When old baseball card collectors gather around their shoe boxes full of rubber-band-bound stacks and conversation turns to the greatest sets of the post-War era, as it inevitably does, the predictable run of iconic issues fills the air: 1951 Bowman, 1952 Topps, 1953 Topps and Bowman. Sandwiched among these heavyweights of the hobby, maybe the 1952 Bowman set … [Read more...]
Woof! Decades Later, Red Heart Baseball Card Set Still Barking
It seems like an odd combination. Baseball cards might be a natural to tie into the promotion of breakfast cereal, hot dogs and snack cakes. Dog food? Seems like you’d be barking up the wrong tree if you were the marketing guy who came up with that idea. Thankfully, someone at John Morrell Company decided it was a solid plan and 60 years after they … [Read more...]
1959 Bazooka Baseball Pennants Originated with Topps Wrapper Offer
Topps tried to keep kids engaged with their brand as often as possible and in the spring and summer of 1959, it came by way of an enticing offer on the side panel of the company's baseball wrappers. Just about every youngster whose parents weren't all that strict when it came to decor had a hard time resisting the pitch. Grab a few pieces of the … [Read more...]
E90-1 American Caramel Set Beyond Shoeless Joe
Distributed from 1909-11, the E90-1 American Caramel set is one of the more popular early candy releases. With 121 cards and numerous shortprints, it is an incredibly difficult build. But the card that makes ultimate completion tough is the famous rookie card of Shoeless Joe Jackson. Jackson is a cult figure among collectors for his role in the 1919 World Series fix. His … [Read more...]
Connie Mack’s 1950 Book Promotion Included 4-Card Set That’s Rare Today
In 1950, Hall of Fame manager Connie Mack released a book about his baseball career titled, "My 66 Years in the Big Leagues." The book chronicled his famous career from a 19th century player to iconic skipper. To help promote the book, a special set of baseball cards was produced. It's one of those obscure issues that's unknown to a lot of collectors today. Seventy … [Read more...]
Mickey Mantle Headlines Rare 1959 Oklahoma Today Set
In 1959, a rare baseball card set was issued by a regional magazine called Oklahoma Today. Here's a closer look at these unique cards from an unlikely source. About the 1959 Oklahoma Today Set The focus of the magazine, of course, is on the state of Oklahoma. It has been known to cover anything and everything in the state with regards to tourism, restaurants, famous people, … [Read more...]
1940 Michigan Sportservice Detroit Tigers Photos Ushered in Championship Season
The 1939 Detroit Tigers were a mostly forgettable team. After winning the 1935 World Series and recording back-to-back second place American League finishes, the Tigers quickly began to slip into mediocrity. The 1938 team stumbled to a fourth-place finish, replacing Hall of Famer Mickey Cochrane, who was the team's manager. In 1939, things were even worse. Even though the team … [Read more...]
After Nearly 30-Year Hiatus, O-Pee-Chee Baseball Cards Returned in 1965
In 1937, O-Pee-Chee introduced a set of baseball cards. With a unique 'pop-out' design, they were intended to offer a three-dimensional look. The cards were black and white and included many popular players of the day, including Bob Feller, Joe DiMaggio, and Hank Greenberg. The cards of all three players are from relatively early in their careers and the card of Feller, … [Read more...]
Obscure 1962 Dickson “Sports of the Countries” Set Includes Babe Ruth
By 1962, Babe Ruth's major league career had long since ended. Even though His final major league season came in 1935, Ruth was still a legendary figure in the sport as cards were still being produced to commemorate his career. Here's a look at a unique 1960s set that included a popular post-war vintage card that paid tribute to the slugger. About the 1962 Dickson Orde … [Read more...]
1987-1991 Topps Glossy Rookie Sets Required 100-Card Cello Pack Purchase
At the height of the late 1980s and early 90s sports card boom, Topps expanded its packaging options. While you could still go into a drug store, super market, convenience store or gas station and buy a single wax pack for 40 to 50 cents and maybe a cello pack for a little more, other outlets offered bigger options. At K-Mart in 1989 and '90, there were blister packs that … [Read more...]