How To Spot A Fake 1951 Topps Connie Mack All-Stars Card

For only having (11) cards in the set, completing the 1951 Topps Connie Mack All-Stars set is not the easiest accomplishment.  Especially if you want a set in decent condition.  Given that these cards are die-cut, and meant to be punched-out, means many display a considerable amount of wear.  Players in the set include Grover C. Alexander, Connie Mack, Mickey Cochrane, Christy Mathewson, Eddie Collins, Babe Ruth, Jimmy Collins, Tris Speaker, Lou Gehrig, Honus Wagner, and Walter Johnson.

Please don’t confuse the 1951 Topps Connie Mack All-Stars set with the 1951 Topps Major League All-Stars Baseball set.  The 1951 Topps Major League All-Stars Baseball set utilizes the same design, has the same amount of cards, but consists of active players at the time.  The checklist is completely different.

Here are some tips for spotting a counterfeit 1951 Topps Connie Mack All-Stars card:

• Not Die-Cut – Cards from the 1951 Topps Connie Mack All-Stars set are meant to be punched-out and stood-up with no background behind them.  Some counterfeits lack the entire die-cut feature altogether.  Being die-cut is what makes this set what it is.  Not being able to punch-out that player is a major red flag.
• Cut Line Not Cut – Some counterfeit examples contain a cut line, but many aren’t actually cut like they should be.  It may appear that you can punch-out the player, but you can’t.
• Card Stock – Compared to an authentic example, counterfeit cards tend to be printed on card stock which is too thick.  Poorly cut edges too.
• Poor Image – Taking a closer look a counterfeit will exhibit computer print lines not found on a genuine example.  What should be solid in color is blurry, and contains lines.  Color tends to be off compared to an authentic card.

Authentic

Counterfeit

Card of the Day: Connie Mack 1960 Fleer #14

“Pin-Up” of the Week: American Sports Card Collectors Association Show 9/74 Pin

Depending on where you live, card shows might be a weekly thing at your local flea market.  Then again some collectors haven’t seen one in years.  Its all regional.  Sports card shows started in the late 1960’s when people began to realize that their memorabilia carried some value.  Organizations like the American Sports Card Collectors Association (ASCCA) were formed to help put together shows.  It wasn’t uncommon for them to take place in a hotel and have a former athlete come to sign autographs.

Even in the early years of sports card shows, promos were around.  The American Sports Card Collectors Association would give out promotional pins to many early collectors that were attending a show.  Most of these pins would feature the likeness of Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, Connie Mack, Lou Gehrig, and Christy Mathewson.  Sometimes they would feature a picture of the autograph signer.  There always seems to be a handful of these pins up for sale, but rarely do any of them sell.  If they do sell, its not for very much.  But they’re fun to look at and see the history behind some of the hobby’s earliest shows.

Connie Mack’s 1st Sketch Card

Thanks to Monty Sheldon, Connie Mack has his very first sketch card.  Mack collectors usually need to have some pretty deep wallets.  His cut signatures are extremely expensive and he has no relics.  Recently he was included into one of my favorite products, ’10 TRISTAR OBAK.  This is truly one of Mack’s most unique cards to own.

Card of the Day: Connie Mack 1940 Playball #132

Connie Mack or Connie Mack?

The day hasn’t come yet when I can add a Connie Mack game-used or cut signature to my personal collection.  I’m really picky when it comes to cut signatures.  I need them to be signed in ink and centered perfectly.  I want nothing to do with signatures that are half cut off just so it fits the card.  Perhaps the market wouldn’t be flooded with cut signatures if the manufacturers waited for the perfect signatures to come along.

I have a bone to pick with a few cards that have been out for a couple of years.  These cards come from 2007 & 2008 Donruss Americana.  I’m specifically talking about the relics and autos of Connie Mack’s grandson, Connie Mack III.  Imagine being a collector opening a pack of Americana, flipping through the base cards, and when you reach your hit, you see the name “Connie Mack” written on the COA.  For a few seconds you might be jumping for joy, but when you turn the card over its of his grandson.  That has to be a huge let down for a collector.  Instead of pulling a hit of one of the greatest managers in baseball history, you get his grandson who in 2005 was appointed by President George W. Bush as the Chairman of the President’s Advisory Panel for Federal Tax Reform.  I know people like to collect historical figures, but to me this is like pulling a card of Babe Ruth’s brother who works at Kinko’s 🙂

Card of the Day: Connie Mack 1961 Fleer #123

This is one of Mack’s most affordable cards.  In fact a lot of great players have cards in the 1961 Fleer set and they aren’t that expensive.  I really want a Connie Mack cut signature someday.

Connie Mack’s Rookie Card

I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again.  Someday I hope to own a card from the original Old Judge Tobacco set.  Being some of the first mass produced baseball cards makes these super rare and expensive.  While browsing eBay I came across a Connie Mack from this historical set.  Mack has at least two different cards and you barely ever see one thats real.  Most of the time you’ll find posters and reprints featuring this card.  In a way I guess you could consider this Mack’s rookie card.  One of the many problems collectors have with these cards is that they are usually found trimmed.  You can clearly see that with this Mack at the bottom of the card.  Even though this card has been altered, it still sold for over $500.00.  Every time I see a reasonably priced Old Judge card at a show, I quickly find that it has been altered.

Topps will soon be releasing a product called T206.  One of the big hits you can pull is a Ty Cobb booklet which features an original Cobb T206 on one side and a cut signature on the other.  I’d like Upper Deck to revive their Old Judge product and do something like that.  If they made a Connie Mack card like that Cobb, I’d probably go crazy!

A True “Mystery” Cut

If the card gods asked me what cut signature would make a good addition to my collection, I’d have to say Connie Mack.  I’ve been watching a lot of Mack cut autos pop-up for sale, but haven’t pulled the trigger yet on any of them.  Tonight I came across this 2008 Upper Deck SP Mystery Cuts Mack auto which features the partial signature of someone else.  Upper Deck doesn’t mention who the other person is, but I’m guessing they had to be important if they signed the photo too.  On the other hand, that person could’ve just been a fan and wanted to put their signature next to Mack’s.

So who is this mystery person on the right?

PHOTOS: Phillies vs. Orioles

This was my first trip to Citizens Bank Park, and I must say its one of the nicest stadiums I’ve ever been to. Check out some of the photos! More can be found on Facebook.

Connie Mack

Suite #65 is where I got to watch the game. Probably the best box I’ve ever watched a game from. Someday I want to see the name “Sports Card Info” on a box.

Cole Hamels before the game

Upstairs they have a Phillies Hall of Fame exhibit: Schmidt, Roberts, Ashburn, Carlton

Stadium model

Dick Perez has a bunch of paintings hanging upstairs. This one is of Connie Mack.

Eddie Collins

Eddie Plank

Napoleon Lajoie

Original seat from Connie Mack Stadium

2008 World Series Championship ring

Chase Utley

Utley at first

Victorino at first

Adam Jones & Carlos Ruiz

Hey look! Upper Deck is on the scoreboard.

Matt Wieters & Ruiz

Phanatic shooting hot dogs