They were no longer newcomers. In fact, as the collecting year unfolded, it had become pretty clear that in four short seasons, Upper Deck was producing the most desirable baseball cards on the market. While the other trading card makers seemed reluctant to push the envelope much, Upper Deck continued to produce higher quality, more expansive products while … [Read more...] about 1992 Upper Deck Baseball Boasted Ted Williams Autographs, Big Red Machine
junk wax
Boston Show Brings Hall of Famers, Consignments
There’s an adage that states, “the show must go on”. That saying took special meaning over the weekend at a three-day show at the Shriners Auditorium in Wilmington MA. Hobby veteran and show founder Rich Altman passed away suddenly in mid-August last year but his company and team of dedicated workers continues to carry on. Thousands of collectors and a big roster of dealers … [Read more...] about Boston Show Brings Hall of Famers, Consignments
How Junky was the Junk Wax Era?
While junk wax era baseball cards have made an undeniable comeback in the past year, the fact remains that many of the cards were heavily overproduced. I was reminded of this fact in a recent discussion on cards, which prompted me to pull up a bit of old research I'd done on the population of cards from that era. Is it possible to determine the printing population of those … [Read more...] about How Junky was the Junk Wax Era?
Abandoned Detroit Plant That Held Millions of Junk Era Cards Being Torn Down
If you’ve been a long time reader, you might remember the photos of that abandoned building in Detroit that held dozens of cases of 1990s era cards. They were discovered about five years ago by some young men who were part of a group that makes a hobby of checking out what’s inside old structures. The photos looked pretty intriguing, even with the cards … [Read more...] about Abandoned Detroit Plant That Held Millions of Junk Era Cards Being Torn Down
Shop Talk: Investing in Junk
Here's a sentence I never thought I'd write. After spending years and years passing on every late 1980s and early 90s collection or stack of unopened boxes that walked into the shop, we've recently made a concerted effort to start stocking some of it. While I can't go quite so far as to scream "the junk wax era is back, baby!," we've actually spent time … [Read more...] about Shop Talk: Investing in Junk
Jewels in the Junk – 1990s NBA Sleepers
We’ve written, at some length, about the formative and transformative periods in the history of basketball cards. We all know the drill by now: star-studded 1961-62 Fleer gives way to, well, nothing for the better part of a decade. Topps redefines the hobby, first with its legendary 1969-70 set, then as the only game in town until early 1980s. Topps makes for the exit, again, … [Read more...] about Jewels in the Junk – 1990s NBA Sleepers
Notes: Topps On Demand; Bench Takes a Break; Worst Junk Wax Sets; Hot Hoops Market
2020 Bowman Baseball is on hold because of production issues associated with Stay at Home orders but the company will be able to produce an online exclusive called “Bowman 1st Edition” sometime in the coming days. They’ll be sold in 10-card packs via Topps’ website while some will be allocated to “select Topps partners,” according to the company. The cards will … [Read more...] about Notes: Topps On Demand; Bench Takes a Break; Worst Junk Wax Sets; Hot Hoops Market
1987-1991 Topps Glossy Rookie Sets Required 100-Card Cello Pack Purchase
At the height of the late 1980s and early 90s sports card boom, Topps expanded its packaging options. While you could still go into a drug store, super market, convenience store or gas station and buy a single wax pack for 40 to 50 cents and maybe a cello pack for a little more, other outlets offered bigger options. At K-Mart in 1989 and '90, there were blister packs that … [Read more...] about 1987-1991 Topps Glossy Rookie Sets Required 100-Card Cello Pack Purchase
1989, 1990 Topps Active Career Batting Leaders Sets are Rare Junk Wax Era Gems
A pack of 1989 Topps baseball cards had 15 cards. Buy a handful and you were still a long way from completing the 792-card set. Even a couple of rack packs barely put a dent in your list and you probably wound up with a few doubles. If you wanted a big jump-start--or maybe scout out some packs that had stars and rookie cards on top--there was one place to … [Read more...] about 1989, 1990 Topps Active Career Batting Leaders Sets are Rare Junk Wax Era Gems
Last Minute (Mostly) Cheap Gift Ideas for Sports Collectors
The holiday season is upon us, and the collectors in your life certainly deserve something fun and interesting, right? What about if you’re in a Secret Santa exchange with other collectors? If you’re running short on ideas, here are a few to consider … even if you’re just buying a present for yourself any time of year. Most of these options are inexpensive, whether you send … [Read more...] about Last Minute (Mostly) Cheap Gift Ideas for Sports Collectors