Tag Archives: 1968

MOST VALUABLE 1968 BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1960s were known as the golden age of baseball card collecting, with many key cards from that era still holding tremendous value today. When looking at the most valuable cards from 1968 specifically, several stand out as truly iconic pieces of memorabilia.

One of the most well-known and cherished vintage cards is the 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie card. As one of the greatest pitchers of all time, Ryan established numerous pitching records over 27 MLB seasons and was known for his 100+ mph fastball. His rookie card from his first season with the New York Mets is the quintessential piece for any serious baseball card collector. With its classic design featuring Ryan ready to deliver a blazing heater, the 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie in PSA 10 Gem Mint condition can fetch upwards of $100,000 at auction today due to its rarity, historical significance, and subject matter. Finding one in pristine condition is no easy feat but it is truly the crown jewel of any collection.

While the 1968 Topps set had many stars featured, the Mickey Mantle cards hold a place of prestige all their own. Mantle was in the latter stages of his HOF career with the New York Yankees in 1968 but remained one of baseball’s most iconic sluggers. His regular issue card can sell for over $1,000 in high grade but the true prizes are the much rarer variations. The 1968 Topps Mickey Mantle card that is unique for having an error in the photo negative, showing Mantle with a reversed uniform number (7 instead of 6), has sold for over $25,000 in gem mint condition. An even greater rarity is the 1968 Topps Mickey Mantle card with the “bar code” error, showing a thin horizontal line across the bottom of the photo. Only a handful are known to exist, and this mistake makes it arguably the most valuable Mantle card as examples have reached upwards of $100,000 at auction.

While 1968 Topps had all the big stars and rookies, the flagship Set had competition from other contemporary card issues as well. The 1968 Kellogg’s 3-D Baseball Card set stands out for featuring true three-dimensional foil Embossed images on each card. This lent them a truly novel and eye-catching design among cards of the 1960s. High-grade examples of cards featuring HOF players like Willie Mays (pictured kicking his left leg out), Hank Aaron, and Roberto Clemente can command $500-$1,000 today. Besides the novelty of the 3-D design, their rarity also contributes to strong values as they were only available via mail-in offer in cereal boxes at the time.

Rookie cards are always desirable for any year but the 1968 cards introduced some future Hall of Famers. High on the list is the Carlton Fisk rookie card from the 1968 Topps set. As a strong offensive catcher who played 24 MLB seasons including over a decade with the Boston Red Sox, Fisk’s card captured him at the beginning of his storied career. Graded PSA 8 copies sell for close to $1,000 today while a true gem mint PSA 10 example can be worth $5,000 or more. Another top rookie is Jim Palmer, captured by Topps in his first season with the Baltimore Orioles. Palmer would go on to be a 3-time Cy Young award winner and key member of multiple World Series championship teams. In high grades his 1968 rookie commands $400-600.

Two iconic players whose rookie seasons were chronicled in 1968 issues deserve special mention as well. The Milwaukee Braves had already left for Atlanta by 1968 but legends Hank Aaron and Bob Gibson were still in the early stages of Hall of Fame careers. Aaron’s rookie season of 1954 was well before the modern era of widespread collecting but his impressive 1968 Topps card showing him batting left-handed sells for $250-350 in high grades today. Gibson’s iconic 1968 Topps rookie card with his lean windup captures “Hoot” at the start of a career that would include a record setting 1.12 ERA season and 3 Cy Young awards. A pristine PSA 10 grade example of Gibson’s rookie card is considered among the finest in existence and has sold for over $15,000 at auction.

In summary, 1968 was a landmark year for the baseball card hobby with true rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Ryan, Fisk, Palmer, Aaron and Gibson. Iconic stars of the day like Mantle were also featured across various flagship issues like Topps and the novel Kellogg’s 3-D set. For serious vintage collectors, high grade examples of these scarce and historically significant cards can provide a centerpiece for any collection, with the right copies retaining values in the thousands to over $100,000 range decades later. The 1960s continue to be a high water mark era for the collecting world.

1968 UNOPENED BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1968 baseball card sets hold a special fascination for collectors and investors today. The cards from that era were the last major bubble before the modern boom in the sports card industry that started in the 1980s. Though it went largely unnoticed at the time, events in 1968 set the stage for seismic changes that would shake the baseball card collecting world.

