Topps Rookie Banquets

[ALR-bishop]

From 1959 until at least 1966 ( maybe longer) Topps held Rookie Banquets in NY after the season. In some years, 58-60 for sure, they had pack inserts that allowed purchasers to vote for their favorite all star rookies. They also accumulated votes through the Boy Scouts and other youth organizations. The winners appeared with the designation and trophy on next years cards and it the next banquet program.

There were paper programs for 59-63 and 65-66. There may have been one for 64 but I have not seen it. There was however a boxed set of cards that comprised the program for 64, and it is a sought after Topps item since it features among others, Pete Rosen on one of the cards.

The programs themselves are cool with a lot of neat baseball and Topps info

[ALR-bishop]

[geor952]

Very fascinating Al! As I said earlier, this is new topps history for me. Thanks for posting.

[geor952]

Were actual trophies ever given to the players? The picture on the program appears to be real hardware.

[D.P.Johnson]

Great post. Thanks Al.

[Zach Wheat]

Al,

Neat stuff. Have you seen and of the '64 boxed sets available? Thanks for sharing.

Z Wheat

[JollyElm]

Cool stuff, Al!!!

[Samsdaddy]

Very cool stuff Al. This is new to me as well.

The all star trophy cards of the 1960s and early 70s were some of my favorite baseball cards, regardless who was on them.

[ALR-bishop]

The full boxed 64 Banquet sets do not show up very often. The individual cards show up from time to time on ebay. I think PSA or someone grades them. Below is a link to sales of some in REA.

I would guess the players got trophies but they may have been cheap ones, otherwise you would think some of them would have shown up in auctions somewhere



http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/.../2012/692.html
http://robertedwardauctions.com/auction/2010/953.html