Tag Archives: rare

RARE 1968 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1968 Topps baseball card set is one of the most iconic issues in the hobby’s history. Though not as valuable as some sets from the 1950s, several scarce and coveted cards make the 1968 Topps set highly desirable for collectors. The 524-card regular issue included all 26 major league teams from 1967 and had largely the same basic design as the previous few years. A handful of error cards and short-printed players make finding high-grade examples of certain cards very difficult.

Perhaps the most famous short-print in the set is the Nolan Ryan rookie card (#506). Topps only printed around 100 copies of Ryan’s first card despite him being one of the hottest prospects in baseball at the time. Graded mint condition examples now sell for tens of thousands of dollars. Another mega-popular short-print was the Johnny Bench rookie (#110). Bench would go on to have a Hall of Fame career as arguably the greatest offensive catcher ever, making high-grade copies of his rookie extremely valuable. Only a small initial run was printed, and the card remained very difficult to locate for many years.

Among the other biggest short-prints with only a few hundred or so copies produced were a trio of All-Star outfielders – Reggie Jackson (#495), Carl Yastrzemski (#498), and Roberto Clemente (#490). All three legends were impactful contributors for their respective franchises for many seasons. Finding their ’68 rookies in pristine condition is basically impossible. Other scarce first-year cards include pitchers Dave McNally (#493), Don Wilson (#487), and Don Sutton (#486). All three hurlers enjoyed lengthy successful MLB tenures.

A few true oddball “short prints” also inhabit the set. Mike McCann’s (#164) Dodgers card was printed upside down by mistake. Only a tiny quantity survived before Topps caught and halted production. Similarly strange was an error variation of future Hall of Famer Al Kaline’s (#537) Tigers card showing him with a shadow across his face. Simply put, copies of these freak issues are virtually nonexistent today.

Beyond the big short-prints and errors, other tough high-numbers include Joe Pepitone (#478) of the Yankees, pitcher Clyde Wright (#519) of the Angels, and outfielder Ken Berry (#523) of the Twins. All seem to have been printed with small distribution, making pristine versions scarce to unobtainable.

A couple stars from the late 1960s also have surprisingly low-print cards for how good they were – outfielders Frank Robinson (#463) of the Orioles and Hank Aaron (#451) of the Braves. Robinson was in the midst of his only season with Baltimore after many years in Cincinnati, while Aaron was deep into his remarkable career. Finding their ’68s in top condition isn’t easy.

No discussion of scarcer 1968s would be complete without mentioning the short-printed Dodgers team issue cards. The Brooklyn-based franchise had recently relocated to Los Angeles, so Topps only produced a tiny quantity of their team cards (#556-#577). In high grade, they are virtually unseen. Of course, the true blockbuster stars all had regular distribution – cards of Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax and more can be located in superior quality, though never inexpensively.

With such a mix of legitimate short-prints, freak errors, and future Hall of Famers, the 1968 Topps baseball set holds a hallowed place in the hobby. Now over 50 years old, pristine examples of the toughest cards like the Ryan and Bench rookies routinely sell at auction for five and even six figures. With its blend of vintage design, obscure printing variations, and historic rookie debuts, the 1968s remain one of the most collected issues and hold tremendous nostalgia for baby boomers who first encountered them as children. The diverse combination of scarcity, big name players, and rich baseball history make certain 1968 Topps cards among the most sought-after in the entire sports collecting realm.

RARE 1990 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1990 Fleer baseball card set is notable for containing some of the hobby’s most coveted and valuable cards from the late 1980s and early 1990s. While the set overall is not necessarily one of the scarcest or most desirable of its era, it introduced rookie cards and special parallels that have stood the test of time and attracted die-hard collectors for decades.

One of the headliners from the 1990 Fleer set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the most iconic rookie cards ever printed, Griffey’s electric smile and effortless swing made him an instant fan favorite as a 20-year-old rookie with the Seattle Mariners in 1989. While his rookie season was cut short due to injury, baseball insiders knew his rare talent and five-tool ability were a glimpse of things to come. This led to huge demand for his rookie card in the 1990 Fleer set. Today, Griffey’s rookie in pristine Near Mint condition can fetch over $10,000, while well-centered Mint copies have broken the $30,000 mark at auction.

Another huge star whose rookie appeared in the 1990 Fleer set is Barry Bonds. Arguably one of the greatest pure hitters in baseball history, Bonds was a promising young player just starting to tap into his immense power potential during his early years with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His sophomore season rookie card isn’t quite as valuable as Griffey’s mega-popular issue, but Mint Bonds rookies still sell for $2,000-3,000 due to his legendary career arc and status as a controversial all-time great.

Rookies aside, the 1990 Fleer set introduced innovative parallel and short-print insert cards that created new layers of rarity and collecting opportunities. Chief among these are the ‘Cream Of The Crop’ parallel cards, featuring a whiter border and card design within a gold foil wrapper. Only 10 copies of each Cream card were produced, making them ultra-rare within the massive overall print run. In pristine condition, the Nolan Ryan and Wade Boggs Cream parallels have sold for over $25,000 each.

Another key parallel was the ‘Gold Label’ subset, featuring intricate gold foil embossing and only 100 copies printed of stars like Ozzie Smith, Bert Blyleven, and Ricky Henderson. Even well-worn Gold Labels in holders sell for $500-1,000 based on strong long-term collector demand. The ‘Black Gold’ parallel took it a step further with an all-black border and just 10 copies made, creating seven-figure price tags for stars in top grade.

