As I look back on what I acquired in 2025, there is one item that is hands-down my favorite: George Brett's 1974 "pre-rookie" postcard.

Before his iconic 1975 Topps rookie card, Brett appeared on this 1974 Kansas City Royals team-issue postcard - his earliest known card-type collectible. Issued locally and never intended for the national hobby, it captures Brett at the very start of his Hall of Fame career and sits in that gray area collectors like me love: Not an official rookie card, but historically earlier and far scarcer (as of my writing there are only a total of 11 examples graded by PSA). Pieces like this are why I think pre-rookie ephemera matters - it helps to tell the story before the story everyone knows.

I had been looking for one of these for a few years and the rare times one came up, I unfortunately wasn't able to snag it. That changed earlier this year and while I may have paid a bit more than I had planned, for me it’s one of those pieces that made me forget the price the moment I held it.

Here's to everyone getting their most-desired card in 2026!

Look at this beautiful, framed Jersey autographed jersey of one of the greatest modern hitters, George Brett.

My vintage card of the week: The iconic 1975 Topps George Brett rookie card. I spent about a year building this set after acquiring an unbelievably nice starter set from Matt of Cardhound Vintage. I purchased 10 of the big cards graded in the NM range while building the set to match the condition of all the other cards. I'm not a set builder, really, but I'd always loved the design and colors of the '75 set, and it's stacked with HOFers. And it's my birth year, which is what really sold me on the idea of building the set. I completed this set about a year ago, but I still flip through the album about once a week just to admire the cards.

One of my favorite players. Been looking for a nice auto of him and landed on this. Just a great photo and card that when you see it is it captures all the elements of Brett.

Still looking for more game used bat barrel nameplate cards of start - and manufacture penis fine! Hit me up! In the meaning, enjoy this sweet George Brett game-used bat barrel card! I was smell the pine tar!