ALLEN AND GINTER NON BASEBALL CARDS

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Allen & Ginter was an American tobacco company that produced cigarettes and other tobacco products in the late 19th century. While they are best known for their pioneering baseball card sets issued from 1886-1887, Allen & Ginter also produced a series of unique and collectible non-sports card sets inserted in their cigarette packs and other tobacco products between 1885-1889. These early trading cards featured portraits of famous and notable individuals from various fields such as arts, sciences, exploration and industry.

Allen & Ginter saw trading cards as a novel way of advertising their products and enticing consumers. Their innovative card inserts helped popularize the concept of including premiums and prizes inside cigarette packs. While baseball cards were their most famous and valuable series, Allen & Ginter’s non-sports cards hold historical and cultural significance as some of the earliest mass-produced trading cards in America. They provide a fascinating glimpse into the notable figures and subjects that captured public interest in the Gilded Age.

One of the earliest and most elaborate Allen & Ginter card sets was their 1885 “Portraits of American Indians” series. This set featured 54 lithographed cards showing Native Americans from different tribes, many in full headdress and traditional attire. The cards aimed to depict the various indigenous peoples of North America in an ethnographic style. While produced during a time of westward expansion and declining Native American populations, the cards represented one of the earliest mainstream exposures of Native American culture to the American public. Many of the individuals depicted in the set such as Chiefs Joseph, Rain-in-the-Face and Red Cloud became iconic figures in the history of American Indian relations.

In 1886, Allen & Ginter issued their “Great Americans” series featuring 50 cards profiling prominent historical figures from the early foundations of America. Portraits included George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison and other Founding Fathers. The series also featured likenesses of authors, inventors, soldiers and statesmen who helped shape the young American nation such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Samuel Morse, Ulysses S. Grant and John Marshall. The cards aimed to instill patriotism and educate the public about individuals integral to American history and identity. Many of the portraits were based on period paintings and engravings to authentically capture the likenesses of these notable figures.

Another fascinating series released in 1886 was Allen & Ginter’s “Views of Great Britain” cards. This set included 50 lithographic cards depicting various landmarks, structures, monuments and scenes from across England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Locations featured included Windsor Castle, Edinburgh Castle, the Giant’s Causeway, the Cliffs of Moher and other iconic sites that represented British culture, history and natural beauty. The cards provided American consumers a pictorial tour of the British Isles during a period of trans-Atlantic cultural exchange and tourism between the two English-speaking nations. They helped foster an interest in British places and architecture among the American public.

In 1887, Allen & Ginter released three additional non-sports card sets including “Portraits of Beautiful Women”, “Views of American Progress” and “Rough Riders, Indian Fighters and Frontier Scouts”. The “Portraits of Beautiful Women” series featured 50 lithographed cards depicting famous actresses and other notable women from the worlds of art, literature and society such as Lillie Langtry, Sarah Bernhardt and Queen Victoria. Meanwhile, the “Views of American Progress” set highlighted 50 scenes of industrialization, transportation and infrastructure projects through lithographed images of factories, railroads, bridges and other symbols of America’s rapid modernization in the late 19th century. Lastly, the “Rough Riders, Indian Fighters and Frontier Scouts” series portrayed 50 lithographed portraits of American frontiersmen, explorers, military figures and adventurers who helped shape the western expansion of the United States through their exploits and encounters with Native Americans.

In addition to their elaborate card sets, Allen & Ginter also produced smaller series profiling notable individuals in fields like art, exploration, science and industry. Examples include their 1886 “Eminent Painters and Sculptors” series featuring 12 lithographed cards of artists like Raphael, Michelangelo and Rembrandt. They also issued an 1886 “Explorers and Travelers” set with 12 cards depicting figures such as Amerigo Vespucci, Christopher Columbus and Ferdinand Magellan. An 1886 “Men of Science” set highlighted 12 portraits of inventors, physicians and thinkers like Benjamin Franklin, Louis Pasteur and Michael Faraday.

While production of Allen & Ginter cards ceased after 1889 when the company was acquired by British American Tobacco, their innovative non-sports card sets from the 1880s had a profound and lasting impact. They helped establish trading cards as an integral part of the tobacco product experience and a novel form of advertising. Allen & Ginter’s ornate cards also did much to familiarize the American public with notable individuals from history, arts, sciences and other fields while fostering interests in other cultures through their pictorial series. Even over 130 years later, their unique cards remain a fascinating primary source of visual information on notable figures and subjects from the Gilded Age era. For scholars and collectors alike, Allen & Ginter’s pioneering non-baseball cards continue to provide a compelling window into American popular culture and interests during the late 19th century.

TOPPS BIG BASEBALL CARDS 1989

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The 1989 Topps Big Baseball card set was one of the most unique and collectible baseball card releases of the late 1980s. Following the success of their oversized football cards known as Bigs in 1987 and 1988, Topps debuted their first ever large-sized baseball card set in 1989 that featured super-sized 3.5 x 5 inch card dimensions. While most standard baseball card releases at the time were 2.5 x 3.5 inches, the Big format allowed for significantly more visual real estate to showcase eye-catching photography and stats on each card. With only 144 total cards in the set compared to the usual 600+ in Topps’ standard baseball releases, the 1989 Topps Big set achieved instant collector popularity with its limited scope tailored focusing on major league stars and rookies from that season.

