The Fickles: An alternative Hobby Awards

John Nacion via Getty Images

It’s becoming apparent there’s a disconnect here at Mail Day, between our boss, Evan Parker, and your old pal, man of the people J.R. Fickle.

First, he didn’t tell me about the Mantel-sponsored Fanatics Fest party at Bleecker Trading until the week before. He then hid the beer from me.

Then he planned and announced The Hobby Awards with Yahoo Sports, which I found out about from reading his favorite newsletter, Above the Mantel.

Hey look, a guy can take a hint. This is all just a test to see if I would create The Fickles in protest. I did. He can’t stop me (he’s still busy courting celebrity judges).

Let’s dive in (Note: These awards run 2024-25).

(Editor’s note: As always, J.R. Fickle does not represent the views ofMantel— hell, we don’t even invite him to our parties).

Best Card Company

Topps. It’s not close, really. It’s like 15 year-old me is running a card company, and that is the highest praise I can ever give.

Best Card Company, non-Topps

Leaf. We’ve praised Leaf here before. Yes, they have giant, weird misses. But they take big swings. And they’re often very far ahead of the game (Livvy Dunne, Savannah Bananas, Ashton Jeanty, etc) as far as taste-making. Their designs are pretty, their card stock is top-tier, and they seem to be having fun.

Best Sticker Set

McDonald’s Panini Family. It was a summer 2024 release that kids hated and parents ignored. But it has the Suni Lee rookie (really her only non-ACEO “card”), and they had glitter parallels (showing a deeper understanding of the “McDonald’s Adult” crowd), so there may ultimately be a long-tail demand for what we imagine to be a mostly-discarded and therefore probably-scarce set (Buy on eBay).

Most Disappointing Social Media

Topps has a billion cards, unlimited history, 70 years of creativity, top-tier art, licenses galore, card-back fun facts… and all they do is repeat the corny “dad and son pull a 1/1!” trope. Maybe it works for some people but why Topps acts like a fanboy on social media remains a giant mystery.

Biggest Miss

Every card company — and I’m throwing Funko in here, too, because they also could’ve done something — for failing to produce a Raygun card or POP featuring the Australian Olympic breakdancer.

Best Inscription

Anne Schedeen’s card in the Cheers set — “Maybe a beer to go for ALF?” (Buy on eBay) — combines Schedeen’s roles in two 80s classics; a guest role on Cheers and the mom on ALF.

Best Card Design

Parkside is so good at designing their cards, it’s hard to figure out which subsets are actually “worth” something and which are just commons. Even if you don’t like NWSL, the designs may get you to buy a few. Check out their 2024 Vol. 2 for a taste. Or the 2025 planet parallels. Lots of color and fun in here!

Rookie of The Year

Markie Devo probably has no idea how widely and often we quote him in Mail Day with his fast food missives. He’s tipped us off to the BK Advent Calendar, DunKings, Lil’ McDonald’s, the Jim Henson/Count Chocula sold out cereal bowl collection, and more. He may have been around for years, but he’s a rookie to J.R. Fickle

Best Show of The Year

The David Gonos/Michael Salfino “card talks.” This should be a weekly show, it’s fantastic stuff.

Forgotten Vestige of Times Past of the Year

NFTs. Remember those?

Gigantic Loser of the Year

(Tie) All Breakers

Trend of the Year

Lububus. They’re cute!

Next Big Thing of the Year

It has to be Sophie Cunningham, right?

Enigma of the Year

Mary GambleGamble. She’s fun and full of energy but mannnnn I can only take so many “Profit: $125” fake/forced haggling videos.

Deep Sleeper Collectible of the Year

Gina Carano is currently suing Disney and her acting star was on the rise before she got fired from The Mandalorian. She is probably in line for a comeback soon — and the Carano market has managed to stay remarkably strong despite her cancellation – autographed card prices aren’t the deals you think they would be. They are, in fact, “generally unaffordable” for a guy like me. So imagine where they’ll go if she makes that comeback!. Only one way to go! A lot of people are finding themselves un-canceled!

The Hobby Awards Judge Snub of the Year

LeMeme James should’ve been asked. And THEN J.R. Fickle.

Bust of the Year

Watch-collecting message boards. Just buy a $30 Indiglo and get over yourselves!

The “Why Do You Keep Doing This?” Award

JG Auctions, for continuing to run air and space autograph auctions with obscure pilots’ signatures on mostly unrelated postcards. (Note: We do love JG. We are frequenters of their historical auctions)

Congratulations to our winners! See you on the red carpet for The Hobby Awards!

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