Latest news with #PSA1
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
From trade nights to Travis Scott: Fanatics Fest NYC Recap
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 17: Fans attends Trade Night at the Fanatics Fest NYC 2024 at Jacob Javits Center on August 17, 2024 in New York City. (Photo byfor Fanatics) This past week was a major one for Mantel as we touched down at Fanatics Fest in NYC. With a packed schedule and a ton of momentum behind the hobby, we hit the ground running—and it didn't disappoint. Here were the highlights of my week. Wednesday – Mojo x Bleecker Kickoff Things kicked off with a private event hosted by Mojo Sports and Mantel at Bleecker. If you're unfamiliar, Mojo is one of the key voices in the hobby right now . In partnership with Bleecker Trading and Mojo Sports, Mantel hosted an invite only event before Fanatics Fest kicked off. We had pizza from L'Industrie (my pick for best in NYC), and collectors brought the heat. One collection that stood out was a PSA 1 showcase , featuring cards with stories that go well beyond their price tags. Advertisement The big moment of the night came when Steve Aoki showed up. He's no stranger to the hobby and brought the energy. Within minutes, the room filled up, and yes, he did his signature cake toss. Mojo took the hit like a champ. You could say Fanatics Fest week officially started with a bang. Thursday – Trade Night Chaos We were up early setting up the Mantel booth, and by evening, I was back at Bleecker for King of the Kards' trade night. Mantel sets up its booth for Fanatics Fest in NYC. It was absolute mayhem—in the best way. Tables filled, deals flying. The biggest move of the night? King of the Kards dropped $19,000 on a haul that included a Patrick Mahomes Prizm RC, Josh Allen Donruss Optic RC, LeBron James Topps Chrome Refractor RC, and a 2006 LeBron Signature Shots Auto. Advertisement But the most memorable card was a custom Jeff Bezos 'Employee of the Month' card. Not real, but definitely hilarious. The hobby never stops finding new ways to surprise you—especially on nights like this. A custom Jeff Bezos "Employee of the Month" card seen at Fanatics Fest. Friday – The Show Begins Friday was stacked. I'll spare you the full play-by-play and stick to the two moments that stood out. The Panel: Michael Rubin, Tom Brady, and Travis Scott took the stage, and the crowd was loud. Brady even joked about getting a rare warm welcome in NYC. Rubin broke down his mindset on building brands and collaborations, stating, 'I love partnering with entrepreneurial people who move the needle.' He credited Travis as one of those. Travis, on the other hand, said it simply: 'Everything I collab with are things I loved as a kid.' Advertisement Then came a surprise: Mark Zuckerberg appeared on screen to announce a Meta x Oakley collab with new smart glasses. He called on Travis to perform, and the panel turned into a live concert. Travis performed with the new glasses on and the crowd went off. The Vince Carter Moment: As someone from Toronto, this one hit differently. Vince spoke about his journey, his jersey retirement, and even finishing his degree while playing Game 7 in the playoffs. It was raw and thoughtful—something I didn't expect in that setting. Legend then. Legend now. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 20: Vince Carter speaks onstage at Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 20, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by) (Slaven Vlasic via Getty Images) Saturday – Hidden Gems Saturday kept the momentum going. I caught the Brady x Kevin Hart taping for Cold As Balls and then spent more time walking the floor. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 21: (L-R) Tom Brady and Kevin Hart speak onstage during the "Cold As Balls" stage at Fanatics Fest NYC 2025 at Javits Center on June 21, 2025 in New York City. (Photo byfor Fanatics) (Kevin Mazur via Getty Images) The highlight? Talking to The UFC Card Father, who had the biggest UFC card collection I've ever seen. His centerpiece: a $1.2 million Joe Rogan 1/1 cut auto by Upper Deck. The card doesn't say UFC—just 'comedian'—because of a licensing issue with Topps. You learn something new every day. Final Thoughts I flew out Saturday night and missed the final day, but even with an early exit, the week over-delivered. Between the big names, obscure cards, wild trade night stories, and passionate collectors, Fanatics Fest felt like a tipping point for the hobby. The energy is there. The culture is evolving. And this is only the beginning. Your collection deserves a community. Download Mantel today.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mantelpiece Stories: Inside one collector's passion for PSA 1 cards
