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Monthly Archives: June 2010
Congrats to this year’s Allen & Ginter code winner, Nick Jacoby
06.23
One of the more obscure, but interesting inclusions in the Allen & Ginter baseball card set from Topps the last couple of years has been “The Ginter Code” where Topps has hidden a message within its baseball card set.
Last year, collector Jason Wong, appeared in the set for breaking the previous code.
We’ve busted our first boxes of this year’s version of Allen & Ginter and we found the latest winner immediately, Nick Jacoby of Louisville, Ky.
We’ll have more from him in the next week or so, but until then we’ll let you — and Jacoby — soak up his card for the first time.
He said he hasn’t seen his card yet — so you will see it for the first time just like he is. Congrats.
We’ll have more from 2010 Topps Allen & Ginter right here later this evening. And, yes, the code-breaking challenge is back for 2010 as well.
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an e-mail to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
Fedor's First Cards Give Razor's Foray into MMA a Powerful Punch
06.23
Razor officials on Wednesday formally and definitively declared their presence in the mixed martial arts trading card arena with a stunning blow: The company’s premiere product, 2010 Razor MMA, will feature the first-ever trading cards and autographs of Strikeforce heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, regarded by many as the greatest fighter in the world.
The Russian’s history-making inclusion in Razor’s September-releasing debut is a staggering development for MMA collectors, and one that’s been in the works for quite some time.
“Getting a deal done was a very challenging process,” says Razor President Brian Gray. “When you’re dealing with the man that may be the greatest MMA fighter in the sport’s history, you have to expect some challenges. However, we are infinitely pleased and feel very fortunate to bring Fedor’s first mainstream cards and autographs to collectors.
“Fedor was an exciting addition for us and insures an automatic sellout.”
If that didn’t do the trick, the lure of one autograph per pack (eight packs per box) in the industry’s first “super-premium” MMA product probably would have. The set’s high-end composition provides a developmental distinction between Razor and the three successful Ultimate Fighting Championship launches so far from Topps, which has enjoyed a virtually unrivaled run in MMA for almost 18 months.
Beckett Grading Services discusses Strasburg SuperFractor
06.23
Beckett Baseball‘s Chris Olds discusses the $16,400 Stephen Strasburg SuperFractor along with Beckett Grading Service Director Mark Anderson and BGS Senior Grader David Poole.
Want a closer look at the card, which was examined and graded a 9.5? Want to know more about what to look for when examining Bowman cards for grading?
Watch and find out …
Bustin’ a Box: 2010 Donruss Elite football cards
06.23
You’ve probably already seen the Box Busters video, so you’re familiar with this brand already.
He’s not the football guy — and he’s not a big Tim Tebow fan like Tracy Hackler — but that’s not going to stop Beckett Baseball‘s Chris Olds from busting a box of 2010 Donruss Elite football cards for you to check out.
What will he find inside? Watch and find out …
Landon Donovan Scores Big for Country, Collectors
06.23
Landon Donovan’s shot heard ‘round the world (and World Cup) less than one minute into extra time Wednesday gave the U.S. national team a stirring 1-0 victory over Algeria, a win in Group C and entry into the round of 16 for just the fourth time since 1930.
It also sent Donovan’s two autographed trading cards – 2004 Absolute Memorabilia Fans of the Game and 2010 Upper Deck MLS – escalating uncontrollably in value almost immediately after ricocheting off his instantly legendary right foot.
Donovan, the face of American soccer, first appeared on a certified autograph trading card in 2004, pictured as a Los Angeles Dodgers fan as part of an insert set in the Playoff Absolute Baseball set.
That card, prior to Wednesday, was valued at a mere $40 but had been selling for as much as $75 during the first 10 days of the World Cup. In the moments after the U.S. national team’s victory over Algeria, one of the cards on eBay had eclipsed the $100 barrier with three hours still remaining while four new copies of the card had been listed within minutes of the outcome, with two sporting Buy It Now prices of $499.99 and the other two featuring $200 price tags.
One copy of his 2010 Upper Deck MLS autograph card, released in May, sold last week for $249.99.
