Filed under: Beckett Media, Hall of Fame, MLB, Topps | Tags: 2010 Topps Tribute, Babe Ruth, baseball, baseball cards, lou gehrig, MLB, Topps
By Chris Olds | Editor
A heavily scrutinized Topps baseball card featuring the autographs of nine members of the 1927 New York Yankees has been judged to be authentic, according to more than one authentication company, and will return to the auction block on Thursday.
However, the card’s examination wasn’t without a new caveat not previously mentioned publicly as the autograph of Lou Gehrig appears to have been painted around to obscure lesser signatures near it — making it more visually appealing — according to James Spence Jr. of James Spence Authentication.
How rare is this kind of alteration?
“More often than a flat item, multi-signed baseballs are often painted over to give the illusion that they appear as single-signed,” Spence said Thursday. “A company in California specializes in this type of craft.”
This aspect is noted on the Spence Letter of Authenticity, which will be included with the card when it is sold by Beckett Select Auctions , the consignment auction service division of Beckett Media. The auction will launch Thursday with an opening bid of $20,000. The auction will close on on Super Bowl Sunday following the game here in Dallas.
The 2010 Topps Tribute Legendary Lineup Cuts card features the signatures of Earle Combs, Mark Koenig, Babe Ruth, Gehrig, Bob Meusel, Tony Lazzeri, Joe Dugan, Pat Collins and Waite Hoyt — all on one booklet.
A redemption for the card was found by a collector in Missouri, who opted to sell the card through Beckett Select. The auction briefly ran in December with a starting bid of $20,000. However, Select ended the auction early as a precaution when it received multiple questions about the authenticity of the Ruth and Gehrig signatures.
Filed under: Hall of Fame, In The Game, MLB | Tags: 2011 Heroes & Prospects Baseball "Hits" Series 1, baseball, baseball cards, In The Game, ITG, unlicensed cards
By Chris Olds | Editor
In The Game‘s foray into the baseball card market is inching closer toward a reality as 2011 Heroes & Prospects Baseball “Hits” Series 1 is set to arrive on Feb. 24 with a little something as its name suggests.
Hits.
Nothing more than hits.
Each box will contain five autograph or memorabilia cards — there are no base cards in the product — for a suggested retail price of $95. Every 12-box case will include a 1/1 card, while each master case is made up of four 12-box cases.
Although the product was announced at last year‘s National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore, ITG has opted for a spring training-timed release.
The product is mostly prospect-driven but does include memorabilia and autograph cards of Hall of Famers, retired stars and current MLB players. Some of the notable signers include Johnny Bench, Tommy Lasorda, Yogi Berra, Tom Seaver, Cal Ripken Jr., Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson, Don Mattingly and Harmon Killebrew among others.
Notable prospects who signed for the set include Brandon Belt, Yonder Alonso, Wil Myers, Dellin Betances, Jameson Taillon, Kyle Drabek and Mike Trout to name a few.
What can you expect to find? See the images … after the jump.
Filed under: Collectibles, Hall of Fame, Pro wrestling, Topps, WWE | Tags: Abdullah the Butcher, autograph collecting, Autographs, celebrity autographs, Death Proof, Kill Bill, Pro wrestling, Quentin Tarantino, Shawn Michaels, Twitter, wrestling autographs, WWE, Zoe Bell
By Chris Olds | Editor
For sports collectors where seemingly everything has been commodified, this is probably an obvious statement — but for the rest of the collecting world (or beginners) it might not be.
What you get autographed is as important as the autograph itself.
In the sports world, the type of item you get signed at a show or an appearance is often tied to the amount of money you’ll pay for the signature. Basically, the more valuable item you get signed the more you’ll typically have to pay. Why? The players, agents and show promoters know the relative value of an item, and, well, they want a relative cut.
Getting a jersey or another piece of equipment will cost you more than, say, a baseball card or a photograph. That’s just how it is with the business side of things. In fact, there are countless examples where players won’t sign certain items, things showing them with certain teams or even certain brands of cards. (It’s not just a scene in Jerry Maguire.)
