1990 FLEER MVP BASEBALL CARDS PRICING

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The 1990 Fleer MVP baseball card set was one of the most popular and valuable sets of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Issued at the height of the baseball card boom, the 1990 Fleer set showcased vivid full color photography on a glossy stock that truly captured the excitement of America’s Pastime. While reprints have diminished the values of common cards over the decades, high-grade examples of stars from the set continue to attract strong prices from seasoned collectors. Let’s take an in-depth look at pricing trends for some of the top rookie and star cards from the 1990 Fleer MVP issue.

Perhaps the most coveted and valuable card from the set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Widely considered one of the iconic rookie cards of the modern era, the Griffey impressed collectors with its stunning full body photo of “The Kid” in classic Cincinnati Reds home whites. In PSA 10 Gem Mint condition, examples of the Griffey rookie have consistently traded hands for $2,000 or more in recent years. Even well-centered PSA 9 Near Mint copies still fetch hundreds. The card’s allure has only grown since Griffey’s retirement, cementing its status as a true blue chip investment for vintage collectors.

Another hugely desirable rookie from the set is the Frank Thomas issue. Like Griffey, “The Big Hurt” would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and his rookie advertising his imposing 6’5, 240 pound frame remains a must-have for White Sox PC builders. PSA 10 Thomas rookies have brought in the $800-1000 range, with PSA 9s settling in the $300-500 area. Solid demand exists for this intimidating looking card of the feared slugger.

More 1990 Fleer MVP issue:

Other notables that still command four-figure prices in top grades include the Nolan Ryan ($1,000-1,500 PSA 10), Cal Ripken Jr. ($800-1,200 PSA 10), and Ryne Sandberg ($600-800 PSA 10) cards. Each of these superstars are depicted with crystal clear photography that truly pops from the Fleer stock. Condition sensitive Rickey Henderson and Andy Van Slyke rookie cards have also realized $500-700 in pristine PSA 10 if a scarce pop report number can be located.

Moving to the next tier, $200-400 values in PSA 10 are realistic for the likes of Ozzie Smith, Barry Larkin, Don Mattingly, and Jose Canseco. Kirby Puckett, too, despite receiving less fanfare than his contemporaries, has his followers that push his gem mint rookie up near the $300 plateau. Lower population rookies of Gregg Jefferies, Erik Hanson, and Bip Roberts can also crack $200 in top grade once a serious collector locates an example to add to their PC.

More affordably for most collectors, common stars and solid big leaguers from the set still look great in a PSA 9 Near Mint holder. Rodriguez, Clemens, and Maddux rookies in the $75-150 range exemplify this. Dwight Gooden, Darryl Strawberry, Wade Boggs, and Orel Hershiser come in under $100. Even role players and backups like Lenny Dykstra, Lee Smith, and Jeff Reardon have a soft $30-60 near mint market to put identifiable names on the shelf.

At the lower end, the subset of players whose careers didn’t pan out as hoped have seen values decrease as years pass. Examples would include the Juan Gonzalez, Gregg Jefferies, and Erik Hanson rookies achieving $20-40 in strong PSA 9 condition depending on the day. But for completists, it’s gratifying to include these relics which remind us of the hype each prospect once carried.

While reprints have lessened demand for common versions over time, the 1990 Fleer MVP issue continues to hold significant collectable value for the true stars and key rookies presented in pristine preserved condition. As one of the most aesthetically pleasing sets from the junk wax era, it remains a benchmark for both investors and aficionados of the vintage sport. With the majority of its famous names and rookie crop having retired, nostalgia will ensure the lasting allure of this classic baseball card set.

BIG LEAGUE CHEW GUM BASEBALL CARDS

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Big League Chew is a brand of shredded bubble gum designed to resemble chewing tobacco. It was invented by Rob Nelson in 1976 as a safer alternative for young baseball players who wanted to mimic the habits of their heroes in the major leagues. Along with the gum, Nelson began including collectible baseball cards in each pack as a fun incentive. These early cards became highly popular with kids and helped turn Big League Chew into a mainstream success. Over four decades later, the brand and its baseball cards remain iconic symbols of America’s pastime.

In the late 1970s, baseball card collecting was booming in popularity among children across the United States. Companies like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss were pumping out new sets each year featuring the biggest stars of MLB. However, Nelson noticed that many of the young collectors were more interested in chewing and spitting, as they saw their idols doing in the dugout between innings. He came up with the idea of shredded bubble gum that could be bunched up and tossed like chewing tobacco. Each pack of Big League Chew contained this unique gum alongside a randomly inserted baseball card from that current season.

