We spend quite a bit of time talking about the "good old days" of the hobby but one should realize not everything was better years ago. Sometimes the past can’t compete with the present. There’s no debate that the dissemination of information is much better and more efficient than it once was. There was a time when everyone waited for the new Beckett magazine(s) to come out … [Read more...] about Ramblings: Past Not Always Better
eBay
What’s Hot In The Shop: The Cup (is selling like) Hot Cakes
A couple of weeks ago, I waxed poetic about how many of the recent releases were facing struggles. It has been fun hearing from some of you in response to my “Chicken Little” piece. Fortunately things aren’t dire at my shop at least since I wasn’t deep in too many of those products and the collectors at my shop are without parallel. We have been buying and moving through … [Read more...] about What’s Hot In The Shop: The Cup (is selling like) Hot Cakes
eBay, Paypal to Split Into Separate Companies
eBay’s board of directors has approved a plan to separate the company’s eBay and PayPal businesses into independent publicly traded companies in 2015, subject to customary conditions. eBay says creating two standalone businesses best positions eBay and PayPal to capitalize on their respective growth opportunities in the rapidly changing global commerce and payments landscape, … [Read more...] about eBay, Paypal to Split Into Separate Companies
Editor’s Blog: Wagner Reprint=Big News (Apparently)
The good news: Baseball cards are getting a LOT of publicity right now. The bad news: It’s all because of a…wait for it…Honus Wagner card bought for a song on eBay. A man in Sparks, NV was convinced he’d purchased a real T206 Wagner card on eBay for $177.50 last week. Never mind that the card hadn’t been authenticated. Never mind that authentic … [Read more...] about Editor’s Blog: Wagner Reprint=Big News (Apparently)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Married to eBay
He may make millions and drive a race car rally fast, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. has something in common with the rest of us. He’s a collector. One of the favorite past times of NASCAR’s 11-time Most Popular Driver is to troll eBay in search of vintage racing memorabilia to add to his growing collection. Now, he’s partnered with the online marketplace on a sponsorship deal … [Read more...] about Dale Earnhardt Jr. Married to eBay
John Miley Sports Broadcast Collection Offers Old Ballgames on CD
The Baseball Hall of Fame has honored musician Terry Cashman on more than one occasion by using his classic baseball song, “Talkin’ Baseball ( Willie, Mickey, and the Duke) ” during its ceremonies. But that is not the only baseball song that Cashman has written and recorded. In fact, he has released quite a few baseball-themed recordings that are just as poignant, though not as … [Read more...] about John Miley Sports Broadcast Collection Offers Old Ballgames on CD
Autograph Authentication on Amazon and eBay: Where Does It Stand?
In April 2000 a joint report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Attorney’s Office regarding the now well-known “Operation Bullpen” began with the following paragraph: “According to long-time memorabilia collectors, the market for genuine vintage memorabilia has changed dramatically over the last decade. In the late 1980s, the market … [Read more...] about Autograph Authentication on Amazon and eBay: Where Does It Stand?
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...] about Early Reaction to 2013-14 Upper Deck Black Basketball
Narrow Escape: Vintage Cards Being Sold to Aid Flood Victims
A Canadian family is hoping a decades-old collection of hockey cards can help ease at least a little of the pain of losing virtually everything they had in the historic Alberta flooding of last June. Craig James is selling a group of 56 graded 1951-52 Parkhurst cards including a Maurice ‘Rocket’ Richard rookie card on behalf of his stepfather, who collected them as a child. … [Read more...] about Narrow Escape: Vintage Cards Being Sold to Aid Flood Victims
Rich Klein: Beckett Business Solutions Aims to Aid Collector, Shop Owner
Recently, Beckett Media hired long-time hobby dealer and store owner Rob Veres to spearhead a project using the trade name Beckett Business Solutions. Having known Rob for nearly 20 years let me assure you that no one has a better feel for what retailers both big and small go through on a day to day basis. Although what Rob has done is basically unique in today's business, … [Read more...] about Rich Klein: Beckett Business Solutions Aims to Aid Collector, Shop Owner