Baseball Cards for Sale in Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina has a rich history with baseball and a vibrant collectibles scene. For over 50 years, baseball card collectors in the capital city have been amassing collections, trading with one another, and supporting local card shops. Whether you’re a lifelong Columbia resident looking to buy, sell, or trade, or a visitor interested in the local scene, this guide will help you find high-quality baseball cards for sale in the area.

Local Card Shops

Several local businesses specialize in buying, selling, trading, and grading baseball cards in Columbia. Three of the most well-established are:

Game Time Sports Cards (573 Meeting St) – Open since 1990, Game Time is the largest and best-stocked card shop in town. They have hundreds of thousands of individual cards and complete sets spanning the entire history of the hobby, along with supplies, memorabilia, and more. Knowledgeable staff are happy to help find what you’re looking for or appraise your collection.

All Star Sportscards (1223 Bower Pkwy) – Located conveniently near Harbison, All Star has been serving collectors for over 25 years. Their inventory includes plenty of vintage and modern stars at reasonable prices. Stop in for weekly Friday Night Magic drafts and other gaming events too.

Game On Trading (1013 Gervais St) – Specializing in Pokemon, Magic: The Gathering, and sports cards, Game On has a solid baseball selection as well. Check their website for daily postings of new arrivals and inventory added to the showcase case in store.

All three shops buy collections and offer payment in cash or store credit. Consignment selling is also available through Game Time and All Star if you prefer they handle selling cards on your behalf for a small commission.

Online & Mail Order Sellers

For those who prefer shopping online, there are several Columbia-based sellers with inventory posted to eBay, COMC, and individual websites:

SCDeezCards (eBay, COMC) – Run by long-time collector Dee, this store has frequent auctions and store inventory updated daily. Check completed listings to get a sense of typical selling prices.

Gamecock Cards (website, COMC) – As their name implies, they specialize in University of South Carolina athletes and memorabilia. Baseball cards from former Gamecocks dot their inventory.

SC Sportlots (website, COMC) – With over 10,000 cards for sale, SC Sportlots has you covered from vintage to modern. Free combined shipping on $25+ orders.

Columbia Card Collector (Facebook Marketplace) – For local deals, check this Facebook group where members post individual cards, lots, and full collections for sale daily.

Card Shows & Conventions

Throughout the year, several larger shows come to the Columbia area where you can browse tables from dozens of dealers under one roof:

Columbia Card Show (Spring/Fall) – Held at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, this is one of the biggest and best-attended shows in the state. Expect hundreds of dealers and thousands of collectors.

Lake Murray Card Show (Summer) – Taking place outdoors at the Lexington County Recreation Area, this family-friendly event draws locals and dealers from throughout the Southeast.

All Star Sportscards Show (Winter) – Held in their shop parking lot, this smaller “trunk show” brings in 10-15 dealers for a day of sales. Great for restingocking over the holidays.

At shows, you’ll find an immense selection spanning the entire history of the hobby from the 1800s tobacco era to present day rookies and parallels. It’s the best place to hunt for deals on individual stars or complete vintage and modern sets.

Grading & Authentication

For high-end vintage cards worth hundreds or thousands, professional grading and authentication is highly recommended to verify condition and authenticity. Two of the top third-party companies, PSA and BGS, have authorized dealers in the Columbia area:

Game Time Sports Cards (PSA, BGS, SGC) – As an officially licensed PSA/BGS/SGC dealer, Game Time can handle the entire grading/submission process for you.

All Star Sportscards (PSA) – Also an authorized PSA dealer, All Star assists with submissions and sells professionally graded vintage and modern cardboard.

SCDeezCards (PSA, BGS, SGC) – While based online, this seller regularly visits shows and can meet locally to purchase cards to submit on consignment.

Getting cards slabbed adds collector confidence when selling and helps maximize resale value down the line. Dealers can also assist with cross-grading between services or cracking slabs to better package cards together in collection sales.

Columbia’s Rich Baseball Heritage

From the early sandlots to modern minor league ball, Columbia has a deep baseball history reflected in its collectibles market. Cards featuring stars of the Capital City’s minor league teams like the Columbia Senators, Columbia Cardinals, and Capital City Bombers frequently appear for sale. Autograph signings by former big leaguers with Columbia roots are also occasionally held at local card shops and events.

Whether you’re new to the hobby or a lifelong collector, Columbia’s vibrant baseball cards scene has everything you need to buy, sell, and enjoy America’s pastime on cardboard. Stop into a local shop, browse an online seller, or plan a trip for an upcoming card show to experience the rich community and selection the capital city has to offer memorabilia fans. With top-notch inventory and knowledgeable dealers, Columbia ensures local collectors always have access to high-quality cards from the earliest tobacco issues to the latest releases.