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...]
TV Story on Big Pull, Thurman Munson, Cool Baseball History, Hofstra Show; MeiGray Auction
Earlier this month, we wrote about Jimmy Mahan, the collector who pulled a 1/1 Williamson/R.J. Barrett card out of Panini Contenders. It sold for $15,000 after Mahan (@KentuckyCards) pledged to donate the proceeds to a North Carolina children’s home. The story reached mainstream media in the last several days with the story below airing on the ABC affiliate in Raleigh. Check … [Read more...]
700 Lots Sell in Inaugural Goldin Auctions Internet Sale
More than 700 of the 775 lots of sports, entertainment and historical memorabilia were sold in Goldin Auctions' inaugural Internet-only auction. Prices ranged from $50 to $27,000. The two-week event, held from March 12-24, was the first of four such internet-only auctions scheduled for this year to accommodate items that did not make it into the company's catalog … [Read more...]
Mysterious 1971 Topps Greatest Moments Baseball a Star-Studded Set
Most baseball card sets are full of commons with a selection of star players. But the 1971 Topps Greatest Moments set was the opposite. This short 55-card issue featured primarily big name stars. That, plus an elusiveness that appeals to collectors who like a challenge is what makes it so collectable. Here's a closer look at this unique, oversized set. 1971 Topps … [Read more...]
NM Ruth Rookie Card Fetches $552,000
A 1916 M101-5 Sporting News Babe Ruth rookie card graded PSA 7 (near mint) sold for $552,000 during the first of a three-day catalog sale conducted by Heritage Auctions last Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The card is one of the three 7s in PSA's Population Report (the company has graded only three as high as 8). The cards section led off the auction, with dozens … [Read more...]
Notes: Armstrong to Sign at NSCC; Brady Kahle Still Raising $; Parade Mag on Munson
The autograph lineup at the National Sports Collectors Convention continues to expand but there was one surprising addition today—one that will no doubt spur a few strong opinions. TriStar Productions has signed Lance Armstrong as a VIP guest for the show. No other information has been released yet but Armstrong will appear during the annual event, held this year at … [Read more...]
From Yard Sale To Auction: Heritage Selling Munson Jersey, Pants
A uniform jersey and pants belonging to former Yankees catcher Thurman Munson have seen glorious times with appearances in the World Series. They also have been part of a yard sale and once were used as a Halloween costume by a band from western New York. Now, these two pieces of Thurman Munson memorabilia will make the transition from “trick or treat” to a huge prize for the … [Read more...]
Five Thurman Munson Oddball Favorites
In the 1970s, Thurman Munson was a fan favorite and All-Star catcher for the New York Yankees. Unfortunately, his life tragically ended on August 2, 1979. A licensed pilot, Munson was practicing take-offs and landings with a new aircraft near his Ohio home when he crashed short of the runway and a fire broke out. He was only 32. Munson baseball cards are … [Read more...]
1979 Burger King Sets Featured Champion Yanks, Updated Rose
Over a four-year span more than 35 years ago, one of Burger King's summertime promotions involved baseball cards. Distributed only in certain areas and produced by the Topps Company, they were similar to same year's major Topps card sets but these were either focused on specific teams (1977-1979) or one large All-Star type set that served as sort of a farewell. So far, we've … [Read more...]
1978 Burger King Sets Marked Promotion’s Expansion
From 1977-1980, one of the world's most popular fast food chains produced sets of baseball cards. Distributed on a regional basis and produced by the Topps Company, they were similar to the mainstream cards that came with bubble gum during those years. However, there were some pose variations and, of course, different numbering on the 1970s Burger King sets. We've got a … [Read more...]