George Washington Allen and Ginter on eBay
September 3rd, 2007I like Topps Allen and Ginter. I think they do some cool cards (particularly the mini-flags and other historical relics), but one has to wonder if we’ve gone too far with the George Washington card that’s currently for sale on eBay and is expected to sell for ~$10k. The card is a “hair relic” and includes several strands of Washington’s hair in it.
First things first, congrats to the collector/dealer that pulled the card. I don’t want to take anything away from him - I’m all for him making as much $$ as he can off of it. But WHY would you want a 208 year old strand of hair? Even if you are a GW collector, is a strand of hair from Topps really adding that much value to your collection? What’s next - skin, teeth…organs? I’ll draw my line with game-used memorabilia. I think some war-used memorabilia of GW would be far cooler, but that’s just me.
Even if you WANT a hair, then there’s the big question - how the hell do we know it’s real? The hair is supposedly verified using DNA evidence and is the “first DNA card ever produced” according to an article on Beckett. I can see it now 2009 Topps DNA Cards, including Babe Ruth gum, Ty Cobb finger nails, and Ted Williams skin.
Here’s the story Topps gave Beckett:
According to Topps spokesman Clay Luraschi, the company was able to broker a deal through EAC Gallery to obtain locks of Washington’s hair from renowned hair collector John Reznikoff, who is listed by The Guinness Book of World Records as having the largest collection of hair from historical celebrities. According to Topps, the hair was originally owned by the granddaughter of Martha Washington’s first marriage, Eleanor Parke Custis.
The lock of hair was then given to Washington’s friend and fellow Revolutionary War hero Colonel Levin Powell. The strands of hair, which originated from Washington’s head and not a colonial wig, has been incorporated into three unique 2007 Topps Allen and Ginter cards that are each hand numbered and cataloged as a one-of-one.
Well, I suppose a legendary hair collector is the best place to get real hair….
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:08 pm
In this world of what have you done for me lately and one upping each other I can only imagine what may be on the horizon for sports cards. I am not a fan of the dna card but I would have been jubilant if I had pulled it though.
I like Allen & Ginter mostly from the design perspective. I am not a big fan of some of the cards like Jack the Ripper. But give me a Patton card and maybe a piece of a map he used that I would chase after. World War II has always interested me so I would love to see a whole series done on the battles, generals and tools of war. I would much rather have those than snakes, emperors, monuments or Jack the Ripper.
September 4th, 2007 at 8:14 am
Exactly Joey - I’m all for war memorabilia (or memorabilia from any kind), but when you get into DNA it stops becoming cool and starts becoming creepy.
And of course I would have loved to have pulled the card too…any collector could use an extra $10k
September 5th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I totally agree. Any part of the body is way too personal for me. Having a piece of clothing on a card is close enough.
September 18th, 2007 at 10:29 am
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