By popular demand, here are a few more nuggets we dug up over the weekend from coverage of the hobby decades ago. In 1959, Topps wax putting 250 million baseball cards and 70 million football on the market, mostly through penny and nickel wax packs. Cello packs were decent sellers, which proved to company officials that in many cases, it wasn't the gum that was the … [Read more...]
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Why Baseball Cards Came Out a Tad Later in 1964
Think "Topps" and most people think baseball but the truth is, the trading card side of the business always been about pop culture. If it's entertainment or sports and people talk about it or like to collect it, the company is interested. If it'll sell and the licensing is right, it's a candidate for the company's cards, both physical and digital. … [Read more...]
Notes: Slugger Auction TV Segment; GBSCC Show; Polo Grounds Exhibit
It's the final week of bidding for the annual Louisville Slugger Factory & Museum Auction, which culminates with a live element at the facility on Saturday. Hunt Auctions is once again conducting the sale. Company president David Hunt talked with WKRC-TV about the sale of the Green Diamond Collection, curated by Dayton native and long-time hobbyist Bob Crotty and … [Read more...]
Notes: MHCC’s “Budget” Sale; MeiGray Devils Auction; World Series Program; Collector to Run Joe Jackson Museum;
Nope, there won’t be any T206 Wagners or autographed Goudey Babe Ruth cards in the latest Mile High Card Company auction, but with over 700 lots available, it’s easily the largest MHCC Extra Innings offering in the company’s history. The auction is now open for bidding and concludes on Wednesday, October 30. Headlining the online catalog is a 1951 Bowman #253 Mickey Mantle … [Read more...]
Mattingly Signs Special Cards to Benefit Youth Baseball
Don Mattingly's charitable foundation is offering a limited number of newly designed trading cards, all carrying his signature in gold ink. They're being sold to help youth baseball programs in his hometown of Evansville, IN where he still resides in the off-season. The cards, which include a photo of the former Yankees great on the front … [Read more...]
News, Notes: Promising Rookies; Struggling QBs; The Cup Checklist; MLB’s New Store; NHL Game-Used Auctions
While collectors are getting excited about Zion Williamson's regular season debut next week, some other members of the NBA draft class shouldn't be ignored. Yes, it's just pre-season but sharpshooter Tyler Herro scored the first 14 Miami points in a game this week. Number 2 pick Ja Morant is among the top five in pre-season assists. R. J. Barrett of the … [Read more...]
Notes: Dan Dischley Passes; KS Man’s 1923 Ruth World Series HR Ball; Lux Blast Rescued from Trash; Curry, Durant Jersey Auctions
If you were an avid baseball card collector from the late 1960s to the early 1980s, you may have subscribed to The Trader Speaks. The man who published that long-running hobby publication was Dan Dischley, who left his job as a New York City cop to serve the growing subscriber base in 1976. Dischley passed away in late September at age 74. "While … [Read more...]
Notes: Panini Gets Garnett and Talks Zion; Wagner Soaring; Jackie Photo; Shop Story
Panini America has finally landed Kevin Garnett for an autograph deal. He’ll have signed cards in Immaculate NBA, due out early next month. A notoriously tough signer, Garnett’s autograph is…well…interesting. Of course, Zion Williamson cards will become more plentiful as we get into the NBA season, which is set to open in less than a month. Look for him in … [Read more...]
Updated: Wherefore Art Thou, 1933 Goudey Sport Kings Premiums?
I don't own a single 1933 Goudey Sport Kings card but I did just pick up a wrapper from this multi-sport issue just because I'm starting to like old packaging a little more these days. Interestingly, the wrapper was cheaper than most of the cards from this set which makes absolutely no sense to me since they aren't all that common, but I'm not … [Read more...]
Selling Packs with T206 Cards in 1909 Was Sometimes Hazardous
Eventually they would be sold with more kid-oriented products like caramels and bubble gum but 110 years ago, if you wanted a picture of a professional baseball player (and who wouldn't before color magazines, TV or even radio?), you had to have access to tobacco, or at least someone who used it. When the American Tobacco Company's massive promotion began in 1909, word … [Read more...]
