Showing posts with label scoreboard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scoreboard. Show all posts

Saturday, October 19, 2019

A Hallmark Keepsake

While walking around the flea market this morning, I noticed a bunch of vendors with Christmas ornaments.  It makes sense.  Christmas is less than 70 days away.

One lady had a bunch of Hallmark ornaments which she was selling for a few bucks each.  Off to the side, she had a few sports ornaments which she said were $15 each.  I haven't decorated a Christmas tree in years, but some of those Hallmark ornaments came with cards back in the 90's and early 2000's.

A few weeks ago, I picked up two of those cards in a dime box at the Serramonte Mall Sports Cards, Toys, and Collectibles Show.  Unfortunately they didn't come with the ornaments, but for that price I could live without them.

1996 Classic Hallmark #HK1

Nolan Ryan had retired a few years earlier, but card collectors were still fascinated with MLB's All-Time Strikeout King in 1996Two decades later, you can still find the ornament and card for under $5 (free shipping) on eBay.  Not quite the best investment piece, but cool nonetheless.

1996 Score Board Hallmark #HK2

While Hallmark teamed up with Classic to produce the Ryan card... they teamed up with Score Board to produce the Hank Aaron.  I'm guessing this had to do with licensing/contract issues.  It also explains why these two cards feature different designs.

Neither card is rare or worth a lot of money.  However they're both neat oddball additions to my hall of fame binders.

If you're interested, Hallmark produced a few other cards over the years.  Here are some scans I found on COMC:







Out of all of these cards, I think the only one I own is the Magic Johnson.  There's a chance I own one of the Shaquille O'Neal cards too.

What about you?

Did you ever collect Christmas ornaments or Hallmark trading cards?  Are you excited that Christmas is just around the corner?

I'm really, really, really looking forward to the two weeks off from work and spending some time with the family.

Happy Saturday and sayonara!