Collecting unlicensed leaf baseball cards discuss
 

I’ve seen members call them names I can’t print here lol
And some people seem to like them
Saw a quote elsewhere that said “”not worthless “”
“Just worth less .””
Some of them are visually appealing low number
Fwiw
And autographed.
The preproduction types are cool imo
Auto and non auto
What say you ?
Collect or throw away garbage ?

To each their own. Collect what you want and enjoy your collection.


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Hot garbage. The relic usually doesn't match the bat/jersey/uniform depicted on the card, so I question the authenticity. i.e. the card shows a Yankee pinstripe jersey but the relic on the card is gray jersey piece or even a bat. If they really had the uniform in question, why substitute the pic or relic? It would be pretty easy to take an actual pic of the uniform you were cutting up for the cards.

Useful for house insulation in colder climes.

Not a fan of players appearing like they're wearing generic pajamas on baseball cards. Easy pass.

[QUOTE=Tom Oates;19748326]Hot garbage. The relic usually doesn't match the bat/jersey/uniform depicted on the card, so I question the authenticity. i.e. the card shows a Yankee pinstripe jersey but the relic on the card is gray jersey piece or even a bat. If they really had the uniform in question, why substitute the pic or relic? It would be pretty easy to take an actual pic of the uniform you were cutting up for the cards.[/QUOTE]What a weird thing to question authenticity over. The picture on the card is virtually never of the jersey in the card for any game used cards. Why would you expect it to be? They license photos that they have access to, and they buy jerseys that are available on the market. Usually, they have no way of knowing what game it was used in and use that jersey for hundreds of cards. They aren't going to use the same photo for every card that jersey gets used in.

Interestingly, Leaf has allowed cameras into their factory and showed their game used section. They keep the authentication of each jersey with all the pieces as the jersey slowly gets chopped up for different sets. That's a transparency we don't often get in this hobby.

[url]https://youtu.be/yeaSwRLQFno?si=TSx2xmdxx6FPeqTU[/url]

[QUOTE=Tom Oates;19748326]Hot garbage. The relic usually doesn't match the bat/jersey/uniform depicted on the card, so I question the authenticity. i.e. [B]the card shows a Yankee pinstripe jersey but the relic on the card is gray jersey piece or even a bat. If they really had the uniform in question, why substitute the pic or relic? It would be pretty easy to take an actual pic of the uniform you were cutting up for the cards.[/B][/QUOTE]

I don't think any company does this.

I have picked up a few of the Leaf ticket stub cards. I think they are fun and cheap! I’m an Orioles fan and particularly liked getting this stub of Anthony Santander’s first career home run (on Aaron Judge card).

[IMG]https://img.comc.com/i/Baseball/2022/Leaf-Game-Day-Ticket-Collection---Base/TC-1/Aaron-Judge.jpg?id=892ca01c-ef85-4de4-8b0e-c9c6dce0bce8&size=zoom[/IMG]

[url]https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/home_run.php?p=santaan02[/url]

I'm not a fan of all of the crazy 1/1s they pump out. I literally think I see a few 1/1 Cansecos pop up every single day. That said, I've probably picked up 5-7 this year, because everrryyyy once in a while, they nail something for me. Heck, if you could rewind back to 2017, they created one of my favorite cards ever!

[QUOTE=Big35Hurt;19748447]Not a fan of players appearing like they're wearing generic pajamas on baseball cards. Easy pass.[/QUOTE]

1990 Frank Thomas NNOF appears to have someone running to first base that looks like they're wearing generic pajamas. :)


[img]https://i.imgur.com/aaWGznY.jpg[/img]

[QUOTE=PuddleMonkey;19748704]1990 Frank Thomas NNOF appears to have someone running to first base that looks like they're wearing generic pajamas. :)


[img]https://i.imgur.com/aaWGznY.jpg[/img][/QUOTE]

Those are fancy pajamas....look at the colors! It's what the high rollers wear.