But the real value in a unique item is in the interest, the reaction, it should draw from those who see it. Some of my favorite autographed items in my collection — items I got signed in-person — were because they were unique items. They’re not the most expensive piece or the toughest autograph to land. They’re not ultra-rare, either, as a collector could conceivably re-create them with some legwork.
Then again, one of my most unique autographed items isn’t even a sports item at all — and that’s why you see a scene from a Quentin Tarantino movie, Death Proof, above where stuntwoman Zoë Bell is in action riding atop the hood of a 1970 Dodge Challenger as it speeds down a highway with another car in hot pursuit.
Read more … after the jump.
Filed under: First look, Hall of Fame, NBA, Panini | Tags: 2010-11 Classics Basketball, Basketball, basketball cards, Classics, Classics Basketball, NBA, Panini America
By Chris Olds | Editor
It may celebrate the stars of yesteryear along with a mix of greats and potential of today’s NBA, but Panini America‘s latest creation does all that with a seemingly brand-new look.
The Arlington, Texas-based hobby giant unveiled its latest forthcoming basketball brand — 2010-11 Classics Basketball — on Tuesday evening, a relatively affordable mid-range product ($5.99 a pack) that will arrive in late March packing two autographs and two memorabilia cards in every hobby box.
Each hobby box also will include more than a dozen inserts along with a selection of cards from the 100-card base set that is capped by 40 Legends and 40 signed Rookie Cards.
But that’s not what caught this writer’s eye — it’s the design of the inserts, which perhaps eschew the typical trappings of a more “classical” product — and also stray from the more reserved designs found in last year’s set. (Granted, that could be this selection, but either way they seem to be more energetic — while keeping a bit of retro-flavored flair, too.)
See what we’re talking about … after the jump.
Filed under: Hall of Fame, NBA, Panini | Tags: 2010-11 Donruss, 2010-11 Donruss basketball, Basketball, basketball cards, Box busters, NBA
Join Beckett Media’s Chris Olds and Rob Springs as they rip into a box of 2010-11 Donruss basketball cards from Panini America in this latest episode of Box Busters.
What will they find inside? Watch and find out …
Filed under: Hall of Fame, NBA, Panini | Tags: 2010-11 Timeless Treasures, Autographs, Basketball, basketball cards, Box busters, NBA, Panini America
Join Beckett Media’s Chris Olds and Rob Springs as they rip into a pair of 2010-11 Timeless Treasures boxes in this latest episode of Box Busters.
What will they find inside? Watch and find out …
Filed under: Hall of Fame, non-sports sets, Panini | Tags: astronaut autographs, baseball, celebrity memorabilia, Century Collection, football, Hockey, NASA, Panini America
Join Beckett Media’s Chris Olds and Bryan Hornbeck as they rip into a pair of 2010 Panini Century Collection boxes in this latest episode of Box Busters.
What will they find inside? Watch and find out …
Filed under: Card gallery, Hall of Fame, MLB, Panini | Tags: 2010 Century Collection, Andre Dawson, Babe Ruth, baseball, baseball cards, Baseball Hall of Fame, Bob Feller, Cooperstown, Don Mattingly, Eddie Murray, Fergie Jenkins, Jim Rice, Joe Jackson, MLB, New York Yankee, new york yankees, Panini America, Paul Molitor, Pete Rose, Reggie Jackson, Rod Carew, Ron Santo, Will Clark, Yankees
By Chris Olds | Editor
Panini America may not be an official trading card licensee of Major League Baseball, but you wouldn’t know that from the company’s legendary inclusions in the forthcoming 2010 Century Collection set.
No, there aren’t any MLB logos or airbrushed uniforms in the multi-sport and non-sport product — it’s high school and casual photography — but it’s clear that the autograph and memorabilia assets left over from the Donruss days are getting good use and much of it will be in the hands of collectors starting this week.
