Category Archives: BASEBALL CARDS

WILL PANINI MAKE BASEBALL CARDS IN 2023

Panini America has held the exclusive license to produce MLB-licensed trading cards since 2020 after taking over from Topps. Their partnership with Major League Baseball is currently set to run through 2025. Based on the terms of this existing agreement, it seems very likely that Panini will continue to produce a full range of baseball cards for the 2023 season and beyond.

Some key considerations around Panini’s MLB baseball card production plans for 2023 include:

Panini has seriously ramped up its baseball card offering since acquiring the MLB license. In 2021 and 2022 they released numerous high-end, mid-tier and value products across both trading cards and sticker collections. This includes popular sets like Prizm, Donruss, Contenders, Immaculate Collection and National Treasures. The breadth and regularity of new releases shows a strong ongoing commitment to the MLB category.

Panini expanded its licensing agreement with MLB in late 2021 to gain additional rights around usage of team logos and uniforms on cards starting in 2022. This extension suggests both parties are pleased with how the partnership has developed so far. Unless unforeseen issues emerge, it’s reasonable to assume the existing deal will continue as planned through its original end date of 2025.

Baseball card product research has found that Panini’s 2022 MLB sets are generally well received by collectors, with strong initial sales and robust aftermarkets developing for some parallels and autographed/memorabilia cards. This indicates there is solid ongoing consumer demand for Panini MLB cards, providing a strong incentive for them to remain invested in the space.

Panini successfully launched its National Treasures and Immaculate Collection football brands to the baseball sphere in 2021/22. These high-dollar, case-hit models are becoming collectors favorite MLB categories, promising sustainable long-term interest. Panini will want to build on this momentum with future releases.

To satisfy the annual cycle of the MLB season and trading card releases synced to real-life on-field performances, Panini requires long-term commitments to its sports licensing partners. One-year dalliances don’t serve its business model. The 2023 season would mark only the natural next step in its planned rollout.

There is widespread expectation in the trading card community that Panini will strike an extension to its MLB license deal before the initial agreement expires in 2025. A new contract would likely lock Panini into baseball cards for many more years ahead. So production for 2023 is seen as an effectively guaranteed stepping stone to future seasons.

Staffing up experienced baseball card design, marketing and sales teams requires significant long-term investment from Panini. Unless anything unexpectedly changes in its MLB relationship, there is no indication they would abandon these teams and efforts after just three years. Production for 2023 allows maximum return on these investments to date.

Secondary market pricing data continues to suggest increasing interest and value retention for recent Panini MLB cards, as speculation grows around future scarcity and new designs/exclusives. This enthusiasm helps Panini profitably support future large production print runs needed for the 2023 season.

Considering Panini’s substantive existing agreement with MLB running through 2025, its ramped-up baseball investment and commitment so far, and general alignment of incentives between the companies, it is extremely likely that Panini will once again produce a full portfolio of MLB trading card products focused on statistics, memorabilia and performances from the upcoming 2023 season. Their established licensing deal and production momentum point overwhelmingly to Panini maintaining baseball card releases next year and serving collectors’ needs as the League’s licensed card provider. Unless unforeseen circumstances intervene, 2023 production can be virtually guaranteed at this point in the companies’ multi-year partnership journey.

WHAT BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH SOME MONEY

One of the most valuable baseball cards that can potentially fetch a huge price is the 1909 T206 Honus Wagner card. The Wagner is arguably the most famous and coveted card in the hobby, and in pristine condition it can sell for millions of dollars. In 2021, a near mint condition Wagner card broke records when it was sold at auction for $6.6 million, making it by far the most valuable baseball or sports card ever sold. Even well-worn copies of the legendary Wagner card in poor condition can still sell for tens of thousands of dollars.

Another classic card that can be a big money maker is the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card. High grade Mantle rookies have sold for over $2 million when awarded gem mint grades. Most surviving ’52 Mantle rookies are well-worn and repaired, selling in the $50-150k range depending on condition. Still, for an investment the iconic Mantle rookie is a fairly safe bet to retain and possibly increase in value over time due to his enduring popularity and status as a true legend of the game.