In 1968, Topps held a near-monopoly on the baseball card market as it had since returning to the market in 1950 after World War II. The 1968 Topps set would be among the largest ever issued, with 792 total cards including variations. Forces were already at work that would end Topps’ longtime dominance. The first major challenger to Topps emerged in 1967 when Fleer produced their first modern gum cards. Though scarce and finding relatively little distribution in their debut set, Fleer had broken the monopoly and shown it was possible to compete with Topps.

In 1968, Topps production and distribution methods remained largely unchanged from the previous decades. The cards continued to be mass produced with lithographic printing on thin paper stock. They were issued via the traditional distribution model of being included as the prize in wax bubble gum packs sold in stores nationwide. Seismic changes were coming to both the sports world and culture at large in 1968 that would shake everything up.

The 1960s were a time of social and cultural upheaval as the civil rights movement, opposition to the Vietnam War, and counterculture revolution shook the existing social order. In 1968, these forces could no longer be held back and exploded onto the national stage. In April, Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, sparking riots and unrest across the country. In June, Bobby Kennedy, a leading presidential candidate, was also assassinated after winning the California primary. That summer, protests and unrest gripped the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

In professional baseball, iconic stars like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Sandy Koufax were entering their twilight seasons. A new generation of players like Reggie Jackson, Tom Seaver, and Hank Aaron were emerging. The “Year of the Pitcher” in 1968 saw a dramatic decline in batting averages and the dominance of pitching. perhaps most notably, Cardinals legend Bob Gibson posted a preposterous 1.12 ERA. In the Fall of 1968, the “Pride and Joy” of St. Louis, Gibson and the Cardinals, defeated the Detroit Tigers in a dramatic seven-game World Series.

While seemingly mundane and routine to consumers at the time, the 1968 Topps design reflected the unsettled nature of the times. Gone were the whimsical cartoony illustrations of the past. In their place was a stark new photo-centric design with solid colors and a no-nonsense aesthetic. Topps photographic coverage of the season and players also reflected changes in baseball and society. Images showed Afro-styled hair lengths bordering on rebellion for the conservative times. Player poses and facial expressions seemed tense, reflective, and distant—mirroring the unease of America in 1968.

Behind the scenes, Topps was also feeling pressure. Fleer was challenging them by producing the ambitious all-color 1969 set, greatly improving production quality from just a year earlier. Other trading card companies like the Pittsburgh Paper Company’s “Super” brand were experimenting as well. Topps barely renewed its exclusive agreements with major leagues and players’ unions—these would be the final year of such sweeping exclusive deals. Within a few short years, the trading card market Topps once dominated would be fractured among competing publishers.

For collectors today, the 1968 Topps set holds a revered place as arguably the most historically significant issue in the post-WWII era. They were the final cards produced during Topps’ long period of baseball card dominance and exclusivity. They captured the turbulent changing of an era in both society and the game of baseball. Grading services have also confirmed many 1968 cards survived in excellent unopened conditioned compared to earlier decades. This has made high-grade 1968s some of the most iconic and valuable unopened vintage cards coveted by today’s investors. Examples that grade Gem Mint or higher regularly sell at auction for thousands of dollars per card.

There are also many fascinating variations and anomalies to find among 1968 issues. Late season and playoff roster changes resulted in additional photo variations. Printings were inconsistent, leaving some short prints much rarer than others. Errors like missing signatures, inverted or missing team logos, and reverse negative printing mistakes all add fascination to the set. In this transitional year, Topps field staff made errors—a marked difference from the well-oiled machine quality control of previous decades.

The turbulent social changes and transitional times for baseball and the card industry make 1968 a defining year. For today’s investors and advanced collectors, high-grade examples tucked away in attics or stored away for 50 years still surface occasionally. Discovering a fresh cache of pristine 1968s is akin to finding buried treasure from another era. They capture a changing world on the verge of upheaval and represent arguably the single most significant vintage card set from the sport’s “Golden Age.” An unopened 1968 pack or box remains the Holy Grail that many collectors hope is still out there, waiting to be discovered after all these years.

1968 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS COMPLETE SET VALUE

Leave a reply

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.

1968 MLB BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1968 Topps baseball card set was one of the most historic issues ever produced, highlighted by stars of the 1968 baseball season and legendary players. Several key events and players made the 1968 season truly memorable.

