Baseball card collecting has been a beloved American pastime for generations. Whether it’s chasing the chase of finding rare and valuable cards or assembling full sets of players and teams, few hobbies are as nostalgic or collectible as baseball cards. In the Tri-States area surrounding Dubuque, Iowa, two stores in particular have been mainstays for collectors far and wide – Tri-State Baseball Cards and Dubuque Sportscards.

Located just off Highway 20 in East Dubuque, Illinois, Tri-State Baseball Cards has been serving the Tri-State area since 1997. Owned and operated by the husband-wife team of Steve and Jackie Lensing, the 1,500 square foot store boasts an immense inventory of new and vintage baseball, football, basketball and hockey cards as well as supplies for collectors. While their collection of newer products is vast with items stocked shortly after release, it’s their trove of vintage cardboard that truly sets them apart.

Walls of organized long boxes house their vintage collection, ranging from the earliest 1950s and 1960s issues up through the sport’s modern era in the 1990s and 2000s. “We have so much vintage here because we’ve been buying collections for 25 years now,” says Steve. “A lot of the early stuff you just don’t see in stores anymore but we’ve painted every box and cross-indexed everything so it’s easy for our customers to find what they’re looking for.” Whether it’s finding that missing piece to complete a vintage set or tracking down a card of a local hero, chances are if it exists, Tri-State has it or can find it for you.

While browsing their stacks is rewarded serendipity, the Lensings have also developed strong relationships with collectors locally and beyond. “Word of mouth is how we’ve grown,” says Jackie. “Collectors know that when they sell to us, their cards will be well cared for and enjoyed by others. It’s neat to see some stuff cycle back through.” When sellers consign large collections and teams to them, Steve enjoys the history hunt of sorting through every card. “You never know what you’ll find – sometimes it’s real treasure,” he smiles.

This treasure includes some truly one-of-a-kind rarities they’ve uncovered or had consigned over the years, such as a 1909-11 T206 tobacco card of Nap Lajoie in a grade so pristine it ranks among the finest known of its kind in the world. Other true beauties include gem mint examples of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays’ rookie cards from 1952 and several pre-war Honus Wagner cards. While most of these are part of their “wall of fame” not for sale, getting to admire such irreplaceable pieces of card history under glass is a thrill for any collector.

Of course, not all visiting collectors come seeking ultra-high-end pieces. Younger generations are also finding the hobby through Tri-State. “It’s so fun seeing whole families come in together – mom, dad, kids. The kids especially love looking at the old cards and thinking ‘that guy played back then?'” says Jackie. Seeing the multigenerational aspect of the hobby has been very gratifying for the couple. The Lensings do their best to welcome everyone with their friendly, small-town service. “At the end of the day, we’re just baseball card players having fun,” laughs Steve.

While Tri-State covers the entire Tri-States area with their mail order and their presence at card shows, Dubuque Sportscards reigns as the card hub of Dubuque proper. Owned and operated since 1989 by Kevin “Murf” Murphy and his wife Michele, their downtown shop at 265 Main Street is a sports memorabilia paradise. Upon entering the narrow store, collectors are greeted by floor-to-ceiling rows of long boxes and glass display cases featuring their immense new and vintage inventory.

Much like Tri-State, Sportscards has earned a premier reputation for their unparalleled vintage stock. “We’ve been at this for over 30 years so we’ve seen it all come through here,” Murf explains. Panning some of their sets showcases their treasures like 1919 and 1920 Cleveland Spiders teams, 1930 Goudey baseball mega sets, and 1954 Topps complete sets. They even have examples of some of the true rarities of rarities like 1933 Goudey Big League Chewing Gum cards still in their original factory wrappers. For collectors seeking key vintage rookies or complete vintage runs, Murf and his staff have a deep knowledge to help track items down.

While their vintage is world-class, Sportscards also prides themselves on having every new release as it hits the hobby. Walls of newly stocked products are organized by sport, ready to reinvigorate the collections of dedicated modern collectors. They work directly with all the major sports card manufacturers to ensure they get ample allocations of each hyped release too. Murf has also developed relationships with local dealers to always have a great local sports selection in stock as well.

Alongside their main inventory, Showcases hold an array of interesting signed memorabilia including game-worn jerseys, bats, helmets and photos. Personalized shelves around the store also display Murf’s own Hall of Fame collection of autographed items from baseball and football legends. On any given day, you never know who might be stopping in for a friendly chat with Dubuque’s most renowned sports memorabilia aficionado too.

Now in their third generation of passionate collectors, Tri-State Baseball Cards and Dubuque Sportscards will surely remain hubs for the hobby for years to come. While the internet changed some aspects of card collecting, their model of deep vintage stocks, knowledgeable service and small town charm has kept collectors coming back. For both new and experienced collectors across the Tri-States, these shops will continue fueling the fun of the card collecting experience for generations more. Whether it’s chasing stars of today or reliving memories of the game’s earliest eras, these beloved local institutions are sure to remain destinations that inspire discovery and nostalgia in sports enthusiasts of all ages.