1982 ASA Mickey Mantle Story Set

The Authentic Sports Autograph Company released their first single-player set in 1982, featuring 72 cards of Yankee hero Mickey Mantle (several others were to follow, featuring retired star players). A total of 20,000 sets were produced according to the company, with 5,000 of the sets containing a hand-signed autograph by Mantle on card number one. The cards basically chronicle Mantle's life from his rookie year of 1951 through his appearance at the Yankees Old-Timers Game in 1981, and many of the photos used for the set were provided by Mantle himself. The original retail price for an autographed set was $24.99, while an unsigned set could be purchased for $12.99. 

Of the 20,000 total sets that were produced (according to the manufacturer), 5,000 of these sets featured a header card personally autographed by Mantle. Please note that ALL sets feature a facsimile Mantle autograph on card number 21, which looks like this:

All of the cards in an autographed Mantle set were printed with blue-colored card backs. The remaining fifteen-thousand unautographed sets were printed with red backs. In addition to the certified autograph sets having blue backs, they also include a serial-numbered card like this:

Like other 1980s sets that are somewhat hard to find today, prices vary when a set becomes available for sale or auction. We believe an unautographed set (red backs) has a fair market value of $35 to $40, while an autographed set (blue backs) can easily sell for $120 or higher. Given the continuing popularity of Mantle, and the large number of forged Mantle signatures that litter the hobby today, the autographed version of this 1982 A.S.A. set is highly prized by collectors.

NEWS FLASH

OK now... After understanding that ASA produced 5,000 autographed Mantle sets with blue backs, and 15,000 unautographed sets with red backs, we have a startling revelation to make...

Mantle DID NOT autograph 5,000 sets! That's right kids, we have seen at least three examples of blue-backed sets that are not autographed -- as a matter of fact, we own one. See the certificate shown above for set number 4,136 of 5,000? It is tucked safely in our collection, in all it's autograph-free glory. Here's a front scan of card number one, the header card that should feature the signature:

The other examples of unautographed blue-backed sets were listed on a popular internet auction site and featured serial numbers 3,839 and 4,568 (we are not actively looking for more examples...) One does have to wonder though... How many sets did Mantle actually sign? 3,000? 4,000? 4,997? 

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1976 Pepsi Los Angeles Skyhawks

Looking at my blog stats, it seems that most people are coming here via Google to look up these obscure soccer sets. It makes sense, because so little has been published regarding these regional, oddball gems. While I am far from an authority on anything soccer, I have had the fortune of slowly adding several of these type sets to my collection over the years. Anyone with additional info is very welcome to comment!

The 1976 L.A. Skyhawks set was sponsored by Pepsi. Card fronts feature red borders and black and white player photos. An advertising slogan is featured at the bottom left/center ("Join the Pepsi People feelin' free!"), while the Pepsi Logo is located next to it at the bottom right. Card backs feature player biographies and the team logo. 

A complete set consists of 15 cards, which are not numbered except for player uniform numbers. Legendary Hall of Fame coach Ron Newman is included in the set, as well as Liverpool mainstay Ron Yeats.

It is difficult to give a value to this scarcely-traded set, but common singles might sell in the $3 to $5 each range.

(1) Brian Parkinson, Goalkeeper

(4) Mickey Cave, Midfield

(5) Ron Yeats, Defense

(6) Steve Ralbovsky, Midfield

(7) Jim Rolland, Forward

(8) Abraham Cohen, Midfield

(9) Jim Hinch, Forward

(10) Ane Mihailovich, Forward

(11) Tony Whelan, Forward

(12) Benny Binshtock, Defense

(13) Leif Werneid, Midfield

(14) Steve Cacciatore, Forward

(16) Marine Cano, Goalkeeper

(17) Javier Loza, Defense

Ron Newman, Head Coach

1976 Herfy's San Jose Earthquakes

This set of 18 red-bordered cards was distributed by Herfy's Restaurants in the San Jose area, and are roughly the same size as standard sports cards. Two cards per week were handed out at participating locations. The fronts consist of a large red border and black and white photo. Backs feature short bios and a special offer where cards could be exchanged for merchandise.

