April Fools Takes Over Sports Cards
· Yahoo Sports
Collectors, as a general rule, I try and stay off social media on April 1st, because every post (be it a BGS Black Label Pikachu Illustrator surfacing, or NASA sending astronauts to the moon) feels like it COULD be fake.
Visit mchezo.life for more information.
It’s hard to know what to trust, and I never want to be that guy who falls for the obvious ruse!
If you saw any great April Fools collectibles pranks, come share them over on Mantel, and I’ll see you back on X in another day or two, after the algorithm resets.
Image via Topps/Reddit
The Athletic: LeBron James Adds a Crown to his Signature in Latest Autograph Change
Not an April Fools joke, at least I don’t think! LeBron James has introduced a new autograph featuring a crown above his “LJ” initials, debuting on cards from 2025-26 Topps Finest Basketball. The update marks another evolution of his signature, which has changed multiple times since his early Upper Deck rookie autos. The new design places him among players who incorporate personalized illustrations into their autographs.
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MLB.com: Yoshi Bobblehead Almost as Popular as Yoshi to Dodgers Players
A Yoshi-themed bobblehead giveaway at Dodger Stadium drew strong demand, with 40,000 distributed as part of a collaboration tied to the upcoming Super Mario movie. Fans lined up hours early, and players joined in the excitement, with several asking Yoshinobu Yamamoto to autograph their bobbleheads featuring the character wearing his jersey. eBay was full of the bobbleheads before the game even started, with most priced north of $200.
Mantel: You Should Be At McDonald’s Right Now
McDonald’s KPop Demon Hunters promotional cards are gaining early traction on the secondary market, with listings ranging from $10 for two packs to $190 for full sets. The cards feature subtle branding and character autographs, and are being positioned alongside past fast food collectibles that saw short-term resale spikes. Early pricing is inconsistent, with potential tied to broader demand and visibility. Mantel writer J.R. Fickle has been pushing these cards heavy in print (and in text message); is he a pumper or a true collector of the franchise? Anyone’s guess.
cllct: "George" Magazine Seeing Surge in Collectibility Among JFK Jr. FX Show
(Disclaimer: This entry is mostly for my mother-in-law, who adored JFK Jr and read every George Magazine). Interest in George Magazine has surged following FX’s Love Story series, with 70 copies sold on eBay in a single day. Since Feb. 12, more than 115 copies of the inaugural issue have sold for $200 to $400, including one with 71 bids. The publication, which originally had a circulation of 400,000, folded in 2001 after financial struggles. With the show’s success and renewed interest in the Kennedy family, will the magazine hype continue? I’m betting this is only the beginning.