One popular way of collecting in any sport is to assemble a collection of rookie cards of Hall of Fame inductees. For boxing that means the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, and for many it means the glamor division, the heavyweights. Determining what constitutes the rookie card of a boxer can be even more controversial than identifying … [Read more...]
Non-Baseball Stars in the 1933 U.S. Caramel Set are Plenty Valuable
The 1933 U.S. Caramel set is comprised of only 32 cards. While it is technically a multi-sport set, baseball is clearly the dominant subject found in it. Originally cited as a 1932 issue, it is generally believed to be produced in 1933 by many accounts these days. Similar to the 1914 and 1915 Cracker Jack cards, these are defined largely by their plain red backgrounds. The … [Read more...]
1923 German Transfers Sets Features Ruth, Cobb, and More
Pre-war sets come in all shapes and sizes. Among the more unique issues are transfers sets and one of the more popular ones is called the 1923 German Transfers set. Transfers are often called stamps and that's for good reason. They basically look like stamps and often have perforated stamp-like edges to them. But they're a little different in that they have reverse print. … [Read more...]
1940s Babe Ruth Editorial Bruguera Cards Remain Elusive
Due to his immense popularity, Babe Ruth wound up on all sorts of baseball cards. His presence not only was felt in the U.S. but also abroad as he was known as one of the most famous athletes in the world, appearing on all sorts of international cards. While Ruth eventually was left out of sets in the years following his retirement, he was still a popular figure. As a … [Read more...]
Best Known Example of the ‘Holy Grail of Boxing Cards’ Hits Market
The best known example of the “Honus Wagner of Boxing Cards” has hit the auction block. Heritage Auctions is selling one of perhaps fewer than ten 1948 Leaf Rocky Graziano cards in its Fall Trading Card Catalog. Graded PSA 6.5 (EX/MT+), the card stands as the highest graded in the hobby and could sell for as much as $150,000 or more when bidding concludes next … [Read more...]
Athletes Highlighted the Quirky 1928 W565 Strip Card Set
Pre-war strip cards can often be unattractive, a bit difficult to understand, and, well, just a little strange in general. All of those traits apply to the 1928 W565 strip card set. Here's a closer look at this unique issue from the 1920s. About the W565 strip card set Believed to have been printed in 1928, there's no doubt that the W565 strip card set is a little on the … [Read more...]
Reach of T227 Champions Set Extended Beyond Baseball
The T227 Champions set is one of the earliest notable multi-sport tobacco issues of the 20th century. Issued in 1912, the series included various 'champion' athletes in their respective sports. Tobacco advertisers on the backs included both Honest Long Cut and Miners Extra. While most of the athletes featured were those participating in individual sports, some were a part of … [Read more...]
10th Edition of “America’s Great Boxing Cards” Released
The Tenth Edition of collector Adam Warshaw's encyclopedic reference guide to boxing cards has been released. America's Great Boxing Cards offers insight into dozens of trading cards focused on boxing, including checklists. The new edition is the biggest yet--376 pages in paperback format. Since the last edition was published nearly three years ago, … [Read more...]
Pittsburgh Show Offers Plenty of Vintage Cards, Autograph Signers
The annual Pittsburgh Card Show was held this weekend and I managed to attend on Saturday. What I found was the usual solid mix of dealers with another good selection of vintage cards at Main Line Autographs' latest showcase. In all, there were somewhere in the neighborhood of 70-80 dealers from all over the country. That is nothing new for the popular show, which has gained … [Read more...]
1939 HOF Signed Baseball; Frazier’s 1970 Finals Jersey; 1914 Orioles Photo with Babe Headline Lelands Sale
A baseball signed by 11 of Major League Baseball’s original Hall of Fame inductees in 1939 and a Bobby Orr circa 1972 Boston Bruins game-worn jersey headline the Lelands Spring 2019 Classic Auction, which opened for bidding Tuesday and runs through June 7. The baseball includes the signatures of 11 original Hall of Fame members, who were all present at the inaugural … [Read more...]