Sigh... the (long overdue) holiday's over but at least I've saved the best for last and returned home to find my 2 case preorder of Immaculate patiently waiting for me 
My apologies in advance for the long post too!
But firstly, I've just enjoyed some quality family time in Hawaii with my wife and little one and while there was able to check out the world famous Paula's Sports Card s in Honolulu! Located in a somewhat - for want of a better term - 'gritty' (lol) locale just a few k's out from the Waikiki Beach tourist trap, stepping into Paula's reminded me of the traditional mom & pop style old-school card stores that I'd visited as a kid in the US back in the early 90's... no frills, just wall-to-wall wax!
After perusing the bball selection I decided to try my hand at a case of Leaf BoB 2013 and a box of Intrigue (there was a box of Flawless... for $2300+... pass) the results were... less than satisfying haha! Of course it's all in good fun and I had a great chat with Paula - one of the nicest retailers I've had the pleasure of meeting - while busting my boxes. Cracking open wax in that environment was a fantastic trip down memory lane and I'd highly recommend looking the store up if you're ever about the south side of Oahu.
Here are the notable hits from Paula's:
Leaf BoB 2013
Isiah Thomas Fleer 87 RC BGS 9.5, at first sight of that iconic red, blue and white border I was thinking MJ! WHOO!!! LOL
Shaq Bowman Elevation Auto Relic /25 BGS 8.5
Jerry West 06-07 Exquisite Enshrinements Auto /25 BGS 8.5
Spud Webb Leaf auto 3/5
Intrigue
Kawhi Leonard RC Auto /100
Demarcus Cousins Auto Redemption
Can't win them all eh?
So I've been back home for just a few hours - following a nightmare 2 day transit - absolutely knackered!!! Though that won't stop me from cracking open Panini's final hurrah for the 12-13 'historical double rookie class'
!
I don't have it in me to list every card so I'll let the pics do the talking...
Case 1, Box 1
Bird is the word! Really like these acetate jersey numbered patch cards... classy stuff & a nice 6 break Tobias Harris RPA to start things off...
Case 1, Box 2
D. Wade Base 1/1... K.D. Auto... Mojo rising!
Case 1, Box 3
Aw... Mojo falling...
Case 1, Box 4
Patch-wise, some sick RPA's, another obligatory Singleton and a simply magical Mikan!!!
Case 1, Box 5
Kareem & a nasty Unibrow quad patch RC 10/10
Case 1, Box 6
More sweet RPA's, BG patch auto and an actual on-card sticker auto of Bernard King
I'm too tired to know if I did well on that first case, I'm thinking I did?
Onto Case 2 then, box 1
Dammit, not another KD Lebron base
Case 2, Box 2
Melo 7/7! Whew, for a sec I thought I'd hit a Kyrie Jumbo RPA instead of my second Tyler Zeller, dodged that bullet!
Case 2, Box 3
Ugh... there's that Kyrie fellow I was talking about
at least there was a Lou Williams 2/3... and a redemption for Cory Joseph!
Case 2, Box 4
And again he makes an appearance, this time in the form of the jumbo RPA (redemption) /75... Panini QC... SMH... I want my Zeller! Also here's a bit of Jeremy Lambs hat, cool!
Case 2, Box 5
Filthy big Marshon Brooks Numbers patch & 2 more equally filthy Legends auto trim!
Case 2, Box 6
Oh, there's my Zeller! Awesome, I now own 3 of the 75 made!!
And a redemption for a Sully RPA in 'Chinese Red', whatever that means...
Patch/RPA summary
Magnetic bound...
I was half expecting a logoman/men and despite not getting one the other hits made up for the absence. A worthwhile release overall, some amazing highs in quality and design and despite some glaring shortcomings a much better rip compared to NT (double the fun IMO). I'd certainly snatch up more cases of this in a heartbeat at the early presale price, however with cases pushing 3k, I am finally done with Panini's (did I mention historical) 12-13 double rookie class!
Great seeing all the immac breaks on here! Cheers & thanks for the look
Sorry nfs/ft right now
My apologies in advance for the long post too!
