Update: A new prize is up for grabs … we want your entries!

By Chris Olds | Beckett Baseball Editor

If there’s one thing I’ve come to  appreciate more and more over the last few years at Beckett Media, it’s the tales of collectors — specifically, those of SuperCollectors who clearly are so focused on their niche that only one word applies.

Insanity.

And it’s a good thing. Imagine my thoughts today as I dipped into the SuperCollector mailbag and saw that we didn’t really have too many new and amazing entries piled up from the last few weeks.

I did the only sane thing I should do … I went and found this Larry Bird card and am randomly giving it away to one SuperCollector who submits all the necessary info between now and July 1.

The card is an impressive one — and we’ll make sure it’s in someone’s hands … as long as they submit their info about their collection.

How can it be yours? Read the instructions on submitting your SuperCollector info (any sport, any player, any niche)  … after the jump.

How can you be a SuperCollector? Your instructions …  read them carefully!

You don’t have to have the most-expensive collection on the block but it needs to be unique — downright crazy — in some way that it stands out.

Send in an email to Beckett editor Chris Olds at colds@beckett.com and readersrock@beckett.com the following information:

1. Name, age, your email address, your location (state) and who/what you collect.

2. Statistics about your collection (total cards, number of 1/1s, number of autographs, number of game-used cards or items, etc., as seen on the examples seen here).

3. Tell us why you should be selected. Sell us on what makes your collection the best — and how/why your collection started. Tell us what makes your collection special and unique.

4. Send us LINKS to images that we can examine or use with your item — including one showing you with your collection. (Bad images won’t help your case … and 900-MB attachments won’t either!) Warning: Any emails over 10 MB will NOT arrive and will not be seen.

5. Be complete — and be patient. We WILL be in touch if you are selected or we need more information. If you sent info in the past, it’s likely outdated by now — so update it and send it again.

6. Act fast … we want your info.

Check out the SuperCollectors below if you need to see more … we’re awaiting your email.

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Sports Card Monthly magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.

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CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO READ THE PAGES!

By Chris Olds | Beckett Basketball Editor

Aiming to fill an apparent void in the “under-served basketball market,” Leaf Trading Cards unveiled 2012-13 Leaf Metal on Tuesday, and it’s a product it says has features which “all companies are sure to imitate once unveiled.”

The product will include one autograph and one insert card per pack and five packs per box when it arrives in May, featuring on-card autographs of stars from the past as well as a few from the present.

Among the signers will be Patrick Ewing (click here for OPG & checklist), the former Knicks star and Hall of Famer who simply doesn’t like signing. He has signed jumbo patch cards for this one. Ewing has just 18 certified autographs made in the past with the most-recent cards coming in 2003-04 Upper Deck products.

Also among the signers are Magic Johnson, Pat Riley, John Stockton, Bob Cousy, Larry Bird, Bill Russell and NBA Rookie of the Year Contender Damian Lillard.

Other features in this one will include Hoop Matrix cards and Valiant inserts among the offerings.

A preliminary checklist for this one was not released. Each case of this non-NBA licensed product (no logos) will have eight boxes inside.

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Basketball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.

PARALLEL BREAKDOWN

Autographed Inserts: Base Auto, Faces of the Game, Inductions, Nicknames, & Unsung Heroes

