One of the single best subsets in all of collecting is the Bowman 2001 autograph redemption cards. In it there is the modern version of the 1952 Mantle, Albert Pujols. Not to mention, two versions of Ichiro’s rookie card. Even the never made it autographs still fetch huge sums. Over the next few months, I am going to embark on a trek to see if I can find all the autographed rookie cards of the set minus the Pujols and Ichiro cards.
Here is the checklist:
#331 – Greg “Toe” Nash
#332 – Brad Cresse
#333 - John Buck
#334 – Freddie Bynum
#335 – Felix Diaz
#336 – Jason Belcher
#337 – Troy Farnsworth
#338 – Roberto Miniel
#339 – Esix Snead
#340 – Albert Pujols
#341 – Jeff Andra
#342 – Victor Hall
#343 – Pedro Liriano
#344 – Andy Beal
#345 Bob Keppel
#346 – Brian Schmidt
#347 – Ron Davenport
#348 – Tony Blanco
#349 – Reggie Griggs
#350 – Derrick Van Dusen
#351 – Ichiro Suzuki (A-English and B-Japanese) No autograph
All of the cards were limited to a print run of 500. That seems like a lot right? Think again, that was the print run, the true number of each cards out there is actually far less. You see back in 2001, Bowman decided that refractor autographs were going to be a redemption. At the time baseball was still undergoing a decline in card sales. So much like the 1984 version of Donruss baseball, 2001 Bowman baseball was just not a big seller. That is until Albert Pujols made it to the scene.
Reports vary, but most of the literature I have read state that about half the cards were redeemed. Some even less than the others. Just enter a search on eBay and you will see Greg Nash cards going from anywhere between $40 and $80. Ron Davenport cards have consistently hit between $80 – $100. It’s worth even more than the Ichiro cards.
Other than Pujols and Ichiro, none of the other players made an impact in MLB baseball, but their value in the hobby is always going to be a strange footnote making this set of refractor autographs an anomaly in the hobby. Collectors should pay attention to this set as it’s value will always increase, even if almost all the players are not even playing baseball anymore.
Contest – What is your collection’s white whale? Leave a comment and have a chance to win a random card from the badwax prize vault. Drawing held on Friday.
My white whale hits for a different reason – 1976 Topps Walter Payton rookie. The card is roughed up a little bit, but it is the pinnacle card for me as Payton by far is my favorite player of all-time. The corners are a little soft, there is a small crease on the card, but that to my symbolizes his career – tough, rugged, but still appealing to the eyes and senses.
I once bought a Gretzky rookie in the same type of condition. Glad at least someone is entered in the contest
2001 Fleer Showcase Masterpiece Patch. Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby 1/1 patch card
There is also one for Jose Reyes. I know because I bought a ton of Bowman that year and ended up with it.
That Stephen Strasburg Superfractor (that I will probaly never get!). Mainly because I’m trying to collect all SDSU atheltes autos, GU, refractors, and base. However, I don’t think I can ever get myself to pay that much for a card…
I don’t see any reason to think that all of the cards aren’t out there in circulation. The first thing that any manufacturer will tell you when you ask about an expired redemption card is that once the expiration date hits, they start using that card to send out to collectors who have redemption cards that never get made. There’s no way that those cards get destroyed.
Card-wise, I’d have to say the 1970T Nolan Ryan is the biggest obstacle for me in completing a Topps run from 70-Present.
If we are talking memorabilia, I have twice seen a 1952 Eau Claire Bears ball available with young Henry Aaron’s signature on it, but haven’t yet put the funds together to get it.
NYG Sreve Smith white whale rookie auto/patch card, 1/1, but with the other Steve Smith patch on the card, correct auto, wrong Steve Smith patch, a 1/1 PLUS error card
I always wanted the 01/02 Upper Deck Young Guns Jason Spezza RC that was never supposed to be inserted into packs. I read about it years ago and have seen photos of it but I’ve never seen one for sale, anywhere.
Since my wife is from Alvin TX, the card we would love to get for our collection is Nolan Ryan’s Rookie Card in Mint Condition.
Walter Johnson Legendary Cuts auto.
My white whale: 1982 Topps Traded Cal Ripken Jr. And then if we’re going all fancy-smanzy, I’d have to say Miguel Cabrera’s 2000 Topps Taded Auto card, which there’s no way I’ll ever own, but, hey, that’s why it’s a white whale.
My Tim Lincecum autographed just minors card. #ed /200
My personal white whale is actually a 1991 Action Packed Update 24 Carat Gold Rc of Harvey Williams. Back in the day this was like a $120 card, today I’d be lucky to get $4 for it, but to me its priceless. When those gold cards came out, I had to have one. I had a birthday party at the local roller skating rink, and as soon as it was over, begged my parents to take me to the card shop so I could get a box of cards. When I saw I had $100, and the box of Action Packed was $95, I was thrilled and bought it. I still remember opening that box at Long John Silvers that night and pulling the Harvey Williams. I still have it to this day. It still brings a smile to my face when I seee it
My white whale is a card I’ll never own, but I’d love to, its the 52 Topps Mantle. Even in PSA 1 its a $5000 card, way way outa my price range, but I’d love to own it.
I am in the process of putting together the 2009 Donruss Elite Extra Edition Status #/100. 25 left, of 150.
Theses are the ones I have scanned: http://s467.photobucket.com/albums/rr31/Calicokid18/2009%20Elite%20Extra%20Edition%20Status%20100/
Still need: http://www.sportscardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1363529
my white whale 1911 Honus Wagner, bought at a show in 2005 for 300.00 sold can’t touch it for less than 2000.00 now
For the record, not all the “other guys” failed to make an impact. John Buck was an All-Star for the Blue Jays last year. But other than Buck, yeah, you’re right; the other guys suck.
Also, only the Pujols packed out as a redemption. The other guys’ AUs were live.
Good luck finding a Ron Davenport. Supposedly, members of Davenport’s family have spent the last decade trying to corner the market on his card. This is why an autograph of a guy who retired three years ago and never made it past AA is worth over $100.
Mike D won the drawing, thanks to everyone for playing.