Here’s a quick quiz for you. Other than being baseball cards, what did the 2004 Bazooka and 2011 Topps Lineage baseball sets have in common? There may be other correct answers, but the commonality in view right now is that both sets included inserts based on the 1964 Topps Stand-Ups. Actually, we could add 1934-36 Batter-Up and 2012 Panini Golden Age to the mix as the Topps … [Read more...] about 1964 Topps Stand-Ups Have Cousins but None Better
About Larry Pauley
1960 Topps Baseball Coaches Cards: From Reviled to Redeemed
Baseball card collecting has always been about greater things than the supposed “value” found in pieces of printed cardboard. The elements of anticipation, exhilaration, and joy that kids experienced, who at one time could afford to buy and bust wax packs, are still among the best motivations for involvement. Of course, even those "good old days" had their own particular let … [Read more...] about 1960 Topps Baseball Coaches Cards: From Reviled to Redeemed
1954 Bowman Baseball Had Mantle, Controversy
You can find it right in-between “bold reaction” and “last ditch effort.” The “it” is the 1954 Bowman Baseball card set. Much has been written about the battles between the upstart company Topps and the established baseball card manufacturers at Bowman in the early 1950s. The records clearly show that the Bowman Gum Co. had a significant loss of market share in 1952 and … [Read more...] about 1954 Bowman Baseball Had Mantle, Controversy
1971 Milk Duds Set Not a Dud With Collectors
Bubble gum and baseball cards are forever linked but, as most collectors know, there have been many other food products involved with cardboard memories of the national pastime. Bread wrappers, candy bar wrappers and backers, popcorn holders, even meat products are among the edible goodies that have used baseball cards as incentives. But not all food-related baseball items are … [Read more...] about 1971 Milk Duds Set Not a Dud With Collectors
Top Baseball Cards of Players Born on Christmas Day
Back in the day of early childhood, when the great matters of life were discussed and settled on the playground between innings — or during rounds of “pickle” if we did not have enough players for a game — there was rarely consensus on any issue. Even if everyone present agreed that the Tigers were the only team that mattered in the American League (that is how it was growing … [Read more...] about Top Baseball Cards of Players Born on Christmas Day
2014 Topps Five Star Arrives with Checklist, New Images
2014 Topps Five Star Baseball is set for release Wednesday and the company has released more images of some of the cards it has created for the high end product. Among them: a baseball card featuring one-time Kansas City Royals draftee Dan Marino and ex-Yankee farmhand John Elway along with bat relics of Ty Cobb and Jackie Robinson. The checklist for the hobby exclusive … [Read more...] about 2014 Topps Five Star Arrives with Checklist, New Images
Most Popular Baseball Card Sets to Collect, 1950-1999
Not only do the words “popular” and “passion” both start with “p,” but they are also related in the hearts of many collectors. At least that is how it appears from some of the great reactions and statements that the piece on 1900-1949 generated. And that is how it should be. There is little joy in collecting something if there is no passion attached to it. And, if passion is … [Read more...] about Most Popular Baseball Card Sets to Collect, 1950-1999
Collectors’ Choice: Most Popular Baseball Card Sets, 1900-1949
Every collector wants to believe that he or she is getting in on the best baseball card sets of all time when they collect. Or at least, the very best sets they can obtain on their given budget. And, when a collector accumulates what he or she truly desires, they are right on target regardless of what the set is worth or whether anyone else recognizes the achievement. Their … [Read more...] about Collectors’ Choice: Most Popular Baseball Card Sets, 1900-1949
15 Most Valuable Baseball Cards of the 50s
It is not unusual to hear the 1950s spoken of as the “golden age” for baseball card collecting. Three successful teams in New York, a bubble-gum war between two companies vying for the allowance money of kids, players who would define baseball immortality, and other factors all combine to provide this era with the well-earned title. Of course, to speak of something as … [Read more...] about 15 Most Valuable Baseball Cards of the 50s
2014 Topps Supreme Baseball Arrives Wednesday
After a Japan-only release of the MLB product last year, 2014 Topps Supreme Baseball, set to arrive Wednesday. The Supreme brand has been a pillar of the football card market since its introduction for the 2010 season. Last year, Supreme made its baseball debut but only as an Asian-exclusive. Now the holders of the MLB exclusive trading card license plan on bringing this … [Read more...] about 2014 Topps Supreme Baseball Arrives Wednesday