The 1952 Topps set is what many mark as the beginning of the era of the modern trading card. Not only did it launch a collecting revolution, it marked the real beginning of the company’s place in American culture. It's home to the '52 Mickey Mantle, the most recognizable and most valuable post-War baseball card, one which has become as much an investment commodity as it … [Read more...]
Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1959 Topps
To most collectors, the 1959 Topps set was an upgrade in terms of design from the 1958 issue. The lower case font was definitely different and so were the round pictures surrounded by bold-colored backgrounds. Mickey Mantle's card was in the first series, meaning kids didn't have to wait long to pull the popular slugger's card from packs. Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson's … [Read more...]
Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1963 Topps
The 1963 Topps set has long been synonymous with the the Pete Rose rookie card. Interest in the card first jumped in the mid-1980s when he chased Ty Cobb's all-time hit record. Lately, it's one of a number of Hall of Fame rookie cards that have skyrocketed in value. However, the Rose is just the tip of the iceberg with the '63 set. It's a popular issue for set builders to … [Read more...]
Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1965 and 1966 Topps
Seven series, 598 cards, short printed high numbers. The similarities are many between the 1965 and 1966 Topps issues. At the same time, the sets carry a much different feel. The 1965 set has bright colors and those nifty little team pennants. The 1966 set design has less noise and more subdued color tones. The seemingly more popular 1965 set features four HOF rookie cards: … [Read more...]
Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1939 Play Ball
1939 Play Ball was Gum Inc’s leap into the baseball card market with black-and-white photos of contemporary baseball players. The issue was very popular, and it remains so today, largely due to the rookie cards of Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. The back of the cards features each player’s full name, a biographical write up, and an advertisement for the issue which states … [Read more...]
Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1971 Topps Baseball
The 1971 Topps issue stands out when compared to Topps previous offerings. Issued in seven series, these black-bordered beauties are bold, but they are very susceptible to wear. The black frames show every flaw, making this issue one of the toughest sets to assemble in high grade. Sporting more than 40 cards featuring Hall of Fame members, the 1971 Topps set was a little … [Read more...]
Vintage Set Break of the Week: 1941 Double Play Baseball
When Gum Products, Inc. rolled out its 1941 Double Play baseball cards, the world was already in the throes of war and America was on the brink of joining in. Baseball captivated (and pleasantly distracted) the nation with two superstars stealing the show. Joe DiMaggio hit safely in 56 consecutive games, setting the single season mark which still stand today, and Ted Williams … [Read more...]
Vintage Set Break of the Month: 1972 Topps Baseball
They started coming when parts of the country still had snow on the ground and didn’t stop until the frost returned in late fall. There were six series—a whopping 787 baseball cards to collect—and a lot of bubble gum to chew. The set included Carlton Fisk’s rookie card, a run of semi-high and high numbers (5th and 6th series cards) and the usual array of Hall of Famers … [Read more...]
Vintage Set Break of the Month: 1968 Topps
These days, the Nolan Ryan rookie is the first card that comes to mind when you think of the 1968 Topps Baseball set, produced toward the end of nickel packs. However, the ’68 set also has Johnny Bench’s rookie card, the next-to-last card from Mickey Mantle’s playing days, a couple dozen Hall of Famers (and All-Star cards), a few sweet multi-player cards and other annual … [Read more...]
Vintage Set Break of the Month: 1957 Topps
Whenever a list of the greatest sets of all-time is compiled, you can bet the 1957 Topps issue is at or near the top. It’s certainly among the most popular with collectors of vintage cards. It was Topps’ first set created strictly from single player photographs and a strong testimony to advances in photographic technology. October’s Vintage Set Break of the Month, in … [Read more...]