Pre-war strip cards can often be unattractive, a bit difficult to understand, and, well, just a little strange in general. All of those traits apply to the 1928 W565 strip card set. Here's a closer look at this unique issue from the 1920s. About the W565 strip card set Believed to have been printed in 1928, there's no doubt that the W565 strip card set is a little on the … [Read more...]
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1953 Bowman Black and White Set Complemented the Company’s Color Release
In 1953, Bowman continued its run of collectible baseball card sets with an impressive 160-card offering. Like the company's previous issues, that set included full color cards of players. But also in that year, the company issued a shorter, complementary set of black and white cards. Because of that, this is referred to as the black and white set while the other issue is known … [Read more...]
Like Honus Wagner, Eddie Plank Rarely Seen on Tobacco Cards
It's a general consensus that the T206 Honus Wagner is the most significant card in the history of the hobby. Ongoing publicity surrounding the scarcity and value of the card is such that even many non-collectors have heard of it. The card was shortprinted with several theories abounding as to the reason why. But one of the more common reasons cited is that Wagner was … [Read more...]
1926 Spalding Champions Set a Rare Multi-Sport Issue
When collectors think about pre-war multi-sport sets, they might be inclined to first think of any number of issues. The 19th Century 'Champions' issues or the 1933 Goudey Sport Kings set are very popular, for example. But sandwiched in between those legendary sets are a slew of others and one of the more complex ones is the 1926 Spalding Champions set. Here's a closer … [Read more...]
Rare 1961 Phillies Cigar Premium is an Affordable Mickey Mantle Issue
More than 50 years after his baseball playing career ended, Yankees Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle remains a beloved figure. Even beyond baseball fans, collectors not only pursue his cards and collectibles, but his items are among the most popular in the entire hobby. Most Mantle items have risen steadily in value over the years and are getting more expensive to the everyday … [Read more...]
1949-1951 Hage’s Dairy Pacific Coast League Cards Included Familiar Names
It was the west coast's "big league." A starting point for future major league legends, the Pacific Coast League spawned several baseball card sets during its long heyday in the first half of the 20th century. Among them are three early post-war vintage issues from Hage's Dairy. Operated in San Diego by Willard Hage Jr., whose father founded the company, Hage's was a … [Read more...]
Custom Card Sales Exploding Despite Legal Ramifications
Unlicensed sports cards have been around for some time. These cards have hoped to satisfy customer demands for more issues of athletes. For many years, Topps held a virtual monopoly on the production of gum baseball card issues and knockoffs were common. More brands ultimately surfaced, beginning primarily with the introduction of Fleer and Donruss in the marketplace in 1981. … [Read more...]
Babe Ruth Highlights the W511 Strip Card Set
The 1926 W511 strip card set isn't one of the more common strip issues -- and for good reason. The set is relatively obscure, confusing, and doesn't include much in the way of baseball. But the set is home to four Babe Ruth cards and because of that, has drawn a fair share of attention from collectors of early cards. Here's a closer look at the set. W511 Strip Card … [Read more...]
1911 E94 Blome’s Chocolates Cards Remain Elusive
The E94 cards are mostly attributed as George Close Candy cards. While some of the cards have only a checklist back, some of these cards feature an assortment of stamped advertisements for that candymaker from Massachusetts. These are mostly blue-ink back ads with a variety of slogans. Some of the ads are even dotted with a typo, reading, "Your Out" or "Your Safe" that would … [Read more...]
Bronko Nagurski Cards are Popular Pre-War Football Issues
When we talk about pre-war cards, baseball is the sport most commonly referenced. They generally hold the highest values are are easily the most collected. But early football cards have a strong following, too. And, along with Red Grange, Bronko Nagurski cards are the most sought after of the earliest NFL cardboard. A bruising running back who also starred on defense, … [Read more...]
