THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 12, 1995 TAG: 9502120227
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BRIAN L. BIGELOW, SPECIAL TO THE VP/LS
LENGTH: Medium: 60 lines
Labor difficulties have been prominent in the sports news for the last few months. The card market has reflected the uncertainty created by shortened seasons and empty arenas.
Baseball cards, new and old, have been remarkably resilient during this period: they have a long tradition. Hockey cards, though, felt a heavier impact as a consequence of recent events.
The hockey-card marketplace is not as established as its baseball counterpart, and thus has been affected by the strike-shortened season. Two products that seem to have a good shot at reinvigorating collector interest are 1994-95 Upper Deck and 1964-65 Parkhurst ``Tall Boys.''
The Upper Deck cards are the typical high-quality offering from the premium card manufacturer. The set includes current stars, rookies and loads of ``special-insert'' enticements as well as an ``SP'' chase-set card included as a one-per-pack bonus.
The Parkhurst packs yield images of old favorites, hall-of-famers, and a retrospective style. As a nostalgia set, their appeal isn't to those preoccupied with modern events, but rather for those who love the game and its history.
Both of these efforts are of sufficient quality and importance to attract the hockey-card hobbyist.Labor difficulties have been prominent in the sports news for the last few months. The card market has reflected the uncertainty created by shortened seasons and empty arenas.
Baseball cards, new and old, have been remarkably resilient during this period: They have a long tradition. Hockey cards, though, felt a heavier impact as a consequence of recent events.
The hockey-card marketplace is not as established as its baseball counterpart, and thus has been affected by the strike-shortened season. Two products that seem to have a good shot at reinvigorating collector interest are 1994-95 Upper Deck and 1964-65 Parkhurst ``Tall Boys.''
The Upper Deck cards are the typical high-quality offering from the premium card manufacturer. The set includes current stars, rookies and loads of ``special-insert'' enticements as well as an ``SP'' chase-set card included as a one-per-pack bonus.
The Parkhurst packs yield images of old favorites, hall-of-famers, and a retrospective style. As a nostalgia set, their appeal isn't to those preoccupied with modern events, but rather for those who love the game and its history.
Both of these efforts are of sufficient quality and importance to attract the hockey-card hobbyist. MEMO: Brian L. Bigelow is store manager and appraiser for Candl Coins &
Stamps, located on Independence Blvd. and North (Lynnhaven) Mall Drive
in Virginia Beach. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Demand for hockey cards like this Rangers one has been driven down
by the strike.
by CNB