BASEBALL CARDS FOR SALE NY

Leave a reply

Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby and collectible for over a century. Whether it’s chasing down rare vintage cards from the early 20th century or collecting the latest rookie cards, baseball card enthusiasts across New York are always on the hunt. With the largest population of any U.S. state, New York City is a hotspot for finding baseball cards for sale from dedicated collectors and large auction houses.

New York has no shortage of local card shops with inventory available. Beckett’s Cards & Collectibles in Manhattan’s Upper West Side has been in business since 1978, stocking new and vintage baseball, football, basketball and hockey cards from the major sports leagues. Their extensive online store also offers worldwide shipping. In Brooklyn, Brooklyn Cards & Collectibles on 5th Avenue specializes in vintage cards from the 1950s through 1980s, with a deep roster of rare Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron cards that fans search decades to uncover.

Long Island is another baseball card haven, with shops like Sports Collectibles in Huntington Station maintaining a huge stock of cards from the modern era as well as vintage greats like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb and Honus Wagner. On Staten Island, Mike’s Sports Cards in New Dorp Beach deals primarily in new release cards but can also source older collections. Upstate, Beacon Sports Cards in Beacon stocks an array of baseball cards both new and old, along with supplies for collectors of all ages.

For high-end vintage cards, auction giants like Heritage Auctions and SCP Auctions based in New York hold frequent sports memorabilia auctions with rare baseball cards that can fetch six or even seven figure prices. In 2021, Heritage Auctions sold a 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner for $3.9 million, setting a new record. SCP Auctions also regularly offers complete vintage sets like the 1952 Topps set that can sell for over $100,000. Both auction houses post daily online bidding as well as holding live auction events throughout the year.

New York City is also home to some of the most extensive private collections that hit the market. In recent years, the Mike Trout collection of a New York-based doctor was sold via Goldin Auctions for over $900,000, containing dozens of the star’s prized rookie cards. Another famous New York collection, “The Mint Set” owned by endodontist Jeffrey Lichtman, contained pristine vintage cards graded gem mint 10 and was sold by SCP Auctions for $3.12 million in 2018.

For online card shopping, popular auction sites like eBay and ComicConnect based in New York offer daily baseball card auctions. On eBay, a quick search turns up hundreds of listings for vintage and modern Yankees, Mets and other team cards from sellers across the U.S. and worldwide. ComicConnect specializes in high-end auctions of CGC-graded vintage cards and complete sets. Cards can also be purchased directly from reputable online dealers like BlowoutCards.com which maintains a huge inventory of new release cards as well as vintage singles, sets and collections.

Sports card conventions are another great way to browse local collections for sale. Some of the largest in New York include the National Sports Collectors Convention held annually in Atlantic City. The Northeast Sportscard & Memorabilia Show in Edison, New Jersey also draws collectors from across the tri-state area each spring and fall. Local card shows in places like Yonkers, Brooklyn and Staten Island offer more intimate buying and selling opportunities.

Whether browsing local card shops, major online auctions, conventions or private collections, New York remains a fertile hunting ground for baseball card collectors and investors. With the dense population and history of the sport, rare finds from legends like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and more are always possible in the Empire State. Serious collectors will want to tap into the extensive resources and network of dealers throughout New York City and surrounding areas.

PURPLE REFRACTORS BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Purple refractors are some of the most coveted and valuable baseball cards in the hobby. Refractors began appearing in the late 1990s as technology advanced, allowing card manufacturers to produce cards with rainbow-like foil effects. Of all the refractors, purple quickly became the most sought-after due to its rarity and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

The first purple refractors came about in 1998 in the Upper Deck baseball card set. Only a handful of these cards were inserted in packs, making them extremely scarce. Some of the notable rookies that appeared as ultra-rare purple refractors in that inaugural year included Nomar Garciaparra, Matt Whiteside, and Ryan Jensen. These cards fetch astronomical prices today, as the original purple refractors established a precedence that has carried through multiple decades.

In 1999, Topps dipped its toes into producing refractors in its flagship set. A small assortment of inserts and parallel cards showed up with various color refractors, including purple. The print runs were tiny and distributed erratically. Still, collectors went crazy for any hint of a purple parallel from that vintage. Names like Jason Marquis, A.J. Burnett, and Felipe Lopez earned legendary status in the hobby due to their ultra-short-printed purple refractor rookie cards.

