While I usually wait a bit longer between pieces, my store has seen so many releases in the last few weeks that I had to put something else together. Well, that and the editor of this page asked me to do it as well. It’s definitely been a busy time with some high-end releases that are generating much buzz.
Here’s a look at the top five sellers. Click on the title of each to learn more about them.
2015/16 Upper Deck The Cup NHL – It takes a lot of work to go through 63 boxes of The Cup and while I can’t sit here and say that we rolled $40,000 in boxes in the past few days, we have some incredible collectors and they have more than stepped up. 
Checking online, only two of the Connor McDavid Rookie Premier Autograph singles have sold with one rolling for $12,797.97 and the other one moving for a cool $14k. If you’re feeling spendy, one is out there now for about what I dropped on my car a year ago at $26,999. My store has seen a Larkin RPA /99 and a Sidney Crosby 1/1 auto quad patch card pulled from packs.
The vibe from many of my shredders is that if you don’t get the right Connor card, that with the higher price this year, it’s about impossible to cover your case cost. At least boxes and cases are still moving well so 63 is in sight.
2016 Topps Dynasty MLB – Technically this third-year release should be lower on my list since I have not sold any in a week. But moving three cases in two days 
when it arrived has to count for something. Returning with the same format and same price, this was one late season MLB release that had people calling every day until it arrived. One of our cases was highlighted by an Ichiro auto patch and the other had Ichiro and a Trout auto patch (get a look at one . With nothing over 10 and an impressive signature selection, it won’t be long until the 2017 Dynasty calls start happening.
2016/17 Panini Court Kings NBA – I feel lucky that three of my shredders 
have taken a liking to this release, which has one autograph and one relic card in each box for a pretty reasonable price. They are big fans of the oversized box topper cards and seem to be even bigger fans of the possible autographed ones. The 2 on 2 quad memorabilia cards have some of the cooler matchups that have been offered in some time and the possible 1/1 masterpiece cards have to be on a few wish lists.
Hands up if you knew much about the Le Cinque Pie Belle Set without doing a Google search (no I’m not raising my hand). Court Kings reminds me of Action Packed so long ago where it had a devoted, but small following. I’m not bummed to see that since without Ben Simmons autographs and the lack of an impact rookie after a month of NBA action being able to move through any NBA case is an accomplishment.
2016 Bowman Draft Picks & Prospects MLB – This is always one of the most interesting sets pushed out each year. Like Court Kings, there is a devoted following of Baseball America type collectors who seemingly know where each prospect ranks well before next season’s Bowman 100 list. It takes a bit of acting on my part as collectors show off their newest autographs of guys that I know less about than I do repairing the transmission on my car. Yeah, that’s two car references in one piece. Deal with it.
This year Topps ditched the base packaging and instead gave shops the option of jumbos with three autographs and super jumbos with five autographs. As a shop owner with only so much shelf space, I like having only two styles and so far my box breakers aren’t complaining either.
2016 Topps Cubs World Series Sets – 
Yes, believe it or not I am selling a release that does not offer any signed cards or any relic singles. All it took was for the Cubs to win a World Series and for Topps to highlight 25 moments from this once in a healthy person’s lifetime accomplishment. With more people representing themselves at Cubs fans than ever before, I see a great number of these appearing under trees on Christmas.
Since I’m bringing up the holidays, I would like to suggest that each of you still share with your friends and family that not only would you like cards this year, but also for those folks to visit your favorite local card store. I had a chat today with someone who lives on the other side of town who was upset that all of the stores near him had closed. I asked him how frequently he visited his LCS and he shared that he stopped going there because he could save a few bucks by shopping online.
While I do not begrudge the online retailers who do a tremendous job supplying so many collectors, most card store owners do what they do because they have a passion for this hobby. Many times that goes with working 80 hours so we do not have to work a 40 hour a week job and for less than what your average 9-5 employee takes home. Shops and shop owners—if they love what they do—can make collecting a lot more fun. There’s always something to be said for sharing those experiences and building friendships with others who share that passion.
So, let’s do what we can to ensure that your LCS will be around in another 365 days and able to sell you a Rockies World Series Championship set in 2017 (yeah right).
Get ready for my next contribution, the 2016 Mikey Awards. Who will be praised? Who will be called out? Who will cringe as they read? Tune in next time to see who offered the best and worst in the past year. In the meantime, I hope you were good enough boys and girls to get what you asked for this year, but bad enough to have had some fun.
Mike Fruitman owns Mike’s Stadium Sportscards in Aurora, CO. His column focuses on what products are selling best in hobby shops. He’s got thousands of cards for sale on COMC.com under the ID cardmn5150. Enjoy new arrivals and big hits from Mike’s on Twitter. Mike’s is always looking for more friends on Facebook and you can email him at [email protected]
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