The 1952 Star-Cal Decals set is one of the more interesting 1950s issues. While the Topps and Bowman sets get most of the attention from collectors, this unique set has its own great lineup of stars and is significantly tougher to find. 1952 Star-Cal Decals Basics The 1952 Star-Cal Decals set was produced by the Meyercord Company, which was based in Chicago, as is printed on … [Read more...] about 1952 Star-Cal Decals Set Featured Stars and Two Types
Willie Mays
Lifelong Mays Collector’s Amazing Journey Ends with Sale
On the baseball field, Willie Mays could do it all. In the baseball collectibles field, a California resident had them all. A collector in his late 60s just struck a deal to sell what is likely the ultimate collection of Willie Mays cards and memorabilia. This collector – a financial planner who prefers to be known only by the name, "Mac" – passionately and aggressively … [Read more...] about Lifelong Mays Collector’s Amazing Journey Ends with Sale
Photo of the Day: Willie Mays Image from 1952 Topps Card at Auction
It doesn’t get the attention—or the price—of Mickey Mantle’s iconic card from the same set but who wouldn’t want to own the first Topps card of Willie Mays? Like Mantle, Mays was at the dawn of a Hall of Fame career and his appearance in the most popular of all post-War sets is just another element to its stature. Now, RMY Auctions is giving collectors something … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Willie Mays Image from 1952 Topps Card at Auction
“Shows Good Breeding”; Branch Rickey’s Scouting Reports Digitized, Online
Baseball scouting reports of one of the most famous baseball executives and scouts in history, Branch Rickey, who was also responsible for helping Jackie Robinson successfully break Major League Baseball’s color line, have been digitized and are now available online for the first time from the Library of Congress. The archive was digitized in time for Major League Baseball’s … [Read more...] about “Shows Good Breeding”; Branch Rickey’s Scouting Reports Digitized, Online
1969 Topps Supers a Rare Test Issue
Topps has some excellent regular issues in the 1960s. One overlooked set, though, is the 1969 Topps Supers test issue. The cards are not only appealing, but much more difficult to find than the standard Topps issues from that time period. 1969 Topps Supers Basics The 1969 Topps Supers are a drastic change from the company's regular issue produced that year. The 1969 Topps … [Read more...] about 1969 Topps Supers a Rare Test Issue
1960 Topps Tattoos Among Company’s Quirkier Sets
When most collectors think of Topps, their mind generally goes to baseball cards. But the company produced a wide variety of non-card issues and the 1960 Topps Tattoos release was a unique collectible. Tattoos? Yup...well, sort of. There was no artist needed, no painful procedures--and any regrets could be quickly washed away. Here's a bit more on this oddball … [Read more...] about 1960 Topps Tattoos Among Company’s Quirkier Sets
Photo of the Day: Alfred Eisenstaedt Snaps Willie Mays in 1954
After making his major league debut in 1951, duty called for Willie Mays. He missed much of the 1952 season and all of ’53 in military service, although much of his time in the Army was spent playing ball. When he returned in ’54, the New York Giants center fielder not only didn’t miss a beat, he became baseball’s best player and began drawing attention from major … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Alfred Eisenstaedt Snaps Willie Mays in 1954
Does This Photo Look Familiar?
It had been a whirlwind for Willie Mays as the calendar pushed toward Memorial Day, 1951. His young baseball career had gotten off to a great start in the minor leagues and on May 23, he was at a movie theater when an on-screen message summoned him to call his hotel: The New York Giants were looking for him. A day later, the kid from Alabama was in the big … [Read more...] about Does This Photo Look Familiar?
RMY Auction Opens with Mays Minor League Photo
Sporting a newly designed website, RMY Auctions kicked off its June online catalog auction Wednesday with more than 400 items up for bid including a rare, original Willie Mays minor league photo. Mays opened the 1951 season with the Minneapolis Millers but in late May, got the call to join the New York Giants. After a rough start, Mays homered off Boston Braves' star … [Read more...] about RMY Auction Opens with Mays Minor League Photo
Newly-Discovered 1957 Willie Mays Jersey Generating Bidder Buzz
A new-to-the-hobby Willie Mays jersey believed to have been created for use during the Giants’ final season in New York was recently consigned to auction, where bids are already approaching six figures. The cream-colored #24 home button-down is among the featured attractions in Grey Flannel Auctions’ current catalog. The jersey was apparently a hand-me-down that made its … [Read more...] about Newly-Discovered 1957 Willie Mays Jersey Generating Bidder Buzz