Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The Thrill of opening a Pack of Topps Baseball Cards Today

 As a kid growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, I vividly recall jumping on my bike and riding to the local pharmacy or grocery store to purchase baseball cards.  It was such a thrill to rush home from school, jump on my bike, and pedal as fast as possible just to procure baseball cards.  Back when I was collecting, Upper Deck was making its foray into the highly competitive baseball card market.  The Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card was the “key” card in the set and was also the most valuable.  Twenty five years later, the Griffey card is still the most valuable card in the set.

In my opinion, Topps was always the superior card brand. Others tried to take a share of the pie while Topps prevailed.   Topps is still making baseball cards today, while all of the other manufacturers are now defunct.  As a vintage card appraiser, I appraise many vintage card collections on a regular basis.  The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle Rookie Card is a very valuable card in any condition. Many are still many hidden in private collections and usually hit the market when somebody needs liquid capital.

I am not much of a current baseball card collector.  However, I recently caught wind of what Topps Baseball Card Company has been trying to keep secret.  Two new product offerings that are slated to be released by Thanksgiving.  Firstly, the 2014 Topps Dynasty baseball set is a very high premium set.  This limited edition baseball card set features some of the most iconic stars of all time.  Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Joe DiMaggio, and Jackie Robinson to name a few.  Each card will be encased (no more worries about condition deteriorating) and will include an autograph or cut signature.  I am not expecting to find an autographed Babe Ruth card in each box.  However, the thought of opening up each pack brings me back to my childhood and puts a smile on my face.

Autograph collectors typically want autographs on a baseball, baseball bat, jersey or program.  However, the 2014 Topps Baseball Five Star Baseball Card Set includes autographs on baseball cards.  Each autographed card will feature an active or retired player and signed in gold or silver ink.  Additionally, relics such as bat knobs and jersey patches will also be included for each card.  Baseball card purists and autograph collectors should both be very excited about this set.
Even though I am a vintage baseball card purist, I may have to purchase a few of these modern baseball card packs.  However, this time I will be driving my car and not riding my bike.