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Top 10 Travis Kelce & Jason Kelce Football Cards

by Vinnie Rullo

The Kelce brothers, Travis and Jason, have become cultural phenomena, and their rookie cards are now highly sought after.

The documentary "KELCE" premiered on Amazon Prime Video, and their "New Heights" podcast has catapulted them into the media spotlight.

Travis Kelce's relationship with pop icon Taylor Swift has taken his popularity to new heights.

Travis is on his way to becoming the greatest tight end ever, and Jason has put together a Hall of Fame career as an offensive lineman.

In the following piece, we'll delve into the top football cards featuring the Kelce brothers.

Top 10 Knicks Rookie Cards: Retired Jersey Icons

by Vinnie Rullo

Rookie Cards, Vintage Basketball

Discover the best rookie cards of the New York Knicks' all-time greats, delving into the rich history of this iconic basketball franchise.

This guide highlights the top basketball cards of the exceptional Knicks players who earned the honor of having their jersey numbers retired.

These honored jerseys now grace the rafters of Madison Square Garden (MSG), acclaimed as 'The Mecca' by legends like LeBron James.

Junk Wax Gems: Top 15 Most Valuable Cards Of The Era

by Vinnie Rullo

Most Valuable Cards, Rookie Cards, Vintage Baseball, Vintage Basketball, Vintage Football

The Junk Wax Era, spanning from 1986 to 1993, is predominantly recognized for its significant overproduction of baseball cards.

This period led to a substantial bubble in the sports card industry, which eventually burst, causing a notable collapse in the market.

However, the era was more than just bubble and bust; it also produced a rich array of sports cards, including valuable rookie cards and rare short-prints

Many cards from this era now hold surprising value. You could discover some of these hidden treasures in your collection.

Bubble To Bust: A History Of The Junk Wax Era 1986-1993

by All Vintage Cards

Sports Card History, Vintage Baseball

The 'Junk Wax Era' of baseball cards, spanning from 1986 to 1993, marked a period of massive overproduction by card companies, leading to a market saturation that significantly diminished the value of these cards.

Initially swept up in a wave of hysteria, collectors once believed their cards would be worth fortunes, only to find them nearly worthless today.

This era served as a stark lesson for card companies, catalyzing a shift in production strategies to balance supply and demand—a cornerstone in today’s thriving sports card hobby.

In this article, we'll delve into the Junk Wax Era, exploring its lasting impact and the subsequent evolution of the hobby.

10 Best Undervalued Vintage Football Rookie Cards To Buy Now

by Vinnie Rullo

Card Investing, Rookie Cards, Vintage Football

Unlike their baseball or basketball counterparts, vintage football cards haven't always been in high demand.

This has been a boon for collectors, allowing them to acquire legendary players' rookie cards at reasonable prices.

But as interest grows, top-grade PSA vintage football rookie cards are getting snapped up.

Here are my Top 10 undervalued vintage football cards, ripe for consideration as long-term investments

The Top 10 Sports Cards That Changed The Hobby

by Vinnie Rullo

Card Investing, Most Valuable Cards, Vintage Baseball, Vintage Basketball, Vintage Football, Vintage Hockey

Sports cards have been on quite the journey since the late 1800s.

From humble beginnings with baseball cards tucked inside tobacco tins,
to today's flashy 1/1s and autographed patch cards.

Throughout this evolution, a few cards and sets have truly turned heads,
setting new trends and directing the next big thing in card collecting.

These aren't just pieces of cardboard; they're snapshots of sports moments in time, shaping the hobby and leading to the dynamic card culture of today.

Without these game-changing cards, our hobby would be a different ball game.

So, let's dive in!

A Collector’s Guide: Mickey Mantle’s Topps Cards, 1952-1969

by Vinnie Rullo

Card Investing, Vintage Baseball

Mickey Mantle is one of the most iconic baseball players of all time.

Many of his sports cards, produced during the baby boom era, were affixed to bike spokes by kids, making mint condition cards rare today.

High-grade copies of The Mick's more valuable cards consistently break records at auction.

I've analyzed every Topps card of Mantle from his playing days, dating from 1952 through 1969.

The analysis of each card follows, examining value, scarcity, and investment potential.

Also see our guide to the ten best Mickey Mantle cards to invest in, which covers many of Mantle's non-Topps baseball cards.

Top 10 LeBron James Rookie Card Picks

by Vinnie Rullo

Rookie Cards, Vintage Basketball

LeBron James is often hailed as one of history's most outstanding basketball players.

He has consistently exceeded expectations since his early days as a high school sensation.

Last season, he clinched the title as the NBA's all-time leading scorer.

