Saturday, June 16, 2012

Cheap Cool Cards #28: 1976 Topps #564 Kurt Bevacqua Bubble Gum Champ


Vintage cards rule. There's just something awesome about the way they feel in your hands. They even have a certain smell to them that brings back memories of my childhood. And in terms of appearance... old school designs trump modern day designs every day of the week.

One of the coolest vintage cards in my PC is the 1976 Topps Kurt Bevacqua Bubble Gum Champ card. It features the photo of Kurt blowing a humungous bubble on the front and on the back there is the 1975 Bazooka bubble gum blowing tournament bracket.

If you're interested in reading about the competition and the story behind the card... click here. Personally, I've wanted to own this card since I first saw it back in the early 80's. Three decades later, I've finally added it to my collection.

I picked it up off of COMC for 75¢ a few months ago. They routinely sell on eBay in the area of 50¢ to $2, which shows that they're affordable... but at the same time are still in high demand.


Personally... I associate this card with the 1990 Score #697 Black & White Bo Jackson. They're both cards that every collector should have in their collection.

Today's question of the day:

What's a cheap (under $5), cool card you feel every collector should add to their collection?

1 point - Leave your response below.
3 points - Post your response on your blog and leave a link below, so others can enjoy what you wrote.

It took me almost an hour, but I tallied up the contest totals right before I published this post. If you're interested in seeing where you stand, click here.

I'll accept responses for this post until Monday at 3pm (PST). I look forward to reading your responses.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and sayonara!

68 comments:

Wes Moore the former JBF said...

You probably named my number one with the Bo. Its a classic.

I will also add the '82 and '83 Donruss San Diego Chicken mascot cards. I have treasured both since I was a little kid.

night owl said...

There are certain cards I really like (like the Bevacqua card that I pulled back in '76). But there's no card I think everyone should add to their collection. Everyone's collection/tastes are different.

Since I'm in '77 mode right now, a real classic is the '77 rookie Mark Fidrych.

SpastikMooss said...

1996 Upper Deck V.J. Lovero Showcase #VJ17 Mike Piazza. It's the card where Piazza and Karros are sitting down for cereal and doughnuts with a cardboard Tommy Lasorda in the background. It's in my blog header and looks like this - http://wylieonessportscards.ecrater.com/p/4633771/1996-upper-deck-baseball-vj-lovero

Captain Canuck said...

Baseball? I'd say 1976 Traded Oscar Gamble. An all timer right there...

JediJeff said...

Does it have to be one specific card? Cuz I think everyone should own at least one original 56 Topps baseball card. I don't think any design beats that. You have a central portrait with an action shot in the background. Sure, a bunch of them are over the $5 range, but a common is under a buck.

And the 1960 Topps is a very close 2nd. Add one of each; just do it!

Nick said...

The Bevacqua is also one of my favorites, I picked up my copy at the flea market last year for fifty cents.

As for your question, I'd have to agree with Night Owl about the '77 Fidrych rookie. Either that or the '75 Herb Washington "pinch runner" card.

The Dimwit said...

I can't think of a particular card, but I think everyone should have a card of their favorite player that is "above common" value but necessarily a high level RC. Just a cool card that isn't just your every day card. For instance, this card is one of my favorites in my collection, nothing amazing but it's one I value a lot more than the book value says it's worth...
http://www.checkoutmycards.com/Cards/Baseball/1995/Bowmans_Best_Refractors/R16/Jeff_Bagwell/2095535

This is one of the cards that stands out at the front of my Bagwell binder. It's shiny, still looks brand new and since I pulled it from a pack myself it means even more to me.

Nachos Grande said...

Good question, and as others have already stated, it's hard to pick a single card that would fit in "any" collection. For the person who likes to collect all sorts of baseball cards, I'd say everyone ought to have at least on "really old" card in their collection. Most of us have stories as a kid about a card we considered really old (whether or not we were correct). Now that I'm older, really old constitutes original Allen & Ginter cards (see here: http://fanofreds.blogspot.com/p/1889-allen-ginter-50-fish-from-american.html ). However, for a brand new collector, really old might be 2009 Topps Heritage - old is in the eye of the beholder.

bobjah said...

I like the Bo .I have it all so would like to have the other card see it before never owned it anyways .I think everyone should have a Michael Jordan baseball card in there collection.Just because it was made such a big deal when he did it and its MJ playing baseball what more do you need.

dayf said...

If you don't have this card you have a bad collection and you should feel bad.

http://cardjunk.blogspot.com/2012/06/every-baseball-card-collector-should.html

(four cents, people!)

