1955 Topps #173 Bob Kline SCARCE HIGH NUMBER (Senators)

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1959 Topps displays vintage 1959 Topps Baseball sports cards.
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The history of vintage baseball card auctions is long and colorful.

T-206 Honus Wagner tobacco cards have sold for upto $2.8 million in auction. The "Holy Grail of Sports Cards", it's extreme-high auction value can mostly be attributed to great PR and "auction fever". It's not close to being the rarest baseball card and Honus Wagner is not Babe Ruth or Mickey Mantle. Yes, the T-206 set is beautiful & special but because of the # of cards and scarcities, few collector's try to complete, which should keep auction competition down compared to say 1933 Goudey or 1952 Topps baseball card issues.
BUT IT DOES NOT...

There's a story Wagner banned his card because he was anti-tobacco but there are other stories about financial considerations.

You surely have heard of PSA and may even know that this card was the FIRST they ever graded. But did you know that dealer (B.l. .ast.o name encoded) admitted tampering with the card, perhaps having it trimmed down to size, before PSA graded it so highly for the auction.

Only inserts in 1961 & 1962, stamps had their own issue in 1969 ! A nickel for a 12-stamp strip plus mini album !!!

The 1969 Topps Stamps set contained (240) 1x1-7/16 inch stamps. Stamps were released in both horizontal & vertical panels with the player's name in a banner. 1974 Stamps, the name was inside an oval.
Topps issued a mini albums to hold complete 10-stamp team sets and the back cover had facsimile autographs of each players.

The 1969 Topps Stamps set is packed with stars: Pete Rose, and Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente & more !!!

Man was the 1948-1949 Leaf baseball set PACKED !!! The set was small in numbers and size with only (98) 2-3/8" by 2-7/8" cards. With only 98 cards, the set was "skip-numbered" with card numbers from 1 thru 168. Likely an attempt to force collectors to keep buying packs looking for their missing cards. (49) cards are considered "Short Prints" and there is one variation card #136: Full Sleeve/Short Sleeve (error)

Baseball card collecting terms (part A)

Airbrushing is the art of touching up a photo prior to the card being printed. It was generally done to remove imperfections or update or hide a players jersey/cap logo. Because of advancements in print technology and computers this is no longer needed.

All-Star card (AS) usually a subset card picturing a player who participated in the previous season�s all-star game. Topps created these in their 1958 High Number issue and has continued the practice fairly regularly to date. Such cards are usually designated in price guides with the abbreviation of AS.

Assorted A general mix of cards often containing many duplicates.

Auction items are sold to the highest bidder. Auctions used to be live or thru the mail/phone but today most auctions are online.

Auction Catalog lists the rules and descriptions and often images of the items in an auction.

Authentication verification that an item (card, autograph) is genuine. Most "game-used" material inserts have a written declaration of authenticity on the reverse. Authorized Issue card or memorabilia item that has been properly licensed. If the item is of a player, his written permission must be given in order for it to be considered authorized.

1955 Topps #173 Bob Kline SCARCE HIGH NUMBER (Senators)

Auction's most costly vintage baseball cards

1969 Topps Stamps
Checklist & Values

1948-1949 Leaf Baseball Cards
Checklist & Values

1955 Topps #173 Bob Kline SCARCE HIGH NUMBER (Senators)

Auction's most costly vintage baseball cards

1969 Topps Stamps Checklist & Values

1948-1949 Leaf Baseball Cards Checklist & Values

1969 Topps Stamps
Checklist & Values

1948-1949 Leaf Baseball Cards
Checklist & Values