SCD Holiday Gift Guide: Making a gift list for the hobbyist
ADDRESSES
Sports Address Lists
When making out your holiday cards this year, make sure you check out Harvey’s sports autograph lists beforehand to add some names to the list. Of course, in this instance, you’ll likely get something back—a signed card or more. If you collect autographs through the mail, you need to know Harvey Meiselman. He has been creating and updating athlete addresses for years, and the 2021 editions are due out Nov. 1.
AUTOGRAPHS
ABC Unlimited
(480) 821-8150
What you need to know is found in the name—Autographed Baseball Cards. Brian Fredrich has been chasing autographs for more than 40 years and offers an inventory of more than 136,000 items to collectors and fans featuring players from 1933 to the present.
The website has multiple ways to search for product, and every autograph is listed with card type and year. Just in time for the holidays, every order of $400 or more gets 20 percent off; $200 or more gets a 10 percent discount. Plus, orders over $100 get free shipping. Gift cards are available.
Athlon Sports Collectibles
(888) 284-5661
Those who have autograph collectors on their Christmas list will want to check out Athlon Sports, which has a plethora of authentic signed sports memorabilia. With more than 9,500 items available, Athlon Sports has one of the nation’s largest selections of autographed items.
Not only does Athlon Sports provide autographs from the top players from a variety of professional sports, it also provides other items such as display cases and custom framing, and much more.
Dick Gordon Sports
(410) 486-1198
Dick Gordon Sports is the marketing agent of Hall of Famers Luis Aparicio, Frank Robinson, Earl Weaver, Dick Williams, Carl Yastremski, Dwight Evans and Tony Kubek. His offerings include a collection of autographed memorabilia of baseball’s legends.
Les Wolff
(516) 933-7787
Les Wolff Sports is a name that’s been synonymous with sports autographs for decades. He has an inventory of thousands, including many rare names in baseball, football and boxing. Appraisals are available as well. If you are looking for extra cash this Christmas season, Les Wolff Sports also buys autographs.
Main Line Autographs
(610) 745-0843
Serving the hobby since 1981, Main Line Autographs has an inventory of more than 100,000 affordable autographs featuring common as well as star players. It has become a nationally recognized leader in the sale of autographed 8x10s, 11x14s and 16x20s. Main Line Autographs also has a large selection of autographed cards, balls, helmets and specialty Hall of Fame products.
MD’s Sports Connection
(859) 572-0248
MD’s Sports Connection is a great source for single-signed baseballs, including many Hall of Famers. There is also a huge inventory of signed photos, bats, jerseys, basketballs, footballs, and programs. Call or email for lists and details.
The Autograph Review
(315) 474-3516
Any autograph collector on your Christmas list would love to receive a trial subscription to The Autograph Review for only $9.95 for four editions. You’ll solve your shopping dilemma, and your autograph collector will have some of the best autograph material available. The Autograph Review was established in 1978.
GAME USED
Gridiron Exchange
(703) 897-5073
If you are on the lookout for game-worn football jerseys from the NFL, CFL, USFL, Arena and other professional football leagues, the Gridiron Exchange is worth taking a look. And just in time for the Christmas season, those who mention its ad in Sports Collectors Digest can save 10 percent on every jersey purchased through Jan. 1, 2021.
Zane Burns
(615) 309-0555
Zane Burns specializes in game-used bats, game bats not used, World Series and black bats. He buys, sells and trades.
INSURANCE
Finkelmeier Insurance Agency, Inc.
(419) 739-4000
For the sports memorabilia collector on your shopping list who has everything, there isn’t a better gift than the security of them knowing their collection’s value is protected in times of disaster. Insurance on their collection can help with that peace of mind, and Finkelmeier Insurance is a source to call.
SPORTS ART
John Roberto
(609) 306-0147
The Dream Team featuring Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan, and New York Yankees star Don Mattingly are 22x26 lithographs for sale at $69.99 each. For any questions, call John.
Legends of the Game
(716) 570-4984
Legends Of The Game Sports Art has been in business for over 25 years selling baseball and football related lithographs, giclee's, and prints. It represents renowned sports artist Darryl Vlasak, who is available for private commissions. Legends Of The Game also perform custom framing. Its products can be view on its website.
