Archive for January, 2008

Playoff National Treasures 2007

Playoff released 2007 National Treasures Football this week. After a very succesful debut in 2006, Playoff’s Senior Football Brand Manager Ben Ecklar stated, “we knew we could not just sit on the success Treasures had in ‘06″.

The company took into account customer feedback, and went with more on-card autographs as opposed to signatures on stickers. Rookie Cards are serial-numbered to 99 and feature on-card signatures as well as a large swatch of multi-color material.  Collector’s can also pull Cut-signature cards of Rose Kennedy, Rosa Parks, Alexander Cartwright, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, and Benjamin Harrison.

Upper Deck Announces “Exquisite Experience”

Upper Deck has announced a unique experience for five lucky collectors. See the program’s press release below:

Find a golden ticket and win the opportunity to build your own pack of 2007-08 NBA Exquisite

Carlsbad, CA – (January 23, 2008) – When 2007-08 Exquisite Basketball arrives in stores this summer, collectors will be blown away by how far the product line has come over the last five years and how exciting the content has become. Five lucky collectors from the US or Canada will get an early preview of the set like no collector has ever experienced before through Upper Deck’s new program called “The Exquisite Experience.”

One golden ticket will be randomly inserted into 2007-08 NBA SP Authentic (releasing Feb. 13), 2007-08 NBA UD Black (releasing Feb. 27), 2007-08 NBA SP Rookie Edition (releasing mid-March), 2007-08 NBA UD Premier (releasing early April). A fifth golden ticket will be awarded through a no-purchase-necessary program. The five lucky winners will receive airfare and accommodations to attend the packout of 2007-08 Exquisite Basketball this summer.

Not only will they get a behind the scenes look at this year’s release that will include some of the most anticipated Kevin Durant rookie cards of the year, but they will also have an unprecedented opportunity to create their own pack of cards. Winners will be given five minutes to create their own pack according to the set ratios in place for the product. So while they will not be able to make their pack full of 1/1 cards, they will be able to select the players and inserts they want in their packs in line with those ratios.

“Our ultimate goal is to bring collectors closer to our products and the sports they love,” said Chris Kollmeyer, Upper Deck NBA brand manager. “’The Exquisite Experience’ is another innovative and exciting way to give collectors an opportunity to see the large undertaking we go through for packing out a product this important. The other thing winners will enjoy is just how awesome it is to see all of these cards in one place for that brief time before they all are packaged and sent out. It’s the type of behind-the-scenes type of experience that any hardcore collector would salivate over.”

Exquisite “Golden Ticket”

Upper Deck To Release Yankee Stadium Legacy Set

“The Yankee Stadium Legacy” set, a 6,500-card compilation chronicling every single game ever played at the famous “House That Ruth Built,” will begin its official debut by being inserted in random packs of Upper Deck’s 2008 Series 1 Baseball, scheduled to hit store shelves on February 5th.

With historic Yankee Stadium playing out its last regular season this year before the Bronx Bombers move to a new ballpark in 2009, Upper Deck decided it was a terrific opportunity to acknowledge the incredible history and moments that have occurred at Yankee Stadium since its doors opened in 1923. Besides chronicling 85 seasons’ worth of Yankees home games, this comprehensive set will also include some of the most famous sporting events that have taken place at Yankee Stadium including: Lou Gehrig’s “Luckiest Man Alive” Speech (July 4, 1939); Babe Ruth’s “Final Visit to Yankee Stadium” (June 11, 1948); Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling heavyweight title bout (June 19, 1936, Schmeling won); and Muhammad Ali’s title defense against Ken Norton (Sept. 28, 1976).

“Not only is this an incredibly ambitious effort by our Product Development and Creative teams, but it’s a well-deserved tribute to one of the sports world’s most celebrated venues, “ said Kerri Stockholm, Upper Deck’s director of Sports Marketing. “We’re delivering the cards as inserts in several different Upper Deck baseball products throughout 2008, giving collectors everywhere a chance to share in the historic tribute.”

Yankee Stadium Legacy Set

Ruth Yankees Card

Upper Deck’s 2007-08 SPx Hockey remains the ‘Home of the Rookie Jersey Card’

From Upperdeck.com:

SPx Hockey

This season’s launch includes autographed ‘Flashback Fabric’ cards of Gordie Howe, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux

Carlsbad, CA (January 15, 2008) – The Upper Deck Company proudly announces the release of its latest-and-greatest edition of SPx Hockey trading cards. Always striving to provide the most sought-after NHL content per pack (autographs, rookie cards and rookie jersey cards), Upper Deck’s 2007-08 SPx Hockey launch delivers like a Sidney Crosby slap shot!

With the current NHL season in full force, top rookies are rising to the surface and showing their true mettle. Freshmen like Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews (Chicago); Carey Price (Montreal); Sam Gagner (Edmonton); Jiri Tlusty (Toronto); and Nicklas Backstrom (Washington) are making terrific first impressions in their inaugural NHL campaigns. And Upper Deck’s 2007-08 SPx Hockey presents the NHL’s up-and-coming talent like nobody else.