A relatively newer card that has exponentially grown in value in recent years is the 1987 Topps Mark McGwire rookie card. Fresh on the heels of McGwire’s single-season home run record in 1998, along with the steroid era increased interest in power stats throughout the 90s, his rookie card has become one of the hottest modern investment pieces. Pristine examples with a gem mint 10 grading have changed hands for $350k+, with most graded 10s holding steady around $100k. Even lower grade copies still command five figures due to high McGwire nostalgia and the card’s ongoing appreciation over the past 20-30 years.

Continuing with powerful sluggers, rookie cards for Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa can also carry substantial price tags assuming high grades. A PSA 10 of Bonds’s 1983 Topps rookie is worth around $30-50k in today’s market. Sosa rookies from 1991 Bowman and Donruss grade well too, with gem mint 10s in the $5-10k range. Both superstar hitters retain interest due to their astronomical career home run accomplishments, tainted as some of those records may be by PED usage allegations.

For pitching aficionados, iconic hurlers like Sandy Koufax, Nolan Ryan, and Bob Gibson have rookie and star issue cards that hold value when kept in pristine condition. Koufax’s 1956 Topps rookie has sold for over $70k in PSA 10, while a flawless BGS/PSA graded example of Gibson’s 1968 Topps can reach $10k+. Vintage Ryan cards like his 1966 Topps or 1968 Topps are also prized by collectors for his longevity and record-setting stats, with high grades regularly selling in the multiple thousands.

Rookie cards for home run kings like Griffey Jr, Pujols, and Soto also possess solid upside as future vintage pieces. For example, a PSA 10 of Ken Griffey Jr’s upper deck rookie has been purchased for over $10k before. And particularly for active superstars like Juan Soto, maintaining his cards in top shape offers future potential to profit big as he continues to build his resume and following among new generations of fans.

Rookies and commons from the 1950s to 1970s era generally have the highest appreciation, though condition is absolutely paramount. Beyond a card’s star power and scarcity, the most valuable specimens will be those examples that have survived decades in pristine, near-perfect shape with grades of GEM MINT 10 or higher. For cards of that vintage, even minor flaws or wear will significantly hamper an otherwise premium card’s price tag.

In summation, while most ordinary vintage and modern baseball cards will not gain much intrinsic value over time, there remain particular rookies, star issues and rare finds that do hold solid collectible and investment potential – especially if preserved in top condition under the auspices of professional grading services. With properly selected cards, patience and fortunate long-term career trajectories for the featured players, there is a proven track record of significant profit opportunities available within the complex but rewarding world of baseball memorabilia speculation.

WHAT ARE THE MOST VALUABLE 1988 SCORE BASEBALL CARDS

Ken Griffey Jr. Rookie Card: This is widely considered the most valuable card from the 1988 Score set. Griffey Jr. went on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie card remains one of the top rookie cards of all time. In near mint to mint condition (graded 8-10 on the 10 point scale), Griffey Jr.’s 1988 Score rookie will fetch thousands of dollars today. In a PSA 10 gem mint grade, it has sold for over $25,000. Even in lower graded condition (PSA 5-7), it still retains value in the hundreds to low thousands typically. The Griffey Jr. rookie is iconic from this set and remains the undisputed heavyweight champion in terms of value due to his legendary career and status as a fan favorite player.

Nolan Ryan record breaker card: This special medallion card commemorates Nolan Ryan breaking Sandy Koufax’s record for strikeouts. It features a piece of the actual ball Ryan used to break the record. Only 250,000 of these cards were produced, making it one of the scarcer cards in the set. In high grade (PSA 8-10), it can sell for $150-$500. Even in lower grades (PSA 5-7) it holds value of $50-$150 due to the low print run and the historic achievement it honors of Ryan. Any Nolan Ryan card featuring one of his many records broken throughout his career tends to be more valuable to collectors.

Ozzie Smith autograph card: This autographed card of Ozzie Smith is one of the rare signature cards found in the 1988 Score set. With Smith’s autograph officially authenticated and in high pristine condition, a PSA/DNA 10 gem mint grade would be worth $500-$1,000 today. Even in PSA 8-9 condition it still commands $150-$400. Getting a true Hall of Famer’s autographed card from their playing days is highly desirable, and Smith’s defensive wizardry and popularity adds extra cachet to his signature on a card. Condition is critical to its value given the scarcity.

