HOW ARE BASEBALL CARDS PRINTED

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The process of printing baseball cards is quite intricate and involves several steps. It all begins with designing and creating the artwork that will appear on the card. Baseball card companies employ graphic designers who work with photographers, videographers, and illustrators to develop the visual elements of each card. This usually includes a photo of the player in action as well as graphics displaying their stats and other relevant information.

Once the artwork is complete, it needs to be uploaded and prepared for printing. Designers will use desktop publishing software to lay out the cards digitally. They determine specifics like image and text placement, colors, fonts, and more. The finished digital file is then sent to the printing facility ready for mass production.

Modern baseball cards are most often printed using a process called lithography. This involves transferring the card designs from the digital plates or films onto printing plates. The plates are made of aluminum and coated with a photosensitive surface. They are exposed to ultraviolet light through a high-resolution film of the card image, which chemically transfers the design onto the plate.

Multiple printing plates are used for each color that will be on the card, usually 4-6 different colors including cyan, magenta, yellow and black. The plates are mounted onto large printing presses. The first color, usually cyan as the lightest hue, is applied first using a wet ink application roller. An impression roller then transfers the inked image from the plate onto sheets of thick paper stock specially designed for trading cards.

The paper then goes through the press multiple times, with a different color plate and ink applied during each pass through. After application of all the colors, the prints are dryed using powerful heating elements. At this stage the ink is fully cured and bonded to the paper surface. Quality control checks are made to ensure proper registration and color accuracy across every print.

The full printed sheets then go through an automatic cutting machine that die cuts them into individual card shapes. Modern equipment can cut hundreds of cards per minute from a single sheet. Occasionally there may be foil stamping, embossing, or other specialty enhancements added at this stage as well.

After cutting, a final quality check is performed where samples are visually and mechanically inspected. Approved cards are then sorted intoPACKAGES BY player, team, or inserted autograph/relic odds. The packaged cards move to a fulfillment center where individual packs and boxes are assembled along with enclosure materials for final retail distribution and sale.

This completes the technical print production process. From digital design to finished packaged cards ready for eager collectors represents a complex workflow employing sophisticated equipment, knowledgeable operators, and rigorous quality procedures. Doing it at scale to meet massive consumer demand for the latest baseball card releases each season is quite an undertaking.

WHAT IS DESERT SHIELD BASEBALL CARDS

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Desert Shield baseball cards were a special set of cards produced in 1990-1991 during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, the US military operation in response to Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait. When Iraq invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990, the United States led a multinational coalition to deploy troops and aircraft to Saudi Arabia, known as Operation Desert Shield. This was done to defend Saudi Arabia and place pressure on Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait.

Upper Deck, a baseball card company that had recently formed in 1988, saw an opportunity to produce a unique set of cards to boost troop morale during the military deployment and increase awareness and support for the troops back home. They worked with the US Department of Defense to gain access to military bases and personnel in Saudi Arabia. The goal was to produce a collectible 132 card set featuring active US military members involved in Operation Desert Shield.

Each Desert Shield card featured a service member’s picture, name, rank, military occupation, and unit on the front. The back provided biographical information as well as quotes from the soldiers about their experiences. Some of the cards featured well-known pilots who would become famous for later missions in Desert Storm, such as Marine Corps Captain Doug Zembiec. Other subjects ranged from low-ranking enlisted troops to senior officers like Army Major General John Yeosock, commander of the US 24th Infantry Division.

Upper Deck faced many logistical challenges in producing the set. Military censorship policies had to be navigated and sensitive information avoided. Travel and photography had to comply with security protocols in a war zone. But the company was granted behind-the-lines access to major installations across Saudi Arabia like Dhahran Air Base and King Fahd International Airport near Dhahran. Upper Deck photographers and journalists spent weeks photographing and interviewing willing servicemen and women starting in November 1990.

The completed 132 card Desert Shield set was released for sale back in the US just before Christmas 1990. It sold out almost immediately after release due to high demand and patriotic interest in supporting the deployed troops. The cards sold for $1 each, with proceeds going to the Red Cross and aid groups supporting military families. This helped generate further goodwill for the mission among the American public during a time when overseas deployments were less common than today.

