GOT BASEBALL CARDS HOURS

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Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby for over 100 years, transporting collectors of all ages back to simpler times through images and information tucked inside those little rectangles of cardboard. For many, opening packs of cards brings back happy childhood memories and sparks curiosity about the players, teams and eras represented.

While there was a lull in physical card collecting for a number of years as technology evolved, baseball cards have roared back in recent times due to growing nostalgia and new avenues like online auctions. Card shops that had closed their doors have found new life as demand has surged.

Got Baseball Cards, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, is one such shop that has been thriving in recent years through a combination of in-store and online sales. Over 35 years in business with a staff of knowledgeable employees, Got Baseball Cards has become a destination spot for avid collectors locally and around the world seeking to grow their collections, check values, or simply reminisce.

The shop is open 7 days a week for browsing its vast inventory sorted by player, team, year and more. A range of coins, memorabilia and unopened packs of older vintage cards also line the walls. Knowledgeable staff are on hand during business hours to answer questions, provide appraisals and purchase collections.

Got Baseball Cards is open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and on Sundays from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The consistency of the hours makes it easy for collectors to stop by before or after work or on weekends. Employees are punctual about opening and closing to ensure plenty of browsing time for customers each day.

Typically the busiest shopping days are Saturdays when families and groups of friends are more likely to make a special trip together. Weekday afternoons also see good traffic from collectors fitting a stop into their lunch breaks. Sundays tend to be the slowest as some prefer to spend that day doing other activities. With plenty of inventory and seating, there is rarely a need to hurry customers along.

During open hours there are usually 4-5 staff members available to assist customers of all levels of sports collecting experience. The attentive, knowledgeable staff sets Got Baseball Cards apart from many other hobby shops and auction houses. Being able to converse with experts and get valued opinions face-to-face adds to the in-store experience.

Decades of collecting, dealing and studying the sports memorabilia field have given employees deep expertise that is gladly shared. They can speak authoritatively on everything from currency values and grading standards to the history behind iconic players, sets and events that have defined the business. This type of passionate customer service helps foster regular return visits and builds brand loyalty.

While shopping you may hear friendly sports debates flare up as staff discuss their favorite teams and eras. An inviting atmosphere also encourages customers to geek out together over rare finds and trading stories about their collecting journeys. Assistance is never far away whether you need appraisals, want to sell cards, or just need help navigating the crammed shelves.

For those wanting to dive deeper, a membership program is available at Got Baseball Cards. Becoming a member, even at the basic $25 per year level, provides benefits like additional store discounts, exclusive member events, hobby packs mailed to your doorstep each month and access to the members-only buying and trading room on Saturdays. This is a popular option for serious collectors.

Besides physical card shopping, Got Baseball Cards also sells online through popular auction platforms as well as their own website shop. This expanded their reach beyond local fans. Orders are carefully packed and shipped worldwide daily to satisfy customers globally. Online sales help move older inventory and reach new collecting audiences.

The shop’s social media presence on platforms like Facebook and Instagram further boosts the brand. Regular posts showcase latest acquisitions, highlight historic cards and sets, provide industry news updates, reminisce about baseball memories, and more. This engages both local enthusiasts and the broader collecting community online. It has become a top follow for sports card aficionados worldwide.

With the recent spike in baseball card collecting interest, Got Baseball Cards has stayed busy helping new and lapsed collectors join or grow their collections. Staff report eager customers of all ages, from children to grandparents, browsing the aisles again. The beloved hobby appears here to stay for generations thanks to the nostalgia and connections it provides people. Shops like Got Baseball Cards play a big role keeping that passion alive through expertise, service and community.

Whether collecting as a fun pastime or serious business, Got Baseball Cards aims to make every customer feel welcomed with its friendly staff available during posted business hours. Consistency in hours of operation, knowledgeable assistance, and growing online presence have sustained the shop for over 35 years. Their passion for the hobby emanates through both digital and in-person customer interactions.

1990 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS TRADED SERIES

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The 1990 Topps Baseball card set was one of the most iconic and valuable sets of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While the base set contained 752 cards as was typical for Topps releases at the time, the company also issued a special “Traded” subset featuring players who had been traded to new teams during the previous season or in the offseason. This Traded subset contained 34 cards and has become highly sought after by collectors in the decades since.

One of the biggest attractions of the 1990 Topps Traded set was that it captured many star players in the uniforms of their new teams, rather than the ones pictured on their base cards. For example, star slugger Rickey Henderson’s base card still pictured him with the Oakland A’s, but his #T34 traded card showed him sporting the blue pinstripes of the new Yankees after being acquired in a blockbuster 1989 offseason trade. Seeing future Hall of Famers like Henderson, Dave Stewart, and Bip Roberts wearing their post-trade uniforms for the first time was a thrill for collectors at the time and added novelty and significance to these Traded cards.

