Introduction to Sportflics Baseball Cards
Sportflics were baseball trading cards produced by Empirical Research in the late 1950s and early 1960s. They were a pioneering innovation in the baseball card industry – the first cards to feature color action photos on the front. While they never achieved the same widespread popularity as Topps cards, Sportflics cards have developed a dedicated collector following in recent decades due to their innovative design and the scarcity of some key issues.
Sportflics History and Production
Sportflics cards originated from a small Illinois company called Empirical Research, which was founded in 1957 as an opinion polling and market research firm. Company founder Mel Caskey realized there was potential to make marketing surveys more enjoyable by incorporating baseball cards. In 1958, Empirical Research released their first series of 90 Sportflics cards – featuring color action photos on the front and basic stats on the back.
The 1958 series was a success and established Sportflics as the first baseball cards to feature color photography. This was a major innovation that helped bring cards to life beyond the static black and white images that Topps and other competitors were using at the time. Emboldened by the positive response, Empirical Research issued two more series in 1959 and 1960 before financial troubles caused them to cease production in 1961 after only 3 years of issues.
Sportflics sets from these early years are considered the most significant in terms of rarity, condition, and potential value today. The small print runs, limited distribution area focused around Chicago, and the short 3-year production window all contribute to Sportflics scarcity compared to the much larger and longer-running Topps sets from the same era.
Top Sportflics Cards and Their Estimated Values
With well over 50 years having passed since their original release, key Sportflics cards from the 1950s in top condition can demand impressive prices today due to their historical significance, innovative design, and extreme rarity levels for the issue:
1958 Mickey Mantle (#11): One of the true “holy grails” of vintage sports cards. In Near Mint to Mint condition, 1958 Mantles have sold for over $50,000 due to their rarity as arguably the finest example of early Sportsflics photography. Even well-centered, sharp examples in Excellent-Very Good condition can bring $5,000+.
1959 Bob Gibson (#81): Gibson’s dominant 1964 season makes his 1959 Sportflics card one of the most desirable from that issue. In NM-Mint condition, a 1959 Gibson has reached the $15,000 level at auction. Copies grading a VG-EX can still sell for $2,000-3,000.
1958 Hank Aaron (#2): An iconic image of the future home run king. Top conditioned ’58 Aarons in NM-Mint can sell for $7,000-10,000 depending on auction demand. A VG-EX example may bring $2,000-3,000.
1960s Frank Robinson (#111): One of the most visually striking images from any Sportflics issue, capturing “the Rocket” racing around the bases. An NM-Mint ’60 Robinson could command $5,000-7,000. A VG-EX copy may sell for $1500-2000.
1959 Sandy Koufax (#95): An iconic action shot of the young Koufax as card values for the legendary lefty continue rising. NM-Mint ’59 Koufaxes sell around $3,000-5,000 and a VG-EX may reach $1,000-1,500.
While the ultra-high prices require true gem Mint condition, there are often bidding opportunities for VG-EX graded Sportflics around the $100-500 range as well – making them accessible for most collectors if not the rarest and highest condition specimens. Anything graded higher than EX could potentially reach thousands depending on the significance of the player photo and specific card issue scarcity levels.
Long-Term Investment Potential
The continued escalation in values for vintage sports cards over recent decades makes one thing clear – the scarcest and most iconic examples from the pioneering 1950s Sportflics issues have arguably the highest historical ceiling for future appreciation potential in the hands of savvy long-term speculators. With small numbers surviving in top condition relative to production from almost 65 years ago, the market may continue reassessing their relative rarity and significance for decades to come.
While short-term market fluctuations are inevitable, top graded examples of influential early Sportflics like the 1958s and key rookies could appreciate substantially higher over the next 10-20 years as inflation continues and larger numbers of previous generation collectors look to complete their vintage sets. With skilled grading also helping validate condition, Sportflics offer arguably unparalleled historical value relative to original cost for surviving examples of this pioneering early sports card brand.
While their short lifespan and limited production deterred broad popularity compared to competitors like Topps, surviving high quality Sportflics cards have developed impressive value in recent decades driven by their innovative early color photography and scarcity levels. For discerning vintage card collectors and long-term speculators, top-condition early Sportflics from their pioneering late 1950s/early 60s runs remain uniquely compelling opportunities.