Further adding to the allure and mystique of the 1990 Fleer set are unusual printing anomalies that spawned desirable variations. The ‘Clock Variation’ featured altered backgrounds on certain players’ cards, changing the positions of clock hands behind the image. PSA/DNA-graded Gem Mint 10 copies have sold for over $3,000. The ‘Monster Face’ error showed Cal Ripken Jr.’s face partly obscured at the bottom of the card image, creating a grizzly man-like appearance. Just a handful are known to exist.

While the chase cards and parallels understandably get the lion’s share of attention as elite vintage investments, there are also many affordable stars and Hall of Famers to be found throughout the 1990 Fleer set. Budget-conscious collectors can build an entire team or roster for just pennies on the dollar compared to the super-premium cards. Players like Rickey Henderson, Nolan Ryan, Wade Boggs, Kirby Puckett, and Ozzie Smith remain steady sellers in the $50-200 range depending on condition for their base rookies or star years featured.

While produced in vast numbers for its era, the 1990 Fleer set stands out for introducing short-print parallel cards that spawned some of the rarest and most valuable modern baseball cards ever. Anchored by the undisputed Griffey Jr. rookie, along with rookie issues for future all-timers like Bonds, the design innovations and printing variations contributed to long-term collector enthusiasm and market demand. Both affordable PC building and high-end vintage investments can be equally satisfying avenues when exploring this iconic early-’90s release.

RARE CUBS BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Few franchises in professional sports have as rich a history as the Chicago Cubs. Founded in 1870, the Cubs are one of the oldest teams in Major League Baseball and have captured national championships, developed homegrown stars, and seen some of the game’s greatest talents don the Cubs uniform over their 150-year history. As one of the cornerstone franchises of 20th century American sports, the Cubs have amassed a collection of rare and valuable baseball cards that offer a window into the team’s past.

Some of the rarest and most valuable Cubs cards were produced during the early 20th century, when baseball cards were included as incentives in cigarettes and candy. Among the most coveted from this period is the 1909-1911 T206 Honus Wagner card, which depicts the legendary Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop. Only 50-200 of the Wagner cards are believed to have been printed, making them the rare and valuable collectibles in the sports world. What makes the Cubs connection so intriguing is that Wagner began his career in Chicago in 1897 and played for the Cubs’ franchise for one season before being traded to Pittsburgh. As one of the game’s first true superstars, seeing him in a Cubs uniform, even if only for a single card, makes any Wagner T206 that much more significant.

In the 1930s, Goudey Gum Company produced some of the earliest baseball card sets specifically designed for collecting. Highlights from the 1933 Goudey set include stars Gabby Hartnett and Charlie Grimm in Cubs uniforms. Only around 500,000 of the original 1933 Goudey cards were printed, and high-grade specimens of Hartnett or Grimm in their Cubs duds can fetch thousands of dollars. Another iconic Cubs star of the 1930s with an incredibly scarce card is Hack Wilson. His 1930 DeLong card, which was inserted in packs of DeLong’s Football, is considered one of the true “holy grails” for Cubs collectors. Only a handful are known to exist in collectible condition.

During the post-World War 2 era, the Cubs roster was stacked with future Hall of Famers like Billy Jurges, Hank Sauer, Randy Jackson, and, of course, Ernie Banks. The 1952 Bowman set featured the first color photographs on baseball cards and included Banks in one of his early Cubs uniforms. High-grade versions have sold at auction for over $10,000. Topps debuted as a licensed MLB card maker in 1956 and their early offerings gave collectors their first glossy, full-color snapshots of Banks and teammates like Banks, Sam Jones, and Randy Hundley. In particularly nice condition with the distinctive yellow backing, 1956 and 1957 Topps Cubs cards can fetch over $1000 each.

The 1960s brought more stars to Wrigley Field as players like Ron Santo, Fergie Jenkins, and Billy Williams emerged. Their rookie and early career cards from Topps, Fleer, and other manufacturers have grown in demand. Especially for Williams, his 1965 Topps and 1966 Topps cards, showing him in his prime as a perennial All-Star, have reached values of $500-1000 each for high-quality specimens. Aside from the star players, several common Cubs from the 1960s have also increases significantly in value. For example, a well-centered 1968 Topps Don Young in a Cubs uniform just sold for over $150.

It was the 1969 Cubs that came agonizingly close to winning the franchises’ first World Series in over 50 years. As such, cards from that magical “North Side Hit Men” squad led by Ferguson Jenkins and featuring Santo, Beckert, and the rest have taken on an almost mythical quality for collectors. Keys cards include the rookie issues of Jenkins (1964 Topps) and Bill Hands (1966 Topps) which have reached up six figures when graded gem mint. Even commons from the infamous ‘69 Topps and Fleer sets command substantial prices today. Simply putting together a complete team set from that year requires a serious investment.

While they struggled on the field throughout the 1970s and 80s, the Cubs still produced plenty of fun and affordable cardboard for collectors. Fan favorites like Bruce Sutter, Jody Davis, and Ryne Sandberg emerged with affordable early issues, many of which have grown sharply in value in recent years. Sandberg’s 1984 Donruss and Topps rookies can each fetch over $100 now. The late 1980s also saw rookie issues for rising stars Shawon Dunston and Greg Maddux. One of the true oddball rarities from this era is the 1979 O-Pee-Chee Mexican Jorge Orta card, with only a small number confirmed to exist.

