Card of the Day: Sy Berger 2004 Topps All-Time Fan Favorites Auto

Q & A – Signed Letter From Sy Berger

Question:  I have a letter addressed to me from Sy Berger when he worked at Topps.   I was a kid asking him for some info.  It is a typewritten letter signed by Sy Berger.  I also have the envelope.  It is from March 1965.  How can I find out if it’s worth anything?  I would appreciate any suggestions.  Thanks.

Answer: Wow!  That is a really cool find.  Sy Berger is one of the most influencial people that has ever worked within the trading card industry.  He is most notably remembered for designing the 1952 Topps set.  Berger does have one autographed card, which can be found in the 2004 Topps Fan Favorites set.  Those usually sell for $10.00 to $20.00.  Within the last few years Topps has been selling extension contracts of athletes in which have Berger’s signature on it.  I picked one up for $30.00.  Sometimes you’ll see checks up for sale containing his signature, but the sellers usually start them with a very high price and they never sell.  If I had to put a value on your signed letter, I would say $50.00 to $70.00.  With that being said, it probably will be hard to sell because its not authenticated by a third party.  If I were you, I’d keep it.  That is a really cool collectible that shows how the hobby use to operate way before the internet came along.  Back in 1965, kids were still putting baseball cards in their bike spokes.

 

Cool Collectible

The Topps Vault has been selling tons of memorabilia that Topps has stored at their company for decades.  These items can range from proofs to entire uncut sheets of cards.  One type of item in particular that really caught my eye a few years ago was their signed contracts.  For years Topps has stored extension contracts signed by the players and representitives of Topps giving them permission to make cards of certain players.  A few years ago I spotted one of these contracts of a Phillie, Tom Underwood.  I purchased it for my personal collection and have it hanging in my room.  Not only does it have Tom Underwood’s signature, but it also has Sy Berger’s signature as well.  Berger is one of the most influencial people within the card industry.  He created the 1952 Topps set.  The Topps Vault always has a few contracts up for sale, which all come with COA’s from Topps.  I think they are some of the coolest collectibles any collector could have.

Sy Berger – The Father of Modern Day Baseball Cards

Sy Berger is the father of modern day baseball cards.  He is the designer of many of the hobby’s most popular sets including 1952 Topps.  Berger is one of the most influencial people in the hobby.