Everyone's Blog Posts - Sports Collectors Social Network2024-03-19T06:18:26Zhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profiles/blog/feed?xn_auth=noThe Evolution of Baseball Cardstag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2013-04-10:2292696:BlogPost:358452013-04-10T01:52:52.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<div style="padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/59813501273725238/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="3570" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/42/85/b7/4285b776217e94d7054a7cd47a4be2e3.jpg" width="550"></img></a></div>
<div style="float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;"><p style="font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;">Source: <a href="http://www.americancollectors.com/" style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;">americancollectors.com</a> via…</p>
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<div style="padding-bottom: 2px; line-height: 0px"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/59813501273725238/" target="_blank"><img src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/550x/42/85/b7/4285b776217e94d7054a7cd47a4be2e3.jpg" border="0" width="550" height="3570"/></a></div>
<div style="float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px;"><p style="font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;">Source: <a style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;" href="http://www.americancollectors.com/">americancollectors.com</a> via <a style="text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;" href="http://pinterest.com/amercollectins/" target="_blank">American</a> on <a style="text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;" href="http://pinterest.com" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></p>
</div>BTI - Before the Internettag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2013-02-10:2292696:BlogPost:331652013-02-10T10:51:40.000ZEamonn Donlynhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/EamonnDonlyn
<p><br id="internal-source-marker_0.5230294849015267"></br><img height="200px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3JhOqj8IhqMZ_vVDxHnW0OsOPopA3ha9HsJEyt-ZlEXQhEH7luWjqnwM57iMgRfmH0TpchcoG7zeXvqh3h6IQhYGlPqR7Hr8H9E4iYx64kSlUZ1jRw" width="200px;"></img> <br></br> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Photo by Kevin Miyazaki…</span><br></br> <br></br> <br></br></p>
<p><br id="internal-source-marker_0.5230294849015267"/><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3JhOqj8IhqMZ_vVDxHnW0OsOPopA3ha9HsJEyt-ZlEXQhEH7luWjqnwM57iMgRfmH0TpchcoG7zeXvqh3h6IQhYGlPqR7Hr8H9E4iYx64kSlUZ1jRw" height="200px;" width="200px;"/><br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Photo by Kevin Miyazaki</span><br/> <br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Before the Internet...</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What a phrase. It seems like the current generation of youngsters won't have any grasp of what the world was once like before the world wide web changed our lives. In many ways, they already have no clue.</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Before the Internet... in the card world, set collecting was a true scavenger hunt, literally like trying to find a needle in a haystack. While it can still be a challenge and a sea-fishing expedition online, it's not quite the same, not like it used to be.</span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sports aficionados, and specifically sports card collecting aficionados (sounds much better than sports nerds doesn't it?) have long enjoyed the unique, obscure and random in sports cards. Every player is important, especially when it comes set collectors. And of course, the set collectors best friend is the obscure or random collector, offering a checklist of players cards that generally would be left adrift in a box of commons used as a doorstop otherwise.</span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For instance, for every ten Willie Mays or Tom Brady fans out there, there's at least one avid</span> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Lemke"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Mark Lemke</span></a> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">or</span> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Strock"><span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #1155cc; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Don Strock</span></a> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">diehard lurking in the shadows. </span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The set collectors savior has always been those random collector guys. But we've all noticed the erosion of true set collectors. THEY have become hard to find. For a while, card companies put a damper on the practice, by selling full collections.</span><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/NOcBB-F9ULmBj7ZS72WgR-gfcDTq7W4qDep-LSlPsc4j8C_TYRcs8I4UFxZ5ln9ct5WaYOPuHaSMu857ZxWduAk0I_-wXDEgjuzepanfUJ4uJ-yIUg" height="227px;" width="400px;"/><br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">'89 Score: Took the 'chase' out of set collecting</span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">It's to the point now that no one really talks about these one of a kind set collector-types, kind of like that one friend that left the poker game a few years back hardly to be heard from again.</span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The one you might recall fondly, 'Remember "Johnny No Cards" he was a little strange, but oddly I wish he was still around.'</span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kind of like that. Set collectors are always a tiny bit strange, and likely to track you down in a weird manner, possibly shouting random questions like 'Hey, do you have the 1968 Topps #529? And that's in the aisle of the grocery store.<br/></span> <img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/TrNLciVshG_4MV4Re5cu0xPNoXyFXyjstiIygx8YoTf3jVJLZpZDTr5ssLZVgWW0MSXbpJckrSFcwZWyFRmG64gWTTSKw79H2fPAPvZ4DCAd_ZrQxw" height="400px;" width="281px;"/><br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This 'Hoff' didn't reach International fame</span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Of course, your response would hopefully be along the lines of 'What, no, how would I know... which player is it you freak?' Let me check when I get home. Yes, I do just happen to have it, #529 Bruce Von Hoffs RC, it's worth 25 cents.'</span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">And then, ultimately, since this card just happens to be the holy grail for the set collector (and lucky for you, he happens to be one of your friends that you like to torture) the bidding begins:</span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You: 'Whats it worth to you? I say 10 dollars'</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Awkward Set Collector: 'Come on, you don't even care about Bruce Van Hoff...'</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You: 'Sounds like it just went up a buck...in fact, make it 12...'</span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">But in reality, it was never about the money on either side of the transaction back then. Usually it would end with a fair trade and a dare, or the right to ask out an older sister on a date AND a superstars card.<br/></span> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You: 'Sorry, all about supply and demand'</span><br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Awkward Set Collector: 'Fine, you can ask my sister out and have my Nolan Ryan. I hate you.'</span><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/2tIimwxrBZuAlc3H2LJMXvXkw_XG0eV8XPwnRBlvPtp8hsygwjbdZEuXW686wvGfkB6t1ehwfdDpV5iPoxUYbGXL9v8hzLUrNoGVcGY5UEz2DGpM6Q" height="300px;" width="400px;"/><br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Commons anyone?</span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yep, I long for those days. When finding that elusive common made your day. Nowadays, even the casual collector can find themselves stuck in a mountain of useless commons that NO ONE will ever want.</span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The challenge now, is to even find a base set that is achievable as a full set. With refractors, blues, reds, purples, turquoises and retro-nuclear reactor cards, it's gotten quite out of hand. Maybe the true obstacle now is to just know how to figure out what a complete set is comprised of.</span><br/> <br/> <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All the while, there will always been true and pure set collectors. And while the 'Interweb thingy' may have made it easier in some ways to find those commons, the challenge is still there to complete a set. <br/> <br/> Of course, you have to pay shipping costs for that extra common rather than have your friend torture you</span>! <span style="font-size: 15px; font-family: Arial; color: #000000; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Either way, even though they are a dying breed, there are still some true set 'aficionados' out there. They are now just much harder to find now than the common cards they scavenge for. At least they remember what it was like... before the internet.<br/></span></p>Game worn Alcindor jersey, goggles, Oscar jersey expected to fetch $150,000+tag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2013-02-04:2292696:BlogPost:330312013-02-04T22:08:48.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<p>A remarkable, and valuable, trio of basketball artifacts – <a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/snaring-1970-kareem-oscar-jerseys-turned-out-to-be-wise-move-for-equipment-man/" target="_blank">Lew Alcindor’s 1969-1971 game worn Milwaukee Bucks jersey</a> (his last before becoming Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), <a href="http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=7070&lotIdNo=34002" target="_blank">Oscar Robertson’s 1970-’71 NBA Championship Season game worn Milwaukee Bucks jersey</a> and…</p>
<p>A remarkable, and valuable, trio of basketball artifacts – <a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/snaring-1970-kareem-oscar-jerseys-turned-out-to-be-wise-move-for-equipment-man/" target="_blank">Lew Alcindor’s 1969-1971 game worn Milwaukee Bucks jersey</a> (his last before becoming Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), <a href="http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=7070&lotIdNo=34002" target="_blank">Oscar Robertson’s 1970-’71 NBA Championship Season game worn Milwaukee Bucks jersey</a> and <a href="http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=7070&lotIdNo=34004" target="_blank">Kareem’s first set of game worn goggles, from 1974</a> – are expected to bring more than $150,000 altogether at auction on Feb. 23 in New York as part of Heritage Auctions’ <a href="http://sports.ha.com/common/auction/catalog.php?SaleNo=7070" target="_blank">Platinum Night Sports event</a>.</p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149275783?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149275783?profile=original" width="202"/></a>The pieces have been consigned by Dr. Patrick McBride, Dean of Students of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Medical Schools, who also holds the distinction – which stands to this day – of having been named the youngest Equipment Manager in the history of professional sports. McBride has kept the pieces in his closet for the last 40 years.</p>
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<p>McBride, who started as a bat boy for the Milwaukee Brewers and then the Bucks, was made Equipment Manager shortly after the ’70-’71 season, when the previous Equipment Manager died suddenly. The equipment from each season was stored when the season ended and, a few years after the historic first championship, while going through the stored equipment, McBride came across the gamers mentioned above and asked the team if he could keep a couple of them. He was granted permission and McBride chose the Alcindor and Robertson jerseys.</p>
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<p>“I knew back then that they would be of significant value and that they were from an historic moment,” said McBride, “but more to the point was that I was there for every one of those minutes in that first Bucks championship season. I spent a lot of hours in those arenas and I worked hard at those games. They meant a lot to me.”</p>
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<p>The 1969-71 Lew Alcindor jersey is significant on any number of levels, as it marks not only the last time that one of the great players in NBA history, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, would go by his birth name, but it also the jersey he wore in his first championship, in his first MVP and Scoring Title season. The jersey is expected to bring $100,000+.</p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149275817?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149275817?profile=original" width="220"/></a>There are very few who would openly contend that Oscar Robertson is not the greatest point guard in NBA history and a tried and true champion. Nowhere was this more evident than in the ’70-’71 season when Robertson was acquired by the Bucks to help mold the young Alcindor and, eventually, bring the Bucks their first and only championship. This jersey was on The Big O’s back the whole time and is expected to bring $50,000+ when it crosses the block.</p>
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<p>“It was an amazing thing to watch Robertson that season,” McBride said. “He not only sacrificed his own points to help Kareem, he showed him how to win a championship and he gave every ounce of himself to every game. I saw, night after night, as he gave his all and demanded the same of every player on that team.”</p>
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<p>While Kareem’s goggles are not dated to the championship season, they are indeed the first pair the superstar ever wore, in the 1974 season, after his cornea was scratched in a game. After searching far and wide, the team came across the goggles, made by a French company, and ordered them for Kareem. Out of the many the team tried, this pair was the most comfortable and efficient and the team ordered several more pairs.</p>
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<p>“After a certain amount of play the goggles got scratched,” said McBride. “Kareem discarded them for the next pair and I got these.”</p>
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<p>As far as desirability goes, it seems fairly obvious to collectors why these pieces would be so prized.</p>