Those early cards were produced by different manufacturers under license from Nelson. The designs were basic but captured kids’ imaginations. They featured colorful player photos on the front with stats on the back, just like the mainstream sets of the time. Top players from the late 70s like Reggie Jackson, Pete Rose, and Nolan Ryan began appearing in kids’ Big League Chew packs. As the gum’s popularity grew, Nelson was able to sign licensing deals with the MLB Players Association, allowing for even more accurate and exciting cards to be included.

In the 1980s, Big League Chew baseball cards truly took off. Nelson had built relationships with the major card producers and was using their photographs and designs within the size and shape constraints of including them in gum packs. Sets from 1983, 1984, and 1985 are considered the most coveted by collectors today. Rosters were loaded with soon-to-be Hall of Famers like Mike Schmidt, George Brett, and Ryne Sandberg. The simpler yet fun retro designs have maintained their nostalgic appeal. During this decade, Big League Chew had firmly cemented itself as an integral part of the baseball card collecting hobby for children.

The 1990s saw Big League Chew reach the height of its popularity. With baseball’s resurgence following the 1994 player’s strike and influx of young stars like Ken Griffey Jr., the brand was everywhere. Its cards reflected the excitement of that era with flashier designs and oddball parallels like ’93 Finest, ’94 Collector’s Choice, and ’95 Select. Players who came of age collecting these sets have especially fond memories of peeling back the gum wrapper and seeing who might be hiding inside. The inserts also got more creative with retired legends, prospects, and oddballs. The over-production of traditional card sets was starting to saturate the market.

As the late 90s rolled around, the bubble had begun to burst for the collectibles industry. Both Big League Chew cards and the mainstream ones faced an abundance of product and subsequent fall in resale values. The brand tried to innovate with new sizes, flavors, and even baseball-shaped pieces of gum. The collectibles aspect was deemphasized. After the turn of the century, Big League Chew cards entered more of a nostalgia phase. While still included randomly in gum packs sold in hobby shops and ballparks, the primary focus was on the chewing experience over card value.

Today, Big League Chew endures as an iconic baseball brand, even if the cards hold less significance to modern collectors. Vintage 80s and 90s sets can still fetch premium prices online from enthusiasts longing for their childhood. Meanwhile, younger fans enjoy the retro packaging and novelty of randomly finding a shiny new card among the shredded gum. After more than 40 years, Rob Nelson’s simple idea of replicating players’ chew has become ingrained in baseball’s culture and memories for millions of Americans. Whether collecting or chewing, Big League Chew continues fueling our national pastime.

1992 TOPPS STADIUM CLUB BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 1992 Topps Stadium Club baseball card set was released in March of that year and contained 252 cards. The design featured a unique stadium-like backdrop with the player photographs in front of iconic ballpark images. Topps continued experimenting with new premium baseball card sets in the early 1990s, with Stadium Club taking its place alongside sets like Topps Gold Label and Finest.

While not quite as rare or valuable as the original 1986 and 1987 Stadium Club sets, the 1992 edition still holds value for collectors today due to the memorable photography and design elements. The set contains base cards for every player as well as special parallel inserts with photo variations. Notable rookies included Derek Jeter, Trevor Hoffman, and Jason Giambi. The designs and photo quality made Topps Stadium Club an instant success with fans and it remains one of the most sought-after baseball card products from the early 1990s.

Some of the top cards from the 1992 Topps Stadium Club set that command significant prices in Near Mint to Mint condition include:

Derek Jeter Rookie Card (#249): As one of the most valuable baseball cards of all-time, the Jeter rookie averages between $15,000-30,000 depending on grade and version. The standard photo rookie is most common but tougher parallels can fetch over $50,000.

Ken Griffey Jr. (#104): Considered the best all-around player of the 1990s, Griffey’s cards held tremendous value even before his recent Hall of Fame induction. High-grade versions of his ’92 Stadium Club card sell for $800-1,500.

Barry Bonds (#37): At the height of his powers in the early 90s before steroids allegations, Bonds was one of the most exciting players in the game. His card averages $350-650 graded.

Cal Ripken Jr. (#153): The Iron Man’s chase of Lou Gehrig’s consecutive games record made him one of baseball’s biggest stars. A PSA 10 of his ’92 S.C. card has brought over $1,000 at auction.

Kirby Puckett (#210): A beloved member of the Twins’ World Series championship teams, Puckett’s career was tragically cut short. His card sells for $200-350 in top condition.

Roberto Alomar (#61): Considered the best second baseman of his era, Alomar helped lead the Blue Jays and Orioles to titles. His card averages $125-250.

Greg Maddux (#138): One of the most dominant pitchers ever, Maddux’s pinpoint control made him a joy to watch. His ’92 S.C. card sells for around $100-175 in top grades.

Chipper Jones Rookie Card (#248): The future Hall of Famer’s debut has steadily gained value over the years, with PSA 10 copies around $300-450.

