| The Horror... The Horror... Baseball Card Atrocities!) R.I.P. |
Long before there were grading companies that entombed a card forever in a plastic case, long before there were plastic sleeves and sheets to protect & store
cards in, long before there was a Beckett's or Sports Collectors Digest to tell you how much a card is "worth," there were the cards themselves. What did these naive
card collectors for heaven's sake do with their cardboard treasures? They PLAYED with them that's what! They studied the stats, checked out what a player looked like
in his new uniform, looked for errors and goofs that the card companies occassionally would provide for them, played games with them, traded for them, wrote on
them, and even stuck 'em on bike spokes to make cool sound effects. The hobby and dealers would have you think these are "JUNK," when actually they are really just
"well loved cards." Here we present a gallery of some well loved cards. These cards have been loved more than the most expensive cards in the world. Enjoy!
cards in, long before there was a Beckett's or Sports Collectors Digest to tell you how much a card is "worth," there were the cards themselves. What did these naive
card collectors for heaven's sake do with their cardboard treasures? They PLAYED with them that's what! They studied the stats, checked out what a player looked like
in his new uniform, looked for errors and goofs that the card companies occassionally would provide for them, played games with them, traded for them, wrote on
them, and even stuck 'em on bike spokes to make cool sound effects. The hobby and dealers would have you think these are "JUNK," when actually they are really just
"well loved cards." Here we present a gallery of some well loved cards. These cards have been loved more than the most expensive cards in the world. Enjoy!
This 1954 Topps Ted Williams card (above left) should get some sort of award for it has almost every kind of atrocity committed upon it; Trimming, writing, creasing,
tears...it just doesn't get any better than this! To the right is a scarce 1952 Berk Ross Ted Williams, graded by SGC as "10 Poor." This is an example of a well used, but
not abused card. How many of you that are 57 years old are in "perfect" condition, with no wrinkles, dings or other flaws? Yeah, I thought so...
tears...it just doesn't get any better than this! To the right is a scarce 1952 Berk Ross Ted Williams, graded by SGC as "10 Poor." This is an example of a well used, but
not abused card. How many of you that are 57 years old are in "perfect" condition, with no wrinkles, dings or other flaws? Yeah, I thought so...
1954 Topps #1 Ted Williams
Mickey Mantle is one of the most beloved baseball players; partly because of his exploits
on the field, and partly of his exploits off the field, which resulted in his premature death
in 1996. This 1953 Bowman Mickey Mantle card truly looks like it has spent the last 56
years in someone's back pocket. Bob Costas perhaps? (Costas by the way keeps a 1958
Topps Mantle All-Star card in his wallet). I don't think there is a place on this card that
ISN'T creased! (Note: This card still managed to sell on ebay for $83.45!)
on the field, and partly of his exploits off the field, which resulted in his premature death
in 1996. This 1953 Bowman Mickey Mantle card truly looks like it has spent the last 56
years in someone's back pocket. Bob Costas perhaps? (Costas by the way keeps a 1958
Topps Mantle All-Star card in his wallet). I don't think there is a place on this card that
ISN'T creased! (Note: This card still managed to sell on ebay for $83.45!)
1953 Bowman #59 Mickey Mantle
This Tony Conigliaro card is from the 1967 season in which he was seriously beaned and
missed the World Series. This card is a well loved gem that reminds us of what could of
been for Tony C..." (card courtesy of the Fred Mauro Collection)
For more on Tony C, check out our new TONY C Page!
missed the World Series. This card is a well loved gem that reminds us of what could of
been for Tony C..." (card courtesy of the Fred Mauro Collection)
For more on Tony C, check out our new TONY C Page!
1955 Topps #2 Ted Williams
1955 Topps #47 Hank Aaron
This is just a damn shame. How can ANYONE deface a Ted Williams card? I am at a loss for words on this one.
I also have no idea why someone would trim (& badly at that) this second year Henry "Hank" Aaron card. Sometimes you find cards that have been trimmed slightly to hide flaws
and make the card appear nicer than it is. This is death to a baseball card. And worse it is usually a high priced card that someone ends up paying a lot of money for. That is called
"deceptive trimming." The Aaron card above is not a deceptively trimmed card at all. But either way trimmed cards bring little if any value so I don't suggest you do ANY of these things
to your cards!
