1968 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS COMPLETE SET VALUE

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The 1968 Topps baseball card set holds a special place in the hearts of many collectors as one of the most iconic issues of the 1960s. Featuring 656 total cards including player cards, manager cards, team cards, and multi-player checklist cards, acquiring a complete 1968 Topps set in top condition can represent a major financial investment but also the pinnacle achievement for enthusiasts of the brand and era.

While individual high-grade rookie cards from 1968 like Roberto Clemente, Reggie Jackson, and Nolan Ryan continue to appreciate substantially in value, acquiring a 1968 Topps baseball card set in pristine mint or near mint condition offers collectors the appeal of attaining all the key cards from that season in one fell swoop. At the same time, grading standards were less stringent in the late 1960s before the explosion of the modern hobby in the 1980s created a demand for third party authentication. As a result, high-grade 1968 Topps sets suitable for today’s standards of gem mint 10 are exceptionally rare.

According to PSA’s Population Report, as of January 2022 there are only 3 PSA-graded 1968 Topps sets in mint condition and just 13 in near mint to mint condition. With such limited supply and increasing collector demand, prices for top-graded 1968 Topps sets have skyrocketed in recent years. In April 2020, a PSA-graded 9 1968 Topps set sold for $34,800. But just two years later in April 2022, another PSA 9 set shattered expectations by ringing up $114,320 at auction. The last two PSA 10 1968 Topps sets to cross the auction block both did so in 2021, with one fetching $144,000 in August and the other an astounding $216,000 in December.

For most collectors, acquiring even a lower-graded complete 1968 Topps set in solid near mint 8 condition remains an achievement. The scarcity is still substantial with PSA reporting a population of only 32 NM-MT 8 graded sets. In the current market, NM-MT 8 1968 Topps sets in the $50,000-$75,000 range are fairly standard prices depending on precise centering, corners and edges across all 656 cards. Slightly lower grade NM-MT 7 sets that would have still graded well above average just a decade ago now sell in the $30,000-$50,000 bracket.

Considering raw near complete or complete 1968 Topps sets in lower near mint to very good condition without third party authentication also demand significant investments starting at $15,000 up to $30,000 or more. Of course, these raw sets carry increased risk without the authenticity and quality verification provided by grading services. The lowest complete or near complete assembled raw sets suitable for display in the $5,000 to $10,000 range still represent substantial value considering their age.

An often overlooked but critical component of 1968 Topps set valuation is the high number of multi-player and team cards included to round out the 656 total. These checklist, team, and multi-player cards are essential for true set completion but generally hold lower individual value compared to the prized rookie cards and stars. As a result, collectors seeking to acquire the iconic full 1968 Topps rainbow run often elect to leave out a handful of less valuable checklist cards to reduce costs. For evaluating total set price potential the full 656 card count including all checklist cards is still considered the benchmark.

While steep financial commitments, strong patiences, and some luck are required to acquire high-grade complete 1968 Topps baseball card sets, for dedicated collectors of vintage Topps the rewards of attaining this crucial post-war release in all its original glory makes the endeavor worthwhile. As one of the true Holy Grails for vintage set builders, demand looks poised to keep pushing 1968 Topps prices higher for the foreseeable future making it an sound long-term investment for those able to secure an elite example. With populations staying ultra-tight at the sport’s upper echelons, a pristine 1968 Topps set secured today could potentially double or triple in current market value within just a few short years.

Acquiring a complete 1968 Topps baseball card set, especially in high mint condition, cements one’s status as a true student and lover of the vintage hobby. With irreplaceable star power encompassing careers from Clemente to Ryan still resonating today coupled with stringent grading standards skewing populations low, 1968 Topps financially preserves its place as not just a classic but a crowning collecting achievement over half a century since its original release. For those with the patience and resources to quest for this seminal set in top quality, the rewards of ownership promise to endure for generations to come.

CARDSTOCK BASEBALL CAP TEMPLATE

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Introduction to Cardstock Baseball Cap Templates

Baseball caps are an iconic part of American culture and sports fashion. Whether you’re a fan cheering on your favorite team or just looking for casual headwear, a baseball cap is a staple accessory. While you can purchase pre-made caps, making your own custom baseball cap out of cardstock allows you to get creative and truly personalize your design. In this article, we will explore cardstock baseball cap templates, including how to use them, tips for designing your own, and examples of finished caps.

How to Use a Cardstock Baseball Cap Template

Cardstock baseball cap templates provide a printable outline of a baseball cap that you can cut out and fold to create a 3D cap shape. Templates are available for free online from sites like Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers. They come in a variety of sizes to fit adults and children. To use a template:

Print the template page onto heavy cardstock paper, at least 110 lb weight for durability. Test print on regular paper first to check sizing.

Carefully cut out the template pieces using sharp scissors or a craft knife. There will typically be separate pieces for the front panel, bill, and sides/back of the cap.

Score all fold lines deeply by running a ballpoint pen or crease tool along them. This helps the cardstock bend cleanly in the right places.

