THE KING is Still KING on Cardboard

 

Almost 40 years after he starred for the NEW YORK COSMOS, the legendary Brazilian soccer star PELE' is still commanding premium money on trading cards.

 

Having appeared a few years ago in the SPORTS KINGS series, he is now featured in several TOPPS sets. In my opinion, the most outstanding of these is the Topps Archives autograph card.

 

 

Ironically, this could have been Pele's American card debut had Topps been producing soccer cards in 1975 (assuming they would use the baseball design of the same year). Sadly, they were not.

 

I found only two sales recorded of this card:

$482.77 and an offer accepted from a $649.99 listing.

 

2013 Allen & Ginter included a hodge-podge of Pele cards in their set. A base card, a mini base card, a black border, a Bazooka back, a green back and a blank back.

 

Then there were the A&G memorabilia cards.

 

I purchased a pair of the minis for a small price compared to the specialty cards.

The purpose of the black backs ? Fuck if I know.

 

Then there are the autograph variations - blue autograph (can be found with 2 different border frames).

 

Blue ink have been recorded with $306.58, $315.08, $290, $304, $305, $292.89, $299.95, $311, $276.12, $311.01, $302.22, $318.03, $321, #338, $312.58. Its not certain if some of these were resold as they were not numbered.

 

The red ink rip cards have fared well being only #'d 1 of 10.

 

 

Red ink records were $760, $516.57, $632.57 and $476.00

 

Allen & Ginter autographed box toppers have shown around $400

 

 

 

Topps Tier One autograph cards numbered to # 50 have also sold as follows - $224.72, $274.99, $229.39, $247.50, $237.50 and $219.07

 

 

These Pele cards are part of the modern glut of variations, especially the Topps Allen & Ginter.

If I had the money that these high end cards are bringing, personally I would opt to get some of the vintage Pele cards from the 1960's. But I understand the chase of modern cards.

 

However, whichever the collector chooses, it only proves that PELE is still King ! 

Making My Own Cards - Sketch Art

Sometimes the answer to the simplest dilemas are right in front of us. I have been pre-occupied with my comic book art and making sketch cards of super heroes. While I still have a soft spot for sports cards, the disillusion of many of the products and the high cost of vintage has been prohibitive.

 

So, I decided to make some of my own cards. My heroes, my favorites, my opinion of the most significant players in the sports I like.  After finding my BOSTON BRUINS signed pennant, I was inspired to have a Bobby Orr autograph.

 

With the price of BOBBY ORR cards holding at premium value, he was the first choice to produce my own 1/1 sketch card.

 

To be fair, I caught a glimpse of the LEAF sketch cards that have popped up on ebay. Oddly enough, some of these were done by artist I started out working with on other sets for  Topps and Rittenhouse.

But to be honest, the quality was not what I expected. That is not to deminish the talent or styles of any artists - art is and always will be subjective.

 

I leave the opinion of my own art to those who look and, in some cases purchase the cards. I stopped working for the card companies that paid me only $5-10 per card and began selling my own at a substantial increase to my pocket.

 

Still the All-Time homerun king in my book, HANK AARON was drawn after watching ESPN Sports Century espisode that featured him.

 

Since I've started on the record holders, I had to include the greatest hockey scorer in my lifetime - WAYNE GRETZKY.

 

Last of the group is the hero of my childhood, and part of the Montreal Canadiens dynasty - KEN DRYDEN.

 

The design on the Orr card was left in that stage as I my have grand thoughts of having them signed by the players themselves. Although this is highly unlikely, one can dream, can't one ?

 

WHAT PLAYER WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE DRAWN ON A 1/1 CARD ?

The FIRST AMERICAN NHL TEAM - BOSTON BRUINS Pennant

Just in time for the start of the NHL season I  found this BOSTON BRUINS pennant at the flea market last week. It had a wonderful NHL seal dominating the pennant with the year 1924 - when the Boston Bruins entered the NHL.

I know I hadn't been able to afford a Bobby Orr autograph on the regular market, so this was paramount in landing a great white whale. Someone took a great deal of time to put these signatures together.

 

The pennant was encased in a hard plastic sleeve. On the reverse were some old school lable maker tags identifying most of the autographs. Tucked in there was a ticket for a 1990's signing for Vezina winner Jim Carey.

 

 

Apart from the last Bruins' Stanley Cup winners, there is a good representation from all of the club's successes from the 1940's to the 1990's. 

 

 Here are the 23 Bruins fan favorites including (ten) 10 HALL OF FAMERS *:

Ray Bourque *
Johnny Bucyk *
Lyndon Byers
Jim Carey
Jon Casey
Gerry Cheevers *
Phil Esposito *
Fern Flaman *
Stephen Heinze
Sugar Jim Henry
Ken Hodge
Al Iafrate
Tom Johnson *
Joe Juneau
Rick Middleton
Cam Neely *
Bobby Orr *
Barry Pederson
Brad Park *
Milt Schmidt *
David Shaw
Bryan Smolinski
Cam Stewart

Some of the more interesting non-Hall of Famers are Lyndon Byers, who is known for his post-hockey career in film and radio. He is known in Boston for his on air radio antics.

Joe Juneau held the rookie record (1992-93) for most points in a season by a left wing. He was an Olympian who won the Silver Medal at the 1992 Albertville games.

Barry  Pederson was part of the historical trade that sent Cam Neely to the Bruins. Pederson returned to end his career with the Bruins.