2000 saw Topps and Upper Deck go all-in on refractors. Every base card in the standard sets had corresponding blue, green, orange, red, and very rare purple refractor parallels available. The ratios were incredibly low, usually in the 1:1000 packs or greater range. Standouts like Bobby Crosby, Justin Morneau, and Adam Wainwright won the refractor lottery in the plum colored parallel. Their rookies are considered among the most iconic and valuable modern cards available.

Into the new millennium, refractors continued to gain more traction. 2001 Topps featured some of the most desirable purple parallels ever, including Albert Pujols, Ichiro Suzuki, and Mark Prior. The print runs remained microscopic, ensuring the long-term value of these colorful rookie gems. Upper Deck also had blockbuster rookies like Josh Beckett and Dewon Brazelton show up in limited purple foil.

While subsequent years saw some fluctuation in production numbers, Topps and Upper Deck managed to keep purple refractors as rare collector chase cards. Notable rookies like Dontrelle Willis, B.J. Upton, Prince Fielder, and Troy Tulowitzki earned cult followings from collectors seeking their fleeting purple versions. Numbered parallels also entered the scene, with serially numbered patches and autographs offering an extra layer of prestige.

Into the 2010s, refractors persisted as coveted short prints across hobby giants like Bowman, Topps, and Panini. Superfractors – one-of-one parallels with swatches and autographs – joined the fray and elevated the category to new heights. Names like Mike Trout, Kris Bryant, and Fernando Tatis Jr. exploded in value thanks to their elusive purple refractor rookie variations, forever cementing their places in card collecting lore.

Today, purple refractors retain their mystique as some of the true holy grails of the industry. With incredibly tough pull rates and a rich history spanning multiple decades, they attract serious collectors willing to spend huge money pursuing these bright gems. Whether from the 1998 Upper Deck set or the latest Topps product, any rookie card in a fleeting plum foil parallel is sure to excite and gain attention. After more than 20 years, purple refractors show no signs of losing their cachet – they remain the true ultra-premium refuge for hardcore baseball card investors and enthusiasts.

Purple refractors have captivated collectors since the late 1990s due to their incredible rarity, aesthetics, and association with some of the most iconic modern rookie cards. Their ultra-limited print runs established a legacy that continues to this day, as the elusive plum parallels linked to franchise stars like Pujols, Trout and Tatis garner immense passion and commanding prices. Whether vintage or modern, any rookie featuring a bright purple refractor remains among the most coveted collectibles in the hobby.

PERSONALIZED BASEBALL LINEUP CARDS

Leave a reply

Personalized baseball lineup cards have become an increasingly popular way for coaches, parents, and players to commemorate a baseball season or special game. Traditionally, lineup cards were generic pieces of paper or cardstock simply listing the starting players and positions. Today many teams and individuals opt to create more memorable lineup cards that are personalized with photos, graphics, stats, and sentiments.

While basic digital lineup templates are readily available online, creating truly customized cards requires some extra effort. Coaches or parents can design personalized cards from scratch using desktop publishing or graphic design software like Microsoft Publisher, Adobe Photoshop, or Canva. Having basic computer skills and experience with such programs allows for nearly limitless customization options from layouts and colors to added details. For those less tech-savvy, services like Vistaprint and Shutterfly offer custom baseball lineup card templates that can be easily edited and ordered online.

The front of the card is generally used to showcase the game’s date, opponents, and starting lineup in an aesthetically pleasing format. Team logos, mascots, and colors set the visual theme. Player headshots add a personal touch compared to just names. Consistency in design elements like fonts, positioning, and graphics creates a polished finished product. Important game information like pitching rotation and defensive positions can also be included.

Sentiments and graphics are commonly added to the back of personalized lineup cards. Short inspirational quotes, the team motto or season goals provide perspective. Individual stats for each player such as batting average, home runs, or ERA give context to their contributions. Cumulative team stats showcase the collective success. Child-friendly clip art related to baseball adds visual interest. Handwritten notes from the coach are also meaningful and show appreciation for the athletes. Photos from practices, games, or team activities create lasting memories for both players and parents to enjoy.

For truly standout personalized lineup cards, high-quality printing is key. Ordinary printer paper or cardstock just doesn’t produce the same polished result as premium card materials. Many print shops and online printers offer different paper weights, finishes, and card sizes to suit various budgets. Popular options include signature matte, pearl, and glossy photo papers. Die-cut business cards or 4×6″ photo cards give the refined aesthetic of professional sports rosters. Embellishments like rounded corners, SpotUV, and foil stamping further elevate the final product.

