Collectors Corner #13: Gaborik Super Collector Turned Supreme Patch Hoarder

Curt's Introduction

I am 60 years old and grew up in Minnesota as a huge sports fan (Twins, Vikings, North Stars). I started collecting football cards at first around 1972 when I was 13. Mostly for Vikings players, but that evolved into other sports, teams, players, etc. I went into the Navy in 1977 and basically stopped all collecting. After I got out of the Navy, my mom gave me a shoe box that had some of my old cards in it. Seeing a Walter Payton RC and Ken Dryden RC in that shoe box got my collecting juices going again (thanks mom!).

In the early 90's I started collecting cards again...from all sports. The cards companies ramped up with more than just Topps as well, so it made things a lot more fun with the huge variety of cards. I've been collecting since.

Who/What Do You Collect?

After my second wind of collecting in the 1990's of collecting all sports, in 2000 I switched my focus to the new hockey team in town...the Minnesota Wild. When their first ever draft pick, 18 year old Marian Gaborik, made the team and then scored their first ever goal in their first ever game, I had a new focus....him! I went OCD bonkers collecting every card of his. But I made my focus to being only game-used or autograph cards of his. Yes, I do have a couple key rookie non-game-used/non-auto cards of his, but primarily just game-used and autograph cards. And if the cards were jersey or patch cards, I did go after multiple variations of those jerseys/patches. Again...OCD. Until I stopped collecting Gaborik around 2018, I had arguably the biggest Gaborik card collection in the world. He was ending his career and the push and drive for his cards died with his career. I have since sold off some of his bigger cards (1/1s and such) to some Slovakian Gaborik collectors. I still have A LOT of Gaboiks and still enjoy them.

But I also have found a new calling starting a few year ago...vintage player game-used cards...and the SPGU Supreme cards, which premiered about 2012.

​The Supreme cards feature a large piece of game-used memorabilia from multiple players. Pieces of Sticks, Patches, Gloves, Pads, Skates, Blockers, etc. When they started, they were tough pulls and only serial numbered to /5. Then a few years later they went to being serial numbered to /12, and now the past few years to being serial numbered to /15. I just love the look of them and they have expanded to over 100 different ones each year, so good to chase. I currently have around 550 of them...and I'm still missing a hundred or more of them. Like I said, they are good for "the chase" aspect of card collecting. As far as vintage player game-used, I just love the history of the cards. Some players, like a Georges Vezina or a Cyclone Taylor, have memorabilia pieces in them that are over 100 years old. How cool is that?

What's on Your Current Want List?

​Any SPGU Supreme card that I still need. And I do not need multiples...the OCD part is gone...so just one of each keeps me happy. And I go after any vintage player game-used card that looks nice to me.

Are There Any 'White Whales' You'd Like To Own One Day?

I would love to get a nicely graded Wayne Gretzky OPC Rookie card some day. To me that is the ultimate hockey card!

Contact Info: How Can Other Collectors Reach You?

I am GabbyGuy (username) on forums like Hobby Insider, Blowout, and SportsCardForum. Or you can reach me on my email:  ceej27@charter.net

Some Notable Cards from Curt's Well-Rounded Collection:

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If you want to get in contact with me about getting ​YOUR Collection featured on my blog, feel free to leave a comment on this post below, fill out a contact form on my Contact page, or send me an email at creasecollector@gmail.com and we will be in touch very soon. :)

​Happy Collecting,

​- Aaron / creasecollector