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<p>“These three pieces, and everything that Dr. McBride has consigned to the auction, have everything you could possibly want,” said Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage Auctions. “They have a rock solid provenance – they’ve never left Dr. McBride’s possession and he is very well known in the NBA – and are associated with two of the greatest athletes to ever play professional sports, period, from an amazingly storied season. Things like this don’t come around often.”</p>
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<p>For McBride, whose hustle and hard-work in his youth set him on his successful path as an adult, the auction is bittersweet, if an obvious decision.</p>
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<p>“I’ve had them for 40 years and have enjoyed them every minute but I’m not young anymore,” he said. “I’d rather do something meaningful for my family by securing their future and donate to some important charities at the same time while ensuring these pieces are properly taken care of for posterity.”</p>Find the Most Watched Sports Collectibles on eBay via Sports Collectors Dailytag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2013-01-26:2292696:BlogPost:327322013-01-26T17:00:00.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<p>Sports Collectors Daily has added a new feature that enables readers to see what sports cards and memorabilia are grabbing the most attention from bidders on eBay.</p>
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<p>The new page, available through the “What's Hot on eBay” link on <a href="http://sportscollectorsdaily.com/">SportsCollectorsDaily.com</a>, enables visitors to see a live feed of the most watched items on…</p>
<p>Sports Collectors Daily has added a new feature that enables readers to see what sports cards and memorabilia are grabbing the most attention from bidders on eBay.</p>
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<p>The new page, available through the “What's Hot on eBay” link on <a href="http://sportscollectorsdaily.com/">SportsCollectorsDaily.com</a>, enables visitors to see a live feed of the most watched items on<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277833?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277833?profile=original" height="86" width="207"/></a> eBay in various sports card and sports memorabilia categories. This information gives collectors a look at what items are currently attracting the most attention from bidders, whether they are interested in old baseball or other sports cards, autographs, vintage sports memorabilia and more.</p>
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<p>Sports Collectors Daily is dedicated to the aggregation of daily news and events in the sports collecting world with over 7,000 collecting-related stories published since June 2006. There’s a lot going on in the industry and trends really show up first on eBay.</p>
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<p>Many of the hobby's most popular vintage cards garner dozens of 'watches' and the page offers a snapshot of what the current market price may be. Collectors and dealers interested in new cards can see which ones are garnering the most attention.</p>
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<p>Sports Collectors Daily can offer readers a <a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/whats-hot-on-ebay/">quick look at the market’s ‘most watched’ items</a> in a matter of seconds, thanks to a partnership with eBay. Along with the number of ‘watchers’, visitors can see the current price of a hot item, a thumbnail image, the number of bids and item number.</p>
<p> </p>Mike Eruzione Olympic Jersey Could Fetch $1 Milliontag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2013-01-25:2292696:BlogPost:330112013-01-25T17:20:43.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<p><a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/eruzione-selling-miracle-on-ice-jerseys-sticks/" target="_blank">The jersey that was worn by team captain Mike Eruzione in the 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team “Miracle on Ice”</a> 4-3 victory over the dreaded and feared Soviet Union team – <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/cover/news/1999/12/02/awards/" target="_blank">voted Top Sports Moment of the 20<sup>th</sup> Century by Sports Illustrated</a> – is expected to bring more…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/eruzione-selling-miracle-on-ice-jerseys-sticks/" target="_blank">The jersey that was worn by team captain Mike Eruzione in the 1980 U.S. Men’s Olympic Hockey Team “Miracle on Ice”</a> 4-3 victory over the dreaded and feared Soviet Union team – <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/features/cover/news/1999/12/02/awards/" target="_blank">voted Top Sports Moment of the 20<sup>th</sup> Century by Sports Illustrated</a> – is expected to bring more than $1 million as the centerpiece of Heritage Auctions’ <a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/schilling-consigns-bloody-sock-from-04-world-series/" target="_blank">Feb. 23 New York Sports Platinum Night Auction</a> at the Fletcher-Sinclair Mansion (Ukrainian Institute of America) at 2 E. 79<sup>th</sup> Street (at 5<sup>th</sup> Ave.).</p>
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<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276253?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276253?profile=original" width="182"/></a>The white jersey, which is the top lot in a <i>The Mike Eruzione Collection,</i> is just one of 22 pieces relating to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team and its journey through Lake Placid, NY. The trove also contains <a href="http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=7070&lotidNo=38004" target="_blank">the stick that Eruzione used to score the eventual game-winning goal</a>, <a href="http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=7070&lotidNo=38002" target="_blank">the blue jersey</a> the captain wore two days later in the gold medal game against Finland, <a href="http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=7070&lotidNo=38006" target="_blank">the hockey gloves he wore throughout the entire tournament</a>, <a href="http://sports.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=7070&lotidNo=38003" target="_blank">the warm-up suit he was wearing during the medal ceremony</a> (when he famously called his entire team up to the podium to share the moment) and many more pieces all evocative of the most famous of American sports moments.</p>
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<p>Eruzione, who said that the materials had been kept in his U.S.A. Hockey bag in his attic in Massachusetts since the Olympics – minus washing the jerseys once he got home, as they were still wet from the games – is auctioning off the material to benefit his foundation, the Winthrop Foundation – which benefits local causes in his home town of Winthrop, MA – and to provide for the his children’s and grandchildren’s futures.</p>
<p>“I’m auctioning these pieces off because<a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/eruzione-talks-about-his-decision-to-sell-1980-olympic-jerseys-stick/" target="_blank">I want to take care of my family</a>, my charity and to turn them over to history,” he said. “They hold no nostalgia for me. I went to Lake Place Placid for one thing: to get a gold medal. I achieved that and it will never leave my possession. If my jersey can end up in a museum, or with a collector, a team or a corporation that will care for it and display the right way, then I will be happy.”</p>
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<p>The “Miracle On Ice” is a moment that transcends sport – it was a supreme geo-political event, capping a dark American era and opening a bright new one of possibility and power.</p>
<p>“It’s one of those things that, for every American that saw it, they remember where they were and what they were doing when the final seconds ticked down,” said Chris Ivy, Director of Sports Auctions at Heritage. “We all heard the words ‘Do you believe in miracles?’, and on that day, Feb. 22, 1980, we all certainly did.”</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Thirty three years later, almost to the day, the jersey, the stick and the gloves that Eruzione used in that game are set to become collecting royalty. The white jersey, with the bold blue and red “21” sewn on the back, is a piece of sports memorabilia unlike any other; to hold it is to be transported back to the day and the time it happened, as America needed real, accessible heroes to break the considerable doldrums of The Cold War, gas lines and a deeply sagging economy.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“As sports fans, we all have our teams and we all root for those teams to beat the other guys, whether it’s Dallas, L.A., New York or any other American city,” said Chris Ivy, Heritage’s Director of Sports Auctions, “but when it came to this Olympics and this team, they really were <i>our</i> team and these players – none more so than Eruzione – were our players. When Eruzione scored the go ahead goal, and the Americans held off a furious Soviet attack for the last 10 minutes of the game, every one of us was living and dying with every second.”</p>Five Football Rookie Cards Poised for Growthtag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2013-01-20:2292696:BlogPost:328172013-01-20T17:38:44.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<p>Every so often, a player comes around that just shatters everyone's expectations. The personal attributes of each superstar may vary, but it takes more than natural ability to rise to stardom in a league as competitive as the NFL. <a href="http://bit.ly/Uc2Akr" target="_blank">Adrian Peterson</a> is one of those players. <a href="http://bit.ly/XqbDvA" target="_blank">Calvin Johnson</a> is another one.</p>
<p>While they still need a few more years to prove to be one of the all-time greats,…</p>
<p>Every so often, a player comes around that just shatters everyone's expectations. The personal attributes of each superstar may vary, but it takes more than natural ability to rise to stardom in a league as competitive as the NFL. <a href="http://bit.ly/Uc2Akr" target="_blank">Adrian Peterson</a> is one of those players. <a href="http://bit.ly/XqbDvA" target="_blank">Calvin Johnson</a> is another one.</p>
<p>While they still need a few more years to prove to be one of the all-time greats, they’ve definitely done enough to lead a list of rising stars that are worth investing in now.</p>
<p>Therefore, rather than include them on a list, they become the precipice for the conversation, or the measuring stick we use to judge. It goes to show you that the <a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/most-valuable-football-cards-of-nfls-vintage-number-one-draft-picks/" target="_blank">most valuable football rookie cards</a> of #1 draft picks don't always surpass guys drafted later.</p>
<p>As always, some players seem like ‘obvious’ choices. But keep in mind we are approaching these investments from a long term perspective, not necessarily who to buy today and sell in 6 months or a year. We’re looking at players we think can stand the test of time, and bring nice returns at the end or, or well after their careers are over.</p>
<p>Here 5 current stars whose NFL rookie cards could make you money later. Click the player's name to see his rookie cards available on eBay.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://vintagegradedfootballcards.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/fitzgerald04.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://vintagegradedfootballcards.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/fitzgerald04.jpg?width=120" width="120"/></a><strong>1. <a href="http://bit.ly/Xqc1KJ" target="_blank">Larry Fitzgerald</a></strong><br/>Strike while the iron is cold. Criticism can be placed all around the Arizona franchise, but Larry Fitzgerald cannot be to blame for their struggles in the passing game. His career numbers would look drastically different if he had even a serviceable QB since Kurt Warner retired. But he was very young upon entering the league, and is only 28 years old having already accumulated 10,000 career yards.</p>
<p>Like all the members of this list, Fitzgerald isn’t as flashy as when he first entered the league. But he has the opportunity to go down as one of the all-time greats if he adds a couple more good years to his already impressive resume at such a young age.</p>
<p>While there are a good few Fitzgerald autos, jerseys or game used options worth consideration, the top of the line RC to own for Fitzgerald would be the 2004 SP Authentic Larry Fitzgerald Logo Patch RC Auto /299. A PSA 10 was sold on eBay in September 2012 for $660, and ungraded can even go in the $300-$400 range.</p>
<p><strong><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276244?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276244?profile=original" width="142"/></a>2. <a href="http://bit.ly/WjlAvO" target="_blank">Demarcus Ware</a></strong><br/>It seems strange to say, but if Ware played for another franchise he would probably actually be more well known. Mired on a team that tends to focus just as much on its owner as it does the players, Ware has been the one constant on the inconsistent Cowboys teams of recent years. With just three more years with 10+ sacks (he hasn't had less than 11 since recording 8 in his rookie year of 2005), and he’ll pass Michael Strahan for 5th on the all-time list. If he does that, or continues at his current level, he's headed for the Hall of Fame. Defensive players may never be the sexiest in the cardboard world, but Ware is a wise investment now.</p>
<p>The best recommendation is to grab one of Ware's graded Autos, with options such as 2005 Playoff Contenders DeMarcus Ware AU R, '05 Bowman's Best Auto or '05 Bowman Crome Auto SP /50.</p>
<p>3. <strong><a href="http://bit.ly/11Jp0hw" target="_blank">Matt Ryan</a></strong><br/>Numb<a target="_blank" href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Matt-Ryan-2008-UD-Exquisite-RC-Auto-Team-Logo-Patch-13-25-1-1-SP-/400369342185?pt=US_Football&hash=item5d37df56e9"><img class="align-left" src="http://thumbs2.ebaystatic.com/d/l225/m/mFCWp7UVqYWgYfGigwJI3NQ.jpg?width=225" width="225"/></a>ers are great. Touchdowns. Yards. Completions. Numbers can measure a good few things on a football field. Generally they show some level of talent, or a measure of the talent of the players on a team, and well they can be the most important thing when it comes to fantasy football participants. But the only numbers that really matter to a quarterback are the number of victories, and eventually the number of rings.</p>
