Tales from old beckett/ tuff stuff

BBCgalaxee · Oct 23, 2012

I love to read these old issues (80s-mid 90s) and always come upon interesting stuff/ info lost to time.

Ill post updates as I find cool or little known info, you can do the same too.

Sept 1996 beckett:
Topps was presented with the finest concept in late 1991 by company named "sign & glassworks" of california.

The company was known for its line of tavern mirrors displaying ads.

Topps liked the finest technology but wasn't sure if the hobby would accept a $5 pack.

89 UD PURPLE HAT GRIFFEY:
reader wrote in wondering why beckett refused to list this card despite it being priced at $700 in a different guide.

Beckett said its a printing flaw, similar to blank backs, missing foil etc.

SUPERCOLLECTOR:
Rick walden (clark22fan@aol) was featured that month as a will clark SC...... Is he a member here?

93 sp jeter was $12, murphy jeter $4, 92 bow mariano $3, 94 call up arod $40 & 93 finest ref ripken was $2,500

Lastly, an interesting ad:
Kobe & garnett were signing at a show for $25 (kg) & $15 (kobe)

AmishDave · Oct 23, 2012

There was a diff. mag in the mid 90's that usually came in plastic wrap that had Hot Lists for each sport, plus various stuff, then had Top 20 Rookies, inserts, sets and then insert sets. I know I've still got some of those magazines somewhere, but if anyone can remember the name, that'd be great (since I'm brutal w/remembering things).

Greg Cleveland · Oct 23, 2012

Apart from the card pricing, the best part of old Becketts and Tuff Stuff are the ads for shows and the autograph prices.

allstars · Oct 23, 2012

I have a 1976 copy of "Baseball card News" in which James Beckett is quoted as saying "I've turned down several offers to commercialize my price guide. I'm doing this for the betterment of the hobby & that's enough right there..."

lmao, I guess at some point he reconsidered.

Will Style 13 · Oct 23, 2012

55_marlins_sp said:
There was a diff. mag in the mid 90's that usually came in plastic wrap that had Hot Lists for each sport, plus various stuff, then had Top 20 Rookies, inserts, sets and then insert sets. I know I've still got some of those magazines somewhere, but if anyone can remember the name, that'd be great (since I'm brutal w/remembering things).

Sports Cards Magazine. I used to love the hot list and preview sections. I've got a bunch around here somewhere.

BBCgalaxee · Oct 24, 2012

MARCH 1987 Beckett:

Mantle & ford appeard at a springfield show.
Cost? $12 total for BOTH!

ALL 3 1987 brands were valued the same. That would change later.

A collector was sent 2 million dollars worth of '86 world series tickets by mistake (50,000 tickets) by the mets.
He sent then back & didn't get a thank you.

#1 hot player was mattingly followed by boggs.

Values: 85 topps mcgwire rc .09, 87 donruss maddux rc .15, beckett cover price $2.50

budvandall · Oct 24, 2012

I wish I still had my old price guides. I threw out all of mine when I moved in 2003.::facepalm::

morgoth · Oct 24, 2012

BBCgalaxee said:
MARCH 1987 Beckett:

Mantle & ford appeard at a springfield show.
Cost? $12 total for BOTH!

ALL 3 1987 brands were valued the same. That would change later.

#1 hot player was mattingly followed by boggs.

Values: 85 topps mcgwire rc .09, 87 donruss maddux rc .15, beckett cover price $2.50

I paid $50 in 1992 for Mantle at a show in Oklahoma, still have the ball.

ffgameman · Oct 24, 2012

I still have a Beckett from '96 with Mantle on the cover (commemorating his death).

smapdi · Oct 24, 2012

55_marlins_sp said:
There was a diff. mag in the mid 90's that usually came in plastic wrap that had Hot Lists for each sport, plus various stuff, then had Top 20 Rookies, inserts, sets and then insert sets. I know I've still got some of those magazines somewhere, but if anyone can remember the name, that'd be great (since I'm brutal w/remembering things).

Could've been Collector's Sportslook. They were done by the same people who did Wizard for comics. It was pretty amusing, actually. I miss the olden days when Becketts, et al, were worth picking up for something besides the price guide. They'd have actual articles on various things related to collecting or the sports they followed. Now they just print the sell sheets and press releases practically verbatim.

mlbsalltimegreats · Oct 24, 2012

BBCgalaxee said:
I love to read these old issues (80s-mid 90s) and always come upon interesting stuff/ info lost to time.

Topps liked the finest technology but wasn't sure if the hobby would accept a $5 pack.

:lol:

morgoth · Oct 24, 2012

mlbsalltimegreats said:
:lol:

It's funny now but in 1993 people were still getting over the shock of $1.99 packs.

magicpapa · Oct 24, 2012

magicpapa · Oct 24, 2012

read this when it came outin April 2000, and thought boy I'd like that...............

several years later

BINGO THAT card

HPC · Oct 24, 2012

If Beckett made a magazine that just covered hobby news, articles and featured special reports I would resubscribe in a heartbeat.

budvandall · Oct 24, 2012

HPC said:
If Beckett made a magazine that just covered hobby news, articles and featured special reports I would resubscribe in a heartbeat.

I completely agree. The price guide is worthless anyways.

George_Calfas · Oct 24, 2012

HPC said:
If Beckett made a magazine that just covered hobby news, articles and featured special reports I would resubscribe in a heartbeat.

Yes a monthly or quarterly sports/sports card magazine would be nice. Discuss upcoming products and review the latest releases. Only prices needed would be as a review of the newest products sale prices.

Greg Cleveland · Oct 24, 2012

smapdi said:
Could've been Collector's Sportslook. They were done by the same people who did Wizard for comics. It was pretty amusing, actually. I miss the olden days when Becketts, et al, were worth picking up for something besides the price guide. They'd have actual articles on various things related to collecting or the sports they followed. Now they just print the sell sheets and press releases practically verbatim.

THAT was a fantastic magazine! Loved that it covered all sports, loved the Top 10/20 lists, and it was fun to read. I remember they tried to start the motion to change the Washington Bullets to the Wasington Monuments. They had a logo made up and everything. So the team settled on the Wizards, but I still think of what could have been. The Washington Monuments. "Going to catch the Mons' tonight?" "Yeah Mon!"

Brewer Andy · Oct 24, 2012

Who's the dealer who keeps mailing me 15 page advertisers for old sets/lots etc. with all sports and comics? Lonestar? Either way, as much as I enjoy reading that on the toilet I can't believe Beckett is as bad as it is with their 2 pages of content. Haven't touched one in 4 years now

383astro · Oct 24, 2012

morgoth said:
I paid $50 in 1992 for Mantle at a show in Oklahoma, still have the ball.

I was at a show in OKC in 1992 and got mantle on 2 items (69T and souvenir batting helmet)

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