For Sale: Massive Collection of 100,000 Baseball Cards
A lifelong collector is parting with their cherished collection of over 100,000 baseball cards. This collection represents decades of dedicated collecting and includes cards from the 1950s all the way to the modern era. With so many cards to go through, the scope and depth of finds in this collection are virtually unmatched. Serious collectors would be hard pressed to find another lot with this quantity and quality of vintage and modern baseball memorabilia in one place.
The earliest cards in this collection date back to the 1950s, including many hard-to-find gems from sets such as 1949 Bowman, 1951 Bowman, 1952 Topps, and 1953 Topps. Many of the cards from the 1950s golden era of baseball card design are in overall good condition with centering and corners that are better than average for their age. Notable rookie cards that could be found include Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente and more.
The 1960s are strongly represented with complete or near-complete sets from 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966 Topps. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton could be contained in runs from these classic sets. Condition ranges from generally well-centered to a few with edge-wear, as to be expected for 50+ year old cardboard. Vintage cards from this era in even moderate condition can fetch hundreds or thousands depending on the particular player featured.
The 1970s portion grows considerably due to the boom in collecting during this period. Sets that could yield key rookie cards and stars of the era include 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and more. Tom Seaver, Fred Lynn, Nolan Ryan and George Brett are just a sampling of the superstar rookies that could be pulled from runs. Wading through the 1970s portion alone would keep any collector busy for hours. Condition is strong overall for the decade with solidly centered examples permeating the mid-grade range.
The collection expands exponentially moving into the 1980s with the rise of beloved sets like 1979 SSPC, 1981 Donruss, 1982 Topps, 1983 Fleer, 1984 Donruss and class of ’84 rookies like Dwight Gooden taking their place on the card fronts. Complete runs or near-complete runs are likely included which increases the odds of unearthing a true superstar rookie from the decade. Corners and edges stay generally sharp reflecting careful storage over the long term. Later 1980s issues also provide the thrill of the hunt with stars of the Steroid Era like Barry Bonds potentially lurking in the lots.
Navigating the sea of 1990s cards offers the perfect distraction during these difficult times. Completing sets or finding chase cards from the early 90s Finnsters, UD, Stadium Club and Ultra brands could be very rewarding. Chasing down rookie gems of the generation like Ken Griffey Jr, Nomar Garciaparra, Derek Jeter and more would keep any collector glued to sorting through penny sleeves. Condition remains strong as protective sleeves and boxes became more widely used for long-term storage in the 90s. Even well-loved, played with childhood copies could yield a valuable star in scratching condition.
The modern portion of the collection picks up substantially in the 2000s and 2010s as collecting grew to the level it enjoys today. Complete factory sets, parallels, refractors and more innovative insert sets represent some of the possibilities hidden in the plethora of cards. An ongoing hunt for the rookie class that includes Justin Verlander, Ryan Braun, Clayton Kershaw and beyond could take a long time but be very worthwhile. Card show case hits of stars like Mike Trout and surprises of yesterday’s rookie phenoms in mint condition add to the potential rewards.
All in all, this lot represents an incredible opportunity for any collector, both novice and experienced. The sheer number and wide-ranging era coverage virtually ensures something of value or interest will be found with each box or team bag sorted. For dedicated collectors, finding a complete vintage set or core rookie from a personal favorite team or player would be a once-in-a-lifetime happening. Casual collectors can enjoy experiencing the evolution of baseball cards visually over the decades in one fun, intensive digging session.
Interested parties are welcome to schedule an in-person viewing of the collection in its wholesale state if desired. Small sample team/sets will also be made available to inspect. An opening offer of $175,000 for the entire collection will be entertained. Additions or subtractions to the lot may be negotiable. This truly represents a career collection with potential investment find after potential investment find that could give enjoyment for years to come. Rarely does such a motherlode of cardboard come available, so collectors would be wise to act soon if interested in this opportunity to grow their collection like never before possible through one purchase. Contact is provided below to discuss further or make an offer. Happy hunting!