Holo – #’d to 50

Holo Blue – #’d to 25

Holo Green – #’d to 10

Holo Red – #’d to 5

Gold – 1/1

Patrick Ewing Autographed Game Worn Patch Cards

Blue – #’to 99

Orange – #’d to 20

Red – #’d to 5

Gold – 1/1

Un- Autographed Hoop Matrix

Green – #’d to 99

Pink – #’d to 25

Orange  - 1/1

Un-Autographed 1960 Style Common

Green  #’d to 25

Blue #’d to 10

Red #’d to 5

Purple 1/1

CHECKLIST

BA-AD2 Adrian Dantley Base Auto

BA-AM3 Ann Meyers Base Auto

BA-AD3 Anne Donovan Base Auto

BA-AG1 Artis Gilmore Base Auto

BA-BA1 B.J. Armstrong Base Auto

BA-BH1 Bailey Howell Base Auto

BA-BR1 Bill Russell Base Auto

BA-BW1 Bill Walton Base Auto

BA-BM1 Billie Moore Base Auto

BA-BC1 Bob Cousy Base Auto

BA-BH2 Bob Houbregs Base Auto

BA-BM1 Bob McAdoo Base Auto

BA-BK1 Bobby Knight Base Auto

BA-CB1 Carol Blazejowski Base Auto

BA-CO1 Charles Oakley Base Auto

BA-CW2 Charlie Ward Base Auto

BA-CW1 Chet Walker Base Auto

BA-CM1 Chris Mullin Base Auto

BA-CH1 Cliff Hagan Base Auto

BA-CL2 Clyde Lovellette Base Auto

BA-DL1 Damian Lillard Base Auto

BA-DI1 Dan Issel Base Auto

BA-DD1 Darryl Dawkins Base Auto

BA-DB1 Dave Bing Base Auto

BA-DR3 David Robinson Base Auto

BA-DR2 Dennis Rodman Base Auto

BA-DC1 Denny Crum Base Auto

BA-DS1 Dolph Schayes Base Auto

BA-DW1 Dominique Wilkins Base Auto

BA-DN1 Don Nelson Base Auto

BA-EL1 Earl Lloyd Base Auto

BA-EH1 Elvin Hayes Base Auto

BA-GG2 Gail Goodrich Base Auto

BA-GA1 Geno Auriemma Base Auto

BA-GG1 George Gervin Base Auto

BA-HG1 Hal Greer Base Auto

BA-HG3 Horace Grant Base Auto

BA-JW2 Jamaal Wilkes Base Auto

BA-JW1 James Worthy Base Auto

BA-JC2 Joan Crawford Base Auto

BA-JC3 Jody Conradt Base Auto

BA-JC4 John Chaney Base Auto

BA-JH2 John Havlicek Base Auto

BA-JS2 John Salley Base Auto

BA-JS4 John Stockton Base Auto

BA-KM1 Karl Malone Base Auto

BA-KA1 Kenny Anderson Base Auto

BA-LB1 Larry Bird Base Auto

BA-LJ1 Larry Johnson Base Auto

BA-LW1 Lenny Wilkens Base Auto

BA-LB2 Leon Barmore Base Auto

BA-LC1 Lou Carnesecca Base Auto

BA-LO1 Lute Olson Base Auto

BA-LW1 Lynette Woodard Base Auto

BA-MJ1 Magic Johnson Base Auto

BA-MH1 Marques Haynes Base Auto

BA-MD3 Mel Daniels Base Auto

BA-NA1 Nate Archibald Base Auto

BA-OB1 Otis Birdsong Base Auto

BA-PR1 Pat Riley Base Auto

BA-PK1 Phil Knight Base Auto

BA-RB1 Rick Barry Base Auto

BA-RR1 Ricky Rubio Base Auto

BA-RH1 Robert Horry Base Auto

BA-RP1 Robert Parish Base Auto

BA-RW2 Roy Williams Base Auto

BA-SJ1 Sam Jones Base Auto

BA-SS3 Satch Sanders Base Auto

BA-SP1 Scottie Pippen Base Auto

BA-SO1 Shaquille O’Neal Base Auto

BA-SK1 Shawn Kemp Base Auto

BA-SS1 Sheryl Swoopes Base Auto

BA-SW1 Spud Webb Base Auto

BA-TH2 Tom Heinsohn Base Auto

BA-TK1 Toni Kukoc Base Auto

BA-VC1 Van Chancellor Base Auto

BA-XM1 Xavier McDaniel Base Auto

80 FG-BR1 Bill Russell Faces of the Game

81 FG-CM1 Chris Mullin Faces of the Game

82 FG-DL1 Damian Lillard Faces of the Game

83 FG-DR1 David Robinson Faces of the Game

84 FG-DR2 Dennis Rodman Faces of the Game

85 FG-GG1 George Gervin Faces of the Game

86 FG-JS4 John Stockton Faces of the Game

87 FG-KM1 Karl Malone Faces of the Game

88 FG-LB1 Larry Bird Faces of the Game

89 FG-MJ1 Magic Johnson Faces of the Game

90 FG-RR1 Ricky Rubio Faces of the Game

91 FG-SJ1 Sam Jones Faces of the Game

92 FG-SP1 Scottie Pippen Faces of the Game

93 FG-SO1 Shaquille O’Neal Faces of the Game

94 FG-SK1 Shawn Kemp Faces of the Game