<p>Matt Ryan has some great numbers already, but one sticks out in particular. His career won-loss record is 56-22. Ryan has shown the poise to lead his team, and he has the opportunity to quietly rise to the top of the QB list in a quarterback dominated league. Unfortunately, his cards are at a premium already, so the timing of your purchase is key. His various UD Exquisite RC options sell in the $1,500-$2,500 range, and his '08 SP Authentic color patch RC auto is another hot option. The recommendation here, is to look to trade a card of a player that is hot now, that <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276271?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276271?profile=original" width="142"/></a>might not have quick the long term potential of a Ryan.</p>
<p>4. <strong><a href="http://bit.ly/Wjm19u" target="_blank">Darrelle Revis</a></strong><br/>Revis is a true shutdown corner, maybe not seen since the likes of Deion Sanders. Like it or not, Deion is one of the top 25 NFL players of ALL-TIME. While Revis is not in that stratosphere just yet, his market value is down due to injury, and well, the organization he plays for. So just like Fitzgerald, we are suggesting a buy now theory, and inviting the risk. As with any card in this era, you have plenty of auto options for Revis in '07, or you can fall back on the always available '97 Topps Chrome, but make sure it's a PSA 10 if you do.</p>
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<p><br/>5. <strong><a href="http://bit.ly/Uc3MV6" target="_blank">AJ Green</a></strong><br/>Calvin Johnson may have company.</p>
<p>Traditionally, wide receivers were not expected to have any kind of impact until their 3rd season. The exceptions, such as the legends like Jerry Rice and Randy Moss aside, there is a growing trend of more receivers making an impact sooner, rather than later.</p>
<p>While 2 seasons are not enough to be anointed ‘the next coming’ of anything, barring injury AJ Green is already the next superstar WR. I’d be buying into him starting last year. But from a market standpoint, that isn't quite as easy, as rookies get more attention than veterans most of the time in today's 'hype-first' society. Normally I'd list my favorites, but for Green I would get my hands on any auto, limited print, jersey etc. This guy is going to be around for a long time, so if you can find any value here, go for it.</p>
<p>The disappointing thing about the most recent trend in rookies, is that it is tough to 'pull a gem' that starts out at $1 and then rises over time. The prices are astronomical from the outset, making it more difficult to find those gems. Players like AJ Green and Matt Ryan are not sleepers by any means, and if you are able to predict the Doug Martin's of the world before they hit it big, you'll be better off finding value before a player ascends to the top in a week. But if it was the easy, we'd all be rich!</p>
<p>Keep in mind, just because some of these cards are expensive now, doesn't mean they won't rise. As you can see, even the most expensive NFL rookie cardscards still seem to increase in value if the player continues to improve or perform at a high level. Just try not to buy at the peak of the market.</p>Graded football cards are focus of new websitetag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2013-01-05:2292696:BlogPost:329932013-01-05T05:53:42.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<p><span>Just in time for the start of the NFL playoffs, a new website has arrived, focusing on some of the greatest pro football players of all-time and their top trading cards.<br></br> <br></br> <a class="extlink" href="http://www.vintagegradedfootballcards.com/" target="_blank" title="VintageGradedFootballCards.com">VintageGradedFootballCards.com</a> offers articles on more than 20 of the most important football cards of all time, articles that provide tips and tactics for investing in high grade,…</span></p>
<p><span>Just in time for the start of the NFL playoffs, a new website has arrived, focusing on some of the greatest pro football players of all-time and their top trading cards.<br/> <br/> <a class="extlink" target="_blank" title="VintageGradedFootballCards.com" href="http://www.vintagegradedfootballcards.com/">VintageGradedFootballCards.com</a> offers articles on more than 20 of the most important football cards of all time, articles that provide tips and tactics for investing in high grade, older football cards, and links to live, real-time auctions of those cards.<br/> <br/> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149275739?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149275739?profile=original" width="174"/></a>Readers will find information on the careers of the players whose rookie cards are the most valuable as well as an examination of what makes those cards so popular.<br/> <br/> From the <a class="extlink" target="_blank" title="1888 Goodwin Champions Harry Beecher" href="http://vintagegradedfootballcards.com/1888-n162-beecher">1888 Goodwin Champions Harry Beecher</a> to the 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas and Bart Starr to the 2000 SP Authentic Tom Brady rookie card, collectors will learn a little about the scarcity of graded cards and what one can expect to pay to get one.<br/> <br/> What did one collector/investor pay for one of the few mint <a class="extlink" target="_blank" title="1935 National Chicle Bronko Nagurski" href="http://vintagegradedfootballcards.com/1935-national-chicle-bronko-nagurski">1935 National Chicle Bronko Nagurski</a> cards? You may not believe it.<br/> <br/> Why is the <a class="extlink" target="_blank" title="1955 Topps Four Horsemen of Notre Dame" href="http://vintagegradedfootballcards.com/1955-topps-all-american-four-horsemen">1955 Topps Four Horsemen of Notre Dame</a> still a solid choice even though it was produced years after they played their last game?<br/> <br/> In 1966, two players on the same team who went on to Hall of Fame careers appeared on football cards for the first time. Find out who they are and which one is so tough to find in a graded mint 9.<br/> <br/> Vintage is in the eye of the beholder, so those of you who were kids in the 1980s and 90s and always wanted a Joe Montana, John Elway or Dan Marino rookie card but couldn’t afford one, will see them featured too.<br/> <br/> There are lists of some of the best rookie cards by era, information on getting those old cards graded and why it’s important for an investor to buy the highest grade possible.<br/> <br/> The site’s online article library will continue to grow in time. If you’re thinking about purchasing one of these highly sought after cards, <a class="extlink" target="_blank" title="Vintage Graded Football Cards " href="http://www.vintagegradedfootballcards.com/">Vintage Graded Football Cards</a> offers a place to gather information and learn more about them.<br/></span></p>Inside a Box of 2012 Panini Golden Age Baseballtag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-12-29:2292696:BlogPost:326942012-12-29T19:00:00.000ZLarry Pauleyhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/LarryPauley
<p>Earlier this year when Panini sent out the sheet advertising its <a href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337238564&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fstores.ebay.com%2FMLB-Memories-Store%2F_i.html%3F_nkw%3D2012%2BPanini%2Bgolden%2Bage%26submit%3DSearch%26_sid%3D37107081" target="_blank">2012 Panini Golden Age Baseball</a><img src="http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337238564&customid=&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]" style="text-decoration: none; border: 0; padding: 0; margin: 0;"></img> product my first reaction was to pass. It seemed as if another company was trying to…</p>
<p>Earlier this year when Panini sent out the sheet advertising its <a target="_blank" href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337238564&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fstores.ebay.com%2FMLB-Memories-Store%2F_i.html%3F_nkw%3D2012%2BPanini%2Bgolden%2Bage%26submit%3DSearch%26_sid%3D37107081">2012 Panini Golden Age Baseball</a><img style="text-decoration: none; border: 0; padding: 0; margin: 0;" src="http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337238564&customid=&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]"/> product my first reaction was to pass. It seemed as if another company was trying to “get in” on the small craze begun by Topps’ Allen and Ginter product, and I really care about baseball cards, not bugs or animals or Hollywood or what have you.</p>
<p>However, as the order deadline drew near the rumors of some pretty good baseball items in the product began to circulate and we took a flyer on one case. When they finally arrived this week (about a month beyond the original release date), we decided to bust open and a box and see what was inside. According to the advertising we had heard, “<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=2012+Panini+golden+age&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">2012 Panini Golden Age Baseball</a> mixes the best of baseball’s past with great athletes from other sports and personalities from other professions.”</p>
<p>Taking Panini at their word, here is what <strong>MLB Memories</strong> expected to find in the box:<br/> (1) Historic Signature<br/> (1) Museum Age Memorabilia<br/> (24) Mini Parallels<br/> (2) Headlines<br/> (2) Batter-Up<br/> (1) Newark Evening World Supplement<br/> (1) Ferguson Bakery Pennant Box Topper or Movie Poster Box Topper</p>
<p>And that is <em>EXACTLY</em> what we found. No more or less than the promise. However, we were surprised that the product grew on us with every pack despite the presence of horse racing, boxing, movie stars, etc. In fact, by the time the last pack was ripped, we decided we <em>really</em> liked this product!</p>
<p>First, it covers an excellent era of American pop culture which is where the “Golden Age” name originates. It allows for some great subjects across a broad cross spectrum of the culture. Additionally, Panini took the time to find and use some rather unique photos for the different players, people, etc.. The <a target="_blank" href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337238565&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fstores.ebay.com%2FMLB-Memories-Store%2F_i.html%3F_nkw%3DFrank%2BRobinson%26submit%3DSearch%26_sid%3D37107081">Frank Robinson</a><img style="text-decoration: none; border: 0; padding: 0; margin: 0;" src="http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337238565&customid=&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]"/> card celebrating his winning the Triple Crown (coincidence that it came out in the Miguel Cabrera Triple Crown year?) is a good case in point. It is NOT your common picture of that Hall of Famer as you can see in the picture<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276239?profile=original"><img width="750" class="align-right" style="padding: 4px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276239?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" height="357" width="273"/></a>.</p>
<p>And the inserts are crazy! It will not be easy (or cheap, we assume) to get all the insert sets completed as they only fall one or two per box. But they are really worth it! We particularly are fond of the Batter Up inserts which are a nice tip of the hat to that often over-looked 1934-1936 set. Really nice cards.</p>
<p>Finally, the box toppers are a nice touch. We opened two boxes (pricing one out to sell by the pack at the shop) and we got one each of the Ferguson Bakery Pennant Box Topper and a Movie Poster Box Topper. We were very pleased with the quality of each piece, and frankly, thought Topps could learn a thing or two from Panini in this department as the Allen and Ginter toppers have been pretty static, and the Heritage box toppers are rarely worth opening.</p>
<p>This is not to say the everything was perfect in <a target="_blank" href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337238564&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fstores.ebay.com%2FMLB-Memories-Store%2F_i.html%3F_nkw%3D2012%2BPanini%2Bgolden%2Bage%26submit%3DSearch%26_sid%3D37107081">2012 Panini Golden Age Baseball</a><img style="text-decoration: none; border: 0; padding: 0; margin: 0;" src="http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337238564&customid=&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]"/>. The pictures on the card fronts are rather hit and miss on their quality. Some are phenomenal for clarity and uniqueness. Others just look like a paint by number job (Cleon Jones’ card is a strong example of that). And the card backs are just a bit “fuzzier” than they need to be to capture an old-time feel. The write-ups are good, but they are not always easy to read.</p>
<p>Out of the 150 card base set we received 113 cards, but four were duplicates, leaving us with 109. Not bad, but also not necessary in this day and age as other sets have shown.</p>
<p>But my only real gripe is this: there are two hits promised in the box (one memorabilia card and one autograph), and in a “baseball card” product shouldn’t at least ONE of them be of a baseball related subject? Our relic was from a dress worn by Grace Kelly. Our autograph was from Maureen McCormick (aka Marcia Brady). Fun, I guess, but I want baseball!</p>Mike Trout Autographed Cards: What's Hottag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-07-21:2292696:BlogPost:306442012-07-21T03:30:00.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><em>by Mike Fruitman</em><br></br></font></font></p>
<p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">In a year that was seemingly destined to belong to 19 year old hype machine Bryce Harper, Mike Trout has not so quietly emerged as the current go to guy for collectors. The Angels outfielder has impressed many by making the All-Star game as a rookie as well as providing ESPN with loads of top 10 highlight reel material. …</font></font></p>
<p></p>
<p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><em>by Mike Fruitman</em><br/></font></font></p>
<p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">In a year that was seemingly destined to belong to 19 year old hype machine Bryce Harper, Mike Trout has not so quietly emerged as the current go to guy for collectors. The Angels outfielder has impressed many by making the All-Star game as a rookie as well as providing ESPN with loads of top 10 highlight reel material. </font></font></p>
