Things may happen at this year's show but chances are it will be relatively tame compared to the headline-grabbing circus by which all others will be measured. Held at the height of the runaway freight train that sports cards had become, the 1991 National Sports Collectors Convention in Anaheim, CA had everything. Some of it was awesome. Some of it was … [Read more...]
Toughest High-Grade 1952 Topps High Numbers
Thousands were drowned in the Atlantic Ocean when they were just kids. A late 1950s decision to free up space at the company's headquarters sent the population of 1952 Topps high numbers that would be available to future generations plummeting. Those that survived were in the hands of youngsters who weren't generally concerned with their condition. There were … [Read more...]
Record Price for Mint 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
One of the six 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards graded PSA 9 (mint) has a new owner--at a new record price. Late Thursday night, the card offered through Heritage Auctions sold for $2.88 million including the buyer's premium. It's the most ever paid for a post-World War II trading card. Owned for about two years by collector/dealer/former NFL lineman Evan Mathis, … [Read more...]
2017 Had a Little Bit of Everything
When we started producing Sports Collectors Daily back in 2006, it was partly because there seemed to be enough going on to warrant a site that was updated more than once in a while. 2017 once again validated that assumption. There were phenomenal discoveries, remarkable auction items, rookies that set the hobby on fire, long sentences for those who tried … [Read more...]
Stories in Rosen’s ‘True Mint’ an Invaluable Part of Hobby History
When we shared the news of Alan Rosen’s death late last month, I realized I had never read the second of his two books, called “True Mint”, published in 1994 and written with the help of T.S. O’Connell. I ordered a copy, knowing I’d probably heard some of the stories before but still feeling a little nostalgic for what was a truly remarkable era. About two-thirds … [Read more...]
Baseball Card Pioneer Alan Rosen Dies
Alan “Mr. Mint” Rosen, who became the hobby’s most widely known personality as a brash, cash-wielding dealer in the 1980s, died Thursday morning. Believed to be in his early 70s, he had been battling illness for several years. Rosen sold copy machines and antiques until 1982 when a visit to a card show spurred him to focus exclusively on baseball … [Read more...]
Cranston Sports Collectors Show Returns for 40th Event
There are some great traditions during Super Bowl week. Media day. Commercials. The halftime show. And oh, yeah, the game. But for the last 40 years, collectors in New England have another Super Bowl tradition. It’s the annual Cranston Sports Collectors Show, which is run by the St. Joseph’s Men’s Guild and benefits the Immaculate Conception Church in Cranston, Rhode … [Read more...]
Recalling Two of the Hobby’s Major Figures
It was not that long ago when the highlight of any sports collector’s week would be when a new Mastro Auctions catalog arrived. Just to see some of the history that was being sold was amazing and the company did its best to create descriptions for each lot that, while often over the top, did whet your appetite for sports history. The photography of some of the major lots made … [Read more...]
1952 Topps Case is Baseball Card History
Sixty years ago, some were sitting in warehouse while others were likely on their way back to New York, all of them unsold and unwanted. Case upon case of the final series of Topps’ inaugural entry into the bubble gum card market was dead inventory. The company’s first cards had fared well in their competition with Bowman but by early fall, kids were headed back to school. … [Read more...]
Rich’s Ramblings: Of Old Willow Grove Days
by Rich Klein In many ways, these have been some of the most enjoyable articles I have ever written. I have enjoyed reading your comments and to those who have emailed me, thank you so much. And to those who are enjoying these rambles through time, there is plenty more to ramble about in the near future. One of my other interests involves performing some work for my … [Read more...]