1989 marked some pretty significant advances in the sports card industry. Collectors saw the introduction of Upper Deck as well as the return of Bowman. And as I recently wrote, that also marked the year when football traded cards became 'a thing.' Rookie cards also continued their popularity and, as is the case with any year, some were stars and others were busts. While it … [Read more...]
30th Anniversary Brings Back Memories of Bowman’s Stunning Return
Bowman was one of the earliest post-war producers of baseball gum cards. However, after a run of sets issued from 1948 through 1955, the company packed it in. Bowman competed heavily with Topps once the latter began producing baseball cards. After a brief battle, Topps ultimately bought Bowman out. Rather than operate Bowman as a separate entity, Topps ended the production … [Read more...]
1989 Was A Revolutionary Year In Baseball Cards
Looking back, 1988 was a relatively dull year for baseball cards. Among the junkiest of the junk wax era, not much has significant value from that time period. Sure, there are some notable things from 1988, such as the traded/update sets. But in general, there's a lot of low-value stuff from 1988. 1989 has a lot of low-dollar stuff, too. But (and with all due respect to the … [Read more...]
Who’s Leaving Junk Wax Cards at NY Supermarket?
We’ve heard of all kinds of ways to unload those late 80s/early 90s baseball cards that generally aren’t worth anything other than memories. We’ve even suggested a few from time-to-time. Apparently, there's another. It’s a novel concept initiated by a mystery shopper (no, not a “mystery shopper”, just a person who hasn’t yet been identified). Bring … [Read more...]
5 Underrated 1981 Donruss Baseball Cards
In 1981, Donruss and Fleer gave Topps some much-needed competition. Having earned the right to produce baseball cards in a court case with Topps, the 1981 Donruss set became the company's first baseball offering. There were tons of errors, collation inside boxes was hit and miss (mostly miss) and the cards were printed on a cheap, thin stock that sometimes stuck … [Read more...]
30th Anniversary: 10 Bargain Cards of the 1986 Mets
The 1986 New York Mets became one of baseball's most beloved teams. Down three games to two and down to their final out, the Mets battled back to win Game 6 behind Bill Buckner's crucial error at first base. New York found themselves behind again in Game 7, trailing 3-0. However, they tied the game in the sixth inning before going on to win the team's second World Series … [Read more...]
1986 Topps Football Set Among Decade’s Most Memorable
Thirty years ago, Topps produced a football card set in a baseball card era. As was generally the case then, the cards were never all that popular compared to their baseball counterpart and a lot of product went unsold. However, the 1986 Topps football set now stands out as one of the better products from the 1980s in any sport. 1986 Topps Football Basics Putting it bluntly, … [Read more...]
Family Helping Family: Large Graded Collection in Market
Companies that deal in collectibles and graded sports cards have to remain dispassionate. After all, this is a business. What might knock over the average collector has to be treated as an investment by a company. Handling a graded Honus Wagner T-206 card would make an ordinary collector tremble -- a friend got to hold one at last year's National, and he confessed that his … [Read more...]
Ramblings: When Gregg Jefferies Ruled
For fans and collectors, spring means time for the recurrent belief that this year’s prospect will become the next Mike Trout or Giancarlo Stanton. Back in the penny stock market days of the card collecting hobby (what we call the overproduction eras well), we looked forward to seeing how our “heroes of tomorrow” were progressing. Was this the year when they’d break out? … [Read more...]
When “Fernand” Valenzuela Was an Early 80’s Smash Hit
At the end of the 1980 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers called up a pudgy Mexican-born pitcher who electrified fans by pitching 17 2/3 innings in relief in the final two weeks of that season without allowing an earned run. He won two games and saved one during that streak, and helped the Dodgers nearly catch the Houston Astros from behind to win the N.L. West Division title. In … [Read more...]