<p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277556?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277556?profile=original" height="309" width="231"/></a>Since arriving full time in the majors on April 28, the 25<sup>th</sup> pick in the 2009 draft has blown up on the field as well as in the hobby. Thanks to prospect products like Bowman, Bowman Draft, Bowman Platinum, Bowman Sterling, Topps Pro Debut, Tristar Obak and others, the young Mr. Trout has helped releases from 2009, 2010 AND 2011 jump off of hobby store shelves.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Fortunately the MLB rookie rules allow his 2011 base cards to count as true RCs, but they do not diminish any of his previously released prospect singles. 2011 releases that are benefitting from hosting his true rookie cards include Bowman Chrome, Bowman Draft, Bowman Sterling, Topps Finest and Topps Update.</font></font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Leading the way of course are his autographed rookie year cards. If you had an extra $1,900.00 lying around, you would have had this <a target="_blank" href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337136975&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2F2011-FINEST-MIKE-TROUT-AUTO-AUTOGRAPH-PURPLE-REFRACTOR-1-5-1-1-RC-%2F320940101199%3Fpt%3DUS_Baseball%26hash%3Ditem4ab9854e4f">2011 Topps Finest Purple Refractor</a><img style="text-decoration: none; border: 0; padding: 0; margin: 0;" src="http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337136975&customid=&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]"/> numbered to just five sent over to your house. </font></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">This <a target="_blank" href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337136975&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2F2011-Bowman-Sterling-Mike-Trout-Purple-Auto-6-10-Mint-HOT-%2F110913691694%3Fpt%3DLH_DefaultDomain_0%26hash%3Ditem19d2f8a02e">2011 Bowman Sterling Purple Parallel</a><img style="text-decoration: none; border: 0; padding: 0; margin: 0;" src="http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337136975&customid=&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]"/> /10 moved for a slightly more modest $925.00 while this autographed <a target="_blank" href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337136975&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2F2011-Bowman-Sterling-Mike-Trout-Black-Auto-SP-SSP-20-25-MINT-%2F280904310952%3Fpt%3DLH_DefaultDomain_0%26hash%3Ditem416733a0a8">Bowman Sterling Black Autographed Parallel</a><img style="text-decoration: none; border: 0; padding: 0; margin: 0;" src="http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337136975&customid=&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]"/>single sold for a few packs of top loaders shy of $600.00<font color="#0000FF">.</font></font><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/2011-Bowman-Sterling-Mike-Trout-Black-Auto-SP-SSP-20-25-MINT-/280904310952?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416733a0a8" target="_blank" title="This external link will open in a new window"></a></p>
<p><font face="Calibri" size="3">Trout’s success is not limited to his 2011 singles, as evidenced by <font size="3"><font face="Calibri">this <a target="_blank" href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337136975&customid=&mpre=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fitm%2FMike-Trout-2009-Bowman-Sterling-Black-Refractors-Rookie-AUTO-25-BGS-10-PRISTINE-%2F140587038309%3Fpt%3DUS_Baseball%26hash%3Ditem20bba3f665">2009 Bowman Sterling Black Refractor</a><img style="text-decoration: none; border: 0; padding: 0; margin: 0;" src="http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=4&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337136975&customid=&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]"/></font></font>autographed single moving for an astounding $2,150.00 (plus shipping since 2K+ isn’t enough for free shipping)<font color="#0000FF">.</font></font><a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mike-Trout-2009-Bowman-Sterling-Black-Refractors-Rookie-AUTO-25-BGS-10-PRISTINE-/140587038309?pt=US_Baseball&hash=item20bba3f665" target="_blank" title="This external link will open in a new window"></a></p>
<p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">Of course interest in Trout has not been limited to his singles Recent Ebay box sales of 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft rolled for $164.95, 2010 Bowman Platinum for $99.99 and 2009 Bowman Sterling at $299.95.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri">With his league leading .355 average and respectable 13 HRs, the “Millville Meteor” could easily remain hotter than this summer’s record weather. Hobby shops everywhere would not mind seeing that happen as collectors continue to hope to land his singles.</font></font></p>
<p><font size="3"><font face="Calibri"><em>Mike Fruitman owns <a href="http://www.mikesss.com/" target="_blank">Mike's Stadium Sportscards</a> in Aurora, Colo. You can read his column on <a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com" target="_blank">Sports Collectors Daily</a> every week, focusing on what products are selling best in hobby shops. Enjoy new arrivals and big hits from Mike’s on <a href="https://twitter.com/MikesStadiumSC%20" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. Mike’s is always looking for more friends on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/search/results.php?q=victor%20schaffer%20&init=quick&tas=0.7743627747081677&search_first_focus=1332516588613#%21/mikesstadiumsportscards" target="_blank">Facebook</a> and you can email him at cardmn5150@aol.com.</em></font></font></p>Ad for the first ever National Sports Collectors Conventiontag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-07-07:2292696:BlogPost:305122012-07-07T15:20:25.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276303?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276303?profile=original" width="692"/></a></p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276303?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276303?profile=original" width="692"/></a></p>Are You Going to the National Sports Collectors Convention?tag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-06-23:2292696:BlogPost:299882012-06-23T21:12:22.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<p>It's been more than 30 years since the first National Sports Collectors Convention was held in Anaheim, CA. The event is still going strong, although it's really more of a giant card show these days. Gone are the days of seminars, outings and other events the organizers used to put together.</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277893?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277893?profile=original" width="350"></img></a> This year's show is back in Baltimore, where it set up for the first time…</p>
<p>It's been more than 30 years since the first National Sports Collectors Convention was held in Anaheim, CA. The event is still going strong, although it's really more of a giant card show these days. Gone are the days of seminars, outings and other events the organizers used to put together.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277893?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277893?profile=original" width="350"/></a>This year's show is back in Baltimore, where it set up for the first time just a couple of years ago. That convention scored high and promoters have hopes that this one will be even better, but who knows? There's no doubt that no matter when you attend, you'll find something to buy. Hundreds of dealers, large and small, are set up because this is one show that many of the most dedicated collectors in North America attend, no matter where it's held.</p>
<p>The show runs from August 1-5, with the first day being just being a late afternoon and evening event. There will be a lot of 'dealer to dealer' sales during the opening hours as the big boys look for cards they can re-sell to their best customers.</p>
<p>The autograph guest list is a big one, with a Baltimore flavor, although you'll also see Emmitt Smith, Joe Montana and other superstars.</p>
<p>We wish the show had some of its original concepts in place such as seminars, trade sessions and other things to make it a true convention rather than what it has become. If you want a flavor of how things used to be, <a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/rich-kleins-ramblings-the-craziest-national-of-them-all/" target="_blank">here's a good read</a> by Rich Klein.</p>
<p>However, every National is mind boggling in terms of the scope and size. You literally can't see every booth unless you're there for two full days and even then you'll have to keep a steady pace, stopping only for no more than 20 minutes or so at any one spot.</p>
<p>Feel free to post a blog here about your own National Sports Collectors Convention experiences or tell us how much you're looking forward to this year's show.</p>
<p>-----</p>
<p>I'm constantly amazed by the number of collectors who are fans of pro wrestling. Topps isn't shying away from its commitment to create a product for WWE fans. Their latest effort, <a href="http://www.wrestlerautographs.com/2012-topps-wwe-everyones-guilty-pleasure" target="_blank">2012 Topps WWE</a>, is coming to a store near you in a few months. </p>The Champ invites you in his ring, The Main Eventtag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-06-19:2292696:BlogPost:300752012-06-19T02:13:01.000ZAndrew Walkerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/MainEntranceSports
<p>If anyone is interested, please check out the information provided below regarding a huge event by the CHAMP Bonecrusher Smith. I was requested by the Champ to spread the word on "The Main Event". I am planning on attending and the event is from August 31st to September 2nd near Myrtle Beach, SC. I am still working out the details. If anyone from Michigan near Macomb County would like to go with, please let me know by email, etc and we can try to work out those details. Please check out the…</p>
<p>If anyone is interested, please check out the information provided below regarding a huge event by the CHAMP Bonecrusher Smith. I was requested by the Champ to spread the word on "The Main Event". I am planning on attending and the event is from August 31st to September 2nd near Myrtle Beach, SC. I am still working out the details. If anyone from Michigan near Macomb County would like to go with, please let me know by email, etc and we can try to work out those details. Please check out the information below or look for it on my website in the near future. My website is also listed below.</p>
<p><a href="http://Championforkids.org" target="_blank">Bonecrusher Smith Main Event</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.mainentrancesports.com" target="_blank">Main Entrance Sports</a></p>1970 Topps Baseball Packs, Set Are Focus of New eBooktag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-06-09:2292696:BlogPost:294422012-06-09T04:26:13.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<p><a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com">Sports Collectors Daily</a> and <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276231?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276231?profile=RESIZE_480x480" style="padding: 5px;" width="333"></img></a> The Unopened Pack Guy announce the launch of a new e-book that will have collectors and fans with some fresh summer reading material. This is the book that will help you remember why you collect baseball cards… or what your collection is missing. …</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com">Sports Collectors Daily</a> and <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276231?profile=original"><img width="333" class="align-left" style="padding: 5px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276231?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="333"/></a>The Unopened Pack Guy announce the launch of a new e-book that will have collectors and fans with some fresh summer reading material. This is the book that will help you remember why you collect baseball cards… or what your collection is missing. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/1970-baseball-cards-ebook-offers-trip-back-time/" target="_blank">The Ultimate Collector’s Guide to 1970 Baseball Cards</a> includes an incredible accumulation of information on the cards, the sets, the packs, the boxes, the sidebar sets, the test issues, the Canadian-based set and much, much more. Over 50 photos in total! </p>
<p>The Guide also takes you back in time, weaving the historical and pop culture events that shaped the dawn of a new decade with the 1970 baseball card set that was avidly collected by kids who plunked down a dime for ten razor-sharp cards and a stick of bubble gum.</p>
<p>Those packs are elusive today and collectors pay big bucks to find the few remaining unopened packs, which sell for hundreds of dollars in their various forms. The Guide explains each type of pack in detail and reveals production codes and variations in the packaging that is beneficial to those looking for unopened material.</p>
<p>Through this incredible book, you'll discover fascinating trivia and little known facts about the players who donned the flannel uniforms and appeared on the cardboard that accompanied that famous bubble gum. </p>
<p>Get the checklists. Read the stories. Get insights into the production codes along with long forgotten information too! </p>
<p>It’s up to you. Read it now or refer to it at the next card show. Either way you will spend hours devouring all that’s inside. </p>
<p>Whether you are a avid card collector, baseball historian or just a mild mannered fan, you won't be disappointed by the stories, the photos and just plain fun inside this book.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088IKIBC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=sportscolle0d-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0088IKIBC">The Ultimate Guide to Collecting 1970 Baseball Cards</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=sportscolle0d-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0088IKIBC" alt="" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" border="0" height="1" width="1"/> is available for download via the Kindle store on Amazon.com or via <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-ultimate-guide-to-collecting-1970-baseball-cards-unopened-pack-guy/1111386599?ean=2940014745147" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a>.</p>Chronology of Sports Collecting Publicationstag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-06-09:2292696:BlogPost:295412012-06-09T02:25:13.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