By the late 1980s, the Cubs had built a new championship-caliber club around Maddux, Sandberg, and Dunston. This era is represented by some genuinely valuable modern Cubs cards, starting with rookie gems like the Pitchers Maddux (1985 Donruss) and Les Lancaster (1984 Fleer). High-grade specimens regularly sell for thousands. Sandberg’s towering accomplishments of the late 1980s are also well-documented. His 1986 Fleer Update and 1988 Donruss Diamond Kings parallel efforts have reached over $500 each for pristine copies. Other chase cards include Mark Grace’s rookie (1988 Score) and the coveted 1989 Upper Deck Sammy Sosa rookie, which has changed hands for over $1000 in top condition.

The early 21st century saw the Cubs on the verge of a breakthrough. Players like Kerry Wood, Mark Prior, Derrek Lee, and Aramis Ramirez had big cardboard in the late 1990s/early 2000s. Of particular interest are Wood’s explosive 1998 Bowman Chrome and Gallery rookie refractors, both of which have achieved strong four-figure prices. Prior also had coveted rookie products in 2000 Topps Chrome and Bowman’s Best. More recently, cards like Javier Baez’s 2014 Topps Update Breakout Variation parallel to /99 and Kris Bryant’s 2015 Panini Golden Age Spectra have taken on new significance as those young stars led the Cubs to historic success.

In 2016, the Cubs at long last captured their first World Series championship in over a century, breaking one of the most infamous curses in sports. Memorable cards from that championship core include Javier Baez’s 2017 Topps Update Green Shimmer Parallel /50 and the elusive Kris Bryant 2015 Topps Update Blue Refractor /150. Even today, cards that depict players from those 2016 Cubs like Jason Heyward, Jon Lester, and David Ross remain very popular with collectors seeking pieces of franchise history.

While Wrigley Field and the Cubs iconic logo have been featured on cards dating back over a century, some modern standouts include 2013 Topps Steve Bartman, chronicling one of the franchises darkest chapters, and 2015 Panini Golden Age Cooperstown Collection Ryne Sandberg, highlighting one of its brightest stars. For the ultra-premium collector, high-end autograph and memorabilia cards of Sandberg, Santo, Banks and others consistently deliver strong returns.

In over 150 years of franchise history, the Chicago Cubs have built up one of the most storied collections of baseball cards in the sport. From early T206 classics to modern parallels and autographs, rare Cubs cards allow collectors to physically hold pieces of the team’s past, present and future in their hands. With the club’s first World Series title now in the books but more glory potentially ahead, demand for cards chronicling the Cubs rich tradition shows no signs of slowing.

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1908 RARE

Leave a reply

Baseball cards from 1908 are highly sought after by collectors due to the rarity of the cards from that era. Only a few companies produced baseball cards in 1908 including American Tobacco Company, Ecko Trading Card Company, and the Allen & Ginter Company. The cards from these sets over 100 years ago are now extremely scarce.

The most famous and valuable set from 1908 is the T206 tobacco card series produced by the American Tobacco Company. This set featured photographs of baseball players on the front and advertisements for Sweet Caporal Cigarettes on the reverse. Some of the most notable and expensive cards in the T206 set include:

Honus Wagner: Widely considered the holy grail of baseball cards, the Wagner card is the most rare and valuable trading card in existence. It’s estimated that only 50-200 Wagner cards were printed but most were likely destroyed. In near-mint condition, a Wagner T206 can sell for over $3 million making it literally priceless.

Eddie Plank and Joe Tinker: These two cards are nearly as rare as the Wagner with estimates of only 60-100 surviving copies each. High grade specimens have sold for over $500,000.

Sherry Magee: A true key card of the set, Magee cards are exceptionally scarce with perhaps 100-150 remaining. Near-mint examples could be worth $150,000+.

Matty McIntyre and Bill Dahlen: Often grouped together as two of the other rarest T206 cards after Wagner, Plank, and Tinker. A pristine copy of either could be valued at $100,000.

Christy Mathewson and Mordecai Brown: Two of the most iconic pitching stars of the early 1900s. Their T206 cards are also quite scarce and high grade copies may sell for $50,000-$75,000 each.

Ty Cobb and Walter Johnson: As two of the greatest players ever, their T206 cards are understandably popular as well. Even well-centered, attractive examples still command five-figure prices.

While the T206 set clearly contains the most valuable 1908 baseball cards, there are other notable rarities from that year as well. The Ecko trading card company also issued a set of baseball stars in 1908 that is exceedingly rare today. Some key cards include:

Napoleon Lajoie: A true star of the deadball era, high grade Lajoie cards are exceptionally scarce. Just a few are known to exist and they could be worth $50,000+ in mint condition.

Cy Young: As baseball’s all-time wins leader, Young cards are hugely sought after. Only a small number of his 1908 Ecko card are reported and it’s a true trophy piece for any collection.

Ed Walsh: The legendary spitballer has one of the rarest Ecko cards from 1908. Pristine specimens could reach $25,000 at auction.

Jimmy Collins: A true third base great, his Ecko is also quite rare with perhaps 10-15 survivors. Near-mint copies might sell for $15,000.

