Check Out The 2017 NSCC Topps VIP Set

Topps is the first company to strike first when it comes to unveiling their plans for the 2017 National Sports Collectors Convention.  VIPs will find a 4-card pack inside their packages.  There are actually five cards to the set, but you’ll need to trade in order to obtain them all.  The set is designed to look like 1987 Topps Baseball in honor of it’s 30th anniversary.  It includes Cal Ripken Jr., Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, Johnny Bench, and Ted Williams.

One of these years it would be fun to see some randomly inserted parallels and/or autographs thrown into the VIP bags.  I also think it would be cool to see Topps use cards such as these for buyback autographs in future products like Archives Signature Series.

The 2017 NSCC takes place in Chicago, IL July 26-30.  Tickets are now on sale.

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Flashback Product of the Week: 1988 Pacific Eight Men Out

The 1919 Black Sox Scandal will always be one of the most talked about events in sports history.  This is where eight members of the Chicago White Sox came together and decided to intentionally lose the 1919 World Series in exchange for a large payday from gamblers.  At the end of the day though, neither the players nor gamblers came out with much money.  Despite being found not guilty in court, those eight players were still banned from baseball.  “Shoeless” Joe Jackson is probably the most well known player to have been banned.

Author Eliot Asinof wrote a book released in 1963 titled Eight Men Out.  It retold the events of the whole Black Sox Scandal.  In 1988, director John Sayles made a movie based on that book.  Actors John Cusack, Christopher Lloyd, and Charlie Sheen all had major rolls.  The film for the most part was well received.  For some reason, this movie doesn’t come up that much when fans talk about their favorite baseball movies.

Pacific made a 110-card set based on the John Sayles movie.  You can buy these cards by the box or factory set.  Not only does the set feature shots from the movie, but it also contains cards of the actual men involved with the Black Sox Scandal.  The “Shoeless” Joe Jackson card is one of only a few licensed by MLB.  Other key cards include Charlie Sheen and John Cusack.  This is probably one of the most educational sets on the market today, and you can easily pick one up for under $20.00.  I really like the way these cards look.  Especially the cards of the actual players.  They have these red borders with black/white photos.

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!!!

Card of the Day: 2014 Upper Deck College Tribute Penn State White Out Patch

Card of the Day: Alex Gordon 2006 Topps Cut Out #297B

Card of the Day: Andrew McCutchen 2013 Topps Series 1 Out Of Bounds #122

The New Avengers Trailer Is Out!!!