It’s time for the annual Mikey Awards where the best and brightest get ignored as I choose what I liked in 2015. Well, more specifically what my collectors liked. It’s my list of the sports card releases (and some other things) that, in one way or another, had folks in my shop talking. I do not expect you all to agree, but please enjoy what I found interesting in the … [Read more...]
2015 Topps Strata Baseball Debuts with MLB Authenticated Relics
Newly arriving 2015 Topps Strata Baseball is offering two high-end cards per pack—at least one of them autographed and possibly both. The more interesting development, however, is the use of MLB holograms on relic cards of current players, enabling collectors to quickly determine when those game-worn jersey pieces saw the field. Strata, which debuted a few years ago in … [Read more...]
Topps Archives Signature Series Box Break-Review
Box breaks and reviews for one card packs mean the lead up is much longer than the end result. I mean, when each box/pack has one card inside there often isn’t much to review. Instead, we try to collect feedback from other dealers and collectors. At a recent local show here in Dallas, I was chatting with dealer Roland Belcher who drives over from Louisiana to many shows in … [Read more...]
2015 Panini USA Baseball Returns This Week
You may not know all of their names now but chances are in a few years, some will be very familiar. The 2015 Panini USA Baseball product is set for release Wednesday with each box delivering a complete 80-card base set along with seven autographs and three Crown Royale inserts. Online box prices are just under $100. There were 16 first round picks in the 2015 Amateur … [Read more...]
2015 Panini Contenders Baseball Review-Box Break
Unlike basketball or football, there is not quite the same identity for college baseball players as there is for their counterparts in other sports. Since baseball, with only a few exceptions, tends not to be a revenue producing sport, the game does not receive the same publicity at either the college or the television level those other two sports garner. However, over the past … [Read more...]
Swanson and Rodgers Sign for 2015 Bowman Draft
Dansby Swanson, the first overall pick in this year’s MLB Draft, and Brendan Rodgers, the third overall pick, will both have cards in 2015 Bowman Draft including their first on-card Chrome autographs. Due out December 9, the prospect-product features autographs from players in the early stages of their pro careers. Earlier this fall, Topps added Swanson and Rodgers cards as … [Read more...]
2015 Topps Tribute Special Edition is Re-Tooled Version of Original
Get ready for Tribute II. Several months after the release of 2015 Topps Tribute was plagued with a UV coating issue that led to some streaked and smudged autographs, the company announced Monday it was creating a 2015 Topps Tribute ‘Special Edition’ product to be released the week of December 16. Topps recalled Tribute after dealers, case breakers and collectors after … [Read more...]
Topps Heritage 51 Collection Box Break
A few weeks ago I dropped by my local card store (Triple Cards in Plano TX) and discussed the new Topps Heritage ’51 set. The store had pre-sold its entire order and would be sold out upon delivery. Now, any time you have a guaranteed sell out as a dealer that is always a good problem to have. A successful release helps to make up for some of bad products every dealer … [Read more...]
Notes: Gretzky Jersey Brings $72K; Topps Chrome Update
Montreal-based Classic Auctions put the wraps on its final major auction of 2015 early Thursday with $1.2 million in sales, led a 1981-82 Wayne Gretzky game-worn Edmonton Oilers jersey. The jersey, worn during the season in which Gretzky scored a record 50 goals in 39 games and 92 for the entire campaign, sold for $72,991 including the buyer’s premium. Other highlights … [Read more...]
2015 Topps Update Box Break
There are times when the most releases you can issue earlier in the cycle really help a card company. Whenever there are quarterbacks drafted very high or can't miss prospects coming out for the other sports, there is tremendous interest in the early releases. Sometimes, the prospects have great years or someone else breaks through to push through the new products. Other … [Read more...]