Topps paid the MLB Players Association $18,768,721 in licensing fees in 2019. That’s according to the union’s annual report with the U.S. Labor Department. The figure represents a $5.6 million increase from 2018 and more than $7 million more than in 2017. The MLBPA receives more money from Topps than any other licensee. While Topps continues its longstanding … [Read more...]
Bidding for Unopened 1986-87 Fleer Basketball Case Already Over $1 Million
Those who’ve spent the last 20 years traveling the country, buying thousands of cases and boxes from America’s basements, storage units and former card stores were starting to wonder if a sealed 1986-87 Fleer wax case still existed. Even rising prices for the Michael Jordan rookie cards they contained didn’t seem to shake anything from the trees. Until now. The … [Read more...]
FBI Raid in Michigan Said to Target Phony Art, Sports Memorabilia
The headline in a Detroit newspaper reads "alleged upscale art forgery" but a federal investigation into fancy paintings also includes a troubling discovery for collectors of sports memorabilia. On Tuesday, a team of more than 30 FBI agents raided the property of a Michigan man suspected of creating and selling phony artwork and sports-related items over a period of several … [Read more...]
New Player: CCG To Start Sports Card Authentication and Grading Division
Certified Collectibles Group (CCG), a long-time major player in grading services for coins, paper money, comic books, magazines and concert posters, will begin authenticating and grading sports cards and memorabilia. On Monday, CCG announced they would soon begin accepting submissions of Pokémon TCG and Magic: The Gathering cards, but added to that on Tuesday by … [Read more...]
O-Pee-Chee Master Checklist Book Chronicles Canadian Cards
Love O-Pee-Chee cards or wish you had a handy reference guide to all of those cards printed in Canada during the entire 20th century? You’re in luck. The newly-released O-Pee-Chee Master Checklist for vintage hockey cards, baseball cards, entertainment cards and other issues has hit the market. The 362-page paperback, with information compiled by author … [Read more...]
New “Baseball and Bubble Gum” Book Brings 1952 Topps Set to Life
You’ll need a big bankroll to own the entire set, thanks to Mickey Mantle and his high number friends, but there’s a new book that has all of the cards in the 1952 Topps set—and more info than you’ll find on the backs of all 407 cards. Baseball & Bubble Gum: The 1952 Topps Collection is the latest release from Tom and Ellen Zappala, the husband-wife team … [Read more...]
McCutchen’s Swaggerific Series 2 Card Generates Buzz
He wasn't even playing that day. His season had ended seven weeks earlier with a torn ACL, but on July 27, 2019, the Philadelphia Phillies were wearing those 1979-style burgundy uniforms with the zipper front and there was no way he wasn't putting that on. Tack on some shades and a big ol' chain and a photographer at the right place at the right time and now the … [Read more...]
PSA: Ultra-Modern Price Hike Temporary; Hiring Continues
Faced with continued unprecedented demand during the ongoing pandemic, PSA is now grading and authenticating deep into the night, has hired 45 new employees since early April and expanded its weekend hours to try and reduce an ongoing backlog of trading card submissions. The company says it has also added more than a dozen temporary employees while expanding its … [Read more...]
Most Watched 2019-20 Hockey Rookie Card Auctions
It's not often someone other than a forward wins the Calder Trophy but there's not much doubt the finest first year players in the league this year were defensemen. No matter the position, the roster of 2019-20 NHL rookie cards has plenty of potential long-term talent. Cale Makar of the Colorado and Quinn Hughes of Vancouver have been the two most talked about … [Read more...]
Top Shareholder Wants to Flip PSA Parent’s Board of Directors
A Texas-based hedge fund is looking to take control of the future direction of Collectors Universe, the parent company of PSA. Alta Fox Capital recently disclosed it owns a 5.4 percent stake in CU (CLCT) and says it wants to unseat the company’s current board of directors with new members it has nominated ahead of the CU’s annual meeting. Alta Fox thinks that despite … [Read more...]