Inside each pack of 1989 Topps Big Baseball cards, collectors could find 9 total cards with 1 memorabilia or autographed insert possible per pack as well. The dramatic oversized card stock presented incredible high-resolution action photography in vivid color on each player card. Crisp team logo artwork and team name banners appeared along the top of the visual real estate to frame each image. Player names appeared above in standard white font with black outlines. An ornate banner across the bottom highlighted positions and highlighted statistics from the 1988 season. Turning each card over found more traditional career stats and biographical info across the stiff, high-quality cardboard stock.

Some notable rookie cards featured in the 1989 Topps Big Baseball set included Ken Griffey Jr. of the Seattle Mariners, Gregg Olson of the Baltimore Orioles, Bobby Witt of the Texas Rangers, and Gary Sheffield of the Milwaukee Brewers. Griffey’s iconic rookie smiling in his Mariners’ uniform would become one of the most desired cards in the history of the hobby. Superstars like Oakland Athletics slugger Jose Canseco, New York Mets pitcher Dwight Gooden, and Cincinnati Reds first baseman Tony Perez also had prominent rookie cards as the set highlighted rising young talent as well established veterans. Memorabilia cards in 1989 Topps Big included autographed pieces from Don Mattingly, Cal Ripken Jr., and Ozzie Smith embedded within the card stock.

Continuing a trend they established with football, Topps made their Big Baseball cards a true high-end collector product by limiting print runs. While standard 1989 Topps baseball cards had mainstream distribution at mass retailers, the Big cards were strictly produced in much smaller quantities and distributed solely through approved hobby shops and baseball card specialty stores. Each sealed wax box contained just 12 packs with 9 cards apiece for only 144 total cards. This artificial scarcity helped drive demand and maintain the Big set as a true collectible rather than just everyday trading cards. Even in the late 1980s, unopened boxes regularly resold for well over the original $20 MSRP price paid at the time of release.

The large scale and premium focus of Topps Big cards also resulted in superior quality control compared to mass-produced standard releases. With limited print runs, each card received more careful inspection and survived far less wear and tear from collectors. As a result, nearly pristine Mint and Gem Mint condition examples remain obtainable today of even the most common players, a rarity for 30+ year old cards. The thick, glossy coated stock remains intact without warps or soft corners after decades. Topps Big cards simply uphold their visual appeal much better over time versus typical thinner cardboard that bends and creases more easily in collectors’ hands and binders.

Continued reception and secondary market inflation solidified Topps Big Baseball as one of their premier collector sets of the late 20th century. While some early speculation soured the market by the early 1990s card crash, long-term appreciation has been significant. Key rookie cards like Ken Griffey Jr. routinely bring thousands at auction today while complete sealed wax boxes change hands for well over $1000. For dedicated team and player collectors, the oversized spectacular presentation of Topps Big allows players to truly stand out among their broader collections. Even common veterans take on enhanced visual pop at this larger scale. Now over 30 years later, Topps Big Baseball cards from 1989 remain a true high point in the company’s vast baseball card output and one of the iconic specialized releases that helped develop the modern sports collecting hobby.

1955 BOWMAN BASEBALL CARDS FOR SALE

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1955 Bowman Baseball Cards and Their Value Today

The 1955 Bowman baseball card set was the last true monopoly set issued by the Bowman Gum Company, before Topps took over as the dominant baseball card producer starting in 1956. The 1955 Bowman set is considered by many collectors to be the finest and most iconic vintage baseball card set ever produced. With vibrantly colorful photographs and intuitive graphical design elements, the 1955 Bowman cards continue to intrigue collectors decades after they were first released in wax packs alongside chewing gum. While obtaining a complete set in pristine condition would now require a sizable financial investment, individual 1955 Bowman rookie and star player cards can still be found for sale at a range of price points. Let’s take a closer look at some key details about these highly collectible vintage baseball cards.

The 1955 Bowman set consists of 260 total cards issued in series. The photo on each card has a colorful painted backdrop with a stats table and other graphical elements. Some of the biggest star players featured include Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Ted Williams, and Whitey Ford. Every future Hall of Famer who played in 1955 is represented. The photographs have a glossy, vibrant quality thanks to Bowman’s innovative color process. The condition and centering of 1955 Bowman cards varies widely due to the age of the cardboard stock, but finding cards in superb gem mint (GM) condition is extremely challenging. Top stars and rookie cards tend to command the highest prices.

