When we talk about pre-war cards, baseball is the sport most commonly referenced. They generally hold the highest values are are easily the most collected. But early football cards have a strong following, too. And, along with Red Grange, Bronko Nagurski cards are the most sought after of the earliest NFL cardboard. A bruising running back who also starred on defense, … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Gale Sayers Rookie Card Image
Look at his rushing numbers from early in the 1965 season and it may have looked like Gale Sayers was struggling. The young running back known as the ‘Kansas Comet’ was not exactly streaking across the NFL sky during his first year with the Chicago Bears…at least not as a traditional running back. George Halas knew he had something in his first round draft pick, but … [Read more...]
5 1968 Topps Football Cards You Should Love
When the NFL kicked off its 49th season in September of 1968, it had gone back to its old trading card partner. The four-year deal with Philadelphia Gum had ended and Topps was back in the fold. It was a relationship that wouldn’t sever until well into the 21st century. The 1968 Topps football set included 218 cards--219 if you include a slight variation on the last … [Read more...]
PHOTO GALLERY: World’s Best Football Card Collection Still on Display in Canton
The most valuable football card collection in the world remains on display at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, giving collectors attending next month's National Sports Collectors Convention another option for a side trip. For two years, the Hunt-Casterline collection has been on exhibit at the Canton, OH shrine, enabling football fans from around the world who visit the Hall … [Read more...]
One of Hobby’s Top 1957 Topps Football Collections Went Unregistered
Not every PSA-graded set of cards is listed on the company's Set Registry. Some are quietly pieced together by collectors who opt not to put them in the data base. Now, those who do chase one of the hobby's most notable vintage football sets will have a chance to own cards from one of those sets. Baseball Card Exchange (BBCE) recently acquired a … [Read more...]
NFL’s First #1 Draft Pick in 1936 Got a Football Card–19 Years Later
For a guy who isn't in the Hall of Fame, Jay Berwanger sure has a couple of pretty significant football "firsts" behind his name. He was named the winner of the first Heisman Trophy for his efforts at the University of Chicago in 1935. A couple of months later, the NFL held its first college draft and Berwanger was the top choice, taken by the lowly Philadelphia … [Read more...]
1926 Shotwell Candy Cards Honored Red Grange
Red Grange was one of American football's first collegiate and professional stars. Grange rose to stardom first at the University of Illinois and later with the Chicago Bears. In 1926, Grange was out of college and starring in a motion picture, called "One Minute to Play." That year, the Shotwell Manufacturing Company sought to capitalize on his fame and created two card sets … [Read more...]
1980 Topps Football Kicked Off Exciting Decade Of Cards
Let's face it. While the 1980s produced some significant football releases, the one to start that decade isn't heralded as a great one by most fans. The 1980 Topps football set is lacking quite a bit, particularly when it comes to key rookie cards. But other than being the first set of an important decade for football releases, there are some reasons to pursue this set. 1980 … [Read more...]
1961 Fleer Football Set Topped Topps in Size
In 1961, professional football was split between two leagues, the decades old National Football League (NFL) and the newly formed American Football League (AFL). It would be five years before the two leagues would announce a planned merger and six before the first Super Bowl. The football card industry was also divided that year as both Topps and Fleer produced large … [Read more...]
5 Great Football Cards From 1967
The NFL is ingrained in our sports conscience now, so it’s hard to remember that it once was a league that battled a bitter rival for nearly a decade. The AFL secured a merger with the more established NFL at mid-decade and played the inaugural Super Bowl on Jan. 15, 1967. The two leagues would merge for the 1970 season, but the merger in football cards already had … [Read more...]