The recent sale of a 1948 Bowman basketball wax pack proved again how difficult it is to find such improbable relics and how much demand there is when they do come on the market. It stands to reason, of course, that not all that many packs from the pre-1970s era are still out there in unopened form. All it takes is a check of YouTube to see that collectors are ripping more of … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: First Pack, Old Pack, National Impressions, Prime 9
Topps says the #5 redemption card in its PRIME 9 promotion for Series II is Mike Schmidt. The company has released an image of the card that collectors can bring to their participating local card shop and redeem it for an exclusive limited edition Topps Chrome Refractor as part of the weekly program. Redemption cards can be found in Series 2 Hobby packs (1:18) and … [Read more...]
A Tale of Two Sports Card Businesses
In the early 1990s, southern California's phone books had listing after listing for "Sports Cards". From San Diego up the coast and through the Los Angeles area, there was always a place to buy the latest wax box or fill your want list with singles. Not anymore. Dozens of shops have come and gone, but two long-time dealers are still at it. Baseball Card Company in … [Read more...]
Unopened Baseball Cards: True Test of Willpower, Patience
by Diane Carter To most baseball card collectors, nothing is more exciting than an unopened pack of cards. The mystery of what is inside can be overwhelming. Will you draw a card worth a good amount of money or a particular rare insert to add to your collection? Unopened baseball cards generate excitement and anticipation. On the fun scale, opening a pack of cards is a … [Read more...]
PA Dealer Still Appealing; Seized Items Still on Hold
Items seized by police from a Pennsylvania dealer convicted on theft by deception charges are still being held after the state attorney general said he wanted to wait until after Roger Lee Hooper's appeals were heard. Hooper, of Lower Allen Township, was found guilty last October of selling fake sports memorabilia including re-sealed wax packs and non-genuine autographs via … [Read more...]
California Card Shop Rolls On
Upper Deck had just been born. Score was still around. Topps was still putting gum in its wax packs (and they really were made of wax). 1989 seems like ancient history now, but probably like yesterday for Matt Mossette. The owner of Mossette's Sports Cards in Fresno launched his business more than 21 years ago and he's still going strong, outlasting … [Read more...]
How High Will 8.5 1952 Mantle Go?
Bidding for the only PSA 8.5 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card is approaching $100,000 as Memory Lane Inc's Summer Auction heads into its final weekend. Of the other 10 ’52 Mantles graded higher by PSA, seven are 9s with just three 10s. The card was once graded “8” but recently bumped to an 8.5 after the owner submitted it for re-examination when PSA added the half-grades to … [Read more...]
Vintage Unopened Baseball Card Boxes Part of Auction
Mini baseball card time capsules are on the block in a major sports memorabilia auction. To open or not to open, that is the question. … [Read more...]
Rare ’60s wax pack sells for $3500+
An ultra rare unopened 1966 Topps Plaks wax pack graded GAI 6 sold on eBay this weekend for a hefty price. … [Read more...]