Collecting baseball cards is a fun and rewarding hobby enjoyed by people of all ages. Whether you collected as a kid and are looking to revisit your childhood collection or are just getting started, owning lots of baseball cards can provide countless hours of enjoyment and historical insight into the game.
Card collecting started in the late 19th century as a way for tobacco companies to promote their brands. In the 1880s, companies like Allen & Ginter and American Tobacco included collectible cards featuring baseball players and other celebrities in cigarette and tobacco packages. This helped popularize the pastime of collecting and trading these memorabilia cards.
By the 1930s, specialized baseball card companies emerged like Goudey and Topps who solely produced cards just for the hobby of collecting. Production expanded rapidly in the post-World War II era as the country embraced baseball and cards became even more widely available in stores, vending machines, and at the ballpark. This ushered in the golden age of baseball card collecting that lasted through the 1980s.
During this peak period, there was immense interest and demand for cards featuring the biggest stars of the day like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and more. This drove up production numbers which in turn made individual common cards from this era less scarce or valuable than older tobacco-era issues. It also means there are plenty of lots of vintage cards available today from the golden era of the 1950s through 1980s.
Some key tips if looking to build a collection through lots of baseball cards rather than singles include determining a budget, having a focus or theme, and doing research on values. Whether seeking rookie cards of all-time greats, complete sets, stars from a favorite team, or a certain brand like Topps or Fleer, having a collection plan is important. Researching sold prices of similar lots on auction sites can help establish realistic expectations.
When searching for baseball card lots, there are many online sources along with brick-and-mortar card shops and conventions. eBay remains one of the largest marketplaces to find everything from common lot filler to valuable vintage runs. Just be sure to thoroughly check condition ratings and ask sellers questions. Other sites like Twitter also have thriving card communities where people post bulk lots for sale directly. Yard sales, thrift stores, and flea markets can occasionally turn up unexpected little gems too if combing through disorganized pickings.
Once purchased, properly storing and protecting a baseball card lot is important to maintain condition over the long run. Plastic sleeves, binders, boxes, and albums are some popular housing options. Storing in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight helps fight degradation. For truly valuable vintage pieces, consider professional grading which slabs protect the surface while verifying authenticity and quality for potential re-sale value down the road.
Even basic common vintage lots from the 1970s and 80s era can provide years of sorting, identifying, and studying different players and teams throughout baseball history. And you never know when a lost rookie gem may turn up. With ample card production from that time, building sets is very achievable through accumulation of reasonably priced lots. And it’s immensely rewarding to piece puzzles together over time through the card marketplace.
While it can certainly be more affordable to assemble team and player collections through lots versus pricier singles, there is a risk factor to consider. Conditions may vary greatly across a large grouping of random cards. Still, with diligence, research and selectivity – along with the sheer numbers – it’s very possible to build substantial vintage baseball card collections through lot acquisition that can rival individually curated collections. And it’s a much more budget-friendly way to stay actively involved in the hobby. Whether nostalgia or investments, lots of baseball cards hold lifelong possibilities as collecting passions.