The Allen & Ginter company also issued a set of baseball cards as part of their famous cigarette and candy box inserts in 1908. While not quite as valuable as the T206 or Ecko sets, some notable rarities include:

Walter Johnson: One of the most dominant pitchers ever, his A&G card is quite scarce. High grade copies could reach $10,000.

Christy Mathewson: Another superstar hurler of the era. His 1908 A&G is also quite rare, especially in top condition where it may be worth $7,500.

Nap Lajoie: His Allen & Ginter card has a small surviving population and could sell for $5,000 in mint shape.

Ty Cobb: Arguably the greatest player of all-time, even a well-centered Cobb A&G from 1908 has value in the $3,000 range.

As you can see, baseball cards from 1908 truly represent the early dawn of the hobby. The sets from over a century ago are now legendary for their rarity and importance in any collection. While pristine examples of the most valuable cards will cost a small fortune, even lower grade copies still hold significance as rare survivors from the deadball era. With such a small surviving population, 1908 cards will always be highly coveted by dedicated collectors.

YouTube player
YouTube player

TOP 10 MOST RARE BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The hobby of baseball card collecting has been popular for decades, with some of the earliest cardboard relics dating back to the late 1800s. As with any collecting niche, the rarest items become highly coveted and can fetch enormous sums. Here are 10 of the most rare and expensive baseball cards ever produced based on their scarcity and current market values.

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner (PSA 1): One of the most iconic cards in collecting, the Wagner is legendary for its rarity with likely fewer than 60 graded examples known. The Wagner is widely considered the holy grail. A low-grade PSA 1 recently sold for $264,000, showing strong demand even for poorly preserved copies.

1909-11 T206 Joe Jackson (PSA 1): Like the Wagner, the “Shoeless Joe” Jackson is one of the most significant early tobacco cards. Only a handful are known to exist, with a PSA 1 in 2017 selling for $266,500. Jackson’s notoriety from the Black Sox Scandal only adds to the card’s appeal.

1967 Topps Nolan Ryan (PSA 9): Nolan Ryan established himself as one of the game’s greatest pitchers, but his 1967 rookie card wasn’t widely distributed. Only a small number received the coveted PSA 9 grade, with one selling at auction in 2020 for $360,750, showing staying power as a modern rarity.

1951 Bowman Color Mickey Mantle (PSA 8): Mantle’s career was legendary and his colorful 1951 rookie holds icon status. The color version is extremely rare, with analysts suggesting fewer than 10 high-grade copies could exist. A PSA 8 sold in 2016 for an impressive $376,918.

1933 Goudey #53 Jimmie Foxx (PSA 8): Foxx was one of the most feared sluggers of his era and his Goudey issue is among the earliest regularly traded sports cards. Condition remains elusive though, with a single PSA 8 changing hands privately for $401,000 in late 2020.

1909-11 T206 Walter Johnson (PSA 8): Alongside Wagner, Walter Johnson is synonymous with the T206 set’s prestige. Like Wagner’s though, finding an example higher than a PSA 5 is like winning the lottery. A pristine PSA 8 sold for $444,000 in 2016, underscoring its exclusivity.

1909-11 T206 Christy Mathewson (PSA 5): Widely considered one of the top five pitchers ever, Mathewson’s famous cigarette card is no less notable, though higher grades are believed preserved. A recent 2021 sale of a PSA 5 achieved $468,750, demonstrating an elite obsolete vintage card’s value.

2011 Topps Update Mike Trout RC Auto Gold /50 (PSA 10): Trout may go down as one of the games all-time greats and his 2011 rookie auto parallel to just 50 copies is extremely rare. A perfect PSA 10 copy sold in 2020 for an astounding $922,500, showing demand for a modern superstar’s low-printed card.

1909-11 T206 Eddie Plank (PSA 8): Plank logged over 300 wins but his T206 stands out for situation – graded examples number in the low single digits. In 2021, a PSA 8 became the first Plank card to cross $1 million, selling at auction for $1.32 million, a record for any pre-war card.

1909-11 T206 Nap Lajoie (PSA 4): After over a century, Lajoie’s T206 stands alone as the most valuable baseball card ever sold. One of the earliest players depicted, higher quality examples may not exist. A well-worn PSA 4 shattered predictions in 2021 and achieved a historic $3.12 million sale price, showing no affinity for condition when scarcity is extreme.

Condition and pop reports confirm these 10 cards as true blue-chip rarities. With each finding higher grades seemingly once-in-a-lifetime propositions, prices will always reflect their exceptional scarcity within the collecting universe. For those wishing to someday uncover a legendary piece of cardboard history from 1909-1951, the hunt remains as enticing as ever.

RARE BOWMAN BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Bowman was the first ever dedicated sporting card release when it launched in 1949 and featured promising prospects and rookie players. As the first major baseball card brand, early Bowman issues established icons and hall of famers that are incredibly coveted by collectors today due to their strong historical significance and low surviving populations. Some of the rarest and most valuable Bowman baseball cards ever released include:

1948 Bowman Mickey Mantle (PSA 10): The absolute crown jewel of the hobby, Mantle’s rookie card is likely the single most famous and desired baseball card ever made. High grade examples in PSA 10 condition are essentially unobtainable, last selling at auction for over $2 million. Even well-centered PSA 9s can bring in six figures. What makes Mantle’s rookie so incredibly rare is that it was part of the very first Bowman set when card collecting was just taking off. Very few were saved in top condition over 70+ years.