Mini Groover said...

I would have to say maybe having a few Adrenalyn XL cards. The cards are designed well and look great in any collection!

Kirk Jacobson said...

I cant pick just one.

Check out why?

http://www.eutawstreetcardboard.blogspot.com/

arpsmith said...

I would have to go with a 1987 topps barry bonds rookie. The rookie card of the.all time HR king is a must!

Greg Zakwin said...

My answer can be found yonder:

http://plaschkethysweaterisargyle.blogspot.com/2012/06/2-free-pc-items-farewell-my-tremendous.html

Dion's IP Autos only said...

Mine is a think it was early 90's minor league card of "The Clown Prince of Baseball" Max Patkin. See link to blog post and picture of card.

http://dionsipautosonly.blogspot.com/2012/06/fujis-contest-post-of-cheap-card-all.html

hockey kazi said...

I think this cool card fits under the $5.00 limit---nice simple design and includes all pertinent information--everyone should try to obtain a copy--I believe their are unsigned versions also
wonder if its worth any extra points


check it out at
http://hockeykazi.blogspot.ca/

Martyn said...

http://arbitrary-crap.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/cool-cards-1.html

$5

Wilson said...

I'm going with a hall of famer, with a very dated photo:

http://tenetsofwilson.blogspot.com/2012/06/cards-you-should-own.html

Ryan G said...

The dishes are done, man. And a package was just mailed to San Jose!

http://thiscardiscool.blogspot.jp/2012/06/bba-this-card-is-cheap-er-cool.html

Sal said...

The 1990-91 Pro Set Brett Hull prototype hockey card. It is relatively cheap (usually found in quarter or dollar boxes) and WAS THE FIRST promotional hockey card.

Picture of it here:
http://puckjunk.com/2011/05/31/1990-91-pro-set-prototype-card/

Play at the Plate said...

I'm in...

http://playattheplatedude.blogspot.com/2012/06/you-need-this-card.html

Thanks Fuji!

Dawgbones said...

There are tons of cards for under $5 that one should have in their collection.
I agree that everyone should have a vintage card (the 1960 Robin Roberts that the Troll sent me is still one of my favorite cards) I just feel bad stating that if you favorite team was not around back then!

I leave it up to you guys to decide:

http://dawgbonesaphilliesphan.blogspot.com/2012/06/ebay-experience.html

Thanks,
Dawgbones

Mariner1 said...

I would have to say it would have to be any card from either the 1979 or 1980 Topps sets.
I put up a new post but I guess I will have to connect the link when I get home and do it on the regular computer instead of the phone.

The Lost Collector said...

Here is the link to my post. I chose a Griffey Jr RC - something that may appeal to more than just a team, set, or player collector.

http://thelostcollector.blogspot.com/2012/06/card-you-should-own-griffey-jr-rc.html

Eric L said...

Of course, the answer is Murad T51.

http://manupatchesandchromescratches.blogspot.com/2012/06/whats-cheap-under-5-cool-card-you-feel.html

Spankee said...

I had to go with the 2008 UD Masterpieces Justin Verlander, just a beautiful card.

http://mycardboardmistress.blogspot.com/2012/06/you-should-own-this-card.html

I almost went with the '89 Donruss Griffey.

night owl said...

Linkage:

http://nightowlcards.blogspot.com/2012/06/add-this-card-to-your-collection-dont.html

Jafronius said...

Greetings...if it's just baseball, then I'd go with 1995 Upper Deck #200 - Michael Jordan. It's the card of him being interviewed by Haray Caray, the famous Cubs play by play announcer. One of the few cards I actually went and purchased.

If it's any sports card, and I'd go with the 1990-91 Hoops #223A - S.Vincent w/M.Jordan. The only card with MJ wearing #12 because they did not have his uniform (I think it was stolen).

Thanks again for the contest and for adding my to the standings...a couple of other bloggers have said they had to fish my comments from their Junk e-mail also. No idea why.

Fuji said...

Contest window has closed... please feel free to comment or respond, but it won't count towards point standings.

Fuji said...

Great call. I love the SD Chicken cards... I have both of those & the 84 in my collection.

Fuji said...

Good point... I should have asked... what's your favorite cool, cheap card?

Love the Fidrych rookie card... definitely a classic.

Fuji said...

Love the Lovero set... one of my personal favorites is the Nomo.

Fuji said...

Yup! Future CCC post for sure.

Fuji said...

