Category Archives: BASEBALL CARDS

WHO BUYS BASEBALL CARDS IN LAS VEGAS

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There are a few different types of buyers for baseball cards located throughout the Las Vegas metro area. The largest metropolitan area in Nevada, Las Vegas has developed into a hub for sports memorabilia and collectibles due to the large tourist industry and presence of sports betting. While the city itself does not have a professional baseball team, interest in baseball and collecting related items remains strong.

One of the primary buyers of baseball cards in Las Vegas are the numerous collectibles and memorabilia shops located on and around the Las Vegas Strip and in casinos. As the epicenter of the city’s tourism industry, the Strip is lined with shops catering to visitors looking to purchase souvenirs or add to collections. Stores like Frank & Son Collectibles, High End Sports, and Sports Cards Vegas offer large inventories of baseball cards from past and present players to appeal to casual collectors and serious investors alike. Being located in high foot traffic areas like casinos allows these shops to take advantage of impulse purchases from visitors. While prices may be slightly inflated compared to other local shops, the convenience and selection make them a top destination for on-the-spot card buying in Vegas.

Beyond the Strip, specialized collectible and card shops can also be found throughout the Las Vegas Valley if one is willing to do some searching. Stores in locales like Henderson, Summerlin, and North Las Vegas tend to have deep baseball card stocks at somewhat better price points than their Strip counterparts. Popular independent shops serving as year-round hubs for local card buyers include The Card Shack, Showcase Cards & Collectibles, and Card Kingdom. These types of shops host frequent events like group breaks, release parties, and trade nights to cultivate communities of collectors. Knowledgeable staff and regulars also help facilitate private sales between enthusiasts looking to liquidate or add to holdings.

Another consistent buyer demographic in Las Vegas are offline and online professional sports memorabilia dealers. Due to the city’s role as a convention destination and betting capital, sports collectibles attain a higher profile than in many other U.S. cities. As a result, full-time memorabilia professionals recognize Las Vegas as a prime marketplace. Downtown Las Vegas hosts the biannual Las Vegas Antique Advertising & Memorabilia Show where hundreds of vendors from across the country set up booths. Here serious card investors can inspect entire collections up for sale and negotiate bulk transactions. Similarly, card shows held in outlying areas like Summerlin draw dealer traffic. Online, Vegas-based eBay sellers and websites specializing in rare find search high and low to source local collections for resale worldwide.

Among serious hobbyists and investors, there exists an underground network of high-roller collectors in Las Vegas actively pursuing six and seven-figure baseball card holdings. The considerable wealth in the city from industries like hospitality, real estate, and gambling has facilitated major long-term collections. While publicity is scarce, some local magnates are known to own rare specimens like mint condition rookie cards of Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Sandy Koufax valued in the millions. Private dealers and auction houses fly in regularly to appraise and broker confidential sales between these uber-collectors. The competitive, secretive nature of mega-collection liquidations keeps most transactions tightly under wraps.

Many Las Vegas-based memorabilia auctioneers themselves are highly active card buyers and consignment agents. World-famous auction houses like Lelands, SCP Auctions, and Heritage Auctions maintain local presences to personally inspect collections and cultivate Vegas-based consignments. The publicity generated from record-setting auction results attracts many locals hoping to cash in on appreciated assets. These auctioneers proactively seek out local estates, safe deposit boxes, and unorganized collections they can consolidate, catalogue, and resell for maximum value. The process entails scouring classifieds, networking with dealers, and directly canvassing prominent collectors.

In summary, Las Vegas’ large tourist draw, wealth, and history with memorabilia has made it a soft media market for baseball cards. From casual strolls down the Strip to cloak-and-dagger high-stakes transactions, demand for cards has created diverse opportunities for buyers across all specialization levels. Both localized mom-and-pop shops and global dealers recognize Sin City as a rich resource for sourcing valuable cardboard in today’s thriving collectibles industry.

WHAT 2012 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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The 2012 Topps baseball set featured several rookie cards and parallels that have gained value in recent years. One of the most noteworthy rookies is Mike Trout’s base rookie card (#165). Trout went on to have a historic career and win AL Rookie of the Year in 2012. Even though it is a common base card, Trout’s rookie maintains strong demand and holds value well compared to typical base cards. In near mint to mint condition, his 2012 Topps rookie sells for around $30-50 raw, though valuable Trout cards often command over $100 graded by PSA or BGS.

