<< <i>To find Josh Gibson’s earliest cards, you have to look away from the mainstream sets. The 1974 Laughlin Negro League Stars set contains the first known card of Josh Gibson. Instead of selling your Toyota Corolla to buy his autograph card, the money you save by eating at Burger King instead of Macaroni Grill ($5 to $10) can be used to buy Josh Gibson’s first known trading card. It is a great, rare, early and affordable card of this baseball legend. >>
The first known Josh Gibson card is the '51 Toleteros. It has been offered in auctions for the last few years, and anyone with any involvement with the hobby would know that by know, as well as the realized price and who won them. The '74 Laughlin card is and was always pretty much worthless, and to tout it as rare or investment worthy is both ignorant and irresponsible. I hope this guy used his advance money to buy a clue. Or at least a few Mastro catalogs and Lipset's and Lemke's books. Edited to add- The Toleteros is predated about a dozen years by a signed Gibson postcard that is in the next REA auction. But that is neither a card in the strictest definition, nor was it known at the time this drivel was published.
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's
I have known John Niccoli for about 3 years and he is a nice guy. No need to put down the guy for trying to contribute to a hobby he loves as much as the rest of us.
On a side note Griffins, the '51 Toleteros Gibson was considered by some to be Gibson's son. It wasn't until about 6-8 months ago that everyone finally agreed it is in fact a tribute card for Josh Gibson. Since John wrote this book before that time frame might be the reason he left out mentioning the controversial Toleteros card.
Either way - a 1974 drawing of Gibson doesn't strike me as a severely undervalued card.
I am actively buying MIKE SCHMIDT gem mint baseball cards. Also looking for any 19th century cabinets of Philadephia Nationals. Please PM with additional details.
I"m sure he's a real nice guy, but when you create something for public sale you are subject to reviews by the consumers. Maybe I should change my assesment from "garbage" to "2 thumbs down" but the sentiment is the same. When the highlighted excerpt of the book is the suggestion that a '74 Fleer tribute card is a good investment I seriously question the authors experience, knowledge, and judgment. I don't know of a single person that would agree with that premise, and it seems way off base. As books of this type seem to be relied upon more by inexperienced collectors just getting into the hobby I think it does a great diservice by being so poorly researched. To offer I an alternative I would suggest anyone (and especially the author of this book) look to any of these titles:
1 Mastro Catalogs- some of the best collections in the hobby, with informative copy (even if it's a bit gushy and full of hyperbole at times) Available by contacting the Mastro office. 2. Standard Catalog of Baseball cards- the prices are way off, but what better checklist? My tip- cut the post '80 section off with an exacto and use it for fire kindling- thats what people will be doing with all those refractor cards in a few years anyway! 2. Classic Baseball Cards by Frank Slocum- a coffee table book with pictures of most major sets from 1887- 1955. Got mine on ebay for about $20. 3. Topps Baseball Cards- same publisher as above, shows every Topps card from '51 thru '87. 4. Sotheby's Copeland Collection Catalog- Jim Copeland went on a rampage, buying up cards like there was no tomorrow. Guess there wasn't, because he consigned them to Sotheby's in 1991. The catalog contains cards that may never see the light of day again. Thanks to this book at least we know they are out there, even if we can't buy them. There is someone on Ebay with the print run selling them for about $10-15. 5. Sotheby's Halper Collection- Ditto the above. Got mine in the remainder bin at Borders for $8. Some very cool stuff, especially if you like the Yankees. 5. Lew Lipset's Encyclopedia of Baseball Cards- A must for any vintage collector. Detailed listings of most pre WW2 cards. $40. from www vcbc.com 6. Back issues of The Vintage and Classic Baseball Collector. The entire run of back issues is about 140. www.vcbc.com. 7. Hager's guide to Baseball Cards.The book has great info and pictures of every major set, along with his take on the long term investment prospects of each set. The investment info should be for entertainment only- he missed on a few, was bang on a few others. My book was about $25. and came brand new sealed in plastic. I don't think it was trimmed. Do a search on ebay for Hager, the seller has tons of them. 8. The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading and Bubble Gum Book. Because cards are supposed to be fun! 9. The CU boards- separate the wheat from the chaff and you'll get some info. And it's free. 10 The Network 54 Board- ditto the above, try and dodge the venom and pop ups. This is where the most knowledgable collectors reside. And the most bitter and jaded too. 11.-12 200 Great Baseball Cards, and Joe Orlando's 300 Card book. 13.Mr Mint's book is interesting, just because we all dream of that big find. 14-16 Subscriptions to Old Cardboard, SMR, and SGC's magazine. 17 Last but certainly not least, Chris Stufflestreet's booklet on the history of the hobby.
