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BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1960 BELL BRAND

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Baseball cards have been around since the late 1800s, with companies producing cards as a way to promote their chewing gum and candy products. One of the most iconic vintage baseball card brands was Bell Brand, which produced cards from the 1930s through the 1960s. The 1960 Bell Brand set is considered a classic among collectors, featuring many all-time great players from that era. Let’s take a deeper look at the 1960 Bell Brand cards and what values collectors are seeing in the current market.

Bell Brand was a confectionery company based in Cincinnati, Ohio that began inserting baseball cards in its gum and candy products starting in 1933. Their early 1930s and 1940s issues featured simple designs with just a headshot photo of the player on a plain color background. The brand greatly improved their card design and production quality starting in the 1950s. The 1960 set marked the peak of design and player content for vintage Bell Brand issues.

The 1960 Bell Brand set contains 126 cards and was distributed one per pack of gum or candy. The front of each card features a full body color photo of the player, with their name across the bottom. The backgrounds are multicolored strips meant to resemble outfield fences or stadium walls. On the back is the player’s career stats and a brief bio. Some notable rookies included in the set are Pete Rose, Dick Allen, and Tom Seaver. Superstars like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Sandy Koufax also grace the 1960 Bell Brand cards.

In terms of condition, the 1960 Bell Brands present several challenges to collectors. The thin cardboard stock was prone to damage over the decades, and the glossy coating makes scratches and flaws more noticeable. To receive top grades, a card would need sharp corners and edges with no creasing, bending or surface defects. Even well-loved examples in average circulated condition can still hold value due to the classic design and player selection of the set.

Let’s look at some key card values from the 1960 Bell Brand set in different grades:

Graded PSA/BGS 8 (Very Good-Mint): Common players $10-25, Stars $25-100, Rookies $50-150.

Graded PSA/BGS 7 (Good-Very Good): Commons $5-15, Stars $15-50, Rookies $25-75.

Raw (Good/Average condition): Commons $3-10, Stars $10-30, Rookies $15-50.

Some standout individual card values include a PSA 8 Hank Aaron at $150-200, Willie Mays $125-150, and Sandy Koufax $100-125. Top rookies like a PSA 8 Pete Rose can reach $300-400. Even higher end PSA/BGS 9-10 examples of the biggest stars can sell for $500-1000+. A complete set in average condition would conservatively be valued at $300-500.

While not quite as valuable as some earlier 1950s issues, the 1960 Bell Brands remain a highly collectible and iconic vintage set. Their classic designs and mix of future Hall of Famers make them appealing to both casual collectors and serious investors. Prices have held steady or increased in recent years as the hobby continues to grow. For those looking to add a vintage set with recognizable names to their collection, 1960 Bell Brands offer affordability alongside nostalgic appeal. In the decades to come, as the players from this era fade further into history, interest and values are likely to keep climbing for these well-made cards that captured a snapshot of America’s pastime in 1960.

TACO BELL BASEBALL CARDS 2023

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Taco Bell to Release Baseball Card Promotion for 2023 Season

Fast food giant Taco Bell is no stranger to unconventional promotions and marketing stunts designed to capture consumers’ attention. This year, they are taking collectors by storm with the announcement of their 2023 baseball card promotion.

After the success of their NBA Top Shot-inspired NFT series earlier this year, Taco Bell’s marketing team was brainstorming new ideas to engage sports fans during the baseball season. Someone had the idea of doing traditional physical baseball cards that could be collected, traded, and shown off like those from decades past. They wanted to put a unique Taco Bell twist on the concept.

The plan is for Taco Bell to produce a full 350-card series spanning all 30 Major League Baseball teams for the upcoming 2023 season. There will be base cards featuring current stars and prospects, as well as parallel and insert sets with various themes. Each pack will contain 5 randomly assorted cards and retail for $1.99 each.

To drive rapid distribution, packs will be available exclusively at all US Taco Bell locations starting on Opening Day – March 30, 2023. The promotion is slated to run through the end of the regular season in early October. Taco Bell estimates producing over 100 million total packs to satisfy demand.