Another impact rookie from the 2012 set is Bryce Harper’s base card (#91). Harper was hailed as one of the game’s top prospects and had a strong debut season as well. His base rookie also sustains interest in the collector market. Raw near mint to mint examples typically sell in the $15-25 range. Harper parallels and rookie serial numbered or autograph cards from 2012 Topps update and Bowman products carry much higher prices.

Matt Moore (#320) and Yu Darvish (#395) also debuted in 2012 and have their base rookies featured. While not as iconic as Trout or Harper, Moore and Darvish cards hold value as they’ve become established MLB starters. Most other 2012 rookie cards have lost value by now unless they feature players who went on to stardom like Trout. Prospect cards of players who never panned out are fairly common and inexpensive to acquire today.

Parallels and serial numbered inserts have better longterm appeal than base cards. The 2012 Topps gold parallel cards (#/2012) have maintained respectable value due to their limited print run. Near mint gold parallels of stars can sell for $5-10 each raw. Other worthwhile numbered inserts include the Rainbow Foilboard parallels (#/25), Stars of the Future rookie tiles (#/150), and Hometown Heroes jersey cards. These specialty inserts featuring current stars hold value proportionate to the player’s fame and the insert’s scarcity.

Autograph cards are typically the mostcoveted subset for collectors. The base autographs from 2012 Topps aren’t that significant price-wise nowadays due to large printed quantities. But autographed parallels like gold (#/2012) or alternative signatures like stadium club still command worthwhile values. A star player’s autographed gold parallel could fetch $50-100+ in top condition depending on the player. Autograph rookies are very popular too, with the best 2012 examples exceeding $100 raw when signed by now-important players.

High-end parallels and memorabilia cards also deserve mention. Unique materials patches and bat knob relic parallels numbered to 10 copies or less from Stars of the Future or Hometown Heroes sell for $100-500+ based on scarce availability and the featured player. 1/1 printing plate autographs fetch several hundred dollars minimum. The elusive Mike Trout superfractor parallel (#/75) is the true crown jewel, valued well into the thousands today for its ultra-limited nature coupled with Trout’s legendary status.

While most 2012 Topps base cards hold little value, several key rookie cards, parallels, and autographed or serial numbered inserts deserve longterm investment potential as the featured players succeed or fall in the game. Top prospects who panned out like Trout clearly drive the strongest demand and highest prices long after release. Condition also heavily affects resale values, so properly grading valuable vintage cards optimizes their worth. With patience, holding the right 2012 Topps cards can provide a solid financial return for savvy collectors.

ARE BASEBALL CARDS A GOOD INVESTMENT

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Baseball cards have been collected for over 150 years and are considered by many to be classic Americana. When it comes to determining whether baseball cards are a good investment, there are several important factors to consider. While some cards have increased significantly in value over long periods of time, investing in baseball cards also carries risks and cannot be considered a guarantee to earn high returns.

One of the main arguments in favor of viewing baseball cards as an investment is that some historic cards have achieved enormous values at auction. An iconic baseball card like the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner, considered the rarest and most valuable baseball card in existence, has sold for over $3 million. Other old-era cards from the 1880s-1910s can also command huge sums given their antiquity and condition. These eye-popping prices are only achieved by an extremely small percentage of collectible cards in near-mint condition. Most other vintage cards that have accrued significant value over decades have done so gradually through steady long-term appreciation rather than speculative flipping.

When recommending sports cards as an investment vehicle, experts usually stress patience and a long-term outlook. While cards from the early 20th century have proven themselves as sound stores of value over 100+ years, post-war cards are a different story given the sheer numbers produced since the 1940s. Modern cards printed after 1980 in particular have experienced boom and bust cycles that have wiped out many investors. Relying too heavily on short-term swings in demand can lead to losses, especially if one tries to chase short-term profits on flavor-of-the-month players. Like investing in any collectibles, baseball cards require a strategic focus on conditioning, selective purchases of historically significant pieces, and holding them for decades to realize real capital appreciation.

