Prominent athletes have donated autographed items and their time to benefit the World Health Organization Solidarity Response Fund in a new auction being conducted through the CollectibleXChange. Collectors can also donate their own items. Auction lots include those from Mariano Rivera, Justin Tuck, Carli Lloyd, Barry Sanders, Bill … [Read more...]
Topps Launches Future Stars Club Subscription Package
Topps is creating a monthly subscription to its products, aimed primarily at young collectors, but including a monthly five-card set that might interest adults, too. Kids might have to ask mom and dad for a healthy allowance advance or hope to get a subscription as a nice gift, though. Each month for $24.99, subscribers will receive a box of cards (for April, it’s a … [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...]
Shops Deal with COVID Closures
Mark Fugate, owner of a Cincinnati area card and memorabilia shop, didn’t wait to close his Sports Gallery. Days before the state of Ohio ordered the closure of all non-essential businesses, Fugate locked the doors on his store. “Nobody wants to close,” he said. “It’s very tough. But baseballs and bobbleheads are not essential at this point in time.” The Sports … [Read more...]
Athletes for Relief Uses Memorabilia To Raise Money For Combating COVID-19
Athletes from all over the world — and from virtually every sport — have been using their platforms over the last couple weeks to raise awareness and funds for relief during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, more than 120 professional athletes have banded together and contributed memorabilia to a big fundraiser to benefit the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s COVID-19 Relief … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Loss of Spring Training Crowds, Virus Fears Make for Tough Times at Arizona Shop
These are challenging times for sports card and sports memorabilia shops. Some have closed for now. Others can only offer curbside service or delivery to stay within local guidelines. Those that have been able to stay open so far are seeing fewer customers. In Florida and Arizona, the early end to spring training was a double whammy. Jeff Thalblum owns Free … [Read more...]
Dallas County Order Forces Beckett to Close Offices
Add Beckett to the list of hobby-related businesses shut down by COVID-19. The Texas-based company’s offices will close Monday night after Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins issued a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order. Non-essential businesses in the county have been ordered to lock their doors until at least April 3, with the likelihood the situation will continue … [Read more...]
2020 Strongsville Show a No-Go
The annual Strongsville Sports Collectors Convention has joined the list of major show cancellations in the wake of CDC guidelines regarding the Coronavirus. A vintage card and memorabilia-oriented show, the event has been a favorite of dealers and long-time collectors. It had been scheduled for April 17-19 but plans were officially scuttled Tuesday by Lelands, which … [Read more...]
Suspects Arrested in New Hampshire Card Shop Burglary
Four alleged thieves in Keene apparently were not too keen — at least according to their victim. However, some sharp detective work solved the case of a break-in at a New Hampshire card shop, netting police three arrests so far. Multiple boxes of trading cards and other collectibles, worth thousands of dollars, were taken during the Feb. 20 break-in at The Dugout … [Read more...]
Autograph Guests Announced for NSCC
It's far from complete, but collectors who spend their National Sports Collectors Convention in the autograph lines now know at least some of the signatures they'll have a chance to snare. TriStar Productions has announced the first wave of signers for the show, which is scheduled to take place in Atlantic City July 29-August 2. As usual, baseball dominates the list with … [Read more...]