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You are here: Home / Around the Hobby / Notes: Topps Cartoons at the Hall; Topps Plant in ’91; Lakers Ring Ceremony Gear, Zajac Night Auction

Notes: Topps Cartoons at the Hall; Topps Plant in ’91; Lakers Ring Ceremony Gear, Zajac Night Auction

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The cartoons that appeared the backs of Topps sports cards have captured collectors’ fancy for years.  For David Moody and his family, collecting the original artwork is a specialty.  Now, some of what he managed to pick up over the years is on display through Spring 2022 at the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Like the cards themselves, the artwork that managed to avoid getting tossed out by Topps was produced on larger sheets.

John Odell, the curator of history and research at the Hall, chatted with Moody about the history of the art, what happened to it all…and a phone call that led him to the top of the corporate ladder 18 years ago.

As Topps celebrates its 70th anniversary this baseball season, here’s a fun look back at a story in the magazine they were producing when the company was celebrating its 40th anniversary.  They offered a look inside the company’s Duryea, PA plant and a look at some of the hot rookies at the time.

Even long-time dealers are shaking their heads at what’s happened in the hobby over the last year.  Spectrum News 1 in Austin, TX, produced a four-minute piece that includes some thoughts from shop owner Walt Case and a collector who dove back into the hobby for the first time in a long time—and is now looking to make it his occupation.

After winning their 18th NBA title last year, the Los Angeles Lakers began the 2020-21 season with some special warmups worn on opening night.  Gold trimmed shooting shirts and warmup jackets were donned during the ring ceremony and during the club’s loss to the Clippers.

Now, it’s all available to the public through NBA Auctions.

Over two dozen lots are being offered in all, including the gear worn by LeBron James and Anthony Davis.  Bidding for James’ jacket has already passed $5,000

The auction continues through March 25.

Last month, New Jersey Devils center Travis Zajac became one of 351 players to appear in 1,000 career NHL games.

The popular 35-year-old veteran is one of only 65 who reached the milestone while suiting up for a single franchise.  Now, a special auction is underway  commemorating the event.

MeiGray Auctions is offering ten items from Zajac’s career including game and practice-worn jerseys, a game-worn helmet, gloves and game-used stick as well as a goal puck from the Feb. 21 game in which he reached the 1,000 mark.

Zajac was the 20th overall pick in the 2004 NHL Draft and is the fourth Devils player to reach 1,000. He’s scored 539 points during his career.

Bidding continues through March 25 at MeiGrayAuctions.com.

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About Rich Mueller

Rich is the editor and founder of Sports Collectors Daily. A broadcaster and writer for over 40 years and a collector for even longer than that, he's usually typing something somewhere. Type him back at [email protected].