I also have no idea why someone would trim (& badly at that) this second year Henry "Hank" Aaron card. Sometimes you find cards that have been trimmed slightly to hide flaws
and make the card appear nicer than it is. This is death to a baseball card. And worse it is usually a high priced card that someone ends up paying a lot of money for. That is called
"deceptive trimming." The Aaron card above is not a deceptively trimmed card at all. But either way trimmed cards bring little if any value so I don't suggest you do ANY of these things
to your cards!
I guess someone did not like the potato chips as they cut out
"Dan-Dee" from the front of this very scarce Mickey
Mantle issue. Too bad, as this card otherwise would be
very valuable (around $2000 in NM condition). As it is this
one would grade POOR at best and definetly used as a
"filler" until a better copy could be obtained. Regardless it is
a VERY tough Mantle and one of the most expensive Mickey
Mantle cards from the 1950's. Note the tape stain on the
card back; this card was probably taped to the wall of a
young Mickey Mantle fan back in 1954.
"Dan-Dee" from the front of this very scarce Mickey
Mantle issue. Too bad, as this card otherwise would be
very valuable (around $2000 in NM condition). As it is this
one would grade POOR at best and definetly used as a
"filler" until a better copy could be obtained. Regardless it is
a VERY tough Mantle and one of the most expensive Mickey
Mantle cards from the 1950's. Note the tape stain on the
card back; this card was probably taped to the wall of a
young Mickey Mantle fan back in 1954.
(back viewl)
1954 Dan-Dee Potato Chips Mickey Mantle
This "Say Hey" Willie Mays card was well loved. So well-loved in
fact that "Allen" had to put his name on his beloved treasure.
This card has not really been abused, but rather was the victim
of unconditional love. The obvious corner rounding is further
testimony that this card was well-handled, probably studied over
numerous times by Allen as he debated with his pals over who
was the greatest centerfielder in New York in 1954- Willie,
Mickey, or the "Duke." Allen, wherever you are, I hope you
someday get your card back...
fact that "Allen" had to put his name on his beloved treasure.
This card has not really been abused, but rather was the victim
of unconditional love. The obvious corner rounding is further
testimony that this card was well-handled, probably studied over
numerous times by Allen as he debated with his pals over who
was the greatest centerfielder in New York in 1954- Willie,
Mickey, or the "Duke." Allen, wherever you are, I hope you
someday get your card back...
1954 Topps #90 Willie Mays
EEEEEEK!!! Saw this one on eBay. A 1953 Topps #1 Jackie Robinson is a very valuable
card; however this one has been torn right through Jackie's forehead which would lower the
grade to no better than Poor, the lowest grade on the grading scale. Too bad. There is no way
this tear is accidental so some kid probably either didn't like Jackie Robinson (maybe he was a
Giants fan) or maybe it was a little sister who got in her brother's room and created mayhem.
Who knows. Regardless it finds a treasured spot on our BASEBALL CARD ATROCITIES page!
card; however this one has been torn right through Jackie's forehead which would lower the
grade to no better than Poor, the lowest grade on the grading scale. Too bad. There is no way
this tear is accidental so some kid probably either didn't like Jackie Robinson (maybe he was a
Giants fan) or maybe it was a little sister who got in her brother's room and created mayhem.
Who knows. Regardless it finds a treasured spot on our BASEBALL CARD ATROCITIES page!
| 1955 Topps #210 Duke Snider |
WHAT THE ??????!!!
P.S.> I am looking for a vintage card that has been shot with a
BB gun or has some cool holes punched in it. If you have any,
or of ANY other great card that has been tortured to death
please send me a scan and I will add your card to our
BASEBALL CARD ATTROCITIES PAGE!!!
P.S.> I am looking for a vintage card that has been shot with a
BB gun or has some cool holes punched in it. If you have any,
or of ANY other great card that has been tortured to death
please send me a scan and I will add your card to our
BASEBALL CARD ATTROCITIES PAGE!!!