Ken Phelps rookie card: Admittedly, Ken Phelps did not pan out as the star many thought he could become when he debuted in the majors in 1985. His rookie card still retains value due simply to being a legitimate rookie card from the set. In near mint to mint condition, it can sell in the $15-$30 range. Not nearly the value of stars like Griffey Jr., but as a true rookie issue it has its niche collectors. The key is high grade and centered registration to maximize its value potential within the set.

Mark McGwire card: Sure, McGwire’s home run chasing feats and records came later in the 1990s. But he was already establishing himself as a budding power hitter for the A’s by 1988. Any quality McGwire card from the late 80s retains value due to his iconic career and popularity as one of the game’s great sluggers. His 1988 Score card in high grade (PSA 8-10) can sell for $10-$25, and is a nice collection piece outside the headliner Griffey Jr. issues. Even in lower grades (PSA 5-7) it will usually sell in the $5-10 range. McGwire’s stature in the game carries value for his older cardboard.

Orel Hershiser card: As the National League’s Cy Young award winner and owner of a 59 consecutive scoreless innings record in 1988, Orel Hershiser’s achievement was as fresh in collector’s minds then as it is today when they opened Score packs. Any quality Hershiser card from this era commands attention. For his 1988 Score issue, a PSA 9-10 mint version can be worth $15-$30. Even lower graded copies around PSA 7 still carry an estimated $5-10 price point. With such a standout season so recently behind him in ’88, Hershiser’s cards offer historical significance mixed with on-field accomplishment.

Those would generally be considered the most valuable 1988 Score baseball cards to find in a collector’s collection today. Keys are high quality condition grades, whether autographed, rookie cards of future Hall of Famers, or special achievement cards of singular historic performances. While the Griffey Jr. rookie understandably leads the way, there isValues can vary up or down a few dollars based on current active auction market conditions. But those price ranges serve as decent guidelines for the premium cards to look for when collecting or investing in vintage late 1980s baseball memorabilia. Let me know if any part of this lengthy answer needs further explanation or expansion.

HOW TO SELL USED BASEBALL CARDS

Selling used baseball cards can be a great way to make some extra money, especially if you have a large collection from years past just taking up space. There are a few important things to know before attempting to sell your cards. The first step is to do an inventory of your collection to see what you have. You’ll want to go through each card carefully and note the player name, year, condition, and any other relevant details. Taking the time to properly catalog your cards upfront will save you work later on.

Once you’ve inventoried your cards, you need to do some research to identify which players and years hold the most value. Sites like Beckett, eBay, and 130point.com can give you a sense of current market prices for different baseball cards. Key things that influence a card’s value are the player (rookies/stars are usually worth more), the player’s career accomplishments after the card was printed, the card’s condition or grade on a 1-10 scale, and whether it is part of a popular or valuable set from its year. Be prepared for most common cards to only be worth $1 or less, while rare, elite condition vintage rookie cards could sell for hundreds or even thousands.

With an understanding of what you have and what it may be worth, you have a few options for selling your cards. eBay is a popular choice that lets you set minimum bids and handle payments securely. You’ll need to take clear, well-lit photos of each card that accurately represent its condition. Be very clear and honest in your descriptions. Shipping supplies and fees need to be factored into starting bids or “Buy It Now” prices. Another online option is through sports card marketplace sites like COMC.com, which handles grading, listing, and fulfillment for a fee percentage.

If you prefer selling locally, you could set up a table at your local card shop or comic book store and let the dealer or other collectors make offers on cards you’re willing to part with. Some shops may even purchase entire collections outright for a bulk discounted price. You can also advertise garage sale finds on sites like Craigslist. In all cases, remember to be safe meeting strangers and only do cash-in-person deals if selling higher value cards locally.

Condition really is key, so take the extra time to examine each card microscopically under good lighting. Even microscopic printing lines or edge nicks that don’t appear to affect the front graphic can lower a grade and value significantly. Higher grade raw cards (not yet professionally graded) may fetch higher prices from collectors. But be aware of potential grading service costs and time commitment if trying to maximize dollars on vintage stars through official third-party grades.