Beyond the star rookie and veteran cards, there is value throughout the set for popular players even in lower grades. Commons and short prints can often sell for $5-20 each. The insert cards provide another layer of collecting and investment potential as well.

Some of the special parallel subsets from 1992 Topps Stadium Club include:

Sepia Alternate Photos – These were printed on sepia-toned card stock with different action shots. Numbered to only 99 copies, high-grades can reach $1,000+.

Premier Edition Blue Foil Parallels – With blue foil lettering and numbering limited to 99 or 9, these provide a premium parallel option. $200-500 is typical pricing.

All-Star Futures Game Rookies – Featuring shots of top prospects like Jeter and Ramirez in their Futures Game uniforms. $50-150 range.

Diamond Kings – Highlighting some of the best players of the era in diamond-encrusted photo treatments. $75-150 depending on player.

The 1992 Topps Stadium Club set remains one of the most popular and valuable releases from the early 1990s sports card boom. With its stunning photography, parallel variants, and rookie class headlined by Derek Jeter, demand for complete sets and individual standout cards shows no signs of slowing down. For vintage baseball card investors, it represents a must-own classic. Graded examples in true mint condition can be considered sure bets to appreciate significantly with time.

1993 POST BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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1993 was a transitional year for baseball cards, as card manufacturers were continuing to feel the effects of the late 1980s and early 1990s baseball card bubble bursting. The market was oversaturated with cards, which led to decreasing sales and values throughout the early 1990s. However, 1993 also saw some emerging stars and hall of fame players that have kept certain cards from that year more valuable than others over time. Let’s take a closer look at some of the top 1993 post baseball cards and their estimated values today.

One of the most notable rookies from 1993 was Ken Griffey Jr. Cards. Griffey was already establishing himself as one of the game’s biggest young stars and best players. Some of his top 1993 rookie cards include the Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr., Score Ken Griffey Jr., and Stadium Club Ken Griffey Jr. These cards all remain quite valuable to this day, with PSA 10 graded versions often fetching thousands of dollars. Lower graded Griffey rookie cards from ’93 can still sell for hundreds. He’s long been considered one of the best players of the 1990s era.

Another emerging star in 1993 was Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox. Thomas was coming off his rookie season and was well on his way to a hall of fame career. His 1993 Fleer Ultra Frank Thomas and Stadium Club Frank Thomas rookie cards especially hold value. A PSA 10 of either can sell for over $1000, with lower graded versions in the $100-500 range typically. Thomas’ dominance in the 1990s keeps these cards as must-owns for White Sox and baseball card collectors.

Hall of famer Greg Maddux was entering his prime seasons with the Atlanta Braves in 1993. As one of the best pitchers of all-time, his 1993 Flair Greg Maddux, Upper Deck Greg Maddux, and Leaf Greg Maddux are always in demand. Expect to pay $200-500 for high graded versions and $50-200 for average condition copies. Maddux led the league in wins multiple times and won the Cy Young award frequently, making his early 90s cards quite collectible.

The 1993 Upper Deck baseball set overall remains a popular one. Aside from star rookies and prospects, it features photography and design superior to its competitors at the time. Rarity also drives the value of some key cards higher. For example, the Upper Deck Chipper Jones rookie fetches upwards of $1000 in high grade due to its short print run. Other top 1993 UD rookies like Jason Giambi and Andy Pettitte can sell for $50-500 depending on condition and player popularity.

For collectors looking for Hall of Fame talent, the 1993 Fleer Update set provides value with stars like Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine. Bonds experienced a resurgence in collecting interest in recent years that has increased demand for this era of his career. A PSA 10 1993 Fleer Update Barry Bonds can sell for thousands. Other star performers like Maddux, Glavine, and Jim Thome remain solid mid-range investments from this set as well.

While the early 1990s witnessed unstable card values overall, certain key rookie cards and stars from 1993 hold intrinsic long term value because they feature future Hall of Famers and all-time great players. As long as the baseball card hobby endures, iconic performers like Ken Griffey Jr., Frank Thomas, and Greg Maddux will retain collectors’ interests from this era. For savvy investors, purchasing well-graded 1993 issues from the brands discussed at reasonable prices can prove a worthwhile venture over the long haul. Condition remains extremely important to maximizing returns, but there are solid investing and collecting opportunities to be found amongst the sets produced that year.

While 1993 baseball cards may not earn you a fortune overnight, strategic purchases of the rookies and stars discussed offer a more stable long term outlook than many other vintage years. With patience and an eye for lesser-known values beyond flagship names, today’s collector can start building an impressive set or portfolio concentrating on this post that will hold and potentially increase in worth down the road. As with any collectible market, checking sold listing prices and doing comprehensive price research specific to the year, set, and player is advised before buying.

