It’s Masters Week, Collectors!
One of the best weeks on the sports calendar. And as we’re finding, one of the weeks that introduces the most oddball items into the collectibles ecosystem.
Because you can’t just go buy officially licensed Masters and Augusta National merch on Amazon.com… you need to actually be a patron at the tournament. Everything from event badges to branded sugar packets becomes coveted, and of course ends up on eBay.
Our Mike Metzler found some of the strangest circulating out there this week, including, of course, the one and gnomely…
Image Credit: Dave Wilson/ESPN
Masters garden gnomes, first sold for about $50 in 2016, have become one of the event’s most sought-after collectibles, limited to one per patron and drawing long lines each year. Secondary market prices have surged, with early editions expected to exceed $10,000 at auction. Demand has grown through annual variations, while Augusta National has not confirmed whether the item will continue, adding uncertainty to its future.
Fred Couples sold a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle PSA 2.5 for $158,600 through Heritage Auctions, setting a record for that grade. Previous sales at the same grade were significantly lower, including $89,249 in 2022. The card’s listing noted its provenance from Couples’ collection, drawing interest. The 1952 Topps Mantle remains one of the most valuable cards in the hobby, with a record sale of $12.6M.
Topps has secured future exclusive trading card and sticker licenses for major soccer federations, including Brazil (2027), England and Germany (2031), and Italy (2035), replacing longtime partner Panini. The deals include rights to team branding and active players. The shift continues Fanatics’ expansion in licensing, while Panini retains World Cup rights through 2030 and is exploring potential external investment.
Upper Deck will host its 17th annual National Hockey Card Day on April 11, offering free packs at participating hobby shops. The 2026 set includes current stars, legends, and new inserts like “PWHL Powerhouses,” marking the league’s debut. Packs may also contain autographs, while additional promotional cards are available with purchases. The initiative emphasizes in-store engagement and accessibility for new collectors.
More than 70 game (and pre-game)-worn sneakers from Stephen Curry’s 2025–26 season will be auctioned by Sotheby’s from April 13–28, following his departure from Under Armour. The collection reflects his sneaker free agency period, featuring pairs tied to specific games and tributes to players. Auction estimates range from $3,000 to $50,000, with proceeds benefiting Curry’s Eat. Learn. Play. foundation.
Victor Wembanyama’s card market has risen nearly 20% over the past 30 days, driven by team performance and award contention. While high-end cards continue to climb, some lower-tier options remain relatively affordable, including PSA 9 Topps Chrome Refractors, 2022 Bowman Chrome University cards, SI for Kids uncut sheets, and Panini Instant releases, with prices generally ranging from around $120 to $250.