This 1955 Topps Duke Snider card happens to be the last card in the set
and as such, it is rarely found in high grade. This one has seen some time with
what looks like water stains, surface wear, and well rounded corners. This
card has not really been "abused," but it appears it did suffer some
unintentional damage. Maybe it was in a basement that got flooded (which
happened to my 1972 Topps collection back in the great Highland Park flood
of '72). But compared to the 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle card (above, right)
this Snider appears pretty damn good!
and as such, it is rarely found in high grade. This one has seen some time with
what looks like water stains, surface wear, and well rounded corners. This
card has not really been "abused," but it appears it did suffer some
unintentional damage. Maybe it was in a basement that got flooded (which
happened to my 1972 Topps collection back in the great Highland Park flood
of '72). But compared to the 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle card (above, right)
this Snider appears pretty damn good!
| 1953 Topps #1 Jackie Robinson |
| 1956 Topps #135 Mickey Mantle |
1971 Topps #630 Roberto Clemente 1963 Topps #200 Mickey Mantle 1953 Bowman Color #117 Duke Snider
One thing about lesser condition cards is that you can get them for CHEAP! While not the most eye-pleasing examples, they are still vintage baseball cards
and some, like the above examples, can literally be had for pennies on the dollar. All 3 of these examples were listed on eBay. I don't know how much they
actually sold for, but I would imagine the Clemente sold for less than $5, the Mantle for maybe $15-$20, and the Snider, which looks like an example of
"Rats Gone Wild," for maybe the same. If these cards were near mint examples, the Clemente would sell for about $90, the Mantle for close to $400, and
the Snider for $450.
and some, like the above examples, can literally be had for pennies on the dollar. All 3 of these examples were listed on eBay. I don't know how much they
actually sold for, but I would imagine the Clemente sold for less than $5, the Mantle for maybe $15-$20, and the Snider, which looks like an example of
"Rats Gone Wild," for maybe the same. If these cards were near mint examples, the Clemente would sell for about $90, the Mantle for close to $400, and
the Snider for $450.
| 1968 Topps #280 Tony Conigliaro |
1977 TCMA Ed Plank
| 1963 Fleer #8 Carl Yastrzemski |
1954 Topps #90 Willie Mays (front view) (Back view)
Collector Matt Ranson sent me a scan of this 1954 Topps #90 Willie Mays (sorry the the long delay!) and I finally have put it up. The front is not so bad; it shows evidence
of being well handled, but not abused. The back, however, is another story. It is obvious that this card was once pasted in a scrapbook with black pages. Then later the card was
removed, tearing part of the card and parts of the black scrapbook paper. This is not at all uncommon among vintage cards. It is especially common among Topps Venezuelan
issues. Today, this card lists for $375 in near mint (NM) condition (2009 Sports Collector's Digest Standard Catalog Of Baseball Cards, Krause Publications); however a card
in the above condition (probably "Poor") would fetch significantly less. Matt purchased this card for ONE DOLLAR! Way to go Matt! And thanks for the scan.
of being well handled, but not abused. The back, however, is another story. It is obvious that this card was once pasted in a scrapbook with black pages. Then later the card was
removed, tearing part of the card and parts of the black scrapbook paper. This is not at all uncommon among vintage cards. It is especially common among Topps Venezuelan
issues. Today, this card lists for $375 in near mint (NM) condition (2009 Sports Collector's Digest Standard Catalog Of Baseball Cards, Krause Publications); however a card
in the above condition (probably "Poor") would fetch significantly less. Matt purchased this card for ONE DOLLAR! Way to go Matt! And thanks for the scan.
1933-36 Zeenut PCL Joe "DeMaggio" (DiMaggio)
This is just a ridiculously rare card - 1933-36 Zeenut Pacific Coast League Joe DiMaggio SGC 10. Obviously it is beat up (and graded "POOR" by SGC), but this is such an
important card. It pictures Joe "DeMaggio" of the San Francisco Seals, prior to his contract being bought by the New York Yankees. These Zeenut cards had coupons that were intended to
be cut out and mailed in for premiums; hence this card is missing the coupon. Regardless this is a super card of one of the all-time greats. "Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio... Our
nation turns it's lonely eyes to you..." (from Simon & Garfunkel's song, "Mrs. Robinson.").