I'm a huge fan of the 1956 Topps baseball set... the Jackie Robinson card is my favorite card of all-time.

Fuji said...

I first read about the Washington card in Josh Wilker's book. I agree... great card.

Fuji said...

I'm a huge fan of mid 90's refractors... nice card.

Fuji said...

Cool set... might have to pick up a "blowfish" card.

Fuji said...

Nice call... I have a couple of Jordan baseball cards. I'll definitely blog about them in the future.

Fuji said...

I have probably 10... maybe 20 of these bad boys!

Fuji said...

I'll have to buy a pack or two to check these out.

Fuji said...

nice haul of Orioles autographs!

Fuji said...

Can't argue with that. That set has a bunch of cool rookie cards... Bonds, Clark, Bo, Larkin... great set.

Fuji said...

I had never seen that card before today. You're right... Topps did a good job with the overall design, pose, and the perfect sky (Dodger Blue) background.

Fuji said...

This card has been added to my Top 10 Wantlist... actually I'll take any Max Patkin card.

Fuji said...

That's the coolest card I've ever seen! LOL.

Anonymous said...

Of course I'm late to the party, but these cards could probably BOTH be acquired for the requisite $5 if one were to shop carefully, and they are simply the bestest cards ever.

http://1967ers.wordpress.com/2011/09/28/is-this-the-greatest-leif-card-of-all-time/

Fuji said...

Nice call on Braden... amazing accomplishment. Crazy that 5 of the 22 perfect games have come in the past 4 seasons.

Fuji said...

Love the dated photo... I'll definitely need to track down both of those Ripkens.

Fuji said...

Glad I was able to help you find your keyboard... a lot of us miss your posts. Great call on the menkos... they're awesome and need more exposure. I'll let you know when the package arrives.

Fuji said...

Great card... in fact a lot of those 90's promo cards are excellent choices for my cheap, cool cards series.

Fuji said...

What a beautiful photo... love those action shots featuring plays at the plate.

Anonymous said...

Cool contest. It was fun reading all of these. Alot of cards I've never seen before.

I have to go with the Bo. I'm posting on it later this week.

Fuji said...

One of these days, I'm going to build a trifecta of him in honor of my relatives in Hawaii.

Fuji said...

It's hard to imagine my collection being complete without at least one Griffey rookie... especially when you can find these for a couple of bucks these days.

Fuji said...

How's your set coming along? I don't have to tell you how much I love this set. Thanks for sharing.

Fuji said...

I wish UD would get their stuff together, so they can come back and produce UD Masterpieces again.

Fuji said...

That card is sweet! Sorry I got your blood boiling ;-)

Fuji said...

Both of those cards are nice choices. I'll have to dig up the Hoops Jordan and add it to my CCC binder.

Fuji said...

Damn... now I feel bad. I'll give you a point... and to those who complain... remember, my contest... my rules.

Fuji said...

Damn... now I feel bad. I'll give you a point... and to those who complain... remember, my contest... my rules.

Fuji said...

Okay... I let 1967ers & lifetimetopps slip in... since they've both posted comments on my blog in the past.

Now the contest entries are officially closed for this particular post.

EggRocket said...

I know I missed the deadline, but I'll still comment.

The coolest card of all time (IMHO ... gad, am I really talking like a 14-year-old girl?) is the 1976 Johnny Bench. Pretty cheap on ebay for such an iconic card.

Here's my bonus input ... 1972 Clemente ... cheaper and cooler than the 1973 Clemente released after his death. The 1972 is just a bit more haunting.

Anonymous said...

As always, I'm a day (or three) late and a dollar short, but here's my suggestion. Please note that the card features an Atlanta Brave and I'm a Mets fan... that's gotta count for something.

http://shlabotnikreport.wordpress.com/2012/06/19/cheap-cool-cards-the-shlabotnik-nominee/

jacobmrley said...

I don't care about no stinkin' deadlines:

http://startingnine.blogspot.com/2012/06/whats-cheap-under-5-cool-card-you-feel.html

Commishbob said...

I'm late to the aprty, too. But I'll stick this in there anyway. The only 'must have' cheap card is a Don Mossi. ANY Don Mossi. And I explain why right here.

Commishbob said...

:::party:::


rats

Anonymous said...

No worries - knew I was late. It's just that any occasion to show Leif Ericson and Anders Hedberg just has to be taken. It's a moral imperative.

Anonymous said...

Oh man, I missed out on a '66 OPC Mossi for next to nothing. That's a collection-maker, for sure.