Man, that Ichiro Xfractor is amazing. Love the EX Auto too!

[QUOTE=al3xmac10;15901302]Thanks for all the love for the 1995 UD Ichiro!
Here are more details for those who saw it for the 1st time.

Ichiro 1995 UD Collector's Choice Media Event #59 PSA 8 NM-MT:

- The Holy Grail of Ichiro cards;
Given directly to Ichiro, impossible to find, I might have seen only around 10-15 copies since I first heard of this card's existence in 1996.
Above all else, you have peace of mind knowing that this is an authentic copy, amidst rumors of counterfeits of this card circulating.

- Copies of this card graded / certified authentic by PSA have rarely surfaced in 24 years.
- For additional reference, below is an article published on the [Collecting Ichiro] website last 2001, Ichiro's rookie year in Major League Baseball:

"U.D. Collectors Choice '95 #59.
(Pictures Ichiro as a special guest at a 1995 NBA exhibition game in Japan. UD made 200 cards, all of which were given to Ichiro. Several are on display at the Ichiro Museum in Japan. This is the only baseball card known to exist that — either directly or indirectly — came from Ichiro's personal "collection." Never a commercial Upper Deck issue of any kind, we know of only five that have surfaced in the marketplace. $3,000 - $4,000

[url]https://collectingichiro.com/upper-japan.htm[/url] :coffee:[/QUOTE]

...just found an INCREDIBLE article from the Japan Times (dated July 23, 2016) related to the history of this card! :flex:

[url]https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/07/23/baseball/long-lost-basketball-card-sparks-memories-ichiros-early-fame[/url]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/yQYyugv.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/truCekS.jpg[/img]

This is such an amazing thread. Thanks for starting this OP.

That is an amazing xfractor, I never knew this existed!

Also, amazing post about the 1995 Collectors Choice, very interesting. I learn something cool from these boards everyday.

I would like to share my favorite Ichiro Youtube video:
[url]https://youtu.be/3fiEbEFfIvw[/url]

It is where he meets MJ. Awesome exchange, skip to 3:40.


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[QUOTE=BC81;15901396]This is such an amazing thread. Thanks for starting this OP.

That is an amazing xfractor, I never knew this existed!

Also, amazing post about the 1995 Collectors Choice, very interesting. I learn something cool from these boards everyday.

I would like to share my favorite Ichiro Youtube video:
[url]https://youtu.be/3fiEbEFfIvw[/url]

It is where he meets MJ. Awesome exchange, skip to 3:40.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

WOW! Thank you for sharing this video!
Some takeaways:

- Ichiro sat on Jordan's locker.
- Ichiro was a little kid in front of his idol.
- Ichiro wore Air Jordan VI shoes, to which MJ comments, "Nice shoes." :cool:
- MJ asks, "Is he gonna come to America to play?" ;)
- MJ asks, "Is he gonna have a chance to see (Hideo) Nomo?" The translator says that Ichiro's 1st professional hit was of Nomo, to which Ichiro quips, "My 1st HOME RUN was off Nomo". :cool:

- Ichiro's comments after meeting Jordan:
a) after receiving a personalized autograph from MJ:
「家宝にします。」
(kahou ni shimasu.)
- I will make this a family treasure.

b) his impression of MJ:
「いい人。ちゃんと真剣に答えてくれて、嫌がる事も無く、全然知らない人に対して。。素晴らしい。」
(ii hito. chanto shinken ni kotaete kurete, zenzen shiranai hito ni taishite... subarashii.)
- A good person. He seriously answered the questions of a complete stranger... Incredible.

c) upon meeting MJ:
「会った事が、宝物です。」
(atta koto ga, takaramono desu.)
- Meeting him is (my) treasure.

[img]https://i.imgur.com/tC4S7iv.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/U2n6Yak.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/yGjZ9gM.jpg[/img]

As PC as it gets for me

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200517/e3f282ad894df167265673bc62e047ca.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200517/dcacd57ced048c6c3876b510bdc9047f.jpg[/IMG][ATTACH]482686[/ATTACH]

[QUOTE=gabballplayer14;15901340]Man, that Ichiro Xfractor is amazing. Love the EX Auto too![/QUOTE]

Thanks. They made it in Gold /99 and X-Fractor in addition to the regular refractor. The X-Fractor isn't numbered but the 2002 X-Fractor is /250. So my best guess is that they made about 250 copies of the 2001 as well.

