Leighton's Loft

J5 walks us through an incredible, recently-purchased collection that came in a beautiful wooden box that was filled largely with pre-war non-sports tobacco cards including some 1938 Horrors of War cards. But there were also a ton of baseball, football, and boxing cards, many pre-war including a sizable contingent of Goudy Cards. Oh, and one lucky live viewer won one of the cards from this box!

This week, Leighton is off. So Lou chats with renowned baseball author Lee Lowenfish about his new book "Baseball's Endangered Species - Inside the Craft of Scouting by Those Who Lived it"! Hear the story of Tom Greenwade and why he's responsible for Mickey Mantle. And find out how Nolan Ryan made it out of Texas and into the Big Apple. Come hang in the Loft and bring a friend!

After showing us an amazing collection that will be appraised by Just Collect that includes more than a couple of dozen Mantles, many from 1965, along with some Hank Aarons and Roberto Clementes, Leighton Sheldon of Vintage Breaks and Just Collects tells us that scouting the grading companies is important. Understanding how each company approaches the problem areas of your submissions could net you an extra .5 or even an extra 1 in your grade. Then he shows us how grouping your submissions correctly can help garner you a little boost as well. Find out how in the Loft!

Leighton gives us a recap of the Philly show and talks about what was hot at the show and why. There's talk about "climbing the ladder" with a favored card, buying lower grades, and working your way up to higher-graded versions. Leighton gives us a new way to "thin the hoard" and the benefits of it, and he tells us the story of boxer Jack Johnson, whose career and life in the early 20th century, was a lesson in our culture as much as it was a sports story.

Leighton Sheldon of Just Collect and Vintage Breaks previews the upcoming Philly Show before showing us a newly acquired collection. To be more accurate he shows us a portion of that collection that can best be described as a handful of Mickey Mantle cards. It's as impressive as it sounds. Next Leighton shows us some non-sports cards, including one you won't be able to unsee. 

Leighton Sheldon of Vintage Breaks and Just Collect shows us some modern gems that have recently landed at the shop and answers some listeners' questions about the releases of Tom Brady baseball draft cards, and a Bowman Babe Ruth base card. Then we get a look at some of the great vintage cards that will be included in this month's bulk grading package to be sent to PSA! 

Leighton Sheldon of Vintage Breaks and Just Collect talks with The Athletic's Evan Drellich about his brand new book "Winning Fixes Everything: How Baseball's Brightest Minds Created Sport's Biggest Mess" which gives us exclusive and total access to the Astros' cheating scandal!

J5 fills in for Leighton Sheldon on this episode of the Loft and after discussing the great Super Bowl we just saw, John shows us the grand prizes in Vintage Breaks' biggest upcoming promotions!

Leighton Sheldon of Vintage Breaks and Just Collect talks with Chris Cichon, host of the "By The Book" betting show on Monumental Sports Network in Washington DC about his Super Bowl betting thoughts and strategies. They also compare and contrast sports betting and breaking packs at Vintage Breaks and discuss the meteoric rise of sports betting in the US. 

Leighton Sheldon of Vintage Breaks and Just Collect talks with VB Community Member Daniel Lynch about the completion of his 1948 Bowman Set, and what he loves about the Vintage Breaks community. As a bonus, we get a peek at some of his amazing player runs, and some fascinating insights into the wartime lives of many of those players. We also hear his story of how his family's mid-century love of a major league team wrapped around on him for his kid's graduation from college.  Join us for this fun and enticing episode!