95 FG-SS1 Sheryl Swoopes Faces of the Game

96

97 I-BH1 Bailey Howell Inductions

98 I-BR1 Bill Russell Inductions

99 I-BW1 Bill Walton Inductions

100 I-CM1 Chris Mullin Inductions

101 I-DI1 Dan Issel Inductions

102 I-DR1 David Robinson Inductions

103 I-DW1 Dominique Wilkins Inductions

104 I-GG2 Gail Goodrich Inductions

105 I-JW1 James Worthy Inductions

106 I-KM1 Karl Malone Inductions

107 I-LB1 Larry Bird Inductions

108 I-MJ1 Magic Johnson Inductions

109 I-MH1 Marques Haynes Inductions

110 I-RB1 Rick Barry Inductions

111 I-SJ1 Sam Jones Inductions

112 I-SP1 Scottie Pippen Inductions

113

114 NN-DR1 David Robinson Nicknames

115 NN-DR2 Dennis Rodman Nicknames

116 NN-DW1 Dominique Wilkins Nicknames

117 NN-KM1 Karl Malone Nicknames

118 NN-LB1 Larry Bird Nicknames

119 NN-LJ1 Larry Johnson Nicknames

120

121 UH-BA1 B.J. Armstrong Unsung Heroes

122 UH-DD1 Darryl Dawkins Unsung Heroes

123 UH-KA1 Kenny Anderson Unsung Heroes

124 UH-LJ1 Larry Johnson Unsung Heroes

125 UH-RH1 Robert Horry Unsung Heroes

126 UH-SK1 Shawn Kemp Unsung Heroes

127 UH-TK1 Toni Kukoc Unsung Heroes

128

129 PE-2 Patrick Ewing Patch Auto

130

131 HM-BR1 Bill Russell Hoop Matrix

132 HM-BC1 Bob Cousy Hoop Matrix

133 HM-BB1 Bradley Beal Hoop Matrix

134 HM-DL1 Damian Lillard Hoop Matrix

135 HM-DL2 Damian Lillard Hoop Matrix

136 HM-DL3 Damian Lillard Hoop Matrix

137 HM-DR1 David Robinson Hoop Matrix

138 HM-DR2 Dennis Rodman Hoop Matrix

139 HM-DW1 Dion Waiters Hoop Matrix

140 HM-GP1 Gary Payton Hoop Matrix

141 HM-JL1 Jeremy Lamb Hoop Matrix

142 HM-JH1 John Havlicek Hoop Matrix

143 HM-JS1 John Stockton Hoop Matrix

144 HM-KM1 Karl Malone Hoop Matrix

145 HM-KM2 Kendall Marshall Hoop Matrix

146 HM-LB1 Larry Bird Hoop Matrix

147 HM-MJ1 Magic Johnson Hoop Matrix

148 HM-MH1 Moe Harkless Hoop Matrix

149 HM-PR1 Pat Riley Hoop Matrix

150 HM-RR1 Ricky Rubio Hoop Matrix

151 HM-SP1 Scottie Pippen Hoop Matrix

152 HM-SO1 Shaquille O’Neal Hoop Matrix

153 HM-SK1 Shawn Kemp Hoop Matrix

154 HM-TR1 Terrence Ross Hoop Matrix

155 HM-TZ1 Tyler Zeller Hoop Matrix

156

157 1 Bill Russell Base Common – 1960 Leaf Design

158 2 Bradley Beal Base Common – 1960 Leaf Design

159 4 Damian Lillard Base Common – 1960 Leaf Design

160 5 Dion Waiters Base Common – 1960 Leaf Design

161 6 Gary Payton Base Common – 1960 Leaf Design

162 7 Larry Bird Base Common – 1960 Leaf Design

163 8 Magic Johnson Base Common – 1960 Leaf Design

164 9 Moe Harkless Base Common – 1960 Leaf Design

165 10 Ricky Rubio Base Common – 1960 Leaf Design

166 11 Shaquille O’Neal Base Common – 1960 Leaf Design

167 12 Tyler Zeller Base Common – 1960 Leaf Design

By Chris Olds | Beckett Basketball Editor | Commentary & Opinion

Every once in a while when searching the Beckett database prepping a magazine, I’ll find some new surprise that leaps out at me from the listings despite my 25 years in the hobby as an active collector.

Other times, I’ll just find myself poking around to check in on what something might be worth or cross-checking that with a pop report to see if any rarities have been captured high-grade style in a BGS slab.

And at other times, I can find myself asking a question. And this is one of those times and the magazine is Beckett Basketball — except I’m asking you, too.

If I (or you) could own five basketball cards of any era, any kind, any condition, any price … what would they be?