According to card backs, one complete set of cards could be exchanged for a Quakes T-Shirt, ten sets for a soccer ball, or eighty sets for a pair of goal nets. Many sets were undoubtedly exchanged for merchandise, as these sets are very difficult to find today. Several noted players appear in this issue, including Julie Veee, Laurie Calloway and Head Coach Gabbo Gavric, who was a kicker for the San Francisco 49ers in 1969.

Examples of this set are rarely found, and like the Herfy's 1975 issue, it is difficult to give the cards an accurate price range because the set rarely trades. We'd guess that $50 would be a good starting point.

1. Julie Vee

2. Buzz Demling

3. Laurie Calloway

4. Mark Demling

5. Gabbo Gavric (Head Coach)

6. Mani Hernandez

7. Art Welch

8. Johnny Moore

9. George Sorgic

10. Paul Child

11. Mark Liveric

12. Jim Zylker

13. Dave Kemp

14. Miro Pavlovic

15. Ilija Mitic

16. John Rowlands

17. Mike Hewitt

18. Mike Ivanow

1989/90 Denver Nuggets Police

Twelve player cards comprise the 1989/90 Nuggets police set. Large game-action photos of the players in their white jerseys account for the majority of the card fronts. A vertical white bar on the right side of the front featured the player's name and uniform number, and three color sponsor logos are lined horizontally across the bottom (Denver Nuggets, Pepsi and 7-Eleven). Card backs contain a safety tip and contact info for the Denver Children's Hospital, all printed in blue. Cards are not numbered except for uniform numbers and the year of issue is not mentioned. Stars Alex English and Walter Davis are the key cards in the set.

The 1989/90 Nuggets police issue seems to be easier to find than the older Denver sets. A fair current value is in the $2 to $4 range.

(1) Eddie Hughes

(2) Alex English

(6) Walter Davis

(12) Lafayette Lever

(14) Michael Adams

(21) Todd Lichti

(23) T.R. Dunn

(24) Bill Hanzkik

(34) Dan Schayes

(35) Jerome Lane

(41) Blair Rasmussen

(45) Tim Kempton

1983 Minnesota Twins Postcard Set

The Twins released a 36-card postcard set in 1983 featuring players, coaches, the Metrodome, and combo cards. Park Press Inc. of Waite Park, Minnesota produced both the postcard set and a regular card-sized team issue for the Twins. Both of these sets contain the same exact lineup of players, coaches, combo cards and Metrodome card -- but the biggest difference (apart from the obvious large versus small size) is that different photos were used for most of cards. Most single player and coach cards in the postcard set have a facsimile autograph on the front, with the two exceptions being Tom Brunansky and Pete Filson. These postcards are not numbered.

Dodgers legend Johnny Podres, who is featured in the set, was the pitching coach for the Twins from 1981-85. He was the World Series MVP in 1955, the only year the Brooklyn Dodgers won the Series.

Sets originally retailed for $5 at the Metrodome and through the Twins mail order catalog, and came shrink-wrapped in clear plastic. Today, the set can usually be found in the $4 to $7 range.

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(1) Tom Brunansky

(2) Randy Bush

(3) Bobby Castillo

(4) John Castino

(5) Ron Davis

(6) Jim Eisenreich

(7) Dave Engle

(8) Lenny Faedo

(9) Pete Filson

(10) Gary Gaetti

(11) Billy Gardner (Manager)

(12) Mickey Hatcher

(13) Brad Havens

(14) Kent Hrbek

(15) Tom Kelly (Coach)

(16) Tim Laudner

(17) Jim Lemon (Coach)

(18) Rick Lysander

(19) Bobby Mitchell

(20) Jack O'Connor

(21) Bryan Oelkers

(22) Johnny Podres (Coach)

(23) Ray Smith

(24) Rick Stelmaszek (Coach)

(25) Scott Ullger

(26) Frank Viola

(27) Gary Ward

(28) Ron Washington

(29) Len Whitehouse

(30) Al Williams

(31) Metrodome

(32) Twins Team Photo

(33) Twins Manager and Coaches

(Kelly, Stelmaszek, Gardner, Lemon, Podres)

(34) Twins Catchers

(Smith, Engle, Laudner)

(35) The Lumber Company

(Brunansky, Gaetti, Ward, Hrbek)

(36) Minnesota's Native Sons

(Laudner, Eisenreich, Hrbek)