Another issue is that not every player or card has what it takes to appreciate substantially in value over time. Even among hall of famers, their rookie cards do not automatically translate to guaranteed cash cows. Factors like on-field performance, popularity, career length and accomplishments all determine whether a particular player maintains lasting historical interest that transfers value to their collectibles decades later. Short careers or players who did not live up to expectations on the field often means their cards may never achieve more than their original issue prices, even after autographing, special Parallel issues or new holofoil technology. Condition is also paramount, as the slightest flaws or imperfections can severely limit upside.

Liquidity is another big question mark with sports cards compared to traditional assets classes. While the most coveted pieces may sell at auction yearly, converting the bulk of a card collection into cash is difficult, often requiring retention of an expert broker or consignment to an established auction house. Selling individual common cards yourself to attain any meaningful return usually proves challenging. This means that capital can potentially be tied up in cards for extended periods if an unforeseen need for funds arises, compared to easily traded stocks, bonds or precious metals.

On the cost side, completing sets or acquiring rare pieces often necessitates spending considerable amounts. Even with mass-produced modern issues, obtaining complete series runs or valuable parallels can carry sizable upfront investments with no assurance of profitability down the line. Storage and security of cards also requires attention and accommodations over decades to avoid loss or damage from environmental factors like temperature, humidity or pests that can compromise condition.

While some baseball cards have clearly succeeded as profitable stores of value, it takes a strategic, well-researched approach to realize durable returns. Short-term speculation, a lack of patience or neglect of factors like condition pose significant downside risks and chances of monetary losses. Not every player, set or issue has what it takes to stand the test of decades-long appreciation. For these reasons, many experts caution treating sports cards solely as short-term investments rather than long-term collectibles. Some diversification with more stable traditional assets is usually recommended for those solely seeking investment returns rather than collecting for historical, nostalgic or fan-based purposes. Baseball cards can certainly increase in worth given the right card, holding period and market conditions, but they should not necessarily be viewed as a get-rich-quick scheme or failsafe investment vehicle on their own either.

While cards enjoy popularity as collectibles and some have proven their worth as a store of value over 100+ years, there are considerable risks involved in expecting risk-adjusted market-beating returns from baseball cards purchased solely as short-term investments. Their potential for long-term appreciation depends on a confluence of factors largely unpredictable at the time of purchase, from player performance to condition preservation to collectability. Proper strategic selection and long holding periods provide the best chances of profits, but baseball cards as investments also demand significant capital commitments, research expertise, liquidity constraints and susceptibility to boom-bust cycles that most traditional investments do not carry. A diversified approach and enjoyment of the hobby itself, rather than speculation alone, leads to the soundest prospect of combining collecting passion and investment returns from this longstanding American pastime.

ARE MISPRINT BASEBALL CARDS WORTH MORE

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Whether a misprint baseball card is worth more money than a standard card really depends on the specific misprint and the demand in the collecting community. In general though, misprint cards have the potential to be considerably more valuable than their normally printed counterparts.

There are a few key reasons why misprint baseball cards tend to sell at a premium compared to standard issue cards. Firstly, misprints are inherently much rarer than regular cards. Baseball card companies like Topps took great care to avoid mistakes when mass producing cards, so errors that make it through quality control are uncommon. This scarcity alone makes misprints desirable to collectors looking to own something unique.

Another factor is the novelty value of a misprint. For collectors and investors, owning a card with an obvious difference from the standard design is more interesting and cool than a regular card found in countless sets. Some types of misprints like missing color swatches or off-center cuts really stand out in a collection or in a binder full of cards. This visual abnormality adds to the appeal.

The specific type of misprint also impacts the potential value. Major miscuts that divide a player’s image or stats across two halves of different cards can demand the highest prices since they represent more significant production flaws. Color variation misprints with swapped team colors are also highly sought after. More minor misprints like dotted lines where they shouldn’t be or typos still hold appeal but may carry less of a premium. Rare misprints are also typically worth more than those that seem to occur with some regularity.

Experts also point to the fact misprint cards capture the imagination of collectors. The small mistakes remind fans of the human element involved in crafting such a beloved hobby. It is not purely a mass produced product but one where flaws show the cards were produced by people and not machines. This draws in a certain segment looking for cards with backstories and off-kilter quirks. As oddities, misprints inspire wonder in collectors.