Collecting is always a great thing.

Now if you're planning on selling them, different story.

If you like them, by all means collect them. Personally I won't touch anything from leaf(or panini)

Ain’t for this ole cowboy but if you like them, go for it

I am a huge fan Leaf Metal baseball and their other baseball prospect sets! I've gotten the big name prospect auto's at a fraction of Bowman prices (all box pulled). Holliday, Jasson, Adley, Chorio, Crews, Bazzana, etc.

For Skenes, I have pulled: 1/1 dual auto w/ Lowder, 1/1 dual auto w/ Mikey White (LSU) and a 1/7 (but I can't remember which one).

I get that they'll never sell for a mint, but I like the quality and chance at top prospects with low print runs. I'm not a big spender which is another reason I like them.

I don't collect their cards to any great degree, but every so often they come out with a great card that I'll add to my PC. The last one is a Peter Billingsley Christmas Story autographed card I bought from their website.

Their cards don't often appeal to me but there are people that love their products and that's fine. Collect what you want and collect what makes you happy.

[QUOTE=mouschi;19748703]I'm not a fan of all of the crazy 1/1s they pump out. I literally think I see a few 1/1 Cansecos pop up every single day. That said, I've probably picked up 5-7 this year, because everrryyyy once in a while, they nail something for me. Heck, if you could rewind back to 2017, they created one of my favorite cards ever![/QUOTE]To be fair Topps probably makes 100 1/1 for each player every year across all the different products they release every year.

Some of their inserts are alot nicer than the ones Topps puts out.

1. No logos
2. Unlicensed
3. Brian Gray

What’s not to like?!??

I’m just glad no one seems to rip any of it where I live, so it doesn’t put temptation into the local 50¢ box, like all Panini’s unlicensed but crazy ooooohhhh shiny colorful cards covered in fireworks, circus animals, spaceships, and guys from baseball clubs hanging out on their off days. Not to mention just one Holiday set a year like Topps creates for Baseball is clearly nowhere near enough.

I accidentally clicked on a Leaf card in a player search on COMC and stumbled across a set of #’d refractors that were all reprints of 1990s Leaf cards. Seemed like a not-creative but ingenious way to separate people from money.

I have been wondering if they do manage to get unusual C-list Social Media 15 minute sensations on to cards. (I think so?) Hawk Tuah girl should have like a whole Leaf product.

For baseball I have a handful of autograph cards when I just wanted to pick up an extra auto for a player I really like since they are typically cheaper than Topps licensed stuff. Other than that I just can't get into them as I really dislike the look of the airbrushed jerseys.

Someone likes them plenty, they sell!

[QUOTE=rms13;19748907]To be fair Topps probably makes 100 1/1 for each player every year across all the different products they release every year.[/QUOTE]

And then you have Wild Card...

I pulled up their 2024 Automania Paul Skenes National Exclusive checklist. 42 pages, 2 designs per page, 22+ 1/1 parallels per design. It's a 3 card checklist that results in about 6,000 1/1 Paul Skenes cards.

They are pumping out tens of thousands, probably hundreds of thousands, 1/1 cards.

There's 400+ sold Paul Skenes card listed under the search "Wild Card Paul Skenes 1/1." There's 300+ active listings.

[QUOTE=whitmm;19749025]And then you have Wild Card...

I pulled up their 2024 Automania Paul Skenes National Exclusive checklist. 42 pages, 2 designs per page, 22+ 1/1 parallels per design. It's a 3 card checklist that results in about 6,000 1/1 Paul Skenes cards.

They are pumping out tens of thousands, probably hundreds of thousands, 1/1 cards.

There's 400+ sold Paul Skenes card listed under the search "Wild Card Paul Skenes 1/1." There's 300+ active listings.[/QUOTE]

They will keep doing it as long as the collectors, breakers, and flippers keep buying the product.

Collect what you like, just don't try to convince others that they're valuable like the licensed stuff...that's when you'll get stuff thrown back at you.

