Player collectors- What is the toughest card of the player you collect?

RedHeart54 · September 7, 2008 8:05AM

I'm always curious what cards give player collectors the biggest fits to obtain, usually in any condition. Obviously there are a lot of 1/1 inserts and refractor this and autograph-game-used that but the toughest issues are usually some oddball food issue or sticker or disc or magazine card made early in the player's career.

What are your toughies? (And on a happier note, your successes?)

ROCKDJRW · September 7, 2008 8:44AM

Not valuable but I have had a hard time locationg an Ozzie Guillen Quaker Oates Booklet and a Windwalker Disc. There was a windwalker on Ebay (the entire set) about a year or so ago and I forgot to bid

TNP777 · September 7, 2008 9:23AM

That's an easy one for me. 1997 Pinnacle Inside Diamond Edition. Those were the cards that came inside of a tin can - the Diamond Edition was the rarest parallel. They almost never come up on eBay - heck the 2nd tier parallel, Club Edition, took me around eight years to locate. Club Edition was 1:7, Diamond Edition was 1:63.

VitoCo1972 · September 7, 2008 9:39AM

As a Yaz collector, easily the 1969 Topps Yaz in PSA 8 or better - tough card. As a Carlton Fisk collector, there are some low-pop commons (86/82) but the 74 has the lowest PSA 9% with more than 20 cards submitted. Luis Tiant's rookie and and 2nd year (65/66) are difficult in PSA 9

prscott933 · September 7, 2008 9:40AM

1996 Select Certified Mirror Gold Ozzie Smith. I still haven't seen one for sale...

hofautos · September 7, 2008 10:12AM

Vladimir Guerrero
1995 bowmans best refractor rookie
Hard to find in any condition but impossible 9+ NQ

DavidPuddy · September 7, 2008 10:27AM

I collect some players that are not widely collected, so maybe these cards aren't that rare, but I can't find them.
Ted Simmons:
71 OPC, 76 Carousel, and Dairy Isle discs, 1982 Topps Blackless(not sure if it exitsts), 1984 Topps Sitcker Boxes (panel or hand cut), 1987 Atlanta Braves Fire Safety,

J.R. Richard:
1982 Topps Blackless, 1978 Burger King Astros, 1974 OPC.

Vic Janowicz:
1951 Topps Magic. (a nice raw example that probably would grade 5-6 went for $400 last week)

onlychild1 · September 7, 2008 10:52AM

For modern players (post 1972), I would imagine if a card exists with a player the 82 Topps Blackless, 84 Topps Encapsulated or the 1990 Donruss Aqueous Test (or blue white test...even worse) would all be tough. Guessing the Encapsulated would be hard to find as an individual nicely centered hand-cut card, since they came in sheet form. Most of these would not be included for the registry players...just for the hardcore collectors. I don't think PSA grades many of these. Here are some examples:

Kevin Saucier

Morgoth · September 7, 2008 11:01AM

1979 Topps Willie Stargell is tough!

DavidPuddy · September 7, 2008 11:04AM

<< 84 Topps Encapsulated >>

I guess I'm not familiar with these. What are they?

2dueces · September 7, 2008 11:25AM

As a Jack kemp collector the 1961 Golden Tulip is the toughest card to find. I have seen only 2 examples on e-bay in the last 5 years.

I'm hoping some day PSA adds Kemp to the Player List. I'll have a pretty good start on it. I also collect Lamonica.

WarHoundR69 · September 7, 2008 11:27AM

I collect cards of John L. Sullivan (19th Century Bare Knuckles Heavy Weight Champ).

If any one has 1937 Wolverine Gum Ripley's Believe It Or Not - "THE GREAT JOHN L. " - Card No. 34 - please sell it to me.

prscott933 · September 7, 2008 11:28AM

<< 

<< 84 Topps Encapsulated >>

I guess I'm not familiar with these. What are they? >>

Yes, please tell. And, is there an Ozzie Smith?

SDSportsFan · September 7, 2008 11:31AM

<< As a Jack kemp collector the 1961 Golden Tulip is the toughest card to find. I have seen only 2 examples on e-bay in the last 5 years.

