Seven Greg Maddux and Three Terry Pendleton 1993 Aces Bicyle Autographs

minnesota · 01-24-2016, 12:33 AM

I collected baseball cards from the late 80’s to the mid 90’s. I’m now in my mid-30’s and, in the process of downsizing this month, went through my old collection. This post may be hard to believe, but I have no reason to lie. I am simply looking for information. I am more than willing to do whatever I’d need to to verify and authenticate my story and cards. And, I think you will find the discussion interesting.

In the summer of 1993, when I was 14, I recall being on vacation. As always, vacation was a time when I would buy cards. I believe we were at a Toys-R-Us, but I don’t fully recall. We noticed a display of 1993 Aces Bicycle playing cards. A picture of the display like it is below, noting a possibility of finding Cal Ripken, Jr., Fred McGriff, Terry Pendleton, or Greg Maddux autographs – one autograph per display it says. I did a little digging in the last couple weeks and saw some forum posts on this in the 2011 timeframe, especially relative to the Ripken autograph.

What makes my story very interesting starts with the fact that sets of playing cards in the display we saw were packaged in two different ways. One type of packaging was for hanging, and included a cardboard backing with a hole punched in the top, and with a plastic over the set of playing cards. The second type of packaging was the set of playing cards wrapped in cellophane similar to how cigarettes are packaged. There were only a handful of sets packaged in cellophane, but there were many sets packaged with the cardboard backing.

We started by buying a set of cards packaged in cellophane. Upon opening it, to our surprise, it contained a Greg Maddux autograph. So we bought a second set of cards, also with the cellophane wrapping, and, again, to our surprise it contained another Greg Maddux autograph. We bought a third set, but this time, with the cardboard backing – and this time no autograph. So we bought a fourth set, but switched back to a set wrapped in cellophane, and it contained a Terry Pendleton autograph. Then we bought a fifth set, going back to the cardboard packing – and no autograph.

So we saw a pattern – the sets packaged in cellophane all seemed to contain autographs and the sets packaged with the cardboard backing did not. In all, there were 10 packages wrapped in cellophane. We bought them all, and it resulted in seven Greg Maddux and three Terry Pendleton autographs. A picture of all 10 autographs are below, also pictured with the non-autographed versions. Notice the variations in the autographs. Also notice the variations between the positioning of the pictures on the cards between the autographed and non-autographed cards. I believe these are 100% legit.

So I tucked these away with my collection until they reemerged this month during my downsizing effort. I’ve seen historical auctions of the Greg Maddux cards in the $150 - $400 range. But some forums claim these cards could be worth much more. One thing is certain – information on these cards is limited and they seem to be rare.

At this point I am looking for advice. I stopped collecting around 1994. I still have some novice knowledge of the hobby, but can tell that the hobby has changed a lot since then. I suppose I could get the autographs authenticated, and I am prepared to do that because I have no reason to doubt their authenticity, but how do I also authenticate that the autographs were pulled from packs and not signed aftermarket? I am interested in marketing and selling these cards, but what are prudent steps? Thanks in advance.

houdini · 01-24-2016, 12:37 AM

If I remember correctly, an auto over the coating was not authentic to the set, but an autograph under the card coating was set produced.

cwgross144 · 01-24-2016, 10:42 AM

I have mine! Found it at a local flea market for $10. Got it authenticated. It's a very interesting story.

dthimesch · 01-24-2016, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houdini

If I remember correctly, an auto over the coating was not authentic to the set, but an autograph under the card coating was set produced.

That's a very interesting piece of knowledge to know.

With that, if true, there's your answer in knowing or telling if it was pack pulled or not. Of course ones it's slabbed by PSA, not sure if one could tell if the auto is on or under the coating.

cwgross144 · 01-24-2016, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dthimesch

That's a very interesting piece of knowledge to know.

With that, if true, there's your answer in knowing or telling if it was pack pulled or not. Of course ones it's slabbed by PSA, not sure if one could tell if the auto is on or under the coating.

I believe the pack-pulled autos are also printed differently. Cut slightly different.

cwgross144 · 01-24-2016, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dthimesch

That's a very interesting piece of knowledge to know.

With that, if true, there's your answer in knowing or telling if it was pack pulled or not. Of course ones it's slabbed by PSA, not sure if one could tell if the auto is on or under the coating.

See the non-autoed one? Maddox's head is slightly further away from the "K"

dthimesch · 01-24-2016, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwgross144

I believe the pack-pulled autos are also printed differently. Cut slightly different.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cwgross144

See the non-autoed one? Maddox's head is slightly further away from the "K"

oooh yes! Good catch! You can really see it on the Pendelton.

mrmopar · 01-24-2016, 07:19 PM

I just picked up a set w/ Maddux auto being sold by someone claiming to be the original owner. Mine is cropped the same way as well, with the unsigned version (which the seller said also came in the package) was cropped differently.

minnesota · 10-05-2019, 11:19 AM

Anyone have any new information on this thread?

minnesota · 09-16-2022, 11:11 AM

Does Anyone Have Any New Information On This Thread?