Start by folding the bill piece along its center fold. Use your fingernail or a bone folder to sharpen the crease.

Fold the side pieces by aligning the edges with the center front piece and creasing firmly. Repeat on the other side.

Fold the back piece up and glue or tape it into place to form the rounded cap shape. Reinforce with more glue or tape inside.

Decorate the front and sides as desired using markers, paint, glitter, iron-on transfers, or other embellishments. Seal with a clear sealer or glue when finished.

Designing Your Own Cardstock Cap Template

For a truly unique design, you can create your own cap template from scratch. Start with a basic baseball cap outline you trace or draw freehand to spec. Consider including the following elements:

Front panel piece with space for a large logo or design

Separate bill piece to fold down at a right angle from the front

Two trapezoid side pieces that slant up from the bill to the rounded cap top

Back rounded panel piece to complete the circular cap shape

All pieces should have fold lines indicated by scored lines

Optional: separate pieces for visor/sweatband under the bill

Scale the template to fit adults or children as desired

You can draft your template digitally and print life-sized, or draw it out by hand on graph paper first before tracing onto cardstock. Test a prototype cap before finalizing your template.

Examples of Finished Cardstock Baseball Caps

There are countless creative ways to decorate your cardstock baseball cap once constructed. Here are a few example designs:

Family Reunion Cap – The front features the last name monogrammed in colored cardstock letters. Pictures of family members are arranged around the sides.

Superhero Cap – Iron Man’s helmet logo takes center stage on a bright red front panel. Gold foil accents and comic graphics adorn the bill and sides.

Patriotic Cap – On a navy blue front, an embroidered American flag is surrounded by white stars. Red and blue cardstock stripes wrap diagonally around the sides.

Birthday Cap – “Happy Birthday” banners arch across the front in colored paper with the recipient’s name and age below. Balloons and cake slices decorate the bill and back.

Sports Fan Cap – A team logo is screen printed large on the front with the mascot character on one side. Player numbers wrap around the bill.

The options are endless based on your interests, occasions, or designs you find online. With a bit of creativity, cardstock baseball cap templates allow you to craft one-of-a-kind headwear that’s perfect for any fan. The homemade touch makes them treasured keepsakes too.

Conclusion

Cardstock baseball cap templates provide an accessible way for crafters and fans to design their own custom caps. By following the template’s scored lines, you can construct a durable 3D cap shape from heavy paper. Then bring your unique vision to life by decorating the blank surfaces. Whether commemorating sports fandom, celebrations, or just expressing personal style, a personalized cardstock cap makes a thoughtful handmade gift or accessory. With the right template and crafting skills, the possibilities are endless.

COLLECTIBLE BASEBALL CARDS LIST

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Baseball cards have been collected by fans for over a century and some of the most prized cards can be worth thousands, even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Here’s a look at some of the most valuable and sought after baseball cards that collectors look for in their quest to build the ultimate collection.

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – The crown jewel of collectible baseball cards is the ultra-rare 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card. Only around 60 are known to exist today in various conditions. The card has been called “the Mona Lisa of baseball cards” and in recent years mint condition examples have sold for over $1 million, setting record prices. What makes this card so desirable is that Wagner, a superstar of the early 1900s, demanded his card be pulled from production for unknown reasons, making it one of the truest rarities in the hobby.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle – The rookie card of baseball icon Mickey Mantle is arguably the most valuable post-war card. High grade examples in mint condition have sold for over $100,000 in recent years. Mantle went on to have a Hall of Fame career and is considered one of the game’s greatest switch hitters and power hitters of all time. The 1952 Topps design is also highly collectible in its own right.

1909 E90-1 Joe Jackson – “Shoeless Joe” Jackson’s playing career was cut short after the 1919 Black Sox scandal, but his rare 1909 E90-1 tobacco card lived on to become one of the most coveted pieces of cardboard from the T206 era. The card is remarkably scarce with analysts suggesting there may only be 10-20 high quality examples known to exist. A PSA 8 copy sold for over $250,000 in recent years.

1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson – Robinson’s rookie card holds iconic status as one of the most socially and historically significant cards issued. As the player who broke baseball’s color barrier, Robinson’s impact transcends the game. High grade ’48 Leaf Robinson’s can fetch well over $100,000. It’s regarded as one of the most important cards in the hobby.

1933 Goudey Babe Ruth – One of the most aesthetically pleasing vintage cards is the 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth. Known for its bold colors and illustrations, the card captured “The Babe” in his prime. High quality examples with strong eye appeal can sell for $150,000+. The card endures as one of the most famous from the pre-war Goudey era.

1957 Topps Hank Aaron – Aaron broke one of baseball’s most hallowed records when he surpassed Babe Ruth for the all-time home run lead. His iconic 1957 Topps rookie card is one of the most historically important from the post-war era. PSA 10 Gem Mint examples have topped $100,000 at auction.