I'm hoping some day PSA adds Kemp to the Player List. I'll have a pretty good start on it. I also collect Lamonica. >>

I feel your pain!!!

Heck, as a Chargers collector, I'd absolutely love to find ANY of the Golden Tulips cards!!!!!

Steve

PoppaJ · September 7, 2008 11:33AM

I've been collecting nothing but vintage Mantle cards since 1956.

The one card, that still eludes me to this very day, is Mickey's 1964 Rawlings Glove Box Hand Cut.

His Venezuelan, 59 Home Run Derby, and Stahl-Meyer cards were among the toughest ones that I've been
able to find so far.

I thank my Dad, in prayer, every night before I hit the sack, for being such a die-hard Mantle fan.

His advice about collecting only Mantles enabled me to retire at a very young age.

Here's a photo of the last card my father gave me before he died .... it just happens to be the highest grade PSA has ever granted for this particular card. Needless to say, it's very special to me.

PoppaJ

2dueces · September 7, 2008 11:35AM

<< 

<< As a Jack kemp collector the 1961 Golden Tulip is the toughest card to find. I have seen only 2 examples on e-bay in the last 5 years.

I'm hoping some day PSA adds Kemp to the Player List. I'll have a pretty good start on it. I also collect Lamonica. >>

I feel your pain!!!

Heck, as a Chargers collector, I'd absolutely love to find ANY of the Golden Tulips cards!!!!!

Steve >>

Steve, I feel your pain today.

For those that have never hear of the Golden Tulip cards, they were a regional issue of San Diego Chargers inserted in potato chip bags. If you can find them most have oil stains for the chips. Ron Mix and Kemp highlight the set.

Brian48 · September 7, 2008 11:36AM

I guess I've unofficially left the hobby at the moment, but back when I was collecting the steroid monkey (Clemens), it was the 1991 OPC regular issue #530. Nevermind graded, it was difficult to even find this card raw. Finally scored a PSA 9 after nearly 3.5 years of searching. Last I checked, there is only one PSA 10.

Beck6 · September 7, 2008 11:43AM

There is a Kemp on ebay right now along with a few other Tulips

Text

bobsbbcards · September 7, 2008 12:22PM

<< Ted Simmons:
...1982 Topps Blackless(not sure if it exitsts) >>

Yes, the Ted Simmons '82 Blackless card was on Sheet B. Here's a link to a thread with information about the 1984 Topps Encapsulated (or Encased) cards on page 3 (also more information about Blackless cards):

1982 topps "blackless" on the registry ?

onefasttalon · September 7, 2008 12:38PM

... Hmmm... Several actually. The '88 and '89 Kahn's cards Sabo's are tuff for me, his '87 Hills Minor league card is really tuff...
BUT... by FAR his tuffest card to find in respectable condition is his '89 Fleer Box bottom card. Too many are already damaged just from sitting in the case!
If I ever see one of those pop up in a 9 or 10 I'd flip and go into hock for it!

2dueces · September 7, 2008 12:43PM

<< There is a Kemp on ebay right now along with a few other Tulips

Text >>

Yep that's one of the 2 in the last 5 years. Ryan (zaggypants) had the other. I would like that card, but not for that kind of money.

lawnmowerman · September 7, 2008 1:02PM

It took me years to find this card. I got it a few weeks ago on ebay.

It is a 1991 Pro Line Portraits Emmitt Smith auto (sp).

I have only seen two on ebay and this is one of them. The same seller had both.

metalmike · September 7, 2008 10:28PM

1963 Bauer Dairy Pete Rose- These sell for more than his rookie card and are very rare in high grade as they are a milkcap.

BunchOBull · September 8, 2008 5:16AM

For me it's a card that I just picked up on eBay...I've been looking for one with PSA 9 potential for a long time. When the only one graded 9 came to eBay earlier this year, my snipe of $280 was beaten by $70 or so. This one looks well centered (terrible picture), just hoping the corners, edges, and surface are equally nice.

