Dailywax

In the 2010 Topps Football release, Topps has inserted some alternative photos for some of the rookie cards in the set. The short print variations (SP) are seen on the left in each of the photos below.

#101 Arrelious Benn

#148 Rob Gronkowski

#194 Colt McCoy

#203 Toby Gerhart

#221 Jimmy Clausen

#248 Dexter McCluster

#254 Emmanuel Sanders

#268 Jahvid Best

#275 DeMaryius Thomas

#298 Golden Tate

#300 Sam Bradford

#360 Ndamukong Suh

#364 Jonathan Dwyer

#403 Ryan Mathews

#425 Dez Bryant

#440 Tim Tebow

Topps has been keeping Stephen Strasburg busy.

Topps recently sent out a bunch of redemption only Strasburg autographed cards, and they are slowly finding their way to the secondary market. Most notably are the 2010 Topps Tribute cards, which feature Strasburg’s auto along with relic’s from his first MLB game. These seem to come in single and dual relive forms. With variations of numbered to both 99 and 75.

Along with the Tribute autos, Strasburg was the cornerstone of the Topps Million Card Giveaway promotion. Collectors who were lucky enough to redeem a Strasburg were given the opportunity to have their cards autographed prior to receiving them. It was reported that there are only 299 of these autographs issued.

On the heels of the 2010 NFL season, Topps is set to release their first football product for the year. Designed much like it’s baseball counterpart, the 2010 Topps Football product will be sharing much more the design characteristics.

The Topps Million Card Giveaway has been such a success, that Topps has also included the Gridiron Giveaway in their products this year. Packs will randomly contains a code card (1 per pack in Jumbo, 1:6 in Hobby) that can be redeemed online for original vintage Topps Football cards and other prizes including signed memorabilia from the fabled Topps archives.

With 1 autograph or relic card per Hobby box, and 2 autographed and 1 relic card per Jumbo box, consumers have some outstanding odds at finding some great cards packed away in their boxes. The most sought after of these each year is the Rookie Premiere Autographs. The Rookie Premiere Autographs appear in single, dual, and quad autographs. This year Topps has introduced on-card serial numbers, in hopes of alleviating the counterfeit issues that have plagued the product in the past. Several have already shown up on eBay for Sam Bradford, Jahvid Best, Colt McCoy, Jimmy Clausen, and many others.

Once we receive the entire Rookie Premiere Auto checklist, it will be posted on the web site.

Much like the hype surrounding Stephen Strasburg in baseball, football has their own golden child for 2010. Tim Tebow has been one of those publicized players throughout most of his collegiate career and that has not changed since being drafted. Tebow appears to have SP card as well as a few autographed cards available in the set. Tebow is also featured on a dual autograph with former Bronco great John Elway.

Once we receive the entire SP checklist, it will be posted on the web site.

An exclusive 2010 Topps football break will be posted later this week.

When you think of iconic sports figures, you think of Mickey Mantle, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Michael Jordon, Walter Payton, plus many more. These players for ever changed the landscapes of their respective sport, and for many collectors, a number of their rookie cards have defined generations of collecting.

A 1986-87 Fleer Jordan, 1989 Upper Deck Griffey, or a 1952 Topps Mantle are works of art, some have even been displayed in museums, and many more are staples in collectors personal collections that adorn den’s and offices around the world.

Without a doubt, on the biggest names in sports today is LeBron James. Millions of us tuned in just to listen to him talk about his free agency decision, an unprecedented move. King James has helped redefine the Basketball card hobby. During LeBron’s rookie season, Upper Deck unveiled a new line of Basketball cards called their Exquisite Edition.

LeBron’s 2003-04 Exquisite RC Auto/Patch has recently been listed on eBay. Recent sales for an ungraded version have been in the neighborhood of $16,500. With a print run of only 99, game-used patch, and of course a gorgeous on-card autograph, this card has become of the modern era’s most iconic and desired cards among collectors.

Tough decision, a new car or that LeBron rookie card?

After just one game. Well, two if you count tonight’s pinch hit appearance. Dom Brown’s 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospect has surged in the last 24 hours, with single cards closing at $20.50 and even $18.40, his prices have seemingly quadrupled over night. Earlier in the week, the same card was selling for $3.75 and even $1.80.

Not a bad return on investment.

According to Bryce Harper’s Facebook profile, he may forgo his #1 Draft pick status and return to the College of Southern Nevada to pursue a Junior College National Championship.

On Tuesday, July 27, 2010, Harper posted:

“Probably going back to CSN to try to win a National Championship!!! ”

I admire his passion to win a National Championship, but I think at this point he has nothing left to prove at the JuCo level and is only risking injury, or worse case scenario, a career by returning to CSN.

What ever you choose Bryce, good luck with your decision.

Without a doubt, the only person to receive more hype in their young career than Stephen Strasburg is Bryce Harper. Fresh off consensus 2010 Golden Spikes award, given out to the years best amateur player, and his Number 1 overall selection by the Washington Nationals in this year’s MLB Draft, this 17-year-old phenom has caught the eyes of the media and made believers out of many baseball fans.

