More TOPPS minis - We Used To Call Them Cigarette Cards

They call them "mini" cards today. What was once the standard size of a sport card, sold as a premium with cigarettes, are now inserts, chase cards or subsets.

 

The 2013 TOPPS MLS set has included a subset of 15 mini cards. I've picked up 3 of these which I have deemed the best of the lot.

 

LANDON DONOVAN is the USA's all-time leading goal scorer with 57. He is 2nd in appearances with 154 caps, but 1st in games started. He is also 1st in assists and total points for the US National Team. He is a slam dunk future Hall of Famer and probably the best known American soccer player.

Landon Donovan

 

THIERRY HENRY is a the all-time leading goal scorer for France with 51. The Red Bulls star, retired from international duty, finished with 123 caps.

Winning the MLS league title (Supporters Shield) with New York this season, he now has championships in France (Monaco), England (Arsenal), Spain (Barcelona) and the US (New York).

 

In addition, he is the all-time goal scorer for Arsenal (174 league goals), has won the Uefa Champions League and the FIFA World Cup. He has won the Cup in both England (FA Cup) and Spain (Copa del Rey). Already a member of the English Hall of Fame, there is little else he can achieve. If you get a chance to see this legend play, take it.

Thierry Henry

 

In keeping with the theme, ROBBIE KEANE is the all-time leading scorer for the Republic of Ireland with 61. He is also the most capped with 130 appearance. He is still active and will probably add to these numbers. He has scored a whopping 126 Premier League goals.

He has won the League Cup in England (Tottenham) and two MLS Cups with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Robbie Keane

 

This is a very manageable subset that can be easily collected for under $50. Although there is no tobacco product connected to these, they fit in well with cigarette card collecting.

 

DO YOU OWN ANY MINI OR CIGARETTE CARDS ? WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ?

From my fellow blogger up in the Great White North (CANADA, eh ?) comes the latest card contest. WAXAHOLIC kicks off the English Premier League Season with THIS (click here for details).

For a country that supposedly doesn't care about collecting soccer cards, a few gems from the 2012 NATIONAL SPORTS COLLECTORS CONVENTION: 

New York's THIERRY HENRY - autographed card

The above card is cool for several reasons. One, its a nice design by Upper Deck, who are best known for either plain white borders OR glittery metallic haz-mat cardboard. Two, the cards are surely limited edition with a total of 35 world-wide. Now that may seem small for American collectors, but given that Henry is a fan favorite in no less than 40 other countries, its truly scarce. Three, its an autograph of a FIFA World Cup winner (France 1998). 

And four, the photo for the non-autograph version of the card is different. This, in itself, prevents much of the counterfeit signatures that are added to these issues.

The cards were part of a wrapper redemption offer only at the Upper Deck booth at the National Convention.

As Canada has a axe to grind with the USA (just kidding) when it comes to some of our soccer battles, this gem should be a peace offering. Canadian International and MLS All-Star / MVP and soon to be 100 goal scorer - DWAYNE De ROSARIO.

DC United's DWAYNE De ROSARIO

A look at the reverse of the non-signed cards and the Limited Edition seal on each card.

I really like these. I wish Upper Deck would put more effort like this into their soccer products. And if they should need an adviser, call me because I have a thousand ideas.

STOKE CITY, PETER SHILTON and New Soccer Card Prices

Premier League club STOKE CITY continue their tour of the USA tomorrow night. I will be attending their game at the Citrus Bowl against USL PRO Champions Orlando City. 

I am hoping new American signing Geoff Cameron (from Houston Dynamo) will make his debut for Stoke along with City's star players - Peter Crouch, Kenwyne Jones and Thomas Sorensen. Hopefully, I will get a few photos to share of the night for upcoming blogs.

July 25 - Columbus Crew 2, Stoke City 1

July 28 - Orlando City (Citrus Bowl) 7:30 PM

August 1 - Sporting Kansas City (Livestrong Park)

PETER SHILTON -

I've added another 1975 Topps card to my collection. When I wrote about Stan Matthews having cards in 4 different decades,  I could have also added another Stoke City player - PETER SHILTON. 

1975 TOPPS Peter Shilton

Shilton played a record 125 games for England. He also added a phenomenal 1005 league matches. In total he holds the world record for most competitive matches in professional soccer. He made his card debut in the 1960's and had various issued collectables in the 70's, 80's and 90's until his retirement.

This 1975 card makes my checklist of all but one Topps Shilton cards (10 out of 11 completed). 

PRICE WATCH -

The recent ebay prices for modern soccer cards has continued to rise.

Here are just a few high lights :

2012 Upper Deck MLS Marks - Thierry Henry - $232.50

The Upper Deck autograph of the Frenchman fetched over $200 bucks even though the signature is on the "band aid" sticker. 

2008 Sport Kings Gold - Pele -  $306.00

This "on card" Gold autograph (1 of 10) from Sport Kings has been hovering around $900 bucks, so someone got a steal at a third of the price. Still one of the best cards ever to have in your collection.

2012 Futera Unique - Demba Ba - $242.22

The rise in 1 of 1 Futera autograph cards is truly interesting. Such is the wonder with the above card of Newcastle United's young star Demba Ba.  A 1 of 1 of Liverpool star Maxi Rodriguez also sold for $315.00

2001 Upper Deck Man. United - Beckham - $809.99

I made the mistake in thinking the auction had ended on this David Beckham card at around $500.00 - it was furious bidding that push it a further $300 bills ...

Next up:  vintage card prices

MLS Sign Record Holder in Post-World Cup Frenzy

Major League Soccer has dipped their pen into the summer transfer market by signing two record holding players. Both players appeared in the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament in South Africa.

Switzerland's Blaise Nkufo (above), who actually signed for the Seattle Sounders before the World Cup, comes to America as the all-time goal scorer for FC Twente of the Dutch League. (114 goals in 223 appearences) He should be a good addition as the possibility of Freddy Ljungberg leaving are near.

The rumors came true as France's World Cup dream turned into a nightmare ... but that should not tarnish the illustrious career of former Barcelona striker Thierry Henry who heads to New York. A big NBA fan and friend of both Stve Nash and Tony Parker.

Before moving to the Spanish giants, Henry set the scoring record at Arsenal (174 goals in 254 appearences). Although his controversial handball eliminated Ireland from qualifying for South Africa, he will be best remembered as a back-to-back winner of both the World Cup in 1998 and the European Cup in 2000 with France.

Nkufo is coming to a struggling Seattle side who are experiencing the sophmore jinx. Meanwhile, Henry joins the New York Red Bull who are thriving in the new arena and under new manager Hans Backe.

Let's hope that both enjoy their careers in MLS and feature on a few nice trading cards during their stay.