Wednesday, November 11, 2009

When Hobbies Collide- Vintage Edition

1966 TOPPS BATMAN COMPLETE SET PSA GRADED ALL 44 CARDS


For any Batman fan this Topps set is a classic. While the 1960's TV Show made a complete mockery of this beloved comic book character, the art work of the trading card set did a much better job of capturing the Dynamic Duo as their original DC creators had intended. You can see the complete auction with other pictures here.



When of the things I immediately noticed in the listing is that the seller claimed to have paid $10 per card for grading. Assuming that is true, more than 50% of the sales total was tied up in grading fees. however, a closer look at recent sales shows that ungraded, in similar condition, these sets sell much closer to between $125-$150, so in this particular case the "investment" in having them slabbed more than paid for itself and returned 3x the profit had the set been sold ungraded.

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Collecting the 2009 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees

The NHL Hall of Fame Class for 2009, is arguably the best ever and features some of the most talented players to ever play the game. The fact they played their entire careers during my lifetime was a treat to behold. This year's inductees, on the player side, are Brett Hull, Brian Leetch, Steve Yzerman, and Luc Robitaille.

Fortunately or unfortunately depending on how you look it at, their cards are extremely affordable since the majority started their careers at the near height of the junk wax era. Each players rookie card comes in both Topps and OPC versions with OPC always seeming to command a slight premium.

Steve Yzerman 1984-85 Topps/OPC
Average price range $10-30








Brian Leetch 1989-90 Topps/OPC
Less than $5









Luc Robitaille 1987-88 Topps/OPC
Average price range $12-$20










Brett Hull 1988-89 Topps/OPC
Average price range $5-15
>

Product Review- Topps Finest Football RIP

Guest Review- Russ Cohen

I got my two mini boxes, 12 packs of shiny cardboard, for the reasonable price of $85. Jets rookie QB Mark Sanchez is the cover boy so all the elements are there but will it live up to the hype? Lets dig into this box and see. There are new rookie patch auto’s available. I did get two rookie autographs and one of them is a letter patch auto. The first solid card was . . . Read the rest and see what we found.

Monday, November 9, 2009

When We Say Their Arrogance Knows No Bounds . . .

This is the kind of BS, we are talking about. Beckett Media is being sued by Summit Entertainment regarding the release of a 'Twightlight' fanzine, DESPITE being issued a cease and desist letter PRIOR to publishing a second issue.

TMZ Reports.

It's really, really a shame . . . :)

For Those Keeping Score At Home . . .

. . . your 2010 licensed sports cards will be produced by these companies as follows:

Baseball- Topps

Basketball- Panini

Hockey- Upper Deck

Football- Panini and Upper Deck

Collegiate Athletics- Upper Deck

Of course, these recent licensing announcements and realignment of the market don't take into account the amount of unlicensed product that collectors will be inundated with.

Is it possible that even though we have a stream lining of the licensing agreements we could actually end up with MORE cards than in recent years. Imagine the scenario where every manufacturer says, "Screw it." and start making unlicensed cards for all 4 sports.

It sure will be interesting to say the least.

What Topps Football Product Will You Miss The Most?

A few weeks ago, Twitter and the blogsphere were abuzz at the speculation and rumor that the licensing arm of the NFL, Players Inc would be eliminating 1 manufacturer license. Apparently where there is smoke there's fire. This represents further contraction in the trading card market that has been seemingly one thing after another for almost 2 years now. With that being said, what are you going to miss most? Take the poll below.

The Hot Stove League Will Start With a Bang

The annual MLB General Manager's meeting kicks off today right here in Chicago. Already trades and free agent signings are heating up despite the World Series ending less than a week ago.

There is seemingly an unprecedented amount of free agents on the market this year and many, many players will undoubtedly be changing uniforms come the start of the 2010 season. The list isn't limited to role and bench players as dozens of high profile stars await their future.

A complete list is available here , including players ages, details, and whether or not they are a Scott Boras client.

Is it Worth It?

Blowout Cards currently has an eBay listing for a lot of damaged boxes. With 2 days left the bidding is up to over $1,000. You get 36 boxes and about 40 packs. My question to you . . . is it worth it?



Late Edition of TWOT- Last Week On Twitter 10/31-11/6

Great content from around the web. News, video games, comic books, technology, sports, collectibles, auctions, music, movies, celebrities, TV and more.

