If you have a collection of old baseball cards gathering dust in the attic, here are some fun and possibly profitable things you can do with them:
Organize and Catalog Your Collection
The first step is to carefully organize and catalog your baseball card collection. Remove the cards from any worn out sleeves or boxes and carefully inspect each one for damage or tears. Then you’ll want to sort them by sport, team, player, year, or any other category that makes the most sense for your collection. Be sure to keep any valuable rookie cards or collections of star players separate.
Once sorted, you can create a digital or paper catalog of your collection noting details for each card like the player name, year, brand (Topps, Fleer, etc.), condition and any other relevant details. Having a well organized catalog makes it much easier to properly care for your collection and also helps determine which cards may have the most value if you decide to sell.
Protect and Display Your Cards
Once organized and cataloged, your vintage baseball cards will need some protection from damage over time. Penny sleeves are ideal for individually storing cards to prevent scratches. For longer term storage, try acid-free cardboard sheets, binders with acid-free pages, or plastic top loaders. Avoid stacking loose cards.
You may also want to selectively display some of your best cards. Shadow boxes or baseball card pages in a binder allow cards to be safely shown off. Just be sure display areas are away from direct sunlight or other environmental factors that can cause damage over time. Proper storage and display helps maintain maximum value.
Have Your Cards Professionally Graded
If you have rookie cards or other notable cards in pristine condition, it may be worth spending $10-20 per card to have them professionally graded by experts at companies like PSA, BGS or SGC. Receiving a high numerical grade confirms a card’s condition and dramatically increases its value for serious collectors. Cards that grade as PSA 10 or BGS/SGC Gem Mint 10 can be worth 10x or more than ungraded versions.
Only cards showing no imperfections or wear are worth grading. Have realistic expectations, as vintage cards rarely grade perfectly. Still, a grade of 7 or above provides certification that increases a card’s worth versus just being slabbed raw. Grading is a wise investment for truly high-end vintage cards.
Sell Valuable Cards Online
With the right cards in pristine graded condition, you could make some money selling individual cards or whole sets online through popular sites like eBay, Heritage Auctions, or directly on collector marketplace Facebook groups. Key cards to watch for include rookie cards of all-time greats in the highest grades.
You’ll need to do some research to properly value your cards, check recent auction sale comps, and be prepared to accept reasonable offers. High demand vintage cards in mint condition could conceivably sell for thousands. But remember that the market fluctuates and most untrained sellers often overvalue common vintage cards. Patience and realistic pricing are key.
Consider Consigning Valuable Cards
If you hope to maximize profits from truly valuable vintage cards but lack experience selling, consider consigning select cards to an online auction house. Reputable companies like PWCC, Heritage, or Grey Flannel handle all aspects of promotion, grading verification if needed, bidding and payment processing for a commission typically 15-20% of the sale price.
This takes the work off your hands but ensures cards are sold through a trusted global marketplace. The auction house experts can provide valuations and advise on reserve pricing too. Just be selective in consigning only your most pristine premium cards to optimize profits minus commissions owed.
Swap or Trade Duplicate Cards
Chances are good that over decades of collecting you’ve amassed duplicates of many common cards. A fun way to build your collection is swapping or trading duplicates with other collectors. Look for local card shows and collector meetups where you can setup a trade table and bring duplicates sorted by sport, team and year in boxes.
Have a want lists of players or sets you’re looking to complete and be open to making balanced trades. Some collectors may also be willing to purchase desirable duplicate cards outright if trading doesn’t pan out. It’s a great way to thin out duplicates, build your collection further, and possibly make a little extra money on the side too. Just be realistic in valuing common duplicates.
Donate to Youth Sports Organizations or Libraries
If your collection contains many commons from the past few decades and you don’t foresee opportunities to sell or trade them, consider donating your extras to local youth sports groups, recreational centers or public libraries. Kids love vintage baseball cards and these organizations can use them for displays, prizes and educational purposes. You get a tax deduction and cards find new life bringing joy to others. Just be selective in keeping your best vintage cards.
With some careful organization, preservation and research, your old baseball cards have potential to become an enjoyable and potentially lucrative hobby again. Maximize collectible value through grading top cards, sell individiually online, consign premium lots, trade duplicates, or donate commons to support youth sports. With a little effort vintage cards can yield profits and fun for many years to come.