Click the 'full screen' option to the left of 'download' to read.<br />
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<p><a href="http://www.docstoc.com/docs/95709461/COLLECTORS-SEARCHING-FOR-THE-FOUNTAIN-OF-"><font size="1">COLLECTORS SEARCHING FOR THE FOUNTAIN OF ...…</font></a><br></br></p>
Click the 'full screen' option to the left of 'download' to read.<br />
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<p><a href="http://www.docstoc.com/docs/95709461/COLLECTORS-SEARCHING-FOR-THE-FOUNTAIN-OF-"><font size="1">COLLECTORS SEARCHING FOR THE FOUNTAIN OF ...</font></a><br/> <object id="_ds_95709461" width="500" height="550" classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" name="_ds_95709461"><param name="FlashVars" value="doc_id=95709461&mem_id=15648141&showrelated=0&showotherdocs=0&doc_type=ppt&allowdownload=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="opaque"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="never"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="false"></param><param name="src" value="http://viewer.docstoc.com/"></param><embed wmode="opaque" id="_ds_95709461" width="500" height="550" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://viewer.docstoc.com/" flashvars="doc_id=95709461&mem_id=15648141&showrelated=0&showotherdocs=0&doc_type=ppt&allowdownload=1" allowscriptaccess="never" allowfullscreen="false" name="_ds_95709461"></embed> </object>
</p>Lou Brock & Bo Hart - Sharing a Card, If Not a Similar Careertag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-06-01:2292696:BlogPost:296112012-06-01T17:12:13.000ZLarry Pauleyhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/LarryPauley
<p>Everybody who collects baseball cards seems to have an opinion regarding “relic” cards. The cards with pieces of game-worn or used equipment embedded into them were hugely popular when they first appeared. However, over the last few seasons, some collectors have been treating the cards almost as a nuisance rather than a “hit” in a pack or box of cards. Just for the record: <strong>MLB Memories</strong> will be glad to take any relic cards people want to send us!</p>
<p>We have long…</p>
<p>Everybody who collects baseball cards seems to have an opinion regarding “relic” cards. The cards with pieces of game-worn or used equipment embedded into them were hugely popular when they first appeared. However, over the last few seasons, some collectors have been treating the cards almost as a nuisance rather than a “hit” in a pack or box of cards. Just for the record: <strong>MLB Memories</strong> will be glad to take any relic cards people want to send us!</p>
<p>We have long maintained that the value of baseball cards does not lie in their Price Guide listing, but rather the memories they evoke and the stories that they can help tell. While this is easily demonstrated with the “regular” cards of childhood days or collections gone by, the relic card can also bring a special twist to the stories that shadow the national pastime.<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276328?profile=original"><img width="375" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276328?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="375"/></a></p>
<p>This came to mind recently while going through a box of relic cards that were being prepared for <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store?_rdc=1">our eBay store</a>. In the box was a nice-looking card from 2003. The card was actually from the <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=2003+rookies+greats&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">Fleer Rookies and Greats set of that season</a>. It was from the insert set known as ” Through the Years Game Used,” and it was actually <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=hart+brock&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">a dual relic card featuring Hall of Famer Lou Brock</a> (and a piece of his once game-worn jersey), and a player with a great baseball name, but whose career did not match his early promise…Bo Hart (along with a piece of game-worn pants).</p>
<p>And that’s the story! How does a guy easily forgotten by most baseball fans (die-hard Cardinals fans likely excluded!) actually share a card with one of the all-time greats of the game? Of course, part of the answer comes from the fact that both men played for the St. Louis Cardinals in the major leagues. But another part of the equation is found in the fact that the card companies like to make the special cards stand out from time to time, and multiple relic pieces is one way they have chosen to do that. In 2003 the choice of Bo Hart to share a card with <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=Lou+Brock&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">Lou Brock</a> seemed to make sense.</p>
<p>Bodhi J. “Bo” Hart played second base for the St. Louis Cardinals in that 2003 season. Actually, he started 65 games at second base, but that was enough to lead the team (Miguel Cairo started 33 games). Hart had been drafted in the 33rd round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft by the Cards, and St. Louis fans had reason to believe his promise was about to show!</p>
<p>Hart made his MLB debut with the Cardinals on June 19 of the 2003 season. And he started strong! In fact, he broke a major league record (previously held by <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=Puckett&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">Kirby Puckett</a>) when he hit. 460 in his first ten games with St. Louis, making his first month in the majors among the best debut month for a player in major league history. Hart’s batting average remained above. 300 until August 14, 2003, and he finished the season with 82 hits and a. 277 average. He also hit four home runs, and drove in twenty-eight.</p>
<p>Alas, as is so often the case, the brilliance at the beginning was as bright as that light would ever shine. After the first month of the 2004 season, Hart was hitting only .154 and was assigned to the minor leagues. He never came back to the major leagues with any team even though the Rockies and Cubs gave him extended looks in the minors. Hart finished his professional career in independent baseball in 2008.</p>
<p>BUT…here’s the deal! Hart played in the Show! Hart played well for half a season at a level very, very few ever attain. And although there may have been disappointment over the length of the career and success, for a brief period Hart was thought of well enough to share a card—an inserted relic card, no less—with one of Cooperstown’s immortals. Not a bad story for a relic card to tell.</p>Quoting the Hall of Fame Rookie Class of 1983: Ryne Sandbergtag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-05-06:2292696:BlogPost:293652012-05-06T19:14:12.000ZLarry Pauleyhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/LarryPauley
<p>Recently, here at <strong>MLB Memories</strong> we took an afternoon to rip through a box of 1983 Donruss Baseball wax packs. It was a blast reliving that time almost 30 years ago when we first did that! And to top it off, all three of the Hall of Fame rookies in that set…<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=wade+boggs&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">Wade Boggs</a>,…</p>
<p>Recently, here at <strong>MLB Memories</strong> we took an afternoon to rip through a box of 1983 Donruss Baseball wax packs. It was a blast reliving that time almost 30 years ago when we first did that! And to top it off, all three of the Hall of Fame rookies in that set…<a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=wade+boggs&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">Wade Boggs</a>, <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=tony+gwynn&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">Tony Gwynn</a>, and <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=Ryne+Sandberg&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">Ryne Sandberg</a>…were found in the box!<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276116?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276116?profile=original" width="433"/></a></p>
<p>In honor of those players, and for fun, we are glad to bring you this quote:</p>
<blockquote><p>It was all about doing things right. If you played the game the right way, played the game for the team, good things would happen. That's what I loved most about the game, how a ground out to second with a man on second and nobody out was a great thing. In my day, if a guy came to spring training 20 pounds heavier than what he left, he was considered out of shape and was probably in trouble. He'd be under a microscope and the first time he couldn't beat out a base hit or missed a fly ball, he was probably shipped out. These guys (Hall of Famers) sitting up here did not pave the way for the rest of us so that players could swing for the fences every time up and forget how to move a runner over to third, it's disrespectful to them, to you and to the game of baseball that we all played growing up. Respect.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Ryne Sandberg, from his Hall of Fame induction speech, July 24, 2005</p>Not Over 'Em Yet: 1969 Topps Decalstag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-05-02:2292696:BlogPost:290432012-05-02T19:00:00.000ZLarry Pauleyhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/LarryPauley
<p>In the spring and early summer of 1969 I was a pre-teen with confidence and joy because I was a fan of the Detroit Tigers! They were reigning World Champions, and all the guys I hung with were positive the new division play would make another Series victory even easier for the Bengals. Of course, we were wrong, but we were just kids!<br></br><br></br>As with so many others our age, the following of baseball was close to an obsession, and one way that practice manifested itself was in the collecting…</p>
<p>In the spring and early summer of 1969 I was a pre-teen with confidence and joy because I was a fan of the Detroit Tigers! They were reigning World Champions, and all the guys I hung with were positive the new division play would make another Series victory even easier for the Bengals. Of course, we were wrong, but we were just kids!<br/><br/>As with so many others our age, the following of baseball was close to an obsession, and one way that practice manifested itself was in the collecting of Topps baseball cards. Truth be told, we knew nothing of the fledgling ecology movement or even the rightness of litter laws. BUT, what we did know was a couple of found pop bottles could be traded in at the corner store for a pack of new cards with a stick of gum. What a deal! You are right if you think our neighborhood stayed litter-free (well, at least of glass bottles).<br/><br/>When 1969 Topps Baseball was originally released the set's 664 card checklist earned it the distinction of being the largest baseball card set ever. The set boasted some great players (40+ Hall of Famers are represented within it). And accompanying this sizable set were two of the most popular insert sets ever released - Deckle Edge and Decals.<br/><br/>Both of these insert sets were loved by the guys in my circle. The smaller, black and white deckle edge were cool because of the weird scallop cut on the edges AND the inclusion of some great players. We were thrilled that THREE of our Tigers were in the set (Horton, Freehan and McLain), and we could not understand why Lolich and Kaline and Cash were snubbed.<br/><br/>But the real love of inserts came from the 1969 Topps Decals. Bright, colorful and very cool because they looked like the baseball cards…but you could rub them off on stuff! In my mind's eye, in fact, I can still see my pasteboard notebook, at the end of the summer, with a COMPLETE set of the decals rubbed off on to it. Sure, I cringe now, but at the time I thought it was the best!<br/><br/>The decals were very similar in design to the 1969 base set. Of course, the decals were much smaller at 1 3/4" x 2 1/8" Second, the color of the inside of the circle housing the player's name was different from the regular card. Most importantly, however, for most of the players Topps used a picture that was different from the base card picture. As kids we loved that because it was like being able to get two cards of the players instead of one!<br/><br/>The small size of the decals and the fact that they were designed to perish during "normal" use (like my long ago lost notebook) conspired against their long-term survival. It is really unfortunate in consideration of the fact that the issue contains a Reggie Jackson "rookie", a last-year piece of Mickey Mantle, and Hall of Famers in abundance among its 48 players. Perhaps that is why I decided a while back to make this set one of the few graded card sets that I would put together. Regardless of why, I am glad I did, because every time I work on the set or just admire it, I am that pre-teen once again.<br/><br/>Maybe I should go look for pop bottles.<br/><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277749?profile=original"><img class="align-right" style="padding: 3px;" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277749?profile=original" width="681"/></a></p>2012 TOPPS GYPSY QUEEN "MINI-BOX" BREAK & REVIEWtag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-04-21:2292696:BlogPost:293242012-04-21T19:20:16.000ZLarry Pauleyhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/LarryPauley
<p>During the 2011 baseball season, the Topps Company dipped into the "retro" well once again with a product they branded "Gypsy Queen." These cards were fashioned after the 1887 classic tobacco cards, and they were an instant success! Many dealers sold out of the product in short order. Even a "hiccup" in the guaranteed inserts from Topps did not slow the enthusiasm for Gypsy much.</p>
<p>Of course, anything that goes that well is going to be repeated, and this past week the anticipated 2012…</p>
<p>During the 2011 baseball season, the Topps Company dipped into the "retro" well once again with a product they branded "Gypsy Queen." These cards were fashioned after the 1887 classic tobacco cards, and they were an instant success! Many dealers sold out of the product in short order. Even a "hiccup" in the guaranteed inserts from Topps did not slow the enthusiasm for Gypsy much.</p>
<p>Of course, anything that goes that well is going to be repeated, and this past week the anticipated 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen Baseball Cards went "live." Topps made a few changes in the sets make up for the season, but even the changes built on the success of last year's launch.<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276265?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276265?profile=original" width="500"/></a></p>
