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Posts Tagged ‘Collectibles’

Baseball collectible enthusiasts have an appetite for more than just playing cards. The memorabilia that’s now being sought after spans the spectrum from bobble heads, bats, gloves, jerseys to autographed balls, caps and even action figures.

Of course the best kind of baseball collectible is the one you were able to secure for yourself – having a baseball player sign an autograph is a memory you won’t soon forget.

But for many fans of the sport, baseball collectibles can only be obtained through online purchases or the occasional gift a loved one presented to them. Memorabilia is often passed down from generation to generation, increasing the value of the baseball collectibles throughout the years.

It’s just the monetary value of the memorabilia that makes it so special. Baseball is America’s favorite past time, and baseball collectibles often provide fond memories of warm summer nights and good times spent with friends and family.

When it comes to keepsakes, the barriers of team against team break down because fans often appreciate the value of a baseball collectible regardless of what team the item originated from.

While cards used to be the primary starter kit for any fan wishing to amass a collection of baseball memorabilia, today’s collectors focus on a variety of mementos. Vintage equipment, pins, and pennants are a staple of many fans’ baseball collectibles.

Anything carrying an autograph from a player, such as a cap, call, or glove is a prized possession when it comes to baseball collectibles. Bobbing (or bobble head) dolls of players are extremely popular, circulating from as early as the 1950s when baseball was as much a part of every American family’s life as the food on their dinner table.

Some fans like to approach their baseball collectibles from the standpoint of team memorabilia, focusing on an entire assortment of Yankee or Red Sox souvenirs. Others prefer to simply collect items from major players of any team, as long as the player made an impact on the game itself.

While modern day figures may not fetch as much as the ones who made this game so popular in the beginning, that hasn’t deterred loyal fans from scooping up keepsakes from the headliners of today. Not only are baseball collectibles a good investment of memorabilia, but many fans enjoy the fun they have tracking down special and unique pieces to preserve over the years and pass down to their own heirs.

If you’re an avid sports fan and baseball enthusiast in particular, you may have fun trying to secure a large portion of your baseball collectibles yourself instead of buying them. If autographed baseballs appeal to you, then you have the chance to try to get your favorite team member to sign off on it if you get to the game early when the players are warming up.

There’s no guarantee he’ll sign it, which can be a bit of a disappointment when you can just picture the keepsake sitting among the rest of your baseball collectibles. You might try to find sports card shows where many current and living ex-players go to sign autographs for the masses. Some fans even write letters to their favorite teams, begging for an autographed ball or card, even phoning in their requests just to make sure they get heard.

If you’re obtaining baseball collectibles as an investment, then you’ll want to try to get autographs from the top players on the team. If you mail a baseball in care of the team and address it to a particular player, you’re more likely to get your request met than if you simply asked them to mail you a baseball of their own.

Some baseball players will sign a baseball or other keepsake with their autograph only if you pay them a fee to do so. You have to decide if this is a worthy investment depending on which memorabilia you feel is going to be a valued addition to your baseball collectibles.

If you want an autograph, don’t just send the memorabilia, but everything they’ll need to get the item returned to you. Send a Bic ballpoint pen with the item. You want to make everything as easy as possible so your request is answered with a positive response.

If you want the item back to shelve with your other baseball collectibles, then it’s a wise idea to include postage with your request. Even better is to have a return envelop with postage already applied and your return mailing address neatly written so that it doesn’t get lost and wind up in someone else’s memorabilia.

Players know that their autograph is valuable – whether it’s as a monetary investment or because you’re a fan of the game. So if you’re asking them to add to your baseball collectibles, make sure you add a compliment and thank them ahead of time.

To send off for your personalized baseball keepsakes, get the players’ addresses from The Baseball Collector’s Handbook, which has many tips on mailing off for your own baseball collectibles. Even though many will accommodate your request, some players won’t respond, so for those, you’ll need to seek out the memorabilia you want and purchase it from a reputable online dealer.

Hockey trading cards may seem to wane in popularity, but if McDonald’s has its way, it won’t be for the next 100 years. They may probably have experienced spikes in demand thanks to McDonald’s hockey collectibles. These hockey cards that come from the house of Ronald McDonald are actually worth something, considering that it’s supplied only in Canada and that many kids actually don’t think much of them, leaving much of the loot and short supply to serious collectors. Many McDonald’s hockey cards are not even traded – they’re thrown away or left to rot someplace forgotten, like the attic or an old shoebox.

That is not to say that interest has never waned. Many collectors lost their love for hockey cards during the mid-90s when the market was filled to the brim. However, with the resurgence of interest in hockey and the continuing popularity of hockey collectibles including those from McDonald’s, it’s a good idea to start or re-start your collection now.

