by Rich Klein In the more than three decades I have been involved in this hobby, perhaps nothing has changed more than the concept of autographs at shows. When I first started attending shows in the mid-late 70's the concept usually meant a former player like Earl Battey (who was probably paid a reasonable fee such as $500) signing free autographs for a couple of hours … [Read more...] about The Dawn of Autograph Shows
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2011 Topps UFC Moment of Truth Box Break
by Rich Klein One of my favorite names I like to call myself is a hobby dinosaur. I grew up in the era of no cable, where you had anywhere from three to ten television stations to watch and a seemingly similar number of radio stations. That was also an era when boxing was still an important sport and the concept of what is now called UFC or mixed-martial arts was something … [Read more...] about 2011 Topps UFC Moment of Truth Box Break
Panini Will Bring Back Rated Rookies Boxed Set in 2011
Panini America draws on the company's three-decade history with the return of its Rated Rookies football boxed set. Launched as a staple of its mid-1980s baseball card sets, the Rated Rookies concept is now a two-year-old late-season concept sold in a package designed in part for holiday gift giving. One hundred NFL rookies and one random autographed card will be in each … [Read more...] about Panini Will Bring Back Rated Rookies Boxed Set in 2011
2012 Topps Baseball Will Include Gold Cards
Last year's Diamond Giveaway proved to be successful so 2012 Topps baseball will take the concept a step further. The company has pulled the curtain back on what its next flagship brand will offer collectors when packs hit stores the last week of January and the theme is definitely "gold". Topps will offer the "Golden Giveaway", similar to last year's online contest in … [Read more...] about 2012 Topps Baseball Will Include Gold Cards
2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Review
by Rich Klein First, I would like to apologize for the delays in writing these reviews. On a personal note, I got nailed by a minor medical issue, far from life threatening, but one that was sufficient to delay my efforts. It's very difficult to write a review when you can not really see the cards or the computer screen. Although I'm not totally recovered, things … [Read more...] about 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen Review
Upper Deck Cuts Up Vintage Comics for Marvel Beginnings
Comic book collectors are now wrestling with the same concept that's driven a wedge between sports card fans. Memorabilia cards have come to the non-sports card world with the release of Marvel Beginnings Series One. The Upper Deck product hit stores this week and the ultimate chase cards in the boxes are "Ultimate Panel Focus" cards that feature a panel from a rare, but … [Read more...] about Upper Deck Cuts Up Vintage Comics for Marvel Beginnings
Are Topps Factory Team Sets Underrated?
They're everywhere baseball fans might be lurking. The big department store. The sporting goods aisle. Team shops. Souvenir stands at the ballpark. Sometimes even the airport gift shop. Topps' team sets are packaged up neatly in blister packs and hang on racks from coast-to-coast. If you thought they're just an overpriced chip off … [Read more...] about Are Topps Factory Team Sets Underrated?
Editor’s Blog: Heritage Scoring More Points
I'm still more of a vintage guy but I have to say I am falling in love with Topps Heritage and our local Target store is going to be our best man. 1962 was a favorite set to begin with and this product really is tailor-made for the Heritage concept. The photos even have that rather harsh look that make player out to be much older--and more ugly--than they actually are. I … [Read more...] about Editor’s Blog: Heritage Scoring More Points
Match Attax: Brand Started Huge Niche for Topps
by Geoff Robinson We may think of Topps as an exclusively North American company, but if you ask European soccer fans, they know the brand well thanks to Match Attax, the brand that started a gaming concept that’s proven to be a big hit both at home and abroad. Launched in 2007, Match Attax features pro soccer players and have proven to be a big hit. In addition to being … [Read more...] about Match Attax: Brand Started Huge Niche for Topps
2010-11 Panini Threads Basketball Review
Dick's Sporting Goods may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about places to buy sports cards, but you'll often find a small stash of current products near the checkout lanes. Hidden behind a few boxes of Upper Deck Victory hockey and Topps football was a small supply of the 2010-11 Panini Threads basketball blaster boxes. They've been out for over a … [Read more...] about 2010-11 Panini Threads Basketball Review