The Boston Bruins retired Willie O'Ree's number 22 this week. As I watched the ceremony, I sat in my mancave and flipped through a couple of binders of hockey cards and old BeeHive photos. Tuesday was the 64th anniversary of O’Ree’s NHL debut, when he broke the NHL’s color barrier. On Wednesday, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. “From a young age, … [Read more...] about Willie O’Ree Waited 40 Years For His Rookie Card
Pinnacle
Donruss Football Made It’s Debut 25 Years Ago
Ownership of the brand has changed through the years but 40 years after its first entry into the sports card world, Donruss is still a big part of the hobby's brand landscape and this fall marks another milestone anniversary: the 25th anniversary of Donruss football cards. In April of 1996, Pinnacle Brands Inc. purchased Donruss-Leaf from Huhtamäki Oyj, a confectionary … [Read more...] about Donruss Football Made It’s Debut 25 Years Ago
Passing of Les Woodcock Recalls One of Hobby’s Most Prolific Baseball Card Writers
His death last month didn’t create many headlines beyond his Martha’s Vineyard home, but Les Woodcock is surely worth remembering. An acclaimed journalist and editor, Woodcock wrote the back of more than 20,000 sports cards during a “second career” in the 1980s and 90s. Born on Long Island and a Korean War veteran, Woodcock was one of the first employees … [Read more...] about Passing of Les Woodcock Recalls One of Hobby’s Most Prolific Baseball Card Writers
Notes: Durant Nets Debut Jersey Auction; Murray Gets Beckett Title; Sooz Joining Goldin; Brady Sales; TV Stories, More
A jersey worn by Kevin Durant in his Brooklyn Nets debut earlier this season is now up for sale. NBA Auctions has the blue number 7 shirt from the Nets’ season opener in its latest round of listings. Bidding was at $16,100 as of Wednesday afternoon. Durant wore the Icon Edition jersey during a 125-99 win over his former team, the Golden State Warriors, on December 22 … [Read more...] about Notes: Durant Nets Debut Jersey Auction; Murray Gets Beckett Title; Sooz Joining Goldin; Brady Sales; TV Stories, More
Previously Unknown 1998 Pinnacle Certified Cards Emerge
Over the past several years, certain baseball cards from the 1990's have reached the very top of want lists for collectors. From the 1996 Select Certified Mirror Gold, to the 1997 Pinnacle Totally Certified Platinum Gold and the 1998 Donruss Crusade Red, these cards have been highly sought after by player and set collectors alike for about two decades. Limited … [Read more...] about Previously Unknown 1998 Pinnacle Certified Cards Emerge
Ramblings: Recalling Pinnacle’s Efforts to Try Something Different
After I reflected on the Hot Rookies pack configuration in our recent review, my mind started going back to one of the more interesting times in the industry; the final few years of the original Score/Pinnacle/Leaf/Donruss group of brands which went out of business in 1998. One of the goals of Pinnacle during that time was to take up as much space in the sports card dealer … [Read more...] about Ramblings: Recalling Pinnacle’s Efforts to Try Something Different
Panini Brings Pinnacle Brand to Basketball
Another brand name from the hobby’s past will return next month with when Panini introduces 2013-14 Pinnacle Basketball. Jumbo and retail boxes are being produced with jumbos containing 10 30-card packs per box with two autographs and one memorabilia card and retail boxes holding 24 packs with one autograph or memorabilia card at a lower price point. Retail will offer … [Read more...] about Panini Brings Pinnacle Brand to Basketball
Ramblings: Pinnacle Purchase Recalls Company’s Quick Exit
In my Dallas Card Show story yesterday. I mentioned that I had made several purchases and trades. One group of cards I did not mention I had purchased was a group of 1993 unopened wax boxes from one of the vendors. I purchased a Select, Bowman and two OPC Premier boxes for a total of $52 and was hoping to pull at least one Derek Jeter rookie from each box. On that level we had … [Read more...] about Ramblings: Pinnacle Purchase Recalls Company’s Quick Exit
Rich’s Ramblings: Of Old Willow Grove Days
by Rich Klein In many ways, these have been some of the most enjoyable articles I have ever written. I have enjoyed reading your comments and to those who have emailed me, thank you so much. And to those who are enjoying these rambles through time, there is plenty more to ramble about in the near future. One of my other interests involves performing some work for my … [Read more...] about Rich’s Ramblings: Of Old Willow Grove Days
Panini Granted Hockey Card License
The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and National Hockey League have announced multi-year trading card license agreements with Panini America and The Upper Deck Company. Upper Deck had held an exclusive license for hockey cards, bu twill now face competition from fast moving Panini, which handed the exclusive NBA license prior to this season and also … [Read more...] about Panini Granted Hockey Card License