1987 Auburn University Issue:
LINK

edited to add:

I have a sneaky suspicion that a 1989 Sarasota White Sox card may exist featuring Frank Thomas...why I think this, I don't know. They've never been known, but recently an offical team phote surfaced featuring Big Frank. As of now, there are no Frank Thomas cards known to have been released in 1989.

ajw · September 8, 2008 5:32AM

As a collector of a player from the late 80s and early 90s, there are quite a few regional and food issues that I've never even seen, much less had a chance to bid on.

I'd say that the two at the very top of my list would probably be the 1992 Donruss Diamond King Supers and the 1988 Donruss Aqueous.

I was thrilled to help convince Geordie to get his Brett Butler Diamond King Super.

I only wish he'd return the favor and find someone to sell me my Will Clark.

Jerk.

BunchOBull · September 8, 2008 5:35AM

Man...those '92 Diamond King Supers...with only 10 said to exist per player...I don't know if I'll ever find a Thomas...and at $800 a pop, I don't know if I want one.

edited to add: If you read this Geordie, I'd love to see your DK Super.

Clemaz · September 8, 2008 5:52AM

I can't find a PSA 1977 Phil Garner OPC in any grade.

donrus · September 8, 2008 5:57AM

for me so far it has been finding a 1970 nl batting leaders pete rose in a 8 or better. there are several of his cards that are tough,like the 71 in a 8-10.. so i guess either of those for me.. don

TNP777 · September 8, 2008 6:24AM

<< I was thrilled to help convince Geordie to get his Brett Butler Diamond King Super.

I only wish he'd return the favor and find someone to sell me my Will Clark.

Jerk. >>

That was a huge find on Drew's part. The '92 DK Super is most likely near the top of almost every early '90s player collector wantlist. I haven't checked lately, but at one point, Beckett still had the Butler as a $10 card, which is way under real world value/sell price. I ended up paying about $45 for the DK, plus a few other fairly rare Butlers that the seller had. For what it's worth, you guys might want to check out Jim Kramer at Southpaw Cards - at various times, he's had some nice oddballs/rarities available.

TNP777 · September 8, 2008 6:33AM

<< Man...those '92 Diamond King Supers...with only 10 said to exist per player...I don't know if I'll ever find a Thomas...and at $800 a pop, I don't know if I want one.

edited to add: If you read this Geordie, I'd love to see your DK Super. >>

Ross, I'm at work right now - I'll get a scan up later tonight if I get a chance.

BunchOBull · September 8, 2008 6:38AM

Thank you sir.

smtjoy · September 8, 2008 7:52AM

Collect Roberto Clemente Cards, Hardest-

Any 1962-68 Venezuelan Topps, I still need about 7 of them and they never come up for sale

Sugardale

1958 Kahns

1960 Bazooka panel thats gradable

ROCKETMAN · September 8, 2008 8:49AM

Do you still have your Clemens collection? Rich
Tried to email you but your locked. Thanks Rocketman7_8@msn.com

NCDOLFAN · September 8, 2008 8:50AM

Any of the 1967 Royal Castle Dolphins but especially the Griese. Been hunting for 17 years and have only seen one and that had the bottom signature cut off.

Stone193 · September 8, 2008 12:51PM

I'm not a player collector - so this has been a fun read.

Thanx for sharing.

The closest thing I have to this is more like variation collecting with respect to sheet music - and I'm "in the hunt" for 2 of the more rare variations AND I already informed my wife they're NOT getting away!

mike

mcholke · September 8, 2008 1:16PM

Interesting reading. I thought it would be nice to see a few more photos. Here are the Perez cards that have been tough for me to find

TNP777 · September 8, 2008 3:10PM

Ross, here you go - regular & the Super:

BunchOBull · September 8, 2008 9:41PM

Wow, it's in great shape too. Very nice Geordie. Thanks for sharing.

MeteoriteGuy · September 8, 2008 10:41PM

For Steve Young it would be the 1985 Miller Lite Beer Steve Young, which I am pretty sure is a Canadian regional. A close tie, have only ever seen one, is the 1984 BYU All-Time Greats Steve Young. It sold on eBay for around $100, with a blurry photo and a bad feedback seller.

ajw · September 8, 2008 11:40PM

I agree, the pictures really help make this thread. Here are a handful of the really tough Will Clark cards that I've added to my collection.

