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Monthly Archives: July 2011
Topps acquires digital currency card publisher
07.26
By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor
Topps‘ focus on social media platforms, e-commerce and virtual trading cards online took another step on Tuesday as it announced the acquisition of GMG Entertainment, a leading publisher of “digital currency cards.”
“The Topps Company has found an ideal acquisition – GMG is a complementary business to our core and one that pivots us into the high-growth retail and digital convergence arena with partners such as Facebook,” said Topps CEO Ryan O’Hara in a prepared statement. “We are delighted to have Rob Goldberg as part of Topps’ senior management. He is a pioneer in new technologies for new digital services delivered at retail and follows in the footsteps of 60 years of creating new products for Topps.”
Terms of the deal were not disclosed but GMG is part of an expanding market as the market for digital currency, according to Topps, is expected to top $7 billion during this year and double by 2014.
And what does GMG do? It creates digital currency cards sold at retail stores for online game, entertainment and social media sites.
“GMG is excited to join a global and forward-thinking business such as Topps,” said Goldberg, the CEO of GMG. “We are looking forward to joining the Topps family as we look to accelerate and grow the category and amplify both of our core businesses on a worldwide platform.”
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
First look: 2010-11 Elite Black Box basketball cards
07.25
By Chris Olds | Beckett Basketball Editor
The Black Box is Back — but this time it’s a brand and it’s in basketball.
Panini America unveiled its newest high-end product line for NBA cards on Monday with 2010-11 Elite Black Box Basketball, a high-end release that’s fast-tracked for an Aug. 31 release.
It will pack three autographed cards, two memorabilia card and two insert cards per box. Each memorabilia or autograph will be limited to 149 or fewer copies, while all inserts will be limited to no more than 99.
“We realize that by naming this product ‘Black Box’ we’re setting collector expectations really high as that name carries the biggest of big-ticket connotations with collectors,” said Panini America NBA Brand Manager David Porter in a prepared statement. “But based on the incredible content that we’ve injected into Black Box, I’m certain this is a product that will not just meet those expectations, but surpass them.”
Bryce Harper headlines this week’s eTopps MiLB cards
07.25
By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor
He may be slumping, but it probably won’t hurt this one.
The first eTopps Minor League card of the most-watched Class AA player on the planet, Washington Nationals prospect Bryce Harper, was launched as an initial public offering today as part of the online portfolio trading card program.
A maximum of 1,499 copies of the 18-year-old Harrisburg Senators outfielder’s card will be made with each costing $8. Those who put in buys for the card will not know how many they received until the cards are allocated at a later date.
Harper is hitting .208 with zero home runs and just two RBI and 11 strikeouts in 16 games since he was promoted to AA.
This week’s other card is of St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Shelby Miller. A max of only 749 copies of that card will be made, each costing $3.50 apiece.
For more on the program, visit www.etopps.com.
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
Topps plans collector Q&A at The National
07.25
If you’re attending the National Sports Collectors Convention that begins next week in Chicago, then you just might have a chance to meet with the folks from Topps.
The company is planning a Q&A session with 100 collectors next Thursday beginning at 4 p.m. Those who want to attend need to stop by the Topps booth and reserve a seat as they will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis.
The company also will give away prizes during the 90-minute session.
Box Busters: 2011 Press Pass Showcase racing cards
07.25
Join Beckett Media’s Tim Trout and Andrew Tolentino as they rip into a pair of 2011 Press Pass Showcase boxes in this latest episode of Box Busters.
What will they find inside? Watch and find out …
Memory Lane showcases million-dollar Mickey Mantle collection at National Sports Collectors Convention
07.25
By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor
A big-time auction house like Memory Lane Inc. may not have something for everyone in its booth at this year’s National Sports Collectors Convention which begins next week in Chicago.
But it will have something everyone should see — and a little something everyone can take home with them.
