Baseball card price

2012 Topps Museum Collection Grading Your Collection

Baseball card price

2012 Topps Museum Collection Grading Your Collection

Making The Grade – PSA, Beckett, And SGC

There are many ways to preserve your sports cards. Baseball cards are one of the true collectibles of all times. With many of the companies that are reliable making grading deals each month, there is really is no reason that you are not currently picking a company selecting your top rookie cards, and grading them. I have well over 2000 graded cards, and that is not counting all that I have sold.  The amount of sold cards exceed 2000 graded cards. I have sold sets upon sets. The registry sets from PSA are amongst the most collectable of all sets. The collectors are serious about their collections and the sale prices are certainly not anything sold baseball card collecting kid could afford.

 Topps Museum

Topps unveiled a new baseball card line for 2012 on Friday. But if you’ve seen it before you’re not crazy.It’s 2012 Topps Museum Collection a high-end line with four packs per box and one Relic or autographed Relic in every pack. Earlier this year actually less than a month ago the company teased 2012 Topps Marquee. It appears this offering has since been re-named since then as it aims to feature “the most-striking cards of 2012 now the centerpiece of their own product. Each pack also will have three base cards and one blue parallel in every pack, while each box is guaranteed to include one on-card autograph, one autographed Relic, one jumbo Relic and one quad Relic. Meanwhile, every case will include an autographed jumbo Relic and one framed Museum Collection on-card auto as well when it arrives on April 6.

Upper Deck Baseball Cards History 1988

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Upper Deck Baseball Cards History 1988

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Upper Deck Baseball Cards

Upper Deck baseball cards, 1989 marked the release of this hi-tech (at the time) product. But few people know that the Upper Deck baseball product, issued cards used to market their cards in 1988. Years later these cards also paved the way, for what we now have come to learn are “Promo cards”.

In 1988, a few players were part of the original marketing product, and those players were Wally Joyner and Dwayne DeWitt, and they were actually featured in 2 Upper Deck baseball cards released that year. Those cards had one purpose, to fuel the interest in the Upper Deck product. Although all of the product sold out and quickly, clearly it was not because of the poster boys but rather the hype that surrounded the Upper Deck company.

1989 Upper Deck Hologram

In a time, where there was some counterfeiting going on in the sports card industry. These baseball cards offered a hologram (on the back right hand corner) that was to be tamper proof. The actual poster boy for the 1989 Upper Deck baseball product quickly became Ken Griffey Jr. You can say what you like about the Upper Deck baseball product but Ken Griffey Jr. did not disappoint.

In fact it is hard to believe, that with his record over 600 home-runs, Ken Griffey Jr.’s 1989 Upper Deck rookie baseball card can be had relatively cheap. Hard to believe that at one time, Ken Griffey Jr. was one of the most amazing center fielders to ever have played the game, Ken Griffey Jr. is no longer a hobby favorite in all areas of the country, but a 600 plus home-run all-star none the less.

How many home-runs could he have hit? Had he not been injured for about 4 years totaling all of his trips to the disabled list. Maybe 750, I guess we will never know. For argument sake, I will say respectively 35 home-runs a year. Ken Griffey Jr. is still playing, the Chicago White Sox are probably going to bring him back, there are your 750 imaginary home-runs!

Their 1989 baseball product is loaded with plenty of future Hall of Fame candidates, I do not believe that John Smoltz will have any problems getting in when his time is up, being the only player to have led the National League in wins one year and saves another. I have a hard time making a case for Gary Sheffield, boy it seems that controversy always follows him, but still his career numbers are nice. Being the nephew of Dwight Gooden, you can see where the genes come from.

The Dale Murphy Reverse Negative

The 1989 Upper Deck baseball product is loaded with error cards as well, many more than I can ever list here but there are a few reverse negative photos out there. The Dale Murphy card being the more favorite and most expensive. Ungraded copies of these still sell in the $20.00 range.

All in all, I like the Upper Deck baseball product the cards grade very nicely if you are opening up the wax product or factory sets and I have had some fun chasing the error cards, but I am not ready to put this set in the top 5 baseball card sets of modern-day baseball cards. Just my opinion.