A fun creative option is to incorporate personal touches for individual players onto their section of the lineup card. Smaller photos added next to specific athlete’s names, unique graphic elements corresponding to uniform numbers, or handwritten notes of praise give each child a memorable keepsake. This level of customization requires more forethought and design work but is meaningful for players. As a thank you, completed personalized lineup cards are often presented to coaches or distributed for players to keep as mementos. Laminating prevents damage and helps preserve the memory long-term.

While the creation of highly customized baseball lineup cards involves extra effort, the positive impact makes it worthwhile. Beyond showcasing stats and the starting lineup, personalized cards commemorate an entire season, celebrate individual accomplishments, and strengthen team morale and camaraderie. For athletes, having their picture and contributions memorialized provides lasting motivation. Parents enjoy displaying these unique keepsakes on refrigerators or scrapbooking pages. With the digital options and print innovations available today, the possibilities are endless for capturing baseball memories through personalized lineup cards that players and coaches will treasure for years to come.

BASEBALL CARDS PRICE GUIDE 1972 TOPPS

Leave a reply

The 1972 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the entire hobby. The design featured vibrant colors and large photos of the players, which was a major change from the previous few years. The 1972 set also marked the debut of several future Hall of Famers like Steve Carlton and Reggie Jackson. With its historical significance and inclusion of many star players from that era, 1972 Topps cards remain highly popular with collectors today.

The most valuable card in the 1972 Topps set is generally considered to be the #1 rookie card of Reggie Jackson. In gem mint condition, a PSA 10 graded example of this card recently sold for over $500,000. Even lower graded copies in VG-EX condition can still fetch thousands. What makes Jackson’s rookie so desirable is that he went on to have a Hall of Fame career hitting 563 home runs and being named World Series MVP three times. His first card captures him at the beginning of his stellar run with the Athletics.

Another highly sought after card is #556 Steve Carlton of the Phillies. Known as “Lefty,” Carlton won four Cy Young awards and was one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1970s. High grade copies of his 1972 Topps card in PSA 8-10 condition range from $3,000-$10,000. Carlton’s stats, accomplishments, and iconic status as a Philadelphia legend make this a must-have for Phillies collectors.

Aside from rookies and stars, the most valuable common cards (non-rookies, non-stars) tend to be higher numbers from the back of the set. This is because they were produced in lower quantities and are consequently harder to find in top condition today. Two examples would be #660 Don Money of the Brewers and #672 Darrell Porter of the Cardinals, which can reach $150-$300 in PSA 8-9 grades.

Moving down the checklist, the rookie card of Hall of Famer Dave Winfield (#182) regularly sells for $100-300 in EX-MT condition depending on the exact grade. Winfield went on to have a stellar 22-year career, hitting 465 home runs and making 12 All-Star appearances. His rookie card is a must for any collection focused on the 1970s and early stars.

Top stars like Johnny Bench (#1), Tom Seaver (#25), Hank Aaron (#30), and Rod Carew (#80) can reach $50-150 in EX-MT grades as well. These were among the biggest names in baseball throughout the 1970s, so their base cards remain quite popular. Lower numbered cards tend to carry a slight premium since they were produced in fewer quantities.

In terms of the overall population, high grade 1972 Topps cards above a PSA 8 are quite scarce. According to PSA’s population report, only a small fraction of the original print run still exists in pristine condition. For example, there are just 29 PSA 10 copies of the Reggie Jackson rookie out of thousands that were originally printed. This rarity drives up prices significantly for top-graded examples.

When looking at average mid-range copies in EX-MT condition, common players will range from $1-10. These include backups, role players, and pitchers not ranked among the stars of the era. Even commons retain value since the 1972 design is a favorite of collectors. A complete set can usually be acquired for $500-1000 depending on overall condition.

The 1972 Topps baseball card set remains one of the most iconic issues due to its high-quality design, inclusion of several all-time great rookies, and capturing a pivotal era of the sport in the 1970s. Keys cards will always be the rookies of Reggie Jackson and Dave Winfield plus stars like Carlton, Bench, Aaron, and Seaver. But collectors also value the higher numbers and condition scarce examples throughout. Graded gems can sell for thousands, making 1972 Topps a reliable investment even after all these years.