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's
<< <i>I have known John Niccoli for about 3 years and he is a nice guy. No need to put down the guy for trying to contribute to a hobby he loves as much as the rest of us.
On a side note Griffins, the '51 Toleteros Gibson was considered by some to be Gibson's son. It wasn't until about 6-8 months ago that everyone finally agreed it is in fact a tribute card for Josh Gibson. Since John wrote this book before that time frame might be the reason he left out mentioning the controversial Toleteros card. >>
Butcher I respect your point and your defense of a friend.
But, in deference to Griff, he doesn't know this guy from atom and was not saying he's a crook or steals from children - there is no way that he would know these facts and was just giving an assertion based on what he read. There's nothing wrong with being critical when money is at stake.
Perhaps you can convince your friend to come here and talk about his book and experience.
Steve- I've been searching ebay for the bound run of Lipset's newsletter but have only come up with a few issues. Do you know where to get the book of them?
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's
For the pack guys, let me add Mark Murphy's booklet on packs - on the critical note - not well done at all - but it's the only thing out there I believe.
Also, as an adjunct - the Sportscard Counterfeit Detector - both editions - very helpful.
Also, the Standard Cat of Sports Memorabilia by Krause is good.
well you can't judge a book by it's cover, nor one article. Someone has to actually buy it and read it before they should go off on it. I have no personal idea about the Gibson card, but it's still only item.
Running an Ebay store sure takes a lot more time than a person would think!
Comments
<< <i>To find Josh Gibson’s earliest cards, you have to look away from the mainstream sets. The 1974 Laughlin Negro League Stars set contains the first known card of Josh Gibson. Instead of selling your Toyota Corolla to buy his autograph card, the money you save by eating at Burger King instead of Macaroni Grill ($5 to $10) can be used to buy Josh Gibson’s first known trading card. It is a great, rare, early and affordable card of this baseball legend. >>
The first known Josh Gibson card is the '51 Toleteros. It has been offered in auctions for the last few years, and anyone with any involvement with the hobby would know that by know, as well as the realized price and who won them. The '74 Laughlin card is and was always pretty much worthless, and to tout it as rare or investment worthy is both ignorant and irresponsible.
I hope this guy used his advance money to buy a clue. Or at least a few Mastro catalogs and Lipset's and Lemke's books.
Edited to add- The Toleteros is predated about a dozen years by a signed Gibson postcard that is in the next REA auction. But that is neither a card in the strictest definition, nor was it known at the time this drivel was published.
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's
Those are the guys who think that a shoebox of old cards is worth millions.
My Auctions
<< <i>Garbage. >>
Okay Griffins.
In that case, Mr. Mint's book will continue to be my definitive source for Sports Card knowledge.
"How about a little fire Scarecrow ?"
T-205 Gold PSA 4 & up
1967 Topps BB PSA 8 & up
1975 Topps BB PSA 9 & up
1959 Topps FB PSA 8 & up
1976 Topps FB PSA 9 & up
1981 Topps FB PSA 10
1976-77 Topps BK PSA 9 & up
1988-89 Fleer BK PSA 10
3,000 Hit Club RC PSA 5 & Up
My Sets
John Niccoli should have used my motto
It is better to be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt!!
Hey! He looks like a nice enough guy?
<< <i>I hope this guy used his advance money to buy a clue >>
Griff
How much are "clues" going for these days anyway?
It seems everyone is writing a book - if anyone wants to know - I've been working on my novel for years.
