Topps Offers Special Edition Ben Zobrist Card

October 22, 2016

Jason Dean Martin

Topps released a special edition Ben Zobrist card today available only on the Topps website. 

The card, although similar to Topps NOW in that it’s being offered for 24 hours, is not part of the Topps NOW set. 

There’s also an additional perk available to those that purchase the card from Topps. Each card purchased will give buyers an entry into a sweepstakes to win a replica Ben Zobrist Custom Bike. 

Here’s the full description from Topps.com:

Purchase this special edition card* and you will automatically be entered for a chance to win** a replica Ben Zobrist Custom Bike. Ben designed his original bike with the Playoffs in mind and rides it to and from the field. One winner will be randomly selected after the 2016 Postseason® has ended. All Net Proceeds from the sale of this special edition card will be donated to Patriot Forward. Photos courtesy of Stephen Green. For more bike info, please visit @benzobrist18.

 *BY PURCHASING THIS CARD VIA TOPPS.COM AND PROVIDING YOUR CREDIT CARD INFORMATION AND EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU (1) ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY ENTERED INTO THE SWEEPSTAKES AND (2) EXPRESSLY CONSENT TO TOPPS’ OR ITS AGENT’S USE OF YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO CONTACT YOU REGARDING THE SWEEPSTAKES. YOU FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE NET PROCEEDS FROM YOUR PURCHASE WILL BE DONATED TO PATRIOT FORWARD.

**ABBREVIATED SWEEPSTAKES RULES: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING. Open only to legal residents of the 50 U.S. and D.C. who are 18+ at time of entry. Begins 10/20/16 at 02:00 PM ET and ends 11/04/16 at 11:59 AM ET. Subject to full OFFICIAL RULES available at http://cdn.topps.com/media/pdf/Ben_Zobrist_Sweepstakes_Rules.pdf One (1) Prize will be awarded. Enter online or by mail. Limit one (1) Entry per person per household. Void where prohibited by law. Odds of winning depends on # of eligible Entries received. ARV: $1,400. Sponsor: The Topps Company, Inc., 1 Whitehall Street, New York, NY 10004.

PRICING INFO: 1 CARD = $9.99, 5 CARDS = $29.99 ($5.99 Per Card), 10 CARDS = $49.99 ($4.99 Per Card), 20 CARDS = $79.99 ($3.99 Per Card)

Pinnacle Bankruptcy PDF File From 2001

The link below will take you to the PDF file for the bankruptcy proceedings for Pinnacle Trading Cards held in September 2001 in Delaware.

Many brand names will be mentioned in the file including Pinnacle, Donruss, Leaf, and Hershey.

Panini America says Prizm proof cards are not legitimate

October 7, 2016

Author: Blowout Buzz

A number of eBay auctions containing what are being called proof cards or test cards of Panini America‘s Prizm cards aren’t what they are being presented to be.

Panini released a statement on Friday noting that these cards were not made — at least in this fashion — by the company.

“These ‘Prizm Proofs’ are in no way produced by us or obtained through us or our vendor,” said the company’s statement. “We don’t produce ‘negatives’ for proofing purposes. These items are most likely being produced in the aftermarket using authentic Prizm cards and being misrepresented as something that they’re not.”

In fact they are likely just standard Prizm cards where the cardboard backing layer has been carefully removed. Despite this, a number of auctions show these cards with asking prices substantially higher than base cards. And a number of the cards have sold, too.

With Sportflics, collecting again is moving experience

April 10, 1994

Author: Ruth Sadler

In 1986, Optigraphics gave a new meaning to action photos on sports cards.

The company’s baseball card set was called Sportflics. When the cards were moved, the alternating photos made the image appear to move, too.

The idea wasn’t new. Such moving images, often caricatures, have appeared on pencil sharpeners, rings and other trinkets for years. But applying the concept to photos and baseball cards was new.