P.S. This card is currently listed on eBay with a buy it now price of $5775.000 (January 2009)! Wow!
important card. It pictures Joe "DeMaggio" of the San Francisco Seals, prior to his contract being bought by the New York Yankees. These Zeenut cards had coupons that were intended to
be cut out and mailed in for premiums; hence this card is missing the coupon. Regardless this is a super card of one of the all-time greats. "Where have you gone Joe DiMaggio... Our
nation turns it's lonely eyes to you..." (from Simon & Garfunkel's song, "Mrs. Robinson.").
P.S. This card is currently listed on eBay with a buy it now price of $5775.000 (January 2009)! Wow!
1948-49 Leaf #1 Joe DiMaggio
Here is another "beat up" Joe D card, a 1948-49 Leaf #1 Joe DiMaggio SGC 10 POOR. It looks like it was almost folded into "quarters," and exhibits severe edge (probably
from rubber bands) and corner wear. In spite of it's condition, it is still a wonderful card. Some would say "what a piece of junk" or some other unflattering statement. And those are
the kinds of people this hobby can do without. If you were to take this card to a dealer he would probably scoff at it and send you on your way. However for true card lovers and
baseball fans, this is a piece of art. Condition has nothing to do with it.
from rubber bands) and corner wear. In spite of it's condition, it is still a wonderful card. Some would say "what a piece of junk" or some other unflattering statement. And those are
the kinds of people this hobby can do without. If you were to take this card to a dealer he would probably scoff at it and send you on your way. However for true card lovers and
baseball fans, this is a piece of art. Condition has nothing to do with it.
1956 Topps lot in various low grade condition
The above 1956 Topps baseball cards are part of a complete set that is listed on eBay. What's wonderful about this set is that it is mostly low grade and the cards exhibit just about
everything wrong you could do to a card, writing, custom cutting, holes punched, rips, tears, notching, severe corner wear and creasing, even sun fading. You gotta love it! Except for the
selling price...$1295.00, courtesy of 707 Sportscards. Now if a 1956 Topps complete set in VERY GOOD condition lists in the 2009 Sports Collectors Digest
Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards for $2550, why in the world would anyone want to shell out about half that for a 1956 set in wonderfully terrible condition??? This set would not even
grade GOOD (to it's credit, 707 does list the set as "PR-GD"). Btw, 707 Sportscards is listed in the SCD Catalog as a "contributor" to the catalog. What a joke. Anyway the cards are
great. I especially love the custom trim job on the Jackie Robinson card. Also check out the severe wear on the Koufax card. This card was handled beyond belief, just look at the corners
and severe surface wear! Love it!
everything wrong you could do to a card, writing, custom cutting, holes punched, rips, tears, notching, severe corner wear and creasing, even sun fading. You gotta love it! Except for the
selling price...$1295.00, courtesy of 707 Sportscards. Now if a 1956 Topps complete set in VERY GOOD condition lists in the 2009 Sports Collectors Digest
Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards for $2550, why in the world would anyone want to shell out about half that for a 1956 set in wonderfully terrible condition??? This set would not even
grade GOOD (to it's credit, 707 does list the set as "PR-GD"). Btw, 707 Sportscards is listed in the SCD Catalog as a "contributor" to the catalog. What a joke. Anyway the cards are
great. I especially love the custom trim job on the Jackie Robinson card. Also check out the severe wear on the Koufax card. This card was handled beyond belief, just look at the corners
and severe surface wear! Love it!
1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle PSA PR-FR 1
Another gem courtesy of Levi Bleam and 707 Sportscards! This card looks like it went through the wash and was handled quite a bit judging from the creasing, surface wear and
corner rounding. Asking price: "only" $3000. Ouch!
corner rounding. Asking price: "only" $3000. Ouch!
1955 Topps #2 Ted Williams KSA 1(Fair/Poor)
This 1955 Topps #2 Ted Williams baseball card was folded in half at some point. What a shame. But you have to remember that baseball cards were for kids and kids did with them
what kids are going to do. And as seen above, this is not the worst you could do to a card.
