8 on them, but I am not sure.
And in my ongoing effort at obtaining bobbleheads, I have acquired a 2002 Walter Payton doll by Bobble Dreams. The doll was a promotion by Fla Vor Ice for a Chicago Rush arena football game. Walter is attired in a Rush uniform.
I got a bargain on an inexpensive 1975 Bears' bobblehead that is made of plastic. Apparently there must have been 2 versions that year, because I already have one similar to this one, only the face has buck teeth and the jersey does notcover his "belly".
I figured that I need a good Cedric Benson card before he makes it big in the league. The following is a 2005 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection rookie card, serial #'d 98/99 and autographed.
Shell Oil Co.gave out some 10.5 x 14 portraits back in 1981. They are represented in sketch like fashion and I now have Walter Payton (BV $12.00) and Brian Bashnagle and Gary Fencik ($4 each)...just something unique that I acquired...I like oddball stuff.
Speaking of oddball, I picked up a neat deck of cards called Chicago Football heroes and the set features artwork by Chuck Senties. Each card has an unusual caricature and special facts about each of many Bear historical players. I also bid 99 cents on an Avon after shave decanter (Wild Country After Shave still in the bottle) and won. I already had the empty bottle, but this Ebay auction offered the original box.
And for those of you that think my wife gets mad at me for buying all of this Bears crap, you are right. But, even something as simple as a cute Bear's Danbury Mint bracelet can sometimes ease her pain and mine. Plus, I got it for 1/3 of retail.
And finally for today I have one more addition. I am always surprised at what people will sell for a few bucks. Some things should just be held as momentos and collectibles. Like, for example, these scrapbook pictures - 58 double sided pages filled with Walter Payton clippings. It's a collectible that I would have cherished forever, but some fool sold it. Unbelieveable. It looks like some kid put it together, but to me it's precious. I think I paid 10 bucks, and the guy spent $7.00 in postage. Wow.
