 |
TOP STORY
AROD AUTHENTICATED TO OFFER HIS AUTOGRAPHS
Alex Rodriguez is the latest athlete to create a Web site that will sell his autographed memorabilia direct to consumers. AROD Authenticated is the brand name for the service, which is managed by Authentic Sports Investments, the Florida-based company that has been working with Rodriguez for memorabilia deals for the past four years.
Merchandise signed by Rodriguez will be available via www.arod.com when the site launches sometime in June. Consumers can purchase signed memorabilia ranging from photos ($249 for 8-by-10s) and baseballs ($319) to Yankees’ jerseys and game-used items. Collectors can also submit items of their own for autographs.
“This is a separate company, operating under our corporate umbrella, to handle Alex’s memorabilia needs,” said Scot Monette, president of ASI. “It creates a branding of Alex’s products. We’ve created a separate logo for the brand, and that logo will be used on holograms that will be featured on the complete run of products. We’ve also created some limited-edition products to commemorate specific milestones in his career, such as his first home run, signing with the Yankees, and becoming the youngest player to reach 350 home runs.”
Monette said one of the unique aspects to the authentication methods used by AROD Authenticated is the opportunity for collectors to not only verify the items by typing the serial number into the online database, but also to see a picture of their specific item. “It allows you to match up your item, both in terms of the serial number and the photo,” Monette said. “It’s a very labor-intensive process, but we’ve made that commitment because Alex is very committed to guaranteeing authenticity for his fans.”
IN THIS EDITION
HULL ITEMS PACE CLASSIC COLLECTIBLES' AUCTION
The personal memorabilia collection of Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Hull will headline Classic Collectibles’ May 25 auction. The Quebec-based company will offer a total of 150 lots from Hull, including his 1960-61 Stanley Cup ring, two Blackhawks league championship rings and his first professional jersey from the 1954 Hespeler Blackhawks.
Hull material represents about one-quarter of the auction’s total of nearly 600 lots, along with being some of the most expensive pieces in the sale. The Stanley Cup ring opens at $5,000 and the Hespeler jersey at $2,500. There also is a circa 1974 Winnepeg Jets game-worn jersey ($3,000 minimum), plus Hull’s first pair of game-worn Blackhawks skates. There also are more than five dozen milestone pucks and several dozen milestone sticks.
In an interview that appeared in Wednesday’s Chicago Tribune, Hull said he decided to sell his items because he has “too much stuff” and he wants to simplify his life. “It’s not for the money ... despite what they paid me in Chicago,” Hull jokingly told the paper. “If somehow this can be enjoyed and shared by the fans who I, hopefully, entertained during my 23 years with the Blackhawks and the World Hockey Association, that’s all I really care about. I don’t know whether what I have is worth $500 or $1 million or somewhere in between. Doesn’t really matter.”
Some of the other headliners from the sale include a 1974 Phil Esposito Bruins jersey (opens at $3,000), a 1945 Bruins wool uniform and MVP award from HOFer Bill Cowley, Jean Beliveau’s 1993 miniature Stanley Cup, a Stanley Cup banner from the Montreal Forum and a Joe Sakic game-worn rookie jersey ($2,500). In addition, the sale includes a team set of 1993 Canadiens jerseys offered as individual lots (25), plus a huge volume of cards and complete sets from the 1930s to the 1970s.
For bidding, registration or more information, call (450) 638-7058. A full-color catalog is available, and online bidding is also offered at www.classicauctions.net.
SEABISCUIT SADDLE AMONG LELANDS.COM ITEMS
A remarkably eclectic assortment of sports memorabilia will be offered at the first Lelands.com auction of 2004, a two-day sale that includes Seabiscuit’s saddle, Don Zimmer’s 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Series ring and the Lake Placid hockey rink used in the 1980 Olympics, as well as a great collection of entertainment/Americana presented in a separate catalog. Entertainment and Americana bidding concludes June 3, and the sports section ends June 4.
Complementing the Seabiscuit piece will be the bit and bridle worn by the great Secretariat in winning racing’s Triple Crown in 1973, which carries a reserve of $40,000. Americana and baseball mix in another featured item: a collection of 47 single-signed Hall-of-Fame baseballs, (including Stan Musial, Yogi Berra, Eddie Mathews, Catfish Hunter, Don Drysdale, among others) which was being prepared as a gift for Richard Nixon (he died before they could be presented). The reserve on this section of American history is $2,500.
Also from baseball comes Mickey Mantle’s signed 1959 contract (reserve: $7,500) from the Mantle family; his home runs balls Nos. 512 and 521 ($2,500 each), his game-used first baseman’s mitt ($7,500), and an early 1960s game-used bat ($5,000).