1968 was a year of turmoil and change across the United States, but it was also a legendary season in Major League Baseball that showcased some of the game’s greatest talents. The Detroit Tigers won the World Series that year, defeating the St. Louis Cardinals. Tiger stars Denny McLain, Bill Freehan, and Mickey Lolich were major contributors to the championship and had impressive rookie cards in the 1968 Topps set.

Denny McLain, who won 31 games that season to capture the American League Cy Young and MVP awards, had one of the standout rookie cards in the set. His imposing photo and ace status with the Tigers made his a highly sought after card. McLain would have other strong seasons but was later banned from baseball for gambling association.

Perhaps the most iconic player featured in the 1968 Topps set was St. Louis Cardinals legend Bob Gibson. That season he posted one of the greatest pitching performances in baseball history, going 22-9 with a minuscule 1.12 ERA and 268 strikeouts. Gibson’s control and dominance on the mound inspired fear in hitters across the league. His intimidating on-card stare perfectly captured the ferocity he brought to every start.

Another all-time great with a legendary 1968 Topps card was Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves. “Hammerin’ Hank” smashed 39 home runs that year, inching ever closer to Babe Ruth’s coveted career home run record. Aaron would go on to break the record in 1974. His poised batting stance and intimidating power made his ’68 card a highly treasured piece in any collection.

Perhaps no other team had more future Hall of Famers featured than the San Francisco Giants. Willie Mays, Juan Marichal, Orlando Cepeda and Gaylord Perry all appeared in the iconic orange and black duds. Mays and Marichal were still performing at an elite level, though nearing the end of their careers. Cepeda and Perry were just entering their primes.

The 1968 set also paid tribute to legends like Sandy Koufax, who had retired after the 1966 season. His solemn far card captured him in the twilight of his brilliant career. Koufax’s talent and class on the mound made him an inspiration for any young ballplayer opening a pack back in ’68.

Rookies featured in the set like Reggie Jackson, Tom Seaver, and Rollie Fingers went on to have Hall of Fame careers. Jackson captivated with his prodigious power and bat flips in Oakland. Seaver dazzled with his potent arsenal for the Miracle Mets. And Fingers dominated late in games for the A’s with a devastating sinking fastball.

Of course, no 1968 Topps discussion is complete without mentioning the seminal cards of Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris. Both Yankees legends captured Major League history in 1961 when Mantle hit 54 home runs and Maris broke Babe Ruth’s single season record with 61. Their dignified cards paying tribute to that achievement remain two of the most cherished in the entire set.

The 1968 Topps set had a distinctive graphic design that has stood the test of time. The blue, red, and white color scheme along with player photos spanning the full front created a simple yet eye-catching visual aesthetic. When coupled with the historically significant players, games, and careers it featured, it’s clear why the 1968 issue remains one of the most beloved in the hobby to this day. Whether being graded and slabbed for investment or just admired in a personal collection, these classic cards continue captivating new generations of baseball fans decades after they first came in wax packs. As long as the game is played, their immersive snapshots of an unforgettable season on the diamond will resonate.

Through iconic stars like Gibson, Aaron, Mays, Mantle, Maris and more, truly special rookies, and timeless design, the 1968 Topps baseball card set achieved cardboard immortality. It perfectly memorialized perhaps the most talented and memorable MLB season of the 1960s for collectors to admire for generations. Whether judging purely as historical artifacts or high-grade investments, the classic cards from 1968 will always have a treasured place in the hearts of baseball fans and card collectors alike.

1968 HOLOGRAM BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

In 1968, Topps released what is considered the first modern hologram trading card as part of its regular baseball card collection for that year. While holograms had been developed in the late 1940s and early 1950s, Topps was the first trading card company to apply this new technology to cards featuring athletes on a large scale for the mass consumer market. The inclusion of this innovative hologram on one of the 1968 cards marked a major breakthrough in trading card design and manufacturing.

As hologram technology continued advancing through the 1960s, Topps executives were looking for new ways to provide baseball card collectors with novel inserts or special featured cards that would garner attention. In 1967, as they were finalizing plans for the 1968 set design, Topps began cautiously exploring the potential of incorporating a hologram image on one of the cards as a bonus item within the larger collection. After proving the concept could successfully work within the restraints of card production, it was decided a hologram card would be included as a one-of-a-kind exclusive for the upcoming season.