<p>Completing the "base" set will mean the collecting of 350 cards, which includes 50 short print variations. That will keep eBay and traders busy for a while. And, each hobby box boasts "2 Autographs & 2 Relics Per Box!" This is good as the product introduces at over $100 a box. Additionally, there are parallels and inserts, many of which are serial numbered to short runs.</p>
<p>However, the item that captivated several last season is also back this season, and that is the Gypsy Queen "minis." These can be randomly inserted in the packs of both hobby and retail packs. BUT the fun is in the fact that EVERY Hobby box of Gypsy Queen contains a small box of ten (10) mini cards as a sort of "bonus." It is a concept not unlike the Hobby box box topper…but way more cool! The mini cards are a parallel of the whole set, including certain insert sets:</p>
<ul>
<li>Moonshots (20 players): Featuring all the top home run hitters</li>
<li>Glove Stories (10 players): Images and stories of spectacular fielding plays</li>
<li>Slide Show (15 players): Base stealers in action</li>
</ul>
<p>In addition to the parallels, it has also been revealed that there are several 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen mini variations. Although the base set cards are numbered 1-300 along with the variations, the mini cards are numbered 1-350. They mini variations are found seven per hobby mini box topper. One additional mini variation is pack inserted in every 2012 Topps Gypsy Queen hobby and retail box.</p>
<p>Just to share the fun and stir your interest, we wanted to list for you the contents of the first "minis box" opened at <strong>MLB Memories</strong> this week.</p>
<p>#30 Cole Hamels (arm blocking the mouth variation)</p>
<p>#44 Matt Kemp (holding bat, blue seats in background variation)</p>
<p>#83 Ryan Howard (running variation)</p>
<p>#154 Victor Martinez (bat above shoulder variation)</p>
<p>#197 David Freese (fielding variation)</p>
<p>#270 Roberto Clemente (batting variation)</p>
<p>#272 Craig Kimbrel (glove at waist, standing variation)</p>
<p>Moonshots Curtis Granderson</p>
<p>Glove Stories Endy Chavez</p>
<p>Sliding Stars Elvis Andrus</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p><img class="wpGallery mceItem" title="gallery link="file" orderby="title"" src="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/plugins/wpgallery/img/t.gif" alt=""/></p>In Praise of Manufactured Patch Cardstag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-04-14:2292696:BlogPost:293132012-04-14T16:17:54.000ZLarry Pauleyhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/LarryPauley
<p>Over the last few years it has become standard practice for the Topps Company to release the first wave of their flagship baseball card product in a variety of manners. It seems likely they will never leave the basic “wax” pack (even if the size of those packs vary from retail to hobby and regular to jumbo). Additionally, the cards are released in rack packs, small boxes of around 50 cards, specialty packs, and the “blaster box. ”<br></br><br></br>Blaster boxes have become a staple in these recent…</p>
<p>Over the last few years it has become standard practice for the Topps Company to release the first wave of their flagship baseball card product in a variety of manners. It seems likely they will never leave the basic “wax” pack (even if the size of those packs vary from retail to hobby and regular to jumbo). Additionally, the cards are released in rack packs, small boxes of around 50 cards, specialty packs, and the “blaster box. ”<br/><br/>Blaster boxes have become a staple in these recent years, particularly in national chain stores such as Target and Wal-Mart. They usually contain anywhere from 8 to 10 packs (often advertising one as “extra” or “free”). But, for the fan in us at MLB Memories, the real key to these blasters is the special card often included in the first wave of blasters to hit the shelves. These specialty cards are “patch” cards, not of actual game-worn anything, but rather manufactured patches meant to give the collector something unique. And they are unique!<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276268?profile=original"><img width="480" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149276268?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="480"/></a><br/><br/>The 2012 offering of Commemorative Patch Cards feature two different styles, both of which contain a Hall of Fame checklist. One set of patches is called <em>“Historical Stitches.”</em> These cards are meant to resemble the players name as it might have looked sewn into an actual jersey. The material has the look of vintage wool in either a cream color for the home “whites” or a gray material to simulate the away jersey.<br/><br/>Retired numbers are the theme of the other commemorative patches and, in our opinion, has even greater appeal. The cards feature the jersey number of the player pictured as it was retired by his former team. The patch is in team colors, and looks very sharp. It also appears that these cards were produced in fewer numbers than the signature patches, but that is only an “eyeball observation. ”<br/><br/>Some collectors don’t care for these manufactured cards as they do not contain any actual game-used value. But we at <strong>MLB Memories</strong> really enjoy them! After all, baseball cards are meant to reflect the game and provide an entertaining hobby, and these cards certainly do that!</p>2012 Topps Baseball Factory Sets Previewtag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-04-01:2292696:BlogPost:291972012-04-01T23:00:00.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<p><em>by Chris Harris</em></p>
<p>Topps doesn’t produce dozens of different versions of their annual factory set, it only seems that way. Each of the last two years, Topps has made seven different factory sets, with different runs for Hobby, retail, and regional outlets –and each with their own exclusive pack of inserts. </p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277490?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277490?profile=original" width="171"></img></a> The first wave of <i>2012 Topps Baseball…</i></p>
<p><em>by Chris Harris</em></p>
<p>Topps doesn’t produce dozens of different versions of their annual factory set, it only seems that way. Each of the last two years, Topps has made seven different factory sets, with different runs for Hobby, retail, and regional outlets –and each with their own exclusive pack of inserts. </p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277490?profile=original"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277490?profile=original" width="171"/></a>The first wave of <i>2012 Topps Baseball</i> factory sets will be appearing at Hobby outlets the week of July 16<sup>th</sup> with the “Team” editions to follow right behind. Although Topps has yet to announce which teams will get their own factory set (since the All-Star Game is in Kansas City this year, you can be assured that the Royals will finally get one), the nati<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149278005?profile=original"><img class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149278005?profile=original" width="384"/></a>onally-distributed Hobby set will come with another pack of five exclusive base set parallels.</p>
<p>With the Red-bordered parallels now exclusive to Target packs, the five factory set parallels will come framed with Orange borders. Once again, the parallels will be serial-numbered with production dependent on the number of sets ordered – but should be in the 250-300 copy range.</p>
<p>Each 2012 Topps Factory set hobby case will come with a dozen of sets, with an extra set in each HTA case. Click <a target="_blank" href="http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=9&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337065349&customid=&icep_uq=Topps+Factory+sets&icep_sellerId=&icep_ex_kw=&icep_sortBy=12&icep_catId=&icep_minPrice=&icep_maxPrice=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg">here</a><img style="text-decoration: none; border: 0; padding: 0; margin: 0;" src="http://rover.ebay.com/roverimp/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?ff3=9&pub=5574630358&toolid=10001&campid=5337065349&customid=&uq=Topps+Factory+sets&mpt=[CACHEBUSTER]"/> to check out Topps factory sets from various years on eBay.</p>
<p><em>Chris Harris writes the popular hobby blog <a href="http://www.stalegum.com" target="_blank">Stale Gum</a>.</em></p>2012 Topps Opening Day Review and Box Breaktag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-03-13:2292696:BlogPost:290792012-03-13T11:23:44.000ZLarry Pauleyhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/LarryPauley
For several years now the Topps Opening Day set has been mostly considered an entry-level baseball card set ideal for collectors on a budget. And that has been an accurate description for the most part as they are not the most valuable or highly sought after cards. What they HAVE done is present to collectors an inexpensive way to build a set or chase the many insert sets. However, the 2012 Topps Opening Day baseball card set just might begin changing a few perceptions.<br />
<br />
As with most years, the…
For several years now the Topps Opening Day set has been mostly considered an entry-level baseball card set ideal for collectors on a budget. And that has been an accurate description for the most part as they are not the most valuable or highly sought after cards. What they HAVE done is present to collectors an inexpensive way to build a set or chase the many insert sets. However, the 2012 Topps Opening Day baseball card set just might begin changing a few perceptions.<br />
<br />
As with most years, the card has a simple 220-card base set that mixes veterans and (a few) rookies, with the greatest focus being on the game’s biggest names. Giving this set a bit of a “push” is the fact that several players who changed teams in the off-season are featured with their new uniforms for the first time in this set.<br />
<br />
A nice looking blue bordered parallel set is found serial numbered to 2012, and all the base card printing plates have been randomly inserted as 1/1. The Mascot cards return, and there are ten (10) different autographed cards to find. Players on the autograph checklist include World Series participants Jon Jay and Neftali Feliz.<br />
<br />
Of course, as in past seasons, there are several different insert sets to chase. And it is in the quality of these insert sets for 2012 that the biggest (and, we think, best) changes for Topps Opening Day can be seen.<br />
<br />
At MLB Memories the favorite is the 3D Opening Day Stars insert set. The 25-card set includes super collectible players like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder and Josh Hamilton. But the cards are equal to the players going beyond the Toops 3D cards of the past in style and clarity!<br />
<br />
Some of the other insert sets (cards fall one per pack) include:<br />
Elite Skills: the picture and write-up not only demonstrate the skill, but explain why it’s important as well.<br />
Superstar Celebrations: these cards highlight some of 2011′s most memorable moments and feature a player in the midst of his teammates.<br />
Fantasy Squad: these cards feature three players at each position and encourage collectors on the back to use the set of 30 cards to “mix and match to create the ultimate lineup.”<br />
<br />
This set is not likely to “make” anyone’s collection, but it is certainly a set well worth building and collecting. The cards are of a nice quality, the colors and print are clear and bright. Frankly, a lot can be learned by reading the cards in this set. We took a box and ripped through it and, in conclusion, we share the overall results with you! Enjoy!<br />
<br />
One box, 36 packs with 7 cards per pack<br />
205 of 220 of the base cards with NO duplicates (that is 93% of the set!)<br />
One (1) Carlos Lee card with NO NUMBER on the back (likely a purposely done card, perhaps a short-print)<br />
Four (4) Opening Day Stars 3D cards (Felix Hernandez, Carlos Gonzalez, Joey Votto, Mark Teixeira)<br />
Six (6) Blue Bordered Parallels (Ike Davis, Michael Pineda, Orlando Hudson, Mike Trumbo, Victor Martinez, Domonic Brown)<br />
Nine (9) of the Fantasy Squad cards (numbers 19-27 to be exact)<br />
Nine (9) of the Elite Skills cards (numbers 17-25)<br />
Nine (9) of the Mascot cards<br />
Nine (9) of the Superstar CelebrationsStrasburg Rookie Cards: Boom or Bust?tag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-03-10:2292696:BlogPost:288602012-03-10T06:30:00.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<p>Stephen Strasburg was destined for greatness. He was the number one over all pick in the Major League Baseball draft in 2009, and given a then record $15 million dollar contract by the Washington Nationals. <a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277580?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277580?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350"></img></a> Strasburg's every move was reported on by ESPN, and sports card collectors were salivating at the chance to buy…</p>
<p>Stephen Strasburg was destined for greatness. He was the number one over all pick in the Major League Baseball draft in 2009, and given a then record $15 million dollar contract by the Washington Nationals. <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277580?profile=original"><img width="350" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277580?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="350"/></a>Strasburg's every move was reported on by ESPN, and sports card collectors were salivating at the chance to buy <a href="http://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/strasburg-rookie-cards-get-jolt-from-pitchers-return/" target="_blank">Strasburg rookie cards</a>.</p>
<p><br/> Savvy card collectors were already well aware of Strasburg. He was the only collegiate player on the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, and, much like Mark McGwire in 1985; he had rookie cards out that year.</p>
<p><br/> Collecting and speculating on rookie cards is nothing new. Just recall the boom and then bust of the mid-1980s and early 1990s. Individual players had been in high demand before, McGwire, Canseco, Griffey Jr., and Barry Bonds all had periods of incredible collector demand, followed by a crash in prices. But nobody had the incredible effect on card collecting that Strasburg did in 2010.</p>
<p><br/> Since Strasburg was hyped even before he entered the big leagues, there was no real chance to get his cards cheap. As the date drawer closer to his debut with the Nationals, prices were hitting four digits for some of his autographed rookies.</p>
