The 1952 Coca-Cola Playing Tips set was a quirky, regional 10-card offering only available in the metropolitan New York area. But after all, after the 1951 season, New York City was truly the baseball capital of the world. Like it or not, it was true. The New York Giants won a memorable playoff series in October 1951 against the Brooklyn Dodgers, thanks to Bobby Thomson’s … [Read more...] about Quirky 1952 Coca-Cola Playing Tips Set Featured Players From NYC Teams
regional sets
Editor’s Blog: Collecting Today is a Comparative Breeze
I hauled out a big plastic tote full of sports stuff last weekend and started digging into the contents for the first time in a really long time. Sadly, I already knew there wouldn’t be any T206s, Mickey Mantle cards or even the stack of 1983 Topps grocery rack packs with stars on top that mysteriously disappeared after my move from Northern California to the Midwest back … [Read more...] about Editor’s Blog: Collecting Today is a Comparative Breeze
Franz Bread Blazers Sets Included Special Guest: Michael Jordan
The company was founded back in 1906 but unless you've lived in the Pacific Northwest or were an avid collector of basketball cards from the mid-1980s to mid-1990s, chances are you've never heard of Franz Bread. The Portland-based baker was well known among hardcore hoops hobbyists for their annual (or almost annual) sets of Blazers cards. Packed one per … [Read more...] about Franz Bread Blazers Sets Included Special Guest: Michael Jordan
When the Bengals Were Babies: 1969 Tresler Comet Card Set Was Gas Station Issue
They're riding high these days, but the early days weren't easy for the Cincinnati Bengals. Born as an AFL expansion franchise that debuted in 1968, the team finished 3-11 and 4-9-1 in its first two seasons, but with a new stadium on the horizon, there was still some excitement in the Queen City for pro football. Just as their second campaign was getting underway, a … [Read more...] about When the Bengals Were Babies: 1969 Tresler Comet Card Set Was Gas Station Issue
1978 Topps Zest Cards A Quirky Tribute To Hispanic Players
The checklist was a short one but you couldn't beat the price. The 1978 Topps Zest Soap baseball card set was a free with purchase mail-in promotion that focused on some of the top Hispanic players in the major leagues. Thanks to limited distribution, it's a little difficult to find today, but not that expensive. The five-card set was cello wrapped and … [Read more...] about 1978 Topps Zest Cards A Quirky Tribute To Hispanic Players
Scarce 1978 7-Eleven “Magic Motion” Cards Remain Largely a Mystery
If you love regional sets, chances are you might have a few sets issued by 7-Eleven stores in your collection, but there’s one that dates back more than 40 years that’s as obscure as obscure can be, despite the presence of such iconic names as: Cobb, Aaron, Ryan, Staubach, Chamberlain and Marciano, to name but a few. After 25 years as a hobby historian, finding undocumented … [Read more...] about Scarce 1978 7-Eleven “Magic Motion” Cards Remain Largely a Mystery
Minor Find of a Major Kind: 1960s Hockey Programs Held Photo Cards of Orr, Others
It’s probably fair to say that almost every collector retains at least one program in their collection, regardless of their overall hobby preferences. Unlike some collectibles, programs are sort of interactive, with a little something for everyone inside: interesting articles, unique pictures, statistics and great advertisements. Some programs are even known to … [Read more...] about Minor Find of a Major Kind: 1960s Hockey Programs Held Photo Cards of Orr, Others
Fill ‘er Up: 1971 Arco Sets Are a Sizeable Bargain For Regional Collectors
Arco was looking to establish itself as a new face in American gasoline in 1971, and what better way to win over some sports-minded customers than with a baseball promotion? Today, the oversized 1971 Arco baseball sets are among the most memorable regional sets of the era, even if only a few teams are represented. The company itself was not old; in fact, Arco came about … [Read more...] about Fill ‘er Up: 1971 Arco Sets Are a Sizeable Bargain For Regional Collectors
Newly Discovered 1960 L.A. Examiner Lakers Set Includes Rookie Cards of West, Baylor
Basketball cards have been red-hot lately, and with the increased interest in mainstream vintage basketball sets, which are few in number from 1949 to 1969, collectors often turn their attention to rare (and frequently obscure) regional and local issues to fill the voids, such as, the 1960’s Kahn’s Weiners set or the 1961 Bell Lakers set. One recently uncovered issue, the … [Read more...] about Newly Discovered 1960 L.A. Examiner Lakers Set Includes Rookie Cards of West, Baylor
Hey, Who’s That Guy Guarding Elston Turner in the 1985-86 Wendy’s Denver Nuggets Set?
While Fleer was still in the process of acquiring the NBA’s trading card rights and Star Company was in its final year of production, collectors in the Denver area could find Michael Jordan on a trading card they picked up while grabbing a combo meal. Like seemingly every other basketball card set or single card, this one’s starting to pick up steam. The 1985-86 … [Read more...] about Hey, Who’s That Guy Guarding Elston Turner in the 1985-86 Wendy’s Denver Nuggets Set?