Selling used baseball cards takes work but can potentially bring in good returns if you do your due diligence on prices, present your items well online or locally, and focus on collecting payment safely. With some effort upfront learning about your collection, researching the market, and pricing competitively yet fairly, you stand a good chance of getting top dollar for the cards taking up space in your collection. Just be sure to enter the process with realistic expectations based on what you actually have. Proper preparation will be key to success.

DO PAWN SHOPS BUY BASEBALL CARDS

Pawn shops will often buy baseball cards from customers, but whether individual shops will purchase cards and how much they will pay can vary significantly between different pawn shops. There are a few key factors that pawn shops will consider when determining if they will buy baseball cards and how much they will offer:

Condition of the cards is extremely important. Pawn shops need to be able to resell the cards for a profit so they will only buy cards that are in very good condition without creases, tears or other flaws. Heavily played or worn cards with issues will usually not be of interest. PSA or BGS graded cards in high grades of 8 or above are most desirable. Loose raw cards would need to be in near mint to mint condition.

Rarity, age and brand name of the players featured on the cards matters a lot. Newer cards featuring current stars won’t get as much interest or money as older vintage cards from the 50s, 60s, 70s featuring legendary players like Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Willie Mays and more. Rarer short print cards, rookie cards or cards of Hall of Famers are most appealing. Commons won’t get much, if any, money from pawn shops.

Completeness is another major concern. Pawn shops want full sets of cards or at least complete teams. Incomplete sets or mixmatched loose cards are much harder to resell and may not be accepted or offered much money for. Maintaining the original packaging or binders is preferable over loose disorganized stacks of cards.

Supply and Demand impacts pricing heavily. Cards of players going into the Hall of Fame or having big playoff performances will be in higher demand and fetch more money. Popular chase cards from the current hobby market at a given time may get a premium. Oversupplied 90s junk wax era cards wouldn’t be as appealing and potential earnings would be low.

Price guides like Beckett, eBay recent sold listings and online card shop inventory prices are used to determine fair purchase amounts. But prices offered to customers will be significantly lower than retail to allow for costs of grading, display, storage and profit margin for the shop. Understanding the recent fair market value for cards will help customers get a fairer offer.

Reputation of the customer and any history of fraudulent activity can affect a shops willingness to buy cards. Many pawn shops desire repeat long term business so may give better offers to known trusted customers versus unfamiliar faces. Out of state ID or lack of local references could raise suspicions.

Cash flow needs and current inventory levels at the shop impacts how aggressive they are being buyers. At times shops may suspend buying cards until space frees up or complete projects they invested in. Holiday shopping seasons could affect buying patterns. But demand has steadily grown since the start of the pandemic.

Willingness to negotiate is shop dependent. Some pawn shops stick firmly to their first offer knowing many need quick cash. Others realize margins exist to haggle a bit, especially if maintaining a good customer. Not all shops are open to bargaining so don’t get confrontational about wanting more money.

With all those factors evaluated, a pawn shop’s final decision comes down to their perception of how easy or difficult it will be to eventually sell the cards for profit. If they aren’t confident there is strong potential demand they simply won’t be interested in a purchase no matter the rarity or condition presented. Overall demand for baseball cards has grown substantially in recent years which has increased willingness of many shops to buy under the right circumstances. But pawn shops need to thoroughly vet potential inventory to ensure what they buy can actually be sold or they won’t stay in business long term. Customers need to understand coming into a transaction what it takes to get a pawn shop interested in their baseball card collection through properly researching the shop’s criteria in advance. With the right cards that fit the needs of a particular pawn shop, significant money could be made selling cards this route. But low grade commons won’t get far, so it pays to be selective and only offer premium quality vintage and modern cards worth serious consideration.

While no guarantees, pawn shops will commonly buy baseball cards from customers that meet their strict criteria for condition, age, rarity, completeness and demand potential. But what any individual shop offers in return can vary dramatically based on their business model, current inventory, and perception of resell ability. With patience, research and an understanding of what pawn shops ultimately want, savvy collectors can sometimes find solid sales opportunities. But inferior common cards are almost certainly a non-starter at these opportunistic buying operations.