Perhaps the most desirable and valuable 1955 Bowman cards available for purchase today are the rookie cards of future legends like Sandy Koufax, Roberto Clemente, and Vada Pinson. In pristine GM-MT condition, their rookie cards can sell for thousands of dollars each or more. Koufax’s rookie, for example, has been known to exceed $10,000 when in impeccable condition with sharp corners and image. Hall of Famers like Clemente, whose career and life were tragically cut short, also hold significant collector value. Less heralded but key rookies like Pinson, Don Zimmer, and Bill Virdon can also fetch hundreds when in top shape due to their significance in vintage card history.

Common star veterans of the era like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Warren Spahn, and Eddie Mathews can also be found on the market. While each card is only worth a fraction of a true rookie card, finding high quality examples can still cost a few hundred dollars depending on the player prestige and visual condition. Obtaining a Mantle or Mays in top shape would likely exceed $1,000. Affordably priced examples of these legends in play worn condition are not impossible to find either. With some patience and research, collectors can still acquire iconic 1955 Bowman cards without breaking the bank.

More affordable options for 1955 Bowman buyers are solid common players or backups from the era. Names like Harvey Kuenn, Mickey Vernon, Gene Woodling, and Elston Howard were not future Hall of Famers, but their cards are still coveted pieces of the original set when found in nice visual condition. These types of players can frequently be found for less than $50, or even under $20 in lower grades, through reputable online marketplaces or local card shops. For collectors just starting out or looking to experience the fun of opening packs digitally, 1955 Bowman commons provide an entry point into appreciating the artistic design of these pioneer cardboard collectibles.

It’s also worth mentioning that as the lone 1955 Bowman card manufacturer, the production quality did vary somewhat across the different series issued that year. Earlier series like 111-130 are considered sharper on average due to printing conditions. Later series 161-260 tend to exhibit more flaws, making higher grade examples harder to find. Therefore, earlier series cards of major stars often demand premium prices compared to their later counterparts. Shrewd collectors take production variations and card condition specifics into account when negotiating deals.

While the ultra high-end 1955 Bowman rookie cards of future legends are out of reach except for the most well-heeled collectors, with some research bargain hunters can still acquire meaningful pieces of this seminal set without spending thousands. Common veterans, backups, and lower series cards provide many affordable entry points. For baseball history aficionados and investing collectors alike, 1955 Bowman endures as one of the most recognizable vintage releases that ignited America’s longstanding passion for trading cards. Even six decades later, these colorful cardboard relics continue changing hands as their cultural and financial significance grows.

BASEBALL CARDS ROOKIE PRICE

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The price of a baseball card, especially rookie cards, can vary greatly depending on several factors. While it may seem like an obscure hobby to some, the baseball card collecting market is a multi-billion dollar industry driven by card values that fluctuate based on player performance, card condition, and supply and demand dynamics.

For collectors looking to understand what drives the price of rookie cards for star players, it’s important to examine the key attributes that appraisers and buyers consider when determining a card’s worth. Some of the top factors influencing a rookie baseball card’s price include:

Player Performance – How well the player performs in their career has an enormous impact on their rookie card values. If a player becomes a superstar or Hall of Famer, their rookie cards will be in very high demand from collectors seeking to own a piece of baseball history. For example, rookie cards for legends like Mickey Mantle, Honus Wagner, or Mike Trout routinely sell for six figures or more due to their legendary careers. Conversely, if a player is a bust or does not live up to expectations, the value of their rookie card will remain low.

Card Condition – Just like the condition of any collectible item affects its price, the condition or grade of a baseball card plays a major role. Near Mint or Mint condition cards from top players will demand exponentially more than heavily played or damaged cards. Getting a card professionally graded by authentication companies like PSA or BGS provides a standard condition assessment that buyers can rely on. Higher numerical grades like PSA 10 or BGS Black Label indicate a flawless card and justify premium prices.

Print Run – The smaller the original print run of a card, the scarcer it becomes over time. Especially for older cards from the 1950s-1980s, print runs were much lower than modern issues. Flagship rookie cards like the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle or 1957 Topps Hank Aaron can fetch six figures since so few survived in high grade condition given the limited original distribution. Conversely, modern cards have huge print runs in the millions, so raw copies are less valuable unless the player becomes an all-time great.

Authenticity – In the lucrative world of vintage sports cards, counterfeiting has become a problem that collectors must be wary of. Getting a vintage card authenticated and graded is essential to assure a buyer they are purchasing an actual original example and not a forgery. Authentication greatly increases value and is mandatory for high dollar vintage transactions to provide buyer confidence.

Prominence of Card Design – Iconic card designs featuring a player’s true rookie season tend to be the most valuable and recognizable. For example, the iconic 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle is far more valuable than his 1951 Bowman card since Topps 1952 is universally accepted as his true “rookie” design despite appearing on a card a year prior. Other standout rookie card designs include 1957 Topps Hank Aaron, 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan, and 1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr.

Scarcities and Variations – Within individual card designs, certain scarce parallel prints, serial number variations, autograph versions or error cards can be exponentially rarer and more valuable than the standard base card. For example, the ultra-rare 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner in a PSA NM-MT 8 grade sold for $3.12 million in 2016 due to its legendary status. Other examples include rare autograph or serial number rookie patch cards that are confined to short print runs.

