Sports Illustrated and The Athletic both published stories about the hobby on Monday.
SI’s feature focused on the rise of case breaking, especially in recent times. The lack of live sports, no games to bet on and plenty of time at home were all credited with some breakers seeing huge increases in the number of customers.
Card afficianado and long-time sports writer Joe Posnanski opined on the 1952 Topps set as one of his Top 60 Moments in Baseball History.
The hobby lost one of its most passionate collectors to the Coronavirus with the death of Manny Gordon last month.
The 79-year-old Brooklyn native was an advanced collector with a special fondness for his remarkable T206 set.
“While he amassed a seemingly infinite array of other world class cards, it was his tobacco collection that energized Manny each and every day,” wrote Memory Lane in a tribute to Gordon, a long-time friend and customer.
Gordon was somewhat unusual in that he didn’t become an avid collector as an adult until his 60s. He dubbed himself “The Old Man,” a moniker he used for his collection on PSA’s Set Registries. About 15 years ago, he struck up a friendship with a young collector who was also a T206 buff and the duo was featured in a story in the company’s magazine.
Gordon had been a diamond dealer by trade.
“He was also a man of great kindness and generosity. Whenever he walked into a room he made everyone feel special and loved,” William Goldberg Diamonds stated. “There was nothing he wouldn’t do for the people he loved.”
Someone paid $800,000 last week to fly to Tampa for Tom Brady’s first game with the Bucs, have dinner with him (or a private workout) and take home his first game-worn uniform and cleats as a member of his new team.
The auction was part of the Fanatics “All In Challenge” with proceeds to benefit COVID-related causes. Sixty other lots including one-of-a-kind memorabilia and experiences are on the block right now.
The current list of ‘most watched’ Michael Jordan cards in eBay is quite a sight to behold.
And… there are at least 100 eBay basketball card auctions with a minimum of 100 watchers right now.