While intended as just a one-off set, fan enthusiasm and the continuation of the deployment led Upper Deck to produce additional Desert Shield rebate and return cards into 1991 as the liberation of Kuwait commenced. These captured additional soldiers and updates to the situation. Then in 1991 after combat began, Upper Deck released an 80 card Desert Storm set featuring troops in action during the brief air and ground campaign to push Iraq out of Kuwait.

Over the decades since, the Desert Shield and Desert Storm card sets have become highly collectible vintage military memorabilia. They provide a unique historical record of the specific individuals who took part in these important operations, at a time when digital photography was still relatively new. The challenges of creating the original sets are also fascinating. The cards helped boost morale for deployed troops and increased awareness among the public about America’s military presence in the Persian Gulf during a pivotal moment preceding the post-Cold War era.

The Desert Shield baseball card set was a pioneering effort by Upper Deck in the 1990-1991 period to capture photographs and information about US service members stationed in Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Desert Shield. Facing logistical difficulties, the company produced a collectible 132 card set that sold out and generated funds and patriotic fervor for the ongoing mission. Additional sets were later made to chronicle the subsequent phase of the operation, Desert Storm, making the cards an important historical record of that era.

WHAT PLACES TAKE BASEBALL CARDS

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Local Card Shops – Small independently owned businesses that focus specifically on trading cards including sports cards, baseball cards, non-sports cards, and collectibles. They buy collections, have supplies, and facilitate trades between customers. Most have certain buylist prices for popular cards in standard condition. They also sell individual cards, boxes of packs, supplies, and magazines/books. Hours tend to be evenings and weekends to accommodate work/school schedules.

Online Auction Houses – Websites like eBay, Amazon Marketplace, and Heritage Auctions are good options to reach a large national/international buyer base. You can set minimum bids and timeframes. Just beware of fees for listing, final value, payments, and shipping. Description photos are important. Carefully check seller histories. This is best for higher value singles, sets, or full collections.

Local Consignment/Collectible Shops – General collectible stores that take a wider range of items might have a baseball card section too. They can sell your cards for a percentage commission of the final sale price, often 25-40%. Scope out what they do/do not accept first. Quality items tend to sell best. Be picky where cards are displayed/stored.

Local Sport Card Shows – Periodic weekend events held in large public spaces where dozens of vendors set up tables to buy, sell, and trade cards. Great for moving larger collections and seeing what unopened boxes and high-dollar singles are valued at currently. Most occur in warmer months. Some run dealer directories year-round too.

Mobile Card Buyers – Independent buyers who travel certain regions, making scheduled stops at local shops, shows, or special events. They generally buy collections for cash or store credit upfront. Research prices paid and trustworthiness first. Some operate via websites too for shipping larger lots.

Card Database Marketplaces – Websites like COMC.com and Beckett Marketplace provide a centralized portal for sellers to consign cards at set commission rates. Photos and descriptions are digitized for consistent, searchable inventory. Cards are securely stored until sold to verified buyers nationwide. Payments are handled automatically. Great option for vintage, rare, and high-value items with authentication/gradation services too.

Sports Memorabilia Auctions – Sites such as Heritage Auctions run big annual auctions of all kinds of historic game-used items, autographs, rare cards, full sets, and collections. Physical locations host preview/bidding events too. Auction estimates provide intelligent consignment. International buyer pool attracts very high prices, but commission rates are also highest at 20-30%.

Local Card/Collectible Forums – Regional Facebook groups and internet message boards let you advertise what you have for sale/trade. Potential buyers reach out to discuss serious offers. Great for singles, commons/uncommons, and smaller dollar value lots. Watch for scams but can yield local collectors.

Card Shows – Major nationwide annual multi-day conventions held in large convention centers in main cities each year. Events feature hundreds of dealer tables, memorabilia displays, autograph signings, giveaways and more. Also acts as a large card/collectibles marketplace. Great exposure but competitive sellers environment.

Sports Card/Memorabilia Websites – Other sites like Blowoutcards.com, SteelCityCollectibles.com, and SportsCardForum.com serve as both online card/memorabilia marketplaces as well as educational communities. Posts can reach interested collectors worldwide, especially for high-value vintage rarities. Payment methods vary.

The choice really depends on the size/scope of the collection, value, condition of items, and intended timeline. Local shops and shows provide fastest turnover for commons/uncommons. Online marketplaces reach the broadest sale pool. Show circuits or auctions cater to highest dollar cards/collections but take more time/effort. Researching the right avenue ensures cards end up in hands of true collectors who appreciate them most. Proper authentication, pricing, description, and paperwork are important throughout.

