Card of the Day: Jeff Blake 1996 Pinnacle Trophy Collection #7

Flashback Product of the Week: 1969 Fleer Trophy

Talk about your oddball product.  The 1969 Fleer Trophy set doesn’t have any players.  Instead you get these cheaply made plastic plaques.  You only received one of these plaques inside a pack.  At the time, Major League Baseball was comprised of 24 teams.  According to the checklist, there should be a plaque for every team.  But nobody has ever seen a plaque for the Expos.  Whether or not it exists is still a mystery.

These little plaques measure 3″ x 4″, and came along with a small back board.  Once the back board was attached, you could make the plaque stand up.  On the front of each plaque is a 3D impression of a MLB cap, and an A.L or N.L baseball.  What you’re suppose to do with these things is still beyond my comprehension.  They’re more of a novelty than anything.

Unopened packs sell for $30.00.  Depending on the team and how desperate someone needs a plaque for their collection, singles can be worth $20.00 to $65.00.  But they could probably be found for much less.  Its one of those strange vintage products that few collectors want.  A sealed box would be a nice find though.  The absence of players really lowers the demand.

“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.

More Promo Pins From The ’10 LLWS

After work today I went back up to Williamsport because I heard there were some pin vendors setup at some of the local hotels.  I purchased a ton of new pins for my collection, and I don’t think I even spent $20.00.   I was able to pick-up a few new promos from the Wilson Trophy Company, DPH Custom Pins, and the grocery store Wegmans.  Check them out!

To get the Wegmans pin, all I had to do was eat two pieces of pizza and drink a soda.

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.

Package Received from the U.K.

Yesturday I received a package in the mail from John over in the U.K.  Inside was a large stack of Phillies cards for my collection.  While placing the cards in my album I realized he sent me a Mickey Morandini 1991 Score RC, a few Phillies cards from 1970 Topps, and my personal favorite is the Darren Daulton 1993 Topps Black Gold insert.  John writes for A Pack A Day and you should check out the site.  Its one of the better sports card blogs.  Once I get some more Red Sox stuff built up, I’ll send them your way.  I guess that means I need to open more boxes.  Well, if I have to, I have to 🙂

On a side note, I was able to get the photo of myself and the 2008 World Series Trophy scanned.  The Phillies had a whole photo booth setup, and were pumping these things out left and right.

 

Dinner with the Philadelphia Phillies

Last night in Williamsport the Phillies and Crosscutters had their 3rd Annual Hot Stove League Dinner & Auction.  Everybody could get their picture taken with the 2008 World Series Championship Trophy.  The folder that the photo comes in was signed by Charlie Manuel.  Harry Kalas and J.A. Happ were their signing autographs, and telling stories to all the Phillies fans that showed up.  Mr. Kalas was probably the best, and most entertaining person to hear speak.  He even did one of his famous home run calls during the question and answer portion of the night.  Check out some of the photos.

 

2008 World Series Championship Trophy – This image is available as wallpaper.

 

J.A. Happ banner

 

Harry Kalas banner

 

Harry Kalas, Steve Noworyta, J.A. Happ, Chris Truby

 

J.A. Happ being interviewed

 

The legendary Harry Kalas

J.A. Happ to Appear at the 3rd Annual Phillies Dinner

Source – Williamsport Crosscutters

“The Williamsport Crosscutters have announced that Phillies pitcher J.A. Happ (pronounced Jay) has been added to the guest line-up of the 3^rd Annual Hot Stove Dinner & Auction on Wednesday, January 14, at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport.  A portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will benefit the Lycoming County United Way.

Happ pitched in a total of 8 games for the Phillies in 2008 going 1-0 with a 3.69 ERA.  He is expected to compete for a spot in the 2009 Phillies starting rotation.  Happ began is professional career in the New York-Penn League with Batavia in 2004.

In addition to Happ, it was also announced that new Cutters manager Chris Truby and the Phillie Phanatic will also be part of the festivities. “

 

I already have my tickets and can’t wait to see the 2008 World Series Trophy.  I will be sure to take a lot of pictures to share. 

$65.00 for a 1990 Pro Set Card

This was brought to my attention last night from a collector who commented on my post about the 90’s having some of the best insert cards.  He informed me about a card from 1990 Pro Set football cards that featured a hologram of the Vince Lombardi Trophy.  These cards were considered super rare back in 1990.  On the back of each card they were serial numbered out of 10,000 copies.  This can give you an idea of how much overproduction took place during this time in the hobby.  Its a good sign that cards are being overproduced when a rare card is limited to 10,000 copies.  The funny thing is that this card is still selling pretty well considering the time it was made.  A recent auction for this card sold for $65.00.  Back in 1990 these cards were so popular collectors would buy boxes of this stuff by the case.  Pack searchers really came about around this time, because this card contained a small amount of metal, pack searchers would use a metal detector to find this hologram.