Getting McDonald’s hockey collectibles

The most popular hockey collectibles from McDonald’s continue to be NHL trading cards, the latest of which is from the Upper Deck Ice Heroes Collection. The new line features 50 cards, with special inserts that contain 51-card sets. Each pack costs .99 with purchase of selected McDonald’s products.

The number of cards contained in the card sets varies depending on the description. Cards in the Hardware Heroes set features winners of NHL awards in 6 die-cut cards to a pack. The Rookie Review and Hot Gloves sets have 20 cards in a pack while the Captains Checklist set contains cards featuring captains from the 6 Canadian NHL teams.

Another thing that adds to the excitement of getting the cards is that there are more than 4,000 official winning cards that include some important hockey memorabilia. The cards are instant-winning and need only to be verified to be redeemed. McDonald’s usually releases the new sets at the end of each year for the latest season.

There are also McDonald’s Canada hockey pucks that are issued by Canadian restaurants as part of their promotion to honor their hockey teams. These signature official pucks cost about .95 each.

Trading McDonald’s hockey collectibles online

On the McDonald’s hockey trading site (Mcdonalds.com.ca), you’ll have to sign up to become a member in order to trade. You must register your collection and include the quantity of every card you have. To trade a card, simply click on the ‘Trade It’ button and have someone find your offer. If you’re looking for a particular card, simply click on the ‘Need It’ button to advertise your requirement.

The site lets you save your card profile so you don’t have to re-enter information the next time you sign in. The site lets you trade and seek hockey card collectibles for free and sign up is fast and easy.

If you want to view the current roster of hockey collectibles, the site features a gallery that lets you view the players’ individual cards. Simply click on the names on the page and the site will give you a glimpse. Some of the most popular players are covered in the gallery, including Sergei Fedorov, Sidney Crosby, Steve Yzerman and Mario Lemieux.

Many grown hockey collectible fans who have seen the interest of young children in trading cards wane blame the rising prices. Hockey trading cards and collectibles cost anywhere from to more than 0 in hobby shops and online stores. The McDonald’s hockey cards program in Canada hopes to attract more collectors and sports fans into creating sustained interest in cards as hockey collectibles.

Hockey trading cards may seem to wane in popularity, but if McDonald’s has its way, it won’t be for the next 100 years. They may probably have experienced spikes in demand thanks to McDonald’s hockey collectibles. These hockey cards that come from the house of Ronald McDonald are actually worth something, considering that it’s supplied only in Canada and that many kids actually don’t think much of them, leaving much of the loot and short supply to serious collectors. Many McDonald’s hockey cards are not even traded – they’re thrown away or left to rot someplace forgotten, like the attic or an old shoebox.

That is not to say that interest has never waned. Many collectors lost their love for hockey cards during the mid-90s when the market was filled to the brim. However, with the resurgence of interest in hockey and the continuing popularity of hockey collectibles including those from McDonald’s, it’s a good idea to start or re-start your collection now.

Getting McDonald’s hockey collectibles

The most popular hockey collectibles from McDonald’s continue to be NHL trading cards, the latest of which is from the Upper Deck Ice Heroes Collection. The new line features 50 cards, with special inserts that contain 51-card sets. Each pack costs $0.99 with purchase of selected McDonald’s products.

The number of cards contained in the card sets varies depending on the description. Cards in the Hardware Heroes set features winners of NHL awards in 6 die-cut cards to a pack. The Rookie Review and Hot Gloves sets have 20 cards in a pack while the Captains Checklist set contains cards featuring captains from the 6 Canadian NHL teams.

Another thing that adds to the excitement of getting the cards is that there are more than 4,000 official winning cards that include some important hockey memorabilia. The cards are instant-winning and need only to be verified to be redeemed. McDonald’s usually releases the new sets at the end of each year for the latest season.

There are also McDonald’s Canada hockey pucks that are issued by Canadian restaurants as part of their promotion to honor their hockey teams. These signature official pucks cost about $9.95 each.

Trading McDonald’s hockey collectibles online

On the McDonald’s hockey trading site (Mcdonalds.com.ca), you’ll have to sign up to become a member in order to trade. You must register your collection and include the quantity of every card you have. To trade a card, simply click on the ‘Trade It’ button and have someone find your offer. If you’re looking for a particular card, simply click on the ‘Need It’ button to advertise your requirement.

The site lets you save your card profile so you don’t have to re-enter information the next time you sign in. The site lets you trade and seek hockey card collectibles for free and sign up is fast and easy.

If you want to view the current roster of hockey collectibles, the site features a gallery that lets you view the players’ individual cards. Simply click on the names on the page and the site will give you a glimpse. Some of the most popular players are covered in the gallery, including Sergei Fedorov, Sidney Crosby, Steve Yzerman and Mario Lemieux.