POWER UP BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The concept of “powering up” baseball cards originated in the late 1980s as the baseball card industry began shifting away from its traditional focus on photography and stats towards incorporating more entertainment elements. Some of the earliest power up ideas arose as card manufacturers looked to similarly popular gaming franchises for inspiration on enhancing the baseball card experience.

One of the first experiments came from Topps in 1988 with its “Record Breaker” insert set featuring superstar sluggers like Mike Schmidt and Reggie Jackson depicted breaking longstanding single season home run records. While still photo-based, these experimental cards represented an early attempt to imbue baseball cards with a sense of achievement and progression beyond just chronological stats. Around this same time, competitors like Fleer also started experimenting with embossed logos and foil elements to make certain star players literally “pop” from the standard card designs.

It was however Upper Deck who truly catalyzed the power up card concept beginning in 1989 with their “Hologram” and “Multi-Dimension” parallel insert sets. Featuring visual trickery through the use of holographic foils and lenticular printing, these innovative cards were amongst the first to marry state-of-the-art graphic design with sports collecting. More than that, they invited the collectors to interact directly with the cards by tilting and moving them to uncover hidden images and statistics. This tactile element of discovery and progression opened up entirely new possibilities for the long-static baseball card medium.

Over the next several years, power up concepts rapidly expanded as manufacturers continued trying to one-up each other’s experiential card designs. Fleer introduced “Trade-Up” in 1991 where collectors could assemble sets of common players into redeemable packets for rarer parallels. The same year, Upper Deck launched “UPP” cards which featured a secondary state that could be physically revealed by rubbing away a foil overlay. It was Score who truly took power up cards to another level beginning in 1992 with the introduction of “Black Gold” and “Gold Mine” subsets.

Not only did these exquisite parallels feature precious metal foils and intricate enamel inlays, but they incorporated entirely new statistical boosts and attributes beyond the traditional 5×7 cardboard constraints. “Black Gold” gave certain superstars dynamic boosts to key batting/pitching stats while “Gold Mine” bestowed cumulative attribute points that could supposedly be invested into five different abilities. Suddenly, collecting top athletes wasn’t just about amassing photos – it was about strategically assembling the most potent statistical “rosters”.

The immense popularity of Score’s early power up innovations set the stage for an explosion of “foil,” “parallels” and “insert” subsets throughout the rest of the 1990s from virtually every manufacturer. Even traditional holdouts like Topps got in on the action with innovative 90s releases like “PhotoShops” (featuring digitally enhanced photos) and “TurnAheads” (with rotating head shots). Meanwhile, competitors took Score’s stat-boosting concepts to new heights.

Upper Deck especially pushed the creative envelope with intricate power up subsets like “Heroes of the Game” (1994), which afforded collectors the ability to assemble full baseball card “teams” with specialized strategic abilities. Later innovations like “Promotion Clock” (1996) and “MVP Threads” (1997) invited players to not just collect, but to also choose specialized career “paths” that would see attributes and accomplishments dynamically progress with each new “level.” It was these sets that truly established Upper Deck as the pioneering leader in experiential and progression-based sports card design.

But while mass-produced parallels and inserts flooded the market throughout the 90s boom, it was the advent of online and digital card gaming around the turn of the century that truly supercharged the potential for “powering up” in the collectible space. Early Web-based games like MLB Showdown and APBA Baseball garnered huge cult followings by transposing the core concepts of collecting, trading and team-building into fully simulated digital baseball experiences.

Though still niche, these early pioneering games proved there was appetite among fans for fully immersive baseball card gaming. Around this same time (2001), Topps launched the e-Topps online digital collectibles platform which allowed traditional physical collectors to extend their hobby into the virtual realm. More fully-featured games would follow, most notably Panini’s fully licensed MLB Jersey Chase which launched in 2005 and incorporated real cardboard parallels and inserts into an advanced customizable player rarity/ability ecosystem.

Building on these early milestones, true interactive digital card games have since flourished led by leaders like Hearthstone, Magic and Pokémon TCG. Meanwhile, sports collectibles have continued innovating power up concepts both physically and digitally. Modern flagship releases from the leading manufacturers routinely integrate novel stat-tracking systems, virtual reality integrations,augmented reality, and sophisticated parallel/insert progression mechanics that far surpass 90s-era innovations.

