It's been an interesting few weeks in the hobby. Auctions launching-- and succeeding-- during a pandemic. Grading companies stopping and starting and stopping again. Trading card makers working on future products but not able to ship. Hobby shops forced to close and hunting for ways to keep the revenue flowing. One long-time … [Read more...]
About Rich Mueller
MJAuthentic 23 Set to Launch Inaugural Auction
The new auction portal devoted exclusively to Michael Jordan collectibles is about to launch its first event. MJAuthentic23.com will offer 23 items in each of its auctions, the first of which will open Thursday. Among the items up for bid are a 1990-91 Bulls team-signed Chicago Stadium court piece, a Jordan signed personal check, a 1988 All-Star Game banner … [Read more...]
Model for All Others? Early Gehrig Bat Sold for Over $1 Million
A bat beloved by a promising young ballplayer named Lou Gehrig has sold for more than $1 million. Heritage Auctions says it completed the private sale this week. The Hillerich & Bradsby bat is one of the earliest known examples of a Gehrig-used stick ever to hit the market. It was originally available as part of Heritage’s Winter Platinum Night Sports … [Read more...]
Directory of Sports Card Shops Offering Online Selling, Breaking During COVID-19
Many sports card shops across North America have either been forced to close by local or state government or have made the decision on their own because of the Coronavirus. It's a challenging moment for many who rely on customers to sell boxes, singles, memorabilia, supplies and other items through their physical locations. We're hoping to help out by providing a … [Read more...]
Beckett Grading Open With Smaller Staff in Place
Beckett Grading is back to work on a limited basis. The company says it is accepting shipments to its Dallas offices, but warns that because of reduced staffing in place until at least April 30, processing times may be slower than they had been before the Coronavirus outbreak. In a statement posted on their website, Beckett stated it will be “working with a very limited … [Read more...]
Vintage Pack Facts: 1979-80 Topps Basketball
It wasn't a great time to be a basketball card collector. After a mammoth 330-card set in 1977-76 and a unique postcard-sized set the next year, Topps all but waved the white flag on hoops for the next three years. The checklists shrunk to 132 cards. By 1979-80, the design of the cards and pack were decidedly uninspiring. Dealers were taking just about … [Read more...]
Goldin’s Spring Auction to Benefit 3 Charities
Goldin Auctions says it will donate a portion of the proceeds from all 1800 lots in its upcoming Spring Auction to three charities. The company says it will donate five percent of the winning bid price for all items in a special section of Kobe Bryant memorabilia to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Academy,five percent of the winning bid price for each item in an … [Read more...]
REA Tally in Auction’s First 24 Hours: 10,000 Bids, Nearly $3 Million
Robert Edward Auctions opened its first auction of the year on Friday with collectors hunkered down at home diving into the first of three giant catalogs set for release this year. They weren't shy about placing bids either. The company says it took in nearly $3 million during the first 24 hours of the auction. The sale leads off with a newly discovered W600 … [Read more...]
Notes: Select “Hybrid” Basketball; Zion Tickets; UD Hockey Releases; Cooperstown and COVID
Panini released a basketball product on Monday morning. 2019-20 Select “Hybrid” basketball is an offshoot of the previously released Select product. It was available only as an online exclusive beginning at 11 AM Eastern time and sold out Dutch Auction-style with the most patient buyers snaring them for $364-$410 per box. Each box holds four six-card packs … [Read more...]
LOTG Auction Enters Final Week with 1914 Cracker Jack Set, Cobb Back T206, More
The break of a complete set of 1914 Cracker Jack cards and one of the famously scarce T206 Ty Cobb/Cobb Tobacco back cards headline the current Love of the Game Auctions catalog. The sale features one of the strongest overall selections of sports cards and memorabilia in the company’s history, topped by the famous and unique Cobb card, one discovered only within the last … [Read more...]