Babe Ruth was a revered figure in Japan, and an extremely rare postcard of the Bambino more than a century old is featured in Memory Lane’s current Summer Rarities Auction. The 1921 Asahina Sporting Goods postcard featuring Ruth, graded 1.5 by PSA, is one of two known to exist. The other one is part of a private collection that was bought more than a decade ago. The graded … [Read more...] about ‘Wonder of the World’: 1921 Japanese Babe Ruth Postcard Up for Auction
Japanese baseball cards
Topps Renews Licensing Deal to Make NPB Cards in Japan
Topps will continue making cards for Japan’s top baseball league this year. The company has extended its licensing agreement with Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB) after debuting a league-wide product last season. For the first time in its 80-year history, Topps released official trading cards for all 12 NPB teams in 2021, with a regular flagship type … [Read more...] about Topps Renews Licensing Deal to Make NPB Cards in Japan
Notes: TTM Return from the 90s; Japanese Card Record; Living Set Franco Sales; Philly Show, More
If you think you’ve waited a long time for your autograph request to come back, you’ve got nothing on Eric Thompson. The Ohio baseball fan and collector got quite a surprise in the mail late last fall and still can't believe it. WKBN-TV has the story: ------ It may have been lost in the chatter of Jackie Robinson and Michael Jordan debut tickets and Mickey … [Read more...] about Notes: TTM Return from the 90s; Japanese Card Record; Living Set Franco Sales; Philly Show, More
Topps in Deal with Japanese Baseball League for Cards
Seven months after opening an office in Japan, Topps has secured a licensing agreement for trading cards with the country's top baseball league. The company announced Wednesday that it had agreed to a deal with the Nippon Professional Baseball Organization (NPB) for the production and distribution of trading cards in Japan. This is the first time in its 80-year history … [Read more...] about Topps in Deal with Japanese Baseball League for Cards
Notes: 1986-87 Fleer Case Now Wrapped; $100K LeBron Chrome; Yogi vs Ernie; ’70s Kid on Collecting; Japanese Cards
The only 1986-87 Fleer basketball unopened case to come to market in the last 20-plus years has now been verified and wrapped by BBCE. Collect Auctions' Steve Bloedow traveled to BBCE in Schererville, IN over the weekend with the case, which went on the block last week. Got to view the case in person today. Authenticity--100% Provenance--100% iron-clad Awesomeness--100% … [Read more...] about Notes: 1986-87 Fleer Case Now Wrapped; $100K LeBron Chrome; Yogi vs Ernie; ’70s Kid on Collecting; Japanese Cards
New Book Traces Colorful History Of Japanese Baseball Cards
Rob Fitts knows how to stay busy, even during the coronavirus pandemic. Fitts, who has written five books about Japanese baseball, was in the middle of promoting his latest effort, Issei Baseball: The Story of the First Japanese American Baseball Ballplayers, when the pandemic hit. That forced Fitts to cancel his book tour. Fitts only recently ventured out of his Bronx … [Read more...] about New Book Traces Colorful History Of Japanese Baseball Cards
Splinter San: Rare Japanese Card of Ted Williams at Auction
You may think you know Ted Williams baseball cards but chances are you haven’t seen this one—and it dates from the heart of his playing career. One of only two graded examples of what’s considered the holy grail of rare Williams cards is being offered by Heritage Auctions. The 1950 Menko JCM125 card is the best of the two examples known. Consigned by Bob … [Read more...] about Splinter San: Rare Japanese Card of Ted Williams at Auction
Ted Williams Finds His Way into Rare Vintage JCM 44 Japanese Card Set
Japanese baseball cards are often avoided by American collectors. They generally aren't printed in English, don't feature American players, and resources to learn more about them are often quite limited. That leads to decreased interest among those in the U.S. Still, Japanese cards do have quite a following of collectors in the states. And among the more interesting cards for … [Read more...] about Ted Williams Finds His Way into Rare Vintage JCM 44 Japanese Card Set
Notes: Contenders Part II; ’61 Fleer Wax; Tim Carroll; Stolen Jerseys: JPL Collector
After a crush of interested buyers crashed its web servers last week, scuttling the launch of 2019-20 Contenders Draft Picks basketball, Panini planned to try again Wednesday morning. The First Off the Line edition were set to arrive a week ahead of the standard issue boxes. Contenders will include rookie cards of Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and the rest of the NBA’s … [Read more...] about Notes: Contenders Part II; ’61 Fleer Wax; Tim Carroll; Stolen Jerseys: JPL Collector
A Rich Trove of Ichiro Cards Exists In Japanese Sets
Ichiro Suzuki entered an exclusive club when he slashed a triple Sunday for his 3,000th career major-league hit. Naturally, the demand for Ichiro rookie cards in the United States spiked as a result of his hitting milestone. But the more discriminating collector can have a field day tracking down cards of Ichiro when he played for the Orix BlueWave in Japan’s Pacific … [Read more...] about A Rich Trove of Ichiro Cards Exists In Japanese Sets