Many grown hockey collectible fans who have seen the interest of young children in trading cards wane blame the rising prices. Hockey trading cards and collectibles cost anywhere from $5 to more than $100 in hobby shops and online stores. The McDonald’s hockey cards program in Canada hopes to attract more collectors and sports fans into creating sustained interest in cards as hockey collectibles.

The 1980 USA hockey team played what could be called the most memorable game in hockey history. So significant was the game that Sports Illustrated voted it as the greatest moment in sports. It also captured the imagination of the whole nation, which at the time was reeling from the stressful 70s. It was also the game that made the chant ‘U-S-A! U-S-A!’ popular, which has since been the rallying cry in many international games. No wonder memorabilia related to the 1980 USA hockey team are very much sought-after.

Why they matter

In an era where the playing field was dominated by the Soviets, the 1980 USA hockey team were never considered a threat. It was very unlikely that the US Olympic team, composed of collegiate and amateur hockey players, could ever hope to win against the heavily-favored Soviet Union team.

Of the 12 teams that joined the competition at Lake Placid, New York, the US team was seeded 7th. Two years before the competition, the Soviet team had won against the NHL All-Stars for the Challenge Cup. The score? 6-0. In an exhibitions game in 1980, the Soviets also scored 5-3-1 against the National Hockey League teams. They were also manned by some of the most legendary hockey players in history, including team captain Boris Mikhailov and goalie Vladislav Tretiak.

Another factor that added to the excitement of the US vs. USSR game was the Cold War, where the US and the Soviet Union had an uneasy and long-standing participation. It also helped that during an exhibition match 13 days before the actual competition, the Soviet Reds defeated the Americans 10-3. A column in the New York Times said that unless a miracle is performed by the US or another team, the Soviets were expected to take home the gold medal.

But history was going to be written differently. Under the tough guidance of coach Herb Brooks and the leadership of team captain Mike Eruzione, the US team scored: the first point from Buzz Schneider, two from Mark Johnson and the last from Eruzione himself. The US team went on to win the gold medal.

A piece of the Miracle

One of the most popular 1980 USA hockey team collectible is a group-signed jersey, valued at about $1,300.00. It includes signatures from Eruzione, Craig, Johnson, Schneider, Neal Broten, Steve Christoff, Dave Silk, Phil Verchota, Mike Ramsey, Ken Morrow, Mark Pavelich and 9 other players. The jersey comes with a Certificate of Authenticity from Steiner Sports, one of the most respected and reliable authenticators of sports items and memorabilia.

Hand-signed jerseys are probably the most expensive collectibles from the 1980 US hockey team, with prices over $1000. Hockey sticks are also highly-coveted and are in the same price range.

While Mike Eruzione and Mark Johnson stirred the crowd for their scoring, it was goalie Jim Craig who bore the brunt of the Soviets’ attacks and kept them at bay through his strong defense. This makes any Craig-signed memorabilia special. An example is a Miracle on Ice puck priced at about $80 and a hand-signed photograph of Craig draped in the American flag after the US team won the gold medal against Finland. The photos are limited edition 8″ x 10″ size and comes with a COA from Grandstand Sports & Memorabilia. It is priced at $130.

Another memorable collectible from the 1980 US hockey team is a photo showing the team crowding the podium during the awards ceremony. It’s hand-signed by 20 team members and includes a certified hologram and COA. There are also hand-signed pucks by individual players that cost from $70 to $80.

Another great collectible is the reprint of the New York Times front page dated February 25, 1980 with the headline, ‘USA Hockey Victory Stirs Celebration’. This was printed 3 days after the US defeated the Soviet team and a day after they defeated Finland to win the Gold Medal. The item costs about $90.

Baseball collectible enthusiasts have an appetite for more than just playing cards. The memorabilia that’s now being sought after spans the spectrum from bobble heads, bats, gloves, jerseys to autographed balls, caps and even action figures. Of course the best kind of baseball collectible is the one you were able to secure for yourself – having a baseball player sign an autograph is a memory you won’t soon forget. But for many fans of the sport, baseball collectibles can only be obtained through online purchases or the occasional gift a loved one presented to them. Memorabilia is often passed down from generation to generation, increasing the value of the baseball collectibles throughout the years. It’s just the monetary value of the memorabilia that makes it so special. Baseball is America’s favorite past time, and baseball collectibles often provide fond memories of warm summer nights and good times spent with friends and family. When it comes to keepsakes, the barriers of team against team break down because fans often appreciate the value of a baseball collectible regardless of what team the item originated from. While cards used to be the primary starter kit for any fan wishing to amass a collection of baseball memorabilia, today’s collectors focus on a variety of mementos. Vintage equipment, pins, and pennants are a staple of many fans’ baseball collectibles. Anything carrying an autograph from a player, such as a cap, call, or glove is a prized possession when it comes to baseball collectibles. Bobbing (or bobble head) dolls of players are extremely popular, circulating from as early as the 1950s when baseball was as much a part of every American family’s life as the food on their dinner table. Some fans like to approach their baseball collectibles from the standpoint of team memorabilia, focusing on an entire assortment of Yankee or Red Sox souvenirs. Others prefer to simply collect items from major players of any team, as long as the player made an impact on the game itself. While modern day figures may not fetch as much as the ones who made this game so popular in the beginning, that hasn’t deterred loyal fans from scooping up keepsakes from the headliners of today. Not only are baseball collectibles a good investment of memorabilia, but many fans enjoy the fun they have tracking down special and unique pieces to preserve over the years and pass down to their own heirs.