Perhaps most ambitiously, Topps’ flagship digital platform (Topps BUNT) has evolved into a full-fledged multimillion user virtual TCG since its 2012 launch, effectively bringing the trading card revolution full circle by transporting the analog baseball card concept into a lucrative digital-first gaming sphere. And with new frontiers like blockchain, NFTs and the metaverse on the horizon, the potential for “powered up” experiences shows no signs of slowing. From simple embossed logos to expansive virtual ecosystems, the evolution of baseball card power ups has opened up unlimited creative potential at the intersection of sport, gaming and digital collectibles.

The power up baseball card concept originated from manufacturers searching for new ways to engage collectors beyond static photos and stats in the late 1980s. Early innovations centered around tactile multimedia design elements before truly taking off in the 1990s amidst unprecedented growth led by statistical and strategic progression subsets from pioneers like Upper Deck and Score. While physical parallels and inserts remain popular, it is the digital realm where power up potential has truly flourished through online gaming, apps, augmented reality and virtual card markets. After three decades of incredible growth and innovation, “powered up” baseball cards remain one of collectibles’ most dynamic intersections of sport, gaming, progression and fan engagement.

CHICAGO CUBS BASEBALL CARDS TEAM SET

Leave a reply

The Chicago Cubs are one of the most historic franchises in Major League Baseball. Founded in 1874, the Cubs have won three World Series titles and played in the National League since its inception in 1876. Over the decades, the Cubs have been featured on countless baseball cards highlighting some of the game’s greatest players and moments. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most notable Cubs team sets issued over the years in the form of trading cards.

One of the earliest Cubs team sets was issued in the 1930s by Goudey Gum Company. This 80-card set featured multiple players from the Cubs roster at the time as well as managers and owners. Some notable Cubs included in this set were Hack Wilson, Gabby Hartnett, and Charlie Grimm. The cards featured simple black and white photographic images with basic player stats and information on the back. These early Goudey Cubs cards are highly collectible today given they capture a unique time in the franchise’s history before World War 2.

In the post-war 1950s, the Bowman Gum Company issued colorful new Cubs cards as part of their main sets. Players like Hank Sauer, Randy Jackson, and Dee Fondy received colorful new cardboard issues during this decade. Topps also began including Cubs in their annual sets starting in 1956. Iconic players like Ernie Banks and Billy Williams had their rookie cards featured in Topps sets of this era. The late 50s/early 60s Topps and Bowman issues of these all-time Cubs greats are extremely valuable in top-graded condition today.

The 1960s saw the rise of the famous “Billy Goat Tavern” Cubs that made the playoffs multiple times. In 1965, Topps captured this era with an exciting 100-card Cubs team issue set. Featuring the likes of Banks, Williams, Ron Santo, and Ferguson Jenkins, this colorful vintage set is a highly sought after piece in any Cubs PC. Around this same time period, the Philadelphia Gum Company also issued a 1960s Cubs team set highlighting the roster from that memorable decade.

Topps continued their Cubs team sets into the 1970s with a 1975 release honoring that year’s team which featured Santo, Jenkins, and Rick Monday. Cards in this 100-card set showcased action shots and player portraits. The 1980s then saw Donruss issue Cubs team sets in 1986 and 1987 during the Andre Dawson and Ryne Sandberg led teams. These sets captured the players and styles of that mid-to-late 80s time period in Cubs history before the dominance of the 1990s.

Speaking of the 1990s Cubs, this decade saw some of the most iconic team sets released. In 1991, Score issued a classic “Wrigley Field” design Cubs team set featuring Sandberg, Dawson, Greg Maddux, and others. This nostalgic 120-card set captured the North Side atmosphere perfectly. Then in 1998, Upper Deck issued one of the most visually stunning Cubs team sets ever produced to commemorate that year’s Wild Card winning team. Featuring sharp action shots and unique parallel “field level” parallels, this remains a true work of cardboard art among Cubs collectors.

Entering the 21st century, trading card companies continued chronicling the Cubs in team sets. In 2003, Fleer Greats issued a “This is Next Year” Cubs tribute set focusing on young stars of that era. Then in 2015, Topps Archives released a “Wrigley Field Turns 100” Cubs salute set commemorating the iconic ballpark’s centennial. Most recently, 2021 Donruss released a “We Love Baseball” themed Cubs team set highlighting the franchise’s rich history and traditions.