ARE 30 YEAR OLD BASEBALL CARDS WORTH ANYTHING

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Whether 30 year old baseball cards are worth anything really depends on several factors. First, you need to consider what year the cards are from. Baseball cards from the early 1990s, which would be around 30 years old now, could potentially hold some value depending on the players and the condition of the cards. The early 90s marked a transition period in the hobby between the peak years of the late 1980s bubble and modern production practices.

Cards from 1992-1993 in particular may have some nostalgic value now as fans who collected during that era have grown older and are more likely looking to reconnect with their childhood collections. Iconic players like Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and Ken Griffey Jr. were still early in their careers during this time period so cards featuring them as young stars could appeal to collectors. Production levels were also very high during this era so most common cards still have minimal monetary worth unless in top condition.

To best determine the value of any specific early 90s cards you have, the most important things to examine are the players featured and the grade or condition of the card. For players who went on to Hall of Fame careers like those mentioned above, even their basic rookie or common cards from 1992-1993 may hold value ranging from $10-50 in near mint to mint condition to serious collectors looking to fill out sets. For most ordinary players, even in great shape their cards will only be worth about $1-5 unless there is something exceptional about the card.

Condition is absolutely critical when appraising the value of any older baseball cards. On a scale of 1-10, near mint (NM) condition would grade about an 8, and mint (M) condition a 9-10. Anything graded lower than a 7 is considered “played” and usually not worth more than a few dollars even for star players due to wear. So when considering 30 year old cards, carefully examine them under bright light for any bends, wrinkles, surface scuffs or scratches which could significantly downgrade the grade. A flawless card is much more valuable.

Beyond just the single card value, you’ll also want to think about whether the 30 year old cards you have could potentially be part of a complete set. Baseball sets from the early 90s include Donruss, Fleer, Score, Upper Deck and more. Having a substantially complete set with the key rare and short printed cards still in great condition could be worth a few hundred dollars or more to the right collector. Individual team or product subsets within a larger set also make the cards more appealing.

In summary, 30 year old baseball cards from the early 1990s have a chance to hold some value, especially star players or complete sets in top condition. But the market is also more flooded with production from that era than true vintage cards. Most common cards are only worth $1-5 regardless of year, so it’s really all about condition, players, and sets when appraising older collecting cards. Taking the time to carefully examine what you have and do some research is important before making assumptions on monetary worth.

IS NOLAN RYAN BASEBALL CARDS WORTH ANYTHING

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Nolan Ryan had a legendary career pitching in Major League Baseball from 1966 to 1993 that has made some of his baseball cards very valuable collectibles. As one of the most prolific strikeout pitchers of all time and the all-time leader in no-hitters with seven, Ryan is considered a baseball icon and his cards from the 1960s, 70s, 80s and early 90s are highly sought after by collectors. Whether a specific Nolan Ryan baseball card is worth anything depends on a number of factors including the year and brand of the card as well as its condition, but in general his rookie and early career cards along with some of his milestone achievement cards from later in his career can hold significant value.

One of Ryan’s most valuable baseball cards is considered to be his 1968 Topps rookie card, which is universally seen as one of the key rookie cards in the entire sports collecting hobby. Fresh off his debut 1966 season with the New York Mets, Ryan’s rookie card features him as a member of the Angels franchise he would later spend the majority of his career with. The 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie card in Near Mint to Mint condition can fetch anywhere from $15,000 to well over $50,000 depending on attributes like centering and quality of the image. Even in well-worn Excellent or Good condition a 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan rookie still holds value in the $3,000 to $8,000 range.

Another very valuable early Nolan Ryan card is his 1969 Topps card, which captured him in his third MLB season before truly emerging as a strikeout artist. High graded examples of the 1969 Topps Nolan Ryan in Gem Mint condition have sold for over $10,000, while in Excellent condition it still retains value of $1,000 to $3,000. This is due to it being one of the best looking and earliest cards available of Ryan at the beginning of his Hall of Fame career. Additionally, Ryan rookie/prospect cards from 1965, 1967 and 1970 that were issued by other lesser-known brands like Kellogg’s, Dr. Bowman, and Sportflics also hold collector value ranging from $300 to $2,000 depending on condition, scarcity and centering quality.