1. THE ICONIC ROOKIE CARD
1980-81 Topps #6 34 Larry Bird RC/174 Julius Erving TL/139 Magic Johnson RC, $225
While I once wore the ol’ Air Jordans — white Air Jordan V’s with the reflective silver tongues, for the record — I never got caught up in chasing Michael Jordan‘s cardboard. Never really aspired to own a 1986-87 Fleer RC, but one card I did think was classic back in the day was a two-player Rookie Card that featured two icons and the star of a generation before — this 1980-81 Topps Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Julius Erving epic. To this day, I still don’t own one — in any condition — though I should. I guess sometime years ago my want was quelled a bit when a pulled a Chrome Refractor reprint of this bad boy. Not perforated for tearing — but oh so shiny … and we all know Refractors draw plenty of attention. I still have that one somewhere. Heck, I’d even consider this trio if they were torn and in BGS slabs. (I actually kind of like that set based on a few cards I have picked up through the years.)

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2. THE VINTAGE COMMON
1971-72 Topps #4 John Johnson RC, $2 — but I want it as a perfect BVG 10
I have several copies of this card haphazardly stashed away — when I see it, I buy it — but one thing I would want is a perfect copy of this card that probably has little meaning to many an NBA fan these days. It’s a Rookie Card of the first draft pick in the history of the Cleveland Cavaliers, a player who was picked seventh-overall in the 1970 NBA Draft ahead of three Hall of Famers. Why this card? He spent a couple years playing small-time college basketball at a tiny Wyoming college back in the late-1960s, the school I attended, and led the team to unprecedented successes that had never been documented beyond their own times before I wrote a book about the basketball program. I’ve written about him before, but, needless to say, I have yet to see many BGS-graded copies of this one — let alone a perfect 10. (For the record, if you click on the link above you’ll see the pop report … it’s barren for this card with just a single graded copy out there … a BGS 6. Wow.)

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3. THE MYSTICAL DOUBLE-PRINTED HALL OF FAMER
1971-72 Topps #55 Pete Maravich, $25
I’ve used this image a few times when writing about vintage basketball cards. Why? Because it’s still secretly (shamefully?) on my want list. Why? I’m too picky — and cheap. While I’m not wanting to find one that’s anywhere near Pristine, I would like to land one that’s clean and that’s worthy of a slab later on. Why? So I can truly appreciate the eery stare of a Hall of Famer’s ridiculously underpriced second-year card. His Rookie Card fetches as much as $300 raw, while this one typically goes for $25 or less un-slabbed. That’s what double-printing does for you.

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4. THE ADMIRAL IN PERFECT CONDITION
1989-90 Hoops #138 David Robinson SP RC — in a Pristine BGS 10
If you were around in the late 1980s, you know precisely how big this card once was — way bigger than its $12 ungraded price tag indicates these days. Found only in Series 1 packs, this card is technically a short-print as it was replaced with an in-action card in the second series, which included a mix of both series’ cards but not this one. It’s not particularly rare — but a perfect copy is an impressive one. Exactly 1,414 copies have been graded by BGS but only five have come back perfect. Five. What might a card like that fetch? Well, the current asking price can be found here. (Spoiler: It’s way too steep for me. I’ll aim for, I don’t know, the rest of this list plus some?)

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5. THE DOCTOR … WITH AN AUTOGRAPH
1996 Topps Stars #115 Julius Erving, 60 cents – added ink extra
In my (and everybody else’s) collecting heyday where I could afford to dabble in a bit of everything one slightly pricier brand of cards grabbed my attention and grabbed it hard. The 1996 Topps Stars set was a showcase for the NBA at 50 players and it was a set that was jam-packed with epic photography as well as some of the biggest names in the history of the game. This card — which features a photo by the famed Neil Leifer, who has taken some of the most-memorable photos in sports history including the greatest ever — is absolutely perfect. (Four words: Look at the toe.) The only thing that could make it better than its priceless 60-cent self? Adding some autograph ink.

What’s your top five? Tell me in the comments below and I might use some of your most-interesting picks in the next issue of Beckett Basketball.

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Basketball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.

By Chris Olds | Beckett Basketball Editor

A California-based company started by a pair of former card company employees has entered the world of artwork.

NBA-licensed artwork that is.

RareInk.com and the NBA announced a partnership on Tuesday to bring fully licensed pieces to collectors featuring the work of several acclaimed artists.The collection will launch with 100 pieces of 40 players and 60 team logos. Collectors will be able to vote on what they want to see next.