While the standard card designs will focus on stats, photos, and accomplishments, Taco Bell is promising some truly unique inserts that baseball collectors have never seen before. A few examples that have been previewed include:

Taco Sliders – Featuring side-by-side photos of players next to their Taco Bell order. Some examples shown were Shohei Ohtani next to a Crunchwrap Supreme and Mookie Betts pictured with a Beefy 5-Layer Burrito.

Steal Your Face – Modeled after Topps’ iconic Star Wars steal shot parallels, these will depict players literally stealing Taco Bell mascots or menu items like a seventh inning steak.

Nacho Average Joe – Highlighting lesser known players with potential to break out, in a style riffing on Topps’ Base Rookies.

Crave Creation – Allowing fans to design their own imaginary Taco Bell food item and pairing it with a player predicted to have a big season. Submissions with the best combos may end up as 1-of-1 parallel cards.

In addition to the standard team distribution through packs, Taco Bell will sell curated “box breaks” on their website starting at $19.99 each. These contain a random assortment of 30 cards but guarantee at least one super rare parallel or hit card inserted.

To add another layer of excitement for collectors, Taco Bell is making the full checklist and statistics on the back of each card digital-only. By scanning a QR code with the Taco Bell mobile app, fans can access bios, game logs, sabermetrics, and more extensive career data. This dynamic element allows for updates throughout the season.

While some purists may scoff at a corporate tie-in card series, early feedback from the hobby community has been overwhelmingly positive. Many see Taco Bell embracing the spirit of oddball vintage promotions like In The Mood For Food baseballs from the 1960s. Their commitment to unique parallels and 1-of-1 cards gives collectors a real incentive to rip packs.

Industry observers predict the Taco Bell MLB card promotion could be the biggest in terms of overall units produced and distribution of any in history. Some have even speculated it may help grow baseball card collecting among younger demographics not normally associated with the hobby. Only time will tell, but it’s clear the brand understands how to leverage sports passion points to drive engagement like no other. Come Opening Day, be ready for Taco Bell and baseball cards to be everywhere once again.

BUDDY BELL BASEBALL CARDS

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Buddy Bell had a long and successful career in Major League Baseball spanning from 1972 to 1990. During his playing days, he was featured on numerous baseball cards produced by the main card companies at the time. Bell’s rookie card came in 1973 from Topps and marked the beginning of his appearances on cardboard. Over the next two decades, he would be featured in sets from Topps, Fleer, and Donruss as his career progressed.

Bell debuted with the Texas Rangers in 1972 after being selected 4th overall in the January draft that year out of the University of South Carolina. He did not receive a card until the following season in 1973 Topps, which is considered his official rookie card. The card shows Bell batting from the left side in his Rangers uniform. It is numbered 144 in the set and was widely available as Topps was the dominant baseball card producer during that time period. Bell’s rookie card can still be found in circulation today and typically sells for $5-10 in near mint condition.

In 1974, Bell appeared in sets from both Topps and Fleer for the first time. His 1974 Topps card is numbered 468 and captures him fielding at third base. That same year, Fleer also utilized an action photo of Bell fielding for their issue. Fleer had just begun producing baseball cards in 1973 after years of making other sports cards. Their sets were much smaller than Topps’ at the time so Bell’s card is numbered a mere 86. Both 1974 issues can be obtained for $1-3 depending on condition.

Topps continued to feature Buddy Bell each year of the 1970s as he established himself as the Rangers’ starting third baseman. His 1975, 1976, and 1977 Topps cards show incremental progression in his career stats listed on the back. By 1977, he was hitting over .270 and driving in 70+ runs per season for Texas. Bell also began appearing in the new Donruss set in 1981, giving collectors another option to add him to their collections during his playing career.