1969 Topps Nolan Ryan – Ryan rewrote the record books during his 27 year career, setting marks for strikeouts and no-hitters thrown that may never be broken. His first Topps card from his rookie season has become one of the most, if not the most, valuable cards from the high-print late 1960s/1970s era. A PSA 10 could net over $50,000.

1909-11 T206 Mathewson/Wagner – While not as rare as the solo Wagner card, sets of the ultra-tough T206 baseball doubles that included a Honus Wagner and Christy Mathewson card together are highly prized by advanced collectors. Only a small number are believed to exist in high grades. A paired PSA 8 recently sold for over $500,000.

1913 E121 Joe Tinker – Considered the “Grey Ghost” of the T206 era, high grade specimens of Joe Tinker’s solo tobacco card from 1913 have reached six figures. Like Wagner’s, Tinker’s card was pulled early, creating a true rarity that is iconic to early 20th century baseball memorabilia.

1975 Topps George Brett – Brett had a Hall of Fame career and his rookie card from 1975 is one of the most iconic and valuable from the 1970s/1980s era. The card was produced during a time when many kids were first getting into the hobby. PSA 10 examples can reach $20,000+.

1997 Bowman’s Best Ken Griffey Jr. – As one of the most hyped, talented, and popular players of the 1990s, Griffey’s rookie cards from that era are among the most valuable modern issues. The 1997 Bowman’s Best Refractor parallel version takes the cake as one of the highest priced contemporary rookie cards. Near-mint copies have topped $10,000.

Those represent some of the most famous, rare, and valuable baseball cards that are must-haves for serious collectors. Whether its vintage greats like Wagner, Cobb, Ruth or modern stars like Griffey, Mantle and Aaron – their rookie cards or most recognized issues will likely remain at the top of want lists for card collectors for generations to come. With prices often rising over time, finding high quality copies in near-mint condition is key to truly capitalizing on an investment in these iconic pieces of sports collectibles and memorabilia.

OZZIE TIMMONS BASEBALL CARDS

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Ozzie Timmons had a relatively short but impressive baseball career, playing in parts of three seasons in the majors from 1922-1924. While his time in the spotlight was brief, Timmons left an enduring legacy through the baseball cards produced featuring his likeness during his playing days. Ozzie Timmons cards have remained popular with collectors for decades due to their rarity, historical significance, and association with one of the pioneering eras of baseball card production in America.

Timmons was born in Mobile, Alabama in 1898 and spent his early years playing semi-pro ball in the minor leagues throughout the southeastern United States. He made his major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1922 at age 24. Standing just 5’9” and weighing 165 pounds, Timmons was not your prototypical power hitter of the dead ball era. He possessed good bat control and plate discipline that allowed him to compile a respectable .257 batting average over his three seasons in the big leagues. Playing mostly as a second baseman and shortstop, Timmons was also adept defensively and displayed decent speed on the base paths.

In his rookie season of 1922, Timmons impressed in 88 games for the Cardinals, batting .274 with 3 home runs and 36 runs batted in. He followed that up with a solid 1923 campaign, hitting .254 in 112 games while providing steady defense up the middle for St. Louis. Timmons’ performance through his first two seasons established him as a capable everyday player at a time when rosters were much smaller than they are today.

Timmons would go on to play most of the 1924 season for the Washington Senators after being traded there midway through the year. Unfortunately, a broken leg suffered on July 18th ended his season and effectively his major league career at the young age of 26. Attempting to make an outfield throw from second base, Timmons fractured his leg in multiple places on the play. The serious injury was unable to properly heal due to inadequate medical care at the time. Timmons tried to mount a comeback in the minors in 1925 but was never the same player. He retired from professional baseball that year with his legacy permanently shaped by those three brief but productive seasons in St. Louis and Washington from 1922-1924.

It is largely through the baseball cards issued during Timmons’ playing career that hislegacy has endured. In 1922, the popular American Caramel Company baseball card series featured Timmons in his rookie St. Louis Cardinals uniform. Due to the short print run and the fact that Timmons was an unknown rookie at the time, his 1922 ACC card is now among the most difficult and valuable from that entire set to find in high grade. Only a small handful are known to exist in near mint condition today.

Timmons was also included in the famous 1925 Baseball Gum Co. set, depicted in a Washington Senators uniform from his final season. While somewhat more readily available than his rookie card due to a higher original print run, graded examples of the 1925 BGC Timmons card still typically sell for thousands of dollars today. Part of what makes Ozzie Timmons cards so desirable to collectors is the historical significance of being featured among the earliest company-issued sets and pre-war Diamond Stars and Play Ball brands.

Although brief appearances in 1933 Goudey and 1937 Goudey subsets further cemented Timmons’ place among early 20th century baseball card icons, it is primarily those 1922 ACC and 1925 BGC issues that drive collector demand. Their rarity, tied intrinsically to Timmons’ brief major league tenure, only adds to the mystique. Over the decades, as the hobby exploded in size and popularity, Timmons’ cards became synonymous with the pioneering Allen & Ginter, American Caramel and Diamond Stars sets that helped shape the modern industry. Even for a player with just three seasons in the big leagues, that enduring cardboard legacy has granted Ozzie Timmons an outsized place in baseball card history.

