Q&A – How Can I Tell If A Topps Tiffany Baseball Set Has Been Searched?

Question: Could you please tell me which Topps Tiffany Baseball sets arrived from the factory sealed in cellophane?  Looking on eBay I see some that are and some that aren’t.  I don’t want to buy a set that’s been searched.

Answer: Between 1984 and 1991 Topps issued Tiffany sets to various dealers, hobby shops, and mail-in publications.  These cards look just like the normal flagship sets except they’re printed on high-quality stock.  For those same years Topps also issued Tiffany cards for their Traded sets.  Each set has a limited print run.

The sets issued between 1984 and 1988 did not come packaged in cellophane.  Just the seal on the lid.  Its the years 1989-1991 where things can get a little confusing.

• 1989 Topps Tiffany – Clear cellophane & seal
• 1989 Topps Traded Tiffany – No cellophane, just seal
• 1990 Topps Tiffany – Just seal
• 1990 Topps Traded Tiffany – Clear cellophane & seal
• 1991 Topps Tiffany – Topps branded cellophane & seal
• 1991 Topps Traded Tiffany – Topps branded cellophane & seal

If purchasing a set, there are some factors to consider.  Does the box show any signs of prior opening?  You want everything to be flat and flush.  Bent-up flaps are not a good signal.  The top part of the box where the lid tucks in should be completely straight and tight against the cards.  Cracking can easily take place on the lid’s hinge after it has been opened.  Inspect the hinge looking for any cracking, bending, and/or change in color.

How does the box feel from the outside?  If its truly never been opened before the box should feel full.  The cards are packed tightly inside.  You shouldn’t feel any movement.  Movement could indicate that cards might be missing.

Finally, inspect the label.  Resealed boxes can have double labeling.  Upon breaking the set’s original seal to remove the good cards, people have been known to print-up fake labels to place over the older broken ones.  Stay far away from them if you see any signs of two labels.  Others have figured out ways to remove the original label without damaging it.  Once they’ve searched the set they simply reapply the label.

Just because a set may have been shipped sealed in cellophane from the factory doesn’t mean it hasn’t been searched over the years.  Resealed Topps Tiffany sets have been making the rounds for a long time.  Its a major problem you have to watch out for.

This 1985 Topps Tiffany set did not originally come shipped in cellophane from Topps.  It was added later by a scammer once the Mark McGwire, Roger Clemens, and Kirby Puckett cards were removed.

My 2020 Topps 582 Montgomery Club Membership Has Begun – Set #1

The Topps 582 Montgomery Club is just like the Jelly of the Month Club.  Its the gift that keeps on giving the whole year.  In November I received a membership as an early Christmas gift.

Last week I was notified by Topps that my first set had been shipped.

This set consists of (20) cards, and comes with (1) autograph.  According to the card backs “As a 2020 member, you have received this special 20-card set featuring a lost design from the early days of Topps recently uncovered in our vault.”

I don’t know about you, but the classic red border and yellow text reminds me a lot of 1971 Topps Football.  I think it was a good inspiration.  All cards are printed on vintage stock.

Even though this is a 2020 membership, the first set comes from 2019 and has the accompanying key rookies.  I’m hoping to see some Yordan Alvarez rookies once we hit 2020.

Checklist

• Pete Alonso RC #1
• Vladimir Guerrero Jr. RC #2
• Ronald Acuña Jr. #3
• Juan Soto #4
• Fernando Tatis Jr. RC #5
• Jacob deGrom #6
• Nick Senzel RC #7
• Will Smith RC #8
• Mike Trout #9
• Gleyber Torres #10
• Max Scherzer #11
• Charlie Blackmon #12
• Shohei Ohtani #13
• Max Muncy #14
• Shane Bieber #15
• Kyle Tucker RC #16
• Noah Syndergaard #17
• Clint Frazier #18
• Chance Adams RC #19
• Ryan Yarbrough #20

My autograph is of Dodgers second baseman Max Muncy.

