Collecting is a family affair. Whether someone collects records, pins, or salt and pepper shakers, those collections are likely to remain in the family for decades. Such was the case when we purchased The 1986 Fleer Tupperware Collection and a 1957 Topps Basketball Set. Now, we are happy to announce a new collection just purchased with three Julius Erving rookie cards!
These beautiful Dr. J rookie cards are the main pieces in a collection filled with Hall of Famers. In addition to the Erving rookies, the 1972 Topps cards included Jerry West, John Havlicek, Phil Jackson rookies, Willis Reed, and Nate Archibald. The collection also includes 1971 Topps cards of Wilt Chamberlain, Oscar Robertson, Pete Maravich, and Walt Frazier.
The bright, colorful design of these cards have 1970’s written all over it. Even if one were unaware of the years these cards were printed in, surely one could pinpoint the 1970’s as the decade they were produced and unlike disco, these were always cool, man. This collection didn’t just have early 1970’s basketball cards, but also football and baseball cards.
Topps used lots of color in their early 1970’s releases and it wasn’t limited to basketball. It was football as well with their 1971 football cards with rookies cards of Terry Bradshaw and “Mean” Joe Greene. Together, they would lead the Pittsburgh Steelers to four Super Bowl Championships. Separately, both would try their hand at acting with Greene appearing in an iconic Coca Cola commercial and Bradshaw appearing in the buff on the silver screen. Other Hall of Famers included in the collection are Joe Namath, Johnny Unitas, and John Riggins.
And finally, there are some nice 1973 baseball cards as well with names such as Roberto Clemente, Pete Rose, Tom Seaver, Steve Carlton, Reggie Jackson, and Rod Carew. Overall, a beautiful collection that we were lucky enough to purchase.
THE STORY
The collection was brought to us by Tim from Zionsville, Indiana and it was his Uncle Ray who was the original owner of this great collection. Unfortunately, Uncle Ray succumbed to cancer in 1981. Uncle Ray enjoyed most sports but had a special place in his heart for baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals and Cincinnati Reds. It was at his home in Evansville, IN where he spent many summers listening to baseball games on his transistor radio while enjoying a cigar and a Stroh’s beer on his porch.
After his passing, his sister (Tim’s mother) took possession of the collection. They were stored in an old shoebox in Westfield, IN where they would remain for 4 decades. With Tim’s parents moving into Assisted Living in 2021, Tim and his three brothers discovered the shoebox of cards while clearing out their parents’ home. As they were reading off the names in the collection, Tim and his brother Chris reminisced about each player while reliving the careers of the stars who they grew up watching as kids and into adulthood. As Tim put it, “It was just one more wonderful memory our Uncle Ray was able to share with us many years later. Proof that nostalgia can live on!”
Ready to let go, Tim and his family, who are not collectors, decided to entrust Just Collect with Uncle Ray’s collection.
WE ARE ALWAYS BUYING
Just Collect is always buying vintage sports and non-sports cards from 1879 to 1979 as well as select modern cards. If you have a collection that you are considering selling, contact us today to discuss or get our industry-leading purchase offer. If you have a collection that you want appraised, please contact us and we would be happy to discuss your collection and help you understand the real cash value of your collection in the current marketplace. Check out the Just Collect Buy List.
We always offer a FREE APPRAISAL for your collection here at the Just Collect site. Just click here:
We offer may ways to evaluate your cards other than shipping or using our website, too.
If you can make the trip here - we can make a deal at the office. We once met a father-son duo that drove eight hours from Virginia to meet us to sell a Michael Jordan rookie card stored in Tupperware since 1986 - great read here.
We keep a LIST of card shows we'll be attending. Come stop by the Just Collect table and chat.
If you have a valuable collection and want us to come to you, we'll hop on the next plane out.
We have another location in New York you can meet us at; read all the information here.
OUR BUYING PHILOSOPHY
We've run into a wide range of people and collections over the last 25 years. Although Just Collect is known for buying vintage sports cards and especially vintage baseball cards, we are also extremely interested in buying non-sports cards, too!
Every collection and every collector is different and we treat EVERY collection with the respect and attention that we show for our own collections. We understand that many have put their heart and souls into building their collections. So when you're ready to sell, we understand the feelings that you're going through and will work with you to help you reach a decision that is a WIN/WIN, because if you're not happy, we're not happy.
CONTACT US ANY TIME
Whether you have vintage cards or modern wax you want to sell, you can reach out to us any time!