SELL BASEBALL CARDS CHARLOTTE NC

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Selling Baseball Cards in Charlotte, NC

Charlotte, North Carolina has a rich history with baseball and a strong collector base for trading cards. With Major League Baseball teams like the Atlanta Braves and Baltimore Orioles within driving distance, baseball fandom runs deep in the Queen City. For those looking to sell their baseball card collections in the Charlotte area, there are several established and reliable options locally to get top dollar.

Charlotte Cards and Comics

Located in the SouthPark area just south of uptown, Charlotte Cards and Comics has been a mainstay in the city’s collecting scene since 1989. As one of the largest and most respected card shops in the Carolinas, they are a great first stop for selling baseball cards in Charlotte. They deal primarily in sports and non-sports trading cards from the 1980s to present day. Owner Dan Hudgen and his knowledgeable staff will give you a fair cash offer or store credit based on the condition and demand of the cards. Be sure to have the cards well organized and in protective sleeves or books to make the process go smoothly. Cash payments are usually issued promptly.

Sportscardsity Collectibles

Over in the Matthews area west of Charlotte, Sportscardsity Collectibles is another top local destination for selling cards. Like Charlotte Cards and Comics, they have decades of experience evaluating all types of cards from the biggest names in the business. What sets them apart is their willingness to take on larger collections, including vintage cards from the 1950s-1970s era in excellent condition. Co-owners Rob and Mike have an eagle eye for spotting valuable and key vintage rookie cards that could yield top dollar prices in auction. Even common vintage cards in high grade can hold value. They pay competitively and can handle transactions of thousands of dollars.

Online Auction Houses

For rare, valuable individual cards or complete vintage sets worth well over $1000, the smart move is putting them up for online auction on sites like eBay, Heritage Auctions, or PWCC. This allows the entire collecting community worldwide to bid it up to its true market value. This requires time, effort, and patience listing each item with accurate photos and descriptions. Shipping and seller/buyer protection fees also need to be factored. Reputable auction specialists like Robert Edwards Auctions based in Charlotte can assist by handling the logistics and promoting top cards on major auction sites for a commission fee.

Card Shows and Conventions

If timing permits, try selling at one of the many large card shows that come to the Charlotte area annually. Over a thousand collectors typically attend the Queen City Sports Card & Memorabilia Show held each January and July at the Park Expo & Conference Center. Table space can be rented to individually sell cards for a weekend. This lets you interact face to face with buyers and get a sense of current values across entire collections in one place. The NEO Sports Cards and Memorabilia Super Show in Raleigh is another major regional event worth the trip.

Determining Card Values

Before setting any prices, do thorough research on recent eBay “sold” listing prices for comparable graded cards to get a baseline value. Check sports card price guide websites and apps like PSA Card, Beckett, and Cardboard Connection for ballpark figures too. Take into account the age of the player, their stats, role on the team, performance in big games, and overall career. Rookie cards or cards of legends will command the highest dollar amounts typically. Surface condition, centering and potential for grading are critical in establishing condition-specific value. Make sure to factor in a reasonable discount from guide prices when actually selling in person.

Local card shops, shows, auction houses, and online classifieds/auction sites are generally the best routes within the Carolinas for turning baseball card collections into cash flow or store credit. With diligent research and reliable sellers, collectors in the Charlotte area have solid opportunities to sell their cards at competitive market prices. Patience and organization will serve you well in getting top dollar for your collectibles in a huge metropolitan area that loves America’s pastime.

1995 DENNY’s BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1995 Denny’s Baseball Card Set was one of the more unique and valuable sports card releases of the 1990s. At a time when the baseball card market was booming after the 1994 players’ strike ended, Denny’s Restaurants partnered with Fleer to produce an exclusive set that would be given away with kids’ meals at their locations. What started as a small promotional campaign ended up being one of the most eagerly anticipated and hard-to-find issues of the year.

The basic 1995 Denny’s set contained 200 cards separated into 12 different teams. Each team subset contained 16 or 17 current major league players from that franchise. Two additional subset cards also existed – an All-Star card showing the starters from the 1994 Midsummer Classic and a Topps Best card highlighting the company’s five best rookies and players from 1994. While modest in size compared to the mammoth releases from the major manufacturers, it was the scarcity and chase for a complete set that made Denny’s so popular.

Only one pack containing 16-17 random cards was available free with each kids’ meal purchase at participating Denny’s. With no guaranteed way to obtain the full roster outside of trading, collectors nationwide flocked to restaurants in hopes of finding players they needed. Several cities and regions reported shortages as demand quickly outstripped the limited supply that Denny’s and Fleer had produced. Stories emerged of people visiting multiple locations daily or even hoarding large stashes to sell incomplete sets on the burgeoning online marketplace that was just starting to take shape.