Moving further into the 1970s, Ryan delivered one of the most impressive pitching seasons in baseball history in 1973 by recording a then-record 383 strikeouts. His 1973 Topps and 1973 Fleer cards are highly prized by collectors for commemorating this single-season mark that has only been bested once since. High graded examples of these two 1973 cards in Gem Mint condition can command prices of $4,000 to $6,000 each. In Excellent condition they maintain an estimated worth of $1,200 to $2,500 depending on attributes. Other 1970s Ryan milestone cards like his 1974 and 1975 Topps issues after back-to-back 300+ strikeout seasons as well as his 1977 card during his first season with the Angels franchise also hold value around $200 to $800 in top grades.

Arguably the most prized baseball cards in Ryan’s collection are from his record-setting later career during the1980s when he proved he could still dominate well into his 40s. His 1981 Donruss card commemorating career strikeout number 3,000 as well as the 1984 Topps, Donruss and Fleer cards capturing his historic 5th career no-hitter all command prices well over $1,000 in top condition. The rarest and most sought after of these is considered to be the 1984 Donruss Nolan Ryan No-Hitter card, with pristine Near Mint to Mint copies potentially fetching $4,000+ from avid Angel and Ryan collectors. Even in worn condition these milestone achievement cards retain estimated worth of $300 to $800.

Ryan’s last major milestone achieved before retirement came during the 1991 season with Texas when he recorded his 7th career no-hitter at age 44, cementing his status as the all-time leader in that category. His very identifiable 1991 Upper Deck, Score, and Stadium Club baseball cards honoring this record-setting feat can also be quite valuable for collectors, holding estimated worth of $700 to $1,500 in Near Mint conditioned and $300 to $600 in overall very nice condition. After retiring following the 1993 season, Ryan‘s final notable rookie card was included in the 1993 Leaf product but generally do not contain huge financial value.

While not all Nolan Ryan baseball cards hold huge increased worth, many of his standout rookie cards from the late 1960s as well as milestone achievement cards from the 1970s, 80s and early 90s capturing his legendary pitching statistics have developed significant collectible value among Angel, Ranger and baseball card investors over the years. Condition is extremely important in determining the price that top graded examples of SGC/PSA Gem Mint Ryan cards will bring in today’s competitive market. But overall, if taken care of, many of the Hall of Famer’s notable vintage cards from the peak of his career have the potential to retain or appreciate financial value for dedicated collectors.

WHAT BASEBALL CARDS ARE RARE

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Identifying truly rare baseball cards is largely dependent on the year the card was produced and the specific player featured. Some general factors that make certain vintage baseball cards extremely collectible and valuable include low production numbers, prominent players featured in their rookie season, milestone achievements captured on the card, unique or 1-of-1 variations, and the card’s overall condition.

As the baseball card collecting hobby became mainstream in the late 19th/early 20th century, some of the earliest and rarest cards are from that era before modern standardization of the industry. For example, cards from the 1880s-1890s produced by tobacco companies like Old Judge, Goodwin Champions, and Napoleons are amongst the rarest and most coveted. Due to the lack of organization in the young collecting market at that time, very few of these pioneer cards survived in high grades.

Once organized baseball card production began in the early 20th century, some of the most famous players had cards issued during their rookie seasons that have become incredibly rare treasures for collectors. 1923 E238 Babe Ruth and 1952 Topps #311 Mickey Mantle are icons of the hobby due to capturing those all-time greats in their first years, and high quality specimens can sell for millions of dollars today. Other exceptionally low print rookie cards include 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner, 1914 C519 Joe Jackson, and 1933 Goudey #53 Lou Gehrig.

Beyond rookies, unique variations, errors, and one-of-a-kind printings are a huge draw for collectors seeking truly rare and distinctive cards. Some examples include the 1952 Topps Brands Stickers Willie Mays card produced without gum, the infamous Bowman Walt Disney 3-Dissue with folding glasses, or 1954 Topps Stokes 3-D cards only distributed regionally. Of course, the all-time grand prizes are uncut prototype or test print sheets with experimental designs that never made it to official production, which can be worth over $1 million each.