Demand is high enough that online communities have formed solely focused on misprint cards where findings and values are regularly discussed. Misprint groups on social media and hobby forums drive interest and competition for new discoveries. If a highly unique misprint surfaces, bids in online auctions could escalate well beyond even standard rookies or serial number parallels from the set.

While generally more valuable, the potential premium varies greatly. A minimally noticeable misprint may fetch just a few extra dollars over the regular version. True one-of-a-kinds could sell for hundreds or even thousands above normal prices. It all comes down to the degree of the error and how eagerly collectors seek to own rare specimens outside of mass production parameters.

Grading and authenticity also strongly impact value. Any misprint submitted to expert authentication and encapsulation at Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) or Beckett stands to be worth significantly more in the eyes of serious investors and buyers. Slabs provide peace of mind that what is being presented is a true manufacturing mistake and not a fraudulent alteration. Higher established grades also signify well-centered misprints in top condition, further lifting prices.

While no guarantees, the collectible nature of misprints usually makes them more sought after than standard issue cards. Scarcity, intrigue, and novelty often drive potential premiums – especially for dramatic mistakes seldom seen before. But the extent of added value varies greatly depending on the individual quirk being presented and demand within the close-knit misprint collecting community. In a hobby fueled by condition, rarity, and one-of-a-kind pieces – misprints fit perfectly into the model for achieving outsized value over homogenous products.

WHAT 2022 BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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The 2022 rookie class in baseball is headlined by Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez, Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, and Detroit Tigers slugger Spencer Torkelson. Rodríguez in particular had an outstanding rookie campaign that elevated his cards to new heights. His Topps Chrome Update rookie refractor parallel /99 sold for over $2000 on eBay. Any parallels or autographed cards of Rodríguez, Rutschman, or Torkelson from the major brands like Topps, Bowman, Panini are good long term holds due to their star potential.

A few veteran players who saw career resurgences in 2022 and had their cards appreciate include Ronald Acuña Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., and Shohei Ohtani. Acuña returned from injury to regain superstar form for Atlanta, Tatis played well for San Diego when healthy, and Ohtani had another unique two-way season. Their most sought after rookies and stars and stripes parallels climbed due to renewed excitement in their future.

Topps Chrome Update and Bowman Chrome are usually the flagship rookie setter releases each year that contain the highly desired rookie “refractor” parallels. For 2022, special attention should be paid to any colorful parallels like blue, orange, or purple refractors of the big name rookies in those sets. Those parallels typically /99 or less are considered thecream of the crop rookie cards. They routinely gain the most value over time for serious collectors.

Bowman Draft is also full of prospects each year before they sign. In 2022, Logan Edwards, Elijah Green, and Druw Jones had monster draft classes that will be keys to watch develop. Their Top Bowman chrome parallels could realise great gains depending on how their careers unfold.Other prospectslike Emerson Hancock, Zach Neto, and Brock Porter also had nice rookie cards despite injuries delaying their debuts.

Autograph cards remain the most wildly lucrative cards year over year for obvious reasons. Any auto of a superstar or high profile rookie immediately holds value. Brands like Topps, Bowman, Leaf, and Panini all insert low numbered autographs of the biggest names. For 2022, examples include Torkelson /99 Bowman Sterling autos, Rodríguez /99 Topps Tribute autos, or Ohtani /25 Leaf Metal autographs.

Lastly, parallels in GENERAL are more valuable than base cards due to rarity. This includes all the major brands: Topps, Bowman, Leaf, Donruss, etc. Things like pink refractors, negative refractors, camo parallels, and special set numbered cards tend to attract collectors most. For older veteran players, their more scarce vintage rookie cards from the late 80s through 90s can sometimes realize more than their modern equivalents as well due to shrinking supplies over time.

While not an exhaustive list, focusing on the top rookies, stars and lowest serial numbered parallels and autographs from releases like Topps Chrome Update, Bowman Chrome, Topps Tribute and Bowman Sterling/Draft in 2022 offers collectors the best possibilities for cards retaining or gaining value long term. Understanding the differences between base, refractors, and special inserts is key to identifying major rookie cards and parallels poised to appreciate the most.