In fact, it’s that non-traditional photography that might make these cards stand out from others — whether the significance or story behind the photo is noted on the card or not. (They likely aren’t … in their place an authenticity statement.) For example, the Paul Molitor card shown above is from his behind-the-scenes tour of the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y., back in 2004.
The bat he’s holding? It’s a Babe Ruth gamer.
Filed under: Hall of Fame, MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, Tip Sheet, Topps, WWE | Tags: Alabama football, Albert Pujols, Autographs, Barry Sanders, Bob Feller, books, Brett Favre, Clerks, Collecting Autographs, Collecting Tips, Danica Patrick, Facebook, Ichiro Suzuki autographs, Joe Namath, Kevin Smith, MLB, NASCAR, National Sports Collectors Convention, NFL, NSCC, Ozzy Osbourne, Pam Grier, Pamela Anderson, signed books, Steiner Sports, Steve Nash, Tim Tebow, Trish Stratus, TriStar, TTM autographs, Twitter, Upper Deck Authenticated, Wayne Gretzky, WWE
By Chris Olds | Editor
It’s no secret that the autograph is key to many a sports products these days as those certified authentic slips of the pen turn cardboard into collecting gold.
But the certified autograph is not the only way a collector can land a treasured item.
In fact, many a signer of certified autographs actually signs in other ways — ways that collectors may not always think about in a world of commodified, short-print chases and dreaming of winning mylar-wrapped lotteries. It may sound like common sense, but there are other ways to track down signatures besides ripping packs and buying singles at the card shop or online.
Here’s a rundown of ways that collectors — beginners through the long-time hobby veterans — should always consider trying to land an autograph without hitting up a pack of cards or buying a certified signature straight from a trusted dealer.
OFFICIAL WEBSITES
These days, it’s pretty common for athletes and celebrities to have their own websites where they sell autographed items directly to the public. The signed copy of WWE Magazine above, for example, was purchased on Trish Stratus‘ website, www.trishstratus.com. There, the former multi-time women’s champion sells signed magazines, books, photos, posters and more. If you have your own particular item you want signed, she’ll ink it up for a $10 fee.
Filed under: Hall of Fame, NFL, Topps | Tags: 2010 Topps Magic, football, football cards, NFL, Topps, Topps Magic
Join Beckett Media’s Dan Hitt and Andrew Tolentino as they rip into a box of 2010 Topps Magic football cards in this latest edition of Box Busters.
What will they find inside? Watch and find out …
Filed under: Beckett Media, Hall of Fame, MLB, Topps | Tags: 1927 Yankees, 2010 Topps Tribute, 2010 Topps Tribute Legendary Lineup, autograph authentication, Autographs, Babe Ruth, Babe Ruth autograph, baseball, baseball cards, Beckett Select, Cut Autographs, James Spence, lou gehrig, Lou Gehrig autograph, MLB, new york yankees, PSA, Yankees, Yankees cut autograph, Yanks
By Chris Olds | Editor
A heavily scrutinized Topps cut autograph card featuring the starting lineup of the 1927 New York Yankees is off the auction block and headed for additional examination.
Filed under: Hall of Fame, NFL, Panini | Tags: 2010 Limited, football, football cards, NFL, Panini America
Join Beckett Media’s Dan Hitt and Andrew Tolentino as they rip into a pair of 2010 Limited Football packs from Panini America in this latest edition of Box Busters.
What will they find inside? Watch and find out …
Filed under: Beckett Media, Hall of Fame, MLB, Topps | Tags: 1927 New York Yankees, 2010 Topps Tribute, Autographs, Babe Ruth, baseball, baseball cards, Cut Autographs, lou gehrig, MLB, new york yankees, Topps, Yankees
Beckett Select Auctions, the consignment auction service division of Beckett Media, has sold a few notable cards through the years for collectors who wanted a bit more security with their high-dollar transactions.
This latest auction, which starts tonight, just might be one of the bigger items that Select has ever offered.
Beckett Baseball‘s Chris Olds and Brian Fleischer discuss one collector’s once-in-a-lifetime find with Beckett Select’s Dave Sliepka.