[QUOTE=Trueblue;15901619]As PC as it gets for me
[/QUOTE]

Retrofractor! That's another one I am missing. I just have his base paper for Topps. Should have pulled the trigger on an SP Authentic long ago. A PSA *6* sold for $850 the other day... I don't know why that card is so massively pricey compared to say the Fleer EX. You could get a high grade EX for a 1/3 of the price. At any rate missed the boat big time on the SP.

[QUOTE=JPWisco;15901741]Thanks. They made it in Gold /99 and X-Fractor in addition to the regular refractor. The X-Fractor isn't numbered but the 2002 X-Fractor is /250. So my best guess is that they made about 250 copies of the 2001 as well.







Retrofractor! That's another one I am missing. I just have his base paper for Topps. Should have pulled the trigger on an SP Authentic long ago. A PSA *6* sold for $850 the other day... I don't know why that card is so massively pricey compared to say the Fleer EX. You could get a high grade EX for a 1/3 of the price. At any rate missed the boat big time on the SP.[/QUOTE]Yeah, the sp authentic has more than doubled in the last year. I find myself trying to pick another one up but being outbid by hundreds...lol.

[QUOTE=al3xmac10;15901593]WOW! Thank you for sharing this video!

Some takeaways:



- Ichiro sat on Jordan's locker.

- Ichiro was a little kid in front of his idol.

- Ichiro wore Air Jordan VI shoes, to which MJ comments, "Nice shoes." :cool:

- MJ asks, "Is he gonna come to America to play?" ;)

- MJ asks, "Is he gonna have a chance to see (Hideo) Nomo?" The translator says that Ichiro's 1st professional hit was of Nomo, to which Ichiro quips, "My 1st HOME RUN was off Nomo". :cool:



- Ichiro's comments after meeting Jordan:

a) after receiving a personalized autograph from MJ:

「家宝にします。」

(kahou ni shimasu.)

- I will make this a family treasure.



b) his impression of MJ:

「いい人。ちゃんと真剣に答えてくれて、嫌がる事も無く、全然知らない人に対して。。素晴らしい。」

(ii hito. chanto shinken ni kotaete kurete, zenzen shiranai hito ni taishite... subarashii.)

- A good person. He seriously answered the questions of a complete stranger... Incredible.



c) upon meeting MJ:

「会った事が、宝物です。」

(atta koto ga, takaramono desu.)

- Meeting him is (my) treasure.



[img]https://i.imgur.com/tC4S7iv.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/U2n6Yak.jpg[/img]

[img]https://i.imgur.com/yGjZ9gM.jpg[/img][/QUOTE]



You are welcome! Happy this video link found the perfect thread.

The video is pure gold on so many levels. I watched it over a dozen times and it still makes me smile. Ichiro is just giggling and starstruck the whole time. Jordan is the perfect gentleman and engaging to a stranger (at the time). The translator did the interview of a lifetime, getting to see two greats in the same room.

If I get to meet MJ, I think wearing a Tom and Jerry sweater to get him to open up is the trick (not the Air Jordans).

Thank you for the Japanese translation, now I can appreciate it even more.


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[QUOTE=Trueblue;15901619]As PC as it gets for me

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200517/e3f282ad894df167265673bc62e047ca.jpg[/IMG][IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200517/dcacd57ced048c6c3876b510bdc9047f.jpg[/IMG][ATTACH]482686[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]


I just picked up a psa 10 retrofractor - when it’s in hand I’ll post a pick

Crazy how rare they are and how, largely, under appreciated they are


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[QUOTE=speedyjg13;15890425]Anybody know if Topps ever made a Trout/Ichiro dual on card auto? I'd love to own something like that since Trout popped up to right field to Ichiro in his 1st MLB at bat.[/QUOTE]

No speedy, I don't believe an Ichiro/Trout dual auto has been made yet, not even a sticker auto version...