Bryan Smoliski played over 1,000 NHL games.

My favorite group from this pennant is the 1970's super team Stanley Cup winners - Bobby Orr, Phil Esposito, Johnny Bucyk, Ken Hodge and Gerry Cheevers.

A close second are the early Bruins - Fern Flaman, Milt Schmidt, "Sugar" Jim Henry and Montreal Canadian great Tom Johnson who coached the Bruins to the 1970 Cup.

1951-52 Parkhurst "Sugar" Jim Henry card.

If I could have had Eddie Shore's autograph on the pennant it would be the entire history of the club on 15 inches of felt !

 

USA Gold Cup High Lights Topps MLS Players

TOPPS has got a winner on its hands. The US National Team's CONCACAF GOLD CUP victory put a spotlight on MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER. With a majority of the European based Americans taking a summer break, USA Manager Jurgen Klinsmann opted to use a domestic league "B side".

 

Topps' 2013 MLS card set is loaded with variations of cards that feature Gold Cup Champions -

 

A late call up, Sporting KC's MATT Besler was tough on defense.

 

Chicago's goalkeeper SEAN JOHNSON recorded a clean sheet in his one chance between the posts.

 

EDDIE JOHNSON scored 14 seconds after coming on as a sub. He also scored in the semi-final.

GRAHAM ZUSI was seen as the successor to Landon Donovan.

 

LANDON DONOVAN erased all rumors of his demise. His 5 goals netted him of the Golden Boot as top scorer (tied with 2 others) and the Golden Ball as tournament MVP.

 

Once forgotten midfield enforcer, KYLE BECKERMAN was a surprise to everyone except maybe Klinsmann.

With the # 1 and # 2 U.S. netminders playing in England, NICK RIMANDO was called to duty and came up big. He's going to Brazil - but maybe as the # 2 not # 3 goalkeeper.

 

The dangerman, and Mexico's nemesis, was FC Dallas'  Panamanian star - BLAS PEREZ.

Top scorer in MLS over the past 2 seasons, CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI came to play. Wearing and extra "W" on his jersey nameplate, the error resulted in a hattrick against Belize.  He tied for the Golden Boot with 5 goals.

 

Other MLS players who fared well were Marvin Chavez and Clarence Goodson of the San Jose Earthquakes, and Alvaro Saborio of Real Salt Lake.

 

The Gold Cup has come a long way and is a showcase for many of the regions best players. It might be time for PANINI to step up and do a sticker set for the next tournament.

ACC Show Highlights ... part 2

Continuing the summery of the 3-day ACC7 show, I finally had a chance to photograph the STAR WARS give-away trading cards from SQUAD 7 (of the 501st). Each member has his or her own card. Some, like Gina's are signed. Gina was great in giving me info on Star Wars toys which I picked up at the show. They know their universe.

 

In honor of Squad 7, I was commissioned to do a pin up poster - penciled and inked - of General Grievous.

 

There were a few dealers from Japan with anime statues and toys. They were expensive. Here, a Ninja stands guard over the tables.

 

Below, a trio of gals are costumed up for the day.

 

There were other rooms for gaming which I only had a chance to see on the last day. But the stuff was very detailed and looked pretty cool. I don't play, but would love to make some of the props.

 

I also did a commission of a WAR HAMMER orc figure. One of the few I was able to get a picture of before the buyer pick them up.

 

I do a 2-day comic book show in Jacksonville tomorrow. Finding time to finish the art work and blog is a hard task. Thanks for reading.

ACC7 Show ... Highlights

So Ancient City Con 7 came and went. Three days of furry costumes, steampunk and assorted cosplay. There were some talented artists on hand. One in particular, SAVY LIM, had this colored print of Logan (aka WOLVERINE).

I was fortunate enough to beg and finally trade art for the original art - which is just mind bogglingly detailed. (just look at the hair from the torso !)

 

Sometimes pictures do not justice to the visual effect when you see the costumes. This guy's eyes lit up (literally) in stealth mode.

 

This regal couple (Mr. and Mrs. Steampunk) were part of the steampunk movement - and theme to this show.

 

Here are examples of some of the great craftmanship of steampunk costumes and accessories.

 

and the punk mobile ...

Members of the 501st Legion, Squad 7 - from Jacksonville, were on hand. A nice bunch who gave out STAR WARS stickers and personal cards of their characters.

 

 

I did a good bunch of convention sketches - but only got to take a few photos of them. Here is "Zombie Wolverine".

 

more later.

BRA-ZIL : 2013 Confederations Cup Review

 

After what was one of the best "mini" pre-World Cup tournaments - i.e. The confederations Cup, a few stars reaffirmed their status:

 

Italy's goalkeeper - "GIGI" BUFFON had the combined smile and determination to bring Italy 3rd Place. Saving 3 pk's in the overtime did nothing to add to his legendary image.

 

 

A recent move (or is it ?) to Chelsea put Serie A top goalscorer EDINSON CAVANI farther into the spotlight.  But his free kicks and stealth play over-shadowed teammates Suarez and Forlan.

 

 

For all his flopping and faking, NEYMAR did produce goals for Brazil. His move to Europe will be a measuring stick to success.

 

 

Although they were totally out of their league - I give Tahiti National Team credit for sportsmanship and effort. It was a refreshing to see players without egos and playing purely for the love of the game.

 

I can't wait for next year's World Cup. But we are only a month away from the European season.

 

Yeah !