HOW TO FIND VALUE ON BASEBALL CARDS

The main factors that determine the value of a baseball card are condition, player, year, rarity, and demand. It’s important to carefully examine each of these when trying to assess how much a card may be worth.

Condition is arguably the most important factor. Just like other collectibles, the better condition a baseball card is in, the more valuable it will be. Things to examine include centering, corners, edges, and surface. Make sure to look for any bends, creases, fading, or other flaws that could lower the grade. For accurate pricing comparisons, it’s best to know the precise condition or grade. The top two grading services used are PSA and BGS, with a PSA 10 being the highest grade available indicating perfect mint condition.

The player featured also heavily influences value. Hall of Famers and star players from past eras are usually more valuable. Some of the most valuable individual cards feature legends like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Honus Wagner and more recent stars like Mike Trout. Rookie cards for star players can be especially desirable since they represent the first card made of that player in the major leagues. Autograph or memorabilia cards for popular players command higher prices as well.

The year the card was produced from also matters a great deal. Vintage cards from the early 20th century before 1950 tend to be worth the most. Rookie cards or special inserts from modern era sets in the 1980s-2000s can still hold significant value depending on the player featured. Understanding the relevant sets, designs and production timeframes helps provide pricing context.

Rarity plays a role too, with more scarce, hard to find cards appreciating over time. Examples include variations, serially numbered parallels, unique inserts or short printed sets. Things like authentically signed vintage cards can also be incredibly rare. On the other hand, common base cards of average players from modern era sets have very little demand.

Current demand is important to factor in. Baseball card values are determined by what collectors are actively paying in the present day marketplace. This is influenced heavily by the current popularity of players among fans and collectors. During hot rookie seasons or award-winning years, demand and prices tend to spike for stars. Vintage players also see renewed interest as anniversaries of achievements approach. Knowing market trends helpsTime spent researching recently sold prices of comparable cards on platforms like eBay can give you a strong sense of current demand and fair pricing.

To confidently assess value, it’s best to do thorough research on multiple trusted trading card data and price guide sites. Beckett, PSA, BGS and eBay sold listings are good credible references. Comparing prices across sources can give you a suitable range that a card could sell for in its described condition among active collectors. Having the card physically in-hand also allows you to make an accurate condition assessment critical to pricing. With diligent research factoring in all the key elements, you’ll be well equipped to determine an individual baseball card’s worth. I hope this lengthy guide provided helpful details on analyzing value.

ARE MISCUT BASEBALL CARDS VALUABLE

Miscut baseball cards occur when there is an error in the printing or cutting process during the manufacturing of cards. When a card is miscut, the image on the card will be off-center, cutoff, or abnormal compared to a standard cut card. These types of errors can significantly impact the value and collectability of a card.

Whether or not a particular miscut card holds significant value depends on a few key factors. The most valuable miscut cards will be those featuring popular players, rare variations, or severe miscuts that cut into the next card. Cards from older and more desirable sets from the 1980s and earlier are also more likely to be worth a premium compared to modern miscuts. Miscuts from major manufacturers like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss are also preferred by collectors over variant brands.

The severity and visibility of the miscut is a huge determinant of value. Slightly off-center cards may only fetch a small bonus over a well-cut parallel. Extremely miscut cards that show parts of multiple players, significant portions cutoff, or entire statistics/logos missing can be quite valuable and highly sought after by error collectors. Examples could be triple-cut cards showing three players or stats zones from adjacent cards bleeding into the miscut.

Other factors evaluated include centering degrees, color variations induced by the error, and overall condition/grade of the card stock. Well-centered miscuts in mint condition have the highest trade value. Miscuts must also be truly errors from the manufacturing rather than intentionally cut or tampered with after the fact. Authenticity is important to command top dollar prices from collectors.

When it comes to pricing miscut baseball cards, there is no set formula and values can vary greatly. Low-end miscuts might sell for $5-10 over normal value while severe premium examples could fetch hundreds or even thousands more depending on various attributes. For example, a 2009 Topps David Price miscut showing parts of 3 cards recently sold for $1,000 despite Price being a modern star and the base card only worth around $20-30 normally.