As the decades progressed, technological and competitive changes in the card industry led to some short print runs or regional distributions that are now exceedingly scarce. In the 1950s, oddball and specialty brands have collectible oddities like 1951 Bowman color test issues, 1954 Red Man Series, and 1959 Post cereal cards. The 1960s saw cards featuring milestone accomplishments gain legendary status- 1954 Topps #311 Roberto Clemente is his infamous “upside down” printing, or 1966 Topps #553 Sandy Koufax for his perfect game.

The 1970s saw the beginning of the modern sports card boom and rise of regional/oddball brands pushing creative boundaries. Short print runs from brands like 1972 Kellogg’s, 1972–1973 TCMA, and 1977 Hostess significantly drive up values of stars featured. The same can be said for innovative sets like 1979 Donruss Super Royals and 1980 Donruss Reggie Jackson printing errors. In the high- production 1980s, the most coveted are still stars’ rookie issues at incredibly low print numbers- like 1984 Fleer #206 Mark McGwire or 1986 Fleer #1 Barry Bonds.

Through the 1990s and 2000s, insert variations, autographed parallels, and numbered printing plates became where scarcity lived more than base cards.Icons include 1997 Upper Deck Mike Piazza autograph rookie patch, 1998 Topps Chrome Refractors like #1 Ken Griffey Jr, or 2001 SP Authentic Memorabilia Jersey Jared Allen 1/1 swatch card. The modern era has seen brands experiment heavily with premium parallels, memorabilia relics, and autographed gem options intended for high-end collectors. Super short print auto patches or autographs of future Hall of Famers like 2012 ToppsChrome Update Mike Trout 1/1 can reach 6 figures in value today.

Of course, condition is king when it comes to any collectible’s valuation. While a low print run makes a card extremely scarce, one that has also survived in top-graded condition as a Mint 9 or Gem Mint 10 specimen exponentially increases its worth. Such pristine survivors of the most prized early tobacco and vintage cardboard are routinely pursued for record auction prices beyond $1 million each. Whether a famous rookie, unprecedented variation, or perfect survivor of history; condition, scarcity, and capturing iconic players are what continue to make the rarest of rare baseball paper treasures highly prized amongst dedicated collectors.

HOW MANY WILD CARDS IN MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

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Each of the two leagues, the American League and National League, are divided into three divisions – East, Central, and West. At the end of the 162-game regular season, the team in each division with the best win-loss record wins that division and earns an automatic berth in the postseason. This means there are three division winners in each league that qualify for postseason play each year.

However, Major League Baseball realized in the 1990s that it was unfair for teams with strong records to not make the postseason simply because they happened to be in the same division as another team with an even better record. To address this, in 1995 the league instituted a “wild card” system to allow more teams with playoff-caliber seasons to continue competing into October.

Initially, there was only one wild card slot per league. So in each league, the team with the best record among the non-division winners would qualify for a new single-game playoff called the “Wild Card Game.” The winner of this game would then go on to face the league’s number one seed in the Division Series round. This single wild card format remained in place through 2011.

As more teams and fanbases wanted an opportunity to take part in the lucrative postseason, baseball expanded the wild card system again in 2012. Now, both the American League and National League have two wild card slots, with the top two non-division winning teams in each league qualifying for the Wild Card round.

When the current format was implemented, it brought the total number of playoff teams from 10 to 12, with three division winners and two wild card teams in each league. The two wild card teams in each league now play a new best-of-three games Wild Card Series, with the higher seeded wild card team hosting all the games. The winners then go on to face the top seeded division winners in the Division Series round.

This allows more teams and fanbases to stay engaged late into the season by keeping their playoff hopes alive longer. It also creates more potential playoff matchups and drummed up increased fan interest in teams not in direct contention for their division title by giving them another pathway towards a World Series championship.

Some argue it diminishes the importance of winning the division, while others counter that it simply provides more teams the chance to prove themselves under playoff pressure. Either way, the expansion to two wild cards per league has been very popular with MLB fans and a financial boon for the league and teams. It’s established itself as the standard format for deciding the American League and National League postseason qualifiers beyond just the three division winners.

To ensure more teams with strong seasons can take part in the MLB postseason without being at the mercy of divisional opponents, each league now grants two “wild card” slots on top of the three division winners, for a total playoff qualifier count of five teams in both the American and National Leagues each season thanks to this wild card system. It adds further excitement down the stretch and has been lauded as a success since increasing the wild card number to two over a decade ago.

