The National Promos From Topps

As some of you may know the 30th Annual National Sports Collectors Convention will be taking place in late July in Cleveland, Ohio. It is the highlight event of the year and most major collectors will travel far and wide to attend. Unfortunately, I will not be going this year, but I am hopeful collectors on the 'tubes will pass along their insights and photos from the event. (Hint, Hint: Please pass along any photos and your thoughts about the show if you are attending)

As always, there will be numerous corporate sponsors setting up booths. All of the big players will be there; from Topps to Upper Deck, PSA to Beckett, NFL Players Association to Sports Card Forum. In addition, many of these sponsors will be handing out specials limited edition promotional cards that are usually made available to VIP attendees.

Topps recently unveiled their VIP promo set and it includes a couple of Dodgers. Unfortunately, one of the cards has me a little on edge.

The Topps promos are fashioned after the vintage 1959 Topps Baseball card set and it includes only fantasy cards, or "Cards That Never Were." Roy Campanella, as you can see below, gets his very own card as Honorary Coach. The year before he suffered through a debilitating accident and would never play a game again. In recognition of his leadership to the Dodgers he became a special coach to the team at their Spring Training facility in Vero Beach, FL.
Now the card below is just wrong. Even though it's of the great Jackie Robinson I can't stand looking at it for longer than a second or two. There is a reason the card like this would never exist- because it is just wrong.

The Jackie Robinson "Card that Never Was" features him in a Giants uniform. I know, I know! Sacrilegious!

As you may know, after the 1956 season Jackie retired from Baseball after his trade to the hated Giants. The popular story is that he refused to join the team he despised. Now, Topps wonders aloud what he would have looked like in their uniform. If I was attending and picked up this card it would hard not to do something drastic.

I might literally find myself pulling out a lighter and burning it right there. The thought that a card like this actually exist makes me want to puke.
Of course, if you are attending and happen to be in possession of the card. Well... I would be happy to take it off your hands.

Hunt Auctions: The Bob Schenz Collection

Hunt Auctions has just started their recent offering that coincides with the 2009 All-Star Game Fanfest in St. Louis and it has numerous items that would make any Dodger fan green with envy. In fact, there is so much great stuff I am going to split it up into several different post.

One of the collections of interest to the Blue Nation is the personal collection of former Dodger executive Robert John Schenz. He worked for the Dodgers from 1959 to 1988 in various executive capacities; including Transportation, Stadium Club and Personnel. Check out some of his booty below.

To start, below is a large lot of 16 press pins and charms from the numerous World Series and All-Star games. Unlike many of the auctions you'll see on eBay these are the real thing.

World Series press pins: 1963, 1966, 1974, 1980, 1981 and 1988. Dodgers World Series press charms include: 1974, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981 and 1988. Other pins incl.: 1974 Oakland, 1988 Oakland, and 1967 Anaheim All-Star as well a 1978 New York World Series charm.

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Auction Link: WS & All Star Pin and Charm Lot:

Now here is the really good stuff. Here are a group of real championship rings. Not only that, they all come with the original presentation boxes. Below is his 1974 National League Championship ring. Click any of the photos for a larger pic.

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Auction Link: 1974 NLC Ring:

Below is his 1978 National League Championship ring.

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Auction Link: 1978 NLC Ring:

Below is his 1977 National League Championship ring.

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Auction Link: 1977 NLC Ring:

Below is his 1963 World Series ring.

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Auction Link: 1963 WS Ring:

Below is the 1981 World Series ring.

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Auction Link: 1981 WS Ring:

Here is the best ring of all. Below is the 1988 World Series ring.

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Auction Link: 1988 WS Ring:

If you thought the rings were great then get a load of these trophies. Below is the 1981 World Series trophy.

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Auction Link: 1981 WS Trophy:

Who wouldn't want this trophy sitting on their mantel. Below is the 1988 World Series trophy.

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Auction Link: 1988 WS Trophy: