Latest news with #BleeckerTrading
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The Fickles: An alternative Hobby Awards
It's becoming apparent there's a disconnect here at Mail Day, between our boss, Evan Parker, and your old pal, man of the people J.R. Fickle. First, he didn't tell me about the Mantel-sponsored Fanatics Fest party at Bleecker Trading until the week before. He then hid the beer from me. Then he planned and announced The Hobby Awards with Yahoo Sports, which I found out about from reading his favorite newsletter, Above the Mantel. Hey look, a guy can take a hint. This is all just a test to see if I would create The Fickles in protest. I did. He can't stop me (he's still busy courting celebrity judges). Let's dive in (Note: These awards run 2024-25). (Editor's note: As always, J.R. Fickle does not represent the views of Mantel— hell, we don't even invite him to our parties). Best Card Company Topps. It's not close, really. It's like 15 year-old me is running a card company, and that is the highest praise I can ever give. Best Card Company, non-Topps Leaf. We've praised Leaf here before. Yes, they have giant, weird misses. But they take big swings. And they're often very far ahead of the game (Livvy Dunne, Savannah Bananas, Ashton Jeanty, etc) as far as taste-making. Their designs are pretty, their card stock is top-tier, and they seem to be having fun. Best Sticker Set McDonald's Panini Family. It was a summer 2024 release that kids hated and parents ignored. But it has the Suni Lee rookie (really her only non-ACEO 'card'), and they had glitter parallels (showing a deeper understanding of the 'McDonald's Adult' crowd), so there may ultimately be a long-tail demand for what we imagine to be a mostly-discarded and therefore probably-scarce set (Buy on eBay). Most Disappointing Social Media Topps has a billion cards, unlimited history, 70 years of creativity, top-tier art, licenses galore, card-back fun facts… and all they do is repeat the corny 'dad and son pull a 1/1!' trope. Maybe it works for some people but why Topps acts like a fanboy on social media remains a giant mystery. Biggest Miss Every card company — and I'm throwing Funko in here, too, because they also could've done something — for failing to produce a Raygun card or POP featuring the Australian Olympic breakdancer. Best Inscription Anne Schedeen's card in the Cheers set — 'Maybe a beer to go for ALF?' (Buy on eBay) — combines Schedeen's roles in two 80s classics; a guest role on Cheers and the mom on ALF. Best Card Design Parkside is so good at designing their cards, it's hard to figure out which subsets are actually 'worth' something and which are just commons. Even if you don't like NWSL, the designs may get you to buy a few. Check out their 2024 Vol. 2 for a taste. Or the 2025 planet parallels. Lots of color and fun in here! Rookie of The Year Markie Devo probably has no idea how widely and often we quote him in Mail Day with his fast food missives. He's tipped us off to the BK Advent Calendar, DunKings, Lil' McDonald's, the Jim Henson/Count Chocula sold out cereal bowl collection, and more. He may have been around for years, but he's a rookie to J.R. Fickle Best Show of The Year The David Gonos/Michael Salfino 'card talks.' This should be a weekly show, it's fantastic stuff. Forgotten Vestige of Times Past of the Year NFTs. Remember those? Gigantic Loser of the Year (Tie) All Breakers Trend of the Year Lububus. They're cute! Next Big Thing of the Year It has to be Sophie Cunningham, right? Enigma of the Year Mary GambleGamble. She's fun and full of energy but mannnnn I can only take so many 'Profit: $125' fake/forced haggling videos. Deep Sleeper Collectible of the Year Gina Carano is currently suing Disney and her acting star was on the rise before she got fired from The Mandalorian. She is probably in line for a comeback soon — and the Carano market has managed to stay remarkably strong despite her cancellation – autographed card prices aren't the deals you think they would be. They are, in fact, 'generally unaffordable' for a guy like me. So imagine where they'll go if she makes that comeback!. Only one way to go! A lot of people are finding themselves un-canceled! The Hobby Awards Judge Snub of the Year LeMeme James should've been asked. And THEN J.R. Fickle. Bust of the Year Watch-collecting message boards. Just buy a $30 Indiglo and get over yourselves! The 'Why Do You Keep Doing This?' Award JG Auctions, for continuing to run air and space autograph auctions with obscure pilots' signatures on mostly unrelated postcards. (Note: We do love JG. We are frequenters of their historical auctions) Congratulations to our winners! See you on the red carpet for The Hobby Awards! Your collection deserves a community. Download Mantel today.
