Posters, broadsides, figurines, game-used uniforms, schedules and cards. Gus LeDonne collected them all. LeDonne, an accountant who lived in Chicago died in August 2013. Now, his memorabilia collection is about to be broken up and sold. More than 1,000 eclectic items — with a big emphasis on football — go on the block during a live two-day auction beginning July 23 in … [Read more...]
Early Reaction to 2013-14 Upper Deck Black Basketball
At the end of her hit song Anticipation, Carly Simon sings “these are the good old days” as she wraps up her anthem to the unknown. It is a sentiment often used in movies, novels, theater, etc., and it may well sum up how several collectors of high-end basketball cards feel regarding the recent release of 2013-14 Upper Deck Black Basketball. Originally slated for a January … [Read more...]
Best Rookie Cards of 1970s College Hoop Heroes
College basketball tournaments will create their own stars over the next four weeks. For some, it will be the greatest moment of their athletic lives and we'll never see them on an NBA court. For others, it will be a springboard to a great pro career. Even though many will spend several years in the league, what they accomplished in college may overshadow what … [Read more...]
Panini Prizm Basketball Keeps Collectors Chasing the Rainbow
Why are there so many songs about rainbows and what's on the other side, and why are there so many collectors who want to go after a Prizm rainbow of parallel cards? The answer has to be that collectors enjoy the challenge, or the chase, which is why it's quite appropriate to call these 'chase cards'. Released a few weeks ago, 2013-14 Panini Prizm Basketball is about much … [Read more...]
ESPN Dissects Quest to Return Original Rules of Basketball to Kansas
ESPN Films’ 30 for 30 will premiere There’s No Place Like Home tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN/ESPNHD. The film follows one University of Kansas fan on his obsessive quest to win at auction the most important document in sports history—James Naismith’s original rules of basketball—and bring them “home” to Lawrence, Kansas, where Naismith coached and taught for more than 40 … [Read more...]
Is Absolute Basketball Returning? Absolutely
The NBA’s trading card partner is making up for last year’s lockout-induced dearth of product by unleashing several new issues as a new 82-game season tips off this fall. On Tuesday, Panini America offered some preview images and key information for 2012-13 Absolute Basketball, due out just before the holidays. Absolute will return after sitting out last season. It’s a … [Read more...]
What’s Hot: Fleer Retro – Who Says You Can’t Go Home?
by Mike Fruitman While I do not subscribe to everything Bon Jovi offers in terms of advice, it appears the California based folks at Upper Deck pay a bit more attention to the rockers from New Jersey. Just over a week ago 2011/12 Fleer Retro basketball landed at hobby stores with a bit of buzz behind it. Like all hoops offerings from UD, collectors were excited to once … [Read more...]
Whereabouts of Wilt’s 100 Point Ball Remain a Mystery
It's one of the holy grails of sports memorabilia. Along with Bill Mazeroski's Series-winning ball in 1960 and before that, the Shot Heard Round the World in '51, the basketball used in the Wilt Chamberlain 100 point game 50 years ago is still missing. Or is it? What really became of the ball after that historic night in Hershey Pa., in 1962 has been lost over time. … [Read more...]
Part of Chamberlain 100-Point Game Court Will Be Cut Up, Given Away
The basketball court on which Wilt Chamberlain scored his historic 100 points versus the New York Knicks on March 2, 1962 has been acquired by the Philadelphia 76ers and part of it will be cut up and given away to fans at a game on the 50th anniversary of the remarkable feat. The historic court was purchased from Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, who had stored it … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Jeremy Lin Merchandise Keeps Sellers Busy as Linsanity Grows
Just when you thought it would die down. It had to. Didn't it? Apparently not. The improbable, eye-popping, jaw-dropping Jeremy Lin NBA story added yet another chapter Tuesday night when he dropped a three-pointer with a half-second left to give the New York Knicks a three-point win over the Toronto Raptors. He scored 27 of the Knicks' 90 points. Lin rookie cards are … [Read more...]