My 1968 Topps Willie Mays game card is a favorite from my childhood collection. Also pretty fond of my 1966 Topps Sandy Koufax, creases and all, since those creases are authentic artifacts from my small hands. Among the cards I’ve picked up as an adult, I really treasure my 1953 Topps #1 Jackie Robinson since my wife bought it for me for my birthday one year. It was pricier than I am usually willing to go but I guess that’s what birthdays are for. To be spoiled. Two others: my 1913 National Game Joe Jackson (I love that he’s just identified on the front as “Jackson - Cleve.” He really wasn’t Shoeless Joe just yet. That came later. And, finally, my 1956 Topps Mantle. I think the 56s are the perfect baseball card design: landscape layout, face shot plus action shot, facsimile autograph, cartoons…what more can you ask for? And the Mantle - in an MVP year - was always the prize. I searched and searched to find an uncreased one I could afford. I picked it up for $125 about 25 years ago and it graded a 2 so is worth a lot more now. But how could I ever sell the Mick?
All of those cards are larger-than-life players still in their prime playing years. Well, to be fair, shoeless Joe was still young and Willie was past his prime in 68. But he’s Willie Mays and as an 8-year-old even I knew Willie Mays was unlike other players.
Oh, and I love multiplayer cards. The 1967 Topps Mays-McCovey Fence Busters card is a favorite. Probably cost me $10 in 1988 or 1989.
Man, what a great lineup of cards! Some all-time beauties in there, including the Jackie and Mick cards. Thanks for sharing!
My 1968 Topps Willie Mays game card is a favorite from my childhood collection. Also pretty fond of my 1966 Topps Sandy Koufax, creases and all, since those creases are authentic artifacts from my small hands. Among the cards I’ve picked up as an adult, I really treasure my 1953 Topps #1 Jackie Robinson since my wife bought it for me for my birthday one year. It was pricier than I am usually willing to go but I guess that’s what birthdays are for. To be spoiled. Two others: my 1913 National Game Joe Jackson (I love that he’s just identified on the front as “Jackson - Cleve.” He really wasn’t Shoeless Joe just yet. That came later. And, finally, my 1956 Topps Mantle. I think the 56s are the perfect baseball card design: landscape layout, face shot plus action shot, facsimile autograph, cartoons…what more can you ask for? And the Mantle - in an MVP year - was always the prize. I searched and searched to find an uncreased one I could afford. I picked it up for $125 about 25 years ago and it graded a 2 so is worth a lot more now. But how could I ever sell the Mick?
All of those cards are larger-than-life players still in their prime playing years. Well, to be fair, shoeless Joe was still young and Willie was past his prime in 68. But he’s Willie Mays and as an 8-year-old even I knew Willie Mays was unlike other players.
Oh, and I love multiplayer cards. The 1967 Topps Mays-McCovey Fence Busters card is a favorite. Probably cost me $10 in 1988 or 1989.