Market Demand – At any given time, the collective demand from enthusiasts actively collecting a player’s cards can influence prices. If a large number of collectors are pursuing a player’s rookie cards, competition for scarce high-grade examples can drive values up quickly. When demand wanes for a particular player, prices tend to stabilize or even decline until renewed interest emerges years later. Market demand forces are a major factor behind short-term pricing fluctuations.

While raw rookie cards hold value as collectibles, getting high-grade vintage and hobby cards professionally authenticated and graded provides a reliable condition assessment that establishes market value based on the factors above. With proper research, collectors can understand what attributes make one player’s rookie card significantly more valuable than another’s based on career performance, scarcity levels, condition, and other qualitative traits highly regarded within the competitive baseball memorabilia marketplace.

1988 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS MOST VALUABLE ERRORS

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The 1988 Topps baseball card set is among one of the most iconic and coveted issues in the hobby. Within every major release there are inevitably some mistakes or anomalies that emerge. Some production errors over the years have become extremely valuable and sought after by error card collectors. Here are some of the most noteworthy and valuable mistakes found in 1988 Topps baseball cards.

One of the rarest and highest valued error cards from the 1988 set is the Kirby Puckett printing plate card. Instead of featuring an image of Puckett on the front, the card image shows the printing plate used to create the actual card. A printing plate is the template that transfers the card image to the sheet during the mass production process. Only a handful are believed to exist of this extremely rare mistake card. In gem mint condition, recent sales of the Kirby Puckett printing plate error have exceeded $10,000.

Another hugely valuable error is the Michael Jordan baseball card variation. While Jordan never actually played baseball professionally, Topps inserted a photo of the basketball superstar in a Chicago White Sox uniform into packs of 1988 baseball cards by mistake. Estimates say only 10-100 of these unique variants exist. Graded mint examples have sold for upwards of $25,000. With Jordan’s superstardom and cultural impact, this unintended baseball card featuring his likeness is one of the most prized errors for collectors.

There are a small number of cases where players have 2 different card numbers assigned to them within the same base set. The most famous example of a dual numbering error from the 1988 Topps set is Ozzie Smith cards. Due to an error during production, some Ozzie Smith cards were issued with both the number 524 and 525 printed on them. This quirky mistake is extremely rare and valuable, with pristine specimens known to trade hands for $3,000 or more.

A variation that is less impressive to the naked eye but still highly sought after is the horizontal/vertical alignment error seen on a handful of cards. A prime example is the Wade Boggs card which has examples featuring his name printed in a shifted location, either higher or lower than usual. With his signature prominently displayed across the uniform, any imperfection stands out immediately to the trained eye of error collectors. Mint condition Boggs alignment variation cards have sold online for as much as $800.

One of the more visually striking mistakes comes in the form of dual player cards. In very limited numbers, production flaws caused the front image of one player to be paired incorrectly with the player stats/information of another on the back. The rarest combination pairs Robin Yount’s photo on the front with the player write-up for fellow Brewer Teddy Higuera on the reverse side. With so few believed printed in this dual format before the error was corrected, ungraded examples in good condition have still traded hands for over $1000.

For dedicated error collectors, no detail is too minor to acknowledge. Even the absence of something considered standard can denote a variation worth owning. One such minor change some 1988 Topps cards exhibit is the lack of the popular “Traded” stamp usually printed on players that switched teams after the prior season. Gary Gaetti for example jumped from Minnesota to California, yet a tiny subset of his cards excluded the standard “Traded” marking. These inconsequential looking specifics are what make certain mistakes so intriguing to discriminating collectors hunting for the unorthodox.

Of course, the most rare and prized production anomalies come in the form of one-of-a-kind specimens without any confirmed duplicates known to exist. Several such one-of-ones are rumored from 1988 Topps, though undocumented and unsubstantiated by photo evidence. One example discussed as a potential true singleton is the story of an Orel Hershiser card with reversed front/back printing—meaning the stats and write-up appeared on the front and the player image on the back. Naturally, the lack of substantiating evidence makes such anomalies impossible to value monetarily. Their potential rarity and uniqueness captures the imagination of baseball card error sleuths worldwide.

In the over 30 years since the 1988 Topps baseball card set first entered the hands of enthusiastic young collectors, the techniques used to identify anomalies and track down rare mistakes have grown exponentially more sophisticated. What was once grassroots detective work is now an organized community of hobbyists working collaboratively online. This constant research ensures even the most obscure variations or one-of-a-kind misprints from the 1988 issue are acknowledged and documented for posterity. As a result, this generation continues to yield new surprises.

While the baseline 1988 Topps cards remain fairly affordable for most collectors to acquire, it is the short printed mistakes and production anomalies that claim the highest values. Errors are the spice that keeps the hobby interesting, as each new find adds another dimension to the comprehensive set registry. Whether notable or minute, validated or theoretical, these unintended variations ensure the 1988 issue remains an obsessively studied release decades after the fact. For dedicated error collectors, it is the imperfections that make the set truly perfect.