In 1980, Bell was traded from the Rangers to the Cleveland Indians. This marked a change of teams on his baseball cards starting in 1981. His 1981 Donruss card was the first to feature him in an Indians uniform and bat in the right handed box. Bell enjoyed some of his best statistical seasons in Cleveland, making the All-Star team in 1981 and 1983. This success led to increased exposure and desirability for his early Indians cards among collectors.

After six seasons with Cleveland, Bell was dealt again in 1986 this time to the Chicago White Sox. Topps and Donruss reflected his new team with cards showing him in a White Sox jersey beginning in 1987. Bell enjoyed two solid seasons in Chicago before retiring after the 1990 season. His final baseball card was issued by Topps in 1991 and marked the end of his career appearances on cardboard. In total, Buddy Bell had over 20 different baseball cards produced from 1973-1991 spanning his time with the Rangers, Indians, and White Sox.

Since retiring as a player, Buddy Bell’s cards have become popular with collectors seeking to assemble sets from the 1970s and 1980s. As one of the premier third basemen of his era, Bell’s rookie card and early issues remain widely available. His cards from his All-Star seasons with Cleveland in the early 80s have increased in value due to his success during that period. High grade copies of his 1981 and 1983 Donruss cards can fetch $20-30 today. Likewise, pristine copies of his 1981 and 1983 Topps cards sell in the $15-25 range.

Overall, Buddy Bell enjoyed a very solid 19 year major league career that saw him hit over .260, drive in over 1000 runs, and play in two All-Star games. The baseball cards issued during his playing days by Topps, Fleer, and Donruss serve as an affordable way for collectors to commemorate his time in the Rangers, Indians, and White Sox organizations. While not among the most expensive retired players, Bell’s cards remain popular with those seeking to build full sets representing the 1970s and 1980s. His rookie also ensures he will remain a visible name from that era that collectors can add to their collections.

GUS BELL BASEBALL CARDS

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Gus Bell had a solid 13-year MLB career playing primarily for the Cincinnati Reds from 1951-1963, though he also spent time with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox. Though not a superstar player, Bell put together some excellent seasons at the plate that made him a recognizable name among baseball fans during his era. As a result, Gus Bell has been featured on a variety of baseball cards over the years from the 1950s through the modern day.

One of the first baseball card sets to feature Gus Bell was the 1951 Bowman set. Bell’s rookie card is considered one of his most desirable among collectors today. In 1951, Bell only got into 32 games and had 47 at-bats for the Reds as a rookie. But he showed promise by hitting .277 with 3 home runs and 11 RBI. Bell’s rookie card captured him in the signature Bowman pose from that early period staring straight ahead. The 1951 Bowman Gus Bell rookie card in near mint condition can fetch over $1,000 today given its significance as his first card issued.

Bell had his breakout season in 1952 for the Reds when he batted .288 with 27 home runs and 105 RBI. His strong performance led to increased card inclusions over the next few years. In 1952, Bell was featured in sets from Bowman, Topps, and Red Man. The 1952 Topps Gus Bell is reasonably available and affordable for most collectors at around $15-20 in cleaned condition. But the 1952 Red Man Bell card has much lower print runs and can sell for $100+ in top shape. Bell continued to be included in 1953 issues from those same manufacturers as he became a vital part of the Reds lineup.

Bell’s best season came in 1954 when he hit .278 with career highs of 34 home runs and 122 RBI to finish 8th in MVP voting. Topps, Bowman, and Red Heart captured Gus Bell that season. The 1954 Topps Bell has lots of color and design elements that cause it to be a popular and visually appealing card for collectors. Graded examples can reach $75-100 depending on condition. Outside of rookie cards, the 1954 issues are likely the most sought after Gus Bell cards from his playing days.

Injuries limited Bell some over the next few seasons but he remained a solid hitter for the Reds. He was featured in 1955, 1956, and 1957 Topps sets as Cincinnati remained contenders in the National League. By 1958, Bell was starting to decline some at age 32 but still managed a .253 average with 17 home runs that year included in his final Topps card as a Red.