1951 Bowman Willie Mays (PSA 8): Like Mantle, Mays is one of the all-time greats and his rookie Bowman is imperatively significant as one of the first cards highlighting The Say Hey Kid. PSA 8s have reached upwards of $450,000 at auction due to the ultra-low population of high grade survivors. Graded examples above an 8 are practically non-existent today. The fragile 1951s were easily damaged which is a huge factor in the rarity of pristine Mays rookies over half a century later.

1950 Bowman Whitey Ford (PSA 8): Not quite as acclaimed a name as Mantle or Mays, but Ford’s rookie is still ludicrously rare and consistently one of the costliest pre-1952 cards on the market. His consistent pinpoint pitching made him a star of the dynastic Yankee teams and his early Bowman holds a great deal of nostalgia and value despite being overshadowed by teammates. Multiple PSA 8s have brought $100,000+ at auction.

1952 Topps Red Back Mickey Mantle (PSA 8): While not a Bowman card, the 1952 Topps is regarded as one of Mantle’s true rookie cards alongside his Bowman. The red backing variation makes an already rare card that much moreso. PSA 8s recently crossed the $250,000 mark at Goldin Auctions, showing the strong demand for affordable yet prestigious vintage Mantle rookie options.

1955 Bowman Don Drysdale (PSA 8): Drysdale entered the Hall of Fame as a dominant Dodger pitcher across the 1950s-60s. His first Bowman appearance has long been a highly lucrative vintage rookie to own. High grade specimens remain exceptionally rare with auctions seeing multiple six-figure prices over the past decade. One PSA 8 sold for $177,150 at Heritage in 2021, proving Drysdale’s stature.

1964 Topps Harmon Killebrew (PSA 8+): Not technically a Bowman, but Killebrew’s sole rookie card appearance was by Topps in ’64 and examples are by far the priciest non-Bowman vintage cards. Copious home runs and a long, productive career made him a true icon for younger collectors coming of age in the 1960s. Mint specimens regardless of grade still fetch premium prices due to the low census and heft of Killebrew’s legend. A PSA 9 sold for $243,000 at Goldin in 2022.

1967 Topps Tom Seaver/Bill Singer/Jim Lonborg/Don Drysdale (PSA 9): Not true rookies, but these are the sole cards showing all four pitchers together from the “Class of ’67.” Each hurler had an exceptional career and their lone joint issue makes for an unbelievably scarce set card across grades. Examples in PSA 9 holders are virtually unobtainable, even bringing six figure sums. This truly encapsulates a year that defined multiple pitcher’s entire careers.

The prices and rarities mentioned only scratch the surface of high-value Bowman and pre-1960s cards. Decades of ware and attrition have made examples like rookie Mantle, Mays, and Drysdale practically nonexistent at the absolute pinnacle of preservation. While cardboard artifacts from baseball’s earliest establishment as America’s pastime, they remain as iconic and prized as ever for collectors of all ages. With such insignificant surviving populations, these cards will likely maintain their placement at the very apex of the entire trading card collecting world.

RARE RICKEY HENDERSON BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Rickey Henderson is widely considered one of the greatest leadoff hitters and base stealers in Major League Baseball history. “Hendu” dominated the sport in the 1980s and early 1990s, holding the career records for runs scored, stolen bases, and leadoff home runs. Given his iconic status, it’s no surprise that several rare and valuable Henderson baseball cards exist. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most prized collectibles commemorating the speedy outfielder’s illustrious career.

One of the rarest Henderson cards is his 1974 Topps rookie card, which was issued during his time in the minor leagues in the Athletics’ organization. While not technically a true rookie card since he didn’t debut in the majors until June 24, 1979, it is still considered one of his key early issue cards. In Near Mint to Mint condition, high grade 1974 Topps Rickey Henderson rookie cards can sell for $1,000 or more. Another tough-to-find early minor league issue is his 1978 Kellogg’s corn flakes Henderson card, which features the then-21-year-old slugger in an Athletics uniform. Only the third year these special Kellogg’s cards were produced and with a much lower print run compared to mainstream brands like Topps, it’s an exceptionally rare pre-rookie card. Graded examples have shattered the $10,000 price barrier.

Arguably the true Henderson rookie card collectors most covet is from 1979 Topps, card #92 depicting the slick outfielder in an A’s uniform for his debut season. While the 1974 Topps minor league issue beat it by five years, this was the first card produced after Henderson made his MLB debut. High grade 1979 Topps Henderson rookies are few and far between, and have earned over $5,000 even in worn EX/DMG condition. A Pristine-graded Mint copy changed hands privately for nearly $50,000 back in early 2022, showing how condition-sensitive and valuable this coveted rookie truly is. Other notable early career issue cards from Henderson’s Oakland tenure include 1979 Topps Traded, 1980 Topps, and 1981 Donruss – all very tough to acquire high-quality examples of.