1992 FLEER ULTRA SERIES 2 BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1992 Fleer Ultra Series 2 baseball card release was the second series of packs and boxes from Fleer’s Ultra brand issued during the 1992 Major League Baseball season. Following the success of the inaugural Ultra Series 1 cards issued earlier that year, Fleer looked to build upon the innovative design elements and cutting-edge production techniques that made the Ultra brand a fan favorite. The 152-card Series 2 release would continue Fleer’s trendsetting approach and offer collectors another opportunity to build their collections with some of the most visually striking cards of the early 1990s.

Series 2 maintained the same large size and square dimensions as Series 1, with each card measuring approximately 3.25 inches by 2.75 inches. The cards featured glossy, high-quality photos centered against a white backdrop. Perhaps most notably, Fleer utilized advanced embossing and debossing techniques to give certain design elements, like player names and numbers, a three-dimensional texture. This added a unique tactile element that vividly popped off the surface of the card. Color was also used creatively, with selected images and borders featuring vibrant bursts that contrasted nicely against the clean white theme. Overall production quality was consistently high across the entire set.

Rookies and star players alike were well-represented in the release. Future Hall of Famers like Ryne Sandberg, Rickey Henderson, Wade Boggs, and Nolan Ryan all received attractive cards showcasing their legendary careers. Meanwhile, future stars like Derek Jeter, Jimmy Key, and Ken Griffey Jr. had their early career years captured in their respective rookie and prospect cards. Standouts from the 1991 season like Terry Pendleton, Dennis Eckersley, and Jeff Bagwell were also highlighted. Regional variations kept collectors on their toes, with certain players receiving unique photo or uniform variations depending on their team’s geographical market.

Insert sets within the base Series 2 issue added to the excitement. “Diamond Kings” paralleled were short-printed and featured embellished embossing and foil stamping on a dark background. “Fabulous Fibers” focused on iconic baseball uniforms throughout history. “Legends in Hiding” spotlighted lesser known players who enjoyed breakout seasons. Autograph card inserts of stars signing were also present. Perhaps most coveted were the ultra-rare ‘1-of-1’ rookie autograph parallels that carried immense value for collectors lucky enough to pull one.

While production values remained top-notch, some critiques emerged regarding Series 2. The set featured an unusual numbering system where card #1 started in the low 100s instead of being #101 like typical baseball releases. This created some numbering confusion amongst collectors used to the standard 101-etc pattern. Photo quality also varied more noticeably than Series 1, with some cards featuring more blurred or washed-out images compared to others. Still, these were relatively minor complaints that did not detract significantly from the overall impressive presentation and collector interest in the set.

When Series 2 was issued, the raging sports card boom of the early 1990s was starting to peak. Massive speculation fueled skyrocketing prices across the entire hobby landscape. The Ultra brand had earned a sterling reputation for quality that commanded collector demand. Series 2 boxes and packs flew off shelves instantly at the recommended $1 retail price point or higher on the thriving secondary market. Completed sets routinely sold for hundreds of dollars online or at card shows within months of issue. Key rookie cards like Jeter, Griffey Jr., and others reached four-figure sums.

The 1992 Fleer Ultra Series 2 release undoubtedly ranks amongst the most visually arresting and eagerly anticipated baseball card issues of its era. Building upon the standard set by Series 1, Fleer continued pushing limits through innovative production, memorable rookie selections, and limited inserts that forged enduring nostalgia for collectors and fans of 1990s cardboard. Series 2 stands as a quintessential representation of the heights reached by the sports card industry during its speculative boom years and remains one of the most iconic Fleer Ultra issues to date. For these reasons, it remains a highly valued set to this day for collectors and investors alike.

TOPPS BIG LEAGUE BASEBALL CARDS 2023

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Topps has been the premier brand for baseball cards since the 1950s and their 2023 card offerings will again provide collectors with classic designs and iconic rookies to chase. The 2023 Topps Big League Baseball card set is one of three flagship paper products released in the spring along with Topps Series 1 and Topps Series 2. Let’s take an in-depth look at what collectors can expect from Topps Big League this year.

The 2023 Topps Big League set will feature 432 base cards comprised of all 30 MLB teams from the 2022 season. The checklist will include updated players photos and stats from the previous season. Key rookies like Julio Rodriguez, Bobby Witt Jr., Spencer Strider will have their official Topps rookies in this set given their call-ups occurred after Series 1 was produced last year. Veteran stars like Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, and Mookie Betts will again grace the checklist. The base card design follows a traditional Topps look with team logos and player details on a white background.

As with recent years, parallels and variations provide collecting opportunities beyond the base cards. Topps Big League will include a Gold Series parallel numbered to 2023 with the same photo but gold foil treatment. The popular Rainbow Foil parallels return and are numbered between /99-/50 for a stunning iridescent effect. Silver Pack parallels are pulled one per pack and numbered to 33 while Printing Plates showcase the final plate images used on press numbered to 4. Autograph and memorabilia cards will be inserted throughout packs and boxes at various rarities for collectors chasing signed relics of their favorite players.

A fan favorite insert set returning in 2023 is Topps Big League Logos. This 28 card set features current MLB club logos from head-to-toe on a field of stars. Logos inserts parallels in Gold, Rainbow Foil, and Silver variants provide opportunities to upgrade these stylish chase cards. Another popular insert is League Leaders which recognizes individual player accomplishments from 2022 with stats on the front and photos on the back. This 16 card set is perfect for stats enthusiasts.

Topps Big League traditionally honors iconic players and events through special insert sets only found in this product. For 2023, a 50th Anniversary tribute is planned to commemorate a storied moment from 1973. Details are still under wraps but collectors can expect retro photography and vintage design treatment. Also look for a salute to retiring Hall of Famer and all-time hits leader Pete Rose through a small dedicated insert set. Topps loves to pay homage to baseball history through Big League and these special cards will be highly sought after by collectors.

The flagship releases are where collectors can find coveted autograph rookies of future stars before they reach superstar status. Topps Big League 2023 has the potential to feature autographs of phenoms like Rodriguez, Witt Jr., Strider, Bobby Miller or others on the cusp of stardom. Numbering these rookie autos aggressively increases the chase and long term value. Relics featuring used game gear, bats, or jersey swatches from up and coming young players also provide affordable early collecting opportunities before their inevitable rise to the tops of MVP ballots.

Outside of the base set and core inserts, retailers like Target and Walmart will have exclusive offerings to entice prospective buyers. Expect retailer-exclusive parallels like Red and Purple Foil. High-end hobby outlets may get serial numbered parallels and autograph variations inserted in their blaster, hanger, and retail box assortments versus straight packs. Easily identifiable logos or color tints on these exclusive parallel cards increase demand from collectors wishing to obtain a full rainbow set.

Online auctions on sites like eBay will see intense bidding wars break out upon the product’s release in March for coveted parallel, auto, and relic pulls. While shelf prices of sealed retail product may seem high based on MSRP, savvy collectors understand securing desirable supers before they appreciate is key. Within a year, unopened blasters sell for 2-3x original price tag demonstrating long term potential returns. With a long history of inclusion iconic vintage stars and current young superstar rookies, Topps Big League continues delivering collecting thrills each spring.

Overall, Topps Big League Baseball 2023 shapes up to honor 75+ years of Topps with classic designs, commemorative inserts, and covetable rookie autographs of emerging stars. Collectors young and old eagerly await their chance each March to experience the thrill of the chase through wax packs with hopes of finding the next big hit. Whether building sets or grading chasing parallels and memorabilia, Topps Big League fuels the hobby during the early season providing dedicated fans a connection to baseball’s past and future.

1987 TOPPS CHEWING GUM BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set was the 66th series produced by the Topps Chewing Gum Company. It marked several notable occasions for both Topps and the baseball card collecting hobby in general. For starters, it was the first Topps set featuring an all-color photograph on every card. Prior to 1987, black and white photos were still used for many players. Topps decided to go all-color in ’87 to better showcase today’s vivid baseball card photography technology. Furthermore, 1987 would be legendary slugger Pete Rose’s final card appearance before his lifetime ban from Major League Baseball the following year for gambling.

The design of the 1987 Topps cards was fairly simple. On the front was a 3×4 cropped color photo of the player against a white background. Below the photo was the team name and logo along with any nicknames. At the very bottom was the player’s name and uniform number in blue font. On the reverse, statistical information was presented in blue and orange tables spanning four seasons of data (1983-1986). Career stats were also included. The card stock was thicker than previous Topps issues, providing sturdier cards that held up better to the rigors of being shuffled, traded, and stored in bulging cardboard boxes under kid’s beds.

Speaking of photos, the 1987 Topps set saw the debut of respected baseball photographer William “Bud” Smith. A longtime Topps hire, Smith would go on to shoot photographs for hundreds of future Topps releases. His artistic eye and attention to detail helped elevate the visual quality of the ’87s above previous cardboard. With Smith’s photos serving as the main visual component on each card front, sets took on a cohesive polish not readily apparent in past mixed photo/illustration designs. Players finally seemed consistently posed at the plate or on the mound from card to card.

Some key statistical and player milestones found in the 1987 Topps set included Fernando Valenzuela’s emergence with the Dodgers, Roger Clemens’ first of many 20-win seasons with the Red Sox, Wade Boggs hitting .368 to lead the AL for the 4th straight year, and Tim Raines amassing 90 stolen bases as the league’s premier base stealer. Rookies Ken Griffey Jr. and Mark McGwire also got their cardboard introductions. The Dodgers and Twins faced off in the ’87 World Series, captured on the card fronts of Orel Hershiser and Kirby Puckett respective to their championship teams.