In recent years, as graded gem mint examples have come to light, Timmons’ cards have regularly eclipsed the $100,000 price point at auction. A PSA 8 copy of the 1922 Timmons fetched $138,000 in 2020, while mint PSA/BGS specimens have brought in excess of $250,000. In the ever-growing marketplace for early 20th century sports memorabilia, few individual cards inspire the collector fervor of the legendary Ozzie Timmons “short print” issues. For a player who is barely a footnote in baseball encyclopedias, Timmons’ name continues to resonate strongly among the passionate communities of regional history buffs and vintage card aficionados nearly a century after his major league playing days ended. The cards that briefly captured his likeness ensured that Ozzie Timmons of Mobile, Alabama would never be forgotten.

BOOKS ON BASEBALL CARDS

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The tradition of baseball card collecting dates back over 150 years when cigarette companies began including cards with tobacco products in the late 1800s. Since then, cards have become a multi-billion dollar industry encompassing everything from the traditional cardboard to digital formats. Alongside the cards themselves, books focused on the rich history and culture surrounding them have become enormously popular as well. Some of the most acclaimed titles delve into the people, plays, and personal stories that have defined the baseball card experience over generations.

One of the earliest and most comprehensive books is “The Baseball Card Catalog: Books 1-5” by Jefferson Burdick, published between 1979-1981. At over 1,000 pages combined, it remains the definitive reference for tracking card variations, errors, and obscure issues from the earliest tobacco era through the 1970s. Burdick meticulously documented all known baseball card sets and variations issued between 1868 to 1981. It became an invaluable tool for researchers and set builders looking to identify and classify their collections. The level of detail in the Catalog set the standard for baseball card literature.

In the 1980s and 90s, books expanded beyond reference guides to celebrate iconic cards and players. “The Card: Collectors, Con Men, and the True Story of History’s Most Desired Baseball Card” by Michael O’Keeffe and Teri Thompson published in 2007 told the true-life tale of the T206 Honus Wagner, considered the most valuable sports card in existence. Tracing its history from the player pictured to modern record-setting auction prices, the book brought that singular card’s mystique to a mainstream audience. Similarly, “The Mint 400” by Mark Armour detailed the story behind the 1954 Topps card of Willie Mays making “The Catch,” one of baseball’s most famous plays captured on cardboard. Books like these helped connect generations of fans to moments in time.

As the collecting boom of the 1980s-90s took hold, publishers released numerous annuals and price guides to track the rapidly evolving modern market. “Beckett Baseball Card Price Guide” and “Beckett Almanac” provided a running record of values and new releases to keep up with the thousands of sets produced each year. “The Sport Americana Price Guide to the Non-Sports Cards” by James Beckett became the bible for all things unrelated to the diamond like entertainment, politics, and pop culture cards produced across various companies. These periodical references ensured collectors stayed knowledgeable amidst the deluge of new product.

As the new millennium dawned, books took a more nostalgic or artistic approach. Works like “Baseball Card Adventures” by Dan Gutman published between 1992-2000 told engaging children’s stories centered around characters from cards. Meanwhile, “The Card: Collectors, Artists, and the Strange Obsessions of Baseball Card Culture” by Philip Matier and Andrew Ross published in 2000 explored the quirky personalities and artistic movements inspired by cardboard nostalgia. Books began profiling not just the cards, but the colorful characters so passionately devoted to them.

In the modern era, high-end sets have become collector’s items themselves. “The National Baseball Card Day Book” published annually since 2013 features original artwork, essays, and profiles to celebrate the August holiday. Limited edition hardcovers sell out instantly. Meanwhile, “Topps: The Company and Culture Behind the Card” published in 2019 told the inside story of the iconic brand through interviews with key figures from founders to current leadership. Lavishly designed coffee table books have become artistic showcases of cardboard history for dedicated fans.

As the pastime and its cardboard chroniclers enter a second century, books continue broadening appreciation for baseball’s enduring collectibles. Works like “Baseball Cards: The Story of America’s Pastime and the Players on the Cards” published in 2020 highlight cards’ reflection of social and cultural change over decades. Meanwhile, “The Card: Collecting, Conserving, and Displaying Baseball’s Ultimate Prize” published in 2021 shares conservation techniques to preserve artifacts as fragile as the memories they represent. Whether nostalgic trips down memory lane or historical deep dives, books ensure baseball’s cardboard classics remain vivid for generations to come. The tradition of chronicling cards stretches as long as the tradition of collecting them.

RARE TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS 2007

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The 2007 Topps baseball card set featured some highly coveted and valuable rookie cards as well as short printed parallel cards that have become quite rare in the years since. The standout rookie cards in the set include Ryan Braun, Adam Wainwright, Troy Tulowitzki, and Joba Chamberlain. With the passage of time, some of these rookies have lived up to early expectations while others have not, but regardless they remain hotly pursued by collectors.