Beyond just the allure of completing a set, the 1995 Denny’s issue contained several other factors that added to its cachet. Veteran players like Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr., and Barry Bonds appeared alongside rising stars like Pedro Martinez, Derek Jeter, and Chipper Jones. While basic in design with headshot photos and no foil, autographs, or cut signatures, these were crisp, high-quality baseball cards not typically found in fast food promotions. Denny’s also wisely chose to feature mostly current stars rather than less relevant retired players, keeping the cards fresh and of interest to young collectors.

Perhaps most significantly, the limited quantities ensured that 1995 Denny’s cards would take on greater longevity and value over time. Upon release, a complete set in mint condition could be had for around $20-30 through trade routes or classified ads. But as years went by, more and more sets became incomplete or damaged as they changed hands repeatedly. Today, a near-complete 198-200 card collection in top-graded gem mint condition can sell for over $1,000. Key individual cards like the popular Griffey Jr. Seattle Mariners issue have brought over $100 in high-end condition.

This sustained demand is a testament to how Denny’s and Fleer created an scarce, adrenaline-fueled hunt that tapped into collectors’ natural compulsions. While past and future fast food promotions may have had flashier inserts, parallel editions, or bigger checklists, none captured imaginations quite like that 1995 Denny’s baseball card set achieved through strict limitation alone. Without many special incentives beyond a free kids’ meal, it showed the potential of even a small promotional giveaway to develop a long fanbase if scarcity and star power were combined effectively. Two and a half decades later, 1995 Denny’s remain one of the most recognizable and coveted issues to come out of the 1990s sports card boom.

The 1995 Denny’s Baseball Card Set forever secured its place in card collecting lore through a perfect storm of circumstances – major league stars, finite distribution solely through restaurant promotions, and the thrill of the hunt for elusive pieces to complete the puzzle. For a generation of fans who came of age during the sport’s rebirth after the 1994-95 work stoppage, few sports memories may remain as fondly as trips to Denny’s that summer in hopes of adding to their collection and checking another name off the wanted list. Thanks to this unique confluence of factors, 1995 Denny’s ensured their cards would appreciate greatly over the long haul and take a permanent spot in the history books among the hobby’s most storied and valuable issues.

BEST BASEBALL CARDS 1990s

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The 1990s were a transformative decade for the baseball card industry. After massive growth and popularity in the late 1980s fueled by the junk wax era, the baseball card market crashed in the early 90s due to overproduction. Several iconic rookies emerged and star players like Ken Griffey Jr. helped revive interest. While many 90s cards hold little monetary value today, some stand out as the best representations of the players and the era:

1991 Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr.: Widely considered the most iconic baseball card of the 90s, Griffey’s rookie card became the standard by which all other cards were judged. Featuring vibrant color and sharp focus on Griffey’s smooth left-handed swing, this card helped resurrect the industry. PSA 10 Gem Mint specimens now sell for thousands.

1992 Bowman’s Best Frank Thomas: Released as part of the premium “Bowman’s Best” subset, this card highlighted Frank Thomas’ muscular build and smooth left-handed swing in a classic baseball action shot. Thomas would go on to have a Hall of Fame career and this served as his true rookie card after several lackluster previous issues.

1993 Finest Refractors: The first refractors introduced holographic prismatic colors and miniature rainbows embedded in the surface, adding a high-tech appeal. Finest was a premium brand and featured all-time greats like Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, and Cal Ripken Jr. in these retro-style designs. These early refractors remain highly collectible chase cards.

1994 Ultra Mike Piazza: Piazza’s breakout season was perfectly captured on his Ultra rookie card, showing the powerful left-handed slugger at the plate in crisp focus. Piazza went on to smash over 400 career home runs and become arguably the greatest hitting catcher ever. High-grade versions command sizable prices.

1995 Select Derek Jeter: Arguably the best representation of Derek Jeter, this card highlighted his smooth defensive skills with a close cropped image focusing on his throwing motion. As Jeter became a Yankees and baseball icon, this defined his early career and remains one of the defining 90s rookie cards.

1996 Finest Refractor Chipper Jones: Featuring a full body shot of Jones in his classic Braves uniform and smooth left-handed swing, this refracted card captured his Rookie of the Year season. Jones went on to a Hall of Fame career as perhaps the greatest switch hitter ever. Highly desired by 90s collectors.

1997 Bowman’s Best Prospects Miguel Cabrera: Cabrera was considered a can’t-miss prospect and this card from the premium “Bowman’s Best Prospects” subset highlighted that with a classic action shot. Even as a teenager, his immense raw talents were apparent. He became one of the best hitters of all time and this card now garners big prices.

