When I started this 10 months ago, I had no grand expectations other than wanting to still be writing this every week by the end of the year. Other than taking a necessary summer break to attend to family obligations, I’ve managed to accomplish that, and that’s because of you.
I know how valuable your time is, so it’s you who keeps me motivated and focused, trying to deliver something that’s consistently meaningful and relevant.
I’ve made a number of adjustments since the initial newsletter, and I’m sure I’ll continue to do so, but just know it’s all in the service of providing something worth your time.
So, thank you, for reading this each week, giving me your feedback, and simply being part of Drawn to Cards. It means a lot to me and I look forward to what this will become.
I’ve set lofty goals for myself in 2026, and continually improving this newsletter is a given, especially since it’ll go a long way toward helping me accomplish the rest.
Well, other than finishing my first marathon. I’ll probably need to train for that.
I’ll see you in 2026.
In this abbreviated issue you'll find:
Auction highlights
News in the hobby
Card collector Q&As from 2025
Some new pickups
A recent Vintage Card Voyage video
Let’s get into it.
Auction Highlights
Recently Sold:
🏈 A 1955 Topps All-American Jim Thorpe #37 SGC 3 sold for $361.50 (Sterling Sports Auctions), higher than the three most recent SGC 3 sales ($332.45, $216.50 and $246) and hadn’t reached that high of a price since June 16, 2024 (per Card Ladder).
⚾ A 1953 Topps Willie Mays #244 (a short print) PSA 6 sold for $6,300 (Fanatics Weekly Auction). This was the lowest same-grade price since July 27, and this price could reflect that it’s in an older PSA slab. That said, there’s a pretty big variance with this card, as another PSA 6 sold for $25,000 in mid-November (per Card Ladder).
🏀 The 1980-81 Topps Scoring Leader Bird/Erving/Magic PSA 7 came in at $2,602 (Goldin). Per Vintage Card Prices, this is the highest price for a PSA 7 since January 20, 2022, when one sold for $2,999.99.
News Briefs
Highlighting Card Collectors From the Q&A
I’ve had the incredibly good fortune to interview 16 different card collectors this year, something that honestly blows my mind, what with it being the newsletter’s first year.
That’s one of the best things about card collecting: the community of collectors is one that’s filled with generosity, something they demonstrated by agreeing to participate. It’s why the least I can do in return is draw their favorite or their grail card.
From sitting next to Casey Stengel at Dodger Stadium to talking with Brooks Robinson at spring training, these collectors have some great stories about their collecting past, along with their thoughts on the hobby’s future.
Since new readers continue to join each week, I figured I should feature all the collectors I’ve spoken to in 2025. That way, you can learn about them and, for those with YouTube channels, you can check out their content and subscribe. And don’t forget to check out the channels they recommend, too.
Thank you to all the collectors who did the Drawn to Cards Q&A. I look forward to learning about more collectors in 2026.
A Few New Pickups
I got a selection of 1969 cards at a card show over the weekend, including a rookie I’d been meaning to get for a while. Here are some of the highlights:
Vintage Card Voyage: Recent Video
Subscribe for future issues, share with those you think would enjoy the newsletter, and please also check out and subscribe to Vintage Card Voyage.
Thanks for reading and wishing you a great 2026.
Marc