Influencing a New Trading Partner

I always have a short list of wants/needs for other collectors I'm looking to buy for at shows and then of course there are my favorite trading partners whose collection interested are permanently melded to my mind. Finding cards for others is usually my #1 priority when I visit a card show.

For those of us who truly love the hobby I don't think there's anything better than sending someone a few cards knowing they will sincerely appreciate them.

When you get a thank you note and a card from a nine-year-old it's even better. The right hand page of the note said, "Thought the card was funny!" 

I think I'm influencing this young card collector.

I've made a couple of packages for Henry from my personal collection. Some of them are Cubs or Hall of Famers from my duplicate box, but most of them are unique shots of baseball players doing something silly. We all know the cards I'm talking about... Bip Roberts wearing a sombrero, Glen Hubbard with a snake or Keith Comstock taking one to groin... fun cards which show the lighter side of the game.

Henry's parents told me he's been carrying around the above Randy Johnson card I gave him.
It is a great card of a Hall of Fame pitcher. How cool is that?