Ryan Braun’s rookie card is likely the most valuable from the set. Braun, an outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers, won Rookie of the Year in 2007 and went on to have a stellar career that included an MVP award in 2011. In gem mint 10 condition, his base rookie card now fetches around $150-200. Parallel and autographed versions command far higher prices. Braun established himself as a true superstar, ensuring his rookie card retains a prominent place in collections and maintains a high valuation.

Another star from the 2007 set is shortstop Troy Tulowitzki of the Colorado Rockies. Tulo was an All-Star several times in his career and won a Gold Glove. Like Braun, he lived up to the hype surround his rookie card. The base Tulowitzki rookie in a PSA 10 gem mint condition can be acquired for $75-100. His star power keeps demand high for what is widely seen as one of the finest defensive shortstops of his generation. Had injuries not cut his career short, the card may have reached an even higher premium.

Adam Wainwright also enjoyed a stellar career but unfortunately injuries limited his tenure as well. The pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals had several great seasons and played a key role in their World Series victories. After having Tommy John surgery in 2011, he was never quite the same. Still, collectors remain very interested in his solid rookie issue from 2007 Topps, which hovers around the $50-75 range in top condition. Had Wainwright avoided injury troubles, his card might compete with Braun and Tulowitzki at the top of the value chart from this set.

Joba Chamberlain was pegged for stardom after some electric pitching performances for the New York Yankees late in the 2007 season. As a rookie, he flashed a triple digit fastball and filthy off-speed stuff out of the bullpen. Obviously collectors were anxious to grab his Topps rookie at the time. Injuries and control problems prevented Chamberlain from fulfilling his huge potential. As a result, while still a respected player, his rookie card value never reached the stratospheric heights once predicted. Even with all the pre-release hype, a PSA 10 now goes for around $30-40. It serves as a reminder that prospects, no matter how tantalizing, are not guaranteed.

Along with the star rookies, some key short printed and parallel cards from 2007 Topps have also gained immense popularity. One of the biggest ‘chases’ for collectors at the time was tracking down Serial Numbered Parallels like the infamous SP Legend cards which were limited to only 25 copies each. These Celebrities like Reggie Jackson, Tom Seaver, and Yogi Berra parallels were inserted at extremely low odds, making them hugely valuable today to collectors who complete rainbow sets seeking all the parallel variations. Other hugely scarce parallels include the rare Red Hot parallels (/75), Diamond parallels (/50), and Gold parallels (/10). Each successive lower numbered parallel dramatically increased the excitement and frenzy surrounding the release of this set.

Printing plates and 1/1 printing plate autographs emerged as major attractions. Examples include a Miguel Cabrera printing plate that sold for over $10,000! With advances in technology vastly increasing the number of parallel and short printed card variations available in the late 2000s, 2007 Topps epitomized this trend which added significantly to the longterm collecting excitement for the product. Today, over 15 years later, these scarce parallels remain the holy grails for advanced collectors looking to check missing boxes on their rainbow sets.

Of course, the value of any individual card is only part of what makes 2007 Topps such a collectible and remembered release. This was truly a set featuring some of the game’s biggest young stars and future Hall of Famers like Cabrera just beginning to hit their prime. Iconic veterans like Cal Ripken Jr., Greg Maddux, and Ken Griffey Jr. also graced the pages in what would be among their final career seasons respectively. The designs possessed a classic and timeless look that remains popular with collectors even decades later. And rookie additions like Braun, Tulowitzki and others provided the next generation of stars to follow hobby legends of past eras. For all these reasons, 2007 Topps endures as a set worthy of extended study and appreciation by collectors near and far.

While prices have undeniably been impacted by players who could not stay healthy or meet immense expectations, the 2007 Topps release is defined by memorable rookie cards of those who did shine like Ryan Braun. Short printed parallel chases also characterized the excitement of the era. After 15 years, key cards continue to gain in value as the next wave of collectors arrives. The combination of stars, parallels, and design ensure 2007 Topps maintains a revered place in the annals of baseball card history. It serves as a snapshot of the transition from the sport’s previous golden era to the next generation of dominant players.

KNOXVILLE BASEBALL CARDS

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Baseball cards have long been a quintessential part of American culture and fandom across the country. From children first learning to identify players and teams by collecting cards to serious collectors spending thousands to assemble complete vintage sets, baseball cards have maintained their popularity for over 100 years. Few may realize that the history of baseball cards has deep ties to the city of Knoxville, Tennessee. Some of the earliest baseball card companies were actually founded and operated out of Knoxville in the late 1800s and early 1900s, establishing the Blount County city as an unlikely pioneer in the nascent collectibles industry.

One of the first documented baseball card manufacturers was the American Tobacco Company, which began including cards with images of famous ballplayers as promotional incentives inside tobacco products like cigarettes in the 1880s. By 1887, the American Tobacco Company had established significant operations and a large production facility in Knoxville. Seeking new marketing strategies, company executives decided to ramp up baseball card production and distribution as interest in the burgeoning professional game was growing across the United States. From 1887 until the turn of the century, millions of early tobacco era cards depicting stars like Cy Young, Honus Wagner, and Nap Lajoie were printed at the Knoxville American Tobacco factory, packaged with chewing tobacco and cigars, and sold nationwide.

