Favorite Vintage Finds: March Collector Connection Post War Spotlight

All Vintage Cards content is free. When you purchase through referral links on our site, we earn a commission. Learn more

The March Post-War Vintage Auction from The Collector Connection is officially live—and it’s packed with hobby favorites, hidden gems, and tough-to-find cardboard from the golden age of sports.

From iconic rookie cards to regional oddballs and under-the-radar Hall of Famers, there’s something for every vintage collector in this well-curated auction. We’ve dug through the listings to highlight a few of our favorites worth watching as the bidding heats up.

The auction ends March 30th, so now’s the time to build your watchlist or move on to that next great pickup.

Let’s dive in 👇

1. 1969 Topps Reggie Jackson Rookie Card Autograph

I’ve always loved autographed rookie cards of the all-time greats. There’s something special about combining a player’s first official card with their signature—it transforms a classic collectible into a scarce and personal piece of history. It’s a prized item for collectors and a wise investment with added scarcity. And what could be better than an autograph from Mr. October himself, Reggie Jackson, on one of the most iconic rookie cards in baseball history?

This one doesn’t have perfect centering (which is a rarity for Jackson’s rookie), but it’s not bad, and it’s a clean auto with Jackson’s 44 jersey number a nice added touch. The card’s corners are a little soft, but one should be able to nab this at a pretty affordable price.

2. 1999 Sports Illustrated/Fleer Greats of the Game Near Master Set w/ Autograph Set (80)

I’ve had my eyes on this set for a while, specifically the autos, which are, in my opinion, highly underrated. The 1999 Sports Illustrated Greats of the Game was a relatively unknown 90-card set released by Fleer in the summer of 1999. Each seven-card pack contained one autograph. As the name suggests, the product focuses on “The greats of the game” and, as such, contains no active MLB players.

This auction lot includes the entire base set, plus all of the inserts (minus five), and 81 different autographs from the set, including Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson (2), and Nolan Ryan. These don’t come up for sale very often, so suspect bidding will be active, but at the right price, worthy of striking that high bid.

3. 1949 American and National League All-Star Photographs Jackie Robinson

This is a super unique Jackie Robinson piece that collectors may be able to snag at a discount because the borders have been trimmed to the card. Advertised as “American and National League All-Stars” these are black and white, paper-thin premiums measuring 6-1/2″ x 9″. The Robinson card is scarce, with only 10 known copies graded by PSA. This copy is graded by SGC and graded as Authentic/Trimmed. Issued in 1949, it is also known as one of the earliest Jackie Robinson card issues, although the fact that it is a photo card prevents purists from calling it a ‘rookie card’, as a 1947 Bond Bread Issue often gets that claim to fame.

4. 1943 New York Journal American War Bond Game Full Ticket Babe Ruth

I was unfamiliar with the concept of War Bond Games, so I was genuinely excited to learn about these historic tickets. The War Bond Game held on August 26, 1943, was a special World War II exhibition matchup designed to support the U.S. war effort by raising funds through the sale of war bonds. To attend, fans had to purchase bonds—no traditional tickets were sold—making these games a unique blend of patriotism and America’s pastime.

What makes this particular game even more special is that Babe Ruth, well into retirement, stepped up and hit a home run off Walter Johnson to the short porch at the Polo Grounds in New York—a legendary moment featuring two of the game’s earliest icons.

The ticket we’re showcasing at the Collector Connection auction is in great condition, graded PSA 5 with an “MK” designation due to a small handwritten “4” on the back. It’s a true piece of baseball and American history—rare, meaningful, and packed with nostalgia.

5. 1955 Topps All American #37 Jim Thorpe HOF SGC 1 POOR

This isn’t a particularly scarce or highly valuable card (especially in this condition), but it’s one of my all-time favorites. It captures the spirit of Thorpe and offers collectors a far more affordable option than his highly coveted 1933 Goudey Sport Kings card. And given the grade here (an SGC 1), collectors should be able to pick this one up relatively cheaply.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest multi-sport athletes of all time, Jim Thorpe was a legend in nearly every arena he entered—track, football, baseball—you name it. His 1955 Topps All-American card isn’t a playing-day issue but more of a tribute, part of a set honoring former Heisman Trophy winners and Hall of Famers.

Recent sales data shows that PSA 1 or SGC 1 graded copies sell for between $150 and $200. Bid wisely!

Good luck bidding. Please note that The Collector Connection (like most other auction houses) charges a 17.5% buyer’s premium to all winning bids.

Find the complete auction listings here: https://thecollectorconnection.com/Lots/Gallery