Skipscards · 09-16-2022, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minnesota

Does Anyone Have Any New Information On This Thread?

See you in 2025!

minnesota · 08-17-2023, 09:43 AM

Hello - I reposted the picture of the autos. Still interested in information and interested in selling these if there is any real value to the cards.

awz50 · 08-17-2023, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipscards

See you in 2025!

2023 it seems

MegaMan · 08-17-2023, 11:42 AM

I've been interested in obtaining a true Ripken autographed version for a while now, if anyone has one they're willing to part with, or a lead on one.

01-24-2016, 12:33 AM	#1
minnesota Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 4	Seven Greg Maddux and Three Terry Pendleton 1993 Aces Bicyle Autographs I collected baseball cards from the late 80’s to the mid 90’s. I’m now in my mid-30’s and, in the process of downsizing this month, went through my old collection. This post may be hard to believe, but I have no reason to lie. I am simply looking for information. I am more than willing to do whatever I’d need to to verify and authenticate my story and cards. And, I think you will find the discussion interesting. In the summer of 1993, when I was 14, I recall being on vacation. As always, vacation was a time when I would buy cards. I believe we were at a Toys-R-Us, but I don’t fully recall. We noticed a display of 1993 Aces Bicycle playing cards. A picture of the display like it is below, noting a possibility of finding Cal Ripken, Jr., Fred McGriff, Terry Pendleton, or Greg Maddux autographs – one autograph per display it says. I did a little digging in the last couple weeks and saw some forum posts on this in the 2011 timeframe, especially relative to the Ripken autograph. What makes my story very interesting starts with the fact that sets of playing cards in the display we saw were packaged in two different ways. One type of packaging was for hanging, and included a cardboard backing with a hole punched in the top, and with a plastic over the set of playing cards. The second type of packaging was the set of playing cards wrapped in cellophane similar to how cigarettes are packaged. There were only a handful of sets packaged in cellophane, but there were many sets packaged with the cardboard backing. We started by buying a set of cards packaged in cellophane. Upon opening it, to our surprise, it contained a Greg Maddux autograph. So we bought a second set of cards, also with the cellophane wrapping, and, again, to our surprise it contained another Greg Maddux autograph. We bought a third set, but this time, with the cardboard backing – and this time no autograph. So we bought a fourth set, but switched back to a set wrapped in cellophane, and it contained a Terry Pendleton autograph. Then we bought a fifth set, going back to the cardboard packing – and no autograph. So we saw a pattern – the sets packaged in cellophane all seemed to contain autographs and the sets packaged with the cardboard backing did not. In all, there were 10 packages wrapped in cellophane. We bought them all, and it resulted in seven Greg Maddux and three Terry Pendleton autographs. A picture of all 10 autographs are below, also pictured with the non-autographed versions. Notice the variations in the autographs. Also notice the variations between the positioning of the pictures on the cards between the autographed and non-autographed cards. I believe these are 100% legit. So I tucked these away with my collection until they reemerged this month during my downsizing effort. I’ve seen historical auctions of the Greg Maddux cards in the $150 - $400 range. But some forums claim these cards could be worth much more. One thing is certain – information on these cards is limited and they seem to be rare. At this point I am looking for advice. I stopped collecting around 1994. I still have some novice knowledge of the hobby, but can tell that the hobby has changed a lot since then. I suppose I could get the autographs authenticated, and I am prepared to do that because I have no reason to doubt their authenticity, but how do I also authenticate that the autographs were pulled from packs and not signed aftermarket? I am interested in marketing and selling these cards, but what are prudent steps? Thanks in advance. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by minnesota; 08-17-2023 at 09:37 AM. Reason: Left the date out of the title

01-24-2016, 12:37 AM	#2
houdini member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 81,465	If I remember correctly, an auto over the coating was not authentic to the set, but an autograph under the card coating was set produced. __________________ Descanse mi princesita 9/20/00-4/16/15

01-24-2016, 10:42 AM	#3
cwgross144 Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: VA Posts: 1,026 prospectenthusiast cwgross144	I have mine! Found it at a local flea market for $10. Got it authenticated. It's a very interesting story. Attached Thumbnails

09-16-2022, 11:11 AM	#10
minnesota Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 4	Does Anyone Have Any New Information On This Thread? Does Anyone Have Any New Information On This Thread?

01-24-2016, 07:19 PM	#8
mrmopar Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 406	I just picked up a set w/ Maddux auto being sold by someone claiming to be the original owner. Mine is cropped the same way as well, with the unsigned version (which the seller said also came in the package) was cropped differently.

10-05-2019, 11:19 AM	#9
minnesota Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 4	Anyone have any new information on this thread?

08-17-2023, 09:43 AM	#12
minnesota Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 4	Hello - I reposted the picture of the autos. Still interested in information and interested in selling these if there is any real value to the cards.

08-17-2023, 11:42 AM	#14
MegaMan Member Join Date: Feb 2022 Posts: 129	I've been interested in obtaining a true Ripken autographed version for a while now, if anyone has one they're willing to part with, or a lead on one.