In the mid-1950s, the NFL was still a few years away from becoming a growing juggernaut. It did have a football card contract, though. Bowman Gum had a run of success that would soon come to an end but the Philadelphia-based gum maker was the name of the game to kids who followed pro football and names like Tittle, Layne, Groza and Gifford. This week's Vintage … [Read more...]
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Editor’s Blog: At Quarterback for the 49ers, Number 16…Arnie Galiffa?
One of the best things about collecting sports memorabilia is that you don’t have to be wealthy to own things that have great stories behind them. Sure, it’s nice to be able to afford a high-grade Mickey Mantle rookie card or one of Ty Cobb’s old bats but even decades-old relics can sometimes be acquired for a pretty modest investment. If you know sports history, … [Read more...]
One of Hobby’s Top 1957 Topps Football Collections Went Unregistered
Not every PSA-graded set of cards is listed on the company's Set Registry. Some are quietly pieced together by collectors who opt not to put them in the data base. Now, those who do chase one of the hobby's most notable vintage football sets will have a chance to own cards from one of those sets. Baseball Card Exchange (BBCE) recently acquired a … [Read more...]
60th Anniversary: Hall of Fame Rookies Lead Legendary 1957 Topps Football Set
The 1957 Topps football set is one of the most prized vintage football issues of all time. While there are some big name stars and a key error card, there's no question that the numerous Hall of Fame rookie cards have made this issue so popular -- and valuable. Here's a closer look at this landmark set. 1957 Topps Football Basics The 1957 Topps football set is known for its … [Read more...]
1958 Topps Football Set Built Around Brown
The 1958 Topps football set can be defined by one player — Jim Brown. Brown’s rookie card (No. 62) is one of the top football cards of all-time and the key piece of this 132-card set. The rookie out of Syracuse would become a force in the National Football League, leading the league in rushing in eight of his nine seasons. He rushed for 12,312 yards on the ground and … [Read more...]
High-Grade 1957 Topps Johnny Unitas Rookie Cards Tough To Find
His rookie card is one of the most coveted among football collectors, and his career was even more magnificent. You never had to say his full name, either. Just “Johnny U,” and football fans knew who you meant. Johnny Unitas. He threw for 40,239 yards and 290 touchdowns in an era when the National Football League was ground-oriented. That included 47 straight games … [Read more...]
Newly Discovered 1958 Topps Football Wax Box Hits Auction
Another unopened sports card time capsule is about to reveal itself to the world. What is believed to be the only surviving complete unopened box of 1958 Topps football cards—and the original Topps shipping case—will be offered in Robert Edward Auctions’ fall catalog that’s set to open for bidding on Friday. An added bonus for the buyer: There’s a Jim Brown … [Read more...]
Colorful 1959 Topps Football Set Not a Bank Breaker
As the 1950s came to a close, the NFL was a one league sport. The pro football landscape was a year away from the change brought about by the American Football League. Vince Lombardi had just taken over the woeful Packers. Twelve teams. One maker of football cards. The 1959 Topps football set would be the company's biggest to date. 176 cards--44 more than they … [Read more...]
Jim Brown Rookie Cards Soaring in Red Hot Vintage Market
It wasn't always this bad for Cleveland Browns fans. There once was a time when they had not only one of the NFL's best teams--but the best player, too. His time in the league was too short but as he turns 81 on Friday, it seems fitting to look back at Jim Brown rookie cards and the player many still believe to be the greatest running back in … [Read more...]
1959 Bazooka Football Set Includes Greats, Extreme Scarities
It doesn’t often come up when the rarest post-War sports card sets are discussed but it probably should. It’s also one of the best-looking sets Topps ever produced. The 1959 Bazooka football card set was issued within months, possibly weeks, of the company’s initial Bazooka box set that featured baseball players. The baseball issue spawned several more years’ … [Read more...]