The 1990 Topps Traded subset also featured several other notable players who were dealt to contending clubs in pivotal trades. Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd’s #T32 card had him wearing a Reds uniform after being acquired from the Red Sox. Jeff Reardon’s #T27 card depicted him as a member of the Athletics after coming over from Minnesota. And Kenny Williams’ #T13 card was one of the more visually striking, showing him as a member of the White Sox after being traded from the Cubs and featuring his new signature with his name in the iconic Old English font made famous by the Pale Hose.

For teams looking to bolster their rosters for playoff runs, 1990 was a very active year for midseason trades. The aggressive dealing helped lead to compelling pennant races that August and September. Jose Canseco ended up being a part of two different trades within months, going from the A’s to the Rangers on the July 31st deadline, only to be flipped to the Red Sox in early August. Fans could trace Canseco’s journey by finding his #T15 Rangers card following his #T7 A’s base card.

Some other notable traded players featured included Rick Reuschel going to the Yankees after 16 years with the Cubs and Giants on his #T28 card, Denny Walling moving to Pittsburgh after 9 seasons in Montreal on his #T30 card, and Rob Dibble being pictured as a Cincinnati Red after beginning his career with the Chicago White Sox on his #T11 card. With so many impactful veteran players switching uniforms, the 1990 Topps Traded subset offered a true snapshot of that season’s midseason roster maneuverings.

In addition to extensive team and player movement, 1990 was made even more memorable due to legendary trading moments. Perhaps most iconic was Dave Stewart and Danny Jackson being sent from Oakland to Toronto in a blockbuster deal on August 31st. Their new Blue Jays cards at #T31 and #T29 represented one of the biggest headline trades in baseball from that season. The market impact was shown by the players’ base cards retaining strong value despite featuring expired uniforms.

Upon release, the 1990 Topps Traded subset was extremely popular with collectors young and old. Finding all 34 traded cards to complete the set was a serious challenge, but the reward of owning these historical one-year cards featuring post-trade uniforms gave the release tremendous nostalgia. Three decades later, the subset remains a standout within the 700+ card 1990 Topps set and is still widely collected by both investors and enthusiasts appreciating its memorable capture of baseball during a pivotal year for team changeups and pennant races. Examples of the cards in top gem mint condition can now sell for thousands of dollars individually online. All in all, the 1990 Topps Traded subset solidified its place among the most iconic and investment-worthy insert sets from the 1980s and 90s due to its historical significance and visual novelty.

The 1990 Topps Traded subset was a special release that collectors of its era greatly anticipated each year to see which stars had switched teams. Documenting so many impactful trades from that memorable season in visually striking cards featuring post-deal uniforms gave the 34 card insert widespread appeal and collectors’ demand. Three decades later, examples in top condition still hold great value, a testament to the release’s iconic stature in chronicling notable changes to baseball rosters during 1990’s compelling playoff pushes. The subset represents both a beloved piece of sports card history and a significant financial opportunity for informed investors.

BASEBALL CARDS WITH MULTIPLE PLAYERS

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Baseball card collectors enjoy assembling complete sets that showcase individual players throughout their careers. Some of the most unique and interesting vintage baseball cards feature multiple players on a single card. These multi-player cards were produced in the early decades of the sport as the baseball card industry was still developing standardized designs.

Some of the earliest examples from the late 1800s and very early 1900s featured teams rather than individual players. These early team cards often included headshots of numerous players arranged in rows across the card front. Examples include 1898-1900 Mayo’s Cut Plug Tobacco cards showing teams from the National League and American League. These cards provided a snapshot of an entire roster but did not include any statistics or biographical information about the individual players depicted.

As the baseball card hobby grew in popularity in the early 20th century, card manufacturers began experimenting with new multi-player card designs. In 1909, American Tobacco Company issued a set including cards with two players displayed side by side. Each card highlighted a matchup between opposing players at the same position. For example, one card showed future Hall of Famers Honus Wagner at shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates alongside Hughie Jennings at shortstop for the Detroit Tigers.

Another innovative multi-player card format was introduced in 1911 with the release of the infamous T206 White Border set by American Tobacco. Several cards in this legendary set depicted four players arranged in a two-by-two grid. Each player was identified by their team and position. Stats and other details were not included due to space constraints on the smaller card format. Examples include a card pairing future Hall of Famers Eddie Collins and Nap Lajoie as the top second basemen in their respective leagues that year.

