One of the coolest cards ever sold today

[Topnotchsy]

In 2001, Topps Heritage had an insert set that recognized some of the MLB'ers who had served in the US military. The basic checklist from what I understand was just 4 cards, Mays, Williams, Newcombe and Ford, and each had a swatch from a military uniform from the war the player fought in (though not actually used by the player.)

These were not exceptionally difficult to find, but then they made a dual version of Mays and Williams, and it was /51. That card ended today. I wound up the second highest bidder, but thought it was a card that was worth noting:

A thank you to everyone who has served for our country.

 

[rehmus]

that is really fantastic. im lazy, what did it go for?

 

[Topnotchsy]

that is really fantastic. im lazy, what did it go for?

Went for $227. No clue if that is fair or not. The seller did not mention the print run, but I am almost certain it is /51.

 

[abeabe]

Totally cool "nod" to the troops. What Williams coulda done if he didnt serve in the war. Amazing!!

 

[Viking4Alpha]

:shock: Badass

 

[mudflap02]

Wowee - i did not even see it listed. Should be /52 on the back. I would have paid a lot more than it sold for. I believe they have sold for over 500 in the past.

 

[mudflap02]

Must have been an awful title. I can't even find it in completed auctions.

 

[mudflap02]

And it was. Topps "Hertitage". Seller probably cost himself a couple hundred bucks, at least. I can see that card pushing 1000 if listed correctly.

 

[RITM]

Never heard of the card before and would not mind owning one!

 

[Mahoody]

Wowee - i did not even see it listed. Should be /52 on the back. I would have paid a lot more than it sold for. I believe they have sold for over 500 in the past.

Just curious as to why you would spend more than $227 for this card?

The pieces of uniform on the card were never worn by either Mays or Williams

 

[Topnotchsy]

And it was. Topps "Hertitage". Seller probably cost himself a couple hundred bucks, at least. I can see that card pushing 1000 if listed correctly.

Wish I had known the market. I tried submitting a higher bid but time ran out.

Wowee - i did not even see it listed. Should be /52 on the back. I would have paid a lot more than it sold for. I believe they have sold for over 500 in the past.

Just curious as to why you would spend more than $227 for this card?

The pieces of uniform on the card were never worn by either Mays or Williams

There's a ton to like about that those cards. Insanely tough pull from the first Heritage set, two of the best players ever and a tribute to their service for the country. While not worn by then, the uniforms are a really cool touch IMO.

 

[hagausaf]

still a sweet card even if the uniforms werent worn by them in combat. wonder how much my combat worn uniforms are worth to Topps lol?

 

[muchuckwagon]

A fantastic card but the shine is lost to a large degree once you learn the uniforms were not owned/worn by either individual pictured on the card.

It is like seeing a chick from behind with a smoking body and feeling your pants get tight...only to have her turn around to reveal a busted up face.

 

[hagausaf]

pretty sure of those uniforms were actually worn by the players then it'd be way more valuable than any game used card due to scarcity.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

The Korean War doesn't have the cache or historical importance of WWII, so a WWII set would be far cooler.

Especially guys like Greenberg and Feller who spent so much time serving - more than most "stars." (Not to belittle others, just simply to highlight their service.)

An entire set dedicated to those who served in WWII would be a great concept, and as each days closes, we lose more and more WWII vets. It was a different era, a different world...and it would be tough to assume the same of our current MLB players and stars.

 

[RL24]

Wowee - i did not even see it listed. Should be /52 on the back. I would have paid a lot more than it sold for. I believe they have sold for over 500 in the past.

Just curious as to why you would spend more than $227 for this card?

The pieces of uniform on the card were never worn by either Mays or Williams

I think it's all about the set and the set collectors. It's easy to get the first 4 cards, and everybody wants that last card, but there aren't enough copies to go around. Think of how guys will spend so much on a red refractor of a prospect to complete their rainbow. There is no piece of uniform from any game or any war, just a piece of cardboard. But people will spend more than $227 to complete their set/rainbow.


Money is common, and they're printing more of it all the time. There are only 52 of these in the world, and there won't ever be more.

 

[fkw]

Im sure they could cut more than 52 pieces from those 2 uni's they got for a few $$ at the surplus store. Im in the boat of why would anyone pay $227, unless maybe they were a military/baseball collector..... but then I would go back to whats the connection with those chopped generic uni's and the 2 vintage players pictured on this modern hype piece...

I guess they will make anything for a quick $$

My dad and uncle deserve to be on that "card" just as much as the Splinter or SayHey...

 

[rehmus]

are we sure they never wore them period? or were they just not worn in combat? what does the back say?

 

[Topnotchsy]

Im sure they could cut more than 52 pieces from those 2 uni's they got for a few $$ at the surplus store. Im in the boat of why would anyone pay $227, unless maybe they were a military/baseball collector..... but then I would go back to whats the connection with those chopped generic uni's and the 2 vintage players pictured on this modern hype piece...

I guess they will make anything for a quick $$

My dad and uncle deserve to be on that "card" just as much as the Splinter or SayHey...

Not sure why it makes more sense to pay hundreds for a card with nothing on it than this. Obviously to "game-worn" junkies it does not qualify, but as a cool piece of history, that captures a fascinating part of what went on in the Majors at that time, it scores huge. I'm not a military collector or a vintage collector, but I find the card has a better story than most I have ever seen.

fkw- They made single player cards as well with these players though honestly, given that the uniforms are not all that significant historically, I don't know that they worried too much about it.

rehmus- The back (of the single swatch cards anyways) do not say anything regarding the uniform, but I think it is accepted that they were not worn by the player.

 

[ThoseBackPages]

Set builders.

2001 Topps heritage boxes go for $300 a pop

Love or hate "modern cards" don't keep your head in the sand too long, you'll suffocate