It’s no surprise to experienced baseball card collectors that deciphering human identities on Topps vintage team cards is about as easy as reading road signs down a country dirt road at night while wearing Lowell Palmer sunglasses. Welcome to the world of shadowy faces, blurred uniforms, cropped bodies, airbrushed backgrounds and altered colors. Baseball card production in the … [Read more...] about Research Yields Surprises Hidden in Vintage Topps Baseball Team Cards
1960s baseball cards
1960 Topps Baseball Coaches Cards: From Reviled to Redeemed
Baseball card collecting has always been about greater things than the supposed “value” found in pieces of printed cardboard. The elements of anticipation, exhilaration, and joy that kids experienced, who at one time could afford to buy and bust wax packs, are still among the best motivations for involvement. Of course, even those "good old days" had their own particular let … [Read more...] about 1960 Topps Baseball Coaches Cards: From Reviled to Redeemed
Dice, Dice, Baby: Longtime Collector Snares 4 Rare 1961 Topps Dice Test Cards Including Mantle
The 1961 Topps Dice set is one of the most mysterious test brands ever put out by the trading card giant. The 18-card set is scarce, with very few known to exist since it was a test run that did not have a large distribution. However, longtime collector Fred McKie recently completed a deal that add four to the scant population including Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Stan … [Read more...] about Dice, Dice, Baby: Longtime Collector Snares 4 Rare 1961 Topps Dice Test Cards Including Mantle
Fleer Had Drysdale, If Nothing Else, for 1966 Wax Pack Issues
The sports card industry of the 1950s and 60s was an arduous journey for Fleer with the fierce competition of Topps’ licensing agreement with baseball players. Surely, the company longed for the good old days when just your word and a solemn handshake would suffice. Fleer did retain a small percentage of player contracts throughout these decades but the company finally chose to … [Read more...] about Fleer Had Drysdale, If Nothing Else, for 1966 Wax Pack Issues
Lefty At 78: A Look Back At Steve Carlton’s Career Through Baseball Cards
Only four left-handed pitchers have won 300 or more games in major league history. Steve Carlton is No. 2 overall with 329 victories, trailing only Warren Spahn’s 363. No wonder Carlton was called “Lefty.” On Dec. 22, the wily southpaw celebrates his 78th birthday. Carlton is in the mix when naming the top southpaws of the post-World War II era, along with Spahn, Sandy … [Read more...] about Lefty At 78: A Look Back At Steve Carlton’s Career Through Baseball Cards
Ferguson Jenkins At 80; 5 Career Chronicling Cards of a Precision Pitcher
Ferguson Jenkins turned 80 on Tuesday, and he is still recognized as the greatest Canadian-born baseball player. Certainly, an argument can be made for 2020 Hall of Fame inductee Larry Walker and current stars Joey Votto and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (who was born in Montreal), but Jenkins epitomized durability and precision on the mound. In an era where greatness was defined by … [Read more...] about Ferguson Jenkins At 80; 5 Career Chronicling Cards of a Precision Pitcher
Drink Up: Milk Cartons Were Source of 1967 Irvindale Braves Set
You're definitely excused if you've never heard of the 1967 Irvindale Dairy Atlanta Braves set. One of those quirky, rare little regional sets from decades ago, it's as much photographic endorsement as anything. The set includes just four Braves players, all of whom appeared on a single panel of Irvindale Milk during the summer of 1967. Find one intact carton and you have … [Read more...] about Drink Up: Milk Cartons Were Source of 1967 Irvindale Braves Set
Notes: LeBron Logoman Pulled; Long Lost Collection Boomerangs Back; Writer Thanks Mom for Keeping His Cards
The most sought after modern basketball card in recent years was pulled during a live internet break on Friday night. The 2020-21 Panini Flawless Triple Logoman LeBron James 1/1 was the subject of a much publicized hunt that included rapper Drake spending over $200,000 searching in vain for it. Whatnot had announced earlier in the week that it had issued a bounty on the rare … [Read more...] about Notes: LeBron Logoman Pulled; Long Lost Collection Boomerangs Back; Writer Thanks Mom for Keeping His Cards
Notes: Russell Auction Opens; Lucky 1960 Cello Break; New KY Show; New NorCal Shop
The Bill Russell Collection is now on the block. As we reported earlier this year, the basketball great consigned a large group of items from his career to Hunt Auctions, which put them up for bids on Monday. The auction will end December 10 with a live finale at TD Garden in Boston. Several championship rings, trophies, game-worn items and other memorabilia—even … [Read more...] about Notes: Russell Auction Opens; Lucky 1960 Cello Break; New KY Show; New NorCal Shop
Celebrating Mickey Mantle’s 90th Through Bazooka Cards Of The 1960s
Mickey Mantle would have turned 90 on Oct. 20. And while the Mick has been dead since 1995, his cards still interest collectors. Regular issue Topps base cards of Mantle are desirable, but offbeat sets — including those issued by gum and food companies — are just as coveted. Bazooka Gum cards featuring Mantle are intriguing. Certainly, they are scarcer than the Topps … [Read more...] about Celebrating Mickey Mantle’s 90th Through Bazooka Cards Of The 1960s