SPORTS CARDS
Al Seaver
(903) 564-5758
Al Seaver deals with football cards and has been providing a mail order service since 1989 with an inventory that includes stars, semi-stars, commons, great players and team lots. If you have someone whose interest is football card collecting, chances are you’ll find the perfect gift from Al.
All Star Cards
(800) 932-3667
In the business for more than 20 years, All Star Cards has a wide variety of inventory from tobacco cards of the late 1800s to the latest prospects with 14,000 PSA graded cards as well as thousands of ungraded vintage and modern cards.
The free monthly catalogue is a gift worth receiving alone with more than 100 pages featuring everything the company offers. Great deals can be found throughout the catalogue with monthly specials, a rewards program and a monthly telephone auction. All Star Cards is a high-volume dealer so check back frequently as its inventory changes rapidly.
Barnetts Sports Cards
(330) 608-4433
Many collectors look for bulk lots to fill out collections, or to get a jumpstart on completing any given set. If you’re one of those collectors, check out Barnetts Sports Cards, one of the pillars in the hobby. Nearly any year of cards is available, many in different condition grades, so you can shop based on your budget. From 1952 through the 1980s, it’s all here.
Baseball Card Exchange
(800) 598-8656
One of the biggest buyers in the industry, Baseball Card Exchange is perhaps best known for its unopened product inventory. It specializes in unopened material and vintage cards from all four major sports. For the sports card fan, there’s nothing like unopened product, and the Baseball Card Exchange has some of the best stock in the country. From cases to wax boxes to single packs, it’s all here for the asking. For those who want to know what cards they are getting before buying, Baseball Card Exchange also has singles as well as complete sets.
Dave & Adam’s Card World
(888) 440-9787
Dave and Adam’s Card World, founded in 1991 when two friends opened a small card store in Buffalo, N.Y., has grown into a 60-employee business headquartered in Tonawanda, N.Y. It carries sports cards, gaming cards, non-sport cards, supplies, sports memorabilia and sports collectibles. It prides itself on offering a diverse selection and stock products from all major manufacturers.
Dave Shore Sports Cards
(541) 318-1743
Dave Shore has been filling holes in baseball card collections for years with a large inventory of cards in baseball (1953 to present), football (1969 to 1995), basketball (1971 to 1995) and hockey (1990 to 1992). Got a need? Try seeing if Dave Shore has it in stock for you. Shipping is free for orders over $25. Cards are sent on approval.
Dolloff
(603) 433-3957
Dolloff has a selection of single cards from 1894 through 1979. Call for a list of baseball, basketball, football and hockey cards available for purchase.
Ellis Anmuth
Ellis Anmuth has been helping set collectors complete their sets for more than 30 years. He has cards from the 1950s to present. He also has oddball items available such as food issues, inserts, publications and autographs, and even pre-war cards.
Fred Townsend
(203) 879-1690
Fred Townsend offers a variety of baseball cards, sets of cards, autographed cards, trays of cards, memorabilia, magazines and programs, and framed artwork.
Gar Miller Cards
(856) 468-6658
The ultimate source for just about anything, Gar Miller has been dealing for more than 60 years and has a collection of cards and autographs that number in the millions. Most of the cards were published from 1948 through the mid-1980s and are in stock, including high numbers (except 1952 Topps), rare series and complete mint sets from the 1970s and 1980s, but others are available. Football and basketball cards are also offered.
Gizmo’s Sportscards
(815) 540-5206
When looking for sets, singles, wax, graded cards or memorabilia, Gizmo’s Sportscards is there to help you fill your collectible needs. Gizmo is always buying so his inventory is constantly changing.
Kenny Young
(585) 301-6638
Looking to buy vintage of all sports pre-1980, check out complete sets, graded singles and unopened material with a quick turnaround. Avoid online auction feels. Text, call or email Kenny with any inquiries.
Kevin Savage Cards
(866) 861-2330
Kevin Savage Cards has been in the hobby for more than 35 years. No doubt you’ve seen his booth at countless shows. Why the long run? Quality, vintage cards of all types are his trademark, offered at affordable prices in straight sales or in weekly auction formats. Everything is on the table here, making them a go-to contact for any type of card of any era.
Great customer service is the hallmark from one of the leaders in the industry. And if you need cash to supplement your own holiday shopping, Kevin Savage Cards buys cardboard as well.
