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matfanofold
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- Aug 10, 2008
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All this talk about iconic card’s and top list’s lately had me motivated, got the creative juices flowing if you will, to toss my hat in the ring and give my perspective. Some say the key to success is not to set yourself up for failure; however anyone who has ever compiled a ‘top’ list will know this exactly what you are doing. Despite that, I tried my best to put personal feeling aside and simply generate a list that I found to be authentic throughout the hobby as a whole and not just from what I have seen locally.
I must say it was mighty difficult narrowing down a tops 10 list that involves our hobby as a whole, not just a single sport which is hard enough. And taking a second look I can see how almost every card on this list could be replaced by some other just as arguably deserving. Having said that, here are my top 10 picks for the most iconic cards our hobby has to offer. Enjoy…
TOP 10 ICONIC ‘ALL SPORTS’ CARDS 1970 – PRESENT
10. 1986 Donruss Jose Canseco RR
In 1986 a young Jose Canseco destine to become half of the ‘bash brothers’ made his cardboard debut in the then acclaimed Donruss Rated Rookie series as part of the regular 1986 Donruss set. Almost instantly insanity ensued. As a teenager I recall going to a large card show at a local Polish Community center that had monthly shows featuring 100+ tables. As I entered early in the day you could pick up the Canseco RR card for $10 and a whole box for $40. By the end of the show (yes, I would hang around all day) boxes were approaching $150 and almost every single dealer had a sign asking to BUY them for $50! This was the card that dethroned the all mighty 1984 Donruss Mattingly and spend the better part of the next decade on everyone’s want list.
9. 1979 O-Pee-Chee Wayne Gretzky RC
Never much of a Hockey viewer or Collector, Gretzkys domination and hobby status transcended the barrier of stardom for the entire collecting hobby and his cardboard was coveted by just about everyone (think Michael Jordan on ice). Even today I can probably not name 5 Hockey players, nor can I picture more than a small handful of hockey cards in my mind, but the 1979 O-Pee-Chee RC remains a constant and forefront image, not only in my mind but as a hobby staple as well.
8. 1981 Topps Joe Montana RC
If you grew up watching sports in the 80’s or even 90’s there were many quarterbacks who stood out, but none higher than the all mighty Joe. He was the golden boy of a football generation and the 1981 Topps RC card he graced was THE football card to have. Even now it is still considered one of the finest
RC cards to own and without question, just about anyone in our hobby can envision this card in a bat of the eye. A must have for any true football collector, the 1981 Topps Joe Montana RC card will forever remain a beacon of what’s right with our hobby.
7. 1985 Topps Mark McGwire USA RC
The other half of the ‘Bash Brothers’, Big Mac as he became affectionately called was a throwback to the times of Babe Ruth as his herculean swings would put balls in to orbit. Known for nothing else but the long ball he took the nation by storm with each swing and this card in particular forged its place in the lore of our hearts, minds, and hobby. At one point this card was fetching $250 - $300 or more for a raw copy. Just think about that for a moment, a base 1985 Topps card raw was selling for hundreds of dollars, like hot cakes!
6. 1980-81 Topps Larry Bird / Magic Johnson RC
Since almost the release of this card/set, the Bird/Magic RC card has had a major impact on the hobby. As the years rolled on and both forged out a Hall Of Fame career, it only picked up steam and iconic stature as a ‘face of the hobby’ type issue. Even non basketball fans have to appreciate such a rare type of card, a rookie card featuring 2 of the most talented, important, and successful players ever to grace the hardwood court. Oh, and to finish off the card trio is a not-so-shabby Julius Erving as well…
5. 1997 Grand Slam Ventures Tiger Woods RC
Almost as soon as Tiger became a professional, he became a household name, and this particular card became the envy and desire of an entire hobby. Although many Woods cards have been produced since carrying the “RC” moniker, this card will forever be remembered as the one that kick started it all. And despite being quite affordable now, it remains a constant icon for Tiger fans, golf collectors, and the hobby as a whole.
4. 1993 Upper Deck SP Derek Jeter RC
A perfect storm of perceived rarity, condition sensitivity, and a player who is undeniably a poster child for baseball itself, the 1993 Upper Deck SP Derek Jeter RC holds a high place on the totem pole of iconic stature in our hobby. Although weighing in heavily as the #4 spot, I believe in the years to come it may very well take over #2 and give #1 a run for its money as Jeter forges his path to the Hall of Fame.
3. 1984 Donruss Don Mattingly RC
Not too many cards, or players for that matter, come close to the demand and respect this particular card/player had over the late 1980’s. The 1984 Donruss Mattingly RC card was not only THE card for baseball collectors, but was the sole spokesmen of the entire hobby for years. Many say it single handedly carried the hobby on its back for years, and surely brought many in to the hobby as it entered the explosion years to follow. The value of this card may have lightened over time but its significance will never be denied.
2. 1986 FLEER Michael Jordan RC
Some say he is the most recognized person on the face of the planet, and his accomplishment(s) are second to none. Jordan is a rare type of athlete who not only stood head and shoulders above his peers, but also transcended the boundaries of individual sports drawing demand and respect with regards to his cardstock by just about everyone in the hobby and beyond. His 1986 FLEER RC card is one of the most known and wanted RC card of all times and as the shadow of his lore solidifies, so does the iconic stature of this card.
1.1989 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr RC
What more can be said about this card that is not already known? It was a landmark set Upper Deck put out in 1989 ushering in the era of ‘premium’ brand cards, and the face of that ship was Ken Griffey Jr. Despite having no lack of availability, and surrounded in controversy, this card was and is a staple of our hobby, the single most known card in the collecting world in my humble opinion. It has been said that this card saved the hobby in the early 90’s and to that end I do not disagree. If the 1952 Mantle is ever to be challenged for sole rights as the hobby cardboard ambassador, this card has the best chance to do so.