One of the best things about collecting is that it's a different experience for everyone, and no one can tell you if it's right or wrong. At Mantel's pre-Fanatics Fest trade night at Bleecker Trading, we met a collector, Steve Loff of Throwback Cards, who embodies this perfectly. His passion? Cards graded PSA 1, typically the lowest grade possible. Advertisement His goal? Own the world's largest collection of PSA 1 cards. Intrigued by his unique collection, we sat down with him to dive into the world of 'imperfectly perfect' cards. How did this unique collection begin? Steve: It all started when I saw a guy posting random PSA 1s on Instagram. I found it hilarious yet intriguing. Interestingly, my own journey actually began with a PSA 3, not a 1. I got a 2019 Pete Alonso #475 back from PSA expecting a 10, but it was a 3 due to an accidental fold in the card. I laughed, looked at the pop report — Pop 1, none lower — and decided, 'I'm keeping this card.' Then I thought about iconic cards I'd always wanted in high grades, like the '93 Jeter SP. Curious, I checked and saw a Pop 1 in PSA 1, found it immediately on COMC, and snagged it for $195. It remains my most expensive PSA 1 to date. That card changed my entire collecting approach. 1993 SP Derek Jeter PSA 1 (Via Mantel) Do you mostly buy your PSA 1 cards or grade them yourself? Steve: Around 95% are already graded as PSA 1. I often wonder how they ended up that way. Were they treasured by someone for a long time, graded out of curiosity, or a grading newbie's submission? Occasionally, when I can't find a Pop 1 or Pop 2 card I really want, I'll intentionally submit a beat-up card myself, hoping for a PSA 1. What's the secret to consistently getting PSA 1 grades? Steve: It's funny — just like spotting a PSA 10, you need an eye for a 1. It takes practice. I've aimed for 1s and sometimes ended up with 2s, which felt like overgrading! A perfect PSA 1 has good centering and registration but clearly visible creases and worn corners. My 1981 Topps Kirk Gibson is an ideal example: childhood-loved, pocket-worn, yet charmingly intact. 1981 Topps Kirk Gibson PSA 1 (Via Mantel) Do you ever intentionally damage cards for a lower grade? Steve: Occasionally, yes. However, I don't usually like taking shortcuts like pinholes —though I confess I did it once with my 1989 Topps Traded Barry Sanders. I let my kids play with it, creased it up, but wasn't confident it would grade a 1, so I added a pinhole. That card graded PSA 1 and has since become a centerpiece of my collection. I've even declined offers for it that exceeded PSA 10 prices! Which cards in your collection mean the most to you? Steve: The Sanders, despite the pinhole, because of the memorable story around its grading. The Jeter SP as my first PSA 1. The Kirk Gibson card for its ties to my childhood. Also, my junk wax-era PSA 1s — cards like the 1986 Canseco Rated Rookie, the 1987 Topps Bo Jackson Future Stars, and the 1983 Topps Tony Gwynn. I particularly love my 1969 Victoria Stevie Wonder, Pop 1, none lower! 1989 Topps Barry Sanders PSA 1, 1990 Topps Ken Griffey Jr. PSA 1 and 1990 Fleer Michael Jordan PSA 1 (Via Mantel) What might surprise people about the pricing of PSA 1 cards? Steve: PSA 1 cards are often rarer than higher grades, so there's a surprising premium sometimes. For example, my Barry Sanders card has drawn offers higher than PSA 10 counterparts. Generally, PSA 1 collecting is affordable and fun, but certain low-population cards can unexpectedly outpace mid-level grades in value. Any cards still on your wishlist? Steve: Definitely! I'd love an '86 Jordan, '79 Gretzky, or '58 Jim Brown, even though they're relatively common in PSA 1. My true wish list includes modern iconic cards you rarely see graded PSA 1, like the 2018 Prizm Luka Doncic or Tom Brady Bowman Chrome rookie. But at the very top are the 1984 Topps or Donruss Don Mattingly and the 1996 Topps Kobe Bryant — both hard to find and pricey. Any final thoughts you'd like to share? Steve: It is the best conversation starter. One fun thing is bringing these PSA 1 cards to shows and displaying them prominently. Collectors always react positively, often amazed or amused. As quirky as it sounds, PSA 1 collecting is incredibly rewarding — it's affordable, personal, and brings genuine joy and conversations every single time. Do you have a unique collection you would like featured on Mantelpiece Stories? Let us know on Mantel.
