It is not that I am a total wimp, but I do truly hate going to the doctor unless I am really hurting or sick. It is not the shots or the white coats or the smells or any of that. Mostly it is the bills. But, whatever the reason, I just have a great distaste for visiting the practitioners of the Hippocratic oath. But one doctor made the event a bit more enjoyable. Along … [Read more...] about Getting Your Collection Outside the Fan Cave
2014 Topps Finest Football Preview
Topps Finest Football has been offered to collectors every year without interruption since 1994. It first appeared as a small set in 1992, and skipped the '93 season even though the brand name was used on card sets for the other major team sports. Regardless of the missed year, the venerable brand is easily one of the longest running football card sets produced outside of the … [Read more...] about 2014 Topps Finest Football Preview
Are King Felix Cards Underrated?
Recently, a national writer asked (and answered) the following question in one of his daily columns: “Can Clayton Kershaw and Felix Hernandez Be the First All-Pitcher MVP Duo Since 1968?” That same day I had a customer who was considering a dual autograph card of Bob Gibson and Denny McLain (the 1968 MVPs), and so I mentioned the article to him and engaged in some good … [Read more...] about Are King Felix Cards Underrated?
Antique Mall Find Was More Than Meets the Eye
Most long-time collectors will tell you that it is amazing where great sports memorabilia may still be found. Unless a person is seeking only the latest hot rookie or trying to score a deal on unopened material that is skyrocketing in price, it seems there is no shortage of finds at antique malls, flea markets, garage sales, thrift stores, and so on. Sure, many people … [Read more...] about Antique Mall Find Was More Than Meets the Eye
Stories in the Stubs: What You Can Find in a Lowly Used Ticket
Watching the great movie “42” I was once again struck with a little smile when actor Max Gail first appears on screen. He is the gentleman who plays manager Burt Shotton in the film, who was the manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers when Jackie Robinson broke the racial barrier. My smile was easy and quick because, like many others I assume, my mind still thinks of Mr. Gail as … [Read more...] about Stories in the Stubs: What You Can Find in a Lowly Used Ticket
2014 Topps Football Arrives
The theme for their baseball set this year was "The Future is Now." In keeping with the perception of the NFL's breakneck pace Topps has given their 2014 Topps Football set a theme and tagline of "Unleashing the Future." And efforts to do exactly that are evident in many ways with the inclusion of some fresh inserts, forward-looking artwork (no white square borders on the base … [Read more...] about 2014 Topps Football Arrives
45 Years Later, ‘Imperfect’ 1969 Topps Set Holds Up Well
It is always interesting how something can be seen in totally opposite ways by differing people or groups of people. Take, for instance, the Woodstock music festival of August 1969 (it was happening exactly 45 years ago from the time of this writing). It was billed as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music,” and the events that took place on that 600-acre dairy … [Read more...] about 45 Years Later, ‘Imperfect’ 1969 Topps Set Holds Up Well
2014 Topps Inception Football Preview
The word “inception” is not an unusual word among those who claim English as their language, but it is also a word that is often misused or confused with its sound-alike word, conception. For the record, the dictionary provides the following definition for inception: In·cep·tion, noun 1. beginning; start; commencement. 2. British a. the act of graduating or earning a … [Read more...] about 2014 Topps Inception Football Preview
Panini Releases Elite Football
It was near the middle of May when the NFL held its annual draft. Now, some mere weeks later, after the evaluations and debates over who "won" or who "lost" the draft, the really important follow-up takes place…the first rookie cards of the players drafted in the uniforms of their new teams. 2014 Panini Elite Football delivers in that regard. Wednesday, July 23,was the … [Read more...] about Panini Releases Elite Football
More Donruss on the Way from Panini
Fans of television’s “Seinfeld” will well remember the line once uttered by Teri Hatcher’s character, “And, by the way, they’re real…and they’re spectacular!” Within that same memorable episode is the brief but unforgettable clip of George Constanza causing a scene at a funeral reception when he is accused of performing the dreaded “double-dip.” It is easily understandable why … [Read more...] about More Donruss on the Way from Panini