[QUOTE=Big35Hurt;19749027]They will keep doing it as long as the collectors, breakers, and flippers keep buying the product.[/QUOTE]

For Sure.

I personally have no problem with any of them. I've collected my share of Panini baseball cards. And I'll gladly pick up an unlicensed card for my PC.

[QUOTE=whitmm;19749035]For Sure.

I personally have no problem with any of them. I've collected my share of Panini baseball cards. And I'll gladly pick up an unlicensed card for my PC.[/QUOTE]

Yep I have as well. I think the excitement of finding a Thomas card I don't have trumps the no logos.

Seems like some of them sell ok
At least for the bigger names ?

I view leaf just like the panini products lately. I collect Piazza as a Marlin, as long as I can tell its a florida uniform I'll grab them. Some have been amazing lookign cards. I have a gold and green Leaf metal auto, and missed out on the tie dye.

But the "Have Bat Will Travel", and other sets have caught my eye. I think as long as it's a chrome or prizm like finish and the airbrushing is tasteful- they are a great value.

Especially when the autos are real.

[QUOTE=cfern023;19749163]I view leaf just like the panini products lately. I collect Piazza as a Marlin, as long as I can tell its a florida uniform I'll grab them. Some have been amazing lookign cards. I have a gold and green Leaf metal auto, and missed out on the tie dye.

But the "Have Bat Will Travel", and other sets have caught my eye. I think as long as it's a chrome or prizm like finish and the airbrushing is tasteful- they are a great value.

Especially when the autos are real.[/QUOTE]

It’s nice to snag a card you like with an auto that isn’t several hundred dollars lol

I don’t know. My one non-Topps purchase was a Leaf printing plate auto of Juan Soto. Paid under $100. I’m more than happy with it. Some folks just stick to what they want and bash the rest.

Garbage which had and still has owners who do not care about the collectors. They will tell you they do however their actions will say otherwise over and over and over . Hence why the market does not care about their Terrible used car products pumped by used car salesmen who buy people silence. They had to buy the name leaf from bankruptcy in order to deceive collectors as if they kept their old name (razor) people would continue to not care at all. So thier brilliant plan was to buy an old name that people trusted to trick uneducated bananas .


Wanna play a fun game? try to find a real leaf collector/supporter who has not got free stuff from leaf in someway (free cards, inside info even free steak dinners) . We all will be waiting..

[QUOTE=base set;19748987]
I accidentally clicked on a Leaf card in a player search on COMC and stumbled across a set of #’d refractors that were all reprints of 1990s Leaf cards. Seemed like a not-creative but ingenious way to separate people from money.

I have been wondering if they do manage to get unusual C-list Social Media 15 minute sensations on to cards. (I think so?) Hawk Tuah girl should have like a whole Leaf product.[/QUOTE]

Even worse when you realize leaf has zero connection to the original company leaf that they are stealing the original designs from. They bought the leaf name after being in bankruptcy for years. So it’s like you buying the name toys r us and filling the store with Temu products. Pass.

Being a patch collector first I have no problem with unlicensed cards or leaf as long as it has a players face. I can’t get into a card that no only has no logos but does even have a players face to it. So as long as the patch is nasty and has a players face on it, I’ll go for leaf or panini cards.

[QUOTE=AllHofers;19749803]Being a patch collector first I have no problem with unlicensed cards or leaf as long as it has a players face. I can’t get into a card that no only has no logos but does even have a players face to it. So as long as the patch is nasty and has a players face on it, I’ll go for leaf or panini cards.[/QUOTE]

What if the patch is "sick" or "fire" and the card has the player's face on it? Do those count just the same?

Seems like somebody likes them
Some solid prices
Not bowman or topps kinda money but not bad lol

I always look at their cards as a cheaper way to obtain an autograph of a star player but I am not a fan of how they do parallel and numbering now. Now a lot of the lower numbering cards dont carry a premium because there are a lot of parallels that no one knows about. People dont do rainbow anymore. So sometimes /2, /3, /5, /7, /10, /15, they all sell for about the same.