Kit Young Cards
(858) 259-1300
Kit Young, a pioneer in the industry with 41 years experience, has one of if not the country’s largest and most extensive sports collectibles inventory featuring vintage baseball, football, basketball and hockey cards. In addition to its online store, Kit Young publishes the hobby’s largest catalog twice a year. The color catalogs feature vintage cards from 1910-1980 in the above sports.
Kruk Cards
(248) 656-8803
Kruk Cards is like a warehouse store for trading cards, memorabilia, game-used items and publications—all sports and non-sports alike. If you’re not sure what to buy someone, just browse Kruk’s eBay store, search by team or favorite player, and you won’t go away empty-handed. Another great source for unopened product from any era—a gift within a gift. Also, all collections large and small, Kruk Cards buys it all.
Larry Fritsch Cards
(715) 344-8687
Larry Fritsch Cards has been a staple in the hobby since 1970. Getting its start buying and selling sports cards, the company has expanded into other areas.
In addition to sports cards, Larry Fritsch Cards also sells graded cards and packs, as well as magazines, posters, photos, statues, postage stamps and non-sports items. When looking for sports cards, this should be one of the first places to start your search.
Mark Smith
(989) 599-5918
Mark Smith is a vintage baseball and football dealer who started in the business in 1975. Baseball cards from Mark includes those from Goudey, Leaf, Topps and Fleer. Also 1952 Red Man Tobacco cards and World Series programs.
SPORTS CARD FRAMES
PSA Frames
Psaframes.com
Utilizing the latest laser cutting technology, displays from PSA Frames are made of melamine wood finish with all openings cut 1/4" deep, making it a perfect fit for any PSA slabbed item. With frames that are made in the USA and with all frames less than $99, time to ditch the stacks and frame your game. PSA Frames also makes display frames for SGC and BGS/BVG (Beckett) at gradedandframed.com.
SPORTS FILMS
Rare Sports Films—Doak Ewing
(630) 527-8890
Ever wanted to watch one of the most classic baseball games of all time or a pivotal moment in football but can’t find it on YouTube or the NFL Network? Or how about MLB All-Star Games from the past? Rare Sports Films is your source. Doak Ewing has taken some of the great sporting events throughout sports history and made the original footage available on DVD.
SPORTS MEMORABILIA
APR57
(917) 439-9610
APR57 is an authoritative choice for appraising, buying and selling items of value with more than 100 years of combined experience. It deals with anything of value and that includes sports collectibles and memorabilia.
Auction of Champions
(602) 316-0010
Auction of Champions offers the ultimate buyer experience offering the industry’s lowest buyer’s premium.Auction of Champions only offers items that are fully authenticated by only the most trusted authenticators. Shop for items for your beloved collector.
B&E Collectibles
(914) 769-1304
For the sports collector on your list, B&E Collectibles is your online headquarters for sports memorabilia such as autographs, photos, cards, jerseys, pins, ticket stubs and programs, among others. It’s a great source for unique items.
Collect Auctions
(888) 463-3063
One can look for items involving one’s favorite player or teams during the auctions, but Collect Auctions also sells authenticated autographed baseballs, photos, cards, jerseys, bats and cards, and much more.
George Husby
(920) 493-2077
George Husby, a veteran collector, is a seller of vintage items, such as a unique Vince Lombardi glossy print copy of Vince eating breakfast in the 1960s at Legendary Sneezer’s Snack Shop in Green Bay. George is also looking to buy collections of pre-1975 sports cards and is willing to travel.
Heritage Auctions
(877) 437-4824
The world’s largest collectible auction house, Heritage Auctions puts a wide variety of sports memorabilia up for auction and has many items on its site for sale. It is also an auctioneer of numismatic collections, comics, fine art, books, luxury accessories and memorabilia from film, music and history.
A sampling of the highest-priced items that have sold at Heritage Auctions: A 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle #311 PSA Mint 9 sold for $2,880,000, a 1937 Lou Gehrig game-worn New York Yankees jersey with photo matches to two different home run games sold for $2,580,000 in August 2019, and a 1947 Jackie Robinson game-worn Brooklyn Dodgers Rookie “Color Barrier” jersey sold for $2,050,000.
