More manufactured "relic" cards - Good idea or gimmick?

We've seen manufactured patch cards from Topps, which were mostly blaster exclusives for their baseball product. In this year's Topps flagship set, they included manufactured hat logo cards.

In 2010 Updates and Highlights, Topps has produced manufactured bat barrels cards that display the name of the play with a facsimile autograph.

We talk about gimmicks plenty around here and on other blogs.

But how do you really feel about these cards?

There are plenty collectors who don't seem to have a problem with these cards.

Take this Albert Pujols pink 1/1 bat barrel.

It sold for $326.79.

A Mikcey Mantle pink 1/1 bat barrel went for $265 and an Alex Rodriguez pink 1/1 bat barrel went for $214.

While manufactured, it's certainly something different. And Topps is not pretending for this card to be anything else. The card is clearly labeled on the front and back that it is a manufactured bat barrel.

Personally, I think the cards are sharp. I don't really have a problem with them. It's a new way to create cards where Topps doesn't have to spend a lot of money and getting autograph fees or buying jerseys and pants.

Some people on eBay would agree with me - this Derek Jeter black bat /25 sold for $89.

But what about you guys?

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2010 206 Mickey Mantle cards

Today I went to the White Plains card show and the first thing I noticed aside from it being not crowded at all was that there were about 20 less vendors than normal. I got there about an hour before they closed, but still was pretty sad for a Saturday.

I made it to 2 tables before spending my allowance. They were both within 20 feet of the entrance... However, one of the guys I buy from on a regular basis had an interesting piece of fabric on his 2010 206 Mantle game used warmup jacket card.


Now if you click on the above link, that auction shows 3 colors on the jacket. My question is what kind of jacket were these taken from with such odd color combination's? The one the vendor had was teal, white and black. This picture may not be clear enough to tell, but that's what it was.

I learned a little bit about how Topps goes out of their way and spends good money to get game used items so I honestly don't doubt the authenticity (that much), but I find it curious where this jacket was from or if this was a coat he wore when he retired to the gym.

Franken-Mantle

I watched this video more than once and every time it brought a tear to my eye. Perhaps I’m a glutton for punishment or maybe I tried to make sense of this Mickey Mantle autograph cut card.

This is a mini cut auto from 2010 Topps T206.

It’s also ugly, atrocious and a waste.

This card has drawn the ire of collectors everywhere. Sports Card Uncensored wrote about it and the folks at Freedom Cardboard have a thread about it.

Tell me if you actually thought this was a good idea.

I know that Mantle is one of the all-time greats and has a huge base of collectors because of his broad appeal. But there has to be a better way to include Mantle into a set than cutting up 55 percent of his autograph.

Topps has found creative ways to include Mantle and other former players into its sets, including clothes from celebrity outing and "relic" cards that really have nothing to do with the player.

This just seems like another ploy to get collectors interested.

Another, shall we say, gimmick.

Perhaps Topps could focus more on current players in its sets if the end product is going to be a Frankenstein hack job.

My favorite card out of Topps T206

My favorite card out Topps T206 is not one that we pulled in our case break (check it out here), but it was one I found on eBay while searching for auctions.

How pretty is this card?

Where do you think the auction is going to end?

Birthday Loot: 1967 Topps Mickey Mantle

I swear I am all out of birthday loot after this post.

My dad found a hobby shop by his job somewhere and picked up some presents from my parents for me there. I think he did okay, what do you think?


He's no Albert Pujols, but from what I understand this guy was a pretty good ball player, too.

I also got 2 packs of 2009 Sweet Spot which amazed me simply because I wouldn't have thought he would go for a pack like this over regular old Topps or something since he's old school. I crossed my fingers and ripped them open immediately hoping for my Derek Jeter signed glove numbered 2/2 (ahahaha, just kidding... kinda).

Here is what I got in the packs:

I really can't look at Grady the same way anymore. I think I might like it better this way, lol.



And a few cards for VOTC!!!

Overall, this birthday was, in the words of Borat, "Great Success!" The Mickey Mantle card is something I never expected so that was cool.

I also want to make a comment on the grading of that card. If you do an eBay search of some completed listings there are PSA 8's and 9's that were sold that look WAY more terrible than mine. There was one that is terribly off center (I'm aware of the centering on mine, but it's no where near as bad), and it got a PSA 9??? I wonder had this been graded elsewhere if it would have been higher. I don't own many graded cards and I would never buy one for myself but for a card like this I am more on the side of the fence where a graded one is not a bad idea for protection if nothing else. I still have the Bowman Mantle that I was going to get graded and never did (well 2 of them, one is in impeccable shape and the other not so much).

Buried Treasure: 1952 Bowman Mickey Mantle

First let me start by saying that these cards are not mine, and are not for trade. My uncle is probably going to be selling them through an estate sale for a good friend of his that has just passed away. He found a whole bunch of baseball cards at the house and brought some to show me. There were 2 of the same 1952 Bowman in a box, one is in great condition, the other one... not so much. He had wanted to have them graded, or at least the one and I had advised him against it until I could write this post showing the blogosphere the cards figuring perhaps someone might want to buy it ungraded as a result of most people not being fans of BGS and PSA/DNA.

These are the pictures of the cards, the one in the case can be scanned without for anyone sincerely interested. Honestly, I just wanted to showcase these cards because it is not everyday any of us stumble upon cards like this. I would like to try and finagle the one in bad shape for my own collection.

There were many other 1951 and 1952 Bowman found though I am not sure what is going to be done with those. If there are any vintage collectors interested in knowing who I have here please let me know. They are in good condition, nothing will grade for higher than a 5 or 6 if even that (just as a point of reference). I also have some cards that I can't identify right now that I will probably put up later tonight if time permits so that maybe you guys can help figure out what they are if I can't (by can't I mean too lazy to look).

Anyway, enjoy the look at them because I sure am. Sweet cards, even if you aren't a Yankees fan.

If only for a day ...

What I wouldn't give to work for Upper Deck if only for one day. I wouldn't need more than that if it meant I could get the perk of getting its employee-only cards.

As I looked on eBay for Jeter cards I can't afford, I found two listings for a game-used Derek Jeter/Mickey Mantle bat card. And it uses all the cool words: Laser-infused, NY, Jeter. What more can a girl like me want?

But I can't get this card out of a box. Apparently, it was only given out to employees, who enjoyed the card so much they would rather sell it on eBay than stare at it all day long, as I probably would have.

Here are the listings:
Auction #1
Auction #2

P.S. - Check out Ballcardmania's post on the oldest card ever found. It could have nearly been yours for $10 until the owner came to her senses.