When Topps announced the addition of the USA set in their 2010 Bowman release, collectors began to speculate about the possibilities of Haper being included in the set – and the possibilities of the Harper Superfractor.

Harper has had previously released USA themed cards released by Upper Deck in 2008 and 2009, along with a promotional 2009 Bowman AFLAC card handed out at the 2008 AFLAC All-American game. Not until now, has anyone released a real “chase” card like the Superfractor.

The 2010 Bowman Chrome USA Bryce Harper Superfractor is currently (back) on eBay. Much like it’s much publicized Strasburg counterpart, it’s original listings were all ended due to improper and false bidding. The current auction, at $4,600 with the reserve not met, is just a fraction of what the Strasburg superfractor sold for. Red refractor version of Harper, which are numbered to 5, have been selling anywhere from $2,200 (ungraded) to $13,000 (BGS Pristine).

This card certainly has the potential of reaching near-Strasburgian heights in regards to price, however, I am not sure how well the price will maintain once Harper is included in a Draft version of Bowman, presumably at the end of this year. Hopefully, as an autographed version.

What does it take to vault 16 spots to our number one spot? Most would say a Herculean effort, but for Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants, it’s just another day at the office. The number five overall pick by San Fransisco in the 2008 Draft is paying off much earlier dividends than originally expected. Through the first 20 days of July, Buster is hitting .481 (25/52) with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs and 17 RBIs. Buster has emerged as a favorite from this loaded NL rookie class that features titans like Strasburg, Heyward, Leake, Stanton, and many others who have previously graced our #1 spot.

1. 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Buster Posey Auto (16)
2. 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects David Price Auto (5)
3. 2010 Bowman Prospects Stephen Strasburg Auto (1)
4. 2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects Stephen Strasburg (2)
5. 1999 Topps Traded Josh Hamiliton RC Auto (21)
6. 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects Michael Moustakas Auto (19)
7. 2009 Donruss Elite Brandon Belt Auto (NR)
8. 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects Brennan Boesch Auto (8)
9. 2010 Bowman Chrome USA Bryce Harper (4)
10. 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Mike Stanton Auto (9)
11. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Mike Minor Auto (NR)
12. 2005 Donruss EEE Ubaldo Jimenez RC Auto (5)
13. 2005 Upper Deck SPx Ubaldo Jimenez RC Auto (8)
14. 2004 Bowman Chrome Prospects Phil Hughes Auto (NR)
15. 1997 Bowman Roy Halladay Auto (NR)
16. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Mike Trout Auto (22)
17. 1999 Topps Traded Carl Crawford RC Auto (NR)
18. 1993 Upper Deck SP Derek Jeter RC (13)
19. 2003 Upper Deck Prospects Andre Ethier RC Auto (14)
20. 1999 Topps Traded Josh Hamilton Auto (NR)
21. 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects Carlos Santana Auto (NR)
22. 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospect Jason Heyward Auto(11)
23. 2003 Bowman Heritage Robinson Cano Auto (10)
24. 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft Pick Evan Longoria Auto (21)
25. 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospect JP Arencibia Auto (NR)

Happy collecting!

After an historic start to his much publicized career, Stephen Strasburg remains a mainstay atop our Hot List. Hobby enthusiasts and non-collectors alike have taken on a kinship with the buzz revolving around Strasburg and it has been reflected in the prices of most of his cards. On the heels of the greatest three-game start in MLB history, take a peak out our newest Hot List for June.

1. 2010 Bowman Prospects Stephen Strasburg Auto (1)
2. 2010 Bowman Chrome Prospects Stephen Strasburg (2)
3. 2008 Sweet Spot USA Signatures Black Stitch Red Auto Stephen Strasburg (3)
4. 2008 Upper Deck USA Stephen Strasburg (6)
5. 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects David Price Auto (9)
6. 2010 Bowman Chrome USA Bryce Harper (4)
7. 2009 Upper Deck USA Bryce Harper (7)
8. 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects Brennan Boesch Auto (NR)
9. 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Mike Stanton Auto (NR)
10. 2003 Bowman Heritage Robinson Cano Auto (NR)
11. 2005 Donruss EEE Ubaldo Jimenez RC Auto (5)
12. 2005 Upper Deck SPx Ubaldo Jimenez RC Auto (8)
13. 2004 Bowman Chrome Prospects Phil Hughes Auto (NR)
14. 1997 Bowman Roy Halladay Auto (NR)
15. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Mike Trout Auto (22)
16. 2008 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Buster Posey Auto (NR)
17. 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospects Mike Leake Auto (10)
18. 1993 Upper Deck SP Derek Jeter RC (13)
19. 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospects Michael Moustakas Auto (15)
20. 2003 Upper Deck Prospects Andre Ethier RC Auto (14)
21. 1999 Topps Traded Josh Hamilton Auto (NR)
22. 2009 Bowman Chrome Prospects Carlos Santana Auto (NR)
23. 2008 Bowman Chrome Prospect Jason Heyward Auto(11)
24. 2005 Bowman Chrome Draft Ryan Braun Auto (20)
25. 2006 Bowman Chrome Draft Pick Evan Longoria Auto (21)

Happy collecting!