Just this year, a 1922-23 Lou Gehrig game-used sidewritten bat sold for $1,025,000; a 1921 Babe Ruth 52nd home run, game-used “Hotel Ansonia” bat fetched $930,000; a 1937 Lou Gehrig game-worn New York Yankees jersey went for $870,000; and a 1968 Mickey Mantle game-worn and signed Yankees jersey attributed to his 535th home run sold for $850,000.
Heritage, based in Dallas, has been in business since 1976.
Lelands
(732) 290-8000
Looking for high-end sports collectibles, you may want to follow the auctions Leland hosts throughout the year. Their auctions are usually filled with game-used memorabilia, autographs and vintage sports cards.
Established in 1985, Lelands is the first sports auction house and one of the premier appraisers and authenticators in the sports collectibles hobby. Founder Joshua Leland Evans is a pioneer in the field and acknowledged by his peers as the most knowledgeable figure in sports memorabilia. Lelands has handled many of the largest landmark auctions, including The Mickey Mantle Auction of the Greer Johnson Collection ($1.3M), The Harry M. Stevens Auction ($1.8M), and the famed Boston Garden Auction ($2M total sales). Now in its fourth decade, Lelands has been involved in the sales of hundreds of millions of dollars of the most important sports memorabilia and cards in the world.
Memorabilia.Expert-BidAMI Auctions
(888) 308-9714
The No. 1 sports auction house in Las Vegas, Memorabilia.Expert buys and sells game-used collectibles, autographs and memorabilia. It has a plethora of non-sports memorabilia as well. If you are looking to get authentication, it offers services for game-used jerseys, equipment and autographs.
National Sports Distributors
(877) 466-6826
Established in 1989, National Sports Distributors has grown into one of the largest memorabilia distributors in the country and has established itself among the industry leaders for authenticated autographed memorabilia and unautographed merchandise. NSD has worked with hundreds of athletes and has established positive and long-lasting relationships with them. All of its autographed sports memorabilia is signed in the presence of a NSD representative and law enforcement officer.
Paul E. Levine
(860) 904-6339
For items on your list that center on Jim Thorpe and vintage football, Paul Levine is where to go. He specializes in hockey, baseball, basketball and vintage football. Photos, autographs and statues are among a large variety of Thorpe-related inventory. Football publications, Heisman framed and matted presentations, autographed footballs, Sammy Baugh-related items and much more are available.
Pristine Auction
(602) 626-5218
Pristine Auction specializes in autographed memorabilia, sports cards, coins, art and collectibles. By working with the leading authentication companies it ensures all items offered are 100 percent authentic.
Pristine Auction runs several auction formats, including multiple weekly auctions, a premium monthly auction as well as daily and 10-minute auctions. In addition to its auctions, Pristine Auction has an extensive web store with display cases, custom framing options, and other accessories to help display your memorabilia. Gift cards are also available.
Robert Crestohl
(514) 481-2830
Robert Crestohl is another great place to shop for sports publications of decades gone by, from old Street & Smith Baseball Yearbooks to MLB All-Star Game programs to World Series programs (from 1936-1952).
Thrill of Victory
(561) 750-1222
Need to find a special gift? Thrill of Victory has an extensive network of authentic product lines that allows it to find that special item for you or that special someone. So, if you are looking for autographed photos, baseballs, jerseys, helmets or framed items (and more), contact Thrill of Victory.
Tom Whalen
(860) 232-8098
Sports publications are the name of the game here with an emphasis on baseball and golf. Baseball: Books, magazines, newspapers, photos of Ted Williams and the Boston Red Sox from 1939 to the 1970s, includes vintage copies of Louisville Slugger yearbooks and posters, The Sporting News, Sport magazine, Sports Illustrated and team photo packs. Golf: Sports Illustrated magazines from the 1950s to 2000 with golf covers. Also, hardbound books on golf biographies and histories.
REFERENCES
Sports Collectors Digest
(800) 829-5561
Known as “The Voice of the Hobby,” Sports Collectors Digest has been a must-have for collectors to stay up-do-date as to the happenings in the hobby. The magazine is filled with stories and information pertaining to news in the hobby, upcoming trading card releases, and informative articles about collectibles—both vintage and modern. Collectors can also read about other collectors in the hobby and learn about memorabilia and cards in upcoming auctions. Subscribe today.