1998 Finest Refractors Sammy Sosa: Riding the home run race excitement with Mark McGwire, Sosa dominated baseball headlines in 1998. Finest captured him mid-swing and swing in their classic mini-refractors. Sosa hit 66 home runs that year to shatter the NL single season record. Iconic cards from such a pivotal season.

1999 Ultra Jeff Bagwell: Bagwell was in his prime and Ultra featured one of the best images of him, perfectly capturing his effortless left-handed swing. Bagwell was the face of the Astros franchise for over a decade and remained a picture of consistency. Still highly regarded by 90s collectors and Astros fans.

2000 Skybox EX2001 Chipper Jones: A transitional card, this depicted Jones in his classic Braves uniform but with an eye towards the new millennium. It highlighted his unique skills and status as a franchise cornerstone in Atlanta. A perfect mix of nostalgia and futurism that captures the end of the decade.

While 90s cards are not the most valuable, these ten represented the biggest stars and most iconic plays of the decade. They helped revive the industry during turbulent times and renewed collecting passion. While the 90s are remembered as an era of overproduction, cards like these provide nostalgia for the players and highlight the transition from the junk wax era into the current collectibles market. For fans and collectors of the 1990s, these cards reign as the true representations of the stars and the decade in baseball card form.

63 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1963 Topps baseball card set was the second series of Topps’s post-war run and contained 660 total cards. It marked several notable firsts and featured many of the game’s biggest stars from that era. The ‘63 Topps set remains a highly collectible and iconic representation of baseball in the early 1960s.

Some key things to know about the 1963 Topps baseball card set include:

Rookies: The ‘63 set included the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson, and Billy Williams. These are among the most valuable cards from the set.

First Color Photos: 1963 was the first year Topps used color photography on most of the cards rather than black and white images. This upgraded the visuals and collectibility significantly.

Size Change: The standard card size was reduced for the first time to 2.5 x 3.5 inches, down from 2.5 x 3.75 inches. This “smaller” size became the long-standing standard dimension for baseball cards.

Glossy Photo Fronts: Topps switched to a glossy photo on the front rather than the previous matte finish. This made the images really pop compared to prior years.

Back Design: The iconic blue banner across the top with white team name text debuted in ‘63 and became a Topps mainstay.

Some of the top standout cards and players featured in the 1963 Topps set include:

#1 Mickey Mantle (Yankees) – The career .298 hitter and all-time home run king was still in his prime in 1963. This card remains one of the most iconic in the hobby.

#9 Sandy Koufax (Dodgers) – The left-handed ace’s rookie card established him as a future star. He would go on to win 3 Cy Young awards in the 1960s.

#20 Willie Mays (Giants) – “The Say Hey Kid” was already a legend in 1963 and this card captures him in action. He hit .299 with 41 home runs that season.

#40 Roger Maris (Yankees) – As the reigning single season home run record holder with 61 in 1961, Maris remained one of the game’s top sluggers.

#67 Bob Gibson (Cardinals) – The intimidating righty’s rookie card portended a Hall of Fame career capped by 9 career ERA titles.

#91 Hank Aaron (Braves) – “Hammerin’ Hank” was in his prime, coming off a .319 average, 33 HR season for the rising Braves. He would break Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974.

#112 Al Kaline (Tigers) – The smooth outfielder was a 10-time Gold Glover and career .297 hitter. He appeared on 15 Topps sets from 1955-1969, exemplifying consistency.

#125 Billy Williams (Cubs) – As a rookie, “Sweet Swingin’ Billy” hit .271 with 14 home runs, foreshadowing his eventual Hall of Fame career and .290 average.

#140 Juan Marichal (Giants) – The Dominican fireballer was already one of the best pitchers in baseball, going 16-9 with a 2.45 ERA in 1963. He would go on to win 243 games and make 9 All-Star teams.

#160 Harmon Killebrew (Twins) – One of the game’s premier power hitters, “Killer” blasted 36 home runs in 1963 on his way to 573 career dingers, mostly with Minnesota.

#180 Roberto Clemente (Pirates) – The charismatic right fielder was in his prime, coming off an NL MVP season where he hit .317 and led Pittsburgh to the World Series. Tragically, he would pass at 38 in a plane crash on New Year’s Eve 1972 while attempting to deliver aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.

#200 Jim Bunning (Phillies) – The Hall of Fame hurler went 16-9 with a 2.85 ERA in 1963, the first of many strong seasons for Philadelphia. He tossed a perfect game in 1964.

#240 Don Drysdale (Dodgers) – The intimidating righty went 18-13 with a 2.83 ERA in 1963. He would form one of the most formidable pitching tandems with Sandy Koufax in winning three straight World Series titles for L.A. from 1963-1965.

#280 Dick Groat (Pirates) – The smooth shortstop was a lifetime .286 hitter over his 12-year career spent mostly with Pittsburgh. He won the 1960 NL MVP and made 5 All-Star teams.