GeekTyrant
Eminem returns to the big screen with horror anthology SHADY TALEZ http://bit.ly/3ZhOVe from web
GeekTyrant
Batmobile Smart Car: Batman goes Green http://bit.ly/1Yyltk from Tweetie
SI_24Seven
Agassi speaks out on his drug use on 60 Minutes http://bit.ly/2dDeM8 from API
cardbaseball
New From Baseball Card Pulse: Using Auctiva to Sell Baseball Cards On eBay http://tinyurl.com/yj3hqxz http://tinyurl.com/yj3hqxz from API
boltbrowser
Droid mania sweeps the nation http://bit.ly/2TsLnH #mobile from Seesmic
tcrowntom
2010 #MLB free agent list from mlbtraderumors.com http://bit.ly/K3Lb from web
tcrowntom
Legendaryauctions.com has a Frank Chance Chicago Cubs 1911-12 game worn home jersey in November auction est $50-$60,000 http://bit.ly/4hpsIE from web
xbox_news
Sports Gaming: So, which console is the best for sports gaming? - Bristol Press http://bit.ly/2XJRp9 from twitterfeed
xbox_news
Modern Warfare 2 Xbox Live Avatar Announcement - TeamXbox http://bit.ly/4l2zoS from twitterfeed
IDWPublishing
#TRANSFORMERS editor Andy Schmidt talks about the new ongoing series with CBR! # comics http://bit.ly/latd1 from Ping.fm
SI_24Seven
SI Kids relives sports’ most memorable plays and exhilarating moments in Wow! The Pop-Up Book of Sports. Available now - http://bit.ly/vq22j from CoTweet
dacardworld
Great Contest Run by UD and Beckett - Become the Face of 2010 SPx Baseball: http://tinyurl.com/yjwrxpc from web
Marvel
Watch the MarvelFest NYC 2009 Extended Cut Video http://is.gd/4OaHA Costumes, signings, Motion Comics & more, hosted by @Agent_M! from TweetDeck
IndyCarPR
IZOD becomes title sponsor of the IZOD IndyCar Series. View this photo from the announcment http://ow.ly/i/6pp from HootSuite
SI_24Seven
Follow your favorite SI writers & accounts by sport with SI's #TwitterLists on our twitter page. Any other lists you want us to create 4 u? from CoTweet
xbox_news
See the Modern Warfare 2 Launch Trailer - TheHDRoom http://bit.ly/B9DEu from twitterfeed
SI_24Seven
Coffee Break Photo Gallery: Congratulations to the World Series Champion NY #Yankees! Here are all 27 Champion teams - http://su.pr/4T5ibW from CoTweet
DC_NATION
DCU: The Source - Get a first look at JSA ALL-STARS #1: http://bit.ly/1Eeip5 from API
Torrie11
Just posted some various pics on facebook! Http://tinyurl/torriepix from SimplyTweet
GeekTyrant
Sony Pictures to make film about the Board Game RISK http://bit.ly/cdFda from TweetDeck
AuctionBytes
Optimizing eBay Listings May Hurt You on Google? (AuctionBytes Blog) http://bit.ly/10L5NK from GeekTyrant
Comic-Con Founder Sheldon Dorf has Passed Away http://bit.ly/17enLD from web
Ve3tro
God of War 3, Demo Walkthrough 20 Minutes (HD 720p) http://tinyurl.com/y9hse3c #gaming gaming from twitterfeed
UpperDeckSports
Like to watch NFL Touchdown Celebrations? Here are the Top 10 from this year's NFL Rookie Photo Shoot - ENJOY! http://bit.ly/32A02A from CoTweet
IGNcom
Hey guys, it's @ericign, sharing my visit to the Fringe set, where I talked to Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson & John Noble: http://bit.ly/4DRNM3 from web
GeekTyrant
New SHERLOCK HOLMES Movie Trailer http://bit.ly/1gwIG3 from web
PlanetXbox360
EA Sports Announces Madden Ultimate Team for NFL 10 http://bit.ly/W5PY8 from twitterfeed
wefollow
We've created dynamic Twitter Lists for the top WeFollow tags (filled with our most influential users): http://twitter.com/wefollow... from web
BurnNotice_USA
http://twitvid.com/D701E - Burn Notice is BACK this winter! Check out the teaser! from API
Marvel
Winter Guard: Cold Warriors http://is.gd/4Nh8l Learn the secrets and stories behind the premiere Soviet super team. from TweetDeck
Reply
AuctionBytes
How do changes to USPS Priority Mail Rates in January affect you? (AuctionBytes Blog) http://bit.ly/14nHBg from web
GeekTyrant
New Trailer for Angelina Jolie’s SALT http://bit.ly/4rAwhi from web
PlanetXbox360
Enter to Win a Trip to Meet Taylor Swift Thanks to Band Hero http://bit.ly/4e3PDi from twitterfeed