In addition, SPx Hockey brings collectors the full breadth of superstar content loyal hobbyists have come to expect from the industry leader. With current superstars like Pittsburgh center Sidney Crosby, Detroit goaltender Dominik Hasek and New York Rangers right winger Jaromir Jagr headlining the always popular “Winning Materials” jerseys inserts (1:18 packs), and “Flashback Fabrics” memorabilia cards (1:126 packs) sporting the likes of retired greats Bobby Clarke (Flyers), Dino Ciccarelli (North Stars), Bobby Nystrom (Islanders) and Guy Lafleur (Canadiens), collectors will surely be clamoring for packs of SPx Hockey. Another special element to this year’s SPx Hockey launch is the reemergence of a late ’90 SPx insert favorite: “Force Quad Holograms.” Two of the Force Quad combinations include Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Mario Lemieux and Sidney Crosby, as well as Bobby Orr, Scott Neidermayer, Nicklas Lidstrom and Dion Phaneuf.

“Our goal with SPx Hockey has always been to spotlight the league’s rookie crop as well as provide great chase cards for NHL fans serious about their card collecting,” said Upper Deck Hockey Brand Manager Josh Zusman. “Autographs and jersey cards certainly drive the hockey card market, but innovative add-ons like our ‘Spectrum Parallel’ inserts of the entire regular set provide even more value for hockey card collectors.”

Upper Deck’s 2007-08 SPx Hockey includes 18 packs per box and four cards per pack, yielding – on average – two “Rookie Jersey” cards (one will be autographed) in every box.  The product is scheduled to hit store shelves on Wednesday, January 16.

Continue reading ‘Upper Deck’s 2007-08 SPx Hockey remains the ‘Home of the Rookie Jersey Card’’

Topps Performance Football

From Topps.com:

Topps Performance Football

Topps announces an all-new high-end football product commemorating the top performers of the year…

2007 Topps Performance Football.

And it’s highlighted by none other than the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year Adrian Peterson. And each 16-box case guarantees an AUTOGRAPHED ADRIAN PETERSON #’d to 249 or less. (image attached)

Here’s the product breakdown:

Continue reading ‘Topps Performance Football’

Upper Deck Turns up the Heat with 2007/2008 SPx Basketball

From Upperdeck.com

Surprise hot boxes help to keep NBA fans warm this winter

Kevin Durant

Carlsbad, CA – (January 11, 2008) – Collectors love to get a little extra or be surprised with additional content when opening packs.  Upper Deck has enjoyed sharing this unexpected pleasure with collectors recently with 2007/2008 SPx Basketball.  NBA Fans opening up the product are finding that some boxes are delivering significantly more than they bargained for.

The latest SPx Basketball release arrived over the holidays with each 3-card pack yielding either a signature or memorabilia card in every pack.  Upper Deck has added a previously unannounced hot box in every case.  These special boxes will have twice the normal content with every pack including two signature or memorabilia cards.

“The product is extremely strong on its own merit, but we felt it would be great to deliver some additional value for collectors around the holidays,” explained Bill Beaman, Upper Deck product manager for Basketball.  “We couldn’t be happier with the play of Upper Deck spokesmen this year.  Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and our strong stable of rookies lead by Kevin Durant have made this a special year.  SPx rookies are consistently some of the highest valued cards in the industry so we are excited to see that trend continue with this release.”

Durant SPx Autograph rookie cards have been regularly selling for between $250-$400+ on-line.  As he continues to develop and improve, the values will likely continue to soar.  With the All-Star break nearing, it’s amazing how similar Durant’s numbers are to rookie seasons of other NBA superstars liked LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

The opportunity to invest in players like this before they become superstars does not come along every day.  Kevin Durant is establishing himself as the future of the Sonics organization and a franchise player.  Accordingly, savvy NBA collectors are making the most of this opportunity by collecting Durant now.

CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS:

Continue reading ‘Upper Deck Turns up the Heat with 2007/2008 SPx Basketball’

Topps Co-Signers NBA…short printed autographs

From Topps.com:

Trisigner Topps

Topps announces the recently released 2007-08 Topps Co-Signers Basketball, featuring 1 Dual Autograph and 1 Solo Autograph in every box (and 1 Tri-Signer per case / image attached)), includes a number of short printed autograph cards. The list is as follows:

Autographed Rookie Variations

Nick Young 75
Greg Oden 75
Alando Tucker 75
Acie Law IV 75
Thaddeus Young 75
Yi Jianlian 75
Al Thornton 75
Brandan Wright 75
Spencer Hawes 75
Jason Smith 75