#300 Brooks Robinson (Orioles) – Already a four-time Gold Glover at third base, “The Human Vacuum Cleaner” was a defensive wizard who could also hit, like his 1963 season of .266 with 13 home runs.

#340 Frank Robinson (Reds) – After winning the 1961 MVP and Triple Crown, “The Secretary of Defense” remained one of baseball’s most feared sluggers, blasting 34 home runs in 1963.

#360 Jim Gentile (Orioles) – The slugging first baseman led the AL with 46 home runs and 141 RBI in 1961, earning MVP honors. He remained a force in the Baltimore lineup.

#380 Nellie Fox (White Sox) – The scrappy second baseman was a lifetime .278 hitter over his 15-year career spent mostly with Chicago. He won the 1959 AL MVP and made 11 All-Star teams.

#400 Luis Aparicio (White Sox) – “Luis the Cool” was the premier defensive shortstop of his era, winning 9 Gold Gloves and revolutionizing the position with his daring baserunning. He made his 8th All-Star team in 1963.

#420 Bill White (Cardinals) – The smooth-swinging first baseman hit .302 in 1963 and made his 7th straight All-Star team, showcasing his consistent excellence in St. Louis.

#440 Elston Howard (Yankees) – The trailblazing catcher was the first black player on the Yankees. He was a lifetime .274 hitter who made 8 All-Star teams and won the 1963 World Series MVP.

#460 Ron Santo (Cubs) – The fiery third baseman was already an offensive force, hitting .307 with 15 home runs in 1963, the first of 9 All-Star nods for Chicago.

#480 Earl Weaver (Orioles Manager) – The innovative strategist began his Hall of Fame managing career in 1968, but this card captured him in his playing days with Baltimore from 1956-1959.

#500 Don Drysdale (Dodgers) – His second card in the set highlights his versatility, listing him as a pitcher/outfielder. He occasionally served as a pinch hitter or defensive replacement.

#520 Dick Allen (Phillies) – The controversial slugger broke in with Philadelphia in 1963, hinting at a prodigious power bat and 17 future All-Star seasons, when he hit .318 with 13 home runs as a rookie.

#540 Ken Boyer (Cardinals) – The rock-solid third baseman was a lifetime .287 hitter who made 5 All-Star teams for St. Louis, including 1963 when he hit .295 with 13 homers.

#560 Lou Brock (Cardinals) – Before becoming one of the game’s all-time great base stealers, the rookie outfielder hit .314 in limited action in 1963 for World Champion St. Louis.

#580 Tony Oliva (Twins) – The smooth-swinging rookie outfielder burst onto the scene by hitting .323 with 17 home runs, winning AL Rookie of the Year, and foreshadowing his 8 batting titles for Minnesota.

#600 Bob Uecker (Braves) – The journeyman catcher-turned-broadcaster appeared in just 6 games in the majors in 1963, but is immortalized in pop culture for his wit as a broadcaster.

The 1963 Topps baseball card set was a seminal issue that saw many upgrades and featured a who’s who of the sport at that moment in time. Rookie cards like Koufax, Gibson, Williams, and Oliva take on new importance in retrospect. Seeing the likes of Mays, Mantle, Marichal, and Aaron in their primes makes it a treasured piece of baseball history for collectors and fans. Over 50 years later, it remains one of the most iconic and valuable vintage sets around.

BASEBALL CARDS GUM

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The tradition of including baseball cards with chewing gum is an iconic part of the sport’s history that dates back over 100 years. In the late 1800s, tobacco companies began inserting promotional cards into cigarettes and cigars as a marketing tactic. This proved successful, and the concept was later adopted by the fledgling chewing gum industry in an effort to boost sales among young consumers.

In 1886, the American Tobacco Company released its first series of cigarette cards featuring famous actors, artists and politicians. It was not until the 1890s that gum manufacturers began using similar promotional baseball cards to target new audiences. In 1892, the Fleer Chewing Gum Company distributed the first modern baseball cards as incentives to buy packs of its gum. Each pack contained one card randomly inserted featuring an image of a popular baseball player on the front.

At the time, baseball was growing rapidly in popularity across America. Fleer recognized the untapped potential of using cards to promote the sport to young fans and drive gum purchases. The cards were an instant hit, and competition between gum makers to sign licensing deals with professional baseball leagues and create exclusive new series took off. By the turn of the century, nearly every major chewing gum brand was issuing baseball cards.

The early baseball cards were printed using a basic lithographic process on thin paper or cardboard stock. Images were often small mugshot-style portraits with no action photography. Information included on the front usually consisted only of the player’s name and position. As technology advanced, color printing was introduced. By the 1910s, the first cards featuring full bleed action shots started to appear. Backs of the cards also began including career statistics and biographical information about the players.