In conclusion, Cubs team baseball cards sets over the decades have captured the franchise’s greatest players, eras, and moments for collectors to enjoy. From early 20th century Goudey issues to modern releases like Topps Archives, these sets preserve Cubs history for fans on cardboard. Whether it’s rookies of Banks and Williams or tribute sets for the 1998 wild card team, Cubs team sets hold a special place in the hobby for collectors of the North Siders.

1909 T206 BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The 1909 T206 baseball card set is one of the most desirable collections for any sports card enthusiast or collector. Printed by the American Tobacco Company from 1909 to 1911, the non-sport T206 set featured active major league players from that era. The cards emerged from the earliest decades of the burgeoning tobacco card industry and helped launch the modern baseball card craze that remains a global phenomenon today.

Some key facts and background on these iconic cards – The set featured 524 total cards when first issued in 1909, highlighting stars from both the National and American Leagues. Each player’s image was printed on a small 2.5×3 inch piece of thick cardboard stock. On the front was a portrait photo of the player, with statistics and additional details printed on the back. The players represented every MLB franchise of the time.

What makes T206 cards particularly rare and valuable is the limited print runs over the three years they were manufactured. Tobacco companies produced cards primarily as promotional inserts within cigars and chewing tobacco products to help drive sales. As a result, production numbers were quite low considering the massive popularity baseball had begun to achieve at the turn of the 20th century. Studies suggest only around 60 million cards were printed in total across the entire run.

Of that amount, the condition of surviving cards has dwindled drastically given their age of over 100 years. The folds, creases, stains and other flaws that often come with heavy usage and age have left perhaps fewer than 2,500 cards in mint condition today. This scarce supply when paired with enormous demand has rocketed prices into the tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, and sometimes over $1 million for the most coveted examples in pristine shape.

Several factors contributed to individual cards gaining infamy and stratospheric valuations. The rarity inherent to star players like Mickey Mantle, Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb and Shohei Ohtani is amplified due to their worldwide fame long after retiring from play. Other cards spike in value based on attributes like serial numbers, oddball variations, or exceptional eye appeal. But the simple scarcity of any high-grade T206 after over a century of exposure ensures that even common players now sell for four-figure sums.

The most expensive T206 card to date is the iconic “Wagner” card, of which it’s believed only 50-100 were printed. In very good/excellent condition with strong colors and details, a Wagner can fetch north of $3 million at auction. The card is so rare that an uncut rectangle found in 2007 containing over 40% of a Wagner image sold for $2.8 million. Other nine-figure cards include a near-mint 1917 Eddie Plank and a PSA 8 certified Ty Cobb, each selling around $2 million in recent years.

Beyond rare individual specimens, full high-grade sets in approved holders are practically impossible to complete. The expertise required to assemble such a set has driven values into the $10 million+ range. An SGC/PSA graded full set once held that lofty record, shattering estimates to sell at auction for north $25.2 million in 2016. It demonstrated the extent collectors will venture to obtain these prized pieces of sports history.

With such rich lore, beautiful designs, and unwavering significance in the development of baseball, interest around T206s shows no signs of fading. Whether analyzing magnified details under a loupe or marveling at six-figure prices, the cards evoke wonder and excitement for all enthusiasts. Their popularity helped found trading card hobby and stay as revered in collectors’ minds today as they were over a century ago to the children who first encountered them. Few other issues represent the intersection of sport, art and finance so perfectly as the fabled 1909-11 T206 set.

NOLAN RYAN TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH

Leave a reply

Nolan Ryan had a legendary baseball career spanning from 1966-1993 that saw him break numerous pitching records. As one of the most famous and accomplished pitchers of all time, Ryan’s baseball cards from his playing days with the New York Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros and Texas Rangers are some of the most sought after and valuable cards in the hobby. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of Ryan’s top Topps cards and what they can be worth today.

Ryan’s rookie card came in the 1967 Topps set. As the #516 card, it features a shot of the fiery-haired righty pitching for the Mets in his debut season. In poor condition this card might fetch $100-200 but a nicely centered copy in NM-MT 7 grade could pull in $1,000-2,000. High-end PSA/BGS gem mint 10 examples have even sold for upwards of $7,500 showing the card still has strong demand from Ryan collectors.

Arguably his most iconic card is the 1973 Topps #139 featuring Ryan’s then-record breaking 383rd strikeout. Printed during the season when he set the single season strikeout record, this photo captures the magnitude of the achievement. Poor copies can be found for under $100 but conditioned copies in the 7-8 range will set you back $500-1,000. True gem mint examples in PSA 10 are valued north of $3,000 with one recently selling for over $5,000.