<p>He was down right dazzling in his early games, setting a club record for strikeouts in his debut. A one of one card of his sold for $20,000 in September of 2010. Then he hurt his arm and was done for the season. His cards leveled off, but collectors were certain he would bounce back. Nearly all of 2011 was also spent on the D.L., and his cards started to plummet.</p>
<p><br/> If you were ever going to get in on the <a href="http://www.strasburgrookiecards.com" target="_blank">Strasburg rookie cards</a> craze, now might be the time to do it. He is poised for a big season this year, and his cards are finally somewhat affordable.</p>Red Man Tobacco cards: a collection worth obtainingtag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-03-06:2292696:BlogPost:287122012-03-06T19:00:00.000ZLarry Pauleyhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/LarryPauley
<p>As we have stated more than a few times…one of the great things about being a baseball card dealer is getting to see (and sometimes purchase) some great old baseball memorabilia. <strong>MLB Memories</strong> was really excited recently when the chance to obtain some beautiful <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?rt=nc&_nkw=red%20man%20tobacco&_sid=37107081&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1581&_pgn=1">Red Man Tobacco baseball cards</a> came our way!…</p>
<p></p>
<p>As we have stated more than a few times…one of the great things about being a baseball card dealer is getting to see (and sometimes purchase) some great old baseball memorabilia. <strong>MLB Memories</strong> was really excited recently when the chance to obtain some beautiful <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?rt=nc&_nkw=red%20man%20tobacco&_sid=37107081&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1581&_pgn=1">Red Man Tobacco baseball cards</a> came our way!</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/52rm_feller.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/52rm_feller-264x300.jpg?width=264" width="264"/></a>One of the most colorful and collected baseball card issues of the 1950s is the <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?rt=nc&_nkw=red%20man%20tobacco&_sid=37107081&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1581&_pgn=1">Red Man Tobacco card sets</a>. These were the first national sets of tobacco cards produced since the golden days of tobacco sets in the latter 1800s and early part of the 1900s. In an era when Bowman and Topps were fighting it out to see who would have card supremacy, Red Man came in under the radar and produced one of the best looking and most collectible sets of the 1950's.</p>
<p>Topps and Bowman were obviously geared for the young collector as they were meant to increase bubble-gum sales. The Red Man cards, on the other hand, were sold with an adult only purchased product with the intent that the cards collected by the purchaser would probably be passed on to the purchaser's offspring. In fact, this intention is even noted on the backs of the 1953 thru 1955 cards as they read, <em>"Red Man "Chewers" - start a collection for your boys,"</em> and the 1952 card backs say <em>"These Baseball Cards are for Red Man "Chewers" and Their Boys".</em><a target="_blank" href="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/52rm_back.jpg"><img class="align-right" src="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/52rm_back-263x300.jpg?width=184" width="184"/></a></p>
<p>The cards measure 3-1/2" x 4", IF they include the 1/2" tab at the bottom of each card. The tab was an important part of the card. The tab was used as part of a promotion to obtain a cap representing a major league team. A purchase of a pack of Red Man Tobacco cost 20 cents, and the pack came wrapped in clear plastic. The ball card was on the outside of the tobacco pouch and under the plastic. The tabs on the card bottom edge were redeemable for that free baseball cap from Red Man. The promotion was to turn in 50 cutoff tabs and mail them in for the cap of your choice. In other words, you had to spend ten dollars on Red Man Tobacco to get enough tabs for the cap. Remember, that was in 1950s money!</p>
<p>Because of that successful promotion, cards are harder to find with tabs intact, and thus considerably more valuable to the collector today. Simply put, cards with tabs today are worth more than the cards without a tab, and that is one of the reasons the collection MLB Memories just obtained is so exciting. EVERY card has its tab!</p>
<p>Card fronts came from full color paintings of each player with biographical information inset in the portrait area. Card backs contain company advertising and are essentially the same on all the cards. It is generally held that actual photographs were used as the basis for the paintings, but no pictures have ever surfaced to verify this idea. Also, it is not known who supplied the artwork for the Red Man Tobacco cards but, whoever it was, they did a great job in portraying the men in the sets! Check out the <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=red+man+tobacco+stengel&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">Casey Stengel</a>, <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=red+man+tobacco+yogi&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">Yogi Berra</a> or <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=red+man+tobacco+mays&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">Willie Mays</a> card and you will see for yourself.</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/54rm_mays.jpg"><img class="align-left" src="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/54rm_mays-264x300.jpg?width=264" width="264"/></a>Red Man baseball sets were issued from 1952 through 1955. The players and managers represented in the sets were selected by J. G. Taylor Spink. This is the man after whom the National Baseball Hall of Fame award for baseball writers is named. Spink was the publisher and editor of <em>The Sporting News,</em> which many considered the baseball bible of that era, and he carried the nickname "Mr. Baseball". He certainly did a great job in selecting the subjects for the card sets. Just in the inaugural 1952 Red Man set there are several players still hotly collected. In the American League, there are cards of Larry "Yogi" Berra, Bob Feller, Nellie Fox, George Kell, Ted Williams, Larry Doby, Minnie Minoso and Early Wynn. The National League contains Richie Ashburn, Monte Irvin, Ralph Kiner, Willie Mays, Stan Musial, Pee Wee Reese, Robin Roberts, Red Schoendienst, Enos Slaughter, Duke Snider, and Warren Spahn. There is also a card of Bobby Thomson who, the year before, hit what is called "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" to put the New York Giants into the World Series.</p>
<p>The first two years ('52-'53) included a manager from each league, and 1954 had four different variation cards. That makes a total of 208 cards for the collector. The four variations in the 1954 set are as follows: Card 4A of George Kell has two cards, one showing him on the Chicago White Sox and the other on the Boston Red Sox. Card 6A also has two variations of Sam Mele, one on the Baltimore Orioles and the other with the Chicago White Sox. Card A 9A of Dave Philley has him on the Cleveland Indians on one card and the Philadelphia Athletics on another. The final variations are two cards of 19N, one of Enos Slaughter and the other of Gus Bell, both believed to be short printed. <a target="_blank" href="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/54rm_roberts.jpg"><img class="align-right" src="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/54rm_roberts-262x300.jpg?width=262" width="262"/></a></p>
<p>One of our favorite 1954 Red Man cards (and in the collection we have for sale) <a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=red+man+tobacco+mays&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">heralds the return of Willie Mays to the New York Giants</a>. Willie missed the entire 1953 season while serving in the U. S. Army during the era of the Korean War. It is a great looking card, and it seems so appropriate as Willie and his Giants went on to win the World Series that season.</p>
<p>These are beautiful cards. They capture an era so well, and yet have a timeless baseball card quality about them.</p>Autographed Baseball Collecting Site Offers Tips for Spring Trainingtag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-03-03:2292696:BlogPost:287092012-03-03T04:56:34.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<p><a href="http://www.signaturebaseballs.com/">Signed baseballs</a> are still among the most collectable items for fans. With spring training now underway, many collectors are camped out in Florida and Arizona training camps. Collecting autographed baseballs sounds simple enough, but it can be far more rewarding with a little bit of knowledge. A website is offering a fresh series of articles that will help arm collectors of most any level with the knowledge they need to start, improve or…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.signaturebaseballs.com/">Signed baseballs</a> are still among the most collectable items for fans. With spring training now underway, many collectors are camped out in Florida and Arizona training camps. Collecting autographed baseballs sounds simple enough, but it can be far more rewarding with a little bit of knowledge. A website is offering a fresh series of articles that will help arm collectors of most any level with the knowledge they need to start, improve or expand a meaningful collection of autographs.<br/> <br/> The nature of autographs is such that knowing how to collect them, how to preserve them and how to expand a collection away from the ballpark are vitally important. <br/> <br/> Collecting <a href="http://www.signaturebaseballs.com/">autographed baseballs</a> is a pastime almost as old as the game itself. Did you know a Babe Ruth signed baseball recently sold for more than $20,000? Baseballs can vary in price from a few thousand dollars up to tens of thousands depending upon condition and, of course, the player himself. Collectors who decide to go beyond the modern era and chase such a ball will also be pleased to see plenty of information offered for making a purchase safely.<br/> <br/> Knowing how to properly care for autographs is important. Tips on protecting and preserving signed balls via display cases and proper ink are among the articles now offered via <a href="http://www.signaturebaseballs.com" target="_blank">Signature Baseballs</a>. The condition of the signed ball affects the value of the ball greatly!<br/> <br/> It is also vital to authenticate the ball's signature as genuine. The website has information on why grading and authentication services have become such an important part of owning a collection of signed baseballs. Your own word that you witnessed the signing of the ball by the player is rarely enough to prove that it is authentic. Certificates from authenticators are very important, especially if the ball became extremely valuable.<br/> <br/> The site not only helps the collector learn about authentication and preservation, but also offers links so you can shop for autographed baseballs offered by a variety of online sellers and read about some of the most valuable signed baseballs ever sold.<br/> <br/> Even if a trip to the Cactus League or Grapefruit League isn't in cards, you can still get a great deal of enjoyment from being an armchair fan and shopping via links on the website through its partnership with eBay. The information provided via <a href="http://www.signaturebaseballs.com/">Signature Baseballs</a> will help you make an educated decision.</p>2011 Playoff Contenders Baseball – the Autographs in One Boxtag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-02-28:2292696:BlogPost:286272012-02-28T02:48:01.000ZLarry Pauleyhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/LarryPauley
<p>Even though the year in the title of the product is 2011, it seems fitting that the release of this highly anticipated offering coincided with the beginning of Spring Training 2012! After all, Panini stayed with a strong prospect focus in their second Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) licensed baseball card release, and it is in Spring Training where those prospects get to show off and set their course for the coming season.…</p>
<p></p>
<p>Even though the year in the title of the product is 2011, it seems fitting that the release of this highly anticipated offering coincided with the beginning of Spring Training 2012! After all, Panini stayed with a strong prospect focus in their second Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) licensed baseball card release, and it is in Spring Training where those prospects get to show off and set their course for the coming season.</p>
<p><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=2011+Playoff&submit=Search&_sid=37107081"><strong>2011 Playoff Contenders Baseball</strong></a> does have a good mix of veteran players, but the big draw is the 150 prospect signers. On the day that the pitchers and catchers from our favorite team reported to spring training we decided to rip into a box of 2011 Playoff Contenders Baseball.</p>
<p>Every box is said to come with <em>six</em> autographs, including two hard-signed (that is, on card) autographed cards. Other styles of autographs include <em>Legendary Signs</em> of great players from the past, and <em>Sweet Signs</em> that have signed baseball leather. There are also the various ticket-themed cards popular in the Contenders releases for other sports. 2011 Playoff Contenders Baseball also contains a variety of subsets and parallels, but it is the autographs that get the attention.</p>
<p>So, to keep the readers and followers of <strong>MLB Memories</strong> up to speed on what is happening, we decided to list and show to you the autos found in our first opened box of 2011 Playoff Contenders Baseball. Oh, by the way, the <em>six</em> promised autographs turned out to be <strong><em>seven</em></strong> in our box!</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=2011+Playoff+fleece&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">NICK FLEECE, Cincinnati, autographed Draft Ticket card</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=2011+Playoff+alex+santana&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">ALEX SANTANA, Los Angeles, autographed Draft Ticket card</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=2011+Playoff+adam+morgan&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">ADAM MORGAN, Philadelphia, autographed Draft Ticket card</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=2011+Playoff+hamblin&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">MILES HAMBLIN, Houston, autographed Draft Ticket card</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=2011+Playoff+matt+barnes&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">MATT BARNES, Boston, autographed Rookie Ticket card (Hard Signed)</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=2011+Playoff+george+springer&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">GEORGE SPRINGER, Houston, autographed Rookie Ticket card (Hard Signed)</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://stores.ebay.com/MLB-Memories-Store/_i.html?_nkw=2011+Playoff+szczur&submit=Search&_sid=37107081">MATT SZCZUR, Chicago Cubs, Sweet Signs autographed baseball leather card #62/99</a></li>