The Tustin, Calif.-based auction house will have on display the multi-million dollar Mickey Mantle collection of Don Spence, who has amassed all of The Mick’s base cards from 1951 to 1969 in PSA 10 or PSA 9 condition — a stash that carries an estimated value of as much as $3 million. Six of the cards, according to population reports, are the highest-graded specimens in existence.
Collectors who stop by the booth to see the cards can take with them a memento of their visit — a poster that shows the collection.
For more information, visit the links above.
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
Colorado-based dealer raises hobby’s profile through publicity stunt purchase
07.24
By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor
Remember the Balloon Boy? If not, you might have forgotten about the hoax from a couple of years ago like many of us.
But if you live in Colorado where it happened, it might resonate more — and if you’re a Colorado-based sports card dealer like Mike Fruitman it’s resonating quite well as a publicity stunt to get people into his shop and do some good for charity, too.
You see, Fruitman recently bought what’s left of “Flimflam One” at auction — proceeds went to benefit Japan earthquake relief — for $2,502 and has it on display at his Aurora-based shop, Mike’s Stadium Sportscards.
“I thought, let’s have some fun with this,” said the 41-year-old dealer. “So, I bought Flimflam One for our customers to enjoy. Then, we’ll slice into authenticated chunks of collectible Americana to raise money for the Thanksgiving food project. It’s a win-win, no matter what, providing my 3- and 8-year-olds don’t get any clever ideas.”
The balloon was put on display late last week and it will be cut up on Oct. 15 — the second anniversary of its maiden voyage that happened without a passenger.
But, for Fruitman, this publicity stunt wasn’t just about possibly selling some cards in his shop — but rather getting people re-acquainted with the hobby when they come to see the weird relic.
Guess what? It’s worked.
One collector and Twitter follower of mine, Digi Jeff, realized that was his hometown card shop when he heard the news. That’s when he armed himself with a video camera and headed to the shop to see it all for himself and ask Fruitman some questions. See the video above for more … it’s worth a look.
Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Baseball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.
COLLECTOR BOX BUSTERS: 2010-11 Panini Gold Standard
07.23
Beckett Basketball Editor Chris Olds stopped by Nick’s Sports Cards in Dallas (for supplies!) and caught one collector ripping 2010-11 Panini Gold Standard.
What will he find inside? Watch and find out …
Ripping Retail Retro Edition: A lesson in collation that only a Houston Astros fan could love
07.22
Join Beckett Baseball Editor Chris Olds as he rips into another box of a once-popular 1990s baseball card set in this episode of Ripping Retail.
What’s the brand? What will he find inside?
Watch and find out … it’s one hot mess.
Weekly Highlights (July 18 – July 22)
07.22
(Still) MEGA-HUGE, IMPORTANT thing to know of the week
- It’s still July, which means that it’s still customer appreciation week on Beckett.com.
This week in sports movies
- Coming soon: ‘Money Ball’ and its memorabilia
First looks and sneak peeks of the week
- 2011 TRISTAR Obak Baseball
- Johnny Bench is the first Topps Prime 9 player
- Panini preview: 2011 Crown Royale Football
This week in lawsuits, new hobby figureheads and more
- Blowout Cards’ parent company sues Upper Deck over distribution policy
- Topps names Michael Bramlage as Vice President of Digital
This week in weird memorabilia
- Yankees car mats with re-purposed Clubhouse carpet, because why the heck not?
- A cardboard tribute to Brian Wilson’s beard, also because why the heck not?
This week in comics and cardboard colliding
- Upper Deck partners with Marvel to make an Avengers comic book … on trading cards
Box Busters and other videos
- 2010-11 Panini Gold Standard Basketball
- Ripping Retail: 2011 Topps Allen & Ginter Baseball
- Ripping Retail: An Oldschool box break
- Collector Box Busters: Two Allen & Ginter boxes at the local card shop
- 2010-11 Panini Season Update Basketball Read More