[QUOTE=hche;19750071]I always look at their cards as a cheaper way to obtain an autograph of a star player but I am not a fan of how they do parallel and numbering now. Now a lot of the lower numbering cards dont carry a premium because there are a lot of parallels that no one knows about. People dont do rainbow anymore. So sometimes /2, /3, /5, /7, /10, /15, they all sell for about the same.[/QUOTE]

The auto aspect is appealing
Seems like the older ones bring more ?

Some of the judge auto ones are nice

1 thing I give Leaf a lot of credit for is they have some very unique dual, triple, quad, 8 way autograph cards. All of guys on same team, all hitters from a particular decade, same city cards of guys across sports, 2 guys often compared across eras, etc. Topps/Panini don't make enough multi auto and game used stuff and when they do it's typically only for their high end products.

[QUOTE=MavsRChamps;19750112]1 thing I give Leaf a lot of credit for is they have some very unique dual, triple, quad, 8 way autograph cards. All of guys on same team, all hitters from a particular decade, same city cards of guys across sports, 2 guys often compared across eras, etc. Topps/Panini don't make enough multi auto and game used stuff and when they do it's typically only for their high end products.[/QUOTE]

Agreed and I’ll add some of the patch cards look nice
Ain’t saying they real lol
But look nice
They had some jordan walker patch a few years ago that were cool

I'll pick up a box before I do any singles. Most Leaf products have a good amount of autos with one usually being an ok name, and as evidenced on these boards Leaf's appeal seems to be people hitting cool cards that they keep in their collection as opposed to "I just hit this better check 130 Point". I've seen cards in the break sections I know I would be excited to hit but would jus pass by on Ebay. As someone said the various 1/1's don't help, but as sealed product it can be fun.

I know that when I wanted some orelvis cards I couldn’t afford any
But the leaf
Same as a few others I was simply priced out of
As mentioned a ton of different looks
Different 1/1 ect ect but for lot less I can have a few
Of guys I like to collect

And to each their own as mentioned
That’s why this is supposed to be such a fun hobby …..

I love Leaf.

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20241224/f927db2be0fc164c36ec1582d2d12740.jpg[/IMG]


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Designs being rarely good is my biggest issue.

Non-sports cards are great though since there isn't any type of team logo.

Leaf Pop Century is a good set.

[QUOTE=mikecala98;19750221]I love Leaf.

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20241224/f927db2be0fc164c36ec1582d2d12740.jpg[/IMG]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]Me too! :)!

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20241224/27a0d4dcdb24632c076ce07970935aba.jpg[/IMG]

[QUOTE=tonedef2oo8;19749796]Garbage which had and still has owners who do not care about the collectors. They will tell you they do however their actions will say otherwise over and over and over . Hence why the market does not care about their Terrible used car products pumped by used car salesmen who buy people silence. They had to buy the name leaf from bankruptcy in order to deceive collectors as if they kept their old name (razor) people would continue to not care at all. So thier brilliant plan was to buy an old name that people trusted to trick uneducated bananas .


Wanna play a fun game? try to find a real leaf collector/supporter who has not got free stuff from leaf in someway (free cards, inside info even free steak dinners) . We all will be waiting..[/QUOTE]

I'm your huckleberry!! I have purchased multiple, multiple hobby boxes and have a case full of Leaf products. Plenty of Topps, Bowman, Panini and Onyx in there as well. I have never received any free product from any manufacturer. I am however open to free stuff coming my way if they are listening!!

[QUOTE=mikecala98;19750221]I love Leaf.

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20241224/f927db2be0fc164c36ec1582d2d12740.jpg[/IMG]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

Awesome card !

[QUOTE=OhioLawyerF5;19750333]Me too! :)!

