Collectors have been frustrated with the technical issues plaguing the Topps Diamond Giveaway website but there was good news on Thursday. The site is back up and running properly. Topps apologized for the lack of access but wasn't offering any extension on the deadline to redeem codes from 2011 Series One and Update packs. "We hope that you have enjoyed unlocking your … [Read more...]
News and Notes From In and Around the Hobby
You can ask whatever you like for a piece of sports memorabilia, but that doesn't mean it's worth that much. Case in point, an eBay seller who bought a pair of Pat Tillman's old cleats and got them autographed before the former Arizona Cardinal went of to far and was tragically killed. Jerry Martin has them listed for...are you sitting down? $3.2 million. He talked with … [Read more...]
Topps Series One Will Include Pujols, Reyes Short Prints
2012 Topps Series One Baseball cards will hit store shelves next week and the company is planning to count down to the always-anticipated launch with news about the product each day. On Monday, they revealed that they were able to crank out cards featuring Albert Pujols and Jose Reyes with graphically enhanced images to show them "playing" for their new teams (Angels and … [Read more...]
Hostess Gave Collectors a Sweet Tooth in 1975
It might sound strange in these days of multiple baseball card sets sometimes being issued in the same month, but back in 1975 when anyone put out a new set, it was big news in the collecting world. With no competition, Topps wasn't forced to do anything beyond cranking up the presses for its first and only major product each year. In 1975, though, there was another set to … [Read more...]
Mickey Mantle and eBay Still Perfect Marriage
Wade through the hundreds of thousands of sports collectibles being offered on eBay every day and you might be left with the impression that the only thing buyers are searching for these days are cards that are something a little less than 'vintage'. Phrases like "auto", "1/1" and "jersey" are searched thousands of times every minute of every hour. While it may be true that … [Read more...]
Lakers Collection is Hoops Heaven
The NBA lockout drags on. For basketball fans that's not good news. But...it does mean the folks who run the websites of the league's teams are looking for stories. In the case of the Los Angeles Lakers, they knew right where to go. What better way to rekindle hoop dreams than a tour of the best collection of Lakers memorabilia on the planet? David Kohler, president of … [Read more...]
Up Close With Hockey Stick That May Be World’s Oldest
Is it the oldest surviving hockey stick? A Nova Scotia man has done enough research to feel pretty confident that it is. Now, it could pay off with a huge windfall. Now, the 92-year-old man who sold it to him says he deserves a cut. The stick had been in the barbershop of George Ferneough for decades. He finally sold the stick to Mark Presley for $987 in 20o08. Since … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Panini-Art Settle Suit; Conlon Party; Stolen Rare Photo on eBay?
Charles Conlon, the photographer who chronicled baseball’s development in the early 20th century, will have a showing of twenty of his major works at the Openhouse Gallery, 201 Mulberry Street in New York City, on Monday evening, September 19. The invitation-only event will include five original works of art replicating the Conlon Collection by the celebrated photorealist … [Read more...]
ESPN: Pryor Had Autograph Deal
The news keeps getting worse for Ohio State's beleaguered football program. On Tuesday, Terrelle Pryor announced he wouldn't be back for his senior year. Then, ESPN showed video of a former friend of the quarterback saying Pryor made thousands of dollars signing autographs for a local dealer. The report, scheduled to air on the network's Outside the Lines program, but … [Read more...]
Bidders Flock to Killebrew Rookie Cards
The news came as a shock, even though we knew it wouldn't be long. Just a few days after telling the world that he had given up his cancer fight, Harmon Killebrew died early Tuesday. He was 74. One of the most popular Hall of Famers both for his on-field exploits and gentlemanly demeanor off it, Killebrew's passing evoked tears from even the steeliest competitors. Jack … [Read more...]