BITS AND PIECES: Relic Cards

Gone are the days when collectors fretted the value of a trading card when it was autographed. Oh sure, most dealers tuned into the fine points of card collecting and the market would tell you that that pristine, unsigned '52 Mickey Mantle card is worth more unsigned than signed. Today's trading card market is flourishing with autographed cards and memorabilia cards. That's the latest step in the evolution of cards.

The card industry was revolutionized when The Upper Deck Co. began selling its new high-gloss, hologram-stamped cards for one buck per pack. Gasp! Argh! The printing, materials and special die-cuts of certain cards added cost and further changed the hobby. In 1996 Press Pass issued an auto racing card with a piece of tire on it. Upper Deck had the memorabilia card concept in the works at the same time. Weeks later, it unveiled a football set with game-used jersey pieces from Dan Marino and John Elway gear.

Today, almost every trading card set issued features a memorabilia card, an autographed card or both. Some boxes ranging in price from $150 to $180 retail guarantee three memorabilia cards. The range of material offered has expanded from game-used jerseys to footballs, helmets, spikes, bases. If it can be cut, clipped, shaved or slivered, it can be embedded in a card. Collectors are paying anywhere from $4 to $30 a pack to get game-used bats, jerseys, footballs, helmets, spikes or bases.

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