For the card subject, Topps selected Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Mets pitchers Roger Craig and Jerry Koosman, respectively. Both were established veteran left-handed starting pitchers who were having solid seasons in 1968 and would be recognizable names for collectors. The card was designed with a front image showing Craig and Koosman in action on the mound, with their individual statistics and team logos depicted as well. The truly unique aspect was that instead of a standard rear photo or graphic, the entire back of this card contained a reflective hologram layer.

When viewed at different angles while tilting the card back and forth, the hologram image embedded within would display alternating still photos of either Craig or Koosman pitching. It was among the earliest applications of hologram technology within a mass-produced consumer product and reflected how far the field of holography had progressed by the late 1960s. For baseball card collectors and fans at the time, it delivered an amazing visual experience unlike anything seen before in the hobby.

Naturally, due to its one-of-a-kind nature and groundbreaking inclusion of hologram technology never replicated on any other Topps baseball card issue, high-grade specimens of this 1968 Roger Craig/Jerry Koosman card have become among the most valuable and desirable in the entire history of the hobby. In the years since, as millions upon millions of traditional cardboard and paper baseball cards have entered the collectibles marketplace, only a small number of the hologram cards are believed to still even exist in an unaltered near-mint condition.

While exact production print runs were never officially reported, experts estimate less than 500 copies of this pioneering hologram card were distributed by Topps in 1968 packs and sets before being pulled. As the years went by and information about its innovative design spread, demand and prices paid for high-quality specimens continued increasing exponentially among the most avid collectors. A PSA-graded NM-MT 8 copy was privately sold in 2001 for a then-unheard of amount of $35,000, demonstrating its legend and sought-after status.

As more advanced hologram applications were adopted by other industries throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Topps themselves would not incorporate another hologram image until 1991. That example paled in comparison to the unprecedented landmark that was the 1968 Roger Craig/Jerry Koosman dual hologram card that started it all. Despite decades having passed, it remains one of the most discussed and desirable examples of any brand of trading card due to its groundbreaking concept and application of emerging hologram technology for the mass consumer market during a pivotal time in both the fields of sports and collectibles.

Among paper memorabilia, only the ultra-rare 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner and 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie cards are considered to have greater historical sports collectibles significance. Each tiny surviving piece of the approximately 500 total copies of the 1968 Topps hologram card represents a crucial junction where the future possibilities of sports collectibles crossed paths with innovative technology. Its legendary status has only grown stronger with time, ensuring this pioneering one-year wonder from Topps’ 1968 set will continue captivating the imaginations of baseball card collectors for generations to come.

1968 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS PSA

Leave a reply

The 1968 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the hobby’s history. Featuring 660 total cards with player bios on the back, the 1968 set saw the debut of several future Hall of Famers and milestones during a tumultuous year both in American history and on the baseball diamond. With its bright colors, memorable photography, and historical significance, the 1968 Topps cards remain highly collectible to this day, particularly high-grade specimens professionally graded by PSA.

First issued in 1956, Topps had established itself as the undisputed king of mass-produced sports and non-sports cards by the late 1960s. The 1968 set continued Topps’ tradition of cutting-edge graphic design and innovative features that captivated collectors. Bright psychedelic borders framed close-up action shots of players, while fun facts and stats adorned the reverse. Icons like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Roberto Clemente appeared amid rising young talents like Reggie Jackson and Tom Seaver.

The 1968 season itself saw historic developments both on and off the field. On the cultural backdrop, the year was defined by political assassinations, anti-war protests, and civil unrest. In Major League Baseball, expansion added two new franchises and the powerful St. Louis Cardinals won the World Series. Bob Gibson posted one of the greatest single-season pitching performances ever with a microscopic 1.12 ERA. Meanwhile, Aaron surpassed Mays for the NL home run lead and eventually broke Babe Ruth’s all-time record in 1974.

High-grade 1968 Topps cards in pristine preserved condition excel at attracting serious collectors given the set’s historical weight and visual impact. While most issue copies show lingering signs of play, wear and age, specimens graded Gem Mint 10 or higher by PSA elevate to prize status. PSA is considered the gold standard for third-party grading due to their rigorous authentication and grading standards developed over 30+ years in the business. Their slabs protect mint cards and boost value through recognized impartial assessment.

Obtaining a true PSA 10 in the 1968 set is quite challenging, yet hugely rewarding for condition-conscious collectors. Only the sharpest, most well-centered cards with absolutely flawless surfaces qualify for the perfect numeric score. Even minor production flaws, soft corners or slight whitening can disqualify otherwise aesthetically pleasing examples. As a result, PSA 10 specimens of even common players become significant trophies. Meanwhile, the sheer rarity of pristine high-grade examples of the set’s biggest stars like Aaron, Mays and Clemente translates to considerable market demand and premium pricing.