Good catch on the excerpt!!!
mike
On a side note Griffins, the '51 Toleteros Gibson was considered by some to be Gibson's son. It wasn't until about 6-8 months ago that everyone finally agreed it is in fact a tribute card for Josh Gibson. Since John wrote this book before that time frame might be the reason he left out mentioning the controversial Toleteros card.
To offer I an alternative I would suggest anyone (and especially the author of this book) look to any of these titles:
1 Mastro Catalogs- some of the best collections in the hobby, with informative copy (even if it's a bit gushy and full of hyperbole at times) Available by contacting the Mastro office.
2. Standard Catalog of Baseball cards- the prices are way off, but what better checklist? My tip- cut the post '80 section off with an exacto and use it for fire kindling- thats what people will be doing with all those refractor cards in a few years anyway!
2. Classic Baseball Cards by Frank Slocum- a coffee table book with pictures of most major sets from 1887- 1955. Got mine on ebay for about $20.
3. Topps Baseball Cards- same publisher as above, shows every Topps card from '51 thru '87.
4. Sotheby's Copeland Collection Catalog- Jim Copeland went on a rampage, buying up cards like there was no tomorrow. Guess there wasn't, because he consigned them to Sotheby's in 1991. The catalog contains cards that may never see the light of day again. Thanks to this book at least we know they are out there, even if we can't buy them. There is someone on Ebay with the print run selling them for about $10-15.
5. Sotheby's Halper Collection- Ditto the above. Got mine in the remainder bin at Borders for $8. Some very cool stuff, especially if you like the Yankees.
5. Lew Lipset's Encyclopedia of Baseball Cards- A must for any vintage collector. Detailed listings of most pre WW2 cards. $40. from
www vcbc.com
6. Back issues of The Vintage and Classic Baseball Collector. The entire run of back issues is about 140. www.vcbc.com.
7. Hager's guide to Baseball Cards.The book has great info and pictures of every major set, along with his take on the long term investment prospects of each set. The investment info should be for entertainment only- he missed on a few, was bang on a few others. My book was about $25. and came brand new sealed in plastic. I don't think it was trimmed. Do a search on ebay for Hager, the seller has tons of them.
8. The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading and Bubble Gum Book. Because cards are supposed to be fun!
9. The CU boards- separate the wheat from the chaff and you'll get some info. And it's free.
10 The Network 54 Board- ditto the above, try and dodge the venom and pop ups. This is where the most knowledgable collectors reside. And the most bitter and jaded too.
11.-12 200 Great Baseball Cards, and Joe Orlando's 300 Card book.
13.Mr Mint's book is interesting, just because we all dream of that big find.
14-16 Subscriptions to Old Cardboard, SMR, and SGC's magazine.
17 Last but certainly not least, Chris Stufflestreet's booklet on the history of the hobby.
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's
<< <i>I have known John Niccoli for about 3 years and he is a nice guy. No need to put down the guy for trying to contribute to a hobby he loves as much as the rest of us.
On a side note Griffins, the '51 Toleteros Gibson was considered by some to be Gibson's son. It wasn't until about 6-8 months ago that everyone finally agreed it is in fact a tribute card for Josh Gibson. Since John wrote this book before that time frame might be the reason he left out mentioning the controversial Toleteros card. >>
Butcher
I respect your point and your defense of a friend.
But, in deference to Griff, he doesn't know this guy from atom and was not saying he's a crook or steals from children - there is no way that he would know these facts and was just giving an assertion based on what he read. There's nothing wrong with being critical when money is at stake.
Perhaps you can convince your friend to come here and talk about his book and experience.
mike
Always looking for Topps Salesman Samples, pre '51 unopened packs, E90-2, E91a, N690 Kalamazoo Bats, and T204 Square Frame Ramly's
For the pack guys, let me add Mark Murphy's booklet on packs - on the critical note - not well done at all - but it's the only thing out there I believe.
Also, as an adjunct - the Sportscard Counterfeit Detector - both editions - very helpful.
Also, the Standard Cat of Sports Memorabilia by Krause is good.
mike