In the 1930s, the golden age of baseball cards arrived as the hobby exploded in popularity across America. Gum companies cranked out stunning works of graphic art on their cards. Full color images showcased the biggest stars of the day like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Joe DiMaggio. The Great Depression era saw gum and candy sales boom, and cards became even more elaborate promotional premiums to spur purchases. Series from Goudey, Play Ball and Leaf featured innovative photo techniques and eye-catching designs.

After World War 2, a new generation embraced the postwar baseball card craze. Iconic sets like Topps and Bowman battled for market share by signing exclusive deals with major leagues. In 1948, Topps acquired the first exclusive rights to use active MLB player images on cards. This ushered in the modern era of highly coveted rookie cards featuring upcoming stars like Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays. Through the 1950s, the golden age continued with innovative Topps designs and the introduction of the modern gum-and-card packaging format.

The tradition of including baseball cards with chewing gum almost came to an end in the late 1980s. Saturated production values caused a speculative bubble that “burst” in the early 1990s hobby crash. With overproduction watering down demand, many felt the baseball card-gum connection had run its course. Topps even experimented with discontinuing the gum altogether for a time. But nostalgia and collector demand proved resilient, leading Topps and other companies like Fleer to bring back the gum packs.

While digital platforms have largely replaced physical cards for many fans, the time-honored tradition of finding that rare pull from a pack of baseball gum endures. For over 125 years, the simple business decision to include small cardboard prizes with chewing gum has fueled a multibillion-dollar industry. From humble beginnings in the 1890s to the modern era, baseball cards embedded in the pop culture of our national pastime and remain inextricably linked with the flavor and fun of chewing gum. Whether collecting for history, investment or just the thrill of the hunt, the bond between America’s favorite pastimes of baseball and baseball cards & gum lives on.

THE BEST WAY TO SELL BASEBALL CARDS

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There are several effective ways for collectors to sell their baseball card collections. With the rise of online marketplaces and auction sites, it’s never been easier to find interested buyers. Properly researching the market and choosing the right sales approach is important for obtaining the best value.

One of the most straightforward methods is selling cards individually on eBay. This provides access to the largest pool of potential customers. Before listing cards, it’s essential to carefully examine recently sold comps to determine a reasonable asking price. Take high-quality photos that clearly show the front and back of each card. Provide accurate descriptions of condition, player, and other relevant details.

Shipping cards properly is also crucial. Toploaders or penny sleeves inside a rigid case helps prevent damage during transit. Clearly communicate your shipping policies up front. While selling individually takes more time listing each item, it allows breaking up full sets or mixed lots that may not appeal to all buyers. eBay takes an insertion fee and final value fee, usually around 13% total, so pricing should factor in these costs.

Another online venue for individual cards is through third party marketplaces like COMC. They charge monthly or annual membership fees but handle the photography, listing, shipping, and payments on the seller’s behalf. Their take rates tend to be higher than eBay’s fees at 18-20%. The tradeoff is less work spent on the selling process. Sites like Sportlots and DA Card World focus specifically on sports collectibles and bring a dedicated customer base.

Selling full sets or teams lots together can attract collectors searching for multiple cards at once to complete their collections. Various online classified sites allow posting lots for local pickup or shipped sales. Facebook Marketplace has become a popular venue with no fees involved. Be sure to only arrange meetups in safe, public locations and never provide financial information to unknown buyers.

Consignment with a local card shop is another low-effort approach. While they’ll take a percentage (usually 30-50%) of the final sale, the store handles displaying merchandise and fielding interest. Bringing in valuable, high-demand vintage rookie cards or complete vintage sets gives the best chance of them moving quickly. Less coveted modern bulk or common duplicates may sit unsold for extended periods.

Physical card shows provide access to the most serious collectors willing to pay top dollar, especially for rare, graded vintage pieces. It requires more work transporting items and manning a seller’s table for the day. Like consignment, show promoters usually take a cut (25-30%) but foot traffic and passion of in-person buyers often leads to higher sale prices. Bring materials to safely showcase expensive individual cards or complete vintage runs.

Whether selling individually or bulk lots, proper grading matters. Apply protective plastic sleeves or send cards to professional grading services like PSA or BGS if they warrant a grade. Higher condition ratings pull in collectors seeking pristine copies to enhance their collections. The costs of professional grading often only make financial sense for the most valuable cards in Near Mint or better condition.

Researching recently sold ebay transactions, price guide values from Beckett, Cardboard Connection or Mavin.io provides a baseline for fair starting prices. Staying patient and relisting unsold items periodically maximizes chances of finding the right buyer. With time and effort, savvy sellers can realize top dollar for their baseball card collections through strategic sales approaches online or in local markets.