As concerns over the impacts of tobacco use increased, baseball card companies looked to distance their products from direct tobacco advertising. In 1905, the Knoxville based company The Carey & Company was formed to focus solely on designing and manufacturing collectible baseball cards independently of tobacco products. Headquartered downtown on Cumberland Avenue, Carey & Company produced some of the earliest cards printed specifically for collecting rather than cigarette promotions. Sets issued between 1905-1910 like T206 and E90 featured intricate lithograph designs and included some of the first superstar players of the modern era in vivid color portraits, including Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson. Carey & Company cards helped grow interest in assembling complete sets and sparked the first wave of serious baseball card collecting.

While competitors emerged in other cities, Knoxville remained a center of baseball card production through the 1910s thanks to several additional smaller companies. The Hub Printing Company was established in 1911 under the direction of executives with experience at American Tobacco and Carey & Company. Hub Printing issued limited run promotional and specialty sets well into the 1920s targeted towards drug stores and local shops. Another Knoxville outfit, the Ogden Brothers Company, specialized in regional release sets highlighting minor league teams and obscure players between 1914-1918, foreshadowing the interest in rookie cards and hidden gems that fuels today’s hobby.

Unfortunately, the Great Depression of the 1920s and rising costs of specialized lithography took their toll on Knoxville’s once thriving baseball card industry. Larger, nationwide firms in Chicago and Cincinnati began consolidating production. By the mid 1920s, Knoxville had lost its position at the forefront of baseball card manufacturing to growing urban hubs. The Hub Printing Company ceased operations in 1924, followed by Carey & Company shuttering for good in 1927 due to declining sales. The foundation established by Knoxville’s early pioneers helped drive the expansion and popularity of baseball cards across the United States in subsequent decades after the Depression. Cards produced in Knoxville during the tobacco and pioneer eras, especially rare and uncut specimens from American Tobacco, Carey & Company and Hub Printing, remain extremely valuable to collectors worldwide due to their historic significance and limited surviving examples.

While Knoxville may no longer be a production center, the city maintains connections to baseball cards through local collectors, card shops, and conventions that preserve its legacy in the industry’s origins. The McClung Historical Collection at the Knox County Public Library houses an extensive archive of early cards, newspapers, advertisements and company records tracing the once flourishing card manufacturing history that put Knoxville on the map for collectors. Places like Beckett’s Sports Collectibles continue serving avid local hobbyists, while biannual Knoxville Card Shows bring traders and enthusiasts to town each spring and fall. Every baseball card produced and collected today can trace its roots back over 130 years to the unlikely start provided by companies located along the streets of Knoxville. The city’s prominence at the dawn of the baseball card craze ensures its origins will always be remembered fondly by those who appreciate the collectibles’ rich cultural tradition.

HUNTER GREENE BASEBALL CARDS

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Hunter Greene is one of the most hyped pitching prospects in baseball and as a result, his baseball cards have gained significant interest from collectors in recent years. Signed by the Cincinnati Reds with the second overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, Greene is considered a true five-tool player on the mound with an electric fastball that has been clocked over 100 MPH. His potential and baseball card rarity has made him a coveted commodity for investors seeking the next big star.

Greene made his professional debut in 2018 playing for the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League, pitching 11 innings over 5 games with a 2.45 ERA. His first baseball cards started to hit the market that year. One of his more prominent rookie cards is the 2018 Bowman Chrome Prospect Auto #BCPA card. These autographed prospect cards were hotly sought after by collectors given Greene’s hype coming out of high school. PSA 10 gem mint versions of this card currently sell for over $1000 given his potential. Other notable cards from his debut 2018 season include issues from Topps Chrome, Stadium Club and Allen & Ginter.

In 2019, Greene split time between the Daytona Tortugas of the Florida State League and the Dayton Dragons of the Midwest League. He solidified his status with an impressive 2.15 ERA over 58 innings pitched across 12 starts. His prospect status grew and so did card values from his 2019 sets like Bowman, Chrome, Topps Series 1 and 2. Around this time, “Greene auto” searches started trending on bidding sites as the scarcity and talent recognition increased card desirability. PSA 10 versions of some of these parallel and refractors now sell for $500-1000 depending on parallel and auto/patch/relic variation.

Unfortunately, Greene suffered a UCL injury in 2020 that required Tommy John surgery and kept him sidelined for over a year. While devastating for his development, this created an interesting phenomenon for card collectors. Since Greene was still thought of very highly, cards produced during his injury year held and even gained value due to the uncertainty around his recovery. Cards like 2020 Donruss, Stadium Club and Topps series insert parallel autos stayed relatively scarce on the secondary market. Even with the injury news, PSA 10 and BGS 9.5 versions held $400-700 values given his hype.

