I know most people dislike the Americana products for various reasons. They certainly could have put some more effort into some aspects of the design, and could have done a MUCH better job with a lot of the cut signatures — especially the cut signatures with cut-off signatures, but personally I enjoy the Americana line.

I’ve purchased a bunch of the blasters, and been burned by lots of blasters missing the hits. For the most part I’ve avoided sealed hobby product due to price, but just before Christmas I picked up a hobby box on eBay for $55 shipped. . .

The box arrived on New Years Eve, but I decided to keep it sealed until New Years Day to make it my first break in the new year. . . 2009 had more downs that ups for me so I was hoping to kick off the new year in a new direction.

Before opening the box I was excited. . . slightly anxious as I haven’t had great luck with boxes lately. . . would I pull one of the cards I really wanted, but haven’t been able to afford — like a Jackie Chan autograph? Or wind up with a $1.00 Branscombe Richmond autograph? Would I pull two autographs as that is my main collection or wind up with a bunch of swatches that don’t really interest me? Would I finally nab that Gina Carano autograph?

Pack 1: Richard Petty Legends Swatch #017/100
Pack 2: Erik Estrada Private Signings Auto #54/77
Pack 3: James Cagney and Gloria Stuart Dual Swatch #61/250
Pack 4: Humphrey Bogart Proof Swatch #49/50

I also pulled a Mark Hamill Cinema Stars #’d to 500, Judy Garland Hollywood Legends #’d to 500 (peeling foil), and 2 proofs #’d to 250 (Thomas and Davidson).

At first I thought I did ok, possibly broke even on the box vs what it would cost me to buy the cards — I don’t have the Estrada so that’s a plus, and it’s probably a $10-15 card. I figured the other swatches might be decent, especially the Bogart. . . not so much really. The Bogart *might* bring $15 on eBay, the other swatches probably about $5 each.

So while not a total bust, not even a break even on that one. . . perhaps I’ll call that the last box purchased in 2009 and hope for a change of luck on my next box purchased . . .