Card of the Day: Art Mahaffey 1964 Topps #104

Is Goal Line Art Officially Over?

Did anyone realize that Goal Line Art didn’t release a “Class of 2017” set last year?  With the Pro Football Hall of Fame getting ready to announce the 2018 class it got me wondering, is Goal Line Art officially over?  A statement on their website reads “Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, we were unable to continue this series for the “Class of 2017″.  If anything changes or additional information becomes available, it will be posted on this site.”

Between 1989 and 2016 Goal Line Art released an annual set featuring members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  From 1989 to 1994 sets focused on past Hall of Famers.  Starting in 1995 and up to 2016 they were based on that specific year’s induction class.  Although they only produced one set per year, you have to admit these 4″ x 6″ artistic masterpieces have always been eye appealing.  Artist Gary Thomas painted all of them.  If you’ve ever attended an induction ceremony they are ideal for getting autographed.

So what happened?  That’s a good question.  I contacted them and received the same message they posted on their website.  Nothing more.  A few ideas do come to mind though.

Gary Thomas has been doing artwork for the Hall of Fame since the early 60’s.  Perhaps his age and health became an issue.  I reached out to him and got no response.

In April 2016 Panini’s NFL exclusive went into play.  Maybe that had something to do with it.  Goal Line Art released their “Class of 2016” set in June of that year.  Even though Panini’s exclusive was already in play they may have been allowed to squeeze out one more set.

I’d like to think that this was a one year fluke, but I’ve got a feeling it has to do with licensing.  That’s a shame.  Goal Line Art had a good 27 year run, and a loyal following.  You can still purchase past sets.  But it doesn’t look like they’ll be issuing anything new for awhile.  Nobody is talking.

2017 Topps Gypsy Queen Portrait Art Patch Originals Gallery

Gypsy Queen is known for having all sorts of fun gems.  For 2017, Monty Sheldon and Brian Kong both collaborated in order to bring collectors the Portrait Art Patch Originals.  Monty Sheldon made the pencil drawings while Brian Kong did the ink and coloring.  You’ll notice each card has their initials on the front and signatures on the back.  All of these cards look amazing.  Anyone would be thrilled to pull one.

The 2017 Topps Gypsy Queen Portrait Art Patch Originals set contains (38) cards covering (19) different players.  Players include: Mookie Betts, Kris Bryant, Robinson Cano, Roger Clemens, Carlos Correa, Zack Greinke, Cole Hamels, Bryce Harper, Ichiro, Adam Jones, Barry Larkin, Manny Machado, Mark McGwire, Noah Syndergaard, Anthony Rizzo, Chris Sale, Max Scherzer, Giancarlo Stanton, and Mike Trout.

Snake eyes!

Card of the Day: Usain Bolt 2012 Sportkings Series E Premium Redemption Jared Kelley Art Card

Card of the Day: Art Shamsky 1971 Topps #445

Goal Line Art: 2016 Pro Football Hall Of Fame Class

Members of the 2016 Pro Football Hall Of Fame Class have received the Goal Line Art treatment.  Artist Gary Thomas has once again worked his magic.  These paintings are extremely well done and look great.

As it has been the case since 1989, a 4″ x 6″ card set has been made based on these original pieces of artwork.  The 2016 set has just been released, and can be purchased here.  Sets usually sell for $30.00.  This year’s HOF inductees include Edward DeBartolo, Tony Dungy, Brett Favre, Kevin Greene, Marvin Harrison, Orlando Pace, Ken Stabler, and Dick Stanfel.

If you’re heading to the Hall Of Fame this summer for the Enshrinement Ceremony, I’d take one of these sets along.  You might be able to get some autographed, and these look cool signed.  Plus, they’re a little easier to carry around versus a football, helmet, or jersey.

Monty Sheldon’s 2016 Topps Gypsy Queen Original Art Patch Card Gallery

When Topps revived the Gypsy Queen brand in 2011, they introduced collectors to the Original Art Patch Card.  These are by far some of the nicest looking modern day cards.  I always enjoy hand-drawn cards the most, and these come with a multi-colored patch.  Its definitely not something you see done all the time.  Maybe once a year at the most.

With 2016 Gypsy Queen releasing on 4/6, I’d like to show you all (37) Original Art Patch Cards that you’ll have the chance to pull.  Every single card was drawn by sports artist Monty Sheldon.  They look great!  Monty has really outdone himself this time.  Any of these cards could easily be considered the centerpiece of someone’s collection.  Each card is a one-of-one, and is incredibly difficult to pull.  Congrats to anyone that gets one.

According to Topps, many of these masterpieces have been shipped out within the product.  A few of them might come as a redemption.  Either way it doesn’t really matter.  Topps has them already, and are ready to ship.  They shouldn’t take long to arrive.

The checklist this year includes top guys like Ken Griffey, Jr., Mike Trout, Kris Bryant, and Maikel Franco.  Click on each image for a closer look.

Goal Line Art Welcomes The 2015 Hall Of Fame Class

Since 1989, Goal Line Art, the Pro Football Hall Of Fame, and artist Gary Thomas have been releasing an annual set depicting some of professional football’s most talented players/coaches/executives.  In 1995, the set began to center around that year’s newest HOF inductees.  Twenty years later, its still being done the same way.

Take a look at these 4″ x 6″ masterpieces featuring the 2015 Hall Of Fame Class.  Tell you what.  If I were attending the HOF induction, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to pick up a set or two to get signed.  These things look crazy good when they’re autographed.

This year’s Hall Of Fame Class includes Jerome Bettis, Tim Brown, Charles Haley, Bill Polian, Junior Seau, Will Shields, Mick Tingelhoff, and Ron Wolf.  Sets generally sell for $30.00.  But older ones can run a lot higher.

Flashback Product of the Week: 1989 Goal Line Art Series 1

Starting in 1963, artist Gary Thomas began his relationship with the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  Since then, he has painted illustrations depicting members of the HOF for display around the Hall.  He has also done work for the Olympic and Bowling Hall of Fame too.  His work is amazingly well done and colorful.

The hobby in 1989 was in overproduction mode.  Cards were everywhere, and everyone thought all this new stuff was going to be worth a fortune someday.  Besides a few exceptions, most of the cards made at this time ended up tanking mainly because so many were issued.  This is a topic that has been discussed on here regularly before.  The HOF decided to get in on the card craze by making some annual sets based on the work of Gary Thomas.

Between Gary Thomas, Goal Line Art, Inc., and the HOF, collectors saw the first series of cards released in 1989.  Series 1 consists of 30 4″ x 6″ cards.  Every set is individually numbered out of 5,000.  The first series seems to be the most desirable.  Those continue to sell for $100.00 to $150.00.  That is darn good considering other card products from this period are basically worthless.

Goal Line Art, Inc. is still around.  In 1995, their annual set began to focus on that year’s induction class.  This is the way it is today.  The Class of 2015 set is scheduled for release next month.  Rarer versions do exist.  Gold Cards are numbered to 100 and autographed.  Enshrinee Proofs are numbered to 50 and given to the players.

If you plan to attend an autograph signing with a HOF player, consider getting one of these cards autographed.  They look really good when signed.

Card of the Day: Art Shell 1973 Topps RC #77