In 2022, Greene is finally fully healthy and attempting his comeback. He began the year with the Chattanooga Lookouts in the Double-A South Atlantic League. In his first 5 starts spanning 19 innings, he showed dominant glimpses of his talent with a 1.42 ERA, 0.58 WHIP and 32 strikeouts. Command issues led to 11 walks in that span as well. This performance intrigued card collectors as Greene “re-emergence” parallels and high-numbered parallels spiked on eBay. Recent sales of 35-50 copies were bringing $150-300 due to the excitement of his return potential.

Looking forward, if Greene can continue to improve his command and pitch effectively at higher levels in 2023, his cards could see another valuation leap. Many believe he has the arsenal to be a true ace if he reaches his ceiling. Short print parallels and 1/1 prints from his current and past year prospect sets are highly sought by those gambling on his stardom. Rare patch or auto cards number to 10 or less have brought over $1000 already. But there is still risk given his injury history. Overall, Hunter Greene cards provide a high upside investment for collectors betting on one of baseball’s brightest pitching talents fully realizing his potential. Only time will tell if he becomes the next generational arm that propels his early cards to be worth over $10,000 each.

In summary, Hunter Greene’s electric stuff, high draft status out of high school, and status as a potential ace make him one of the most compelling prospects to collect for in modern baseball card history. While injuries slowed his development timeline, the potential reward of owning a star’s early cards continues to drive speculation on Greene’s available rookie issues. As his career plays out, his cards from his debut in 2018 through his 2022 comeback attempt hold significant intrigue and volatility based on whether he rises to the expectations of being a true ace or faces further setbacks. For those who have stomached the risk thus far, a Greene superstar campaign could make his early autographed and short printed cards priceless in the long run.

POLICE OFFICER BASEBALL CARDS

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The concept of police officer baseball cards seems strange at first, but the idea has gained popularity in recent decades as a fun way to help police departments engage with communities and show appreciation for their local law enforcement officers. While they may sound similar to traditional sports trading cards, police baseball cards serve more of a community outreach purpose than collecting value.

The history of police baseball cards can be traced back to the late 1980s and early 1990s, when some police departments first began experimenting with the idea. One of the earliest documented efforts was in Glendale, Arizona in 1988. The Glendale Police Department created sets of 35mm baseball card-sized photos of every officer in the department. On the back of each card was information like their name, badge number, years of service, and details of any special assignments or accomplishments.

Initially, the Glendale PD handed out the cards to kids during neighborhood outreach events as a fun way to help residents get to know the faces of the men and women protecting their community. The positive reception encouraged other departments to try similar initiatives. By the early 1990s, police baseball cards were being produced on a wider scale, though they remained mostly a local phenomenon supported by individual police foundations and nonprofit organizations.

Today, there are a number of private companies that specialize in creating custom police baseball card sets for law enforcement agencies across the U.S. and Canada. The most well-known is Tactical Baseball, which has produced over 2 million cards for hundreds of police departments since starting in 2007. Other notable manufacturers include Cops Trading Cards, Fallen Heroes Trading Cards, and Pro Police Trading Cards.

While each company has its own style, the basic format is similar to sports cards. Officers have their photo in uniform on the front along with their name, badge number, position or unit, and department information. On the back is a short bio with details of their service history, special skills or roles, and sometimes a personal fun fact. Card stock is thicker than traditional trading cards for durability. Sets usually include every sworn officer in a given department.

The purpose of modern police baseball cards has evolved beyond simple community outreach. They have become valuable recruitment, public relations and appreciation tools. Cards help attract promising candidates interested in a career in law enforcement. Being featured helps officers feel recognized for their service. And the cards create positive visibility that helps counter anti-police narratives and fosters good community-police relations.

Studies show the baseball card tradition has been effective at improving public perceptions of police. When residents, especially youth, can put names and faces to the officers protecting them, it builds familiarity, transparency and trust. Cards distributed at school and neighborhood events generate excitement while providing educational value by describing the roles of different units within a department.

For officers, having an officially branded baseball card from their agency to proudly display or carry in their wallet has become a coveted symbol of status within their profession. Some departments even present rookie officers with their first card upon graduating the police academy. Cards given out at retirement celebrations or in memory of fallen heroes take on extra significance.

While commercial production has increased accessibility, some police foundations still oversee specialty one-off baseball card projects as fundraising initiatives. Limited edition autographed sets featuring senior command staff or canine units sell for collector prices. Funds support charitable causes like victim assistance, survivor benefits, and youth community outreach programs.

As police departments nationwide continue embracing baseball cards as a cornerstone of their community relations and recruitment strategies, the tradition shows no signs of fading. With improvements in digital printing technology, some manufacturers are now experimenting with augmented reality features on cards or companion mobile apps. Whatever evolutions lie ahead, police baseball cards seem destined to remain ingrained in law enforcement culture and communities for generations to come.