Sportflics, which also pioneered the use of color photos on card backs, were produced until 1990. Optigraphics added a conventional card line, Score, in 1988, and the company name was changed to Score. Last year, the company changed its name to Pinnacle. This year, it’s getting back to “magic motion” cards.

Advances in printing technology give Sportflics 2000 a more sophisticated look than the older versions. Viewed next to the 1994 cards, the older Sportflics look almost primitive.

The regular set has 193 cards, including an 18-card subset (Starflics) of the top players at each position in each league.

Look for Orioles Chris Hoiles and Cal Ripken among these 3-D stars. The other cards feature action sequences or alternating images. There are two 12-card insert sets (hobby and retail versions) and commemorative cards of Paul Molitor and Montreal Expos rookie Cliff Floyd.

Sportflics, which are expected at the end of the month, will come eight to the pack with a suggested price of $2.49. Their predecessors weren’t cheap, either. According to Pinnacle’s Roy Whitehead, suggested retail price for a three-card pack ranged from 59 cents (1986) to 79 cents (1990), but dealers often sold them for $1 or more.

Ripken on 3 medals

Ripken is one of 20 players who will be honored on three Enviromint medallions. Each medallion has the player’s likeness on one side and his team’s logo on the back.

Eight of the players are 1993 award winners (Cy Young, Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year and batting champion), and their coins feature the award title on the back. Bronze versions are $14.95, silver coins are $29.95 and 24-karat select medallions are $49.95.

In addition to the award winners, other players in the series are Ken Griffey, Randy Johnson, Juan Gonzalez, Matt Williams, Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, Darren Daulton, Lenny Dykstra, Mark Grace and Ozzie Smith. Call (800) 299-MINT.

To upgrade or not to upgrade

Trade-in cards have left collectors with an intriguing decision. Most cards are redeemable for a small set of limited-edition cards (usually draft picks) or a card that was not printed with the rest of the regular set (for example, Shaquille O’Neal in the 1992-93 first series). Collectors must decide whether to keep the card (which can maintain its value even after the trade-in offer has expired) or redeem it.

Topps inverts the process with Stadium Club Series II basketball. The object is to collect Frequent Flyer point cards to redeem for an upgraded card of the same player. There are 100 different cards, five each of 20 players, each with an assigned point value based on the player’s performance in the game highlighted. Fifty or more points of one player’s cards are worth the upgrade.

As with other trade-in programs, Topps keeps the cards sent in. There are Frequent Flyer cards of Michael Jordan, but they’re not redeemable because he’s retired from the NBA. Topps says Frequent Flyer cards will appear in one-sixth of the packs.

Power Play II

Fleer’s oversized hockey cards, Power Play, are back in a 240-card basic second series. There are two 20-card subsets featuring Team USA and Team Canada.

Ever Wanted To See The Patent for the BGS Holder?

If you’ve ever wondered what makes up the slab that is the Beckett Grading Services you are in for a treat today!  Below is an excerpt from and a link to the patent for the BGS slab.  Check it out! It’s an interesting read!

A card display system of the present device includes a transparent first shell part and a transparent second shell part. The first shell part has a perimeter that includes a flange that extends outwardly of the inner surface of the first shell part. The second shell part has a perimeter that is sized to matingly engage the flange of the first shell part. The inner surface of the second shell part includes a card holding depression positioned within the perimeter of the second shell part. A transparent card holding sleeve having substantially the same dimensions as the card holding depression is positionable within the card holding depression. The first and second shell parts are sealed together to encase a card.

Source: Patent US6295750 – System for displaying cards – Google Patents

Be sure to follow this blog for news and updates regarding the hobby that you won’t want to miss!  You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

2016 Topps Chrome Complete Set Sapphire Edition

First-ever Topps NOW WWE Cards Released After Summerslam

August 22, 2016

Jason Dean Martin

Earlier today Topps released the first Topps NOW cards featuring WWE superstars.  It’s no coincidence that they were released today as a history-making Summerslam event occurred last night in Brooklyn, NY.