Is someone in your family a fan of baseball collectibles? Or maybe you, yourself, have an affinity for amassing large quantities of memorabilia from America’s favorite past times. There are several different types of keepsakes you can acquire to add to your baseball collectibles. One item that will put a big smile on any fan’s face is an autographed baseball. A ball that was held by an icon has special meaning for those who look up to him. Another road you can take in adding to a fan’s baseball collectibles is giving them baseball cards. Some fans like to invest in packs of trading cards, while others will appreciate an autographed card of vintage value. Dating back to the 1950s, bobble head dolls have been a popular baseball collectibles addition. Now, they’re mass-produced, but there are many bobble head dolls that were limited in quantity, making them more valuable. Sports equipment is also now a hot commodity with baseball collectible enthusiasts. If you’re able to get an autographed baseball bat from a beloved player of the game, it’ll be a big hit with any avid fan. While we’ve primarily focused on the items themselves, don’t forget about getting your hands on the best guides to baseball collectibles. This is a treasure because it helps the fan acquire items that not only have the most sentimental value, but also the best potential for a financial investment. Barry Halper’s Collection of Baseball Memorabilia details the 2,500 plus collectibles that were sold through the famed auction house Sotheby’s. It includes photos of the rare baseball collectibles from Barry Halper’s stash of fan favorites. Another great choice to help aficionados of America’s favorite past time learn all about the finest memorabilia available for this sport is the Beckett Almanac of Baseball Cards and Collectibles. Guides like these will help novice and seasoned collectors alike learn the value of memorabilia before they invest. And it also helps them determine the value of their own collection so that they don’t inadvertently get rid of something that may turn out to be a rare find and worth far more than the price they originally paid. You probably won’t go wrong getting a fan any sort of addition for their baseball collectibles. People who love the game can never have too many of any one keepsake and having double of something is often a blessing because it means they have the luxury of trading one of the pair for something they don’t yet have.

If you’re an avid sports fan and baseball enthusiast in particular, you may have fun trying to secure a large portion of your baseball collectibles yourself instead of buying them. If autographed baseballs appeal to you, then you have the chance to try to get your favorite team member to sign off on it if you get to the game early when the players are warming up. There’s no guarantee he’ll sign it, which can be a bit of a disappointment when you can just picture the keepsake sitting among the rest of your baseball collectibles. You might try to find sports card shows where many current and living ex-players go to sign autographs for the masses. Some fans even write letters to their favorite teams, begging for an autographed ball or card, even phoning in their requests just to make sure they get heard. If you’re obtaining baseball collectibles as an investment, then you’ll want to try to get autographs from the top players on the team. If you mail a baseball in care of the team and address it to a particular player, you’re more likely to get your request met than if you simply asked them to mail you a baseball of their own. Some baseball players will sign a baseball or other keepsake with their autograph only if you pay them a fee to do so. You have to decide if this is a worthy investment depending on which memorabilia you feel is going to be a valued addition to your baseball collectibles. If you want an autograph, don’t just send the memorabilia, but everything they’ll need to get the item returned to you. Send a Bic ballpoint pen with the item. You want to make everything as easy as possible so your request is answered with a positive response. If you want the item back to shelve with your other baseball collectibles, then it’s a wise idea to include postage with your request. Even better is to have a return envelop with postage already applied and your return mailing address neatly written so that it doesn’t get lost and wind up in someone else’s memorabilia. Players know that their autograph is valuable – whether it’s as a monetary investment or because you’re a fan of the game. So if you’re asking them to add to your baseball collectibles, make sure you add a compliment and thank them ahead of time. To send off for your personalized baseball keepsakes, get the players’ addresses from The Baseball Collector’s Handbook, which has many tips on mailing off for your own baseball collectibles. Even though many will accommodate your request, some players won’t respond, so for those, you’ll need to seek out the memorabilia you want and purchase it from a reputable online dealer.