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20241224/27a0d4dcdb24632c076ce07970935aba.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]

Which card is that ?
Set/insert ?
I can see it’s Larkin

[QUOTE=Poorboy;19751663]Which card is that ?
Set/insert ?
I can see it’s Larkin[/QUOTE]

1998 Leaf Fractal Matrix Diamond Axis

[QUOTE=marl1220;19748923]Some of their inserts are alot nicer than the ones Topps puts out.[/QUOTE]

My error. I was thinking Panini.:doh:

[QUOTE=OhioLawyerF5;19751709]1998 Leaf Fractal Matrix Diamond Axis[/QUOTE]

niccceeee

I am not usually a fan, but I have found some exceptions. I was able to pick this up raw for $400 about 2 years ago. So, for me, being able to pick up some bigger name autos for realitavely low prices is great. [IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20241227/e838a2b4b3b45b676945ef7d4003690c.jpg[/IMG]

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[QUOTE=hearseguy;19752375]I am not usually a fan, but I have found some exceptions. I was able to pick this up raw for $400 about 2 years ago. So, for me, being able to pick up some bigger name autos for realitavely low prices is great. [IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20241227/e838a2b4b3b45b676945ef7d4003690c.jpg[/IMG]

Sent from my SM-G998U using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

Super nicccceeeeee!!!!

For my own collection
I love the crystal and pre production proofs
You can actually accrue a little run of the proofs if you
Get lucky…..

Leaf is, in my opinion, ultra complicated. Keep in mind, all of this I post is regarding the past 15 years of Leaf.

A lot of it, I'm not the biggest fan of, either from a design perspective, a release perspective or both. I really don't like the bajillions of 1/1s being printed what almost seems daily, nor do I like that there appear to be tons of parallels of each 1/1 as well.

That said, there are some Leaf cards I absolutely adore. In fact, one particular set from 2017 is one I'd put heads and tails above most everything else. Here is the rainbow of patches I'd pick over most of Jose's other patches ...

[img]https://tanmanbaseballfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/leaf-q-rainbow-1024x908.png[/img]

When I first saw the 1/1 ... I'm not quite certain I have ever fallen in love so quickly with a card before.

Amidst the glut of releases, I do find these two to be nostalgically sensational ...

[img]https://tanmanbaseballfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/leaf-supers.png[/img]

Finally, these. I hate that there isn't a pic, as well as the placement of the hat logo, but love love love the relics!

[img]https://tanmanbaseballfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/itg-duo-1024x712.png[/img]

[QUOTE=mouschi;19761473]Leaf is, in my opinion, ultra complicated. Keep in mind, all of this I post is regarding the past 15 years of Leaf.

A lot of it, I'm not the biggest fan of, either from a design perspective, a release perspective or both. I really don't like the bajillions of 1/1s being printed what almost seems daily, nor do I like that there appear to be tons of parallels of each 1/1 as well.

That said, there are some Leaf cards I absolutely adore. In fact, one particular set from 2017 is one I'd put heads and tails above most everything else. Here is the rainbow of patches I'd pick over most of Jose's other patches ...

[img]https://tanmanbaseballfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/leaf-q-rainbow-1024x908.png[/img]

When I first saw the 1/1 ... I'm not quite certain I have ever fallen in love so quickly with a card before.

Amidst the glut of releases, I do find these two to be nostalgically sensational ...

[img]https://tanmanbaseballfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/leaf-supers.png[/img]

Finally, these. I hate that there isn't a pic, as well as the placement of the hat logo, but love love love the relics!

[img]https://tanmanbaseballfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/itg-duo-1024x712.png[/img][/QUOTE]

Those pop! Nice cards!

[QUOTE=Poorboy;19761483]Those pop! Nice cards![/QUOTE]

Thanks! When you zoom out on collecting cards as a whole, I think we should treat Leaf similarly - pick what we like and forget the rest. Probably not a good idea to get EVERYTHING ... and also probably not a good idea to shun them just for being Leaf. They do some really cool stuff!

