Long before video games, Topps was often the go-to choice for kids entertainment and it usually wasn't sophisticated. They went interactive with the 1974 Topps Puzzles issue, one designed to while away at least a half hour or so of a youngster's summer. Today, it's among the most unusual sports products ever produced by the company and fairly rare. Topps often … [Read more...]
Top Banner 486X60
1969 Citgo Set Captures Youthful Enthusiasm Of Miracle Mets
It has been 50 years since the New York Mets stunned the baseball world by winning the 1969 World Series. This week marks a big anniversary for the franchise: On Sept. 10, 1969, the Mets took over first place in the National League East for good. It was part of an amazing month for the Amazin’s. During a 25-game stretch from Sept. 6 through Sept. 28, their pitching staff … [Read more...]
1930s Goudey Issues Included More Than Standard Cards
When most collectors think about Goudey, their minds are typically drawn to the massive 1933 Goudey set, the smaller follow-up issue released in 1934, or any of their somewhat less popular 1935, 1936, 1938, and 1941 sets. Perhaps the multi-sport 1933 Goudey Sport Kings release comes to mind. Some may also be inclined to think of the World Wide Gum issues out of Canada which … [Read more...]
Complex W519 Strip Issue Includes Three Sets
Believed to have been produced in 1920, the W519 set is one of many strip card issues produced around the same time period. But the series is also a bit different than most. W519 Strip Cards Overview The W519 set is one of the more confusing sets of baseball strip cards from the pre-war era. While it's commonly referred to as a single set, it's really three separate sets … [Read more...]
Topps’ Baseball Card Run Began with 1948 Topps Magic Photos Set
When thinking about the history of baseball cards in the post-war era, Topps is the name that will most often come to mind. The company has issued baseball cards for decades and while other companies have joined in, Topps has been the longest-running producer of baseball cards. While the company's 1952 Topps set with the iconic Mickey Mantle card is often heralded as its … [Read more...]
1933 W574 Set an Oddball Strip Issue
Most strip sets of baseball cards from the pre-war are kind of quirky and the W574 issue certainly fits that bill. These black and white cards are among the later strip cards that were produced in the pre-war era and have several interesting characteristics. Here's a closer look at this interesting 1930s set. W574 Strip Card Basics Believed to have been issued in 1933, the … [Read more...]
1960 Tacoma Giants Set Featured HOFer Juan Marichal’s First Card
The 1960 Tacoma Giants boasted three future Hall of Famers, a former World Series hero and a member of a famous baseball family who had a career average of .307 in the major leagues. The squad was a Triple-A minor league affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, and to welcome Pacific Coast League baseball back to the City of Destiny, 3-inch by 5-inch cards were sold at … [Read more...]
1981 Topps Baseball Capped A New Era For Cards
Baseball cards in 1981 entered a new era. Competition was alive and well again, and it was important for Topps to produce a product that would be superior to longtime rival Fleer and newcomer Donruss. It was a turbulent time for Topps as it ended a long and winding legal road. That led to competition from the other two companies, but it also spurred Topps to produce a … [Read more...]
1971 Topps Super Baseball Set Ended Brief Era
It was one of many ideas drummed up by Topps decades ago to create more sales. There had been pins, stand-ups, posters, stamps and glossies. For two years, the company gave its standard cards the super size treatment, creating sets that filled up a good chunk of the shoebox. The 1971 Topps Super baseball set would be the end of the brief experiment. … [Read more...]
Broadleaf/Cycle Shortprints are the Keys to the T207 Set
Issued in 1912, the T207 release is a different kind of tobacco baseball card set. We've written about the set here before and, personally, it's a favorite of mine. From the dark and mysterious aesthetics and somewhat odd player checklist, it's significantly different than most other tobacco sets from the same time period. The set is difficult to complete for any number of … [Read more...]
