A sure sign of spring is more new baseball card sell sheets from Topps. Even if the product is still six months down the pike, it does make the winter days pass by a little quicker to take a look at a new product. The company offered up a taste of 2012 Topps Tier One on Thursday evening, with a "new configuration" according to the promotional material. Collectors who … [Read more...]
In The Game Signs Gordie Howe to Autograph Deal
In The Game Trading Cards has signed Gordie Howe to a deal that will place his autographs and game-used memorabilia in its upcoming hockey card products. “It has been several years since Mr. Howe was prominently featured as part of In The Game’s products and we are incredibly pleased to be working with him once again,” said company President Dr. Brian Price. “Our working … [Read more...]
Topps Supreme Gets Late Tebow Injection
Topps Supreme Football released on Wednesday and the company is hoping to take advantage of (at least one more week of) Tim Tebow mania. Tebow autographed cards appear at various scarcity levels throughout the product including: Base Autograph #’d to 27 Base Autograph Red Parallel #’d to 20 Base Autograph Green Parallel #’d to 10 Base Autograph Platinum Parallel … [Read more...]
Chris Paul Rookie Cards Getting Long Term Boost With Trade to L.A?
by Juan Martinez I knew what Chris Paul looked like as a Clipper years before it actually happened. It was a scenario that I allowed myself to dream up every year; I would pick up the latest game in the NBA 2K franchise and create a Los Angeles Clippers team that wasn’t a total piece of garbage. Prior to Vinny Del Negro taking over as head coach, I would fire … [Read more...]
Autograph Seekers Chase White House Seekers
Maybe you've got George Mitterwald. But do you have Mitt Romney? Maybe you've got Joe Garagiola. But do you have Newt Gingrich? The chase is on for autographs from the Republican candidates for president. What once may have been a quirky little segment of collecting is now recognized--by the profit seeking autograph hounds who chase them, by the collectors and 'fans' who … [Read more...]
2011 Bowman Sterling Box Break
by Rich Klein Topps uses the Bowman brand name to focus on young players. No where is that focus more evident than in the Bowman Sterling product. Unlike some of the Bowman lines which usually feature several ways to bring veterans into the mix, Bowman Sterling primarily focuses almost exclusively on the prospects and rookies. This hobby-only product was released in late … [Read more...]
Say What? High School Stars Overloaded With Autograph Obligations
Some of the nation's best high school football players will compete in next Saturday afternoon's Army All-American game in San Antonio. Among the tasks on the docket before the big showcase? Autographs. Apparently, they were put to work signing not just a few things to trade with each other. Players were ushered into a room, handed a couple of Sharpies and told to sign a … [Read more...]
2011 Bowman Sterling Football Review
by Rich Klein The "Sterling" name is a brand Topps uses to show their "high-dollar" products. Sterling is usually used in conjunction with Bowman and implies a very heavy emphasis on rookies and/or prospects. The 2011 Bowman Sterling football program fits right in with that theme. Each Sterling "mini-box" comes as part of a "master" box contains six mini-boxes. Each mini-box … [Read more...]
Eric Gordon Rookie Cards: The Next Russell Westbrook?
by Juan Martinez The following is a true story: Prior to the 2010 NBA Playoffs, I made a trade for an autographed two-color patch Exquisite rookie card (numbered to 225) of Russell Westbrook. In exchange for the Westbrook, I gave up a 2005-06 Upper Deck Trilogy Rookie Premiere Autograph Patch (numbered to 10) of Danny Granger and a 2001-02 Topps Pristine Rookie Autograph … [Read more...]
Ken Griffey Jr. Signs Autograph Deal with Topps
For the first time ever, Topps will offer certified autographed trading cards of future Hall of Famer Ken Griffey, Jr. in its 2012 baseball card products. After helping jump start Upper Deck as a viable competitor in the late 1980s and early 90s, Griffey stayed under contract with the California card maker for his entire playing career. However, with Upper Deck no longer … [Read more...]