Top Turkey Cards to Collect
As we gear up for Thanksgiving, our taste buds craving the savory delights of cajun-spiced and fried turkey (for real, the turkey game has levels), there’s another kind of “turkey” that’s been piquing the interest of sports collectors for quite a while – Topps Turkey Red cards. Now, before you start thinking about stuffing and cranberry sauce, let me set the record straight. These cards have been making their digital debut in Topps apps right around Thanksgiving for nearly a decade, but their roots run even deeper. They’re like a scrumptious slice of trading card history that spans various sports. Back in the day, Turkey Red cards had a connection to tobacco products, but these days, they serve a whole different purpose, all while retaining that vintage charm we can’t resist. So, as we indulge in our Thanksgiving feast and do our best to avoid the trappings of the dreaded yet magical “itis”, let’s also take a moment to relish the legacy of these iconic cards, once used to promote Turkey Red cigarettes.
2006-07 Topps Turkey Red #20 Kobe Bryant
The 2006-07 Topps Turkey Red #20 Kobe Bryant card is a prized collectible in the basketball trading-card world. Featuring a vintage-inspired design reminiscent of the early 20th-century Turkey Red tobacco cards, it showcases an illustrated portrait of Kobe Bryant against a classic backdrop. This card holds significant value among collectors, particularly in top-notch condition. Given Bryant’s status as an NBA legend and his tragic passing in 2020, this Turkey Red card has garnered even more attention and remains a cherished piece of memorabilia for fans and collectors alike.
2006 Topps Turkey Red #JE John Elway Auto /50
The 2006 Topps Turkey Red #JE John Elway Auto /50 is a highly coveted football trading card featuring a multi-time champion and Hall of Famer in Elway, the greatest quarterback in Broncos history. This card features an autograph from Elway himself and has a print run of 50, which adds to the mystique of exclusivity and ups its desirability several notches. This is a stalwart in the Elway card family.
1911 T-9 Turkey Red #58 Packey McFarland
The 1911 T-9 Turkey Red #58 Packey McFarland card is a vintage tobacco card that collectors and enthusiasts highly prize. McFarland was a prominent American boxer during the early 20th century, and this card is part of the iconic Turkey Red set produced by the American Tobacco Company. These cards are known for their larger size, measuring approximately 2.75 inches by 4.75 inches, and their stunning, lifelike illustrations and vibrant colors. Like others in the set, this card features a detailed portrait of the boxer in action, making it a valuable and sought-after piece of sports memorabilia. And check this out. McFarland ended his career with a 106-1 record. That’s a different type of dominance.
2005 Topps Turkey Red #157 Tom Brady
The 2005 Topps Turkey Red #157 Tom Brady card is a notable football trading card featuring the G.O.A.T., TB12. In 2005, Brady scorched the skies, passing for a league-best 4,110 yards with 26 touchdown passes while making his third Pro Bowl appearance.
1911 T3 Turkey Red #99 Walter Johnson
The 1911 T3 Turkey Red #99 Walter Johnson card is an iconic piece of baseball history and one of the most sought-after cards in the hobby. Johnson, often called “The Big Train,” is considered one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. This card is part of the renowned Turkey Red tobacco card set produced by the American Tobacco Company. Johnson’s legendary career spanned 21 seasons with the Washington Senators from 1907 to 1927. He was known for his blistering fastball and dominant pitching, amassing an impressive career record of 417 wins, still the record for pitchers. In the 1911 season, Johnson was in top form, demonstrating his pitching prowess with remarkable stats. The card itself features a stunning, lifelike illustration of Johnson in his pitching pose and captures the essence of his dominance on the mound.
Turkey Red Cards to Collect Pt. 2
More Cards to Collect
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- Corbin Carroll RCs & More
- Shohei Ohtani Cards to Collect