The 1954 Topps (#250), 1955 Topps (#2), as well as the 1956 Topps (#5) Ted Williams cards used the same large picture of Teddy Ballgame. The same photo was also used for a card
in the 1959 Fleer Ted Williams set (#63, "Ted's All-Star Record") and Topps later used the same photo (in original black and white) in a special "Sporting News All-Time Greats" subset in
their 1976 Topps baseball set (card #347). Topps used multiple photos several times including Hank Aaron (1954-55-56 and 1968-69), Willie Mays (1954-55-56 and 1965-68, 66-69),
Tom Seaver (1968-69), just to name a few.
what kids are going to do. And as seen above, this is not the worst you could do to a card.
The 1954 Topps (#250), 1955 Topps (#2), as well as the 1956 Topps (#5) Ted Williams cards used the same large picture of Teddy Ballgame. The same photo was also used for a card
in the 1959 Fleer Ted Williams set (#63, "Ted's All-Star Record") and Topps later used the same photo (in original black and white) in a special "Sporting News All-Time Greats" subset in
their 1976 Topps baseball set (card #347). Topps used multiple photos several times including Hank Aaron (1954-55-56 and 1968-69), Willie Mays (1954-55-56 and 1965-68, 66-69),
Tom Seaver (1968-69), just to name a few.
| 1951 Topps Ringside #32 Rocky Marciano |
I noticed that most of our examples on this page are mostly baseball, so I thought I'd throw in a boxing
card. This card has seen better days, heavy creasing, torn paper, bent, and I think safe to say this card
has been handled quite a bit. Regardless, the seller of this card wants over $70 for it on eBay. And
while this card is considered a "valuable" card, in this condition I think $70 is "Reaching For The
Stars." Good luck on that.
The 1951 Topps Ringside cards is considered a classic boxing set. It featured most of the great
names in boxing: Joe Louis, Ray Robinson, John L. Sullivan, and this early Rocky Marciano card,
which is considered to be his "rookie card." A heavy hitter, Rocky Marciano retired undefeated as
Heavyweight Champ. Marciano's 1951 Topps Ringside card is a heavy hitter as well fetching a few
hundred bucks or more for NM examples. For more boxing cards, see our new Nowbatting19's
Boxing Page!
card. This card has seen better days, heavy creasing, torn paper, bent, and I think safe to say this card
has been handled quite a bit. Regardless, the seller of this card wants over $70 for it on eBay. And
while this card is considered a "valuable" card, in this condition I think $70 is "Reaching For The
Stars." Good luck on that.
The 1951 Topps Ringside cards is considered a classic boxing set. It featured most of the great
names in boxing: Joe Louis, Ray Robinson, John L. Sullivan, and this early Rocky Marciano card,
which is considered to be his "rookie card." A heavy hitter, Rocky Marciano retired undefeated as
Heavyweight Champ. Marciano's 1951 Topps Ringside card is a heavy hitter as well fetching a few
hundred bucks or more for NM examples. For more boxing cards, see our new Nowbatting19's
Boxing Page!
1967 Venezuelan Topps #211 Brooks Robinson (back view)
To be fair, most of the Venezuela Topps issues you come across are going to be in lower grades. The cards were intended to be pasted into albums. The above 1967 Venezuelan
#211 Brooks Robinson is in very low grade; it shows evidence of being pasted (and then recklessly removed, tearing away paper from the back) from an album, and also water or coffee
stains along with surface wear. Other than that, this is a great card! Check out the smile on Brooks' face!
#211 Brooks Robinson is in very low grade; it shows evidence of being pasted (and then recklessly removed, tearing away paper from the back) from an album, and also water or coffee
stains along with surface wear. Other than that, this is a great card! Check out the smile on Brooks' face!