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200517/e937d1c05b1b10ff96fc79eb0844bd5c.jpg[/IMG]


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I remember being a kid when Ichiro broke out in 2001 and NEEDING a RC of his. I always LOVED the Bowman's best but at 10 years old I couldn't afford it. Now 2 years ago I jumped back into the hobby and it was the first card I bought. Still my all time favorite card for whatever reason.

[QUOTE=JPWisco;15901741]Thanks. They made it in Gold /99 and X-Fractor in addition to the regular refractor. The X-Fractor isn't numbered but the 2002 X-Fractor is /250. So my best guess is that they made about 250 copies of the 2001 as well.



Retrofractor! That's another one I am missing. I just have his base paper for Topps. Should have pulled the trigger on an SP Authentic long ago. A PSA *6* sold for $850 the other day... I don't know why that card is so massively pricey compared to say the Fleer EX. You could get a high grade EX for a 1/3 of the price. At any rate missed the boat big time on the SP.[/QUOTE]

I'm familiar with the cards - I just havent seen one in a while :D

I actually think there are about the same number of Xfractors out there as Gold Refractors.

According to BGS Pop Reports, at total of 64 Xfractors have been graded, and 74 Gold Refractors. PSA is showing at total of 55 Xfractors and 31 Gold Refractors.

Obviously these arent perfect, and are manipulated by people grading/cracking/resubbing, etc. but they are close enough (119 Xfractors vs. 105 Gold Refractors graded) where I think there may be less than 150 Xfractors (since we know Golds are /50 and /99).

Some of my other favorite Ichiro cards :)

[B]2001 Topps Chrome Retrofractor[/B]

[url=https://imgbb.com/][img]https://i.ibb.co/BnqFq28/E4-A8-F903-3-AA5-47-EE-80-CE-81-C3-B559-AD4-B.jpg[/img][/url]

[B]2001 Topps Gold /2001[/B]

[url=https://imgbb.com/][img]https://i.ibb.co/1d1Xf9c/EDD57945-8-C88-4-DDE-A18-B-2-D47-ACE37063.jpg[/img][/url]

[B]2017 Topps Opening Day (Stadium Signatures)[/B]

[url=https://ibb.co/Gc8q55h][img]https://i.ibb.co/kQwtSSd/D6-D36973-8-E6-D-4-B13-BD74-F647-DE004-AF0.jpg[/img][/url]

[B]2001 Ultimate Collection (Batting Glove) /75[/B]

[url=https://imgbb.com/][img]https://i.ibb.co/Dg9zkRW/AF04-F218-85-E5-487-C-9-D0-D-B80246-D5-F468.jpg[/img][/url]

[B]2001 Ultimate Collection (Fielding glove) /75[/B]

[url=https://ibb.co/w0LSKgt][img]https://i.ibb.co/tmhqbKR/695-C0619-AD98-4-F21-99-FF-C78378-BD96-DC.jpg[/img][/url]

The Gold Topps is so nice.

Great Thread OP! A ton of amazing cards represented from a great group of Ichiro Collectors.


Here are a few favorites in my collection.

Complete BC RC Set Refractor, Xfractor and Gold x2 (English & Japanese Back)
[ATTACH]482810[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]482811[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]482812[/ATTACH]



01 UD Ultimate Collection RC Auto
[ATTACH]482803[/ATTACH]



2012 Topps Chrome SSP Variation (My favorite Ichiro card)
[ATTACH]482804[/ATTACH]



2012 Topps 24k Gold 1/1
[ATTACH]482805[/ATTACH]



Ichiro Griffey Dual Auto
[ATTACH]482806[/ATTACH]



Leaf Immortals Ichiro & Mays Dual Auto Book 1/1
[ATTACH]482807[/ATTACH]



2017 Inception Auto Set
[ATTACH]482813[/ATTACH]



BC Superfractor
[ATTACH]482809[/ATTACH]

[QUOTE=REGGIE206;15905049]Some of my other favorite Ichiro cards :)

[B]2001 Topps Chrome Retrofractor[/B]

[url=https://imgbb.com/][img]https://i.ibb.co/BnqFq28/E4-A8-F903-3-AA5-47-EE-80-CE-81-C3-B559-AD4-B.jpg[/img][/url]

[B]2001 Topps Gold /2001[/B]

[url=https://imgbb.com/][img]https://i.ibb.co/1d1Xf9c/EDD57945-8-C88-4-DDE-A18-B-2-D47-ACE37063.jpg[/img][/url]
[/QUOTE]

Ben Baller did that card.

