Like the man himself they've been a pariah. Born in an era of cardboard excess, most Barry Bonds rookie cards have never been worth much. Every card show and hobby shop always had at least a few, maybe a dozen, maybe hundreds, stuck in a box. Your run of the mill Bonds rookie card still isn't worth much; gaudy statistics don't matter when you're talking … [Read more...] about Unwrapping Barry Bonds Rookie Card Populations as Action Picks Up
Mark McGwire
1985 Topps Team USA Cards Paved the Way for Future Olympic Issues
Throughout the years, Topps has established some of the most important innovations in baseball card history. One of their more unique ideas was to begin creating baseball cards for members of Team USA's baseball team. That move came in 1985, the year after the 1984 Olympics team took the field. Team USA was the host nation as the Olympics were held in Los Angeles that year. … [Read more...] about 1985 Topps Team USA Cards Paved the Way for Future Olympic Issues
Ruth’s 500th Homer Bat, Lapchick Jersey, 1950s Card Sets, Player Rings Among SCP Auctions Headliners
Nothing goes better with a big Thanksgiving meal than a fresh helping of sports history and collectors are getting a chance to dig in a little early this week. SCP Auctions launched its 2019 Fall Premier Auction on Wednesday, with names like Ruth, Lapchick, Mantle and Mikan joining some high-end vintage baseball cards up for grabs. Leading off is the bat Babe Ruth said … [Read more...] about Ruth’s 500th Homer Bat, Lapchick Jersey, 1950s Card Sets, Player Rings Among SCP Auctions Headliners
Two-Part Auction Wraps with Modern Card Records, Robinson Bat
After selling a Honus Wagner bat for a record $442,800 and a pair of Michael Jordan jerseys for over $218,556 during the live portion of the event earlier this month, Goldin Auctions closed out its Summer Premium Auction over the weekend with a total of $6 million in sales. Several industry records were set during the catalog auction including several for modern era rookie … [Read more...] about Two-Part Auction Wraps with Modern Card Records, Robinson Bat
Editor’s Blog: Once Golden, 1985 Topps Ultimately Served Disappointment
The 1985 Topps baseball card set is perhaps one of the best examples of how quickly fortunes can change for not just one or two cards, but an entire set and, in many ways, an entire generation of players. As early as 1986, it would have sounded like madness to suggest that the '85 Topps cards of some of the games most popular and productive players would be anything less … [Read more...] about Editor’s Blog: Once Golden, 1985 Topps Ultimately Served Disappointment
Ramblings: Mistakes, I’ve Made a Few
I recently saw a great thread on one of the hobby message boards which was titled: “What was your worst hobby mistake?” With very few exceptions, we all can admit to errors we made, from selling Mike Trout cards too soon (I thought I did great with my 2011 Updates at $20 each) to not selling fast enough. On that one, just ask anyone who dealt cards circa 1990 and ask them if … [Read more...] about Ramblings: Mistakes, I’ve Made a Few
Topps Signs Mark McGwire to Autograph Deal
Topps announced Friday that it has signed an autograph trading card deal with Mark McGwire. McGwire, whose records have been scorned because of his admitted use of performance enhancing drugs, had never agreed before to sign certified autograph cards for the company. He does go back a long way with Topps. His first appearance on their cards came as a member of Team USA in … [Read more...] about Topps Signs Mark McGwire to Autograph Deal
Sellers Lament PED Scandal’s Impact on Cards, Autographs
Owning a sports memorabilia-related business can have its challenges. Economic woes that affect the disposable income of individuals and families. Rising prices of sports cards. Too many cards. Issues with card manufacturers. Another problem that they can’t shake is a glut of merchandise they have in their inventory that they simply can’t sell: cards and autographs of … [Read more...] about Sellers Lament PED Scandal’s Impact on Cards, Autographs
Is Barry Bonds Destined to be Sports Pariah?
On June 4, 1986, a tall and wiry rookie from Riverside California, stepped to the plate for the Pittsburgh Pirates vs. the Atlanta Braves. Batting leadoff, this 21-year-old outfield phenom planted a fifth inning offering by Craig McMurtry into the left field seats at old Fulton County Stadium. Barry Bonds’ solo home run that day was the first of his career. It was also part … [Read more...] about Is Barry Bonds Destined to be Sports Pariah?
Roger Maris Cards…Why They Still Matter
Baseball, perhaps more so than any other sport, is a game of numbers. Any self-respecting baseball fan knows, without hesitation, the numbers 56, 511, 755 and .367, and what they represent. Another number, 61, will always be associated with Roger Maris. Coming at a time when millions of kids outside the home team's market knew of players only through newspapers, magazines and … [Read more...] about Roger Maris Cards…Why They Still Matter