WHAT IS THE JUNK WAX ERA OF BASEBALL CARDS

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The junk wax era refers to the boom in baseball card production between 1987-1994 when the baseball card industry greatly overproduced cards, lowering their values. During this era, card manufacturers would mass produce cards with the assumption that demand would keep up. This ultimately led to an oversupply of cards in the marketplace that were essentially worthless compared to older and more scarce vintage cards.

The junk wax era began in 1987 when sports card company Fleer was able to sign a licensing deal with Major League Baseball, breaking the monopoly Topps had long held on official MLB cards. This opened the door for much larger production runs by multiple companies all seeking to cash in on the booming baseball card market. In the late 1980s, interest in collecting sports cards was at an all-time high, fueled by the rising prices vintage cards were fetching. Meanwhile, companies like Donruss and Score also entered the baseball card market around this time, further increasing production.

Card manufacturers would sign multi-year contracts with MLB and players’ unions that gave them rights to produce massive numbers of cards each year. For example, in 1987 Topps’ contract allowed them to produce over 1 billion total cards over a five-year period. Donruss and Score also had deals allowing hundreds of millions of cards to be made annually. Producers would then err on the side of overproduction to try and meet what they thought was insatiable demand.

While interest was high in the late 80s, demand could not keep pace with the unfettered increases in baseball card output. Sets from 1987-1991 featured basic uniform shot cardboard cards that had no long-term appeal to collectors. By 1991, the bubble had already started to burst as production kept skyrocketing but interest began to level off. Companies like Score and Donruss went out of business due to overproduction while Fleer and Topps fire-sold excess inventory overseas.

Two key factors accelerated the junk wax crash. In 1992, baseball went through an offseason marked by a labor dispute that led to salary arbitration and free agency being limited. Interest in the game waned some that year. Another issue was the rise of expensive limited premium hobby boxes in the early 90s that contained rare parallel or autograph “hits.” These stole consumer dollars that may have otherwise gone to regular wax packs and boxes.

Through the early 90s, overproduction created a massive worldwide surplus of modern baseball cards with little intrinsic value. By 1994, the market was irretrievably flooded with readily available mainstream cards. Sets like 1993 Upper Deck, 1994 Stadium Club, and 1994 Pinnacle had print runs numbering in the billions. Stores had trouble even unloading wax boxes and rack packs at deep discounts. The junk wax era crash devastated the sports card industry and left many late 80s/early 90s cards nearly worthless compared to their cover prices.

It took years for trust in the baseball card market to be regained after the junk wax era, as speculators and investors were left burned. PSA/BGS grading also started taking off at this time, allowing collectors to independently verify condition and authenticity of older vintage cards they were putting significant money into. Today, most junk wax era cardboard holds little value and is not widely collected. Rare error cards, short prints, or stars’ rookie cards from this period can still attract attention from niche collectors. Unchecked overproduction and busted consumer speculation defined the rise and fall of the junk wax era in the late 80s/early 90s trading card market.

WHAT BASEBALL PLAYERS CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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There are certain baseball cards that can be worth significant money, often going back many decades to the early days of modern baseball card production in the late 1880s. Some of the most valuable cards include rare rookie cards of all-time great players, especially if the card is in pristine near-mint or gem mint condition. The highest valued baseball cards can sell for hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars at auction.

Some of the most valuable and sought-after baseball cards include rookie cards of legendary players like Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, and Mike Trout. The ultra-rare 1909 T206 Honus Wagner tobacco card is often considered the “holy grail” of baseball cards and is one of the most expensive trading cards in existence. In excellent condition a Wagner rookie could sell for well over $1 million. Babe Ruth rookie cards from the 1910s-1920s are also extremely valuable, with his 1914 Baltimore News card regarded as one of his premier rookies often valued over $500,000 in top condition.

Other highly-valued vintage rookie cards include Mickey Mantle’s 1951 Bowman card, Ted Williams’ 1939 Play Ball card, and Willie Mays’ 1951 Bowman card. Top-graded specimens of any of those rookies could sell for $200,000 or more. Post-WWII rookie stars like Hank Aaron, Robin Yount, Tom Seaver, and Johnny Bench also have desirable first-year cards that can reach five figures or greater in pristine quality. Modern-era rookie cards prized by collectors include Griffey Jr.’s upper-deck 1989 card, Pujols’ 2001 Bowman card, and Trout’s 2009 Bowman chrome card valued over $100,000 in mint condition.