IndyCarPR
We are less than 25 hours from our major announcement. Don't forget, you can watch it live at 2 p.m. (ET) Thursday on IndyCar.com. from HootSuite
GeekTyrant
HALO 3 Multiplayer Top 10 Kill Videos http://bit.ly/3vWdvJ from web
Marvel
Daken Kills The Punisher & Gets A New Printing In Dark Reign: The List - Punisher http://is.gd/4N6En from TweetDeck
IDWPublishing
Check out previews of IDW's new books, available at a store near you today! http://bit.ly/JEHsp from Ping.fm
tradingcards
Batman Series B Cards 1966 Topps 34 Cards http://bit.ly/42oEAT from API
PlanetXbox360
Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Sith Edition is Now in Stores http://bit.ly/1GLI6g from twitterfeed
SI_24Seven
Coffee Break Photo Gallery: Our Pop Culture Hit List for this week - http://su.pr/5lEXH2 from CoTweet
xbox_news
Left 4 Dead 2 Demo available to Xbox Live Gold Members and PC players - Game Guru (blog) http://bit.ly/2I8Z17 from twitterfeed
Ve3tro
Xbox 360 Arcade $199 with $100 Gift Card at Walmart this Saturday 7th Nov http://tinyurl.com/yk5rf97 #gaming gaming from twitterfeed
SI_24Seven
Report: Looking to cut costs, Toyota to leave F1 - Toyota's exit from Formula One racing is imminent,... http://bit.ly/1XJphk from API
GeekTyrant
I gotta see Sandy Collora's Sci-Fi film HUNTER PREY last night, Here's what I thought of it... new images included http://bit.ly/2WNZAi from TweetDeck
PlanetXbox360
Developer Rare Wants to Revolutionize FPS Genre with Help From Xbox 360's Project Natal - http://bit.ly/2KMwu4 from TweetDeck
foxchicago
Winter Weather Outlook 2009 http://bit.ly/qx7mV from web
Marvel
Fantastic Digital Comics! Check out FANTASTIC FOUR #570 and #571 for free on Marvel Digital Comics! http://is.gd/4MfHn from web
FCBsportscards
FCB's 2009 Prize-a-thon to last through through the new years! See this thread for details, and how to win cards! http://bit.ly/3GTf0p from Facebook
Microsoft_Xbox
Battlefield 2: Modern Combat has been added to the Games on Demand. Available in North America and Asia. from web
SI_24Seven
Coffee Break Photo Gallery: Leading Off Pictures of the Week - http://su.pr/5QYfTm. Here are SI's top 15 photos from the past week in sports from CoTweet
xbox_news
Microsoft launches tiered Xbox Live Rewards program - Gaming Target http://bit.ly/1ReM7j from twitterfeed
mental_floss
The last ballots have been counted. Here are October's 12 most popular stories from mentalfloss.com: http://bit.ly/3yaM4l from web
GeekTyrant
Ian McKelken has read The Hobbit Script and heres what he says http://bit.ly/3JYndB from Tweetie
IGNcom
Brace yourself: Patch reviews 2012 - http://au.movies.ign.com/ar... ...Oh, it's a disaster alright. from web
IGNcom
Tons of awesome game footage from last week. Quickly catch up in just a minute with our IGN Hype video: http://bit.ly/4dc4Ui -@FranMirabella from web
SI_24Seven
RT @SI_Swimsuit: Swimsuit Photo of the Day: 1996 @kathyireland photographed by Robert Huntzinger - http://su.pr/1tCT2a from CoTweet
scfnews
The November edition of the SCF magazine is now ready: http://bit.ly/239bLk from web
Marvel
Archrivals: Spider-Man vs Electro http://is.gd/4Lmjv Plug in and switch on the shocking history between Spider-Man and Electro. from TweetDeck
IDWPublishing
Check out what IDW has planned for November! http://bit.ly/1v7fGT #comics from Ping.fm
PlanetXbox360
WWE Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 - Review http://bit.ly/1Zdftg from twitterfeed
bbgeeks
NBA fan? You will soon be able to watch your games live from your BlackBerry! http://bit.ly/1q99kT from TweetDeck
SportsCollector
How to Turn $5 into $5 Million: Read the story of how one U.S. Marine perusing eBay launched a multi-million do.. http://bit.ly/3OWauI from twitterfeed
GeekTyrant
The Top 250 Best Movies of all time Map http://bit.ly/1ETQ6I from web
DIVACANDICEM
Just blogged on candicemichelle.com! Surprise surprise from txt
jfinch27
Just got back from church, now headed out to shoot! Yes, to shoot a gun! My first time shooting, don't worry I'm not in camo, yet... from web
sportscardinfo
'09 Prospects Plus Preview http://bit.ly/1q6qzG from web
AuctionBytes
TIAS.com - A Virtual Antiques Mall for Collectors & Connoisseurs (AuctionBytes Update) http://bit.ly/2BgVWc from web
SportsCollector
Welcome MnM Sports Cards and Gotta Have It to our stable of advertisers: http://www.sportscollectors... from web
PlanetXbox360
Modern Warfare 2 Kill Streak Brings the Pain - Nuke Style http://bit.ly/1UjAnd

Sunday, November 8, 2009

The Princes of Camelot

Shortly after the passing of Ted Kennedy, the last remaining son of family patriarch Joseph, Topps announced the inclusion of this card in Triple Threads, obviously as a means of capitalizing and cashing in on the fervor and publicity of the moment.

Since it's release, 3 of the 5 copies have made there way to eBay, with sale prices being $808, $782, and $750. The serial numbers of these cards were 2/5, 3/5, and 5/5, meaning the (2) remaining cards (1/5 and 4/5) have yet to be pulled, or, are residing in someones personal collection.

If the others reach it to the secondary market before the end of the year, do you think they realize a higher or lower selling price?