1997 Leaf Mark McGwire Autograph – Read How I Got It!

Baseball card price/ Specialty Cards

1997 Leaf Mark McGwire Autograph – Read How I Got It!

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Sports Cards And Autographs

As far as autographs go how many of the autographs in your sports card collection have been given to you as opposed as to you purchasing them? I can tell you that I have both in my collection. I have the ones I purchased, the ones I have received in person for free, and even the ones that I have received in person and I had to pay for them. Mostly the way of a collectible show. Although I have been asked to pay once, while not in a show. Kind of crazy, but there are always different circumstances for different autographs. What is the craziest amount you ever paid for an autograph?

Pictured here in this post is my Mark McGwire autograph. I received this autograph in person in the then called Joe Robbie Stadium, a stadium that was at the time being leased to the Florida Marlins so that they can play baseball in Miami. I am sure you have since heard of the their new stadium and the changed name to Miami Marlins.

While working in the capacity of a vendor for the stadium, I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the St. Louis Cardinals Mark McGwire on a Marlins home stand. What a night it was. This gentle giant, hit two monster home runs that day, in fact the second one still has not landed. The year was 1997. After waiting for an ungodly three hours for Big Mac to finish his post game rituals, which I am sure included plenty of time in the training room, and perhaps some rub down time, and what not. After the entire bus had already loaded. My opportunity came.

Mark McGwire Baseball Autograph Of A Lifetime!

I approached Mark McGwire, and right as I did my supervisor came out of nowhere just like if he was watching me. As I handed the blue sharpie and baseball card (a 1996 Leaf Mark McGwire) to him and asked him ever so nicely for an autograph. My supervisor recited the employee manual on approaching baseball players a big no-no and I knew it. They harp a big deal about this for a reason. These ball players do not want to get into the whole autograph thing behind the scenes. Besides they also don’t want the employee getting any ideas of selling autographs to pad their already low salaries. But they put nothing in there about the collector and our warped sense of needing more and more collectibles.

My supervisor threatened me with ending my career as a Joe Robbie employee. Believe me I needed the job. I was holding down three jobs at the time. My wife had just had my first of three children, and I could not afford to lose this job over a Mark McGwire signature, even though the thought of owning it, does and did make me shake nervously. After all this was never an easy autograph and he just did not sign much. Again he was one of those spoken out players about people profiting over his name.

As I was getting threatened and told by my supervisor that I was through with the company, and I had better not get that card autographed. Something happened that I will never ever forget. To Mark McGwire I am sure he never thought of this incident again. But I will never forget that he looked my supervisor right in the eyes, and told him that I had better be back tomorrow night for the third game of the series, or else. That was it. He didn’t have to say much else. The weasel, I mean my supervisor rode off in his little golf cart and I got to keep the autograph, and more importantly my job. Although It pains me to ever state that the job I had been more important than this autograph to me. This autograph was recently submitted to BGS (JSA) authentication, not for me. I always knew the card was legit, but you must admit this gives my story a better boost, knowing that the autograph is legit. Thanks for reading. Have a story like this? Please share it with me.

Why We Needed Barry Bonds Hit 73 Homeruns In 2001!

2000 Upper Deck E Cards/ Baseball card price/ Rookie Baseball Cards

Why We Needed Barry Bonds Hit 73 Homeruns In 2001!

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Baseball Cards Reminding Us Of Good And Bad

For all the stigma attached to the steroid era that baseball has endured. For all the negative talk about substance abuse and how it changed the game of baseball. The truth was we needed heroes like Barry Bonds, Mike Piazza, Roger Clemens, Rafael Palmeiro, Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire just to list a few and just about anyone else that helped us get through 2001 as a grieving nation from the 911 terrorist attacks. That year we as Americans endured the toughest year in the history of this country, and it became even tougher to focus on sports a large part of our heritage. But Major League Baseball was there to help heal the wound, as much as it could. That is true, and I will never forget the end of that Summer, as most people that were around would agree they won’t. A wound that I must admit has not yet healed almost 12 years later, just the thought takes us to a dark place.

In lieu of all that happened that year, all the loss, the heartache, even though we were numb America’s favorite past time helped out with the slow healing process. I can remember rooting for Barry Bonds, and who can forget the Mike Piazza Home-run for America in NY. Looking both back and ahead there had to be something of value to the steroid use in baseball in healing this nation, I agree a twisted thought, but as Americans we have made a living turning something ugly into something pretty. Although it is quite funny to think that in the last few years, no other mammoth home-run hitting baseball player like Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Josh Hamilton, Alex Rodriguez, and a few continue to fail to reach 50 home-runs, something that was the measuring stick back in the early turn of the century years. Now that baseball lost its juice, no pun intended, the game has lost some the monsters of the diamond too.

