Flashback Product of the Week: 1991 College Classics Inc. – The “Heisman Collection” Series 1

In 1991, College Classics Inc. entered into a three year agreement with the Downtown Athletic Club of New York.  College football fans know the Downtown Athletic Club of New York as the “Home of the Heisman Trophy”.  Between 1991 and 1993 College Classics Inc. produced three sets of cards based on past Heisman Trophy winners.  Every single player in each set is represented by their famous Heisman Trophy portrait that is on display in the Heisman Room of the Downtown Athletic Club of New York.

College Classics Inc. issued these in full set form.  No packs.  Series 1 consists of 20 cards.  They are individually numbered out of 100,000.  Cases contain 100 sets, and should have at least two autographed cards.  Dealers wishing to buy a case needed to do so from American Card Investors, Inc.  By purchasing two cases, you would receive a double matted, framed black and gold poster that was released by the Heisman Committee.  They were also suppose to produce 500 double matted, framed prints of all the Heisman Trophy winners.  According to College Classics Inc., each were to be signed by Archie Griffin.  Why you would have Archie Griffin sign a print that isn’t of him is beyond me.  I’m not sure how these were distributed, but it probably was another dealer promotion.

Dealers would have to spend $695.00 for a case.  That is about $7.00 per set.  So the original MSRP was most likely around $14.00.  As nice as these cards look, they haven’t appreciated in value much.  Sealed sets can easily be found for under $10.00 now.  The most valuable cards are the autographs.  But even those are extremely affordable.  In some cases these are the only autographed cards these players have.  Each are hand-numbered out of 200.

Series 2 was released in 1992, and is basically setup the same as Series 1.  Series 3 carries the most value because they only made 15,000 total sets.  College Classics Inc. went on to make other sets for baseball and basketball, then ultimately went belly up.  All of the negatives and printing plates used were sent to the College Football Hall of Fame.

“Pin-Up” of the Week: 1968 Heisman Trophy Award Press Pin

O.J. Simpson won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 and has since gone on to do great things 🙂  Lets just say he has had some legal troubles over the years.  In 1999 he sold his Heisman Trophy for $230,000, and now Simpson is sitting in prison because he tried to steal back is own memorabilia.

The pin pictured above was given to members of the press who attended the trophy presentation.  One recently sold at auction for $150.00.  Press pins from other Heisman Trophy presentations can vary in price depending on who won the trophy that specific year.

Historic Heisman Photo Sums Up The ’09 National

Ron Dayne, Billy Sims, Eric Crouch, Gino Torretta, Jason White, Mike Rozier & Steve Owens

During the National we became good friends with Dave and Jim Maser who run THE PIN MAN.  They have pins for almost anything you can think of.  I purchased a bunch of Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Phillies, and various other pins from them including one that states the Tampa Bay Rays won the ’08 World Series.  Dave and Jim are from Colorado and attend shows all over the country.

Dave and Jim are friends with Mary & Scott of Crescent Collectibles who were setup across from them.  Crescent Collectibles was able to go behind the TRISTAR curtains and obtain autographs for their shop.  Since Dave and Jim of THE PIN MAN know Crescent Collectible so well, they helped me get “backstage” too.  At first I thought I was going to meet Billy Sims and have him sign my football, but I got a whole lot more.  Mr. Sims signed my football and then called over six other Heisman Trophy winners who were back there signing stuff for TRISTAR.  They all came over to take a group photo.  This was a great way to end the 2009 National Sports Collectors Convention.