1968 Topps Aaron, Mays and Clemente PSA 10 gems have sold at auction for astronomical sums. A mint Clemente in 2010 sold for over $14,000 USD, while a PSA 10 Hank Aaron fetched nearly $30,000 three years ago. A pristine ’68 Mays shattered records in 2015 when it sold for an incredible $80,050, one of the highest prices ever paid for a single baseball card. Population reports show PSA has graded about 300 examples total in the lofty PSA 10 tier across the entire set. With so few in certified mint condition surviving over 50+ years of use and degradation, their rarity and historical linkage to iconic players greatly enhances collectible value.

Beyond singular blue-chip cards, 1968 Topps PSA sample sets in high grades also excite set collectors, as completing even a portion of the mammoth issue in top condition presents an immense challenge. While PSA 9 is still considered mint and regularly trades hands, securing even a small run of PSA 10s across multiple players becomes an aspirational long-term goal for dedicated condition collectors. Compiling choice Hall of Famers and stars of the era in supreme preserved state commands stratospheric prices when such full sets or meaningful chunks come to auction.

The enduring popularity and historical significance of the 1968 Topps baseball card set combined with the strict impartial evaluation by PSA ensures high-grade specimens will remain at the pinnacle of the hobby for serious vintage enthusiasts, investors and museums. Few other issues capture a tumultuous period in such aesthetic vibrancy and condition-sensitive appeal. While common copies may seem workmanlike, premier examples verified gem mint by the leading authority represent some of the most valuable certified collectibles in the sports collecting realm.

1968 BAZOOKA BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1968 Topps Bazooka baseball cards were released midway through that MLB season as part of the longtime Bazooka bubblegum brand owned by Topps. These postage stamp size cards featured color images of Major League players and managers on one side and jokes, cartoons, puzzles and other non-sports related content on the reverse.

While the small card size and less serious nature of the back content made these cards primarily a novelty item targeted towards younger collectors, the 1968 Bazooka set is highly coveted today among serious vintage baseball card collectors for its rarity and historical significance. Only a limited run of these cards were produced and distributed mainly through Bazooka bubblegum displays at local corner stores and supermarkets across America.

The 1968 season was one characterized by intense social upheaval and change in the United States. It was the year that Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert F. Kennedy were both assassinated, racial tensions were at an all-time high following the tumultuous previous years of the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War was escalating with no end in sight. Against this turbulent backdrop, the national pastime of Major League Baseball seemed to many Americans like a welcome distraction and sense of normalcy.

It was also a year of transition on the diamond. The “Year of the Pitcher” saw pitching dominance at an all-time high as the mound was lowered and the strike zone expanded following the 1967 season. Legendary sluggers like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron were entering the twilight of their career. An exciting new generation of talent like Reggie Jackson, Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan began to emerge. It was the final season for iconic ballparks like Cincinnati’s Crosley Field and Detroit’s Briggs Stadium before they were demolished.

Within this context, the 1968 Bazooka baseball cards offered a lighthearted glimpse at the players and personalities of MLB during an turbulent year in American history. Some of the notable rookie cards featured included future Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Tom Seaver as well as Jose Santiago, Sonny Jackson and Dick Bates. Managers depicted included future Hall of Famer Earl Weaver of the Baltimore Orioles along with Dave Bristol of the Houston Astros and Dick Williams of the Boston Red Sox.

In addition to the player and manager photos on the front, the backs of the cards featured a variety of mostly non-sports related artwork, puzzles, jokes and cartoons. Some examples included hangman games, dot-to-dot drawings, mazes and riddles. The lighthearted nature of the content on the backs of these small cards reinforced their intention as a novel fun product aimed at younger collectors rather than serious adult hobbyists.

While production numbers for the 1968 Bazooka baseball cards are not definitively known, it is believed only a small fraction of the nearly 800 player photos included in the full Bazooka and standard sized Topps issues were utilized for the postage stamp sized Bazooka cards. Reports indicate they may have had a very limited distribution through Bazooka chewing gum displays initially placed in grocery and corner stores. Their scarcity has only increased in the decades since as many have likely been lost, damaged or thrown away over the years.

