Collector's Corner #3: Al's Jarome Iginla Super Collection!

I'm proud to feature Al's stunning Jarome Iginla collection in my second Collector Showcase (I think I'll be changing the name to "Collector's Corner" from here on out) segment this week. For those who missed it, you can check out the last Collector's Corner feature here. 

 I've been following Al's Iginla PC for a few years now and his card collection is up there with the all-time collecting greats! Enjoy the show. I know I sure did!

2005-06 Upper Deck The Cup - Property Of - Jarome Iginla 1/1

Al's Introduction

I’ve been collecting since I was very young. It started with stamps when I was probably 6 or 7 years old. I remember doing mail order “approval sales” with companies such as H.E. Harris, Littleton Stamp Company, & Mystic Stamp Co. and buying stamps with my allowance money. My dad had a co-worker who would sometimes get mail from overseas (mainly Britain), and he would bring the empty envelopes home for me so that I could cut the stamps from them. Fast forward about 20 years to 1988, when I met a stamp dealer from Edmonton at one of the local shows. We still do business together, and he comes to Calgary 4 times per year. These days I mainly buy Canadian plate block stamps from him. My philatelic interests have expanded to include First Day Covers, First Flight Covers, and Calgary Stampede Covers & letterheads. I’ve now been collecting stamps in one form or another for over 50 years.

Who/What do you collect?

​Around 1989 I started going to local hockey card shows and became more interested in hockey cards. I bought boxes by mail order for a few years, then in the mid 90’s I discovered a local card store. I would occasionally buy boxes there, mainly Pacific products. By mid 1999 I had discovered eBay (and the card store had closed), so I began buying hockey cards online again. At that time the Calgary Flames had an exciting player named Jarome Iginla playing for them. I’m basically a hometown fan, so once I knew he’d be sticking around I started pulling in his cards. Once he was named captain, and had several years of explosive NHL stats, I jumped in with both feet. I currently have over 3600 distinct Jarome Iginla cards.

I also collect Steve Yzerman cards, mainly from ITG Ultimate Memorabilia products. Another great ambassador for the NHL and Canada, who also put everything he had into his NHL career, and was an inspiration to those around him.

I definitely have the collecting bug, as I also collect in other areas, although somewhat more sporadically. I started collecting ancient Roman coins for awhile in the early to mid 90’s. My focus is Jupiter reverses, mainly from the early 4th century emperor Licinius I. I’ve recently started picking up some of these again. I also went through a period of collecting British coronation medals & postcards, mainly those of Edward VII & George V.

​Why Did You Start Collecting The Player/Set/Team?

On my Weebly site I explained that I collect his cards because of the “person” he is, a great ambassador for the Flames, NHL, and Canada in his activities. He put his heart and soul into his NHL career.

​What’s Your Favourite Card or Item(s)?

​The “Property Of” card from The Cup (2005-06) is one of my favorites as well as my Ultimate shields. They represent a connection to the player at the highest level. My Chronology nameplate is right up there as well. When I look outside of cards I really enjoy the  prints that I helped create (some of my ideas along with their artistic talent), celebrating Iggy’s career. My top pick has to go to the personalized birthday greeting that my oldest son got for me when he had Iggy sign a picture in one of the local arena parking lots.

What's On Your Current Wantlist? Any 'Whales' you'd like to track down?

​These days I get the most pleasure from my hockey cards by completing rainbows or subsets. I make Book Creator pages so that I have a visual record of them to enjoy.

Besides my Excel spreadsheets I use SCF’s Inventory Manager to keep track of my cards. I don’t have a group of specific cards on a wish list, I’m happy to find cards that I need at any level. Last year I had 7 COMC shipments of Iginla cards, with the majority of the cards priced under $3.00 each. (So no white whale)

Is there anything else you'd like to add or tell my readers?

​One of the most enjoyable aspects of collecting is the friendships that have been formed with people from all over the world. I’ve never met many of them in person, yet we continue to communicate & enjoy our collecting activities together.

Contact Info: How can other collectors in the community reach you?

Hobby Insider:   Uhtred the Viking
SCF:                       Uhtred.the.viking
Instagram:          @mr._gsch
Weebly:               uhtredtheviking.weebly.com

Usually I'd like to say a few words, but honestly, I'll just let Al's collection take it from here.

...Now some pieces from Al's Legendary 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,

​- Crease