"Sports cards are about to become a cultural phenomenon again." -Gary Vaynerchuk Gary Vaynerchuk has a big platform. An energetic entrepreneur and digital marketing guru, he's the owner of New York-based Vayner Media, which created the recent Dwyane Wade ad that had the sports world buzzing earlier this month. An early champion of social media, his followers … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Size of the Sports Memorabilia Market
I get emails and calls from reporters, authors and other information seekers on a fairly regular basis. Probably the most popular question is “do you know how big the sports memorabilia industry/hobby is with regard to annual sales?” Hey, it beats the most popular question from circa 2008 which was “how come baseball cards aren’t worth anything anymore?” I’d … [Read more...]
Notes: ’48 Indians Flag a Mystery; Vintage Market; GBSCC Show; Wrigleyville Shop; ’45 Series Ball
Today, it would be treated with uncommon reverence but Bill Veeck wasn’t a reverent sort of guy. The owner of Cleveland’s baseball team when it won the 1948 World Series knew a good publicity stunt when he saw one—even if it made fun of his own team. When the ’48 champs fell out of contention in ’49, he staged an elaborate mock funeral for the 1948 pennant that hung at the … [Read more...]
Notes: Collector Sues CHL Team; Patriots Helmet Thief; Ali, Bolt Auctions
A Canadian collector bought what he thought was a game-worn jersey from NHL prospect Mitch Marner but he says the London Knights sent him a fake in return for his $4,000. Scott Galbraith is a dedicated collector of game-worn hockey memorabilia, owning hundreds of jerseys, sticks and other items. He’s now suing the Canadian Hockey League, which hosted the online jersey … [Read more...]
Dealers: Atlantic City Show Supports Strong Vintage Card Market
ATLANTIC CITY - The five-day lovefest between collectors and sports cards is over for another year. Vendors at this year's National Sports Collectors Convention were tallying up their sales or doing some last minute business with other dealers. Some had opted to skip the final day entirely. Still others were starting the process of packing up countless glass cases, cards, … [Read more...]
Interest in High Grade Icons Still Hot
A new year has arrived and there appears no slowdown for the rising prices on high-grade vintage baseball cards. Several cards currently offered at auction have already set new records or are on their way to doing so. Among the selection of high-profile items is a PSA 9 1954 Topps #128 Henry Aaron rookie card offered in Mile High Card Company’s latest auction. The card … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Iconic Cards Share Key Elements
In light of the skyrocketing prices attained for 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle cards lately, I’ve seen a few collectors start referring to it again as “the post-War Honus Wagner”. They’re right, for the most part. Mantles aren’t tumbling out of long-lost collections on a regular basis but they’re far more readily available than T206 Wagners. Hop on eBay any day and you might find … [Read more...]