Like the country itself, Topps was wobbling a bit as 1974 unfolded. Against a backdrop of Watergate, an energy crisis and an unpopular war winding down, the company would send 440 of its workers to the unemployment line. Sugar prices were up and that meant it was costing more to make the 200 tons of gum it produced and sold in various forms. Its baseball card set was fraught … [Read more...] about “The Hobby” 50 Years Ago: Baseball, Big Business, Small Business and Berger
1970s baseball card sets
1975 Topps Baseball Featured Key Rookies, Big Stars, Colorful Design
The 1975 season was a memorable one in baseball. The Oakland Athletics’ dynastic run in the World Series was halted by the Boston Red Sox, and Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine, already dominant in the National League, would finally break through to win baseball’s biggest prize. A memorable seven-game World Series would pit Cincinnati and Boston, complete with a tense Game 6 … [Read more...] about 1975 Topps Baseball Featured Key Rookies, Big Stars, Colorful Design
A Requiem for Hostess Baseball Card Sets 1975-1979
Baseball cards have impacted collectors in many ways over the years. From 1975-1979, perhaps no company did more to raise their sugar levels than Hostess. The glorious five-year run of simple but spectacular baseball cards on the backs of the company's snack cakes turned trips to America's grocery stores and bakery outlets into adventures in set building. They arrived … [Read more...] about A Requiem for Hostess Baseball Card Sets 1975-1979
Topps Introduced Groundbreaking ‘Traded’ Cards in the 1970s
In the 1980s, Topps' landmark traded sets produced some of the hobby's most iconic cards of the era. Nearly every release in the decade had an important card. In 1982, it was Cal Ripken's 'follow-up' card (after his rookie appeared in the regular Topps set). 1983 and 1984 produced rookie cards of Mets stars Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden. The likes of Barry Bonds, Jose … [Read more...] about Topps Introduced Groundbreaking ‘Traded’ Cards in the 1970s
K-Mart Stores Were Once a Card Collector’s Paradise
Over the weekend, I read a story about the closure of one of America's last remaining K-Mart stores. There are now only three left from a high of over 2,400 worldwide in 1994. If you remember them--especially if you were around before that--you probably remember the store's unmistakable look and discount/dime store smell. Maybe you even remember the lunch counter. A … [Read more...] about K-Mart Stores Were Once a Card Collector’s Paradise
Reggie Jackson: Mr. October’s Career in Cardboard
Reggie Jackson wore No. 44 when he played for the New York Yankees. And on Oct. 18, 1977 — 44 years ago — the Hall of Fame slugger became Mr. October. Jackson had hit a home run in Game 5 of the 1977 World Series in his final at-bat, a drive that clanged off the right-field foul pole at Dodger Stadium. New York lost 10-4 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Series headed back … [Read more...] about Reggie Jackson: Mr. October’s Career in Cardboard
1971 Milk Duds Set Not a Dud With Collectors
Bubble gum and baseball cards are forever linked but, as most collectors know, there have been many other food products involved with cardboard memories of the national pastime. Bread wrappers, candy bar wrappers and backers, popcorn holders, even meat products are among the edible goodies that have used baseball cards as incentives. But not all food-related baseball items are … [Read more...] about 1971 Milk Duds Set Not a Dud With Collectors
Forgotten Hoard of 1974 Topps Rack Packs “A Classic Pandemic Story”
Eddie Healy is a law student with deep Baltimore roots. Some decades-old baseball card packs with Orioles branding he recently discovered are expected to cover plenty of tuition. Healy, 30, is the owner of a group of 23 unopened 1974 Topps baseball rack packs owned by his late father, Ed Healy III, that are among the highlights of Robert Edward Auctions' current catalog. Three … [Read more...] about Forgotten Hoard of 1974 Topps Rack Packs “A Classic Pandemic Story”
Fill ‘er Up: 1971 Arco Sets Are a Sizeable Bargain For Regional Collectors
Arco was looking to establish itself as a new face in American gasoline in 1971, and what better way to win over some sports-minded customers than with a baseball promotion? Today, the oversized 1971 Arco baseball sets are among the most memorable regional sets of the era, even if only a few teams are represented. The company itself was not old; in fact, Arco came about … [Read more...] about Fill ‘er Up: 1971 Arco Sets Are a Sizeable Bargain For Regional Collectors
Twitter Hero Super 70s Sports, Topps Team Up for Card Set
If you love Super 70s Sports on Twitter, you’ll probably get a kick out of this. Topps has teamed up with Ricky Cobb, the man with the comedic tweets on nostalgia, for a new baseball card set. The Topps X Super 70s Baseball set released Wednesday as on on-demand product, available through the Topps online store. Cobb turned his love for old school sports and … [Read more...] about Twitter Hero Super 70s Sports, Topps Team Up for Card Set