Pricing is largely subjective based on what an informed collector is willing to pay. Miscuts are a niche area of collecting with no listings to directly compare against. Sellers must do research on past auction prices and what similar attributes and scarcity have merits. Getting expert authentication from grading services like PSA/BGS can help prove authenticity and maximize value when a card crosses multiple thresholds.miscut baseball cards occur when there is an error in the printing or cutting process during the manufacturing of cards. When a card is miscut, the image on the card will be off-center, cutoff, or abnormal compared to a standard cut card. These types of errors can significantly impact the value and collectability of a card.

Whether or not a particular miscut card holds significant value depends on a few key factors. The most valuable miscut cards will be those featuring popular players, rare variations, or severe miscuts that cut into the next card. Cards from older and more desirable sets from the 1980s and earlier are also more likely to be worth a premium compared to modern miscuts. Miscuts from major manufacturers like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss are also preferred by collectors over variant brands.

The severity and visibility of the miscut is a huge determinant of value. Slightly off-center cards may only fetch a small bonus over a well-cut parallel. Extremely miscut cards that show parts of multiple players, significant portions cutoff, or entire statistics/logos missing can be quite valuable and highly sought after by error collectors. Examples could be triple-cut cards showing three players or stats zones from adjacent cards bleeding into the miscut.

Other factors evaluated include centering degrees, color variations induced by the error, and overall condition/grade of the card stock. Well-centered miscuts in mint condition have the highest trade value. Miscuts must also be truly errors from the manufacturing rather than intentionally cut or tampered with after the fact. Authenticity is important to command top dollar prices from collectors.

When it comes to pricing miscut baseball cards, there is no set formula and values can vary greatly. Low-end miscuts might sell for $5-10 over normal value while severe premium examples could fetch hundreds or even thousands more depending on various attributes. For example, a 2009 Topps David Price miscut showing parts of 3 cards recently sold for $1,000 despite Price being a modern star and the base card only worth around $20-30 normally.

Pricing is largely subjective based on what an informed collector is willing to pay. Miscuts are a niche area of collecting with no listings to directly compare against. Sellers must do research on past auction prices and what similar attributes and scarcity have merits. Getting expert authentication from grading services like PSA/BGS can help prove authenticity and maximize value when a card crosses multiple thresholds. The closest comps a seller can find will likely be other miscut examples, parallel inserts, or serial number patches/relics. But the varying nature of each miscut means exact values are hard to pin down.

Miscut baseball cards can potentially hold significant collector value, especially for rarer miscuts featuring popular players, stars, or manufacturing flaws. But assessing the worth requires understanding all the factors like player, set details, severity of miscut, condition, and proven authenticity. With no standardized pricing, research is needed to understand where a particular example may stand in the miscut collecting hierarchy. While many miscuts offer only slight premiums, the right severe error can make a bigger impact and become a prized target item for niche collectors.

WHERE CAN I SALE MY BASEBALL CARDS

Local card shops are a great place to start if you want to sell your baseball cards locally. They have experience evaluating cards and knowing what buyers in your area are looking for. Most shop owners are happy to look through your collection and give you a cash offer or let you consign cards to sell in their store. Consigning means the shop sells the cards for you on commission, usually around 15-20%. This allows you to avoid setting prices yourself and dealing with buyers. It may take longer to get your money than an outright sale however.

If your cards are highly valuable or you have star rookies/autographs worth over $50-100 each, you’ll want to consider online auction sites like eBay. Taking high quality photos and writing detailed descriptions will help top dollar on eBay. Make sure to research what similar condition cards have recently sold for to set a competitive starting price. Offer free shipping/handling to attract buyers. eBay and online auction sites open you up to a huge potential buyer base but you’ll need to carefully package cards, buy postage, and deal with any issues yourself.

Another great online option is direct sales through Facebook trading/selling groups. There are huge groups specifically for different sports where you can post photos of your cards and list prices. Since the audience is collectors and not just casual eBay buyers, you may be able to sell valuable cards quicker through these groups. Like with local shops, you could also try consigning valuable cards with experienced collectors/dealers that are admins of popular groups as a third option between eBay and a local shop.

For lower value common cards not worth more than $1-5 each, your best bet is often to bundle them and sell lots on eBay. Group cards by team, player, or year to make lots more appealing than trying to sell each common card separately. Clearly list what is included (“50 2009 Topps common Red Sox cards”) and you’ll likely get more interest than trying to sell them individually.