In addition to rookie cards, other authentic cards that can hold exceptional value include rare error/variation cards containing statistical, design, or formatting mistakes that make them one-of-a-kind specimens. Receiving enormous sums are ultra-rare 1933 Goudey card variations like the Babe Ruth ‘Steerhead’ card values over $500,000. High-graded gems of stars’ earliest prominent traded cards can also command big money.Icons like Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, and Cy Young have early Tobacco/T206 cards coveted in the collector community.

Signed or autograph cards from the players’ playing days are another niche that can gain considerable worth, especially if the auto is professionally certified as authentic. Game-worn jersey or memorabilia cards “relic” cards intertwined with pieces of authentic game-used uniforms have grown greatly in popularity and value in recent decades. Rookie autograph relic combos can reach five figures for premiere talents. Final factor is card condition as “gem mint” specimens will exponentially gain premiums over more worn counterparts in the demanding high-end trading card marketplace.

While most vintage and modern-era baseball cards hold relatively nominal collector value, there are certainly specific scarce, rare, and legendary specimens that can potentially sell for extraordinary sums stretching into six or even seven figures. Names like Honus Wagner, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and recent phenoms like Mike Trout anchor the highest value stratosphere sought by the most dedicated card collectors and aficionados worldwide. Those premium condition rookies, errors, and one-of-a-kind standouts represent the creme de la creme specimens that can deliver enormous monetary returns in the competitive sports memorabilia market.

WHAT IS THE BEST SCANNER FOR BASEBALL CARDS

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There are many options available when it comes to choosing the best scanner for scanning and digitizing baseball card collections. When selecting a scanner, it is important to consider several key factors such as scanner type, scanning resolution, scan speed, image quality, scanning size capabilities, included software, and overall value. A high-quality scanner will help preserve the appearance and condition of cards over time by allowing them to be viewed and shared digitally rather than handled physically.

The first thing to consider is the type of scanner. Flatbed scanners are a good general option that allows cards and other collectibles to be placed face up on the scanner bed for scanning. Sheetfed scanners are best for scanning large batches of cards but may require manually feeding each card. Film or negative scanners can work for thinner cards but lack the size capacity of flatbeds. Drum scanners provide the highest resolution scans but are a large investment better suited for professional use.

When it comes to resolution, you’ll want at least 1200 dpi for scanning standard baseball cards sized around 2.5 x 3.5 inches. Higher resolutions like 2400-4800 dpi are better if you plan to highly enlarge or crop digital images later on without losing quality or sharpness. A resolution around 1200-2400 dpi should work well for most card collectors while balancing file size. Larger scans like high-resolution images of entire card sheets may benefit more from 4800 dpi or higher resolution scans.

Scanning speed is important if you have a large collection to digitize as faster scan times will save you hours of waiting. Most flatbed scanners for homes and small offices scan between 1-8 pages per minute depending on resolution. Faster photo scanners up to 20-30 seconds per scan offer quicker batch scanning. Consider your anticipated yearly digitizing needs when weighing faster vs slower models.

Along with resolution, image quality should be a top criteria. Look for scanners with optical resolutions above 48-bit color depth for rich, vibrant card reproductions. Advanced scanning features like interpolated resolutions beyond the native dpi, image correction tools, auto brightness/exposure, and color restoration can all help achieve show-quality digital scans. Dust and scratch removal is handy for preserving condition of older cards too.

Make sure the scanning size is large enough for your needs. Common baseball card sizes need at least 8×11 inch capacity but larger plates up to 11×17 or 13×19 can scan full card sheets or larger items. Some scanner/software bundles even allow stitching multiple scans together into larger panoramic images.

Along with the scanner itself, evaluate included/compatible software. While basic picture scanning is simple, advanced image editing may require downloading additional programs. Look for robust bundled programs offering features like file management, OCR, annotations, auto file/folder organizing, red-eye removal, etc. Software should smoothly transfer high quality scans to digital storage like PCs, cloud services or direct uploads to sports card collecting apps.

