December 26, 2012 | Vol. 13 No. 26 Collectors Club SMR Price Guide Pop Report Facts Services Set Registry SM Taking My Hacks: A Recap of an Interesting 2012 This year has been a memorable one for the collectibles industry.  Many price records were set at auction in a variety of areas, the Black Swamp Find captured our imagination and a host of young rookies made their marks in sports.  Despite an economy that continues to struggle, collectors maintained their passion... even if the average hobbyist may have spent less during the last 12 months.  In the following piece, PSA's Joe Orlando takes a quick look back at 2012 - a year to remember. The Gift of the Message Boards Collectors are not different than the average person.  Just like most people, we have a tendency to lose perspective on things or "sweat the small stuff" as they say.  We often have to take a step back and remind ourselves about what is most important in life, especially during this special time of the year.  In the following article, a very brave collector opens up about the most difficult time in his life and how a hobby message board, in its own way, helped him to deal with personal tragedy. Set Registry Spotlight This Test Scored An A – The Number One Current Finest 1968-69 Topps Test Basketball Set Although not very large, there are only 22 cards in this set, it is an important set amongst collectors. One reason could be that this was Topps' first basketball set since 1957. Another reason may be due to the fact that this set contains the first professional cards of Dave DeBusschere, Earl Monroe, Willis Reed and several other greats! Complete, with several “Top Pop” cards and with a set rating of 7.74, which is not too far from the Finest Possible Set Rating of 7.90, there is no mystery why this set has won in the Set Registry Awards 9 years! Click here to view this great set. Set Registry Special! All Years – All Sports & Non-Sports - $14 Per Card/No Minimum – 10 Business Days (approx.) Click here for details. The PSA Set Registry is a work in progress and we invite your comments and ideas. Send your suggestions to setregistry@collectors.com. Investigation: Michael Jackson Autographs May Be Phony Recently, an auction of Michael Jackson signed memorabilia generated around $5 million. There were many buyers, which included Lady Gaga - who Tweeted that she bought 55 of the items in the sale. Afterwards, questions were raised about the authenticity of the autographs by a variety of industry figures. Sirius Sports Cards Auction #71 Is Now Open for Bidding. Ends December 27 There are 1575 lots for auction that will end on Thursday December 27, 2012 at 11 PM EST using the 15 minute rule. This auction features many high grade and low pop cards for collectors to complete their sets from the 1950s through the 1980s. There is something for everyone here with all major sports represented including some non sports. For Mickey Mantle fans, we have over 500 out of the 536 2006-2008 Topps Home Run History cards all graded by PSA, mostly graded PSA 9 and 10. Many low and Pop 1 cards in the group. Announcing the SoCal Baseball and Sports Collectors Expo, Anaheim California, January 11-13, 2013 For a baseball experience like no other in Southern California, attend the SoCal Baseball and Sports Collectors Expo, held at the Anaheim Marriott in Southern California. Friday, January 11 thru Sunday, January 13, 2013. 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth Rookie Coming to the Auction Block REA Spring 2013 One of only ten known 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth cards has been consigned to Robert Edward Auctions' spring 2013 sale. Many consider the 1914 Babe Ruth to be the single most important and miraculous baseball card in the world. This card features Ruth as an unknown minor league rookie straight out of St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys. 1916 Sporting News Cards, Ruth Items Score Big Bids in Memory Lane Auction of Major Hobby Finds In all, the auction generated net sales of $1,315,138 including the company's 19% buyer's premium which was added to all winning bids. Upcoming PSA Shows JP Sports & Rock Solid Promotions - Winter Extravaganza 01/18 - 01/20/2013 Tri-Star Collectors Convention 01/25 - 01/27/2013 Long Beach Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo 02/07 - 02/09/2013 GT Sports Marketing Autograph, Memorabilia & Sports Card Show 02/15 - 02/17/2013 View Full Calendar 2012 PSA/DNA Autograph Report The Ten Most Dangerous Autographs Click here to view online Collectors Corner 22,115 Cards for Sale Today valued at $3,396,144 Most Recent Listings: 1959 Bell Brand Rams 18 Lou Michaels PSA NM-MT+ 8.5...$549.00 1954 Topps 45 Richie Ashburn PSA NM-MT 8...$220.00 1969 Topps Four In One PSA GEM MT 10...$795.00 Most Valuable Listings: 1952 Topps 311 Mickey Mantle PSA NM-MT 8OC...$37,500.00 1935 National Chicle 9 Knute Rockne PSA Mint 9...$37,500.00 1909-1911 T206 Piedmont Rube Waddell Throwing PSA NM-MT 8...$13,995.00 Survey Question In your opinion, which of the following hobby-related events was the most memorable in 2012? 1920 Babe Ruth Jersey Sells for Hobby Record $4.4 million The Black Swamp Find of E98 Baseball Cards PSA Gem Mint 10 1955 Roberto Clemente sells for Post-War Card Record - $432,690 PSA Mint + 9.5 Babe Ruth Autographed Baseball Sells for $388,375 - New Record for a  Signed Baseball Click here to answer; and to view the latest issue's survey results. © 1999 - 2012 Professional Sports Authenticator. All Rights Reserved. PSA, Professional Sports Authenticator, P.O. Box 6180 Newport Beach, CA 92658 For more information about PSA services, call PSA Customer Service at (800) 325-1121 or visit www.psacard.com We offer a wealth of advertising opportunities both online and print. Please contact Rebecca Tran, Director of Advertising at rebecca@collectors.com, (800) 325-1121 ext. 356 or directly at: (949)567-1356.