Card of the Day: Milt Pappas 1962 Topps #75

Flashback Product of the Week: 1962 Topps Baseball Bucks

The little dude on the cover of this box sums up what this hobby has become about.  Money.  So many people open up products today with the sole purpose of pulling that big “hit”.  When that doesn’t happen they run to the nearest message board to bash both the product and company that made it.  Its sad and quite annoying.  That picture accurately describes what some buyers/sellers were like during the 80s and 90s before the bubble burst.  It kinda looks like a young Mr. Mint.

One of the most unique looking test issued products that Topps has made were the 1962 Topps Baseball Bucks.  It started as a product all on it’s own.  Then Topps decided to throw them in as extras within the 1962 Topps Baseball set.  The set totals 96 cards that all look like currency.  On the front of each “buck” you’ll find a picture of the player, home stadium, and a short write-up.  The back shows the A.L. or N.L. logo along with a team logo.  Its very common to find these with a fold down the middle because that is how they were packaged.  One “buck” came inside a 1-cent pack.  For being a test issue, the cards are very affordable.  If Topps didn’t insert them later on in their regular set, I have a feeling they would be worth a lot more.  Guys like Mickey Mantle and Hank Aaron command the most money.  Then again, its all based on condition.  If you can find an original sealed pack, on the back it advertises autographs.  I think they’re referring to the facsimile signature found on each “buck”.  Try doing that with a product in today’s hobby.

I still can’t get past the image on the cover.  Its almost as if Topps was able to predict the future of the card industry.  Topps made a football counterpart, but it never was a standalone product.  Those were just issued as inserts.

Card of the Day: Al Downing 1962 Topps RC #219

Card of the Day: Fred Williamson 1962 Fleer RC #74

Card of the Day: Hank Aaron 1962 Topps #320

“Pin-Up” of the Week: Jackie Robinson 1962 Hall of Fame Induction Press Pin

Cooperstown has spoken.  The 2014 Induction Class includes Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and Frank Thomas.  I’m a bit surprised that Craig Biggio didn’t make it in, but I’m sure it won’t be long until he gets there.  At least this year’s class has people that are still alive.  Guys like Sosa, McGwire, Clemens, and Bonds will never make it in.

Jackie Robinson is one of the most influential athletes of all time.  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1962 along with Bob Feller, Bill McKechnie, and Edd Roush.  The Hall of Fame held a luncheon announcing Robinson’s induction and members of the press were provided with this pin.  I don’t know what it is about these pewter pins, but some of them freak me out.  I think its the eyes.  They always look so empty.  Collectors wanting to add this pin to their collection will have to open their wallets.  One recently sold for $300.00.

Card of the Day: Tim McCarver 1962 Topps #167

Card of the Day: Lou Brock 1962 Topps RC #387

Card of the Day: 1962 Topps Mars Attacks – The Frost Ray #23

Flashback Product of the Week: 1962 Topps Civil War News

Violent images appearing on collectible cardboard were all the rage back in the 60’s.  It didn’t matter if the pictures were of aliens invading Earth or graphic images of some of the most horrific battles in American history, these sets were popular.  In 1962, Topps released an 88-card set entitled Civil War News which depicted many images from the Civil War.  They were so detailed, parents were up in arms and didn’t want their children seeing so much violence.  Ironically this made the set even more popular because whats more fun than going against something your parents don’t like?  I thought this product would be appropriate since today is Memorial Day.