Topps returned to the forefront of football cards in 1968, as it reclaimed rights to print cards of not only NFL players and retained its AFL players too. Football collectors would be treated to a Hall of Fame lineup. For the first time since 1961, one Topps set contained players from each league. Topps had lost its right to issue cards of NFL players in 1964 when the … [Read more...]
Football Cards of a Failed League: Topps 2019 Alliance of American Football
Unlike previously defunct leagues like the WFL, USFL, and XFL, the Alliance of American Football (AAF) did not complete its first season, suspending operations on April 2, after eight weeks of fairly entertaining, generally well coached pro football. The AAF’s demise was announced by league Chairman Tom Dundon, who has taken a fair amount of heat for how things played … [Read more...]
1961 Topps Football Set Included Stars of Both Leagues
It took several years before the National Football League would acknowledge the upstart American Football League, but Topps saw an immediate chance to cash in. Fleer produced an AFL set in 1960, but in ’61 Topps marketed a 198-card set with players from both leagues. Fleer followed suit, and 1961 was the only season where two companies produced cards from both leagues. The … [Read more...]
1960 Fleer Football Cards Helped Launch AFL
As the first full week of September 1960 wound to a close, much of America’s attention was focused on the upcoming presidential election where the young Massachusetts senator, John Kennedy was battling vice-president Richard Nixon. In Rome, the Summer Olympic Games were winding down and Florida residents were bracing for Hurricane Donna. On the evening of September 9, a … [Read more...]
AFL Programs Offer Rich History
There are few collectibles that have a more direct connection to sports than a game program. Full of photos, stories, information and those great old advertisements, game programs have been a staple of the sporting experience for more than 100 years. Programs are ubiquitous in sports today, and can be found at contests ranging in importance from the annual Super Bowl to … [Read more...]
1964 Topps Football Set Marked Big Change
More than a few historians believe the 1960s to be the greatest decade in professional football history. Those 10 years saw the rise and success of the AFL, a merger with the NFL and the first Super Bowl, known then as the AFL vs. NFL World Championship Game. It was a busy time in the football card world as well. The game was getting more popular and football cards … [Read more...]
Collecting Super Bowl III: History-Making Game Still Within Reach
On January 12, 1969, the New York Jets made history with the AFL squad's landmark win over the Baltimore Colts. Super Bowl III memorabilia is among the most popular from any of the games that have been played since. In terms of historical significance, there are not many games that are more important or had a greater influence on the NFL than the one played in Miami … [Read more...]
1963 Fleer Football Set Offers Key Rookie Cards; Tough Autographs
Fifty years ago, the American Football League was four years old, and while still struggling financially, had begun to build a following among professional football fans. Their game was exciting, and attractive to fans. The AFL had early success in signing new players to their league, and many recent college superstars were sporting the Chargers powder blue, the Bills red and … [Read more...]
Rarest Autographs on AFL Trading Cards
Every vintage football card collector knows which cards are the most rare and expensive. A raw Joe Namath rookie card in excellent condition may run you upwards of $600 or $700. Which are the rarest autographed American Football League cards? That's a more interesting question and one that requires a little research. While supply and demand certainly factor into the … [Read more...]
Chargers’ Last AFL Game Meant Record Setting Moment, Memorabilia for Alworth
On December 14, 1969, the Buffalo Bills and San Diego Chargers met beneath a 66-degree Southern California sky to play their final game as members of the old American Football League. A merger between the AFL & NFL, which had been agreed to four years prior, would take full effect the next season, and the new American and National Football Conferences would take the field … [Read more...]