1952 Topps Gene Woodling
1959 Topps #420 Rocco "Rocky" Colavito (back view)
Another well-loved card. This 1959 Topps #420 Rocco Colavito shows heavy wear; surface, edges, corner, plus creases, tape residue, writing on front and back. It just doesn't get
any better than this. By the way, the 1959 Topps Rocky Colavito was the last to call him by his legal name "Rocco." But everyone knew him as "Rocky" and on every Topps card
thereafter they list his name as "Rocky Colavito." A real fan favorite, Rocky Colavito put up some huge numbers in a relatively short career (1955-1968). Colavito was one of the
American League's most feared sluggers, he was usually among the league leaders in Home Runs and RBI's during his career. In essentially a 13 year career Rocky bashed nearly 400
home runs (374) and drove in 1159 runs. Over a 162 game schedule, Colavito would have averaged 33 HRs and 102 RBIs per season! As such I think he should be in the Hall Of
Fame. For more on Rocky Colavito check out our Hall Of Fame Page!
any better than this. By the way, the 1959 Topps Rocky Colavito was the last to call him by his legal name "Rocco." But everyone knew him as "Rocky" and on every Topps card
thereafter they list his name as "Rocky Colavito." A real fan favorite, Rocky Colavito put up some huge numbers in a relatively short career (1955-1968). Colavito was one of the
American League's most feared sluggers, he was usually among the league leaders in Home Runs and RBI's during his career. In essentially a 13 year career Rocky bashed nearly 400
home runs (374) and drove in 1159 runs. Over a 162 game schedule, Colavito would have averaged 33 HRs and 102 RBIs per season! As such I think he should be in the Hall Of
Fame. For more on Rocky Colavito check out our Hall Of Fame Page!
Gene Woodling does not look like he enjoys having his picture taken...
1968 Topps #177 Mets Rookie Stars (Jerry Koosman, Nolan Ryan)
Now at one time this may have been considered "Jerry Koosman's rookie card," and it certainly is. Jerry Koosman was the lefty ace pitcher for the Mets to the franchise pitcher Tom
Seaver. Nolan Ryan, while showing an overpowering fastball was still considered a "prospect." Hindsight shows that both pitchers were terrific- Koosman won over 200 games in his
career while Ryan went on to become the All-Time Leader in Strikeouts, No-Hitters and the lowest hits allowed per 9 innings in baseball history. Not to mention over 300 Wins. I am
thinking whoever marked an "X" on Ryan's picture was probably a true blue Mets fan and "X'd" Ryan's face after the Mets traded him to the Angels for Jim Fregosi. Why else would you
mark an "X" and ruin a great rookie card of two great pitchers?
Seaver. Nolan Ryan, while showing an overpowering fastball was still considered a "prospect." Hindsight shows that both pitchers were terrific- Koosman won over 200 games in his
career while Ryan went on to become the All-Time Leader in Strikeouts, No-Hitters and the lowest hits allowed per 9 innings in baseball history. Not to mention over 300 Wins. I am
thinking whoever marked an "X" on Ryan's picture was probably a true blue Mets fan and "X'd" Ryan's face after the Mets traded him to the Angels for Jim Fregosi. Why else would you
mark an "X" and ruin a great rookie card of two great pitchers?
Check back soon for more baseball card attrocities!!!
1962 Topps #1 Roger Maris (Front view) (Back view)
Not too pretty a picture, I thought at first this might be a Venezuela Topps Roger Maris card. Alas, it is the regular Topps card (the back is printed in English,
compared to the 1962 Venezuela Topps cards, which were printed in Spanish). Corner rounding, creasing, scuffing and print marks highlight the front of the card,
while the back is heavily soiled with paper missing; probably this card was pasted in an album. Regardless this is one of the best Roger Maris cards; the back
shows his historic 1961 season statistics, including the 61 Home Runs and 142 RBI's that Roger posted in winning his 2nd consecutive MVP Award.
compared to the 1962 Venezuela Topps cards, which were printed in Spanish). Corner rounding, creasing, scuffing and print marks highlight the front of the card,
while the back is heavily soiled with paper missing; probably this card was pasted in an album. Regardless this is one of the best Roger Maris cards; the back
shows his historic 1961 season statistics, including the 61 Home Runs and 142 RBI's that Roger posted in winning his 2nd consecutive MVP Award.