There is also a vintage ball signed by three “500 Home-Run Club” members, the only one known of Mantle, Jimmie Foxx and Ted Williams ($1,500). Other highlights include: a Ty Cobb game-used bat from 1923-25 ($20,000); a 1920s Shoeless Joe Jackson game-used bat ($5,000).
DONRUSS PARTNERS WITH BABE RUTH BASEBALL
Donruss Playoff has signed a sponsorship agreement that will designate the manufacturer as an official sponsor of the Cal Ripken Division of the Babe Ruth Baseball League. The Ripken Division is designed for youngsters age 5-12 and consists of more than 500,000 players nationwide.
Through the sponsorship, Donruss Playoff will be able to conduct product sampling at the local league and national tournament level. The company will also create some exclusive cards and offer wrapper redemption programs at selected tournaments. “Obviously, the goal of a program like this is to get our products into kids’ hands and let them discover how cool trading cards are,” said company spokesman Tracy Hackler. “This initiative, in conjunction with what we’re doing with the It’s Kids Time national mall tour, represents a strong effort on our part to reach the youth market this year.”
ONLINE AUCTIONEER
by Don Fluckinger
1. $270,000: 1907 documents pertaining to origins of baseball
2. $120,000: 1933 Goudey near complete set
3. $90,000: 1936 Dizzy Dean Cardinals jersey
4. $9,301.89: 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, GAI 5
5. $7,076: 1953 Bowman Color Toby Atwell, PSA 8
COLOR US IMPRESSED: Who says the old cliche "condition is everything" should be thrown out of the hobby lexicon? They should take a look at the $7,076 paid for the PSA 8 1953 Bowman Color Toby Atwell card -- it beat out an entire 1953 Bowman Color set, which sold for $76 less just a few days previous. The auction for the 1953 set had an excellent pedigree as well, so it had a good shot of beating the NM-MT Atwell single: It was part of the Robert Edward auction that placed many items in last week's top ten list. Speaking of high-grade vintage baseball, check out the PSA 10 Hammerin' Hank card and its closing price -- it's not often you see gem-graded cards from that set coming up for bids on eBay.
For the complete Top 10 list, see the latest issue of Sports Collectors Digest.
'77 TOPPS REGGIE PROOF CARD SELLS FOR $6,100
A rare, 1977 Topps Reggie Jackson proof card that pictures the Hall of Famer as a member of the Baltimore Orioles sold for $6,101 this week in a Topps Vault auction on eBay.
 The card was originally scheduled to appear in the 1977 Topps set but after Jackson signed with the Yankees for the ’77 season, Topps changed the photo to picture him in a New York uniform. The Orioles card was slated to be destroyed, but a couple of cards surfaced.
The winning bidder, who asked not to be identified, reportedly owns two other examples of the card. It is believed that no more than six versions of the card exist. Krause Publications also owns a version of the card, which it purchased at an auction in the early 1990s.
 FIRST PRICING: 2004 TOPPS CRACKER JACK BASEBALL
This retro set brings back the design from the original Cracker Jack cards of 1914 and 1915. The base set has many short-prints, along with 10 short-print variations. Boxes are averaging two memorabilia inserts.
Subscribers to SCD or Tuff Stuff can see a complete listing by registering on www.collect.com, visiting the site’s sports section and signing in. Make sure to check back often because new first-pricing and checklists are posted fresh several times a week.
IN THIS WEEK’S SCD
- In the Collector’s Corner, meet a collector who started out in the hobby with those cards that graphically depicted the horrors of war, and another who keeps his emphasis focused on the Steel City.
- On the Auction Circuit, Lelands.com rolls out some fascinating material from all sports and Americana, including Mickey Mantle treasures (above right), Seabiscuit’s saddle and Don Zimmer’s 1955 Dodgers World Series ring, plus Clean Sweep finds a couple of remarkable All-Star Game bats from the 1940s, and Coach’s Corner banks on some Michael Jordan sneakers and an All-Star ball of its own.
- Jackie Robinson is one of the most revered names in the hobby, and his autograph can be among the toughest – and most collectible – in the hobby. Here are some tips for collectors, plus a some stunning full-color artwork of Jackie from the acclaimed artist Arthur K. Miller.
- Plus, we offer new product pricing for 2003-04 Private Stock Titanium Hockey, 2003-04 Upper Deck Series II Hockey, 2003-04 Upper Deck Beehive Hockey, 2004 UD Diamond Collection Baseball and 2004 Topps Cracker Jack Baseball.