What’s the card? You’ll have to watch the video to find out…
For more on the auction of a legendary Topps creation or Beckett Select, visit Beckett.com/Select.
Once the auction goes live tonight, you will find the information right here.
Filed under: Hall of Fame, MLB, Topps | Tags: 1948 Bowman, baseball cards, Bob Feller, Bob Feller autograph, Bob Feller baseball cards, Bob Feller Rookie Card, Cleveland Indians, Indians, MLB
By Chris Olds | Editor
Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller, a Cleveland Indians legend known for his flaming fastball on the field and his prolific pen on the autograph circuit, died on Wednesday. He was 92.
Feller appears on a total of 1,692 baseball cards in the Beckett.com database — 607 of those being certified autographs and 470 being memorabilia cards.
His lone Rookie Card appears in the 1948 Bowman set, a $250 card.
Filed under: First look, Hall of Fame, MLB, Topps | Tags: 2011 Topps Gypsy Queen, Autographs, baseball, baseball cards, Gypsy Queen, MLB, Topps, Vintage Cards
By Chris Olds | Editor
Move over Allen & Ginter, there’s a new queen in town.
Topps released the basic product information for its 2011 Gypsy Queen baseball card set on Wednesday, a retro-styled release modeled after the 1887 N174 set of the same name.
Scheduled to arrive in late-April, the Queen will deliver two autographed cards and two Relic cards in every 24-pack hobby box as well as a 10-card mini box inside.
The base set will consist of 450 cards — 50 of those short-printed variations — with a mix of current players, Hall of Famers and rookies in the mix. There will be seven base cards and three parallel cards in every pack.
See the images — and read more — after the jump.
Filed under: Hall of Fame, MLB, Topps | Tags: 2011 Topps, 2011 Topps Heritage, 2011 Topps Tribute, Autographs, baseball cards, Brooklyn Dodgers, Dodgers, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, Sandy Koufax, Sandy Koufax autograph, Topps
By Chris Olds | Editor
Legendary left-hander Sandy Koufax has signed an autograph deal with Topps and will appear on cards in it 2011 products, the company announced Wednesday.
Koufax will first appear in 2011 Topps and then in 2011 Topps Heritage, which is set to arrive in mid-March, followed by autograph and memorabilia cards in 2011 Topps Tribute.
The Hall of Famer, who won 165 games with the Dodgers from 1955-1966, hasn’t appeared on a substantial number of signed cards since signing an autograph deal with Donruss/Playoff, now Panini America, in the late 1990s. His last certified autographs were released in relatively small quantities in 2007 from Upper Deck.
Filed under: Hall of Fame, MLB | Tags: Beckett Baseball, Boston Red Sox, game-used bat, Joe Dimaggio, MLB, new york yankees, RelicWear, RelicWear.com, Ted Williams
Beckett Baseball’s Chris Olds gives you a sneak peek at an item you have a chance to own if you pick up an upcoming issue.
Check it out.
Filed under: Beckett Media, Hall of Fame, MLB, Topps | Tags: 2011 Topps Tribute, baseball, baseball cards, MLB, Topps, Topps Tribute
By Chris Olds | Editor
Topps released the basic product information and preview images for 2011 Topps Tribute Baseball on Friday, which means the high-end (and at times controversial) product returns for a third consecutive year.
The hobby-only product includes three autograph or autographed Relic cards and three multiple-piece Relic cards in every box with a hit remaining in every pack. Each of those cards will be limited to 99 or fewer copies. Also to be found one per pack are parallel cards, which will be limited to fewer than 399 copies.
Topps promises an expanded array of retired players in the product when it arrives in early April, a lineup that includes Tribute To the Stars cards that pair icons from the past with stars of today on dual- and triple-signed cards.
Also new is a Tribute Rookies Book Card, which will pair as many as 10 players’ autographs and memorabilia pieces in a multiple-page booklet card.
The Beckett Blog 