Baseball cards have been collected by fans for over 100 years, documenting players, teams, and the evolution of America’s pastime. The small coastal city of Ormond Beach, Florida has deep roots in the hobby and industry of baseball cards. From the early 1900s through the modern era, Ormond Beach has had a consistent connection to the colorful world of trading, collecting and producing baseball cards.
One of the earliest documented baseball card collectors from Ormond Beach was James “Jimmy” Turner. In the 1920s as a young boy, Jimmy amassed a sizable collection by trading with friends and buying packs from the local corner store. His prized possession was a rare Honus Wagner card from 1909-11 T206 set. Jimmy’s passion helped spark interest in the community. By the 1930s, there was a lively baseball card trading scene in the youth of Ormond Beach on weekends and after school.
In the post-World War 2 era, the baseball card boom exploded across America with the arrival of the modern glossy cardboard issues by Topps in the 1950s. Ormond Beach native Bobby Nelson had one of the largest collections on the East Coast by the late 1950s, with sets completely assembled and high-grade stars like Mickey Mantle. Bobby’s collection outgrew his room, so he started a part-time business buying and selling duplicates to other collectors. This was believed to be one of the first card shop enterprises in the state of Florida.
Bobby Nelson Cards was located in downtown Ormond Beach from 1958-1964. On Saturdays, collectors from around Volusia County would flock to peruse the stacks of cards for trade and sale. Bobby gained a reputation for fair prices and being the go-to source for needs. His shop helped cultivate many lifelong collectors in the area. Bobby closed the shop when he left for college, but his influence could still be felt for decades after.
In the 1970s, a new generation of kids in Ormond Beach rediscovered the hobby, aided by the affordable dime boxes sold in stores. Brothers Mark and David Wilson amassed collections totaling in the millions by the late 1970s. They gained local and state recognition by organizing large card shows and swap meets. Their events helped connect collectors from all over the region. Mark and David published an annual newsletter showcasing the Florida card scene that gained subscribers nationwide.
The 1980s saw another boom in baseball card popularity, driven by the arrival of the upper deck brand and investment surge. Ormond Beach native Greg Myers opened Premier Sports Cards in 1982, located in the city’s busy business district. Premier became the epicenter for collectors in Volusia County and beyond. Greg was an expert grader and authenticator who brought legitimacy to the sometimes sketchy secondary market of high-end cards. Premier Sports Cards gained national attention by facilitating major transactions and private signings with legendary players like Nolan Ryan. The shop stayed in business until 2002, continuing to serve new generations of collectors.
While the baseball card market has experienced ups and downs over the past 30 years, Ormond Beach has remained a Florida hotbed for the hobby. Local resident and former collector Chris Anderson capitalized on the city’s rich card history by opening the Ormond Beach Baseball Card Museum in 2005. Housed in a restored historic building downtown, the museum showcases some of the finest private collections and rarest finds from the area’s past. Permanent exhibits honor pioneers like Jimmy Turner, Bobby Nelson, and the Wilson Brothers. The museum also hosts events, seminars, and traveling exhibits to educate new fans.
In the modern era of internet sales, online auctions, and digital cards, the local brick and mortar shops have mostly disappeared. However, Ormond Beach continues to produce notable collectors, traders, and influencers in the baseball card world. Residents like Frank Castle maintain massive complete vintage sets that gain worldwide attention when pieces come up for sale. Younger collectors like the Johnson Brothers organize large annual card shows that draw top sellers from across Florida.
Through over a century, the small beach community of Ormond Beach has left an indelible mark on the business and culture of baseball cards. From the earliest documented collectors to nationally renowned shops and pioneers, Ormond Beach helped spread the hobby across Florida and beyond. The city’s rich card history lives on through dedicated collectors, the local museum, and future generations just discovering the color and nostalgia of America’s favorite pastime captured in cardboard.
