A 1983 Philadelphia 76ers championship ring awarded to guard Clint Richardson sold for $118,230 as SCP Auctions wrapped up its Spring catalog auction. It was the third ’83 Sixers player ring to be sold at auction. SCP also sold Julius Erving’s ring for $244,239 in 2011. Bobby Jones’ ring, sold by a different auction house, went for $72K in 2011. The skates worn … [Read more...]
Why Baseball Cards Came Out a Tad Later in 1964
Think "Topps" and most people think baseball but the truth is, the trading card side of the business always been about pop culture. If it's entertainment or sports and people talk about it or like to collect it, the company is interested. If it'll sell and the licensing is right, it's a candidate for the company's cards, both physical and digital. … [Read more...]
Vintage Pack Facts: 1964 Topps Baseball
After "wood grain" borders in '62 and splashes of color in '63, Topps went back to a more traditional look for its 1964 baseball cards. There was a new type of packaging, too. This week's edition of Vintage Pack Facts from Vintage Breaks examines the packs that came with something completely different on top. Topps went from 576 cards to 587 for its 1964 set, one … [Read more...]
1964 Topps Rookie All-Star Banquet Cards Were Quirky And Unique
Topps began honoring its annual Rookie All-Star team with a postseason banquet in 1959. Players were featured in a dinner program, but it soon became obvious to someone at Topps — it was a card company, so why not honor the rookie recipients with a card set? Topps did just that in 1964, issuing a 36-card boxed set for the annual dinner, which was held at the Waldorf-Astoria … [Read more...]
1964 Topps Rookie Stars Full of Fun, Flubs, Future
At a recent show, one of my regular customers started for fun peppering me with various questions about certain cards. After about the fifth name, he realized I truly do love the cards from the 60’s and 70’s and how each one of them tells a story. Since the first card he asked me about was the 1964 Rookie Stars card with Tom Butters, we’ll start with him and discuss a few of … [Read more...]
1964 Topps Baseball Might Rub Off on You
The so-called "British Invasion" began in earnest when The Beatles made their first U.S. television appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in February of 1964, just weeks before pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training. By the time kids popped open their first packs of 1964 Topps baseball cards that spring to background strains of "She Loves You" and "I … [Read more...]
Ruth Exhibit, Top Rated 1964 Topps Set on Display at Expo
More than 50 historic items related to Babe Ruth will be on display at the Long Beach Coin, Currency, Stamp & Sports Collectible Expo, September 4 - 6. The display, which was also part of this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention in Cleveland, is sponsored by Memory Lane and will include signed letters, photographs, a 1927 souvenir program book, a 1932 Ruth … [Read more...]