But firstly, I've just enjoyed some quality family time in Hawaii with my wife and little one and while there was able to check out the world famous Paula's Sports Card s in Honolulu! Located in a somewhat - for want of a better term - 'gritty' (lol) locale just a few k's out from the Waikiki Beach tourist trap, stepping into Paula's reminded me of the traditional mom & pop style old-school card stores that I'd visited as a kid in the US back in the early 90's... no frills, just wall-to-wall wax!
After perusing the bball selection I decided to try my hand at a case of Leaf BoB 2013 and a box of Intrigue (there was a box of Flawless... for $2300+... pass) the results were... less than satisfying haha! Of course it's all in good fun and I had a great chat with Paula - one of the nicest retailers I've had the pleasure of meeting - while busting my boxes. Cracking open wax in that environment was a fantastic trip down memory lane and I'd highly recommend looking the store up if you're ever about the south side of Oahu.
Here are the notable hits from Paula's:
Leaf BoB 2013
Isiah Thomas Fleer 87 RC BGS 9.5, at first sight of that iconic red, blue and white border I was thinking MJ! WHOO!!! LOL
Shaq Bowman Elevation Auto Relic /25 BGS 8.5
Jerry West 06-07 Exquisite Enshrinements Auto /25 BGS 8.5
Spud Webb Leaf auto 3/5
Intrigue
Kawhi Leonard RC Auto /100
Demarcus Cousins Auto Redemption
Can't win them all eh?
So I've been back home for just a few hours - following a nightmare 2 day transit - absolutely knackered!!! Though that won't stop me from cracking open Panini's final hurrah for the 12-13 'historical double rookie class'
!I don't have it in me to list every card so I'll let the pics do the talking...
Case 1, Box 1
Bird is the word! Really like these acetate jersey numbered patch cards... classy stuff
& a nice 6 break Tobias Harris RPA to start things off...Case 1, Box 2
D. Wade Base 1/1... K.D. Auto... Mojo rising!
Case 1, Box 3
Aw... Mojo falling...
Case 1, Box 4
Patch-wise, some sick RPA's, another obligatory Singleton and a simply magical Mikan!!!
Case 1, Box 5
Kareem & a nasty Unibrow quad patch RC 10/10
Case 1, Box 6
More sweet RPA's, BG patch auto and an actual on-card sticker auto of Bernard King
I'm too tired to know if I did well on that first case, I'm thinking I did?
Onto Case 2 then, box 1
Dammit, not another KD
Lebron baseCase 2, Box 2
Melo 7/7! Whew, for a sec I thought I'd hit a Kyrie Jumbo RPA instead of my second Tyler Zeller, dodged that bullet!
Case 2, Box 3
Ugh... there's that Kyrie fellow I was talking about
at least there was a Lou Williams 2/3... and a redemption for Cory Joseph!Case 2, Box 4
And again he makes an appearance, this time in the form of the jumbo RPA (redemption) /75... Panini QC... SMH... I want my Zeller! Also here's a bit of Jeremy Lambs hat, cool!
Case 2, Box 5
Filthy big Marshon Brooks Numbers patch & 2 more equally filthy Legends auto trim!
Case 2, Box 6
Oh, there's my Zeller! Awesome, I now own 3 of the 75 made!!
And a redemption for a Sully RPA in 'Chinese Red', whatever that means...
Patch/RPA summary
Magnetic bound...
I was half expecting a logoman/men and despite not getting one the other hits made up for the absence. A worthwhile release overall, some amazing highs in quality and design and despite some glaring shortcomings a much better rip compared to NT (double the fun IMO). I'd certainly snatch up more cases of this in a heartbeat at the early presale price, however with cases pushing 3k, I am finally done with Panini's (did I mention historical) 12-13 double rookie class!
Great seeing all the immac breaks on here! Cheers & thanks for the look
Sorry nfs/ft right now
Awesome cases as usual!! ( or do you just not post your below average ones? 
still when I'm over in melb in a couple of months you gotta choose the boxes I get from mals for me!!! 