Another highly sought after Ryan issue is his 1975 Topps #250 card from his first season with the Angels. This depicts “The Ryan Express” mid-windup and is one of the earliest Angels cards in the hobby. Poor-fair graded copies can be found for $50-100 range while a quality NM-MT7 copy will command $300-500. High-grade PSA 10s have changed hands for $1,500-2,000 showing the strong collector interest in this transitional Ryan card.

The 1980 Donruss #28 card pays homage to Ryan’s then record-setting 5,000th career strikeout. Not as iconic an image as the ’73 Topps but still a must-have for any Ryan PC. Lower grade copies under $100 are easy to find but a quality PSA 8 is worth $200-300. True gem PSA 10s regularly sell for $700-1,000 prices.

A real “key” card is Ryan’s last Topps issue in the 1993 set as a member of the Texas Rangers. Sporting the #681, it captures Nolan on the mound in his final big league season at age 46. This extremely scarce card in high grades. Most PSA 9s sell in the $150-250 range while a true pristine PSA 10 has sold for over $2,500, showing the extreme rarity and collector demand for the card.

Moving into the high-end, there are a select few Ryan gems that can command big bucks. His 1968 Topps high number card #610 N-M (Never Made) variation is the gold standard. Only 109 were printed by error and it depicts an airbrushed fantasy image of Ryan pitching. The highest grade PSA 9 sold for over $15,000 in recent years while a sole PSA 10 example is said to be worth north of $50,000 due to its ultra-rare status.

Similarly, Ryan’s 1972 Topps #1 card is legendary in its own right. As the very first card in that year’s set it features a rare straight-on image of “The Ryan Express” releasing the pitch. PSA 9s can go for $1,000-2,000 when available but pristine PSA 10s that grade at the height of the hobby’s recent boom sold for as much as $6,000. With such a small population, this iconic #1 may someday crack the $10,000 price point.

While many of Nolan Ryan’s Topps cards from his prolific 27 year career can be collected on a budget, some of his true milestone issues deserve premium status and command big money today. For the top conditioned examples in PSA/BGS’s finest holders, you could pay thousands. But it’s easy to see why – Ryan shattered records and redefined what was possible on the mound. His iconic baseball cards resonate strongly with collectors and will undoubtedly retain their value for generations to come.

BASEBALL CARDS UPPER DECK 1990

Leave a reply

The 1990 Upper Deck baseball card set was truly revolutionary and helped spark a resurgence in the baseball card industry during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Upper Deck, founded in 1988, sought to change the baseball card market by focusing on high-quality photography, stricter quality control during production, and unique marketing strategies. Their inaugural 1989 set was a huge success and helped established Upper Deck as a premium brand.

For their 1990 set, Upper Deck took things to an even higher level with incredible photography, cutting edge designs, and short printed parallels that added to the excitement for collectors. The base set totaled 792 cards and included every player on a major league roster at the start of the 1990 season. Upper Deck’s photography and attention to detail really stood out compared to other brands at the time. Photos were crisp and featured unique poses that showed each player’s style and personality. The card stock was also of much higher quality than typical cardboard from other companies.

Some of the biggest stars in baseball at the time like Ken Griffey Jr., Nolan Ryan, Roger Clemens, and Rickey Henderson had incredible showcase cards that really popped due to the photography. Griffey’s card in particular is still considered one of the best baseball cards of all time due to the action shot of him swinging the bat. Other stars like Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco, and Cal Ripken Jr. also received memorable base cards that highlighted their skills and accomplishments. Rookies and prospects like Andy Benes, Gregg Jefferies, and Chuck Knoblauch also received quality rookie cards that would go on to gain value in the years ahead.

In addition to the base set, Upper Deck also included several exciting insert sets that added to the excitement of the product. The ‘Futures’ set featured prospects and minor leaguers like Derek Jeter, Todd Van Poppel, and Bobby Witt. ‘Diamond Kings’ paid tribute to franchise players like George Brett, Mike Schmidt, and Tom Seaver. ‘Team MVPs’ and ‘League Leaders’ inserted current stars and highlighted individual accomplishments. Upper Deck also included ‘Traded’ cards for players that switched teams in 1990 like Bobby Bonilla and Danny Tartabull.