As is the case for all other Topps NOW cards, these five are available only on Topps.com for 24 hours. Each card is priced at $9.99 or you can purchase all five cards at a discounted price of $34.99.

2016 Topps National Baseball Card Day

From Topps.com

Date/Author Unknown

Topps, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) today announced that they are joining with hobby stores to celebrate National Baseball Card Day on Saturday, August, 13, with limited edition six-card packs available at participating shops around the country.

The 2016 National Baseball Card Day card designs and checklist will be unveiled today (Wednesday, Aug. 3) during the 37^th National Sports Collectors Convention. These unique cards feature some of today’s best players, such as Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and David Ortiz , with an additional card available as a gift with a $10 Topps purchase at local participating hobby stores.

“We are always looking for ways to introduce or reintroduce the local hobby stores to consumers and National Baseball Card day is an exciting new avenue we have to do this,” said David Leiner, Topps’ GM and Vice President of North American Sports and Entertainment. “It’s great to partner with Major League Baseball and the Players Association for the day to amplify the whole event as well.”

As part of the celebration, fans can also visit participating hobby retailers for special gifts with select purchases, contests and giveaways throughout National Baseball Card Day.  Fans can follow along with the day’s happenings across the official social channels of Topps, MLB and the MLBPA using #BaseballCardDay. Related online contests and giveaways are also planned throughout the day and during the week leading up to the event.

Major Leaguers will demonstrate their support of National Baseball Card Day on Friday, August 12, when players in select ballparks will be giving away some sample packs from the field prior to games that day.

“National Baseball Card Day is an opportunity for fans to enjoy the time-honored tradition of card collecting in the middle of a very competitive MLB season,” said Steve Armus, MLB Senior Vice President, Consumer Products.  “With cards featuring MLB’s top exciting young stars and David Ortiz in his final season, this set has plenty to offer baseball card collectors.”

“National Baseball Card Day is a great way to celebrate the rich tie between fans and Major League baseball players,” said Evan Kaplan, Director, Licensing and Business Development at the Major League Baseball Players Association. “There’s a special feeling when opening a pack of baseball cards and finding your favorite player.”

Ultra Pro will also be supplying a limited number of “one touch” card cases as an additional purchase incentive. National Baseball Card Day packs will include a special Topps BUNT promotional code card for baseball fans to experience the digital side of card collecting and Topps has also randomly inserted autographed cards in select packs.

For more information, to view the checklist, find your local participating hobby retailer or purchase cards, please visit Topps.com/promotions or MLBShop.com/topps.

About the Topps Company:

Founded in 1938, The Topps Company, Inc. is the preeminent creator and brand marketer of physical and digital sports cards, entertainment cards and collectibles, and distinctive confectionery products. Topps’ leading sports and entertainment products include Major League Baseball, National Football League, Major League Soccer, UEFA Champions League, English Premier League, Bundesliga, Indian Premier League, Star Wars, WWE, UFC, Wacky Packages, Garbage Pail Kids, Mars Attacks and other trading cards, sticker album collections and collectibles.  Topps’ app portfolio, including Topps BUNT®, Topps HUDDLE®, TOPPS KICK® and Topps® Star Wars ℠ Card Trader, has been a hit with millions of fans around the world.  Topps’ confectionery brands include Ring Pop®, Push Pop®, Baby Bottle Pop®, Juicy Drop ® Pop and Bazooka® bubble gum.  Topps was acquired by Michael Eisner’s Tornante Company and Madison Dearborn Partners in October 2007.  For additional information, visit Topps.com and Candymania.com.