When weighing all these aspects against your specific collecting needs and budget, one of the best all-around affordable options for scanning baseball cards is the Epson Perfection V600 Photo Flatbed Scanner. Offering a combination of 4800 dpi optical resolution, up to 8 seconds per scan time, 8.5×11.7 inch scan area, 64-bit color depth images and included Epson Scan software, it delivers excellent scans at under $200. For professional level photography and scanning, the EpsonExpression Photo HD 1280 costs more around $350 but includes advanced features like autoexposure and 90 second per page speed making it great for high volume scanning projects.

Whichever scanner matches your priorities like budget, collection size and intended use, taking the time to digitize baseball cards is worthwhile to preserve the cards long term while allowing the images to be easily accessed, shared and stored in multiple places. A quality mid-range flatbed scanner helps achieve show-quality scans for both archiving collections privately or uploading images online with communities of other fans and gamers. With scanners continuously improving while dropping in price, there has never been a better time to consider digitizing treasured card collections for enjoyment and safekeeping. Choosing the right fit based on these criteria will serve you well for many years.

WHAT BASEBALL CARDS ARE HOT RIGHT NOW

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The baseball card market is always changing with certain players and cards becoming more desirable and valuable at different times. Here are some of the hottest baseball cards that collectors are actively seeking out right now in 2022:

Rookie Cards for Young Star Players – Whenever a young star player emerges, their rookie cards immediately gain value. Some examples of rookie cards in high demand currently include Fernando Tatis Jr., Ronald Acuña Jr., Juan Soto, Vlad Guerrero Jr., and Shane Bieber. These players have established themselves as future superstars very early in their careers, creating a lot of buzz around collecting their first baseball cards from top brands like Topps, Bowman, and Panini. Expect these rookie cards to continue increasing in value as these players put up All-Star caliber seasons.

Vintage Mickey Mantle Cards – You can’t talk about the hottest baseball cards without mentioning Mickey Mantle. As one of the most iconic players of all time, Mantle cards from the 1950s continually gain value with collectors and investors. Some particularly sought after and expensive Mantle cards include his 1952 Topps, 1953 Topps, and 1956 Topps issues. A PSA 10 graded version of his 1952 Topps rookie card recently sold at auction for over $12 million, showing just how desirable vintage Mantle rookie cards remain.

Shoeless Joe Jackson Cards – Another hugely popular vintage card is Shoeless Joe Jackson’s 1909-1911 White Border set. Considered one of the rarest sets in baseball card history, finding high graded versions of these early 20th century tobacco cards in collections is like hitting the jackpot. Even low graded copies trade hands for five figures. Jackson’s infamous involvement in the Black Sox scandal only adds to the intrigue and collector demand for his earliest baseball cards.

Rookie Cards of Baseball’s Best Hitters – In addition to the young stars, collectors are buzzing about finding the rookie cards of established hitters like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts, Christian Yelich, Cody Bellinger, and Judge. Trout’s 2009 Bowman Chrome Draft Picks & Prospects card especially stands out, with PSA 10 copies reaching above $400,000 at auction in the last year.

Star RCs from the 1990s – Nostalgia for cards produced during collectors’ childhood eras is huge. The 1990s specifically saw stars like Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter, Pedro Martinez, and Piazza begin their Hall of Fame worthy careers. Their ultra-popular rookie cards from Topps, Fleer, and Score sell briskly on the secondary market.

Honus Wagner T206 – At the very top of the hobby pyramid is Honus Wagner’s legendary 1909-11 T206 baseball card. One of the rarest in existence, a PSA NM-MT 8 copy sold for $3.12 million in 2016. While the average collector will likely never lay hands on one of the iconic “Big Three” Wagner’s, it’s still the standard bearer card that helps drive passion and demand across the entire hobby.

Icons from the 1970s – Collectors also flock to classic cards featuring the legends of the 1970s like Hank Aaron, Johnny Bench, Nolan Ryan, Reggie Jackson, and Steve Garvey. Bench in particular saw renewed investment following his induction into the Hall of Fame in 1989. High graded examples of their 1970s Topps and Kellogg’s 3D baseball issue cards achieve fantastic prices.