Bryce Harper In A Phillies Uniform – Baseball Authenticated Masterpieces Has That Too!

Here we go Phillies fans!!!  Bryce Harper is officially coming to Philadelphia.  After months of speculation and countless rumors, its finally happening.  The deal is worth $330 million over 13 years.  I think he’s going to be an excellent addition to the Phillies roster.  Not only will the team benefit from him, but the local economy as well.  Its all about merchandising!!!

Bryce Harper is one of the key players on the checklist for Baseball Authenticated Masterpieces.  Knowing that he’d probably be with a new team this year, artist Monty Sheldon held off so at least one of Harper’s baseballs would feature him in his new uniform.  Just like he did with Manny Machado.

Baseball Authenticated Masterpieces is scheduled to be released this spring.  (150) game-used, hand-painted, and autographed baseballs.  (3) different baseballs per player within the main set.

Checkout my latest write-up on this product with an updated sales sheet.

Manny Machado In A Padres Uniform – Baseball Authenticated Masterpieces Has It!

Two major MLB free agents have been on constant watch this winter to see which teams they decide to sign with.  Its no secret that I’m talking about Manny Machado and Bryce Harper.  Every single day the rumors would change as to who might be in the lead to land each superstar.

As of this writing, Bryce Harper is still up for grabs.  I hope he goes to the Phillies.  Manny Machado on the other hand has signed a 10-year deal with the Padres worth $300 million.  That’s a lot of cheddar.

One of his earliest Padres collectibles will come from Piece of the Game’s Baseball Authenticated Masterpieces.  Each player in the main set will have (3) game-used, hand-painted, and autographed baseballs.  The artist, Monty Sheldon, saved a few Manny Machado and Bryce Harper balls to paint until each player signed with their new team.

Baseball Authenticated Masterpieces is scheduled to be released this spring.

Checkout my latest write-up on this product with an updated sales sheet.

The 2016 National Has Begun!!!

I made it to the National!!!  This is the sixth one I’ve attended.  While picking up my media credentials I was greeted by Nate Berkus, one of the sons of National co-founder Mike Berkus who passed away last year.  He looked very familiar, and it turned out to be the same Nate Berkus who has been seen on T.V. a lot.  He is a really popular interior designer.  It was a fun little Easter egg to start off the National.

During the VIP Party sponsored by Topps, I was able to get former Phillies pitcher Mitch “Wild Thing” Williams to sign my bat.  Art Shamsky, Roy White, and Eddie Giacomin were also signing autographs.  Steve Garvey was suppose to be there, but canceled due to a family medical emergency.  The food is really good.  Convention center pizza is the best.  It doesn’t flop around which makes it easy to eat and look around at stuff.

The show opened at 3:30 p.m. for VIPs.  I handed out a bunch of Sports Card Info pins to various people.  Topps allows you to get your own card made right there on the spot.  Ultra-Pro gave me some free top loaders and penny sleeves which I needed to protect my card.

From what I can tell, Marty’s Sports Card Exchange has the best prices on wax boxes.  He usually does.  Before leaving for the night, I picked-up some packs and a box of 2016 Bowman Baseball to break at the Topps booth tomorrow.  Based on what I saw tonight, it looks like there will be a wait at the Topps booth in order to get your promo packs.  This is because they just can’t break the seal on a box and call it a day.  Topps needs to see each pack ripped open.  When you have people show up with cases, it can take awhile.  If they just broke the seal on a box, people could come back with the packs from the same box and double-dip.

It was a great start to the 2016 National.  Who knows what will happen tomorrow.

Former Phillies pitcher Mitch “Wild Thing” Williams (left)

Got my own Topps card made.  Its an extreme SP.

Sports Card Info Now Has Pins!!!

Look what Santa brought!!!  Sports Card Info now has it’s own batch of lapel pins.  These were made by Wilson Pins.  I plan to hand these out when I go to events like the Little League World Series and National Sports Collectors Convention.  I’ve got 150 of these bad boys to give out.  Don’t be surprised if you see some popup in the weekly contest(s) as well.