I guess the steroid use good for about 20 or so home-runs? Maybe more. I mean to further my point, we just had a triple crown winner in Miguel Cabrera (Detroit Tigers) and the fanfare just was not there. Maybe because he played for the Tigers and not the Yankees, but it just was not there. I believe the proof is in the pudding as far as the productivity of baseball players and substance abuse. But in lieu of the greatest American tragedy ever, and we shall never forget the memory of the lost, those baseball years sure were crazy fun.

bondsnew

How Does Giants Vs. Tigers Help Garner Collectors To Baseball Cards?

Baseball card price/ Basketball Rookie Cards

How Does Giants Vs. Tigers Help Garner Collectors To Baseball Cards?

Well one could pose a question to get fans riled up between World Series Foes. But I ask you how does the Giants Vs. the Tigers gain any collector action for the sports card collecting industry? Just like the television ratings were down, so were card collecting and sports card sales for sure. After all there are plenty of marquee players on both teams to have some significant interest amongst collectors right? Well I do not think so. This years big winners were of course the rookie of the year nominees and winners. Mike Trout won AL Rookie of the Year in unanimous fashion, was there ever any doubt. And in the NL Rookie contest, Bryce Harper edged out Wade Miley and Todd Frazier for the award and honors. Mike Trout was basically doing what he did all season long for the Angels. Bryce Harper was a call up and never looked back.

Well what about Miguel Cabrera. He won the Triple Crown, and his fellow teammate pitcher Justin Verlander was once again superb this year, but kind of sputtered towards the end of a long season for the flame thrower. San Fran has their Tim Lincecum who also sputtered too much to be a starting factor in the World Series, showing us how really vulnerable the baseball season and its players can really be. One Series, World champ hero and another World Series outcast. Although he became a valuable set up man. He was little else. Hunter Pence became the acquisition of the year if you ask the S.F. Giants. A notable pickup that no doubt lifted the team to the World Series and above.

Baseball Cards Values And Starting Pitchers

Which leads me to my other point. Is it just me or do starting pitchers just not garner too much excitement from baseball card collectors? I know that back in the late 1990’s the likes of pitchers like Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and even Roger Clemens just did not command much of a price on the collectors corner of the market. Sure they were sentimental favorites but not much else. Even Steven Strasburg cards can now be purchased for a song and dance compared to the original fanfare of the cards. So can anyone out there make a case for collecting rookie cards of starting pitchers in order to anyone to try and make a nice profit of any extra cards of such said pitcher. I cannot think of any. Hitters just always seem to outlast any favoritism that a pitcher may drum up. What are your thoughts? I would love to hear them.

PSA Will Display Headline-Making E98 “Cards From The Attic” At 2012 National

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PSA Will Display Headline-Making E98 “Cards From The Attic” At 2012 National

For immediate release
July 23, 2012

News media contact:
Joe Orlando, (949) 567-1170

PSA Will Display Headline-Making E98 “Cards From The Attic” At 2012 National

(Baltimore, Maryland) — The century-old rare baseball cards everyone in the hobby is talking about — the treasure trove of 1910-era E98 cards discovered in an Ohio house attic — will be displayed by Professional Sports Authenticator (www.PSAcard.com) through the courtesy of Heritage Auctions (www.HA.com) at the National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore, August 1 – 5, 2012.

Nearly all of the more than 700 cards in the “Black Swamp Find” will be publicly exhibited for the first time anywhere by PSA at booth #A4.  Heritage will offer 37 of the finest cards in a public auction (http://sports.ha.com/common/auction/catalog.php?SaleNo=7057&ic=rightcolumn-auctionlist) in Baltimore and online, August 2. Heritage also has created a limited edition four-player set of E98 souvenir reprints that are encapsulated by PSA with a special insert label.  The cards will be available free, one-player-per-day while quantities last at the Heritage booth, #A1. The players in the reprint set and the day they’ll be distributed are:

  1. Connie Mack, Thursday, August 2
  2. Honus Wagner, Friday, August 3
  3. Ty Cobb, Saturday, August 4
  4. Cy Young, Sunday, August 5

“The reaction from the collecting community has been outstanding for this Black Swamp Find commemorative promotion.  We expect that many collectors will be clamoring to get their hands on one of each example,” said Chris Ivy Heritage’s Director of Sports Auctions.

