The Post War Cards Newsletter #31
1972 Clemente Fan Club Photo, A 1969 Topps BK Set, 1974 Topps BB Cellos, 1933 Goudey Reprints, And A Jeter Rookie Proof
It’s been a relatively quiet week in the post-war card market. But things are picking up, with major auctions ending at Mile High Card Company and Heritage (both April 26th), REA (April 27th), and Classic Auctions (April 29th). Hopefully, you’ve set aside a little hobby budget because there are plenty of unique items up for grabs.
🆘 Hobby Help Needed - 1972 Roberto Clemente Fan Club 8 x 10
The hobby could use some help identifying the 8" x 10" color photo of Roberto Clemente that was offered on the back of all three versions of the Fan Club card: Daily Juice, Harmony, and Friends of NY. If you have any information or have seen the photo, please reach out!
🏀 A 1969 Topps Basketball Complete PSA-Graded Set
If you don’t have the patience to build a graded set piece by piece but have the budget, the following complete PSA 7 graded 1969 Topps Basketball set was recently offered for sale on Facebook for $18k (he was offering the same set on eBay for $21k or Best Offer). The lesson? Always hunt for deals across platforms and make sure your usernames are consistent across socials and sales sites so collectors can easily find you.
My favorite 1969 Topps card? The checklist, of course, since it’s the toughest card in the set!
PS, if you’re in the market, there are a few other completely graded 1969 Topps sets available on eBay right now, one a few lower and a few higher graded for $19,699 and another lower grade, but all higher than 4s, but also includes all the rulers, for $14k.
✍️ Great Hobby Writing
The Shlabotnik Report: Just in Time For ’25 Heritage: 1977-78 Topps (UK) English Footballers
Topps Ripped: 75 Cards, One Historic Night | The 1987 Topps Wrestling Set
Sports Collectors Digest: Michael Jordan rookie card, iconic 1986 Fleer Basketball set filled big void for 1980s NBA collectors
SABR's Baseball Cards Research Committee: Uncovering a Small Town’s Hidden Baseball History
The Topps Archives: Super Seventies Sales Sensations
Sports Card Info: 5 Historic Easter Trading Cards For 2025
Nine Pockets: The Importance of Bunting: A Trading Card Pictorial
The Shlabotnik Report: Non-Random Team Review: 1957 Topps Baltimore Orioles
⚾️ Unopened Item Of The Week - 1974 Topps Baseball Cello Pack Facts
Did you know that any card in the 1974 Topps baseball set can be on top of a cello pack? Also, a single asterisk sheet card on top means a double asterisk card on the back, and vice versa.
Here’s an example via a pack that BBCE Auctions sold in September 2024 for $1,037.79.
Jerry Reuss is on the top of the pack, #161; on TCDB, the card’s back has a single asterisk next to the copyright along the bottom.
Juan Beniquez, #647, is on the bottom of the pack, and his card has two asterisks.
Monday’s Unopened Market Report featured a 1952 Topps Baseball Cello Box, a classic article from the Baseball Card Kid Mark Murphy, a 1969 Panini Campioni Dello Sport Paper Pack, a 1973 Topps Baseball Wax Tray Sell Sheet, and a 1974 Fleer Baseball Big Signs Box.
📝 On The Blog
Apr 17, 2025: Collecting Bobby Thomson and The Shot Heard Round The World Game
Apr 18, 2025: The Original Artwork for Card #13, ‘The Training Station’ from the 1941 Gum Inc. Uncle Sam Set
Apr 19, 2025: Jerry West’s Vintage All-Pro Basketball Shoes Are My New Grail
Apr 20, 2025: An Extremely Rare 1950 Royal Pudding Salesman’s Booklet
Apr 21, 2025: Why Topps Made Two Base Cards for George Blanda in 1975
Apr 22, 2025: Rare 1945 Cubs World Series Ticket Sign: A Cool Hobby Cave Piece from Wrigley Field
Apr 23, 2025: From Mastro to PSA to Heritage: The Journey of a Signed 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle
📰 In The News
US State’s Attorney’s Office: Former West Covina Resident Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Memorabilia of Professional Athletes and Other Celebrities
Sports Collectors Daily: Shedeur Sanders Signs Exclusive Autograph Trading Card Deal with Panini
Sports Collectors Digest: SURF’S UP: Upper Deck adds World Surf League cards to its growing portfolio
Dallas Morning News: Panini America launches Arch Manning autographed merchandise collection for Longhorns QB
Sports Collectors Daily: Tariffs Concern Retailers Of Trading Card Supplies And Shop Owners
Sports Collectors Daily: Fabulous ’50s Find: Rhode Island Dealer Buys ‘Stunning’ Lot Of 1950s Topps Cards
Newsweek: Man Finds Rare Baseball Cards in Thrift Store, Then Learns Value: 'Shaking'
Collectibles on SI: Patrick Mahomes Signs New Autograph Card Deal With Panini
⚾️ Keep One Eye Open - 1983 Galasso 1933 Goudey Reprints
The same guy who shared the 1977 1941 Play Ball Reprint Set (featured in The PWC NL #25) uncut sheet with me sent over another cool one he needed help identifying.
After I looked at a photo of the back, I realized it was an uncut sheet from the 1983 Galasso 1933 Goudey set. The back says “Renata Galasso Reprint” between Goudey Gum Co. and "Boston.
While this sheet is only worth $50–75, it’s a great reminder that reprints exist for nearly every major vintage set. They offer collectors an affordable way to enjoy iconic designs without spending $50k+, but they can also be misused by scammers targeting newer hobbyists.
🏛 From The Topps Archives - 1993 Topps Derek Jeter Blank Back Proof
Here’s another cool piece I found perusing eBay: a 1993 Topps Derek Jeter Blank Back Proof card from the Topps Vault (the card’s back has a 24436 Topps Vault serial hologram sticker).
The photo shows that the card was purchased for $2,100 in September 2011 (plus $3.50 shipping). It’s now listed for $2,500, but it was $3k when I first saw it.
Happy collecting!