Henderson was dealt from the Athletics to the Yankees during the mid-1984 season, providing the backdrop for one of the defining baseball cards of the 1980s – 1984 Topps Traded #125T. Nicknamed the “stolen base leader” card since it was issued after Henderson pilfered a then-single season record 130 bags, it features one of the most aesthetically pleasing action shots of Henderson in full sprint. Collectors love this iconic card, and condition is everything – a Near Mint copy can sell for over $2,500, while exceptionally well-preserved Mint versions have topped $10,000 at auction. Henderson finished his Yankee tenure with two World Series rings in the late 1980s before taking his talents to Oakland’s cross-bay rival, the San Francisco Giants.

Rickey’s 1989 Upper Deck rookie card #166 as a Giant is also a highly coveted piece, as Upper Deck was still a very new and hot brand looking to make their mark. Their sharp photography and glossy stockprints made for stunning Rickey cards in this era. While not quite as tough to find as his true rookie cards, graded 1989 UD Rickeys in the 8-9/Gem Mint range still command $300-500. Henderson enjoyed many productive seasons in Oakland Green and Gold throughout the 1990s after returning, and vintage cards like 1991 Stadium Club, 1992 Fleer Ultra, and 1992 Score are still key chroniclers of his later career that six-time All-Star collections crave. But one of Henderson’s rarest and most valuable baseball cards ties back to his rookie year in Oakland – 1979 O-Pee-Chee.

The Canadian version of Topps cards, O-Pee-Chee featured French writing on the back and was printed on thinner cardstock, making high-quality specimens even scarcer. And Henderson’s debut rookie issue from that set in Pristine/Gem Mint condition is a true holy grail, with only a handful believed to exist. One such case fetched an eye-popping $25,000 at auction in late 2021, showing just how condition-sensitive and rare this piece is within the context of Henderson’s legendary baseball card portfolio. Throughout his 25-year MLB tenure ending in 2003, “Rickey being Rickey” produced countless highlight reel moments on the basepaths. And fortunately for collectors, some of the rarest cardboard from Topps, Donruss, Upper Deck and beyond helps preserve this all-time stolen base king’s place in baseball history.

While raw condition will always be important for vintage baseball cards, there is no doubt that the third-party authentication and grading services like PSA, BGS and SGC have taken collectibles to new heights over the past decade-plus. Slabs protect cherished cards and provide transparent holders verifying attributes like centering, edges and corners – greatly increasing demand, prices and liquidity in the marketplace. So it’s no surprise that many of the rarest, highest-valued Rickey Henderson cards reside in pristine slabs with eye-popping numeric grades. Whether it’s one of his elusive 1970s issues, iconic 1984 Topps Traded, rookie gems, or later stars, Rickey’s electrifying on-field exploits translated to some truly special collectibles chronicling his Hall of Fame career. His name has become synonymous with stolen bases, and these ultra-rare cardboard keepsakes let fans relive that lightning in a bottle well after he hung up the spikes.

RARE 1972 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The iconic 1972 Topps baseball card set is highly coveted by collectors due to its simplicity and rarity. Produced during a time when baseball card sets were still fairly limited in size and scope compared to modern releases, the 1972 Topps set showcased a more raw and straightforward presentation of the players and teams. This, combined with several extremely rare and valuable rookie cards, has cemented the 1972 Topps set as a treasure trove for collectors seeking classic and key pieces of baseball memorabilia.

One of the most sought after and valuable rookie cards from the 1972 set is Nolan Ryan’s. Ranked as one of the top 10 rarest baseball cards of all time, only 35 copies of Ryan’s rookie card are known to exist in gem mint condition. What makes this card so exceptionally rare is the fact Topps only printed around 500,000 total copies for Ryan’s rookie, whereas typical print runs during that era were usually over 1 million cards. With such a small original print run and the passage of time taking its toll on card condition, finding a pristine 1972 Nolan Ryan rookie in a professional grading slab above a 9.0 is virtually unheard of. Sales of high graded Ryan rookies have been recorded over $250,000, marking it as one of the most expensive baseball cards to acquire.

Another rookie card possessing unbelievable rarity and demand is Rod Carew’s. Like Ryan, Carew’s 1972 Topps rookie was printed in absurdly low numbers believed to be only around 100,000 copies. In gem mint 10 condition, there are less than 10 known copies verified, instantly rendering even a singly copy one of the rarest sports cards on the planet. Add in Carew’s legendary status as a 7-time batting champion and hall of famer, and it’s clear why a near mint to mint 9.0 graded 1972 Rod Carew rookie has sold at auction for over $150,000. Simply put, the supply will never meet the demand for high quality examples of what is widely considered the single most valuable Twins card out there.

Aside from rookie greats, the 1972 Topps set also featured several key returnees whose cards have achieved legendary icon status over the decades. Reggie Jackson’s card, depicting him during his early Oakland Athletics years before his monster 1977 World Series run with the Yankees, is a clear standout. Known copies of a PSA 10 Gem Mint Reggie card number under 10 in the entire world, commanding prices up to $50,000 when one goes up for auction. The rarity stems from Jackson’s immediate superstar status combined with subpar centering and production flaws common in the early 1970s causing many of his cards to grade lower.

Another absolutely flawless Hall of Famer card coveted by collectors is #500, Nolan Ryan’s second year card in an Angels uniform. Much like the rookie, low original print runs and the fragility of the paper stock has led to an exceedingly tiny population of high grade copies. Just a handful are known to exist in the sought after PSA 10 condition, and similarly to the rookie have sold for over $30,000 due to the perfect combination of the player, visuals, and impeccable state of preservation after 50 years.

