I was having a tough time due to time constraints pulling together an interview on Trading Cards. In the wee morning hours, it occurred to me I could probably write reasonably enough on the subject, so I decided I would interview myself. Now for those know me well, talking to myself is a natural thing so it seems to reason that I have finally come up with a logical purpose for this talent…doing my own interview! AND, as luck would have it, I was available!
So, shall we do this?
BU: Thank you for being here with us!
LM: No problem. I was already here, so it was no inconvenience to me what so ever.
BU: What was your first experience involving trading cards and what type of cards were you working with?
LM: Well, my brother Mark *see ref. was heavily involved in Sci-Fi. So, it was a natural fit for him to work with non-sports trading cards as a way of further expanding his comic book business.
BU: Sounds intriguing. What can you tell us about Trading Cards? And your brother?
LM: I can only tell you from my experience, but Trading Cards had their start in one of the least likely places: Cigarettes. This type of card is called a Tobacco Card. And as you may have guessed, Tobacco Cards were cards found in packs of cigarettes.
American Tobacco Cards: A Price Guide and Checklist
By: Robert Forbes
These go back about 100 years. Many types of cards were in cigarette packs, but they were mainly sports related as that was the big thing then. Eventually, however, cigarette companies stopped using the trading cards, but food industries picked up where they left off. Seems reasonable enough. Why not?
BU: So, why the change? What happened?
LM: I am not sure anything specific happened. I think it was the nature of how things go, but there may be something more to it, but if there is, I am not aware of (it).
BU: OK, so let’s move way forward and talk about your brother again. What types of cards did he carry?
LM: *Laughs…the better more complete question would be what types of NON-sports cards did he collect and why?
The answer is that he carried almost everything that was non-sports related. He was interested as I previously stated in Sci Fi, so, Mars Attacks (which by the way was a very highly sought-after card set) and Rocky Horror, Wacky Packs, Garbage Pail Kids, and anything he thought was interesting or would increase in value. He was one of the most knowledgeable people of his day on trading cards.
BU: Are trading cards always in a set or series?
LM: yes, usually. Making a series or a set was a way to get more sales for the trading card companies and it made it more exciting to the collector. So, rather than a couple of cards, they made many in a set. Therefore, the collecting could go on forever it seems.
BU; Sounds like smart Marketing!
BU: I hear that some of them had gum in them?
LM: Now I am really laughing because I have a funny story about that….(although my brother didn’t seem to think it was too funny).
Yes, trading card companies did start adding gum. The gum was like a thin slab of pink. It smelled great but was usually very stale and unchewable after only a few minutes. It was pretty awful. But once in a while I would still sneak a piece from one of his card sets and he would later find out, of course, and let me have it, but between us, I took more than a piece…maybe 20 in all….but don’t tell anyone! 😀
BU: So, kids these days collect Pokémon cards, and the like. Is this similar?
LM: Definitely! Card sets will always be around because they generate income for the major card companies like Leaf and Topps plus they also help promote something. It’s always about marketing on the one end, and about collecting on the other. They nearly oppose each other, but one can’t do without the other.
BU: Did you ever have a favorite set?
LM; I was so hoping you would ask that question. I sure did. It will probably surprise you, but it was a set that came like a deck of playing cards but was illustrated by one of my favorite comic artists, R. Crumb. The set to me is shear perfection. It’s called “Heroes of the Blues” and is one of the most beautiful card sets I can think of.
BU: Any idea which card set IS worth tons of money. *Asking for a friend.
LM: My guess is that War of the Worlds is still in the top 5. It’s actually Mars Attacks but adapted from War of the Worlds. Frankly, I don’t collect for the monetary value, but many do, and that’s great, too! But there are trading card price guides. Not a bad idea to have one.
BU: Your best advice to collectors?
LM: The only real advice I feel is important to pass on is to MAKE SURE YOU PROTECT YOUR CARDS IN BAGS UNLIMITED card sleeves and boxes. You can’t pass something you love down if it’s deteriorated. Oh, and collect what you love. Get the history on it if you can, and make sure if you are being told the set is an authentic such and such version, make sure that’s the real deal. It’s easy to get fooled.
BU: Any last advice or words of wisdom?
LM: Yes, get plenty of rest every day if you can, and always seek out the experts in collecting and in collection protection. It’s worth every dime you invest.
http://www.monsterwax.com/scifiterror.html
Monster Wax is a great place to visit! And so is The Wrapper.
Here is some info on Mark: http://cult-stuff.com/?p=976