Bell was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for 1959 where he hit a resurgent .288 with 22 homers in a part-time role. His lone card from his Pirates tenure was in the 1959 Topps set which can be acquired for $5-10. Bell spent 1960 with Pittsburgh and Chicago before bouncing between the minors and White Sox for the next two seasons in more of a reserve capacity. He did receive cards in 1960/1961 Topps reflecting his changing role.

After retiring as a player, Gus Bell went on to a long coaching career. In the 1970s, he coached for the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system and was included in the team’s 1976 Topps coach card subset. Bell also returned to the majors as a coach for the Reds, Yankees, and Padres in the 1970s-1980s. He received additional coaching cards featuring his photograph from 1983 Donruss and 1988 Topps Traded sets.

Modern reprint and insert sets have also spotlighted Gus Bell’s career since the 1990s. He appears in tribute sets from Upper Deck, Leaf, and Score among others focusing on 1950s/60s stars. And in the autographed memorabilia card era, there are signed versions of Bell cards available at times. Reprints and autograph parallels of Gus Bell cards do not tend to command huge premiums but can still be collectables for fans seeking pieces from his playing and coaching career.

While Gus Bell may not have achieved superstardom during his baseball tenure, he does hold value among collectors thanks to his more than decade-long MLB career spent primarily with the Cincinnati Reds. His cards from his rookie and best statistical seasons in the 1950s particularly the 1951 Bowman and 1954 Topps issues have proven to stand the test of time. But affordable options also exist for collectors seeking any card that highlights Gus Bell’s contributions as both a player and coach in the game of baseball.

GEORGE BELL BASEBALL CARDS

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George Bell was a star outfielder in Major League Baseball who played primarily for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1977 to 1994. As a key member of Toronto’s two World Series championship teams in 1992 and 1993, Bell became one of the most popular Canadian players of all time. His tremendous success on the field made him a frequent subject of baseball cards during his playing career and after his retirement.

Bell debuted professionally in 1977 in the Toronto Blue Jays’ farm system. His first baseball card appearance came in 1979 in the Topps rookie card set as an unheralded prospect in the Jays’ minor league system. That card shows Bell as a young player just starting his career path to the majors. In 1980, he received more prominent card treatments after excelling at Triple-A and earning a September call-up to Toronto. Both Topps and Donruss issued rookie/debut cards of Bell in their 1980 sets as he began to gain notice.

Bell played his first full MLB season in 1981 and had a breakout campaign that established him as a rising star. His performance was reflected in the 1981-82 card sets from Topps, Donruss, and Fleer. All three companies featured Bell prominently in their flagship releases with nice action photos capturing his skills as a power hitter and corner outfielder. Bell’s rookie card value took off after this successful first full year established him as a legitimate big leaguer.

In 1987, Bell had his finest season and one of the best individual player campaigns in Blue Jays history. He smacked 47 home runs, drove in 134 runs, and batted .308 to capture the American League MVP Award. Topps honored his stellar season with an ’87 MVP Card that depicted Bell in a batting pose. Donruss also chose to commemorate his MVP year with a special card insert. These scarce cards paying tribute to Bell’s phenomenal ’87 season are extremely popular with collectors today.

One of Bell’s most identifiable cards came in the 1988 Fleer Update set. After switching to Fleer exclusivity that year, the company wanted to spotlight Bell as a top Blue Jays star. His dramatic Update issue card showed Bell leaping with bat in hand, capturing the raw athleticism that made him a fan favorite in Toronto. That dynamic action image became one of Bell’s defining card poses over the years.

In 1991 and 1992, Bell helped propel the Blue Jays to their first two World Series championships. He was a dominant slugger in the postseason both years, knocking timeless October home runs. The ’91 and ’92 World Series heroics added to Bell’s strong brand and collector interest in Toronto. Upper Deck captured his World Champion status fittingly with attractive team cards from those title seasons featuring Bell and his teammates.

After retiring following the 1994 season, Bell remained a popular archived figure for card companies. He received legends treatment in sets like 2005 Leaf Legends, 2010 Panini Golden Age, and 2018 Topps Archives. Later inserts also kept his name in collectors’ minds, including ’90s All-Stars pieces from Upper Deck and Topps. In these post-career cards, Bell was able to be appreciated as not just a star player but a pivotal part of Blue Jays history.

