A not so pleasant surprise in ’55, the elusive Brett All-Star, a pack searching confession 19 years later and more…in the latest edition of collecting stories.

A winner in the Heritage box contest and more of your kidhood card collecting stories.

An elderly woman passes along her former husband’s tobacco cards while a stranger reaches out to a kid and one boy’s sister forces Mickey Mantle to make noise.

A sick day that turned out OK, an unusual trade gone horribly awry, church behavior bribery and more stories from you about your younger days as a collector.

Projecting which pitchers might be Hall of Fame material makes collecting baseball cards of pitchers to be a skill in itself.

Police have captured the men responsible for the theft of more than 1,000 vintage sports cards and items owned by a Virginia man but most are still missing.

PSA/DNA is giving away free John Wooden autographs as part of a Collector’s Club promotion.

This week’s notebook includes the signing habits of a 90-year-old former NHL standout, the end of a trading card lawsuit and one writer’s choices for all-time grossest sports memorabilia.

One of four PSA 10 1979 Topps Ozzie Smith rookie cards is for sale. A 1983 Orioles World Series ring is up, too, and eBay is offering you a personalized home page experience.

Topps visits big league camps, doing the duty that’s been done for more than 60 years, while the Detroit Tigers settle in for an autograph and photo session.

Augusta National says Art Wall’s 1959 Masters green jacket was stolen and went to court to block its auction while the consignor begs to differ. Plus, an auction house partners with Comcast-Spectacor Charities.

Two employees of Rogers Photo Archive have pleaded guilty to federal charges of stealing a massive amount of pictures and selling them on eBay, a treasure trove of BF2 pennant is uncovered… and other tidbits from around the hobby.

With Michael Jordan turning 50 this weekend, Upper Deck offers up some info about its autograph history. PSA will be represented on Pawn Stars, game worn Stanley Cup gear seems like a bargain and some of the Ravens’ stars do their first post-Super Bowl signing and Amazon is hoping to get in on the action.

Spring training isn’t even here yet but a few dozen fans try to snare a Derek Jeter autograph at his workout site in Tampa. Usually, they get nothing.

Some notes from around the hobby including big time vintage baseball card sets selling at auction, news of SGC’s autograph authentication arm and a casual collector says she’s had enough.

He’s the ultimate San Francisco 49ers collector and as the Super Bowl approaches, Martin Jacobs can look back at virtually the team’s entire history.