Just a side note…
I found it hard to bump anyone off the list with a card post 1993. This is not to say there were not any cards in the last 19 years that did not deserve consideration but rather none were iconic enough (in my opinion) to dethrone what I have listed. This, to me, begs the question ‘can there ever be another iconic card in the making’?
-matfanofold
I must say it was mighty difficult narrowing down a tops 10 list that involves our hobby as a whole, not just a single sport which is hard enough. And taking a second look I can see how almost every card on this list could be replaced by some other just as arguably deserving. Having said that, here are my top 10 picks for the most iconic cards our hobby has to offer. Enjoy…
TOP 10 ICONIC ‘ALL SPORTS’ CARDS 1970 – PRESENT
In 1986 a young Jose Canseco destine to become half of the ‘bash brothers’ made his cardboard debut in the then acclaimed Donruss Rated Rookie series as part of the regular 1986 Donruss set. Almost instantly insanity ensued. As a teenager I recall going to a large card show at a local Polish Community center that had monthly shows featuring 100+ tables. As I entered early in the day you could pick up the Canseco RR card for $10 and a whole box for $40. By the end of the show (yes, I would hang around all day) boxes were approaching $150 and almost every single dealer had a sign asking to BUY them for $50! This was the card that dethroned the all mighty 1984 Donruss Mattingly and spend the better part of the next decade on everyone’s want list.
Never much of a Hockey viewer or Collector, Gretzkys domination and hobby status transcended the barrier of stardom for the entire collecting hobby and his cardboard was coveted by just about everyone (think Michael Jordan on ice). Even today I can probably not name 5 Hockey players, nor can I picture more than a small handful of hockey cards in my mind, but the 1979 O-Pee-Chee RC remains a constant and forefront image, not only in my mind but as a hobby staple as well.
If you grew up watching sports in the 80’s or even 90’s there were many quarterbacks who stood out, but none higher than the all mighty Joe. He was the golden boy of a football generation and the 1981 Topps RC card he graced was THE football card to have. Even now it is still considered one of the finest
RC cards to own and without question, just about anyone in our hobby can envision this card in a bat of the eye. A must have for any true football collector, the 1981 Topps Joe Montana RC card will forever remain a beacon of what’s right with our hobby.
The other half of the ‘Bash Brothers’, Big Mac as he became affectionately called was a throwback to the times of Babe Ruth as his herculean swings would put balls in to orbit. Known for nothing else but the long ball he took the nation by storm with each swing and this card in particular forged its place in the lore of our hearts, minds, and hobby. At one point this card was fetching $250 - $300 or more for a raw copy. Just think about that for a moment, a base 1985 Topps card raw was selling for hundreds of dollars, like hot cakes!
Since almost the release of this card/set, the Bird/Magic RC card has had a major impact on the hobby. As the years rolled on and both forged out a Hall Of Fame career, it only picked up steam and iconic stature as a ‘face of the hobby’ type issue. Even non basketball fans have to appreciate such a rare type of card, a rookie card featuring 2 of the most talented, important, and successful players ever to grace the hardwood court. Oh, and to finish off the card trio is a not-so-shabby Julius Erving as well…
Almost as soon as Tiger became a professional, he became a household name, and this particular card became the envy and desire of an entire hobby. Although many Woods cards have been produced since carrying the “RC” moniker, this card will forever be remembered as the one that kick started it all. And despite being quite affordable now, it remains a constant icon for Tiger fans, golf collectors, and the hobby as a whole.
A perfect storm of perceived rarity, condition sensitivity, and a player who is undeniably a poster child for baseball itself, the 1993 Upper Deck SP Derek Jeter RC holds a high place on the totem pole of iconic stature in our hobby. Although weighing in heavily as the #4 spot, I believe in the years to come it may very well take over #2 and give #1 a run for its money as Jeter forges his path to the Hall of Fame.
Not too many cards, or players for that matter, come close to the demand and respect this particular card/player had over the late 1980’s. The 1984 Donruss Mattingly RC card was not only THE card for baseball collectors, but was the sole spokesmen of the entire hobby for years. Many say it single handedly carried the hobby on its back for years, and surely brought many in to the hobby as it entered the explosion years to follow. The value of this card may have lightened over time but its significance will never be denied.
Some say he is the most recognized person on the face of the planet, and his accomplishment(s) are second to none. Jordan is a rare type of athlete who not only stood head and shoulders above his peers, but also transcended the boundaries of individual sports drawing demand and respect with regards to his cardstock by just about everyone in the hobby and beyond. His 1986 FLEER RC card is one of the most known and wanted RC card of all times and as the shadow of his lore solidifies, so does the iconic stature of this card.
What more can be said about this card that is not already known? It was a landmark set Upper Deck put out in 1989 ushering in the era of ‘premium’ brand cards, and the face of that ship was Ken Griffey Jr. Despite having no lack of availability, and surrounded in controversy, this card was and is a staple of our hobby, the single most known card in the collecting world in my humble opinion. It has been said that this card saved the hobby in the early 90’s and to that end I do not disagree. If the 1952 Mantle is ever to be challenged for sole rights as the hobby cardboard ambassador, this card has the best chance to do so.
Just a side note…
I found it hard to bump anyone off the list with a card post 1993. This is not to say there were not any cards in the last 19 years that did not deserve consideration but rather none were iconic enough (in my opinion) to dethrone what I have listed. This, to me, begs the question ‘can there ever be another iconic card in the making’?
-matfanofold
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