“The goal of RareInk’s artwork is to capture the excitement and action of the NBA in a uniquely artistic way,” said Tim Muret, CEO of RareInk.  “Fans can shape the future of the RareInk collection by voting for their favorite players and moments to be featured as art pieces.”

Each piece is offered as a print ($69 and $109) or a stretched canvas ($109 and $199) with every one numbered to 250 or fewer copies.

Some of the pieces, with styles varying by artist, include Lakers tributes featuring Jerry West, Kobe Bryant and Magic Johnson while others include, the Boston Celtics, the Dallas Mavericks and John Stockton and Karl Malone. Other names featured will include Michael Jordan, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade to name a few.

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Basketball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.

By Chris Olds | Beckett Basketball Editor

The newest edition of Exquisite Collection has arrived but there’s a past card from the high-end line that’s getting plenty of attention right now on the auction block.

With nearly a week to go, a 2009-10 Exquisite Collection All-NBA Access Dual Logos Autographs card of Kobe Bryant and Larry Bird is on eBay and already generating big bucks (presuming the bids are legit).

How much is it so far? Click here to find out … and then tell us what you think with the poll below or in the comments.

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Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Basketball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.

Join Beckett Basketball‘s Rob Springs and Chris Olds as they rip into a pair of 2011-12 Exquisite Collection boxes in this latest edition of Box Busters.

What will they find inside? Watch and find out …

Oh, and how can that dual autograph be yours? Check out an upcoming issue of Beckett Basketball for the details.

By Chris Olds | Beckett Basketball Editor

The greats of the game are coming.

When 2012-13 Panini Threads arrives from Panini America on Oct. 24,  it won’t just include the latest in the double-crop of NBA rookies, autographs and today’s superstars.

It also will include legends — some of the greatest players in the last 60-plus seasons of the league.

Here’s a look at the 25 Century Greats insert cards to be found in the product … after the jump.

Chris Olds is the editor of Beckett Basketball magazine. Have a comment, question or idea? Send an email to him at colds@beckett.com. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here.

Beckett Customer Appreciation Month continues where registered users can win great prizes throughout October.

Go to www.Beckett.com/customerappreciation and click on “Enter the Contest.”

There is a limit of one entry per day and you need a valid name and email address registered with your Beckett.com account.

Visit the Beckett Forums to see daily winners.

Today’s prize: 2010-11 SP Authentic Sign of the Times Larry Bird Autograph

ENTER NOW!

While we have teased a few images of what’s up for grabs during Customer Appreciation Month via the Beckett Media Facebook page, we haven’t shown you everything that will be up for grabs starting Monday on Beckett.com.

From The Greatest, Muhammad Ali, to RGIII, from Blake Griffin to Ryne Sandberg — or even Shania Twain and Mary Tyler Moore — we’ll have a little bit of everything for everybody.

And that’s just the singles. There will be wax, Dynamic Duo subscriptions, BGS certificates and more up for grabs each and every day in October.

Here’s a sampling of what could be yours just by visiting the site, logging in, and clicking your mouse a single time. — Chris Olds

By Susan Lulgjuraj | Beckett Sports Card Monthly Editor

The Hall of Fame title creates a certain feeling. Athletes voted in are usually the best of the best, the greatest of a generation.

Press Pass is bringing a product that is full of autographs from only these athletes. Every autograph in its Hall of Fame Legends Edition will be of a Hall of Famer member such as baseball’s Nolan Ryan and Rickey Henderson, football’s Joe Greene, golf’s Jack Nicklaus and basketball’s Larry Bird.

Hall of Fame Legends Edition will feature four autographs in every tin. The cards will come in various levels such as base autos, Fan Favorites and Champions.

All cards are numbered to 99 or less and four parallels that are numbered to 10 or less. In addition, collectors can find short-printed red ink autographs and inscriptions.

Hall of Famers are usually favorite players of collectors, evoking personal memories for fans. Press Pass seems to use athletes from many sports with a focus on the most popular. Other players in the product include Chuck Noll, Nick Buoniconti, Randy Couture, Ozzie Smith, Stan Musial, Ronnie Lott, Art Shell and James Worthy.

There are also cut autographs of players such as Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Ty Cobb.

There are two exceptions to the Hall of Fame rule.

Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin III will also have autographs in Hall of Fame Legend Edition as Rookie Fame autographs.

Susan Lulgjuraj is the editor of Beckett Sports Card Monthly magazine. You can email Susan here with ideas, comments and questions. Follow her on Twitter here.