Over the past several years, Pacific Trading Cards has been repositioning itself in the trading card market. The transition is complete.
Pacific, based in Lynnwood, Wash., began selling cards in 1968. It remains a mail-order business with an extensive mailing list and also has a retail store. It has sold sports and non-sports cards from the major manufacturers as well as plastic sheets, binders and card holders. Its first cards were minor-league sets and baseball legends series under the name CramerSports, after the company's president, Michael J. Cramer.
In 1985, Pacific issued a "Leave It To Beaver" card set, the first it marketed nationally. Since then, it has produced 28 others. Pacific also produced a set based on the movie "Eight Men Out" and did two sets of the defunct Senior Professional Baseball League. It is licensed by the NFL and Major Soccer League and has obtained individual licenses from Major League Baseball for its Nolan Ryan and Tom Seaver sets.
This year, Pacific is no longer selling new cards from other manufacturers by mail.
"That was our decision," says Michelle White of Pacific. "We're concentrating on our own product. . . . A lot of people can get [other companies' cards] in their area. Ninety-nine percent of the orders are for our product only."
She says that the retail store will continue to carry other brands for its local customers.
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Winners on holograms: Upper Deck has randomly inserted holograms of three 1990-91 NBA award-winners in its high-number NBA cards -- Rookie of the Year Derrick Coleman, )) Defensive Player of the Year Dennis Rodman and blocked shots leader Hakeem Olajuwon. For those trying to assemble the full set, the low-number holograms were of Michael Jordan, Detlef Schrempf, Alvin Robertson, John Stockton and David Robinson.
Golden player: Barry Sanders, Action Packed's Player of the Year, will be honored with an 18K gold Tiffany-designed card. He also one of 42 players in Action Packed's 24K gold set, which also includes Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien. One thousand of the Sanders 24K cards will be autographed. Gold cards will be randomly inserted in foil packs.
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Outtakes: The San Jose Sharks, the merchandising team of the year, sponsored a contest to name the team's first highlight film. There were more than 1,800 entries from the United States, Canada, Japan and Europe, including "Retail Feeding Frenzy" and "Reel to Reel Teal." The winner was "FINtastic Voyage . . . The Inaugural Season of the San Jose Sharks."
The silver Seaver: Tom Seaver's upcoming Hall of Fame induction is being commemorated by a silver coin from Chicagoland Processing for $29.95 plus $5 shipping. Hockey fans can collect coins honoring the New York Rangers' Mark Messier as a three-time award winner and the Montreal Canadiens and Rangers for winning division titles. Each is $29.95 plus $5 shipping. They can be ordered by calling (800) 765-0123.
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Upcoming events:
Today, baseball card show, Glen Burnie Mall; June 20, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; June 21, noon to 5 p.m.
Today, baseball card show, Towson Quality Inn (I-695, Exit 26 S), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., (410) 239-7446.
Today, baseball card show, Towson Marketplace Mall (1238 Putty Hill Ave., Towson), featuring Orioles' Leo Gomez, Chito Martinez and Chris Hoiles; open during mall hours, free admission, free autographs; (410) 837-0870.
June 26-28, baseball card show, Harford Mall, Bel Air, featuring Kansas City Royals players; admission is free, autographs $5 donated to charity; Mike Mahany (410) 838-6354 or Jim Black (800) 464-3570.
July 19, baseball card show, Towson Quality Inn (I-695, Exit 26 S), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; (410) 239-7446.
Aug. 9, baseball card show, Towson Quality Inn (I-695, Exit 26 S), 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; (410) 239-7446.