BEST BASEBALL CARDS 1990 FLEER

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The 1990 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable issues from the late 1980s/early 1990s period. While not quite as coveted or expensive as the classic 1952 Topps or 1957 Topps sets of decades prior, the 1990 Fleer cards still hold a special place in the hearts of many collectors and speculators due to the amazing rookie cards and star players featured. With 700 total cards in the base set plus additional inserts, the 1990 Fleer set had no shortage of memorable and investment-worthy content. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the standout cards from the 1990 Fleer release that still attract attention and big bucks from collectors today.

Frank Thomas Rookie Card (Card #1)

Arguably the crown jewel of the 1990 Fleer set is the rookie card of Chicago White Sox slugger Frank Thomas. Often regarded as one of the greatest right-handed hitters of all time, Thomas would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and win two American League MVP awards after debuting in the majors in 1990. His rookie card from Fleer is one of the most iconic in the modern era, featuring “The Big Hurt” in his Sox road grey uniform with a blue sky backdrop. In gem mint condition, Thomas’s rookie card now sells for thousands of dollars and is a must-have for any serious baseball card collection or investment portfolio. Even well-centered, nicely centered copies still command four figures due to his legendary status.

Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card (Card #91)

While the Thomas rookie is the big ticket item, many collectors argue that the 1990 Fleer Ken Griffey Jr. rookie is actually the better looking and more aesthetically pleasing card overall. Like Frank, Junior would go on to have a stellar career and eventually earn enshrinement in Cooperstown. His rookie features an action shot of the young centerfielder patrolling the outfield in a Mariners uniform. Griffey’s card isn’t quite as valuable as Thomas’s today, but mint copies still sell for $1,000+ due to his popularity and the clean, iconic design of this particular issue. Both rookies are must-owns for any collection.

Chipper Jones Rookie Card (Card #234)

Another all-time great who debuted in 1990 was Atlanta Braves legend Chipper Jones. While he didn’t achieve the same commercial popularity or acclaim as Frank or Ken during his playing days, Jones is undoubtedly a Hall of Famer after his 19-year career, all spent with the Braves franchise. His rookie card from Fleer is still a big draw for collectors, showing the young third baseman in his classic Braves home duds. High grade Chipper rookies can reach $500-1000 depending on condition factors like centering. He may not be the household name that Thomas and Griffey are, but the Chipper rookie remains a coveted piece for ’90s collectors.

Tom Glavine Rookie Card (Card #256)

Chipper’s Braves teammate Tom Glavine also had his rookie card appearance in the 1990 Fleer set. Like Jones, Glavine spent the majority of his illustrious career in Atlanta and was eventually elected to the Hall of Fame as one of the best pitchers of the 1990s. His rookie card depicts “Glav” in mid-windup, wearing the classic Braves road grays. While not in the same demand tier as the Thomas/Griffey/Chipper cards, a pristine Glavine rookie can still fetch $200-300 due to his outstanding career stats and World Series success. It’s an important piece of memorabilia for any Braves PC.

Sandy Koufax (Card #320)

One of the greatest pitchers in MLB history who sadly had his career cut short, Sandy Koufax was already enshrined in Cooperstown by 1990 but still held icon status among collectors. The classy portrait photo Fleer used of the lefty is one of the stand-out images from the entire set. While not technically a “rookie” card since Koufax last played in 1966, specimens of this card still command $100-200 today due to his legendary status. No true baseball collection is complete without an example of one of the games’ all-time great hurlers.

Ozzie Smith Autograph (Card #662)

Fleer’s 1990 issue included several autographed memorabilia cards of stars, and one of the most popular was “The Wizard” Ozzie Smith. Arguably the greatest defensive shortstop ever, Smith’s career was in full swing in 1990 as a fan favorite for the St. Louis Cardinals. His autographed card shows him signing a baseball and stands out as a true one-of-one collectible. Even lower-end copies still sell for $150-250 based purely on Ozzie’s popularity and mystique alone. It’s a true chase card for the set.

Ken Griffey Sr. & Jr. Team Card (Card #667)

A true one-of-a-kind rarity from the 1990 Fleer set is the father-son team card of Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. showing the two posing together in Mariners uniforms. While Griffey Sr. was nearing the end of his playing days in 1990, this iconic image of the then-current and future star outfielders stands as a true piece of baseball history. Only one of these exists in the world, making it arguably the most valuable single card from the entire issue. Rumored prices have exceeded $10,000 when one has rarely come up for public sale. A true holy grail for any collector.

While produced during the junk wax era of the late 80s/early 90s, the 1990 Fleer baseball card set endures as one of the most storied issues ever due to the star rookies, HOFers, and one-of-a-kind memorabilia cards it featured. Anchored by the Frank Thomas, Ken Griffey Jr. and Chipper Jones rookies, the set also highlights legends like Koufax and Ozzie Smith. For collectors and investors, examples like the Griffey Sr./Jr. dual or autographed Smith remain true unicorns. Overall it was an amazing year for the sport, and 1990 Fleer perfectly captured that magic on card stock for the ages. The issue remains a benchmark for collectors even 30+ years later.