You’ll need a big bankroll to own the entire set, thanks to Mickey Mantle and his high number friends, but there’s a new book that has all of the cards in the 1952 Topps set—and more info than you’ll find on the backs of all 407 cards. Baseball & Bubble Gum: The 1952 Topps Collection is the latest release from Tom and Ellen Zappala, the husband-wife team … [Read more...]
Notes: SI, The Athletic Focus on Cards; Manny Gordon Passes; $800K Brady Package; Jordan Update
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 … [Read more...]
1939 HOF Signed Baseball; Frazier’s 1970 Finals Jersey; 1914 Orioles Photo with Babe Headline Lelands Sale
A baseball signed by 11 of Major League Baseball’s original Hall of Fame inductees in 1939 and a Bobby Orr circa 1972 Boston Bruins game-worn jersey headline the Lelands Spring 2019 Classic Auction, which opened for bidding Tuesday and runs through June 7. The baseball includes the signatures of 11 original Hall of Fame members, who were all present at the inaugural … [Read more...]
Toughest High-Grade 1952 Topps High Numbers
Thousands were drowned in the Atlantic Ocean when they were just kids. A late 1950s decision to free up space at the company's headquarters sent the population of 1952 Topps high numbers that would be available to future generations plummeting. Those that survived were in the hands of youngsters who weren't generally concerned with their condition. There were … [Read more...]
Vintage Baseball Card Collection on Antiques Roadshow Draws a ‘Wow’
Antiques Roadshow came to Green Bay, Wisconsin and while they didn’t find a Don Hutson jersey or one of Vince Lombardi’s old fedoras, they did welcome a nice group of valuable baseball cards. In a show that aired Monday night, a local woman brought three cards from a larger 1950s childhood collection her husband apparently forgotten about until recently. She told … [Read more...]
One of Hobby’s Best 1952 Topps Sets Headlines Memory Lane Auction
The tenth-rated complete set of 1952 Topps baseball, with all but four of the 407 cards graded PSA 7 or better will be broken up and sold in Memory Lane Inc.’s Spring catalog auction, set to open April 26. Pieced together by a meticulous collector over a period of years with a focus on overall eye appeal, the set includes 140 cards rated 8 or better. The iconic 1952 … [Read more...]
Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1952 Topps
The 1952 Topps set is what many mark as the beginning of the era of the modern trading card. Not only did it launch a collecting revolution, it marked the real beginning of the company’s place in American culture. It's home to the '52 Mickey Mantle, the most recognizable and most valuable post-War baseball card, one which has become as much an investment commodity as it … [Read more...]
FDR Baseball, Babe Ruth Items Featured In Mile High Auction
Mile High Card Company officials are feeling sky high about the items the Colorado-based business is offering in its August Catalog Auction. The biggest highlights: a baseball signed by Babe Ruth, and a ball inscribed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith in 1937. In addition, a graded 1952 Topps set rated No. 10 on the PSA registry … [Read more...]
1952 Topps High Numbers Test Even Advanced Collectors
Even the phrase itself strikes a little fear into collectors of vintage baseball cards: 1952 Topps high numbers. Firmly established as one of the rarest standard issue cards of the post-World War II Era, demand is high; supply maddeningly low, especially for higher grade copies. Population reports for the major grading companies show a combined total of fewer than a … [Read more...]
1952 Topps Mantle Sets New Record
There seems to be no end to the rising prices of high-grade vintage cards and leading the pack is the hobby's most famous modern era card. A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle graded PSA 8 sold for $525,800 Thursday night, setting yet another new record for the grade. The card sold as part of a top quality '52 set break conducted by Heritage Auctions. Another PSA 8 example was … [Read more...]