Tickets to the 2019 National Sports Collectors Convention in Chicago went on sale Monday morning. This is the 40th year for the large confab of collectors, dealers, auction companies, authenticators, breakers and anyone else associated with the hobby. General admission and VIP packages are being sold now. Autograph tickets will be available at a later date. The … [Read more...]
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Notes: NPR Segment on MLB Authentication; Topps Talk on Squawk Box; Topps & Fallon?
With the World Series opening up Tuesday night, MLB authenticators will get busy tagging anything and everything that's game-used. Even the champagne bottles from the winning team's locker room. The magnitude of the games means there will be heightened interest--and value--in what's used. What happens to most of it is up to the teams. Authenticators generally have a … [Read more...]
Topps’ Latest Partnership: Star Wars Autographs
“Your eyes can deceive you. Don’t trust them.” Legendary Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi knew what he was talking about. Forged autographs are not limited to sports collectibles, and fans may think they are seeing something authentic, when in fact, they are not. Fans of Star Wars could fall into that trap, too. To battle those intergalactic fakes, Topps, Authenticators, Inc. … [Read more...]
Astros Authentics Manager Living a Dream
For a few years, there were “plenty of good seats available”, but now that the Houston Astros have become a force in the American League, their game-worn and game-used memorabilia is popular enough to keep Mike Acosta busy. Acosta is working his dream job as the Authentication Manager for Astros Authentics, the club’s shop inside Minute Maid Park. He's been an Astros fan … [Read more...]
Who’s Got the Final Out Baseball from 2014 World Series?
For all of Major League Baseball’s nearly obsessive efforts to authenticate each piece of game-used and game-worn gear, not every ball comes with a sticker. Even really important ones. The wild celebration that usually ensues after the final out of a World Series can result in some confusion. Usually, though, the final out ball is one that’s treasured by the player who … [Read more...]
A Day for Photographs and Autographs
Most of the time, they’re focused on preparing for what will happen on the playing field this coming season. This week, though, each big league team will spend at least part of one day at spring training taking photographs. Some will be on Topps baseball cards later this year. Alex Gordon with that home run swing #ToppsPhotoDay @Royals pic.twitter.com/dKjJxTmDVN — Topps … [Read more...]
Notes: Fleer’s Sign Still There; Twins’ Curator; Nashville Show
If you collected in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s you probably knew the name Fleer. Once an outsider, they made history in 1980 when a court finally overturned Topps’ monopoly and allowed both Fleer and Donruss to compete in the baseball card market beginning in 1981. Eventually, though, the company's value plummeted. Eleven years ago, the company's assets were sold at … [Read more...]
Orioles Among Latest to Offer Game-Used Gear
Seventeen Major League Baseball teams now sell game-used and game-worn items at or near their home ballpark including one of the newcomers to the ‘Authentics’ program. The Baltimore Orioles have a shop next door to Camden Yards where they offer bats, jerseys, baseballs, lineup cards and other memorabilia. Proceeds go to charity, according to the Orioles. That’s in line … [Read more...]
MLB Authentication in High Gear During Playoffs
Major League Baseball's Authentication Program is active at every regular season game throughout the year but once the playoffs arrive, the effort ramps up. As we wrote earlier this summer, fans and collectors seem willing to pay what teams are asking to be assured they have a piece of game-used memorabilia that's been tagged with the correct date and moment. From ordinary … [Read more...]
Brewers Authentics Proves Dirty Can Be Delightful
Stroll through the field level concourse at Miller Park during a Milwaukee Brewers game and the smells leave no doubt where you are. Brats and hot dogs sizzle. Popcorn pops. Beer flows. Near section 111, though, another market has opened. This one carries items that come with a whiff of game action. The Brewers have become one of a number of Major League Baseball teams … [Read more...]
