“No, it’s not my terrific personality. They know I come bearing gifts—contracts, checks and immortality of sorts.” Joan Crosby had a pretty good handle on her job when she was interviewed for the production of a wire service photograph in the summer of 1953. Crosby was Bowman Gum’s representative, a woman responsible for not only acquiring player agreements … [Read more...]
Notes: Great Sy Berger Quote; Zion/RJ Charity Auction Back Up; Win a LeBron Rookie; Women’s World Cup Photos
We've uncovered a great old quote from the legendary late Topps executive Sy Berger in which he spoke of how the radical change in how men groomed themselves was impacting his company. Eagle-eyed collectors often noticed that in the 1960s, Topps sometimes used the same player photo across multiple years. In a September 6, 1970 United Press International Story on … [Read more...]
Baseball Card Coverage from 60 Years Ago Reveals Interesting Info on Market
By popular demand, here are a few more nuggets we dug up over the weekend from coverage of the hobby decades ago. In 1959, Topps wax putting 250 million baseball cards and 70 million football on the market, mostly through penny and nickel wax packs. Cello packs were decent sellers, which proved to company officials that in many cases, it wasn't the gum that was the … [Read more...]
Notes: Berger Memorabilia on Exhibit; Philly Show; SGC Uniform Guide
A collection of awards and certificates presented to the late Topps executive Sy Berger are part of a new exhibit at the Arcadia Public Library in Southern California. “Baseball Dreamers” also includes illustrations by legendary sports cartoonist Lou Darvas, works by other baseball artists and more. The exhibit was produced by the Baseball Reliquary and will be available … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Boyhood Photos Subsets Challenged Topps Execs
Years ago, before we had early access to what would be in the new sets of baseball cards, newly opened packs offered the first revelation of some of the little subsets and creative touches that were included. Who knew that the 1971 set would have such a unique look? Who could have guessed that some players would have “extra” cards in 1972 when the “In Action” cards … [Read more...]
The Phone Call That Brought Basketball Cards Back
It was an experiment that would bring basketball cards into the mainstream for collectors. The venerable Sy Berger at Topps may have been the mad professor in this experiment, but the card company's executive needed a willing subject. And Nick Curran, along with NBA commissioner Walter Kennedy, was more than willing to test it out. The result: the iconic 1969-70 Topps “tall … [Read more...]
Berger-Bell Meeting Launched Topps Football Cards
The curtain may have dropped on Topps NFL cards—at least for now. Panini’s exclusive license has left the company on the sideline for the production of physical football cards. The story of how they got into the game in the mid-1950s is worth telling. Having purchased its bubble gum rival Bowman and produced its first exclusive baseball card set months later, the … [Read more...]
Cardboard Spring: 2016 Topps Baseball Rolls Out
The 2016 Topps Baseball baseball cards make it feel a little closer to spring. Series One releases February 3 with another 350-card base set. Special subsets honoring the late company patriarch Sy Berger and the history of Wrigley Field are included and yes, Joey Bautista's famous playoff bat flip is captured on one card. Each hobby box will offer one autograph or relic … [Read more...]
Notes: Sy Berger’s Family to Attend Honor
As we reported in May, a baseball organization is paying homage to the ‘godfather’ of modern baseball cards with its ultimate honor. Sy Berger will be inducted this Sunday into the Baseball Reliquary’s Shrine of the Eternals. Based in southern California, the Reliquary is a nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to fostering an appreciation of American art and culture … [Read more...]
1973: Topps’ Business Draws AP Attention
There were no million dollar auctions. No FBI investigations. No autograph or relic cards. Collecting sports cards was primarily a kids' pursuit when Topps entered the marketplace in the early 1950s. It stayed that way throughout the next two decades but even as a few adult "dealers" sprouted up in the early 1970s, buying directly from Topps or selling their stock of old … [Read more...]