Card of the Day: Firpo Marberry 1991 The Sporting News Conlon Collection #326

Card of the Day: Lil Stoner 1992 Conlon The Sporting News #605

BREAKING NEWS: Newly Discovered Tobacco Cards Hidden In Duke Chapel

Lola Simmons, an exceptional architectural and engineering student at Duke University made an interesting discovery while inside Duke Chapel – three rare tobacco cards.

After weeks of red tape, she finally received the “ok” to test a new type of structural x-ray equipment.  Although the school administrators weren’t thrilled that she would be using it inside one of their most beloved structures, she persuaded them otherwise.  According to Miss Simmons, “The chapel’s age, foundation, and material used in it’s construction made it the perfect test subject.”

Miss Simmons enjoys working alone.  She finds that its the best way to concentrate.  Her work with this particular experiment needed to be done at night in order to avoid disrupting the chapel’s daily traffic.  On October 10, she settled in for a long night of testing with the school’s newly acquired multi-million dollar device.  After a few hours, things weren’t going well.  She came to the conclusion that a move to another part of the chapel needed to be done.  The Duke Memorial Chapel she believed would work far better.  Unfortunately this part is blocked off with an iron gate.  Determined to complete her work, she macgyvered her way through the lock.

Silence was quickly erased as a thunderstorm moved in.  That first clap of thunder caused her to drop the device.  It went off taking a picture of the left wall.  Luckily the device wasn’t damaged.  Before deleting that dud, she took a look at it.  The sarcophagus housing the remains of George Washington Duke seemed to display an unusual compartment.  Judging by the picture, the compartment looked to be right behind one of the ornate carvings.  Giving the decoration a touch, she could tell it wasn’t fixed.  With a small twist, the compartment opened.  Inside was a strong smell of tobacco, and one lonesome card.  The card was of Mr. Duke.

Along with George Washington Duke, his sons James and Benjamin also have sarcophagi.  Miss Simmons noticed the same carvings on those as well.  Each ended up having a compartment holding a tobacco card.  One of James, and one of Benjamin.

All three cards look to be part of the 1887 Old Judge N172 set.  They most likely are the only examples featuring these men.  George, James, and Benjamin are each pictured sitting in a chair.  A dead stare is in their eyes, while a haunting stag head hangs on the wall.  All attempts at photographing or scanning them have failed.  Not wanting to be seen seems to be their main objective.  Each card was respectfully returned to it’s rightful grave.

The Duke family made their fortune in the cigarette and tobacco business.  Once having a monopoly over the entire industry.  Duke University is one of their largest benefactors.  In the mid-1880s, it was their idea to place cardboard advertisements inside tobacco products.  They helped start this hobby of ours, and didn’t even know it.

Shortly after my meeting with Miss Simmons, she went missing.  The last person to see her was her mother.  According to her mother, “Lola didn’t look well, and just wanted to go to sleep.  She went up to bed, and wasn’t there the next morning.  I just want my baby back.”  The police are doing everything they can.

Until now, this card from 2009 TRISTAR Obak was the only card of The Dukes.

Card of the Day: Johnny Gooch 1991 The Sporting News Conlon Collection #244

’12 National News – Leaf Announces VIP Set & Will Produce Badges

Leaf Trading Cards has announced that they will produce a 5-card set for this year’s VIPs that attend the 33rd National Sports Collectors Convention in Baltimore.  The set will contain Robert Griffin III, Ichiro, Dylan Bundy, Muhammad Ali, and Bradley Beal.  Leaf will also be producing all the badges worn by VIPs and distributors throughout The National.  Be sure to follow The National on Twitter and Facebook.

More 1/1 Sportkings Series E Art Cards from Jared Kelley + Other News

Here are some new pictures of the Jared Kelley 1/1 Art Cards that can be found within Sportkings Series E.  I know there are only a few Griffey, Jr collectors out there, and I doubt that any of them would be interested in this gorgeous piece of work.  Just kidding 🙂  Griffey, Jr collectors will go nuts over it.  These are case “hits” along with the cut signatures and Spectacular Patches.  I hope it doesn’t take too long for the Harry Kalas cut signature to surface.

In other news, the Leigh Valley Iron Pigs will be giving away miniature replica Harry Kalas statues on 5/3/12, and the Reading Phillies will be giving away a new Harry Kalas talking bobblehead on 8/27/12.  Last night I purchased a new packet of penny sleeves and a box of 2011 Leaf Pete Rose Legacy.  I hope I pull that card that says I’ve won a batting lesson from Pete Rose.  I’d probably sell it to pay for all this new Harry Kalas stuff that’s coming out.

Card of the Day: Charlie Manuel 2010 Topps Heritage “Topps News” #462

Flashback Product of the Week: 1991 The Sporting News Conlon Baseball

1991 Conlon Baseball is a 330-card set based on the photography of Charles Conlon.  Conlon was a famous sports photographer for many years and got to hang around some of the best athletes the world has ever seen.  In 1991, The Sporting News and MegaCards teamed up to bring his popular photos to the masses.  I like this set a lot, even though there are very few rare cards to find.  Seeing that is was made at one of the highest points of overproduction in The Hobby, its not going to be that difficult to complete this particular set.

For those collectors trying to put together the ultimate Conlon collection, I would warn you to stay away from the printing plates you see up for sale.  They were not included within this product, and I know its not uncommon for plates to surface after a company has gone under, but I would still stay away.

For those young collectors that are interested in learning about some of the games earliest heroes, ’91 Conlon is perfect.  Its an extremely affordable set to put together.

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.

Sports Card Info Is Getting An Upgrade

 

Sports Card Info will be getting an upgrade very soon.  Last night I placed an order for a brand new webcam so I can share pack/box breaks with everyone.  This is the first time I have ever used a webcam so its going to be exciting.  Be sure to keep reading Sports Card Info so you can view its first video.

 

On a side note, The Cardboard Connection has launched its new online social networking platform for collectors.  Sports Card Info is one of the main contributors to the website and you can view its profile here.  If you feel like signing up, click on the crazy looking logo on the right sidebar to fill out the form.  Over the last few months I have seen The Cardboard Connection grow quite a bit into an awesome place for collectors to gather.  Be sure to check it out, Mike Smith has put a lot of time, effort, and money into it.