He was known as “Mr. Tiger” during his 22-year major-league career, and he certainly fit the description. Al Kaline cards first popped out of wax packs a year after the Korean War and were still there as the curtain was closing in Viet Nam. Kaline's longevity was no secret. He could hit, run and throw. Underrated and underappreciated outside Detroit, … [Read more...]
Vintage Baseball Sets, Singles, Jordan Rookies Among Wheatland Auction Items
Whether you lean toward Walter Johnson or Michael Jordan, Wheatland Auction Services has you covered in their Spring Auction. The company’s latest online catalog includes a little bit of everything, with baseball cards from 1888 joining names from the current sports headlines. Over 500 lots are up for grabs in the no-reserve auction. Among the highlights are … [Read more...]
5 Cards to Capture Baseball As It Was 50 Years Ago
It was the last year in which finishing at the top of the standings in your league meant an automatic berth in the World Series. It was the year in which Nolan Ryan and Johnny Bench made their baseball card debuts and a year in which the American League batting champ barely hit .300. In 1968, baseball card packs were still a nickel, and while you won't find even … [Read more...]
Burlap Is Back: Topps’ Heritage Minor League Set Copies ’68 Design
The retro burlap design from 1968 is back with the sneak peek at the 2017 Topps Heritage Minor League baseball set, which will be released on October 18. As usual, the Heritage minor-league design mirrors the major-league version that came out in March, and this product — a hobby exclusive, just like 2016 — also will contain variations and low-numbered … [Read more...]
2017 Topps Heritage Baseball Checklist Released
Collectors will flip their clocks back to burlap border time when 2017 Topps Heritage Baseball arrives on March 1. Due out one month after the release of 2017 Series One Baseball, Heritage will continue the ongoing annual salute to baseball card sets of the past, with 1968 Topps next on the agenda. The 2017 Heritage set will again include 24 packs per box with … [Read more...]
Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1968 Topps
For many collectors, the 1968 Topps set means one thing: Nolan Ryan’s rookie card. One of the most iconic cards in the hobby, the Ryan Express headlines the set, followed closely by the first year card of fellow Hall of Famer, Johnny Bench. Highlighted by other ‘60s superstars like Mickey Mantle, Roberto Clemente, Willie Mays, and the second year cards of Tom Seaver and Rod … [Read more...]
Vintage Set Break of the Month: 1968 Topps
These days, the Nolan Ryan rookie is the first card that comes to mind when you think of the 1968 Topps Baseball set, produced toward the end of nickel packs. However, the ’68 set also has Johnny Bench’s rookie card, the next-to-last card from Mickey Mantle’s playing days, a couple dozen Hall of Famers (and All-Star cards), a few sweet multi-player cards and other annual … [Read more...]
Topps Archives Box Break/Review
For years, whenever what began as the Kit Young Hawaii Trade Show (which has now gone full circle and returned to Hawaii for the 2016 calendar year), there would always been certain themes which permeated the meetings. One of the favorites was "Adapt and Thrive" which some people also called "Adapt or Die". And with very few exceptions, anyone who has survived in the sports … [Read more...]
1968 Topps Baseball Set Headlined by Ryan, Bench
Against the backdrop of troubled times, the 1968 Topps Baseball set was an oasis. While their parents and older siblings dealt with assassinations, war, drugs, riots and a myriad of unrest in the United States, youngsters could still grab a pack of bubble gum cards for a nickel. Cards from the first series became available March 1, just as spring training camps … [Read more...]
Vintage Pack Break at the NSCC: 1968 Topps Cello
What fun is having all of these vintage wax and cello packs at the National Sports Collectors Convention if you don't open a few? Just Collect picked up a few old packs and on Friday, a 1968 Topps cello pack rip drew an audience in the 500 aisle at the show. Spoiler alert: Former AL MVP Zoilo Versalles makes an appearance. Watch it all unfold in less than three … [Read more...]