ARE POKEMON CARDS THE SAME SIZE AS BASEBALL CARDS

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While Pokemon cards and baseball cards may seem very similar at first glance since they are both collectible card games, there are actually some key differences in their standard sizes. Let’s take a closer look at the measurements and dimensions of both types of cards to better understand how they compare.

Traditional Pokemon trading cards that have been printed and released worldwide since the late 1990s typically measure 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. This size has remained consistent as the Pokemon TCG has expanded with new sets, types of cards, gameplay formats, and more over the past two decades. The cards have a rectangular shape with rounded corners and feature illustrative artwork taking up most of the front along with card text, attack details, and other information positioned around the edges and bottom.

On the back, all Pokemon cards share the same basic layout and templated design regardless of the specific card. This consistent sizing and basic card design has allowed Pokemon cards to remain compatible and conveniently stored together as the collection of any player or collector has grown over the years. While some special cards may vary slightly from the standard size, such as promotional items or certain full art cards, the vast majority adhere strictly to measuring 2.5 x 3.5 inches.

In contrast, the standard size for modern baseball cards printed by the major manufacturers like Topps, Panini, Leaf, etc. is 2.5 inches tall by 3.25 inches wide. So baseball cards are ever so slightly narrower at only 3.25 inches across rather than the full 3.5 inches that Pokemon cards span. This 0.25 inch difference in width may seem small but is significant enough that baseball cards do not precisely fit into the same storage solutions, sleeves, and organizers made for Pokemon cards of the larger dimension.

The size discrepancy originates from the evolution of baseball card dimensions over decades. Early baseball cards from the late 19th century through the 1920s measured around 2 inches by 3 inches or smaller. As popularity grew in the 1930s-50s, card sizes expanded slightly but still varied between manufacturers and years. It was not until the modern era beginning in the late 1950s that the standard 2.5 x 3.25 inch footprint became the worldwide norm followed by all major baseball card producers to this day.

So in closing, while Pokemon and baseball cards may appear quite similar at first, there is nearly a 0.25 inch difference in their width dimensions that prevents perfect interchangeability. Pokemon cards fit neatly into the 2.5 x 3.5 inch size category universally adhered to within that TCG. Meanwhile, baseball cards come in at the ever-so-slightly narrower measurement of 2.5 x 3.25 inches that has been the consistent standard size since the late 1950s. For organizers, binders, sleeves and any other storage accessories, it’s important to pay attention to these small but meaningful size discrepancies between the two popular collectible card game industries.

DO THEY SELL BASEBALL CARDS AT CVS

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While CVS is primarily known as a pharmacy, they do offer a selection of sports memorabilia and collectibles, including baseball cards. The baseball card selection varies greatly depending on the individual CVS store. Stores located in areas with higher interest in baseball are more likely to devote shelf space to cards compared to locations in regions where baseball is less popular.

Most CVS stores carry at least a few current baseball cards but the selection is typically quite limited compared to hobby shops, card shops, or the sports sections of big box retailers. Customers generally will not find box breaks, blasters, hangers, or retail mega boxes of the latest baseball card releases at CVS. Their stock tends to focus on older and less sought after singles, commons, and value packs from the previous few years rather than the newest and most in-demand products.

That said, dedicated baseball card collectors may occasionally stumble upon a gem among the discounted commons if searching CVS cards. For casual collectors or those just looking to reminisce, CVS can offer a convenient browsing experience. They also provide the option to purchase packs, boxes, or loose cards alongside prescription refills or other daily essentials.

In terms of specific brands carried, customers will most commonly find Topps, Bowman, Leaf, and Donruss baseball cards in CVS stores. Premium brands like Stadium Club, Ginter, Allen & Ginter, Heritage, and Acuna are very rarely if ever seen on their shelves. The cardboard is usually in worn condition from being handled by many customers over time. Slabbed or graded cards are virtually non-existent at CVS.

Among the years represented in their baseball card assortments, the early 2010s tend to be the most readily available with some variation occurring based on local interest. Examples include 2011 Topps, 2012 Topps Update, 2013 Bowman, etc. Occasional 90s and 2000s singles can also turn up. Pre-1990s cardboard is exceptionally uncommon aside from a few dusty commons that lingered unsold for decades.