While the headlining rookie and star veterans understandably take the spotlight, completism is still a driving force behind pursuing the full 557 card 1972 Topps set. Outside of the true “big 3” of Ryan, Carew, and Jackson’s rookies, other significantly rare standouts include #277 Mike Marshall’s Dodger card, with the unique challenge of capturing the knuckleballer mid delivery in such crisp condition making high grades extremely elusive. #518 Tommy John’s Dodger card is also quite rare in Gem Mint condition due to off centered production. #257 Rich Reese’s Expo card notoriously has poor centering and glossy surfaces causing pristine grades to be nearly impossible to obtain.

For the passionate collector, it’s also about acquiring minor roles players and staff in perfect condition. Cards like #193 Lerrin LaGrow (just 4 known PSA 10 copies), #293 Larry Dierker (only a couple PSA 10s in existence), and #526 Ron Reed (incredibly difficult to grade due to blending into the white background) provide the ultimate achievements when found flawless. Even unremarkable commons from the set like #151 Larry Gura, #296 Rich Folkers, and #539 Paul Lindblad are considered quite rare in pristine condition based on the tiny populations graded by services like PSA and SGC.

The allure of the 1972 Topps set stems from a combination of its nostalgic early 70s design, the inclusion of several all-time rookie and star cards, and the inherent rarity created by low original print runs combined with the fragility of the cardboard and corners over 5 decades of collecting and handling. For these reasons, it remains one of the most legendary and valuable complete vintage sets to acquire, with key singles breaking records whenever a true gem condition example surfaces on the marketplace. With such a limited surviving population, the 1972 Topps puzzle will continue to enthral collectors for generations to come.

RARE BASEBALL CARDS 1989

Leave a reply

The hobby of collecting baseball cards saw a massive boom in the late 1980s. More people than ever were opening packs of cards, putting together complete sets, and pursuing the most valuable rookie cards and inserts on the burgeoning trading card secondary market. The 1987 Topps set introduced the Griffey rookie card that quickly gained legendary status. Building off this momentum, the 1988 Fleer and Score sets introduced ultra-rare insert sets that are among the most desired chase cards ever. By 1989, the perfect storm was brewing for some true gem cards to emerge that would stand the test of time as highly coveted by collectors.

One of the biggest rookie card treasures from 1989 is the Ken Griffey Jr. Upper Deck card. Upper Deck burst onto the scene in 1989 with its radically improved production quality over other brands. They featured perfect centering, sharp focus, and bright vivid colors. Even the card stock itself felt thicker and more premium. Naturally, collectors went wild for the set. Among the 259 total cards were rookie cards for Gregg Jefferies, Jeff Bagwell, and Moises Alou. But none would become more iconic than the Griffey. With his sweet left-handed swing already making headlines in only his second MLB season, Griffey seemed poised for stardom. Now, graded PSA 10 examples of this rookie sell for upwards of $10,000. Even well-centered PSA 9 copies still fetch over $1,000.

Another massive hitter who made his MLB debut in 1989 was Mark McGwire with the Oakland A’s. His rookie card comes from Donruss and Fleer that year. It’s the Fleer card that has earned legendary status. Featuring McGwire crouched in the batter’s box with intense focus, the photo has become synonymous with the start of “Big Mac’s” prodigious home run prowess. Raw copies still hold substantial value thanks to McGwire’s notoriety. But a PSA 10 example, which are extremely scarce, was sold at auction in 2018 for over $30,000, providing a true rarity from ’89.

While stars like Griffey and McGwire exploded onto the scene right away, other ’89 rookies like Barry Larkin, Frank Thomas, and David Justice took time to develop. Their rookie cards from sets like Score, Donruss, and Fleer are quite affordable today. But sleeper selections like the Luis Gonzalez rookie from Bowman Traded hold intrigue. Gonzalez didn’t blossom until later in his career with the Diamondbacks. His rookie is quite tough to find in high grade due to production issues with the Traded set. A PSA 9 could command $400 nowadays.

The biggest insert rarity from baseball cards in 1989 comes from Upper Deck’s Miniatures set. Featuring iconic photos shrunken down to business card size, the 88-card Miniatures set was one of the original “short print” inserts that became the precursors to autographed jersey cards and 1-of-1 parallels found in modern products. The biggest chase was the Ken Griffey Jr. Mini. In PSA 10 condition, with a population around 50 copies, Mint Griffey Minis have sold for over $15,000. Even well-centered PSA 9s still pull in $3,000. Beyond Griffey, stars like Bo Jackson, Nolan Ryan, and Ozzie Smith Minis also have valuations approaching $1,000 PSA 10. It’s amazing to think cards barely bigger than a postage stamp hold such significance.

1989 Donruss also had its share of rare varieties. The Gwynn Rookie Cup parallel is one of the toughest pulls in the entire set. Featuring Tony Gwynn in San Diego Padres brown and yellow with “Rookie Cup” stamped on the front, these rare rookies have sold for over $5,000 in pristine condition. Similarly scarce are the “1st Run” parallel variations found throughout Donruss ’89. For example, the Mark McGwire “1st Run” shows him with the A’s and is valued over the standard issue at $500 PSA 9. Collectors also hunt the elusive 1/1 printing plates from ’89 Donruss featuring unfinished white borders around the image.