Beyond just the on-field action, the 1987 Topps cards also highlighted some off-the-field transitions. This was the final set to feature Cincinnati Reds legend Pete Rose before his lifetime ban took effect in August 1989 after an investigation found he had bet on baseball games while managing the team. Cards of Rose in a Reds uniform would never be seen again. Similarly, this was the last Topps issue for longtime Expos slugger Tim Raines in a Montreal uniform. He would be traded to the Cubs before the 1988 season. Raines’ Expos career was captured perfectly with his ’87 Topps RC.

When it came to card layout and distribution, the 1987 Topps set contained 792 total cards as was standard for Topps issues of the era. The base cards ran from #1 to #792 with additional inserts like Topps All-Star cards and Traded subsets rounding things out. As with most modern releases, the cards came in factory-sealed wax packs of five cards each, with one pack included free inside a stick of Topps Chewing Gum. This blast from the past retro packaging helped fuel the enthusiasm kids felt for the cardboard hobby each spring.

In the decades since, the 1987 Topps baseball cards have become very influential and iconic issues within the collecting community. They represent the transition from mixed photo sets to fully colorized cardboard. Topps’ commitment to higher quality photography is evident. And the clean yet classic designs have aged extremely well. Modern condition-sensitive collectors especially seek out pristine ’87s to showcase in protective holders. But even beat-up examples hold significance as tangible pieces of baseball history from a transformational period for the cardboard craze. Values have steadily climbed since the late ’80s boom, ensuring these classic cards remain beloved staples in collections worldwide.

Thanks to breakthroughs like all-color photos, elite photographers, and enduring nostalgic designs, the 1987 Topps baseball cards earned their place as some of the most important and fondly remembered issues in the hobby’s lore. They captured a special year in MLB on the field while celebrating iconic players and careers off it. Today, they continue to inspire new generations of collectors with their timeless mix of baseball, bubblegum, and childhood summers past. The ’87s were truly a seminal set that pushed cardboard collecting to greater heights.

BASEBALL CARDS JOPLIN

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Baseball cards have a long and rich history in Joplin, Missouri dating back to the late 19th century. As one of the early hubs for professional baseball in the region, Joplin saw some of the earliest baseball cards featuring local players start to circulate in the late 1880s.

Some of the first baseball cards featuring Joplin players were included in sets produced by tobacco companies as promotions. In 1886, Allen & Ginter began including cards of prominent minor league and independent professional players in their tobacco products. This helped grow the popularity of the sport across the country. Several early Joplin players appeared in Allen & Ginter sets in the late 1880s, helping expose their talents to a national audience.

In the 1890s, several other tobacco brands like Goodwin & Company and American Tobacco Company also began using baseball cards as promotions. More Joplin players started showing up in regional Midwest-focused sets from these companies. Stars of the independent Joplin Miners club that competed against early minor league clubs in nearby towns were some of the first local heroes to have their likenesses distributed nationwide in this emerging new hobby and collectible.

As the sport grew rapidly in popularity in the early 20th century, Joplin became a hotbed for minor league baseball. The city was home to the Joplin Miners of the Western Association from 1903 to 1915. This helped spur more local interest in collecting cards of players plying their trade in Joplin. Tobacco companies continued using cards as promotions and the Joplin Miners had many stars featured over the years they were in the Western Association. Players like Dode Paskert, Harry Steinfeldt, and Rube Oldring all hailed from the Miners and had sizable local followings. Their cards remain some of the most sought after by Joplin-area collectors today.

In the 1920s, the growth of gum and candy companies using sports cards as incentives to buy their products took off. Brands like Bazooka, Goudey, and Caramel began issuing high quality, colorful baseball cards that featured both major and minor leaguers. The Joplin team, then called the Joplin Miners, was still competing in the Western League and its players continued being included in regional Midwest-focused sets from these companies. Stars of the 1920s Joplin Miners like George Watkins, Harry Rice, and Bob Motter had their likenesses spread even further to collectors across the country in these early 20th century gum and candy issues.

The Great Depression took its toll on minor league baseball and Joplin’s team folded in 1931. The hobby of baseball card collecting remained popular through the 1930s. Gum and candy companies kept the tradition of including cards in their products alive. Isolated from major league cities, Joplin-area kids grew up collecting and swapping cards featuring the heroes and history of their local minor league teams from the early 20th century glory years. Stores in Joplin continued stocking the regional baseball card issues that kept the memory of the city’s baseball past alive for young fans.

In the post-World War II era as the country entered an economic boom, the modern minor leagues were reestablished. Joplin was granted a new team, the Joplin Giants, in the Class D Midwest League in 1946. Topps gained dominance over the baseball card market in the 1950s with its colorful, high quality cardboard issues. Joplin Giants players from this era like pitcher Jim O’Toole, who went on to win a World Series with the Cincinnati Reds, had their rookie card issues highly sought after by local collectors. This helped renewed interest in the city’s minor league heritage among a new generation of fans.

