The 1962 Post cereal baseball card series is one of the iconic issues from the golden age of Post card collecting. Containing 126 total cards of players from both the American and National Leagues, the 1962 set provides a snapshot into the major league rosters of that year. Over 60 years after their original release in cereal boxes, individual 1962 Post cards can still frequently be found for sale on eBay as avid collectors look to fill out their vintage sets.
Some key facts about the 1962 Post issue:
Produced by Post Cereal Company as a promotional insert in boxes of cereal. First year Post included cards in boxes since discontinuing the practice in 1958.
Contains all 26 major league teams from 1962, with 4-5 cards dedicated to the regular starters and key players from each club. Rosters capture who was on each team at the beginning of the 1962 season.
Features simple black and white player photos on a colorful cartoon-style backgrounds, with player stats and team logo printed on the front. Set is known for its whimsical illustrations compared to other contemporary card issues.
Highlight rookies include future Hall of Famers Dick Allen (Card #58), Reggie Jackson (#83), and Tom Seaver (#109). Other young stars like Tony Oliva (#50) and Rod Carew (#62) also included in their rookie seasons.
Scarcer short print cards include Don Drysdale (#30), Jim Bunning (#31), and Maury Wills (#93). These cards were produced in lower numbers, making them tougher to find in completed condition.
As one of the most complete vintage baseball card sets, filling out a 1962 Post collection by finding individual cards on eBay can be both exciting and challenging. Popular team cards from legendary franchises like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers tend to carry higher prices due to team popularity and fan demand. Meanwhile, cards featuring lesser known teams from the early 1960s like the Colt .45s (who would later become the Houston Astros) can sometimes be acquired for affordable prices.
Condition is always a key factor when purchasing vintage cards on the secondary market site. The 1962 Post issues had a high printing quality but also saw heavy circulation as promotional inserts over 60 years ago. As a result, mint condition examples high in centering and with bright color are quite rare today. While exhilarating to acquire, top graded gems authenticated and encapsulated by grading services like PSA or SGC will set serious collectors back hundreds or even thousands per card depending on the player featured.
For collectors looking to start filling gaps in their 1962 Post set, keeping tabs on recently sold listings provides good price guidance and comparison points on eBay. Buyers are likely to find cards featuring names like Bill Mazeroski, Luis Aparicio, and Willie Mays available in average circulated condition anywhere from $5-15. Obtaining a team set’s complementary players may cost just a few dollars each. Patience and perseverance are required as finding that one missing piece, whether a true key rookie or minor star, could mean waiting for the right auction to end.
Part of the fun is enjoying the hunt. With its iconic illustrations and capturing of league-wide rosters in 1962, the Post cereal baseball card series remains a phenomenal representative set of the era over half a century later. By leveraging the large trading card customer base on eBay, collectors today can steadily plug away at completing their vintage collection one card at a time through the competitive market. Prices may rise and fall with any given rare find, but the 1962 Post cards ensure that memory and tradition of players, plays, and franchises from our national pastime always live on.