In summary, George Bell left an indelible mark on baseball in Toronto that is still remembered and collected today. From his rookie steps to MVP heights to championships, Bell experienced a remarkable career arc that card companies were eager to document. Whether in contemporaneous flagship sets or later retro issues, Bell consistently found his way into the hands of collectors both in Canada and worldwide. His compelling on-field story and place in Blue Jays lore ensured baseball cards remained an important way for fans to connect with and commemorate the career of this beloved Canadian star.

ALBERT BELL BASEBALL CARDS

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Albert Bell was an American professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball from 1988 to 2005. Primarily a left fielder, Bell played for the Cleveland Indians (1988–1996), Chicago White Sox (1997–1998), and Arizona Diamondbacks (1999–2001). He was a five-time All-Star and won three Silver Slugger Awards during his career. Bell had a powerful swing that allowed him to hit home runs and drive in runs consistently throughout his career. His impressive play on the field made him a highly sought after player by collectors, leading to a large number of baseball cards being produced featuring Albert Bell over the years.

One of the most iconic Albert Bell baseball cards comes from his rookie season with the Cleveland Indians in 1988. Bell only played in 57 games that season but hit .296 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs. His impressive debut led to card companies rushing to produce rookie cards of him for the 1989 season. One of the most popular rookie cards is the 1988 Fleer baseball card #480. This card shows Bell in an Indians uniform from his rookie season with stats and information on the back. Due to his breakout rookie campaign and the Indians’ popularity in the late 80s, this card remains one of the more desirable rookie cards from the late 80s. PSA 10 graded versions of this card in near-mint to mint condition have sold for over $500 in recent years, showing its lasting demand among collectors.

Another iconic early Albert Bell card comes from 1989 Topps. The 1989 Topps baseball card #126 captured Bell in his second MLB season where he played in 154 games and hit .234 with 20 home runs and 76 RBIs. This card is notable because it was one of the first mainstream baseball cards to feature Bell after his impressive rookie season. It also highlights his continuing progression in the majors. PSA 10 graded versions of this card have sold for around $150-$200 in recent years, demonstrating its value among collectors looking to obtain early cards chronicling Bell’s career. Upper Deck also released a popular rookie card of Bell in 1990 that showed him in an action pose from the 1989 season.

Bell’s breakout season came in 1995 with the Cleveland Indians when he hit .317 with 48 home runs and 148 RBIs, leading the American League in all three categories. This incredible season led to him being named AL MVP. Unsurprisingly, card companies heavily featured Bell on many inserts and parallels in 1996 sets highlighting his 1995 season. One such popular parallel is the 1996 Upper Deck SP Authentic Albert Bell Patch parallel card. Only 50 of these 1/1 patch cards were produced with an actual game worn jersey swatch of Bell embedded in the front of the card. Given the rarity and Bell’s MVP season, PSA 10 graded versions of this unique parallel card have sold for over $2,000 at auction.

Bell continued producing impressive stats after leaving Cleveland, hitting 40 or more home runs three times with the Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks. Injuries began slowing him down later in his career. One of the final notable baseball cards featuring Bell comes from 2001 when he was with the Diamondbacks late in his career. The 2001 Upper Deck Vintage Albert Bell card shows him in an Arizona uniform with stats from the 2000 and 2001 seasons listed on the back. While not one of his most iconic cards, it serves as one of the last mainstream cards chronicling Bell as an active player before retiring after the 2001 season. PSA 10 examples of this card typically sell for $30-50, appealing to both Diamondbacks and Bell collectors.