Vintage Stars’ Rookie Cards from the Early 20th Century – Cy Young, Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, and Walter Johnson are just some of the titans of the game whose pre-WWI T206 White Border tobacco issue rookie cards also attract intense bidding wars online and in auction houses. While the condition of cards from the sport’s earliest professional era is often compromised, finding a nicely preserved gem-mint example from this era is akin to uncovering a buried treasure for collectors.

With a healthy baseball card market led by young phenoms, stars of today, and nostalgia for the golden eras, the sport’s collectibles category remains remarkably strong. Rookie cards, virtual “unicorns” like the T206 Wagner, and heroes from across different generations will likely continue driving passion and investment amongst collectors for the foreseeable future. The intersection of nostalgia, performance achievement, rarity, and unpredictable player careers makes following baseball card trends endlessly fascinating for hobbyists.

DOES BARNES AND NOBLE HAVE BASEBALL CARDS

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Barnes & Noble is a large national bookstore chain operating over 600 bookstores across the United States. While their primary business is selling books, magazines, newspapers and other reading material, they do carry a limited selection of trading cards and collectibles as well. Whether or not a specific Barnes & Noble location stocks baseball cards can vary depending on factors like store size and local customer demand. In general most Barnes & Noble stores will have at least a small display of recent baseball card releases and products catered towards card collectors.

The baseball card selection at Barnes & Noble is aimed more towards the casual collector or baseball fan looking to browse rather than the serious hobbyist. Their inventory focuses on recently released factory sets from the major card manufacturers like Topps, Panini, and Upper Deck rather than vintage cards or high-end memorabilia. Stores will typically carry the current year’s base sets as well as some of the more popular parallels, inserts, and special editions from that season. Aside from new packs and boxes, there may also be some opening day kits, blaster boxes, and Fat Pack-style multi-packs available from the past 1-2 years. Finding products older than that is rare.

In terms of non-packaged singles and collections, Barnes & Noble stores don’t deal much in individual vintage cards or graded cards. Their single card offerings are largely limited to sorted commons and basic memorabilia cards from the past 5-10 years – things like jersey cards, autographs, and other promotional inserts targeted at new collectors. There may be some larger lots of duplicates available but nothing extremely rare or valuable outside of factory sets. Most locations won’t purchase or sell singles, so customers have to stick to sealed factory products.

The baseball card assortment varies depending on the size of the local Barnes & Noble. Larger flagship stores with bigger collectibles sections will naturally carry a more extensive stock. Regular sized locations, especially in smaller markets, typically only devote 1-2 tiny rotating displays and may have a very limited and sporadic supply. Some stores won’t consistently stock cards at all and will only periodically receive a small shipment of the current year’s products around opening day or the All-Star break. Customers should call ahead to their specific Barnes & Noble to check availability before making a special trip just for cards.

During the spring and summer when interest is highest, larger stores in major metro areas like New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago etc. are likely to carry a wider range of baseball cards from more years. This is due to higher year-round demand from the local customer base in those cities. Their shelves will feature a mix of products from the past 3-5 seasons as opposed to just the current year. Select locations may even offer some monthly discount pricing promotions on packs, boxes or value bundles throughout the baseball season. Inventory will still focus primarily on mainstream factory releases rather than vintage rarities.

When it comes to online shopping, the Barnes & Noble website is less useful for baseball cards compared to their physical stores. They have a very limited baseball card selection accessible through their main bn.com marketplace. Only a handful of the most recently released Topps factory sets and blasters make the cut for listings. The rest of their online collectibles category is dominated more by things like pop culture toys, memorabilia, and sports equipment. Serious card collectors are generally better served exploring the specialty hobby shop sites, auction houses or direct distributors instead of relying on Barnes & Noble for collecting needs.

While Barnes & Noble does stock some baseball cards aimed at casual fans, their inventory is quite restricted compared to dedicated card shop retailers. Availability varies widely between store locations and depends on local demand. The selection focuses on sealed packs of recent major releases rather than individual vintage cards, autographed memorabilia or higher end products. Barnes & Noble serves more as a supplementary place for impulse buys or browsing the current year’s releases rather than a primary card source. Hobbyists needing a wide vintage selection or hard-to-find chase cards will want to look elsewhere. But Barnes & Noble is a decent option in some areas for stocking up on the latest sets if a local card shop isn’t readily accessible. Just call ahead to check specific store inventory before making a special trip solely for cards.