My lone RC

[ATTACH]482814[/ATTACH]

[QUOTE=iamtony33;15906621]Great Thread OP! A ton of amazing cards represented from a great group of Ichiro Collectors.


Here are a few favorites in my collection.

Complete BC RC Set Refractor, Xfractor and Gold x2 (English & Japanese Back)
[ATTACH]482810[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]482811[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH]482812[/ATTACH]



01 UD Ultimate Collection RC Auto
[ATTACH]482803[/ATTACH]



2012 Topps Chrome SSP Variation (My favorite Ichiro card)
[ATTACH]482804[/ATTACH]



2012 Topps 24k Gold 1/1
[ATTACH]482805[/ATTACH]



Ichiro Griffey Dual Auto
[ATTACH]482806[/ATTACH]



Leaf Immortals Ichiro & Mays Dual Auto Book 1/1
[ATTACH]482807[/ATTACH]



2017 Inception Auto Set
[ATTACH]482813[/ATTACH]



BC Superfractor
[ATTACH]482809[/ATTACH][/QUOTE]


Are you Tony the “Ichiro supercollector?”

[url]https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/ichiro-baseball-cards-3000-hits/[/url]


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Tony: would you mind posting some of your Patch cards :)


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[QUOTE=REGGIE206;15905049]Some of my other favorite Ichiro cards :)

[B]2001 Topps Chrome Retrofractor[/B]

[url=https://imgbb.com/][img]https://i.ibb.co/BnqFq28/E4-A8-F903-3-AA5-47-EE-80-CE-81-C3-B559-AD4-B.jpg[/img][/url]

[B]2001 Topps Gold /2001[/B]

[url=https://imgbb.com/][img]https://i.ibb.co/1d1Xf9c/EDD57945-8-C88-4-DDE-A18-B-2-D47-ACE37063.jpg[/img][/url]

[B]2017 Topps Opening Day (Stadium Signatures)[/B]

[url=https://ibb.co/Gc8q55h][img]https://i.ibb.co/kQwtSSd/D6-D36973-8-E6-D-4-B13-BD74-F647-DE004-AF0.jpg[/img][/url]

[B]2001 Ultimate Collection (Batting Glove) /75[/B]

[url=https://imgbb.com/][img]https://i.ibb.co/Dg9zkRW/AF04-F218-85-E5-487-C-9-D0-D-B80246-D5-F468.jpg[/img][/url]

[B]2001 Ultimate Collection (Fielding glove) /75[/B]

[url=https://ibb.co/w0LSKgt][img]https://i.ibb.co/tmhqbKR/695-C0619-AD98-4-F21-99-FF-C78378-BD96-DC.jpg[/img][/url][/QUOTE]


Reggie do you have any patch cards? :)


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[QUOTE=jjstock;15911863]Are you Tony the “Ichiro supercollector?”

[url]https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/ichiro-baseball-cards-3000-hits/[/url]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

Haha yeah, That was a while ago

[QUOTE=jjstock;15911869]Tony: would you mind posting some of your Patch cards :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

Sure, I haven't scanned very many of my Ichiro Patch cards yet with my new scanner. But here are a few I have uploaded so far.

[ATTACH]482896[/ATTACH]


[ATTACH]482897[/ATTACH]


[ATTACH]482898[/ATTACH]


[ATTACH]482899[/ATTACH]

I'm a big fan of Ichiro also.

[QUOTE=jjstock;15911912]Reggie do you have any patch cards? :)
[/QUOTE]

I actually don’t have any :(

Dude.. past two TCT T266 PSA 10s have gone 600, 800.. Up more than double from earlier in the year. Not sure where it settles but not a card/grade available in abundant qty.