Anonymous Collectibles NJ said...

“Let me see if I got this right. You buy low grade

beat up cards and feature them on your blog.

That’s awesome. Totally different than all the

other blogs I have seen featuring the nicest cards.”


9.18.2008

1984 Ralston Purina
Fernando Valenzuela

Those of you who visit this blog regularly may have noticed that I try and post a variety of classic cards from 1952 Topps, to vintage Bowman, to Goudeys, to early tobacco and gum cards. I've even posted some not-so-familiar cards like Dan Dee and Red Heart.

I've posted original cards of players like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente and Jackie Robinson.

While Fernando Valenzuela was a fine ballplayer, in no way can this be considered a classic baseball card.

This, however, is a card produced during what I consider the hobby's dark days: Bad quality + tons of stock = bad baseball cards. I recently re-discovered this card in a box full of oddball cards from the 80s. What a bunch of junk!

I not sure what it's worth. I might have to pay someone just to take it off my hands.

Before you get too excited, that last sentence was not meant to be taken literally.

I just don't see anyone retiring on baseball cards from the 1980s. But maybe it's not about worth, maybe it's about the memories theses small pieces of cardboard provide.

One man's piece of junk is another man's treasured memory.

4 comments:

John Keller said...

Just looking at El Fernando makes me smile. My favorite Dodger of all time. Hoo-ray for this Web site. Keep 'em coming!

capewood said...

This card reminds me of something I miss about baseball card collecting. You used to be able to get baseball cards like this in food products, or at gas stations, fast food places, K-Mart had cards, Toys R Us had cards. You don't see that any more.

Anonymous said...

That's true. A baseball card in a cereal box these days would be a welcome surprise indeed.

Joyce P. Simkin said...

I definitely agree with capewood and dinged corners. Does anyone remember the Hostess baseball cards that were on boxes of Twinkies and such back in the '70s?