Another innovative option gaining popularity is online platforms like COMC (Collectors.com) which allow you to sell individual cards or build custom lots online without using an auction. They handle photography, grading if desired, pricing help, and shipping to buyers for a fee per card sold. This takes the task of photographs, descriptions and shipping off your plate but means giving up a percentage per card versus setting your own prices elsewhere.

Once you’ve identified valuable premium cards, a great final option is direct sales to sports card collectors/investors looking to fill spaces in their collections. You can try networking through local card forum boards, popular national Facebook groups for your sport, or at live national/regional card shows which are starting back up in many areas post-pandemic. Dealers at live shows are always looking for inventory to flip so showing or even consigning your best cards could work at a show too.

Wherever you decide to try selling, photograph cards clearly, research current fair market values, be transparent about condition issues if any, ship securely, and be responsive. With some work you can usually maximize your return selling cards back into the active collector marketplace versus quick cash offers from local shops that have to leave room for profit in their pricing. With patience and market research, the right online selling approach can unlock top dollar for even very expensive vintage and autographed cards. I hope these tips help you navigate options for selling your baseball card collection!

WHO BUYS BASEBALL CARDS IN BARTLESVILLE OK

There are a few different businesses and individuals in and around Bartlesville, Oklahoma who buy baseball cards from collectors looking to sell parts of their collection or unload cards they no longer want. Some of the top options for selling baseball cards in Bartlesville include:

Game On Trading Co – This shop, located at 1103 SE Frank Phillips Blvd, is probably the best place for locals to sell their baseball cards in Bartlesville. Game On Trading Co buys, sells, and trades a wide variety of sports and non-sports trading cards, including baseball cards from the modern era as well as vintage cards. They pay cash for collections or singles in good condition from the 1960s onward and are knowledgeable about the players, sets, and market values. Sellers can expect fair cash offers or store credit when working with the knowledgeable buyers at Game On. The shop has been in business for over 15 years and is trusted by the Bartlesville card collecting community.

Play It Again Sports – For a larger potential buyer, the Play It Again Sports store in Bartlesville at 3416 SE Adams Rd is also worth considering. While their primary focus is used sporting goods, they do buy entire baseball card collections or valuable individual cards brought in by customers. Play It Again Sports will cut cash offers or provide in-store credit to anyone selling cards. Their buyers aren’t experts but can always work with a seller to get ballpark values on a lot and make a fair deal. It’s a good one-stop-shop option for customers also looking to sell other sports memorabilia at the same time as cards.

Card Sharks Sports Cards & Collectibles – This small home business run by an avid collector named Blake Richardson may be one of the best options for selling high-end, valuable baseball cards in the Bartlesville area. While Card Sharks does not have a retail storefront, Blake actively buys and sells via shows, online marketplaces, and meetings at his home by appointment. He’ll typically pay the highest cash premiums in the Bartlesville area for premiere vintage cards in mint condition from the 1950s-1970s, rare rookie cards, autographed memorabilia cards, and complete vintage/premium sets worth $500 or more. Sellers can contact Blake via his Facebook business page to discuss offerings.

Local Card Shows – Periodically throughout the spring and summer, the Bartlesville Community Center will host regional collectors shows with dozens of vendors selling and potentially buying cards. These are opportunities for locals to lay out tables and directly deal with other collectors attending from throughout NE Oklahoma and SE Kansas. While the individual buyers won’t pay top dollar like a dedicated store, it opens up the sales pool beyond just Bartlesville shops. Shows usually cost $25-50 per table to sell at. Dates are advertised on facebook groups.

Individual Local Collectors – A few serious adult collectors live scattered around Bartlesville who sometimes purchase large collections privately. Two options are Brian Allen (40 years collecting) who can be contacted through Facebook and Chester Hudson (25 years collecting, Red Sox fan) whose number is available through community sports leagues he coaches for. While not dedicated shops, these collectors often have the cash to acquire big lots and could evaluate your collection for a fair price.

