**THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF ANY CANDIDATE**

In just a few hours, this card could become the hottest collectible on the market. Then again in a few hours it could become nothing more than an after thought. And of course there is always the possibility that no one will pay attention to this card at all. Who really knows.Today I present the 2008 Topps Campaign Barack Obama card. This card, along one of John McCain and a dozen or so other former candidates for the President of the United States, was inserted into Series One packs of 2008 Topps. At the time they were harmless inserts featuring the likely candidates for president. There was some buzz upon their release, but they’ve since faded into the abyss. But if Barack Obama wins the presidency today, who knows where this card could go given the historical significance off this election.

And there really is no way to gauge the market. We’ve never had a black president, and there has never been a baseball card of a president-elect.

Hell, until recently, when Topps began to abuse the likenesses of every president this county has had, presidents hadn’t really appeared on baseball cards. Exemptions within the last two decades include President Bill Clinton, who had a card in 1993 Triple Play, and President George W. Bush, who has a card in 2002 Topps American Pie. Both cards show the presidents throwing baseballs.

As far as this Obama, it would not shock me to see this card take off from the $8 book value it currently holds. Sure, the economy stinks right now, and the state of baseball cards isn’t exactly one of stability, but of all the collectibles that are sure to hit the market should Barack Obama be voted into office today, it would seem to reason that this card could be one that is be regarded highly. Baseball cards have always had a special place in the hearts of Americans, so one could assume that a card depicting the first black president of the United States, a card made by the most recognized company in the history of the hobby, could pique the interest of more than your typical collector.

And a quick check of eBay already shows these cards are VERY active.

This entry was posted on November 4, 2008 at 1:10 am and is filed under Card of the Day with tags Barack Obama, baseball cards, Bill Clinton, Card of the Day, Cardboard Icons, election, Election Day, George Bush, John McCain, President of the United States, Topps, Topps Insert. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.