With the National Sports Collectors Convention going back to Chicago this week, we thought we would take a look at the 10 most collectible Chicago stars. It's not strictly a list of the most popular guys, although that certainly plays into it. Impact on the city and the market, long term interest and other factors are part of this very unscientific but … [Read more...] about Chicago’s 10 Most Collectible Sports Stars
bobby hull
30 Years Later, the 1993 National Remains One Of Chicago’s Best
It doesn’t take long for 30 years to whiz by. But as the collecting world is buzzing about the National at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont this week, those of us that are grizzled hobby veterans can’t help but think back to the various Nationals that have been held in the windy city. Post-2000, it’s really difficult to sort out … [Read more...] about 30 Years Later, the 1993 National Remains One Of Chicago’s Best
Bobby Hull Collection, Mario Tremblay Rings, Vintage Cards Headline Classic Auctions Sale
A collection of memorabilia associated with the career of the late Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull is on the block in the latest edition of Classic Auctions’ Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia sale. The auction includes over 1,000 lots ranging from vintage cards to current era game-worn jerseys. There are 43 lots of Hull memorabilia, highlighted by a 1969-70 … [Read more...] about Bobby Hull Collection, Mario Tremblay Rings, Vintage Cards Headline Classic Auctions Sale
50 Years Later: Memories of the First WHA Trading Card Set and the Deal That Gave the League Its Big Star
I cringe when I say I am going to write about what I was doing 50 years ago this week. The reason I cringe is that it was 50 years ago and it feels like it was not that long ago. I have become that old guy that I used to make fun of for saying exactly what I just did. I will be honest, though, I don’t remember every wax box I cracked open in my lifetime. But this one, 50 … [Read more...] about 50 Years Later: Memories of the First WHA Trading Card Set and the Deal That Gave the League Its Big Star
Pinnacle’s Wild Weekend: Bobby Hull, The Commish and Massive Layoffs
For the last few weeks, I have been thinking about all of my encounters with Bobby Hull. I thought about doing a story on his passing a couple of weeks ago, but a story would not come near sufficing the magnitude of his personality and his importance in the hockey world and specifically in the hobby. As I was writing the story on how we resurrected the Bee Hive brand at … [Read more...] about Pinnacle’s Wild Weekend: Bobby Hull, The Commish and Massive Layoffs
Jagr, Hull, Team Canada ’72 Stars Highlight Toronto Spring Expo
It had been three years since the last Sport Card and Memorabilia Spring Expo in Toronto, but the general consensus was that it was worth the wait. The show, commonly referred to in the hobby as ‘Canada’s National’, had been postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19 and moved to a virtual format. Having collectors and dealers back in person at the International Centre near the … [Read more...] about Jagr, Hull, Team Canada ’72 Stars Highlight Toronto Spring Expo
Taking A Bow: 10 Key Final Cards of Hockey Legends
In the modern world of hockey card collecting, the appeal of retired players within new releases practically ensures that many of the game's greatest legends will be discovered by new generations of hobbyists. However, there was a time where retirement often meant that a last card was exactly that, and there are plenty from Parkhurst, Topps, and O-Pee-Chee that deserve a second … [Read more...] about Taking A Bow: 10 Key Final Cards of Hockey Legends
1977-78 O-Pee-Chee WHA Has A Difficult Legacy
Down to eight teams heading into the 1977-78 season, the World Hockey Association was on its last legs, but that did not stop them from being involved in a trading card project for the fourth straight year. The 1977-78 O-Pee-Chee WHA set marked the end of an era, whether or not collectors cared much at the time. Even now, it appears that O-Pee-Chee got a little overzealous … [Read more...] about 1977-78 O-Pee-Chee WHA Has A Difficult Legacy
1960-61 Topps Pays Tribute To Old Time Hockey
The game of hockey has long celebrated its rich history and this is especially apparent when it comes to hockey cards. In the post-war era, collectors got their first look at legends on cardboard thanks to the Old-Time Greats subset in 1955-56 Parkhurst, but it only focused on players that had skated for the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs. Just five years later, the … [Read more...] about 1960-61 Topps Pays Tribute To Old Time Hockey
1969-70 Topps Hockey Set Reflected NHL’s Growth
The 1960s were a time of upheaval and growth for the NHL, and the 1969-70 Topps hockey set put the finishing touches to a decade of change. Topps' wax packs now carried a few more cards but the prices in each sport had morphed from a nickel to a dime between the spring release of baseball and the fall and winter sports. Each pack contained a pair of player stamps (more … [Read more...] about 1969-70 Topps Hockey Set Reflected NHL’s Growth