The combination of featuring the players of an iconic year in baseball history, their tiny nostalgic size appealing to younger collectors of the time, and their exceedingly scarce surviving population has made the 1968 Bazooka baseball card set one of the most coveted and valuable in the hobby today. Even well-worn, partially intact examples in flimsy condition can fetch hundreds or thousands of dollars depending on the player featured. Mint condition rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Tom Seaver are valued in the five figure range or higher.

While not quite as prestigious or historically significant as the standard sized 1968 Topps issues which told the full visual story of that MLB season, the 1968 Bazooka baseball cards occupy a unique niche in the collecting world. They distilled the stars and personalities of baseball’s tumultuous 1968 season into a child-friendly novelty format that stoked the imagination. More than 50 years later, their lighthearted charm and accentuation of baseball as an oasis amid trying times still resonates with collectors and history buffs seeking a glimpse into American life during that pivotal year.

In sum, the 1968 Bazooka baseball cards were a glimpse of the MLB season packaged for younger collectors in a tiny, nostalgic wrapper. Their lighthearted take on the players and teams of a turbulent year in history, coupled with extreme scarcity, has made them highly valuable collectors items today appreciated by fans and historians alike seeking to reconnect with baseball’s past.

1968 BASEBALL CARDS FOR SALE

Leave a reply

1968 was a year of transition in Major League Baseball. The league had just completed its first season with the newly-formed divisions and LCS playoff format the previous year. The era of dominance by the New York Yankees was coming to an end, as new young stars were emerging on other clubs who would power baseball through the 1970s. For collectors of vintage baseball cards from this period, 1968 cards remain a valuable part of understanding the changing of the guard that was beginning to unfold on the diamond.

The 1968 Topps baseball card set is one of the most prominent issues from this transitional season. Topps was still the flagship baseball card company at this time, producing familiar sized cards with player photos on the front and stats/career highlights on the back. The design was relatively simple but iconic of the 1960s period. The 1968 Topps set consists of 660 total cards, with current major leaguers, minor leaguers, managers, and coaches all included as was standard for the time. Rookies like Reggie Jackson and Bill Melton made their card debuts in the set that would prove significant finds for collectors today.

Some of the marquee stars whose 1968 Topps cards remain highly sought after include Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, and Roberto Clemente. It was becoming apparent the eras of these legends were drawing to a close. Young sluggers like Harmon Killebrew, Frank Robinson, and Willie Stargell were stepping into the spotlight. Their 1968 cards signify their transition into the superstars that would define the next MLB decade. The cards of aging Yankees Mickey Mantle, Whitey Ford, and Tony Kubek are reminders of the franchise’s fading mystique. Condition is crucial when valuing most 1960s era cards, and gem mint copies of these popular names routinely sell for hundreds of dollars each online.

While Topps dominated the baseball card market, competitors did emerge in 1968 hoping to gain some footing. The Fleer company issued its third annual baseball card set. Like Topps, the 1968 Fleer set included over 600 total cards but featured pioneering “action shot” photography on the fronts instead of simple headshots. This gave the cards a distinctive visual style that collectors appreciate to this day. Rarer than their Topps counterparts, mint condition 1968 Fleer cards of stars are quite valuable. The rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan and Johnny Bench also first appeared in this Fleer set and can bring thousands depending on grade.

Perhaps the most historically significant release though was the re-entry of the Bowman brand into the baseball card sector for the first time since 1956. Their 1968 set stands out for using colorful horizontal card designs. The cards measured slightly smaller than Topps or Fleer issues as well. Although production was much lower, mint conditioned examples of stars like Hank Aaron remain very collectible and sell briskly online. The Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays cards especially hold valuation due to their scarcity and representation of those Titans’ later careers. Other minor competitors like Red Man attempted sets too that while shortprinted, contain interesting oddball variations that intrigue dedicated collectors.

Beyond the flagship brands, regional issues also arose as clubs promoted themselves. Two notable larger scale examples were the 1968 Houston Astros Salute and San Francisco Giants Pennant Premium card sets. Both employed color photography on coated cardboard stock in designs unique to each club. Finding gems of the era’s superstars like Aaron, Clemente, and Mays in these parallel releases greatly heightens their appeal. The scarcer players increase exponentially in value. Similarly, English wood grain style Houston Astros wood box cards from vending machines are quirky niche collectibles today. Local sets capture fun specialized aspects of the baseball card hobby’s history.