In summary, Albert Bell had a prolific 14-year MLB career that made him a popular player to feature on baseball cards throughout the late 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. His iconic rookie cards, cards highlighting breakout seasons like 1995, and late career inserts remain some of the most sought after in his collecting portfolio. Even 25 years after his retirement, PSA 10 graded examples of Bell’s top rookie and starring season cards still command prices of $150-$500 or more due to his impressive power hitting career and popularity among Cleveland Indians fans and collectors. Albert Bell left an undeniable mark on the baseball card collecting hobby through both his on-field production and the many memorable cards issued to commemorate his time in the majors.

TACO BELL BASEBALL CARDS

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In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Taco Bell made several attempts to get into the baseball card business as a way to promote the brand and drive restaurant traffic. While their initiatives never amounted to a longstanding baseball card series, they demonstrated Taco Bell’s creativity in brand partnerships and generating excitement for customers.

Taco Bell’s first foray into baseball cards came in 1988 with the “Original Taco Maker” program. As part of a nationwide television and store marketing campaign, Taco Bell distributed 330 million free baseball cards along with kids’ meals in restaurant locations across the United States. The cards featured illustrations of MLB stars like Barry Bonds, Cal Ripken Jr., and Ozzie Smith posed in humorous scenarios related to tacos and other Mexican cuisine.

Some cards depicted players grilling up fajitas in the backyard or chomping down chalupas at the plate. The promotion was a major success, generating enthusiasm among baseball and fast food fans alike. However, Taco Bell made no plans for an ongoing baseball card series at the time. The Original Taco Maker cards served their purpose of publicizing the chain’s new branding and menu items but were not designed for collecting.

In 1992, Taco Bell took their baseball card ambitions to a new level with the Taco Bell All-Star Baseball Card Set. Produced in partnership with the Topps Company, this higher-quality 78-card set featured MLB stars of the day in traditional studio photography with stats and biographies on the back. A hologram sticker on each pack front advertised the Taco Bell branding.

Fans could find the cards in specially marked packages of Taco Bell products like tacos, burritos, chalupas, soft tacos, and more. The rare “Home Run” cards could be redeemed for food prizes by mailing to Taco Bell. Beyond driving restaurant sales, the promotion aimed to compete more directly with established sportscard brands by cultivating an avid collector base.

Distribution was initially limited to the U.S. Southwest due to production delays, frustrating demand elsewhere. But fans responded enthusiastically to the sharp photography and creative card designs within the product’s region. The cards showcased players’ accomplishments through colorful graphics and highlighted Taco Bell’s baseball fandom. While too little too late for a full nationwide rollout, the mostly regional 1992 set proved Taco Bell could produce quality sports merchandise.

The brand took another stab at cards in 1995 with a shortened promotional run of the “Taco Bell Home Team Baseball” series focused on five MLB clubs – the California Angels, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, and San Diego Padres. Produced by Pacific Trading Cards, this 50-card set presented basic stats and mugshot photos of each team’s roster.

Distribution beyond point-of-purchase at select restaurants and concession stands was limited. The Home Team cards lacked the fanfare, rarity incentives, and broad availability of the original 1992 Topps deal, diminishing their collecting potential. By this point, fickle sports fans had moved on from the novelty of Taco Bell branded baseball merchandise.

Since discontinuing its baseball card lines in the mid-1990s, Taco Bell has largely stayed out of the collectibles industry. Periodic promotions have incorporated MLB sponsors, uniforms, or stadium experiences but nothing directly showcasing players through cards. Some speculate licensing deals for ongoing annual series were too costly.

The brand has instead focused promotional energy on digital coupons, social media sweepstakes, and experiential retail partnerships. Among vintage collectors, the quirky 1980s and early 90s Taco Bell issues retain novelty value for integrating two distinctly American pastimes of baseball and fast food.

While short-lived, Taco Bell’s forays into the baseball card market pushed boundaries for non-sports companies venturing into the traditionally licensed sportscard domain. Their creative designs, fanfare launches, and extensive distribution evidenced the brand’s passion for elevating the restaurant experience beyond tacos alone. For a time, Taco Bell launched MLB collectors down new product avenues while fulfilling its mission of customer engagement. Even decades later, that spirit of creativity lives on in the chain’s promotions.