Arguably the most valuable baseball card from 1989 is the Nolan Ryan/Rickey Henderson Upper Deck SP Autograph duo. As one of Upper Deck’s inaugural autographed insert sets, only 3000 combined sets were produced. Each combo pack contained 4 autographed cards, 2 each of Ryan and Henderson. Getting both HOFers on a single SP auto each makes these true crown jewels. Even partially signed graded examples have broken the $20,000 sale threshold. A pair receiving full Authentic autos from PSA could be worth $50,000. No other release in 1989 spawned a card as legendary in the memorabilia world.

While not a true “rare card,” the sheer popularity of Don Mattingly’s rookie from Topps Traded makes it an interesting discussion when covering valuable 1989 issues. Considered one of the all-time classic baseball cards, high-grade Mattingly’s routinely sell for $1,000-$2,000. What’s fascinating is how the Traded design differs from the standard Topps set version—featuring a blue and yellow color scheme with diamond-shaped logo rather than red text box. It’s a more aesthetically pleasing issue that many collectors prefer.

In summary, 1989 was a truly amazing year for rare and valuable baseball cards. Stars like Griffey, McGwire and Thomas emerged alongside inserted memorabilia like the Ultra Miniatures. Rare parallel varieties fromScore and Donruss also delighted collectors pursuing the obscure. But perhaps most impressive were the ultra-high end SP autographs from Upper Deck, a true landmark release cemented as one of the greatest sports card inserts ever made. When discussing the hobby’s golden years, 1989 will forever stand tall.

RARE BASEBALL CARDS FOR SALE

Leave a reply

Rare and Valuable Baseball Cards on the Market

The hobby of collecting baseball cards has been around for over 150 years, dating back to the late 19th century when players would include photos of themselves on tobacco cards or promotional materials distributed by food companies. While the common cardboard collectibles from the past few decades hold little monetary value today, there are still some truly rare vintage baseball cards that can fetch enormous prices when they come up for sale. Let’s take a look at some of the rarest and most valuable baseball cards that collectors keep an eye out for.

1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner – The Crown Jewel: When discussing the most valuable baseball cards ever printed, the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card is always at the top of the list. Produced by the American Tobacco Company between 1909-1911, the card features Pittsburgh Pirates’ shortstop Honus Wagner. It’s estimated only 50-200 of these rare cards were printed, making it incredibly scarce. The story behind its low print run involves Wagner allegedly asking the tobacco company to stop printing his card, as he didn’t want to promote tobacco to children. The ultra-rare status of the T206 Wagner makes each one that finds its way to the market tremendously sought after. The highest price ever paid for a T206 Wagner was $6.6 million in 2016. PSA Gem Mint 10 graded examples in excellent condition could now fetch $10 million or more.

1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig: Another early 20th century rarity is the 1933 Goudey Lou Gehrig card. Known for its dramatic image of Gehrig mid-swing, the card was part of the short-printed 1933 Goudey set numbering only 525,000 total cards. High grade copies with a PSA 10 Gem Mint rating have sold for over $2 million. Even well-worn low grade examples still pull in six figures. Beyond its rarity, the Gehrig card is so desired because it features one of the all-time great sluggers for the New York Yankees at the peak of his Hall of Fame career.

1952 Topps Mickey Mantle: The 1952 Topps card of Mickey Mantle transitioned the baseball card market into the modern era. As one of the first mainstream color cards released in the post WWII period that included gum, they caught on massive with kids with the allure of a stick of Bazooka chewing gum inside each pack. While the ’52 Topps set had a print run estimated around 50 million cards, high grade examples of the iconic young Mantle rookie have still cracked the $1 million sales threshold. The card was groundbreaking in introducing color photography to the collector world.

1909 E95 Frank Schulte: The rare E95 cigarette card series is considered one of the true Holy Grails for 19th century tobacco collectors. Featuring portraits of Chicago Cubs Frank Schulte in action and mug shot poses, examples in the best condition are graded PSA 8 or higher and have crossed the auction block for $350,000+. The 1909 baseball card set included just 480 cards total and Schulte’s appearance makes it a supremely tough accessory to track down over 100 years later. Fewer than 10 high quality copies are believed to still exist in private collections today.

1966 Topps Roberto Clemente: As one of the greatest Latina American baseball stars ever, Roberto Clemente’s rookie card from the 1966 Topps set holds great significance. While Topps printed his rookie in huge numbers estimated at 60+ million, finding one in pristine PSA 10/BGS 9.5 condition is exceptionally difficult. When available, these perfect specimens sell in the $100,000+ range. Even lesser graded copies still pull in five figures due to Clemente’s heroic on-field performances and tragic early death in a plane crash delivering aid to earthquake victims in 1972 at just age 38. His elegant portrait and stand-out afro hairdo remain iconic in baseball card culture.

The hobby of collecting rare vintage baseball cards reaches a new generation eager to own tangible pieces of sports history. With auction prices always escalating for the true one-of-a-kind rarities, condition is paramount. Professionally graded mint exemplars shatter records every year. Even lesser condition examples still hold considerable value due to the challenge of finding any surviving relic from the early 1900s in the first place. Whether spending thousands or millions, adding one of these ultra-rare hall of fame rookie cards to a collection is a pinnacle for any aficionado of the pastime. Keep an eye out at major card shows and certified third party auction houses to hopefully spot one of these elusive pieces of collectible Americana come up for sale.