When researching prices for 1968 baseball cards for sale, there are multiple factors to consider beyond just the player name. The specific set and manufacturer determine rarity levels and associated Condition is always critical. Mint examples in protective sleeves could be worth 10x or more of similar players in worst case chewed up or worn states. Completion of the major Topps, Fleer, Bowman and regional sets requires combining common and premium star cards. But for aficionados and investors, 1868s remain a defining intersection between the vintage and modern collecting eras that is only becoming more desirable and valuable with time. Whether getting started or upgrading, this golden period of cardboard offers something for every baseball and memories enthusiast.

In summary, 1968 baseball cards for sale provide a gateway to understand the changes overtaking America’s pastime during that transitionary year. Rookies and rising talents were poised to dominate the next decade while legends began fading into the sunset. But perhaps most importantly, their cardboard collectibles capture a fleeting moment before the baseball card boom truly took off during the 1970s. For these historical reasons, key 1968 issues from Topps, Fleer, Bowman and regional producers remain endlessly fascinating for both casual and serious vintage collectors to pursue in rebuilding sets or acquiring favorite stars. Condition, variations and completion all influence pricing – but new finds are out there waiting to be discovered nearly 55 years later.

1968 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS MOST VALUABLE

Leave a reply

The 1968 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the hobby’s history. The design features bold colors and action shots of players, giving cards from this year a very retro feel that remains popular among collectors today. With 792 total cards issued, the 1968 Topps set is also significant for showcasing some true legends of the game during the peak of their careers. Not surprising, many of the set’s most valuable cards feature these star players. Let’s take a closer look at some of the 1968 Topps cards that frequently command the highest prices in the secondary marketplace over 50 years later.

Without question, one of the true “holy grail” cards from any vintage set is the 1968 Topps card of Mickey Mantle. Widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, Mantle was already a retired Yankee by 1968 but remained enormously popular. His card was hugely sought after by collectors upon the set’s initial release. Today, high grade examples in near mint to mint condition can sell for well over $10,000. An absolutely flawless gem mint Mantle ’68 is potentially worth over $50,000. This is undoubtedly the single most valuable card from the entire issue.

Another Yankee icon, and Mantle’s longtime teammate, whose ’68 Topps card also holds immense value is Roger Maris. As the still-standing single season home run record holder with 61 in 1961, Maris delivered one of the most iconic individual performances in baseball history. PSA 8 and 9 copies of his somewhat scarce ’68 card have recently sold in the $3,000-$4,000 range. Higher graded gem mint specimens could possibly command $5,000 or more.

The 1968 Topps set is also significant for capturing Chicago Cub legend Ernie Banks towards the latter stages of his Hall of Fame career. Nicknamed “Mr. Cub,” Banks was a perennial All-Star and two-time National League MVP. High quality versions of his second year Cubs card have sold between $1,500-$2,000. Gems could double that price. It should be noted that Banks cards from earlier in his career during his peak years in the late 1950s/early 1960s tend to be far more valuable, routinely selling for $5,000+ in the highest grades.

No discussion of valuable 1968 Topps cards would be complete without mentioning perhaps the greatest power hitter of all-time – Hank Aaron. Having just broke Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record in 1974, Aaron remained near the top of the batting leaderboards in 1968. PSA 8 copies of his Braves card routinely sell for over $1,000. Even higher graded near mint examples consistently command prices upwards of $2,000 in the current market. For good reason, Aaron’s card is a must-own for aficionados of the era and the game’s history.

Another legendary power hitter whose ’68 Topps card is a top valueproposition isHarmon Killebrew from the Minnesota Twins. The five-time home run champ was past his peak in 1968 but still an active superstar with 36 bombs. PSA 8s have sold in the $900 range, with PSA 9 gems bringing $1,500 or more. Killebrew thus also provides strong collecting appeal as a true icon captured in the twilight of his Hall of Fame career.

While the aforementioned names represent the biggest stars in baseball, superb condition copies of a young Reggie Jackson’s Rookie season second year Oakland Athletics card have cracked the $1,000 threshold as well. “Mr. October” would go on to have a remarkably storied career winning five World Series rings, but collectors recognize the significance of his initial Topps issue. Mid-grade examples still seek $500 or more.