1991 O'Connell and Son - released by TS O'Connell, the editor of Sports Collectors Digest

1991 Pacific Gas & Electric - inserted into the Giants game day program

1991 SF Examiner - I'm assuming this was inserted into newspapers, but I don't really know

1989 Topps Heads Up Test Issue - Nearly identical to the 1990 issue, but with a different copyright date. Unfortunately, mine has paper loss right by that copyright

There are also several discs produced in 1988-1990 that are really tough. Here's one of the tougher examples from 1988:

redlegs · September 8, 2008 11:42PM

Here are some of my Johnny Bench cards that were hard to come by. I'm still trying to track down a 1968 Kahn's Bench in a psa 8.

redlegs · September 8, 2008 11:43PM

Kid4hof03 · September 9, 2008 12:23AM

Here are a few of my tough to find Gary Carter issues.

1976 Red Path Sugar Packet, I've never seen an actual packet, this is a scan of the Carter from a full sheet I have

1982 Topps Blackless, I still need the all star card, that one is very tough to find

1982 FBI disc panel with Rich Gossage

1984 Topps encased variation

1989 Topps Doubleheaders Yankees Mets test issue

I've shown this one before, but 1990 Donruss Aqueous

BunchOBull · September 9, 2008 12:40AM

Here's a little better look at that '87 Auburn U. Thomas card:

A few other toughies:
1996 You Crash the Game Gold (real wood card, another redemption that wasn't redeemed in great quantities...I've only ever seen 2):

'98 Bankruptcy Issue (was supposed to be destroyed, I have several of these):

Fairly rare real auto promo for the popular '96 Leaf Signature series:

mikeschmidt · September 9, 2008 12:42AM

For Mike Schmidt, it is the 1977 Topps Venezuelan Sticker and the 1982 FBI Foods disc.

Marc

TheVon · September 9, 2008 2:40AM

For Jim Rice, the hardest card for me to find is the 1978 SSPC ALL STAR GALLERY HAND CUT card. The #1 guy in the registry has one, but other than his, I've never seen one.

flatfoot816 · September 9, 2008 2:46AM

for Yaz collectors--the '69 regular issue is tough, but can be found in PSA-8(I have 2). The real tough ones are: '73 Pin Ups and COmics, '60 Rookie Venezuela, '67 Punch Outs, and of course the legendary '67 Stand Ups.

11235813 · September 9, 2008 3:14AM

For the player I collect, Willie McCovey, his scarcest card is probably his 1970 Topps Cloth Sticker, which is so scarce that it's not even listed in any of the price guides.

Thankfully, though, I was able to buy it from Levi Bleam at 707 Sportcards about twenty years ago at the Labor Day show in San Francisco (back when Bob Lee promoted it and it was a high-quality show). To the best of my knowledge, the copy I have is the only copy in existence, which means that it is a true 1/1.

Here's the scan:

I'm guessing that my McCovey Kellogg's proofs are all also one-of-a-kind items.....

1979:

1971:

1970:

ajw · September 9, 2008 3:29AM

Those are some fantastic McCovey items you have! Have you ever thought about putting together a website to show them off? I'm a big Giants fan, and one day I'll put together a small McCovey collection of my own, but those are really great!

Thanks for sharing.

Drew

Kid4hof03 · September 9, 2008 3:41AM

Incredible McCovey pieces! Thanks for sharing them. It's been a lot of fun seeing so many tough to find items, great collections everyone.

Abe

mikeschmidt · September 9, 2008 6:46AM

<< For Jim Rice, the hardest card for me to find is the 1978 SSPC ALL STAR GALLERY HAND CUT card. The #1 guy in the registry has one, but other than his, I've never seen one. >>

I think it is because PSA does not always grade these cards. The card itself is not hardto find...but the few times I've submitted Carlton and Schmidt from this same set, they have only very sporadically graded it.

I automatically do not include cards that are not hard to find, but hard to find in PSA holders [e.g. like the 1984 Topps Nestle cards...of which I have all three primary cards of Schmidt]

Player collectors- What is the toughest card of the player you collect?

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