As he gears up for his 21st NBA season in 2023-24, he remains an undeniable powerhouse on the court.

LeBron's sports cards rank among the most coveted collectibles for enthusiasts.

Let's delve into the top 10 LeBron James rookie cards, selected based on their popularity, value, and sales volume.

Ten 2023-24 NHL Breakout Players With A Young Guns Rookie Card

by Vinnie Rullo

Rookie Cards, Vintage Hockey

The NHL 2023-24 season is fast approaching, and now is the time to start buying Upper Deck Young Guns rookie cards.

This list showcases ten potential breakout NHL players for the 2023-2024 season who have a Young Guns rookie card.

I recommend buying these hockey cards in graded PSA 10 examples.

Last season, players like Matthew Tkachuk, Ramus Dahlin, Tage Thompson, Clayton Keller, and others had breakout seasons.

As a result, their Upper Deck Young Guns rookie cards saw an all-time high in value.

Here are my top 10 potential players who could break out in the 2023-24 season, featuring an Upper Deck Young Guns (YG) rookie card.

Top 20 Most Valuable 1986 Fleer Basketball Cards

by All Vintage Cards

Vintage Basketball

The 1986 Fleer Basketball set is one of the most iconic basketball card issues ever.

It was issued at a time when basketball was finally getting its due in terms of fan support. Driven by the continued dominance of the likes of new players such as Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and, of course, the legend himself, Michael Jordan.

The set was small in number (132 base basketball cards plus 11 stickers) but loaded with big-time rookie cards, including the iconic rookie card of Michael Jordan.

The cards themselves aren't necessarily rare. However, gem-mint (PSA 10) copies are a challenge due to the propensity of easy damage to the red borders of the cards and common centering issues.

In this piece, we will provide a look at the top twenty most valuable cards in the 1986 Fleer Basketball card set.

Shohei Ohtani: Top 10 Rookie Cards

by Vinnie Rullo

Rookie Cards, Vintage Baseball

Shohei Ohtani has captivated major league baseball since his 2018 debut.

He has excelled as a hitter AND a pitcher, making him the only active MLB player to achieve such a distinction.

In 2021, Ohtani clinched the AL MVP title, and based on his outstanding 2023 performance, he's poised to claim it once more.

To no surprise, the value of Shohei Ohtani's rookie cards have soared in recent years.

In this piece, we'll delve into the top 10 most sought-after and valuable Shohei Ohtani rookie cards.

Not all of these Ohtani rookie cards are not the most expensive, but they are the most popular in the sports card community.

The Best Lionel Messi Rookie Cards

by Vinnie Rullo

Rookie Cards, Vintage Soccer Cards

Lionel Messi is often hailed as the contemporary GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) among soccer legends. Following a stellar career in the Premier League, Messi transitioned to the US, earning over $50 million a year with Inter Miami. His debut in American soccer has profoundly influenced the sport in the U.S.

Many new fans are now interested in soccer due to the lure of Messi's legend. And he hasn't disappointed with outstanding play in the last couple of weeks. Messi's rookie soccer cards have seen a significant increase in value of late due to his dominant play and impact in the US. Let's look at some of Lionel Messi's best rookie cards.

CSG Card Grading 2023 Update – Are They A Legit Contender?

by All Vintage Cards

Card Grading

I wrote a piece on CSG Card grading in 2021 and there have been some requests for an update, given some of the changes at CSG.

The most significant change happened in 2022, with the launch of a new label and a revamped grading scale.

In my last article, I noted the following about CSG's slabs:

In a simple word--ugly. This is where I wish they tried to survey the collecting world before pulling the trigger on a slab/flip design. I have to admit, I don't like the design--it feels too busy and suited for a more modern day card.

Well, maybe they were listening to me? Because they made a significant change.

Here was the slab before (that I was highly critical of):

Hidden Gems: Top 10 Undervalued ’70s Baseball Rookie Cards

by Vinnie Rullo

Card Investing, Rookie Cards, Vintage Baseball

The 1970s featured many baseball stars, Hall of Fame players, rookies, and some players who made a significant impact during the decade.

Still, today many rookie cards from that era fly under the radar. Rookie cards from this decade, especially high-grade examples, continue to increase in value.

In previous baseball rookie card articles, I have discussed rookie cards of players not yet in the Hall, including Dave Parker, Keith Hernandez, Lou Whitaker, Thurman Munson, and Dwight Evans.

In this piece, I dive deeper into ten rookie cards from the 1970s that still look like excellent buys.

SGC Can’t Seem To Identify Trimmed Cards

by All Vintage Cards

Card Grading

I've been pretty supportive of SGC over the years, even used their card grading services for a lot of cards in my own personal collection.

However, another recent discovery of a trimmed card in an SGC holder has me somewhat concerned.

Here's the deal: a Blowout Forums user (who else?) discovered that an SGC 6 1936 Goudey World Gum Joe Dimaggio card was trimmed, resubmitted to SGC and ultimately rewarded with a new SGC 8.5 grade.

Check out the comparison from user CornDog below.

Hidden Gems: Top 10 Vintage NBA Rookie Cards To Invest In

by Vinnie Rullo

Card Investing, Rookie Cards, Vintage Basketball

Vintage basketball rookie cards featuring some of the biggest names in the sport remain highly sought after.

In particular, high-grade cards of these yesteryear stars are gaining popularity on online marketplaces such as eBay.

Interestingly, the rookie cards of many Hall of Fame greats and former stars are still considered undervalued.

Thus, in this piece, we will examine ten hidden gems that are not only affordable but also have the potential to serve as a good long-term investment.

The 12 Most Valuable Upper Deck Young Guns Hockey Cards

by Vinnie Rullo

Card Investing, Rookie Cards, Vintage Hockey

Upper Deck first developed Young Guns (YG) hockey cards with their inaugural hockey set in 1990. Young Guns cards have been quite popular with collectors over the years. The cards include the first cards of many star players and future Hall of Famers.

Hockey card collectors expect the release of Series 1 and Series 2 Young Guns each year. It's incredible that thirty-three years later, the Upper Deck Young Guns rookies are still the main staple in the hobby.

Young Guns cards are not 'rare,' given that the cards are part of mainstream Upper Deck sets with large print runs. But, Upper Deck has started to issue more limited variations, including serial numbered and clear-cut copies.

Hobbyists view Upper Deck Young Gun's base rookie cards as a player's key rookie card. Many have already been designated as their future PSA Hall of Fame Rookie Registry card.

Gem-Mint, PSA 10 graded examples of many big-time Young Guns rookie cards are popular and have seen a significant increase in value in the past few years.

This list focuses on the twelve most iconic and valuable hockey Young Guns Rookie cards of all time. We conclude with two lists of Young Gun cards that we think have good long term investment potential.

The 10 Most Valuable Cards In The 1949 Bowman Baseball Set

by All Vintage Cards

Bowman Baseball, Card Investing, Most Valuable Cards, Vintage Baseball

The 1949 Bowman Baseball card set is an important one for the hobby and one of the best sets of the 1940s.

The set (along with the 1948-49 Leaf Baseball Card set) marked the start of colorized baseball cards.

Also, the set contains the first cards of some of the first black players in baseball, such as Jackie Robinson, Satchell Paige, and Roy Campanella.

It's a small set by most standards (only 240 cards). But, completing the entire set is an expensive endeavor for collectors.

Herein, we outline the ten most valuable cards in the 1949 Bowman set, providing our thoughts on the investment potential of the set.

Top 10 Rookie Cards of Players Not In Baseball Hall Of Fame

by Vinnie Rullo

Card Investing, Rookie Cards, Vintage Baseball

Many great baseball players are still on the outside looking in when it comes to earning a Hall of Fame nod. Of course, big-time stars like Pete Rose and Shoeless Joe Jackson made mistakes in blocking any path to the hall and will never get in.

Today, a player with the right credentials can earn a HOF election via either a committee or ballot vote. Yet, baseball has changed the Hall of Fame process in the last few years.

A player only has ten years to earn election through a ballot vote (down from the previous 15 years). Another change was the committee vote process, where MLB has designated which era of players will be voted on through the committee vote each year.

The upcoming 2023 MLB Hall of Fame vote will be announced on January 24th, with some players on this list up for election.

Let's look at the rookie cards of ten potential Hall of Famers, whose cards look like an attractive buy right now. We've identified specific PSA grades that look attractive based on affordability.

Even if they don't get elected this year, their rookie cards are still priced right, especially based on the future chances of getting into the HOF.

The Top 10 Most Valuable Pele Rookie Cards

by All Vintage Cards

Card Investing, Rookie Cards, Vintage Soccer Cards

When it comes to soccer players, none have had the same level of impact on the game as the late Pelé.

Here in the US, soccer has only started to gain in popularity over the past decade, and soccer cards of past stars are becoming highly sought after.

Pelé's greatness in soccer can be equated to the other greats in sport history; think Tom Brady in Football, Michael Jordan in Basketball, or Wayne Gretzky in Hockey.

Given his recent passing, Pelé's soccer cards have spiked in value, especially his rarest and most valuable rookie cards.

In this piece, we take a look at the ten most valuable cards of Pelé, providing guidance to collectors considering an investment in the soccer legend's cards.

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