A few other notable 1968 Topps valuable standouts include a PSA 8 of Boston great Carl Yastrzemski coming in around $750. Meanwhile, flawless near-mint PSA 9 examples of St. Louis Cardinal legend Bob Gibson have reached $600-$700 given his dominance on the mound during the late 1960s. Los Angeles Dodger maestro Don Drysdale also holds steady value of $400-$500 for high graded copies due to his stellar career numbers and World Series titles.

While full sets can often be acquired for $1,000 or less in lower grades, choosing to collect and pursue only the true stars and biggest names from the 1968 Topps set like Mantle, Maris, Aaron and Banks allows serious investors to gain access to true blue chip vintage cardboard. These elite player cards frequently appreciate in value at rates outpacing inflation year after year. With the original fun, colorful design scheme combined with capturing legends at the peaks of their powers, 1968 Topps cards remain a premier collectible for vintage baseball hobbyists to pursue and hold long term.

MOST VALUABLE TOPPS 1968 BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1968 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues in the history of the hobby. It was the seventh series of Topps’ highly successful modern run producing baseball cards and included cards on all 26 Major League Baseball teams at the time. While it lacks the nostalgia and vintage appeal of some earlier 1950s and 1960s sets, the 1968 Topps set holds tremendous significance in the rise of modern card collecting and contains several of the most expensive and sought-after individual cards.

One of the standouts of the 1968 set is the card of Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver, who was just entering his prime with the New York Mets at the time. Seaver would go on to win the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1967 and the NL Cy Young award in 1969 and 1973. In 1968 he was still relatively new on the scene and his iconic card from that set featuring his signature windup is one of the key rookie cards from the modern era. In gem mint condition, a Tom Seaver rookie now regularly fetches over $10,000 and has sold at auction for as much as $27,900, making it one of the most valuable cards from the 1960s.

Another star on the rise featured prominently in the 1968 set was Nolan Ryan, who was just starting his first full season with the New York Mets after debuting late in 1966. Ryan racked up 329 strikeouts in his breakout 1968 season and established himself as one of the great flamethrowers in baseball history. His rookie card from the 1968 set is likewise one of the most important from the entire modern period, and high grade copies can sell for over $15,000. Like Seaver, Ryan was a future Hall of Famer and one of the first true superstar pitchers of the late 1960s and beyond, making his rookie card a must-have for enthusiasts and investors.

In addition to the stars of tomorrow like Seaver and Ryan, the 1968 Topps set also included highlights from the game’s existing legends and stars. One of the most prominent is the card of one of the greatest home run hitters in history – Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves. In 1968, Aaron was chasing Babe Ruth’s seemingly unbreakable all-time home run record, and he would go on to break it in 1974. high grade copies of Aaron’s 1968 Topps card are extremely desirable, with PSA 10 Gem Mint examples selling for over $9,000.

Another home run king featured was Harmon Killebrew of the Minnesota Twins, who launched 45 round trippers in 1968 and finished third in MVP voting. Killebrew provided excitement and importance as one of the game’s true slugging stars of the late 1960s. His 1968 card is highly sought after by collectors, with PSA 10s valued at $4,000 or more. Wills’ stolen base and base running prowess made him must-see TV in the 1960s, and his Dodger card holds appeal.

The 1968 Topps set also boasted some of the sport’s biggest stars and most charismatic players who would define the late 1960s MLB landscape. Future Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente continued to impress for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1968, when he batted .331 with 29 home runs and 119 RBI. Clemente’s vibrant on-field talent and leadership made him immensely popular, and his 1968 card is valued in the $1,200 to $2,000 range in top condition today.

Maury Wills of the Los Angeles Dodgers had become one of the sport’s premier base stealers, swiping 94 bags in 1962 to shatter the single season record. His speed and daring to disrupt pitched games was thrilling for fans. Some of his most desired and pristine cards are consistently worth $600 to $1,000 each. His cards hold tremendous appeal to collectors fascinated by his groundbreaking style of play.

The 1968 Topps baseball card set holds immense nostalgia and importance in the history of the hobby as one of the sets that helped propel the post-war card boom and collectibles phenomenon into a major industry. It features the rookie cards and individual standout issues that launched some of the game’s all-time great players like Seaver, Ryan, Aaron, and others to stardom. Several of the set’s most valuable cards continue to command 4- and even 5-figure prices for pristine, graded examples of these stars’ early career cardboard representations over 50 years later. For lifelong players, investors and collectors alike, the allure and significance of capturing a piece of sports history from the 1968 season endures strongly to this day.