There's More Than Junk In This Trunk

Collectors, it’s nearly kickoff time.

The first college football games of the season take place this Saturday, and the NFL is just a couple of weeks behind.

College stars such as Travis Hunter and Quinn Ewers hope to make one last splash before they go pro, and NFL rookie quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels will try to make their marks with their new franchises.

Whether you’re interested in cards for your favorite college team or hunting for a specific NFL rookie card, now is the time to stake your claim on who will have a big year and buy their collectibles.

If you’re making the jump to invest in your picks, let the Mantel community know who has caught your eye.

Now, let’s get into it.

Who’s Tom Brady Buying?

The future Hall-of-Famer appeared at last weekend’s Fanatics Fest in New York and bought a handful of cards. There was an obligatory Joe Montana purchase for the Bay Area native, but Brady also targeted some rookies: Caleb Williams and New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye were spotted in Brady’s stack. As Brady bought the cards, the GOAT and a card seller shared heartfelt words, backed up by a unique bond. Sports Illustrated has the details.

Long Island Trunk Comes With Big Surprise

Brady wasn’t the only big sighting at Fanatics Fest. This uncut sheet of 1935 baseball cards at the Just Collect booth drew a lot of attention as well. It came from a $75 trunk filled with old sports magazines. The previous owner inherited the trunk from a friend who passed away 20 years ago. A curious collector purchased the trunk on Facebook, only to discover two 12-card sheets of 1935 Goudey 4-in-1 baseball cards, both including Babe Ruth. 

Sports Collectors Daily reports Just Collect has sold one sheet for $35,000 and is searching for a buyer for the second sheet.

The Rise, Fall, and Eternal Resurgence of Rookie Cards

Why do we care so much about rookie cards? Because of a card that wasn’t even a true rookie card. In 1952, Topps attempted a new marketing gimmick to attract children, including saving select players such as Mickey Mantle and Jackie Robinson for a second series of higher-numbered cards that would be released later in the season. In the short term, the move was a flop. But by the 1980s, things changed. Today, ‘52 Mantle cards are arguably the most coveted cards in the world.

The Athletic explains how 1952 cards that ended up in the ocean and something called “nostalgia futures” fuel our rookie card obsession.

Hank Aaron Items Pulled From Auction

The supposed bases and home plate Hank Aaron stepped on after career home run No. 715 have been pulled from a Heritage auction after the Atlanta Braves and the Baseball Hall of Fame disputed the bases’ authenticity and ownership. The Braves threatened legal action against Heritage in a cease-and-desist letter, and Heritage responded Wednesday night by filing a lawsuit against the baseball team, accusing the Braves of defamation, business disparagement, intentional interference with contractual relations and intentional interference with prospective economic relations. Bidding had surpassed $50,000 by the time the items were pulled.

Read more about this ongoing dispute at cllct.

Ruthian Bidding Numbers For Babe’s Jersey

In better news for Heritage, the auction house has begun taking bids for Babe Ruth’s jersey from his “Called Shot” game. The auction will close this weekend, and bids have already surpassed $18 million (with buyer’s premium), which would make it the most expensive piece of sports memorabilia in history.

How high do you think it’ll go? Let us know on Mantel.

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