International customers hoping to purchase cards during visits to American CVS locations may encounter difficulty due to licensing restrictions between countries for some sports products. Not all CVS stores participate in online marketplace sales for collectibles so certain items visible on their website may not be available in specific branch locations.

While CVS isn’t typically a go-to destination for avid baseball card collectors, their shelves provide a low-stakes browsing experience. Casual fans of the sport can occasionally find fun nostalgic cards or affordable packs to enjoy. But serious hobbyists seeking the newest and most coveted sealed products or singles will achieve much better selection and pricing through specialized shops instead of CVS. Their baseball card assortments are best suited for impulse purchases or last-minute gifts rather than focused collecting.

WHERE TO GRADE BASEBALL CARDS

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There are a few major companies that professional grade baseball cards to determine the condition and value. The three main grading services used are Beckett Grading Services (BGS), Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), and Hockey Card Grading (HCG). Each company has different standards and practices when it comes to grading cards, so it’s important to consider which service might be the best fit based on the individual card.

When submitting cards to any of these grading companies, the process generally involves filling out a submission form providing details about each card, packing the cards securely, and paying a fee per card. For high value cards, services may offer express grading options for a higher fee that can speed up the turnaround time. Typically basic submissions will take 4-6 months to be graded and returned due to high volume.

Beckett Grading Services (BGS) was founded in 1991 and helped establish modern sports card grading standards. They grade on a 1-10 numeric scale with additional labels for quality issues like “BGS Crystallized” or “BGS Authentic.” One advantage is BGS slabs provide 360 degree protection of the card within the casing. Cards are examined under high intensity lights and magnifying glasses by teams of graders trained in defect identification.

Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) is widely considered the leading authority in sports card authentication and encapsulation due to their extensive population reports. PSA began in 2000 and rates on a 1-10 scale as well, but also uses half point increments like 7.5. PSA cards are easily identifiable by their black label design. One downside is they do not rotate the card inside the plastic slab, only showing one side.

Hockey Card Grading (HCG) is a smaller company based in Canada that specializes in vintage and modern hockey cards. They rate on a 1-5 scale tailored specifically for the condition and rarity of hockey cards. HCG aims to offer a more budget-friendly option compared to Beckett or PSA and also encapsulates both sides of the card for viewing. They do not have the same brand recognition as the bigger competitors in the United States market.

When deciding which grading service makes the most sense, there are several factors to consider such as intended use, expected value, brand reputation with buyers, and desired presentation. For a valuable vintage card, most collectors agree PSA or BGS tend to provide the best resale value since they are industry frontrunners. But HCG can be satisfactory for budget-minded submissions or Canadian hockey cards. Express options are worthwhile if a card needs to be certified quickly for an important transaction. Ultimately the choice depends on your specific needs and preferences as a collector.

After selecting a grading company, the next step is to properly prepare cards for submission. It’s crucial they are packed securely in rigid holders like toploaders to prevent potential damage or softening during transit. Loose cards or paper envelopes risk bending or other defects that could compromise the rating. The submission form must include details like the year, sport, set name, card number, and any notable flaws to aid the authenticators. Paying fees is typically done online but some accept money orders if preferred.

Once the cards arrive at the chosen grading company, each will go through their individual examination and evaluation procedures. Teams of trained authenticators rotate through batches, analyzing details like centering, corners, edges, surfaces and any printing errors under high-powered magnifying equipment. Numerical ratings take into consideration the set and era to compare to “mint” samples. After grading, the cards are fully encapsulated within tamper-evident plastic cases with the assigned grade clearly displayed on a label.

Customers will then receive a confirmation when the order is completed along with tracking info for the return shipment. It generally takes 4-6 months for basic submissions, but express options can shave weeks off the timeline for priority processing. Upon receipt, collectors can admire their certified cards and enjoy the added value and verification granted by a professional third party authentication. Proper storage of the slabbed items is also important to maintain their condition ratings over time.

The major companies for professionally grading baseball cards are Beckett, PSA and HCG – each with their own nuanced standards and presentation styles. Careful consideration of intended use, factors like brand prestige, turnaround needs, and individual card attributes can help determine the best fit authentication service. With proper preparation and handling at each stage, the authentication process ensures valuable collectibles receive verified quality assessments benefiting buyers and sellers for years to come.