Perhaps most notably, Upper Deck introduced parallel and short printed subsets that are still highly sought after by collectors today. The ‘Gold’ parallels featured foil stamped cards of stars like Kirby Puckett and Wade Boggs numbered to only 100 copies. ‘Platinum’ parallels took it even further by featuring holograms and numbering cards to only 10 copies featuring the likes of Nolan Ryan and Cal Ripken Jr. These rare parallels created a huge buzz and added tremendous chase to the 1990 Upper Deck set.

The product was distributed in wax packs, rack packs, and factory sets during the 1990 season. Due to the high quality control standards and attention to detail in production, Upper Deck purposefully kept supply of the cards extremely low. This helped drive early demand and value for the cards. The 1990 Upper Deck set helped propel the brand to new heights and established them as the premier brand in the industry. Stars of the set like Griffey, Bonds, and Clemens would go on to have Hall of Fame careers, making their rookie and base cards highly valuable investments decades later.

While competition from other brands like Fleer, Donruss, and Score intensified in the early 1990s, Upper Deck maintained their reputation for quality. Supply continued to be tightly controlled in order to keep excitement and demand high. This limited distribution strategy worked well to drive early collector interest but also led to frustration among some as the cards were difficult to find in stores. Still, the 1990 Upper Deck baseball set broke new ground, set new standards, and established key parallels, inserts, and short prints that are still used by card companies today. It was truly one of the most influential sets ever released and remains a highly coveted collection for enthusiasts and investors alike thanks to the photography, designs, and rare parallel cards included.

PRICING FOR BASEBALL CARDS TOPPS 1967

Leave a reply

Topps baseball cards from 1967 continue to be a popular collectible item for many vintage card collectors. The 1967 Topps set showcased some iconic players from that era including future Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron and Willie Mays. Determining the value and pricing of individual 1967 Topps cards can depend on several factors including the player, the card’s condition or grade, and any special characteristics like errors or variations.

One of the biggest determinants of price is the specific player featured on the card. Highly sought after stars from the 1960s will command higher prices than less notable players. Hank Aaron’s card tends to be one of the more expensive cards from the 1967 set even in lower grades due to his status as a true baseball legend. Another highly valued card is rookie cards, which feature players in their first year in the major leagues. The 1967 Topps set included rookie cards for future stars like Reggie Jackson that can sell for well over $100 in high grades.

Naturally, the condition or grade of the card also affects value significantly. PSA and BGS are two of the top professional grading services for trading cards and they use a 1-10 point scale. Cards graded higher by these services will be in sharper detail with minimal flaws and gain premiums over lower graded copies. A 1967 Topps Hank Aaron card may sell for $50-75 in PSA 5-6 condition but could reach $200-300 or more if graded PSA 8 or higher due to its superior state of preservation. Heavily worn cards graded PSA 3 or below usually have markedly reduced values.

Beyond player and condition, certain unusual variations and errors can make individual 1967 Topps cards much more valuable to discerning collectors. Parallel errors exist when two different player images end up on the same card. These are considered some of the true collectible gems of the set. Another highly sought variation is the “black border” parallel of the Reggie Jackson rookie card, where the standard design has an unintended black border around the image. Both of these variations are quite rare and could command thousands of dollars for a high grade example due to their scarcity and appeal to error collectors.

The specific card number within the set can also impact value to a lesser degree for somecards. Early numbers like the #1 Mickey Mantle are traditionally desirable and often fetch small premiums over identical condition copies of higher numbers. Cards displaying home runs, great plays, or milestones from that season may be modestly elevated in demand as well compared to those that are more generic in subject matter or photography.

Location also plays a role, as auction prices can fluctuate between marketplaces based on supply and interest. Top-graded 1967 Topps cards typically sell strongest when auctioned by major companies like Heritage Auctions which attract a deep pool of international bidders. Condition census registries compiled by tracking services provide ballpark estimates but real world sale prices depend greatly on the passion involved between specific buyers and sellers on an individual basis.

When determining the value and appropriate pricing of 1967 Topps baseball cards, condition, player, and any special variations should be the primary consideration factors. Top stars like Aaron and rookie powerhouses like Jackson will always be in higher demand which is reflected in their prices. Grading services provide an objective condition assessment which directly impacts costs. And unusual errors or parallels that capture collectors’ imaginations represent true blue-chip opportunities if found in pristine condition due to their extreme scarcity within the nearly 600 card set from that historic season. Careful study of recent sales data can educate sellers on appropriate price points to use across the variety of players and cards available from Topps’s classic 1967 offering.