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A new era for Bleecker Trading: NYC's home for cards, culture, and community
Big news in the hobby world: Bleecker Trading, the renowned New York collector shop, has been acquired by longtime collector Matt Winkelried. Founded in 2020 by Mark Zablow of Cogent World, Bleecker Trading quickly became one of the most celebrated hobby shops in the country. But Bleecker was never just a shop. From day one, it's been about building a cultural destination: a high-energy space where commerce meets community, and nostalgia blends with next-gen energy. The Bleecker name became synonymous with hospitality, creativity, and connection. Now, as the torch passes from Mark to Matt, we sat down with both of them for an exclusive conversation about how Bleecker was built - and where it's headed next. Q&A with Matt Winkelried and Mark Zablow You've officially taken over Bleecker Trading—how does that feel?Matt: I'm incredibly excited to officially embark on this next chapter. I've been a lifelong collector and my first experience at Bleecker was as a customer, so it feels pretty special to have come full circle. Working closely with Mark to really hone in on what makes this business so special has been amazing, so I can't wait to dive in even deeper. Why was now the right time to sell Bleecker Trading?Mark: Bleecker was always about creating a cultural movement around collecting, and I think we accomplished that. We built a brand that redefined what a trading card shop could be. It felt right to step away when the foundation was strong and the momentum was real — and with Matt's vision, energy, and love for the space, I knew the business could grow even more with him leading it. It just felt like the right moment to let Bleecker evolve — plus, we always say: it's Bleecker Trading, not Bleecker Storage… so everything is for sale. What initially attracted you to Bleecker Trading, and how do you plan to honor the name while building on its legacy?Matt: I was a customer and long-time collector. The first time I walked into Bleecker Trading it unlocked this fire in me—I didn't just want to collect, I wanted to help build something that brings my passion to more people and communities. What separates Bleecker from the rest of the industry is that we really are a hospitality-first business, and I vibed with that. We always want to make everyone feel welcome and part of our community through in-store experience and events, so even as we continue to grow, that will always be core to our brand's identity. What are you most proud of when you look back on what Bleecker became?Mark: I'm most proud that we made Bleecker feel like home — not just a store. We gave kids, parents, collectors, and even first-timers a space where they could connect, trade, laugh, and belong. We took something traditionally niche and made it mainstream and cool, without losing the heart of it. What excites you most about this new chapter for the shop?Matt: Since the beginning, Bleecker has reimagined what collecting can look and feel like: creating welcoming, high-energy spaces that merge culture, nostalgia and shared interests. We've always been more than just a card shop, and we're excited to double down and provide as many opportunities for our community to connect and invest in our growing team. How do you think Bleecker influenced the local community and shaped collecting culture in NYC?Mark: We flipped the script. Bleecker brought collecting out of the shadows and into culture. We turned trading cards into an experience — events, live trades, content, community. The hat became a symbol of the movement, something people wore with pride because it represented more than just cards — it represented belonging. You'd see it on kids after school, collectors, celebrities, bartenders, delivery guys — everywhere. It helped make the hobby feel visible, proud, and undeniably New York. NYC could finally say it had a hub that respected the hobby. That ripple effect went way beyond Christopher Street. How do you plan to build on the foundation Mark and the team created?Matt: Build is the key word here—what Mark and the team have created with Bleecker is so unique to the industry that we want to build on this foundation by expanding access for more people to learn about what Bleecker Trading has to offer. What's the memory you're most fond of in the past few years growing Bleecker?Mark: Frankly, just hanging on the block on event nights — the energy, the people, the flow between the shop, the pizza spot, the bodega. Collectors, kids, parents, local businesses, and my friends all mixing together. It wasn't just about cards — it was about community. Meeting so many great people and hearing their stories. That's the part I'll always remember. In fact, it's the business cards. I collected much more than the trading cards that mean everything to me. Can loyal customers expect any changes to the Bleecker experience, in-store or online?Matt: Initially, we're prioritizing in-store experience for our customers. That's what has made Bleecker Trading so special: our experience in our shop. Looking forward, we are thinking about how digital can extend the in-store experience and bring more people in without losing the magic of Bleecker's spaces. How did you know Matt was the right person to carry the Bleecker legacy forward?Mark: Matt came in as a customer and quickly became part of the heartbeat of Bleecker. He didn't just get the business — he understood the culture, the energy, the relationships that made it special. He brings passion, vision, and the ability to grow the brand in new ways. He was living the mission before ever having a formal role — that's how I knew. What's your vision for the future of Bleecker over the next 12 months?Matt: We're just getting