ABOUT MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYERS ASSOCIATION (MLBPA):

The Major League Baseball Players Association (www.mlbplayers.com) is the collective bargaining representative for all professional baseball players of the thirty Major League baseball teams and serves as the exclusive group licensing agent for commercial and licensing activities involving active Major League baseball players. On behalf of its members, it operates the Players Choice licensing program and Players Choice Awards, which benefit the needy through the Major League Baseball Players Trust, a charitable foundation established and run entirely by Major League baseball players. Follow: @MLB_Players; @MLBPAClubhouse; @MLBPlayersTrust.

SGC Unveils Gold Club Membership Option

On August 16, 2016, SGC announced their first-ever membership program which includes monthly giveaways, free giveaways, and members only content.  Here’s the letter that was sent to their email subscribers.

Dear Valued SGC Customers,

We would like to take a moment to thank everyone that made it out to Atlantic City for the 2016 National Sports Collectors Convention. This show was without question the most successful show throughout our 18 years in business, and we cannot wait for the Chicago National in 2017. As always, we greatly appreciate all of your business and continued support.

Please visit us at the East Coast National at the Westchester County Center in White Plains, New York from August 18th to August 21st. We will be doing on-site card grading and encapsulation as well as on-site autograph authentication. Hope to see you there!

In other news, we are very proud to present our first ever membership program with exclusive monthly specials, free giveaways, and members only content—The SGC Gold Club. As of August 1st, we are offering SGC customers the opportunity to join this elite club to take advantage of one of the best deals in the hobby. With two levels of membership, this program can fit any collector’s budget. Gold Club Select, the first level, includes 10 complimentary Express-level grading vouchers, an SGC logo t-shirt, and an SGC drawstring bag for only $125. (Valued at $190, this is a $65 savings right off the bat!) Looking for an even better deal? The Gold Club Premium level includes 30 free Express-level grades, an SGC logo t-shirt, an SGC drawstring bag, and a copy of the classic hobby book The Photographic Baseball Cards of Goodwin & Company (1886-1890)—a retail value of $590 for only $350!

The initial savings are only the beginning of the benefits that you’ll receive as a Gold Club Member. Once you are in the club, you will gain access to the lowest rates offered to any SGC customers through exclusive members only monthly specials. You will also receive special content from the SGC professionals about the grading and authentication processes, sneak peeks at new services offered, breaking news about the hobby, and unique editorial pieces. Call us today to take advantage of this great opportunity! 800.742.9212.

Fleer To Acquire Asher Candy Canes

November 21, 1989 | By George Lazarus.

Fleer Corp., best known as one of the bubble gum giants, is looking for a bite of the candy business.

Fleer, based in Philadelphia, Monday confirmed it is acquiring the Asher candy cane business from Leaf Inc. of north suburban Bannockburn.

Asher, with annual sales estimated at $10 million to $15 million, would be Fleer`s initial venture in candies. While Asher is sold nationally, its primary sales strength is in the Northeast.

Asher, whose candy canes have been sold under other brand names at Leaf, was put on the block recently along with several other confections, subsequently sold, as Leaf decided to concentrate on its core brands.

Regarding the Asher purchase, Paul Mullan, Fleer chairman and chief executive officer, told this column: “We`re looking for niche opportunities in the market . . . we think this is one of them.“

Mullan is a former Leaf senior VP, who three months ago became boss of Fleer following its purchase by Charter House Group International, a New York investment firm. Mullan has been commuting from his Lake Forest home to Fleer since he took over the job in Philadelphia.

He said Fleer is interested in other acquisitions, but didn`t say whether they might involve other candy brands.

Fleer`s purchase of Asher includes its production facility in New Hyde Park, N.Y., where Asher Candy Co., a new Fleer subsidiary, is being established.

Fleer, whose roots date to 1848, is believed to have annual sales of $60 million to $70 million, not including Asher.

The firm, whose most visible brand is its Double Bubble, claims to have invented bubble gum in 1928. Fleer has become a factor in baseball cards and football cards since 1981.

This article was originally published in the Chicago Tribune.

Link: Fleer To Acquire Asher Candy Canes