There has been extensive nationwide news coverage about the discovery of the cards that are estimated by Heritage to be worth a combined total of up to $3 million or more.
The cards apparently were originally acquired in 1910 for promotional purposes by Carl Hench, a German immigrant who owned a meat market in Defiance, Ohio.  His heirs were cleaning their late grandfather’s house when they found the cards in a box under an old doll house in the attic.

“In terms of how this will impact the collecting market, it can be argued that this is the most significant find of vintage baseball cards ever reported when you evaluate the find in context,” said Joe Orlando, PSA President and editor of Sports Market Report monthly price guide magazine. A feature story about the discovery is in the August issue of the magazine.  Thousands of free copies will be handed out at the National.

Heritage Auctions nicknamed the discovery “The Black Swamp Find” in reference to the Great Black Swamp that helped protect Ohio’s Fort Defiance during the 1790’s Northwest Indian War.  To identify and preserve their pedigree, the PSA holders for these E98 cards are specially labeled, “The Black Swamp Find.” PSA will also display a comprehensive collection of 1909 – 1911 T206 tobacco advertising backs, including some of the scarcest backs known.  Courtesy of David Hall, this unprecedented exhibit also includes authentic examples of tobacco products from the period that are directly associated with the advertising on the cards, such as Piedmont and Sweet Caporal.  At the center of the display will be the extremely scarce Ty Cobb portrait with Ty Cobb tobacco back card, accompanied by the finest Ty Cobb tobacco tin known.

Since its founding in 1991, Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) experts have examined and certified over 19 million different sports, entertainment and historical collectibles with a combined total value of over $1 billion. For additional information, contact PSA/DNA Authentication Services at (800) 325-1121.  Email: info@PSAcard.com.  Online: www.PSAcard.com.

Ted Williams Makes Any Card Collection Solid

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Ted Williams Makes Any Card Collection Solid

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1959 Fleer Ted Williams Baseball Card Set

Card collecting in general as a hobby can be an expensive hobby for most of the sports card collectors worldwide. Especially those who collect with serious conviction. Many grown men and women, share collecting of sports cards alike, and while the kids find it something cool to do, for the adults it is all but fun. It is a complete dominating competition. In fact it can turn into a challenging investment of money and time and with current recession issues, now is the time to buy and keep, and not necessarily sell, unless of course you hold one of the premier gems of the card collecting world. Even so, selling now is a risk that can be directly associated with the fact that there just are not enough suitors for some of the real gems in the sports card world, as opposed to when times are better financially for many dealers and collectors worldwide.

I have highlighted the Ted Williams 1959 Fleer set for a reason. This was the first set depicting only one player and Fleer was the company that took the risk. Although the set is not one of the most popular set of the 1950’s it still has some of the most chased after cards in the set. Like any card collection, anything with Babe Ruth in it is always a good sell, people are still chasing the Babe. Even though this set revolves around the heroism of Ted Williams, there are a few cards with the Babe, and others that were short printed and are quite expensive. The most expensive card in the set is card #68.

1959 Fleer Ted Williams “Ted Signs For 1959”

The story on that card is that Topps eventually won out some revenge for losing Ted Williams in 1959 and ended up squabbling over card No. 68. Bucky Harris who is shown with Ted Williams in that famous baseball card, was under contract with Topps and since his photo was on the Fleer card, Fleer was forced to pull the card early from production. The card has fetched upwards of $1600, and sells for even more when graded by PSA or BVG or any of the better grading card companies. This card is the only significant stumbling block to completing the set, given the grade the other cards are fairly affordable.  The highest graded 1959 Fleer Ted William card in my collection is card #50 (Ted Williams spring injury) the card is graded by BVG and is an 8.

Back to card #68, so few of them out there are real, and there are many counterfeits, but they are easy to spot so use caution when purchasing any of sports card. The best bet with this card is to go with a graded version of the card. On Ebay there are many for sale right now, and the average price for cards graded in the PSA 6-8 range are anywhere from $1100.00 to about $1400.00.


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