started so I can't share too many specifics at this time, but we are evaluating and considering everything. What I can say is that we're going to double down on community and grow the business in a way that stays true to our DNA. That starts with learning more about our customers and focusing on growing our existing community, while also inviting new customers into our world. What advice are you passing on to Matt as he takes the reins?Mark: Lead with hospitality. Keep adding value — to the hobby, to the community, to every person who walks through the door or connects with the brand. Don't be afraid to take risks. Bleecker was built by pushing boundaries and trying new things — and never settling for the norm is what will keep it special. Will you still be involved in the hobby or connected to Bleecker in any way?Mark: Definitely. The hobby is part of who I am — I'll always be collecting, trading, and supporting the culture. And I'll always be rooting for Bleecker. I may not be running the business day-to-day, but I'll be in the mix however I can — just in a different role now. If you're passionate about collecting, make sure to check out Mantel, the social network built for collectors.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The ultimate Fanatics Fest review: Fun with numbers
There is a ton to cover from Fanatics Fest. I think the best way to do it is a thorough review of everything I saw and did. But there's no room here, so we're going to have fun with numbers!! JR Fickle bought a sum total of zero things there this weekend (I am an oddities guy, as you know, and there wasn't a lot of that), but I did get an 'in' on having my Vincent Price check authenticated — more on that another time! So personally, it was all wins for me. Let's jump right in! 3: The number of new people I'm following on social media MaryGambleGamble : Full disclosure, I followed and unfollowed a long time ago. I'm back to following. Screw it, I think she's fun. I have zero interest in the cards she deals with ($200+ modern Prizms are like 50x the price and 30 years older and 100% more sport-y I like to pay for cards) but she's enthusiastic, she seems to be enjoying herself, and her videos are very good. OH BUT SHE'S ONLY BEEN IN THE HOBBY FOR A YEAR! Are we suddenly gatekeepers? Who cares? Good content is good content. Advertisement WhoKnewCollectors : I met him at the Mantel party at Bleecker Trading — and I'm not sure if he told me his Mantel username as just a dude talking to another dude or what, so I'll protect all that here — but what a fantastic guy who has scarily parallel interests to mine. On the way home from the event, I checked out his Instagram feed, followed his logic on this Richard Pryor Superman 3 post, and raced to ebay to buy a few . They're cheaper than you think!! Michael Salfino : He was holding court in the back room at Bleecker, opining on vintage cards and then streaming shows to watch. He was quizzing people on how many HBO Max shows you can name (try it – you have 30 seconds). Michael came to the event with a stack of cards to do some trading with and let us rifle through them. They were fantastic. I held a very old Mickey Mantle in pristine condition. His big thing is 'centering' and you could see in his stack how they're all just wonderfully centered; it's a different feeling than seeing all these old cards – in near-perfect condition – online. Very cool. WARNING: His social account is most definitely not very cards focused, I have learned quickly. 0: The number of beers I had at the Mantel/Bleecker party I was told where the beers were, to be fair. But I wasn't going to be the only one drinking in a card shop. Especially with Salfino letting people touch his old cards. I won't be the one spilling Coors Light on a Tom Seaver rookie. 10000: The amount of times I have almost bought a 'Pieces of Sh*t' box on eBay I did not see these live in person. I heard about them, like a whisper, after. And now I'm stuck. I think I would pay $20 for one. I might pay $30. Once we start hitting $40, I'm out. They're small, as you can see. But I keep going back and forth – I am an annual Comic Con attendee, and 'exclusives' tend to get more expensive over time. But they have to hit just right. Is it too obscure? Maybe. What if the movie sucks — will anyone care? I could see this being worth $200 encased and graded, but a lot of these have dinged corners. Interestingly, most of the ones I'm seeing online have a dinged top left corner. No idea why. By the time you read this, I may have bought one. I don't know. I am completely perplexed by this. 14: the amount of seconds I cringed watching this video 'Autograph people' are like the monkey's paw cruel twist if you make a wish to be famous. 1: The number of movies I will recommend if you laughed seeing John Cena fake punch a punching machine You may be able to tell this just from me being a normal person, but my wrestling knowledge ends around 1990. You know what I know John Cena from? That show with the Bella Twins (I was a passive participant in watching it), the movie Blockers (I cannot recommend this movie enough), and the TV show Peacemaker (instant classic). I love the guy. I'm telling you, watch Blockers. Tonight. It's incredible and he's really great. And so him doing this with the punching machine – and kind of half-heartedly doing the 'can't see me' hand thing – that's the John Cena I know! 7-10: The amount of minutes more that Aiden from Lil Pullman negotiates than I do Jake Singman wrote a great piece from the Fest about the vendors at the show, asking them a series of questions about how they collect. One of the questions was how long they will haggle/negotiate on cards. One guy said he could go months over email. But Aiden said he knows right off the bat and will stop at 10 