Dual Autographs

Bird / Magic 19
Shaquille / David Robinson 19
Wade / Anthony 19
Oden / Walton 19
Rodman / Isiah Thomas 19
Russell / Havlicek 19
Stockton / Deron Williams 19
Baron Davis / B. Wright 19
Oden / Havlicek 19
Allen / Pierce 49
Baylor / Havlicek 49
Rick Barry / Baron Davis 49
Bosh / Bargnani 49
Maurice Cheeks / M. Malone 49
Iguodala / Thaddeus Young 49
Boozer / Almond 49
Jianlian / Belinelli 49
Thaddeus Young / Crittenton 49
C.Hawkins / Alando Tucker 79
Bynum / Crittenton 99
Renaldo Balkman / Chandler 99
M. Williams / S. Williams 99
Maggette / Al Thornton 99
Gordon / Duhon 99
Dalembert / Jason Smith 99
Felton / Davidson 99
Jason Smith / Daequan Cook 99
Sean Williams / Jared Dudley 99
Nick Young / Gabe Pruitt 99

Tri-Signers Autographs

TS-1 Bill Russell/John Havlicek/Larry Bird 9
TS-2 Rick Barry/Baron Davis/Brandan Wright 19
TS-3 Dominique Wilkins/Josh Smith/Acie Law IV 19
TS-4 Gerald Wallace/Emeka Okafor/Raymond Felton 19
TS-5 Bill Russell/Greg Oden/Shaquille O’Neal 9
TS-6 Corey Maggette/Carlos Boozer/Carlos Boozer 19
TS-7 Carmelo Anthony/Chris Bosh/Chris Bosh 19
TS-8 Tony Parker/Dwyane Wade/Chauncey Billups 19
TS-9 Buck Williams/Otis Birdsong/Michael Ray Richardson 19
TS-10 Isiah Thomas/Magic Johnson/John Stockton 19

The Steve Myland Deal

Steve Myland is one of the most prolific trading card dealers of all time. Based in Phoenix, Steve was a regular advertiser in Sports Collectors Digest throughout the 80s and 90s, promoting some unbelievable items most of us could have only dreamed existed. As one of the dealers chosen by Topps to handle their year-end closeouts, he ended up with unimaginable quantities of product that always seemed to get better with age. His legendary collection has been virtually untouched for the past ten years, until now. Dave & Adam’s Card World is proud to offer some of the finest items from the Steve Myland Collection.

cut card case smallOne of the major components of the deal is cut card cases. Collectors who like to open product and find gem mint cards to grade prefer cut card cases over any other type of packaging. Unlike the other forms of unopened product, where a card is wrapped in wax or cellophane, exposed to gum or wax, and forced into a cardboard box, cut card cases contain cards that go straight from the cutting machine and into the shipper case. The result is rows and rows of pristine cards that have never been exposed to the elements. You can be sure that our entire cut card case inventory is from the original buyer of the Topps year-end closeout and are 100% unsearched.

One of the least common and misunderstood packaging options in trading cards, cut card cases were utilized by Topps and O-Pee-Chee throughout the 70s and 80s as a way to closeout year-end stock. These cases were not made available to regular candy wholesalers like wax, cello, and rack, but to a select few companies that specialized in buying excess inventory in bulk.

A typical cut card case consists of 8,650 cards, and may or may not have been sealed with glue or tape when it left the factory. After all, these cases were not meant to be resold in its current form. The contents of a case varied greatly when compared to its much more common counterpart, the vending case. In a vending case, Topps would randomly package 12,000 cards (500 cards to a vending box) from a particular sport/year, therefore ensuring the expectation of being able to make a certain quantity of sets. With a cut card case, a single sheet or combination of sheets are cut down to individual cards, then packed in bulk (without 500 count boxes) into a case that holds approximately 8500-9000 cards.

In order to determine what cards are available in a cut card case, one must determine what cards come on a particular sheet. For example, on the back of the 1987 Topps Barry Bonds rookie #320, the code found on the card indicates that it was cut from the “C” sheet. Therefore, in a cut card case with only the “C” sheet of cards, one can estimate there will be 65 of each card from the 132 card sheet (8,650 divided by 132 cards on a sheet = approximately 65.)

To see what we are selling from the collection, click here.

Ten Baseball Card Blunders

Here are some of the most well known baseball card blunders of all time.

Hank Aaaron 1960 Topps

1957 Topps Hank Aaron #20 BV$300
Topps reversed the image on the photo negative of Hank Aaron, showing the great home run hitter as a left-handed batter on his 1957 card.

1962 Topps “Green Tint” Series
The second series of Topps 1962 baseball (cards numbered 110 through 196) were printed without enough ink for the photographs. Without the ink, the sky and dirt in several of the cards background is green, hence the “green tint” series.

1969 Topps Aurelio Rodriguez #653
Rodriguez’ card featured a picture of Leonard Garcia, the California Angels team batboy.

1972 Topps Billy Martin #33
Martin is shown standing near a fence in his Detroit Tigers uniform leaning on a bat with his middle finger extending down the bat.

Continue reading ‘Ten Baseball Card Blunders’



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