In later decades, Joplin’s minor league team shifted leagues and identities several times, branded as the Joplin Braves, Jets, and finally the Joplin Cubs in the late 1960s before folding. Through it all, dedicated collectors in Joplin continued their hobby, trading and collecting cards not just of the local players, but stars from across the eras of baseball history. The tradition of baseball card collecting and remembering Joplin’s rich minor league legacy carried on strongly into modern times. Today, vintage Joplin Miners, Giants, and other local team cards remain some of the most prized possessions of collectors in the Four States region.

Over its history, baseball cards helped spread the popularity of the sport across America while also preserving the legacy of teams and players in small town America. In Joplin, cards kept the memory of the city’s rich minor league traditions alive for generations of fans after the teams were gone. The story of baseball cards is deeply intertwined with Joplin’s local baseball history and culture, cementing the hobby as an important part of the community’s sports heritage.

TOPPS 2023 SERIES 2 BASEBALL CARDS SET

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The Topps 2023 Series 2 baseball card set is the second series of licensed Major League Baseball cards released by Topps for the 2023 season. As with each new year, anticipation and excitement builds for collectors and fans as Topps prepares to release another iconic baseball card set featuring today’s top players. Several unique aspects make the 2023 Topps Series 2 release one of the most highly anticipated in recent memory.

Topps has produced MLB trading cards since 1951 and has long been the dominant sports card company for baseball cards. Every year, they release multiple series spanning the entire season from opening day through the playoffs and World Series. Series 2 comes out approximately 3 months after Series 1 and provides another chance for collectors to add new players, rookies, variations, and parallels to their collections. With the growing popularity of baseball card collecting in recent years, the hobby has seen tremendous growth, especially among newer and younger collectors.

Some key things making the 2023 Topps Series 2 release particularly special include a star-studded rookie class, new designs and parallel inserts, special anniversary parallels, and veteran players reaching major career milestones that are recognized on their cards. To start, the rookie class features some of the most highly touted prospects in baseball who are now making their MLB debuts. Names like Grayson Rodriguez, Oneil Cruz, Bobby Witt Jr, and Julian Merryweather could potential have Monster rookie seasons and cards that appreciate significantly in value long term. Their Series 2 rookie cards will be in high demand.

On the design front, Topps has promised some new and redesigned artwork motifs for Series 2 continuing themes started in Series 1 but also bringing some fresh perspectives. Collectors are intrigued to see how they evolve the standard base card design which last year featured colorful borders and team logos mixed with action shots. Topps has also been increasing the number of parallel and insert card variations in recent years which adds to the excitement of the hobby. Things like Rainbow Foil, Independence Day, Negatives, Super Script, and Flair parallels give collectors diverse options to hunt for their PC guys.

A special Element parallel insert was also teased by Topps to commemorate the space exploration achievements throughout history using NASA-inspired imagery on a select group of star players’ cards. This pays tribute to Topps’ storied history while incorporating the intrinsic human discovery. Perhaps most significantly, Topps announced several new parallels specifically for Series 2 to recognize some all-time career achievements being reached this season. Honus Wagner SP and Triple Crown parallels will highlight greats like Miguel Cabrera who achieved the 3,000 hit milestone and Aaron Judge as he closes in on the AL single season home run record.

Those major career accomplishments being documented in the set add an extra layer of history and significance beyond the standard rookie cards and base designs. Cabrera and Judge are just two examples – others like Albert Pujols nearing 700 home runs will surely have stat-milestone parallels as well. For die-hard collectors of those players, finding and owning those special career achievement marked cards will be a major priority when sorting through Series 2 packs and boxes. The ability to obtain a card immortalizing an all-time great performance elevates the entire release.

Sales of Series 1 boxes and packs were through the roof as the hype around the new season and these young stars carried over post-lockout. Retailers sold out of inventory quick and demand remained high through the secondary market. With all the new additions and changes in Series 2 focusing on rookies, designs, and career milestones – the buzz is that demand will be even greater this go around. EBay preorders and confirmation of limited print runs have stoked speculation that this set may end up being one of the most valuable modern issues long term. Bigger hits could carry higher values as iconic moments get preserved on cardboard.

For avid collectors, the strategies for acquisition and hunting the biggest rookie and parallel cards will be in full effectcome release. Many will look to break loose cases trying hit big singular cards to hold or flip. Others may focus on slower completion of the standard base set first before chasing bigger parallels and inserts. No matter the approach, the overall collector community seems more excited than ever to rip packs of the 2023 Topps Series 2 release and start building their sets amidst all the newness and historical achievements being commemorated. After the long offseason, this annual summer tradition of a new series always reinvigorates the hobby. Based on all the promising factors, Series 2 looks primed to continue captivating collectors for years to come.

In summarizing, with new exciting rookies and veterans achieving major career milestones, along with evolving designs and more inserts than ever, the Topps 2023 Series 2 baseball card set is shaping up to be a truly historic issue that has collectors and investors eagerly anticipating its release. Between capturing today’s prospects and commemorating all-time great performances, Topps continues delivering new cardboard collectibles that serve both as a lucrative hobby and time capsule into baseball’s present and past. The hype around this forthcoming set underscores how the trading card industry—and passion for the players featured—remain stronger than ever.