These are probably one of my favorite Christmas gifts ever.  I like items that have Sports Card Info’s name on them.  Especially when I can give them away.  The Sports Card Info pins will be the #1 collectible in 2016!!!

Star Wars: The Force Awakens New Trailer Has Dropped

Has CollectorCrate Gone Out Of Business?

Has CollectorCrate gone out of business?  This is an excellent question, because nobody seems quite sure.  The CollectorCrate website hasn’t been updated for awhile.  Either has their social media accounts like Twitter and Facebook.  I’ve sent numerous e-mails to them, but have yet to hear anything back.  On their Facebook page there are a handful of complaints from collectors wanting to know what the hell is going on.  So far CollectorCrate has been silent.  This lack of communication from them is not a good sign.  The only bit of communication some people have received is an e-mail stating their package has been shipped.  But that doesn’t seem to mean much.  Its probably some automatic thing just leaving collectors waiting for something that won’t show up.  While going through some of the complaints, it looks like the trouble began in March.  By the looks of it, some collectors that purchased products from them were charged but never received anything.  A lot are trying to find a way to get their money back.  If CollectorCrate went up the tube, the customers are probably last on the list of people to get their money returned.  That is if anyone involved with this company gets any kind of financial restitution at all.

Going out of business is one theory.  Another could be that something physically happened to them.  Perhaps they aren’t able to get in contact with their customers.  The most recent date of usage on any of their social media accounts comes from 4/16.  On that date they retweeted the new Star Wars trailer.  People were asking about their orders before that though.  According to artist Brad Utterstrom, he sent the sketches to be used for April to CollectorCrate.  They were of Cal Ripken Jr., Anthony Davis, and Russell Wilson.  He sent them an e-mail to see if the sketches arrived, but hasn’t heard back.

Last fall CollectorCrate opened up shop.  For a fee, they would ship you a box of goodies on a monthly basis.  The box included packs of cards, boxes, and all kinds of neat little stuff.  It worked just like Loot Crate, but sports related.  They covered baseball, football, and basketball.  A few months ago they began to include exclusive sketch print cards.  Too bad this whole thing looks to have gone downhill.  I would’ve enjoyed seeing them make some exclusive figures and bobbleheads.  Its an interesting idea that I don’t think should be given up on.  A lot of cool stuff could have been brought to the hobby through this type of business.  Perhaps they weren’t seeing the response from collectors like they hoped.  Maybe collectors realized it was just better to buy a sealed hobby box for the price of a CollectorCrate.

As for right now, I wouldn’t be signing up given whatever has happened to them.  We need to hear something from CollectorCrate first.  DO NOT ORDER!!!

Ant-Man Trailer Has Arrived

The 35th National Has Begun!

Its official.  The 35th National Sports Collectors Convention has begun.  Autographs, cards, and promos are flying all over the place.  Every single collector in the world should be in Cleveland right now.

I arrived in plenty of time to obtain my VIP and Guest/Media credentials.  Then off to the VIP Party I went.  After eating some pizza and a cookie, the show opened to VIPs at 3:30pm.  Take a look!

7x All-Star Dale Murphy signing at the Freedom Cardboard booth.

Now for the pickups.  While waiting in line for Dale Murphy, I just happened to be standing next to the Topps booth.  I decided to pickup a box of 2014 Topps Minis.  With every purchase of a Topps Minis box, you get a jumbo card made just for the show.  I picked Mike Trout.

These OYO minifigures were actually the first promos I got upon entering the show.

I stopped by Marty’s Sports Card Exchange and bought a box of 2014 Allen & Ginter.  The I went to Blowout Cards and bought another just so I could get the Johnny Manziel Beckett Cover card.  Both boxes were unwrapped at the Topps booth and I got my Abreu and Tanaka exclusive National mini promos.  I still need to go through my boxes to see what I got.