The Post War Cards Newsletter #13

The Christmas Issue

Dec 19, 2024

Since next week's issue will come out on the 26th, we're celebrating Hobby Newsletter Christmas today with:

My favorite holiday-related post and pre-war non-sports cards,
1960s comic greetings from Fleer and gift boxes from Topps,
And 1970s Christmas cards from TCMA!

🎄 Some Holiday Non-Sports Cards

There are a ton of cards that can get you in the Christmas spirit; two of the more popular ones (and my favorites) are the 1989 and 1990 Pro Set Santa Claus cards (Pro Set also had Santa cards in 1991 and 1992).

But on the slightly more obscure end of the spectrum is the 1901 Ogdens #75 Charles Dickens card, honoring the man who wrote A Christmas Carol!

If you want to pick this up as a last-minute gift, it's not expensive; a PSA 5 sold on eBay last July for just $42. And if you're interested in Ogden's Guinea Gold cards, I understand that they're among the earliest golf card issues and are among the toughest vintage golf cards to find in high grade.

✍️ Great Hobby Writing

The Topps Archives: Funny Traces
The Chronicles of Fuji: The Annual Advent Calendar
Sports Collectors Digest: National Ballpark Museum an American treasure, a gift for baseball fans and collectors
Sports Collectors Daily: 1969 Topps Magic Rub-Off Set a Clear Winner – Part 1
SABR's Baseball Cards Research Committee: Bowman’s Knockdown Pitch: Leaf Us Alone
The Phillies Room: Congrats to Dick Allen - Hall of Famer!
The Shlabotnik Report: Triskaidekaphobia
1939 Bruins: Jackie Robinson’s rookie card is trending!
Pre-War Collector: Jefferson Burdick’s Missing Caramel Baseball Cards
Night Owl Cards: Even when I'm busy I'm learning
Only Greats: Why the 2018 Panini Kaboom! set Stands Alone

🎅 Unopened Item Of The Week - 1960 Fleer Yule Laff

This week's unopened highlight was motivated by the Christmas theme and the eBay sale of the following 1960 Fleer Yule Laff display box on November 16th for $117.50.

The 66-card set, featuring different holiday comic greetings, was found within the 24 5-cent wax packs in that box. The backs of the cards look like postcards, so I'm guessing you could mail them!

PSA has only graded a pair of Yule Laff wax packs, but I'd guess there are a handful still in GAI slabs, too. Unfortunately, I haven't found any historical sales data. There are also three wrapper variations: Scenex Candid Camera, Girl's Personalized I.D. Bracelet, and Secret Code Flashlight.

However, if you're more into baseball, I published a piece called A Great New Gift Idea! The Topps 1964 Baseball Gift Box at the end of November that might give you a few shopping ideas.