minutes. My negotiating runs about 0 minutes – I can't do it. I need to get better at it and if there's something I really want, I'll probably do it. Even my 'Best Offer' strategy on eBay sucks… I either go too low or just hit the heart and hope they come to me with something more than 8% off. I need a negotiating primer! Someone help me!! Anyway, that was a quick review of the weekend. It was fun. I can see how if you love celebrity culture and follow former athletes you would leave this event having the best time ever. I'm not wired that way; but I can see it. Will I go next year? Yes. Will I probably have a better 'what I bought' recap from The National? Also yes. But there was a lot of thoughtful effort put into this event, and I truly appreciate the Herculean effort. The widespread praise from fans is well-deserved. Advertisement On a final note, shoutout to Javits for blasting the AC – I've been to a bunch of NY Comic Cons where I just sweat and it was miserable. Quick Hitters I found this story on how to increase the holiness of your Pope card pretty great. I did not know you couldn't sell something that has been blessed. I mentioned how I know nothing about wrestling. But I caught some buzz about Mr. Iguana on twitter and saw something about this being his first card … and I jumped in without knowing anything else. The good news? I bought it for $9.98 and it's already up to $14.98! INSTINCTS!! We've heaped praise on Markie Devo here before. He tipped us off to the BK Advent calendars, after all!! Today's special? A Gatorade Shirley Temple flavor made especially for Paige Bueckers . I bet there's a 'limited run' of this in the near future. Oh sorry, did you want actual card investing advice? Go buy Miguel Vargas autographed rookies . He is quietly having a nice season and was a monster in the minors . The White Sox suck so nobody's paying attention to anything but their occasional dysfunction, but Vargas, who is just 25, could be a stud. 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.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mantel takes Manhattan for Fanatics Fest
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 18: Michael Rubin (C) with Verizon "Moment of Freak Out" winner Dwight Lake and Joshua Booker, during the Fanatics Fest NYC 2024 at Jacob Javits Center on August 18, 2024 in New York City. (Photo byfor Fanatics) We're finally here, Collectors. Fanatics Fest Week. Heading to NYC for the show? Check out Yahoo Sports' primer on what to expect from Michael Rubin and team this year. And don't forget to stop by Bleecker Trading to hang with the Mantel crew. We'll be there after the show every day, with a packed schedule of events , giveaways, authentic NYC pizza… everything you'll need. We can't talk about Fanatics Fest without talking about the engine driving Fanatics' push to dominate the sports and collectible businesses: Michael Rubin. The Fanatics founder and CEO's rise offers a masterclass in strategic evolution, risk tolerance, and obsessive focus on customer value. As described in Boardroom's cover story article and video, Rubin sees Fanatics not as an empire, but a 22,000-person startup, still just getting started. Regular readers of these pages are probably pretty aware of the love we have for Bleecker Trading, an NYC hobby shop that puts culture and community at the forefront of everything they do. With Mantel hitting the Big Apple, deciding where we wanted to post up was a no-brainer, and for Yahoo Sports, we wanted to take readers behind the scenes at the shop. I also had the pleasure of joining Bleecker honcho Mark Zablow on The Hobby With Cage , so give the article a read, the video a watch , and then come hang with us at the shop this week if you're in town. At this point you've probably heard of Labubu, the cute/creepy dolls that have taken over the world over the last few weeks. (If you are unfamiliar, check out this piece from NPR , which explains the toy's origins). We also enjoyed the video below from the Wall Street Journal, which showcases how the store behind the phenomenon, Pop Mart, has made the dolls go viral, and as a result, is now minting money. Are Labubu dolls here to stay, or just this year's Furby ? In a heart-warming twist of hobby fate, a Caitlin Clark 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA Black Finite 1/1 rookie card, graded PSA 9, sold for $274,500 via Goldin Auctions just months after a collector landed it for $27 in a Whatnot stream. The card is now the most valuable non-autographed Clark card ever sold, and the second-priciest overall behind her $366K Gold Vinyl auto. Kudos to the seller, Valerie Coleman, for turning her windfall into a good cause, with her pledge to match up to $50K in donations collectors make to animal rescues. One of only four known Ceratosaurus skeletons, and the only juvenile, is hitting the auction block at Sotheby's on July 16. Measuring over 10 feet long with a complete skull and razor-sharp teeth, the fossil stands mounted in a dramatic, roaring pose. Originally unearthed in Wyoming and once housed at Utah's Museum of Ancient Life, the specimen is estimated to bring in $4-6M at the sale, a huge number, though still tiny in comparison to the Stegosaurus 'Apex' , which sold for $44.6M back in 2022. Not all are thrilled, by the way, that fossils once destined for museums and scientific research, are ending up in private collections through these auctions. Another week, another Mantel update. Yesterday we launched new features including Streaks, Polls and better image display tools (including zoom). Not on Mantel yet? Grab a (free) account and username today , and join in the excitement as we take in the sights, sounds and conversations from Fanatics Fest in NYC. Your collection deserves a community. Download Mantel today.
