The mint 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle generated most of the headlines but there were plenty of other big ticket vintage cards sold in Heritage Auctions’ two-day Spring Trading Card catalog. The two-day auction that kicked off with the much-publicized ‘52 Mantle owned by Evan Mathis reaching $2.88 million wrapped up late Friday night. Two other ’52 Mantle cards also drew a … [Read more...]
The Underappreciated 1949 Leaf Premiums Set
Youngsters who bought Leaf baseball cards nearly 70 years ago had another set to collect, but unless dad was willing to share some knowledge, those “old timers” may not have generated much of a buzz on the playground. Today, the 1949 Leaf Premiums might be among the most underappreciated vintage cards in the hobby. Each box of Leaf bubble gum cards supposedly … [Read more...]
“The Boy Manager”: 5 Fun Cards Of Lou Boudreau
The Boy Manager would have been 100 on Monday. Lou Boudreau, who managed the Cleveland Indians to their last World Series title in 1948, was born July 17, 1917, in Harvey, Illinois. A Hall of Fame shortstop, he became the youngest manager in baseball history when he was hired for the 1942 season at the age of 24. Critics derided him as the “boy wonder” and the “boy manager,” … [Read more...]
Satchel Paige Rookie Card Cracks Six Figures at MHCC Auction
It's one of the most challenging post-War Hall of Fame rookie cards to find in any grade. On the rare occasions when a high-grade example comes up for auction, there's usually a lot of interest. However, Mile High Card Company appears to have reset the bar for the 1948-49 Leaf Satchel Paige. The company offered a PSA 7 (NM) Paige in its latest major … [Read more...]
5 Underrated 1948 Leaf Baseball Cards
It's one of those sets that looks enticing. Jackie Robinson's rookie card. Stachel Paige's rookie card. Babe Ruth. Joe DiMaggio as card #1. And fewer than 100 cards in the entire set. Those chasing the 1948 Leaf baseball set soon find out that completing it is challenging and very expensive in anything less than poor condition. The single print … [Read more...]
1933 Butter Cream HOFers Lead Sterling Sports Auction
Several cards from the rare 1933 Butter Cream set are among 563 lots in the new Sterling Sports online auction. Only a few hundred cards from the set issued by Union City Confectionery in New Jersey 83 years ago are known to exist and seven are in the Sterling catalog including Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Grove, Fred Lindstrom, Pepper Martin, Lloyd Waner and Gabby Hartnett. All have … [Read more...]
Chantilly, Toronto, San Francisco Shows Draw Signers
The second week of April was a popular one for major show promoters. In Chantilly Virginia, CSA Shows had an expanded show floor and a large list of signers coming through the Dulles Expo center. Luke Kuechly signing for fans today at The Chantilly Show pic.twitter.com/IZRkxCfgnw — CSA Shows (@CSASHOWS) April 9, 2016 The Sports Card Expo in the Toronto area always … [Read more...]
Notes: Leaf Paige Listed; Chicago Show Update, Rogers Foreclosures, New Shop
They don't come up for sale very often but a very respectable--and apparently freshly graded-- 1949 Leaf Satchel Paige card graded SGC 45 has been listed on eBay. It quickly soared past $7,000, with bidding set to run through Sunday. An SGC 84 (7) sold in November for over $38,000. ------- One current and one former Steelers player are off the guest list for the … [Read more...]
A Honus for the Rest of Us: Affordable Wagner Cards
You couldn’t blame a novice collector for thinking every Honus Wagner card is out of reach. Anytime one of the few dozen T206s sells at auction, the headlines scream as the price soars into six or even seven figures. Yet one of baseball’s most famous faces has plenty of affordable, original cards you can own without seeing a loan officer. In no particular order, here are … [Read more...]
1948-49 Leaf Babe Ruth Honored Late Hero
Even after his death in August 1948, Babe Ruth was still a larger than life figure both in baseball as well as in American society. Thus it was little wonder that the Leaf Chewing Gum Company included Ruth in their 1949 Leaf set. I do understand that at one point we used to call this a 1948 set but after dogged research from long-time dealer and hobbyist Ted Zanidakis about 20 … [Read more...]