</ul>
<dl class="gallery-item">
<dt class="gallery-icon"><a class="cboxElement" href="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/hamblin1.jpg" title="hamblin"><img src="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/hamblin1-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="MILES HAMBLIN, Houston, autographed Draft Ticket card" title="hamblin" height="150" width="150"/></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption">MILES HAMBLIN, Houston, autographed Draft Ticket card</dd>
</dl>
<dl class="gallery-item">
<dt class="gallery-icon"><a class="cboxElement" href="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/morgan1.jpg" title="morgan"><img src="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/morgan1-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="ADAM MORGAN, Philadelphia, autographed Draft Ticket card" title="morgan" height="150" width="150"/></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption">ADAM MORGAN, Philadelphia, autographed Draft Ticket card</dd>
</dl>
<p></p>
<dl class="gallery-item">
<dt class="gallery-icon"><a class="cboxElement" href="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/santana1.jpg" title="santana"><img src="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/santana1-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="ALEX SANTANA, Los Angeles, autographed Draft Ticket card" title="santana" height="150" width="150"/></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption">ALEX SANTANA, Los Angeles, autographed Draft Ticket card</dd>
</dl>
<dl class="gallery-item">
<dt class="gallery-icon"><a class="cboxElement" href="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/springer1.jpg" title="springer"><img src="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/springer1-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="GEORGE SPRINGER, Houston, autographed Rookie Ticket card (Hard Signed)" title="springer" height="150" width="150"/></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption">GEORGE SPRINGER, Houston, autographed Rookie Ticket card (Hard Signed)</dd>
</dl>
<p></p>
<dl class="gallery-item">
<dt class="gallery-icon"><a class="cboxElement" href="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/szcuzr1.jpg" title="szcuzr"><img src="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/szcuzr1-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="MATT SZCZUR, Chicago Cubs, Sweet Signs autographed baseball leather card" title="szcuzr" height="150" width="150"/></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption">MATT SZCZUR, Chicago Cubs, Sweet Signs autographed baseball leather card</dd>
</dl>
<dl class="gallery-item">
<dt class="gallery-icon"><a class="cboxElement" href="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/barnes1.jpg" title="barnes"><img src="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/barnes1-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="MATT BARNES, Boston, autographed Rookie Ticket card (Hard Signed)" title="barnes" height="150" width="150"/></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption">MATT BARNES, Boston, autographed Rookie Ticket card (Hard Signed)</dd>
</dl>
<p></p>
<dl class="gallery-item">
<dt class="gallery-icon"><a class="cboxElement" href="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/fleece.jpg" title="fleece"><img src="http://mlbmemories.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/fleece-150x150.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="NICK FLEECE, Cincinnati, autographed Draft Ticket card" title="fleece" height="150" width="150"/></a></dt>
<dd class="wp-caption-text gallery-caption">NICK FLEECE, Cincinnati, autographed Draft Ticket card</dd>
</dl>2012 Just Minors Mystery Gamers Case Breaktag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-02-21:2292696:BlogPost:286102012-02-21T22:00:00.000ZLarry Pauleyhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/LarryPauley
One of our favorite companies/suppliers around MLB Memories is the group at Just Minors. Their name can be a bit misleading (even though it harkens back to how they started as producers of some great minor league baseball card sets) because they deal with much more than just minors.<br />
<br />
Back in 2008 the company entered into a unique license agreement with the Major League Baseball Players Association (also known as the Players Union). The license agreement covered all their packaged memorabilia…
One of our favorite companies/suppliers around MLB Memories is the group at Just Minors. Their name can be a bit misleading (even though it harkens back to how they started as producers of some great minor league baseball card sets) because they deal with much more than just minors.<br />
<br />
Back in 2008 the company entered into a unique license agreement with the Major League Baseball Players Association (also known as the Players Union). The license agreement covered all their packaged memorabilia products, called the “Mystery” line, and their boxes carry the MLBPA logo.<br />
<br />
Their products have consistently been strong and desired by collators! The Mystery Baseballs have often held great deals for our customers, both in the strength of the players offered and in the quality of the signatures. The “black baseballs” that have been possible have always been received with a great deal of enthusiasm!<br />
<br />
So, it was with a great deal of anticipation that we awaited the release last week of 2012 Just Minors Mystery Gamers Baseball. Unlike packs of baseball cards that may hold a card with a swatch of uniform or glove or cleat, etc. …Mystery Gamers offers the entire piece of game-used equipment! Each case contains 4 display boxes, and the inner display boxes are clearly marked with the type of game-used item it contains. Every box of the product has either a game-used jersey, fielding glove, pair of cleats, hat or two pairs of batting gloves! It is easy to see why we were so excited. And the list of players contributing isn’t shabby! We were told that we could look for game-used pieces from Justin Verlander, Buster Posey, Justin Upton, Eric Hosmer, Evan Longoria, Tom Glavine, Joey Votto, Jason Heyward, Justin Morneau, Hanley Ramirez and others.<br />
<br />
Once again, the boxes are marked with the type of memorabilia they have so that collectors know what they’re buying, just not the player. So, with a bit of fanfare – and no small amount of breath-holding – we opened the first case in front of our customers with the intention of selling the items as “known”, and then the other cases were sold as sealed boxes. It was a blast!<br />
<br />
And now in this post, for the curious and collecting-minded, we are glad to share a list of what came out of the first case opened. All but the cap are available for sale, and you can find them by clicking on the list below:<br />
- Jay Bruce autographed batting gloves<br />
- Evan Longoria autographed batting gloves<br />
- Billy Butler autographed Royals cap (already sold)<br />
- Jeremy Hermida autographed game-used spikes<br />
- Junichi Tazawa autographed fielding glove (and it came with an embroidered “glove bag” – VERY cool piece!!)A quick box break of 2012 Topps Series 1 "Cereal" box from Targettag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-02-07:2292696:BlogPost:285012012-02-07T02:08:23.000ZLarry Pauleyhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/LarryPauley
Being laid up with the flu and feeling disgusting has not left me much time for enjoying the new season of Topps flagship product. In fact, our shop sold out of Jumbo boxes before I ever got to rip through one! Ah well, such is the life of a ball card dealer with a stomach virus!<br />
<br />
However, I do have the best wife in the world (okay, some may want to argue so we will call it a multi-way tie), and she picked me up some goodies at our local Target. I always enjoy ripping some specialty retail…
Being laid up with the flu and feeling disgusting has not left me much time for enjoying the new season of Topps flagship product. In fact, our shop sold out of Jumbo boxes before I ever got to rip through one! Ah well, such is the life of a ball card dealer with a stomach virus!<br />
<br />
However, I do have the best wife in the world (okay, some may want to argue so we will call it a multi-way tie), and she picked me up some goodies at our local Target. I always enjoy ripping some specialty retail product to see what the continuity cards for the chain look like or the special colored refractors only available at that store. What she got for me was a “hanging” box that, I suppose, is this season’s version of the “cereal boxes” of the last few years. Of course, the box was twice as large as the brick of cards inside, but that is standard for retail product.<br />
<br />
These paragraphs are already more than I have done in a few days, and so I will get to it. Here is what one of the $9.99 Target boxes of 2012 Topps Series 1 yielded:<br />
- 62 base cards (of which 7 were rookies, including a Betances)<br />
- 1987 Style mini of Tommy Hanson<br />
- an all over gold foil card (don’t know what they are calling those yet) of Hunter Pence<br />
- a Gold Futures card of Dustin Ackley<br />
- a Gold Standard card of Paul Molitor<br />
- a Golden Greats card of Nolan Ryan<br />
- a Timeless Talents card of John Smoltz/Craig Kimbrel<br />
- a Golden Moments autograph of Trevor Cahill<br />
and a code card.NFL Experience exposes the masses to collectingtag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2012-02-04:2292696:BlogPost:282532012-02-04T06:00:00.000ZRich Muellerhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/1r44vq233iht8
<p>Collectors and dealers often talk about 'the hobby'. While it's a convenient and distinguishable name among those who are in the industry, to outsiders it doesn't mean much. We sometimes forget there is a huge audience of sports fans out there who think this stuff is pretty cool. They'd like to collect, but aren't sure how. That's why events like the NFL Experience are so important.…</p>
<p></p>
<p>Collectors and dealers often talk about 'the hobby'. While it's a convenient and distinguishable name among those who are in the industry, to outsiders it doesn't mean much. We sometimes forget there is a huge audience of sports fans out there who think this stuff is pretty cool. They'd like to collect, but aren't sure how. That's why events like the NFL Experience are so important.</p>
<p><a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277549?profile=original"><img width="340" class="align-left" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277549?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="340"/></a>The great displays of game used items, appraisal fair, card company booths, the Super Bowl auction and the memorabilia show all serve to educate potential collectors and give them a chance to get up close and personal with everything that we already love.</p>
<p><br/> <a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277683?profile=original"><img width="380" class="align-right" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/3149277683?profile=RESIZE_480x480" width="380"/></a>If the sports collectibles industry is to grow, it needs new blood. Kids don't collect as much as they used to and while the generation that went card crazy in the 1980s and 90s is grown up, it's impossible to say whether they'll get back into the hobby in mass numbers. </p>
<p>Big events--where all of the elements are together and come alive in an impressive convention hall--do wonders for creating a spark in the minds of fans who might start a collection because of their visit.</p>
<p>I'm not sure what the attendance at this year's collecting-related events will be at the Experience, but from all reports, it seems to be strong. Fans waited in lines for autographs and we saw posts online that indicated the crowds were very large on Friday.</p>
<p>No surprise here. </p>
<p>The Midwest has a great history when it comes to collecting. Fans are loyal; collectors are dedicated and sports passions run deep. It's the perfect recipe to get more people involved in 'the hobby'. </p>
<p>And that's a very good thing.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<p></p>Hi Alltag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2011-12-27:2292696:BlogPost:271952011-12-27T17:33:32.000ZTom Zappalahttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/TomZappala
<p> </p>
<p>Great site. Looking forward to help promote the industry! Tom Zappala The T206 Collection: The Players & Their Stories</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Great site. Looking forward to help promote the industry! Tom Zappala The T206 Collection: The Players & Their Stories</p>
<p> </p>Rudy T Autograph Signingtag:sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com,2010-10-14:2292696:BlogPost:101682010-10-14T18:44:54.000ZDJ Fitermanhttp://sportscollectorsdaily.ning.com/profile/DJFiterman
<p>Rudy Tomjanovich (5-time NBA All-Star with the Houston Rockets, 2-time NBA Championship winning coach of the Houston Rockets, 2000 Olympic Gold Medal winning coach) will be signing autographs at our store on Saturday December 18, 2010 at 1:00pm.</p>
<p></p>
<p>If you would like to mail in an item(s) to be signed please include the signing fee and an SASE for return mailing. Mail to:</p>
<p></p>
<p>Fiterman Sports Group<br></br>1855 Cullen Pkwy.<br></br>Pearland, TX 77581</p>
<p></p>
<p>See…</p>
<p>Rudy Tomjanovich (5-time NBA All-Star with the Houston Rockets, 2-time NBA Championship winning coach of the Houston Rockets, 2000 Olympic Gold Medal winning coach) will be signing autographs at our store on Saturday December 18, 2010 at 1:00pm.</p>
<p></p>
<p>If you would like to mail in an item(s) to be signed please include the signing fee and an SASE for return mailing. Mail to:</p>
<p></p>
<p>Fiterman Sports Group<br/>1855 Cullen Pkwy.<br/>Pearland, TX 77581</p>
<p></p>
<p>See <a href="http://www.fitermansports.com">www.fitermansports.com</a> for details and to purchase autograph tickets online.</p>