Online Sales – For sellers who don’t mind more work, listing cards individually or collections for sale on online marketplaces like eBay is an option. It opens the pool to interested buyers nationwide rather than just locally. Shipping/packing costs and fees need factored in, and it takes more time listing/responding to messages. Higher value vintage rookie cards $100+ often sell best that route.

Between the local shops, shows, and collectors in Bartlesville – there are certainly avenues available for residents looking to sell parts of their baseball card collections. With a bit of calling around, a motivated seller should be able to find a fair potential buyer and get a reasonable cash offer or store credit for their cards within the city or surrounding area of Bartlesville, Oklahoma.

DOES CVS SELL BASEBALL CARDS

CVS Pharmacy is one of the largest retail pharmacy chains in the United States. With over 9,900 retail locations nationwide, CVS is a convenient one-stop shop for various healthcare, pharmacy, and retail products. While CVS is primarily known as a pharmacy, their stores also feature a small selection of other items like snacks, beverages, health and beauty products, household goods, and more. Baseball cards are not a major product category that CVS focuses on, but they do occasionally carry some baseball card supplies and accessories in limited quantities.

Whether a particular CVS location stocks baseball cards can vary depending on factors like store size, demographic of the local customer base, and available inventory space. Most CVS stores do not dedicate much, if any, shelf space specifically to baseball cards. Shoppers may sometimes find a small baseball card section mixed in with other trading cards, games, toys, or school supplies. Product availability tends to be sporadic and selection limited to just a handful of recently released packs, boxes, or variety packs from the major card manufacturers like Topps, Panini, or Donruss.

Complete sets, higher-end memorabilia cards, unopened vintage wax boxes, or individual singles/cards for sale are very rarely carried at CVS. Their baseball card offerings pale in comparison to the inventory carried by true hobby shops, card collectible stores, bookstores, big box retailers like Walmart, or the online sites of card companies themselves. The CVS assortment is geared more towards casual fans or younger children just getting into the hobby looking for an inexpensive pack or two to open, not the serious collector.

Beyond the cards themselves, CVS may have a small selection of penny sleeves, toploaders, binder pages and plastic baseball card sheets that can be used for organization, storage and protection. Occasionally they may stock other baseball supplies like bubble gum card boxes, card club membership kits, or trading card games. It’s not uncommon for CVS to be entirely out of stock of baseball cards or have none available on a given shopping trip. Shoppers interested in consistently finding baseball cards at CVS should call ahead to verify local inventory levels first before making a special trip.

Region could also play a role in CVS baseball card availability. Stores located in areas with a stronger baseball fan base and culture may allot more space to the product category compared to other locations. For instance, shops near MLB stadiums or in traditional “Baseball Towns” have a better chance of maintaining a more robust baseball card selection. Similarly, demand tends to increase around the start of the regular season in April and during the MLB Postseason in October as interest spikes. This sometimes leads to CVS getting short-term shipments of popular new releases to capitalize.

During major Card Release events like Topps Opening Day in April or Topps Update Series in August, dedicated card collectors will rarely get initial supplies from CVS. As initial hype dies down a few months later, chain retailers like CVS may receive trickling leftover inventory that didn’t sell out right away elsewhere. For casual fans or children just looking for an affordable pack to rip, CVS can fill that need when the rush has passed. The tradeoff is selection won’t be as wide ranging or products as freshly stocked compared to hobby shops.

As with any retail item, baseball cards availability at CVS depends greatly on constant inventory replenishment over which the pharmacy chain has little control. Distributor shipments containing baseball cards for CVS are an afterthought compared to core pharmacy products. So while they do their best to have something on-hand when possible, out of stocks can be lengthy to resolve. Dedicated hobbyists are better off supporting local card stores or using online sources for consistent selections at MSRP prices. But CVS satisfies the occasional need for some no-frills cardboard to crack open.

While not a primary product focus, CVS Pharmacy does make attempts to carry limited baseball card selections in accessible retail locations across America. Availability is sporadic based on store size, demand, and receiving random shipments from distributors. Selections only scratch the surface of what true card shops offer. But for casual fans on simple missions, they do represent a convenient nearby option sometimes worth a quick look inside. just don’t expect much in terms of variety, selection depth or an ongoing baseball card destination from the nationwide pharmacy chain.