BRIEFS
- The weekly online auctions for original 2004 Donruss Diamond Kings artwork concluded last week. This marked the third year the card company has offered collectors the chance to purchase the original artwork used to create the cards. Winning bidders also received a version of the finished 2004 Diamond Kings card and a certificate of authenticity signed by the original artist. More than 160 pieces of original artwork were sold in this year’s auctions, which generated total sales of more than $55,000. The five highest-selling pieces in this year’s auctions were Dale Murphy ($3,150), Alex Rodriguez in a Mariners’ jersey ($1,575), Nomar Garciaparra ($1,526), Rodriguez in a Rangers uniform ($1,425) and Cal Ripken ($1,025).
- Steiner Sports has signed Yankees’ manager Joe Torre to a multi-year autograph deal. Torre has been signing for Steiner for years, but this is the first formal agreement.
- Upper Deck Etchings Baseball will make its debut in late July. The product will feature three autographed cards and three game-used bat cards in every 12-pack box. The base set consists of 150 cards, including 60 rookie cards (30 of which will be autographed). Among the unique inserts are Master Etchings bat cards that feature pieces of game-used bats from eight different players on a foldout design. The cards feature special combinations of current and former players, such as a Yankees card featuring bat pieces from Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Gary Sheffield, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi, Bernie Williams, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle. There are also Master Etchings autograph cards featuring signatures from four players. Each of the Master Etchings cards (nine total) are 1-of-1 cards. Etchings Baseball will be sold in five-card packs with an SRP of $10 per pack.
TELL A FRIEND
Do you have friends who might be interested in receiving this free newsletter? Send them this link! Newsletter Signup
SPECIAL OFFERS
SCD TRIAL SUBSCRIPTION
Not sure if you want or need SCD every week, but want to see what it’s all about? Give a trial subscription a try. For only $5, you can get four issues delivered to your door. Click here.
STANDARD CATALOG OF SPORTS MEMORABILIA
Everything from autographs to magazines to porcelain figures can be found in this brand-new edition. Click here to order.
ABOUT YOUR SUBSCRIPTION
You have received this e-mail because you expressed interest in receiving updates about fantasy sports from Krause Publications. Thanks for your subscription!
This message was sent to {email}. To unsubscribe from this newsletter, update your subscription information by clicking here, or reply to this email message with "Remove" in the Subject line.
Questions?
To ensure a timely response to your questions concerning magazine subscriptions, call our customer service department toll-free 800-258-0929 Mon.-Fri. 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. CST.
Please only reply to this message with newsletter-specific questions.
Entire contents copyright (C) 2004 F+W Publications, Inc.
700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990
All Rights Reserved.
|
 |
"Mr. Mint," as he is known, is the largest buyer of vintage baseball cards and memorabilia in the world. In more than 20 years of criss-crossing the country, Alan Rosen has spent more than $110 million. If you're looking to sell your collection, call Mr. Mint at 1-201-307-0700 or click on the logo above.
Over 100,000 boxes in stock at the lowest prices on the net!
Steiner Sports and Metro Channels "Bid New York", www.bid newyork.com, offers collectors rare and unique collectibles at great value. Ask about some great Ali items now on sale. Also check out our new and improved site by clicking on the logo or call (800) 759-SCORE, for upcoming signings with Jeter, Aaron, Pennington, and So Much More!
NAXCOM'S doing it again! This May 16 & 17 (pst), NAXCOM.com - The Premier Online Sports and Collectibles Marketplace will be offering FREE SHIPPING on any purchases from any one of their VIP Premier or Certified Seller's. You won't want to miss another one of these record breaking sales events starting this Sunday on www.NAXCOM.com. To find out more, simply click on the NAXCOM logo listed above.
Protecting your collection from acids and chemicals found in non-archival storage materials and pollutants in the atmosphere is essential to the protection and value of your investment. Our Archiver Card Box and Archiver Collector Series Binder systems and other great products are built to last, and designed to make what's in them last. Acid Free, offering reliable protection against impurities and deterioration.
"Use BCW's online store to buy your collectible supplies! We are the manufacturers of over 150 different protection, storage and display products. Take a look at our online storefront to see all the great deals."
SigningsHotline.com: The only place to find every upcoming athlete autograph appearance in the US and Canada! Now get appearance information for any players or states you choose emailed to you directly! Plus discounts on autographs from over 50+ top promoters!
We offer a variety of Sports and Entertainment Memorabilia. Cancelled checks of entertainers like Marilyn Monroe to sports figures like Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio. Whether your buying or selling cancelled checks, documents or contracts, give us a call. Thanks, Dan Justdoit23.com (818)-974-4949
|
