Trading card collectors in the United States swear by the annual National Sports Collectors Convention and everything it has to offer. Those of us that love cards and live North of the border have something special of our own in the Sportcard & Memorabilia Expo that is our own paradise, especially for hockey collectors. This time, it aims to be bigger than ever with a rare … [Read more...]
Interactive Infancy: 1997 Donruss VXP 1.0 CD-ROM
Given the advances in computer technology these days — smartphones, iPads, tablets have opened the Internet in ways that were not dreamed of 20 years ago — the 1997 Donruss VXP 1.0 CD-ROM set looks quaint. But it was one of the earliest attempts to bring baseball cards into the computer age. In fact, Donruss marketed the product as the “First-Ever Collectable CD ROM Trading … [Read more...]
Ramblings: Ripken Recollections as Anniversary Approaches
The actual anniversary of Cal Ripken breaking Lou Gehrig’s record is Sunday but with the schedule putting the Orioles on the road, they celebrated the 20th anniversary of that milestone Tuesday night at Camden Yards. It’s hard to believe so much time has passed since that magical run around the ballpark when his 2131st consecutive game played became official. Carl … [Read more...]
Cal Ripken Jr. Meets His (Bat) Maker
For seven years the Louisville Slugger Factory & Museum and Hunt Auctions have teamed to present their Living Legend Award. The 2013 recipient was Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. who, prior to receiving the award, was taken on the Louisville Slugger factory tour. It was 30 years ago today, by the way, that Ripken followed his Rookie of the Year … [Read more...]
VIDEO: Cal Ripken Gets a Look at Lou Gehrig Bat Coming to Auction
A high grade Lou Gehrig game used bat will be up for bid this fall and what could be better than seeing Cal Ripken Jr. take a few cuts with it? Goldin Auctions will bring the PSA 9 rated stick to its catalog in October. Recently in Chicago, A Piece of the Game, the new WGN-TV series that features historic sports memorabilia, shot a segment on the bat featuring the man who … [Read more...]
Autograph Signers Announced for NSCC
Tri-Star Productions has announced the initial group of autograph guests for the 33rd Annual National Sports Collectors Convention, August 1-5 in Baltimore. While dozens of athletes past and present will be on the final list as the show approaches, the first wave includes some familiar names from the show circuit. Among the confirmed bookings are numerous Hall of Famers … [Read more...]
Skip Schumacher’s Rally Squirrel Card Helps Push Topps Buzz
A few 2012 Topps packs and boxes have somehow made their way into stores, but most folks won't have the chance to buy the year's first baseball card product until Wednesday. Already, though, there's a card generating mainstream media buzz. Like the Derek Jeter-George Bush-Mickey Mantle of 2007 and other subsequent manufactured oddities, the 2012 Topps Skip Schumacher/Rally … [Read more...]
Joe Namath Tells Story Behind Rookie Card Hospital Photo to Letterman
Topps' Super Bowl Legends game continues the company's online promotional efforts. There are special code cards in packs of 2011 Topps Football. Each code unlocks either a special die-cut Super Bowl Legends card or a Super Bowl digital item. The die- cut cards include 70 top Super Bowl performers from the past in special technology (just like the Diamond die-cut cards … [Read more...]
Rare Lou Gehrig Game Jersey, Bat, Signed Baseball to Hit Auction Block
Robert Edward Auctions announced today that a trio of historic and valuable items tied to the legendary life and career of baseball icon Lou Gehrig have been consigned to the company’s upcoming annual catalog auction. They include a 1925-29 Gehrig pro model bat with strong use once personally gifted by Gehrig to his next-door neighbor, a 1938 game-used road jersey, believed … [Read more...]
National Sports Collectors Convention Autograph List Released
The initial group of autograph guests for the 32nd Annual National Sports Collectors Convention, August 3-7, 2011, in Chicago has been announced. Tri-Star Productions, which runs the signing sessions, unveiled its first commitments. Several Baseball Hall of Famers will sign at the show including Cal Ripken Jr., Reggie Jackson, Joe Morgan, Carlton Fisk, Gary Carter, Orlando … [Read more...]