Tracy Hackler is the editorial director for Beckett Media. Have a comment or question? Send an e-mail to him at thackler@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
Topps offers Stephen Strasburg MCG holders chance for an autograph — for $350
06.23
Topps‘ Million Card Giveaway exclusive Stephen Strasburg card has been a strong seller.
The card, which is a 2010 Topps card showing his first MLB pitch, is different than the one that will appear in factory sets arriving later this year and was unveiled on the night of his big-league debut.
And now, the day of Strasburg’s fourth big-league start, Topps is allowing the first 300 holders of that card to have it personally signed — for $350.
“We are thrilled to offer baseball fans yet another opportunity to memorialize Stephen’s spectacular MLB debut. This very limited autograph card will be an incredible collectible for years to come,” said Warren Friss, Topps’ GM, in a release. “This is another way we can use our successful online million card giveaway program and get MLB fans even closer to the game.”
To have the card signed, collectors must have the card in their account on toppsmillion.com.
The 2010 Bowman Strasburg autograph has been a strong seller at $600, while the more limited versions have fetched as much as $900 and more for the rarest versions.
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an e-mail to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
Guest Commentary: What might Topps have in store for Bryce Harper and Bowman?
06.23
By Steven Judd | For Beckett Baseball
I feel like I just spent a weekend in Las Vegas — you know the kind of trip where you sleep three hours over a span of 72.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s been a great experience … the excitement … the rush … the thrills … the non-stop buzz … crazy good like IHOP at 3:30 in the morning.
Just when I thought the trip was over, one recent Wednesday night it peaked over the top, again with the first major league start of the one, the only Stephen Strasburg. It all came rushing back like a frenzy of piranhas at a Labor Day cookout at the local lake.
I had meant to write about some general, not-as-riveting subject, but I just cannot resist. I am once again drawn into the spectacle that 2010 Bowman. My mind is racing as we continue to see secondary prices rise on hobby and HTA jumbo boxes, due partly to the perceived lack of product available in retail channels.
It is the perfect storm of hype, supply-demand and an iconic hobby brand. When this kind of product reaches this level of insanity everyone pays attention. Everyone. This particular release has reached well beyond the circle of the prospectors. It is hobby-wide and global in its magnetic effect.
At this point, I am pondering the tactical checklist planning for all Bowman releases through the end of 2011. We know at this point there will be a Strasburg Chrome autograph card in 2010 Bowman Chrome, which could be enough to send that product to the stratosphere.
The real big question will be how Topps handles Bryce Harper as far as when he will go into other Bowman checklists and how (regular card, autograph card, Relic card in Sterling). I wonder how far they will go to fully leverage the potential value his name can bring any Bowman-branded product.
Box Busters: 2009-10 SP Authentic hockey cards
06.22
Beckett Media’s Tracy Hackler and Tim Trout rip into a box of 2009-10 SP Authentic hockey cards in this latest episode of Box Busters.
Which New York Islanders rookie autograph will they find?
Watch and find out …
Pirates OF Jose Tabata is the second 2010 Topps Red Hot Rookie
06.22
Topps unveiled the second of its 2010 Red Hot Rookies on Tuesday morning and this one’s Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jose Tabata.
Tabata is hitting .225 with a homer and two RBI after 10 games.
The Red Hot Rookie redemptions are found one per hobby box of 2010 Topps Series 2 baseball cards. The remainder of the 10-card set will be announced throughout the remainder of the season.
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an e-mail to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
First Look: 2010 Rookies & Stars Football
06.22
Panini America officials on Tuesday morning released preliminary product information and images for 2010 Rookies & Stars Football, the venerable brand that closely mimics last year’s rather radical design departure while focusing largely on 2010 rookies, their autographs and NFL Players Rookie Premiere-worn memorabilia.
Rookies & Stars is slated to arrive in mid August with eight-card packs carrying a $4 SRP. Each box (24 packs) will deliver four autograph or memorabilia cards (at least one autograph guaranteed), four Longevity parallels five other inserts.
The low-numbered Team Chemistry Signatures dual- and triple-autograph patch cards return, as do the dual-signed Studio Combo Rookies Signatures.
Stay tuned to Beckett.com for additional information on this product.