[QUOTE=mouschi;19761488]Thanks! When you zoom out on collecting cards as a whole, I think we should treat Leaf similarly - pick what we like and forget the rest. Probably not a good idea to get EVERYTHING ... and also probably not a good idea to shun them just for being Leaf. They do some really cool stuff![/QUOTE]

I agree no argument here

I’m not a fan of Leaf or a fan of any unlicensed cards for that matter but that Canseco 1/1 is a thing of beauty. Might be one of the most “woah” modern cards I have ever seen.If I found a Frank Thomas card that looked that nice I would snatch it up in a heartbeat. Licensed or not.

[QUOTE=ChiSox93;19762408]I’m not a fan of Leaf or a fan of any unlicensed cards for that matter but that Canseco 1/1 is a thing of beauty. Might be one of the most “woah” modern cards I have ever seen.If I found a Frank Thomas card that looked that nice I would snatch it up in a heartbeat. Licensed or not.[/QUOTE]

Yesss! I put it far over most licensed stuff easily. Leaf put a pic on Twitter before it was live, and I also saw pics of the session Jose was signing them. It literally made my heart skip a beat.

We went on vacation and I kept checking incessantly for it....I finally landed it while at Legoland. I was so excited lol

As others have said - collect what you like.

My favorite cards is unlicensed, and I couldn’t care less

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250104/68d6c12d357ab62afb64ef4a87a4b927.jpg[/IMG]


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[QUOTE=ScooterD;19762481]As others have said - collect what you like.

My favorite cards is unlicensed, and I couldn’t care less

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20250104/68d6c12d357ab62afb64ef4a87a4b927.jpg[/IMG]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

Can’t go wrong with that advice
Trying to figure out what I like lol

I just came across a Babe Ruth set from Leaf; it was in a box where I place the thoroughly random results of buying cheap repack cards, packed loose (not sealed packs). I don’t think it is complete but is close. Being in a repack is a clear indication of its value.

It is a very nice run of 50-ish Babe Ruth photos; largely from places outside a stadium so no logo licensing concerns.

I quite enjoyed thumbing through it.

[QUOTE=mikecala98;19750221]I love Leaf.

[IMG]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20241224/f927db2be0fc164c36ec1582d2d12740.jpg[/IMG]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]

That's a nice card, although, I'd rather have had the complete photo with what is likely Mickey. I see this card and just want to see the rest of the picture. They should just stick to cancelled checks and index cards. No disrespect, just my opinion.

[QUOTE=base set;19762692]I just came across a Babe Ruth set from Leaf; it was in a box where I place the thoroughly random results of buying cheap repack cards, packed loose (not sealed packs). I don’t think it is complete but is close. Being in a repack is a clear indication of its value.

It is a very nice run of 50-ish Babe Ruth photos; largely from places outside a stadium so no logo licensing concerns.

I quite enjoyed thumbing through it.[/QUOTE]

That’s what it’s all about !

[QUOTE=Onions;19762723]That's a nice card, although, I'd rather have had the complete photo with what is likely Mickey. I see this card and just want to see the rest of the picture. They should just stick to cancelled checks and index cards. No disrespect, just my opinion.[/QUOTE]

I agree. Nice card, but sad to see that Leaf cut up a potentially great photo to make that card.

I'm torn on Leaf, mainly the last few years of their products. Feels like they are going a bit overboard, way too many cards with single digit print runs. The comment made by multiple people of "collect what you like" definitely is the key though. I'm a huge Cecil Fielder fan, and I've chosen to stick with collecting his cards and other collectibles from his playing years (1986-1999) and not anything after that. I grew up collecting the junk wax era cards, and there's something about those cards that I still like... may be "junk wax", but some of them had some amazing designs and were where many of the designs often used today got their start (i.e. holograms, refractors, foil, etc.).

Like I have said some are really nice and some are not lol
But the nice ones let us “poors” get some cool auto cards cheap

hoping some of these veen and orelvis cards move a little lol