Topps began honoring its annual Rookie All-Star team with a postseason banquet in 1959. Players were featured in a dinner program, but it soon became obvious to someone at Topps — it was a card company, so why not honor the rookie recipients with a card set? Topps did just that in 1964, issuing a 36-card boxed set for the annual dinner, which was held at the Waldorf-Astoria … [Read more...] about 1964 Topps Rookie All-Star Banquet Set Both Rare and Unique
Old Baseball Card Sets
1975 Topps Baseball Featured Key Rookies, Big Stars, Colorful Design
The 1975 season was a memorable one in baseball. The Oakland Athletics’ dynastic run in the World Series was halted by the Boston Red Sox, and Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine, already dominant in the National League, would finally break through to win baseball’s biggest prize. A memorable seven-game World Series would pit Cincinnati and Boston, complete with a tense Game 6 … [Read more...] about 1975 Topps Baseball Featured Key Rookies, Big Stars, Colorful Design
1984 Donruss Baseball Still Resonates With Collectors 40 Years Later
Donruss finally hit its stride with its 1984 baseball card set. After some growing pains – and lots of errors — during its first three years, Donruss came out with a bold design with its fourth offering in '84. It was also blessed with a key rookie card in Don Mattingly and introduced Rated Rookies, which would become a staple of the Donruss set. Here are some things to look … [Read more...] about 1984 Donruss Baseball Still Resonates With Collectors 40 Years Later
1955 Topps Baseball Set: Small but Mighty
Topps came out with their first full set in 1952, creating a whopping (for the time) 407 cards. It would be a while before we would see another one that large. The 1955 Topps baseball set checks in at just 206 cards, but what it lacks in quantity, it makes up for with the first of what would be two classic horizontal designs. Again, the cards were a bit larger (2 5/8” … [Read more...] about 1955 Topps Baseball Set: Small but Mighty
1968 Bazooka Baseball Cards Shifted Location
There were some radical changes at Topps when it came to designing the 1968 Bazooka Baseball cards. Kids who gazed upon the 25-piece boxes of gum 55 years ago were used to seeing cards on the backs of boxes, separated by perforated lines but unencumbered by anything else. Maybe the company felt it needed to shake things up. Maybe kids around the country were … [Read more...] about 1968 Bazooka Baseball Cards Shifted Location
1964 Topps Stand-Ups Have Cousins but None Better
Here’s a quick quiz for you. Other than being baseball cards, what did the 2004 Bazooka and 2011 Topps Lineage baseball sets have in common? There may be other correct answers, but the commonality in view right now is that both sets included inserts based on the 1964 Topps Stand-Ups. Actually, we could add 1934-36 Batter-Up and 2012 Panini Golden Age to the mix as the Topps … [Read more...] about 1964 Topps Stand-Ups Have Cousins but None Better
Fleer Had Drysdale, If Nothing Else, for 1966 Wax Pack Issues
The sports card industry of the 1950s and 60s was an arduous journey for Fleer with the fierce competition of Topps’ licensing agreement with baseball players. Surely, the company longed for the good old days when just your word and a solemn handshake would suffice. Fleer did retain a small percentage of player contracts throughout these decades but the company finally chose to … [Read more...] about Fleer Had Drysdale, If Nothing Else, for 1966 Wax Pack Issues
1948 Bowman Baseball Set a Realistic Target for Collectors
It won't win any design awards, but for collectors, the 1948 Bowman baseball set has carved out its own unique place. Consisting of just 48 cards, with virtually no tremendously scarce or exceedingly valuable parts, the black and white set is attractive for anyone looking for a reasonable challenge that carries a story or two behind it. Dawn of the Post-War Bubble Gum Card … [Read more...] about 1948 Bowman Baseball Set a Realistic Target for Collectors
Cal Ripken Jr. Was King In 1982 Topps Traded Set
It may seem odd to classify a baseball card set from the 1980s as vintage, but the 1982 Topps Traded/Update certainly fits the bill. The set is notable for the first Topps solo card of Cal Ripken Jr., but other features made it different. But vintage? Consider this: Only five players on this year’s major league rosters on Opening Day in 2022 were born before 1982. … [Read more...] about Cal Ripken Jr. Was King In 1982 Topps Traded Set
1969 Topps 4 in 1 Baseball a Rare Test Set
America's trading card maker loved to tinker. Producing your standard baseball, football, basketball and hockey fare didn't mean you didn't try new things even when you had a virtual monopoly decades ago. From stamps with albums to posters to glossy cards, they were always putting something extra into packs or trying out new things to pack with the stick of pink bubble … [Read more...] about 1969 Topps 4 in 1 Baseball a Rare Test Set