In the mid-1910s, several manufacturers issued sets with cards showing three players arranged horizontally. Examples include the 1913-14 Sweet Caporal set and 1914-15 Cracker Jack issues. These trios often highlighted the top players at a single position or in a particular league. One such card featured the standout American League catchers in 1914 – Ray Schalk, Wally Schang, and Hank Gowdy. While creative card layouts showcasing multiple stars, statistics were still generally omitted due to limited space.

As baseball cards evolved in size and design standards through the 1920s-30s, multi-player cards became less common. Most issues during this golden era of vintage cardboard reverted to focusing on a single player per standard size card. A few manufacturers continued experimenting with innovative multi-player designs.

In 1929, DeLong issued a set including cards with headshots of three players arranged in a horizontal row. Each card provided a brief statistical recap for each featured player from the previous season. In 1934, Goudey Gum Company produced a set including cards pairing two future Hall of Famers at their respective positions, such as Lou Gehrig and Jimmie Foxx shown side by side as premier first basemen of the time.

One of the most visually striking multi-player card designs was featured in a 1936 set issued by National Chicle. Called “action photos,” these cards depicted four players engaging in a baseball scene rather than posed portraits. For example, one card showed Lou Gehrig fielding a ground ball while Rogers Hornsby, Mel Ott, and Joe Cronin looked on in the background. While innovative, high production costs limited the size and distribution of these creative multi-player card issues through the 1930s.

In the post-war 1950s, Topps was the dominant baseball card manufacturer. The company issued a few experimental multi-player cards during this decade as the modern era of the hobby took shape. In 1952, Topps released a set including cards pairing two players under the header “Battery Mates.” These highlighted pitcher-catcher combinations such as Early Wynn and Jim Hegan for the Cleveland Indians. A few years later in 1955, Topps produced a short run of cards depicting four players in a 2×2 grid focused on a single team, such as the New York Yankees.

While individual player cards became the standard, Topps would issue occasional multi-player insert cards through the 1960s and beyond. Examples include 1966 cards pairing pitching staff aces, 1969 cards highlighting rival third basemen, and 1972 cards featuring battery mates. These added variety amid the basic player cards that make up the bulk of any given Topps flagship set from that era onward.

Baseball cards featuring multiple players on a single card were most common in the early decades of the 20th century as the industry was still establishing production norms. Creative multi-player designs provided novel ways to showcase stars and rosters before individual statistics became the focus. While largely phased out by the 1930s Golden Age, occasional multi-player cards have been issued since as novelty inserts adding diversity among the basic single-player format that dominates modern sets. Collectors enjoy the unique variations these earlier multi-player cards provide within the vintage cardboard category.

1990 DONRUSS DIAMOND KINGS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1990 Donruss Diamond Kings was a premium baseball card set released at the height of the baseball card boom of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Featuring glossy photo cards of major league stars enclosed in a plastic case meant to resemble a diamond, the Diamond Kings set captured the lavish excess of the time period. With highly sought after rookie cards of future stars like Barry Larkin and Frank Thomas, the 1990 Diamond Kings set remains a highly valuable release to this day for collectors.

Donruss first launched their Diamond Kings set in 1988 to much fanfare, capitalizing on the popularity of high-end sets meant to mimic the extravagance professional sports culture was taking on. By 1990, the baseball card market had expanded exponentially, with an estimated 450 companies issuing new sets that year alone. Eager to keep pace in this booming market, Donruss upped the ante for their 1990 Diamond Kings release.

The set consisted of 162 total cards, one per major league player at the time. Notable rookies included in the set were Barry Larkin of the Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics slugger Frank Thomas, Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mussina, and Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Barry Bonds in one of his final seasons before blooming into one of the game’s all-time greats. Each card showed a full color photo of the player encapsulated on both sides in a plastic square meant to replicate a cut diamond. Along with the player’s name, team, and stats on the front, each card back contained career highlights and accomplishments written in a stylized font meant to evoke luxury.

The high production values of the 1990 Diamond Kings set matched the grandeur Donruss was pushing in their marketing and promotion. Precious metal powder was mixed into the ink used for player names and logos on each card front, giving them a shimmering metallic sheen when held to the light. Thicker, glossier stock was used compared to typical baseball cards of the time as well, adding to the perception of opulence. The square plastic holders housed each card as if presenting a precious gem, complete with rounded edges meant to mimic a cut diamond. Overall design and format was cleaner and less cluttered than typical sets as well, allowing the vivid photos to truly stand out encased as they were.

When first released in 1990, a full set of 162 Diamond Kings cards retailed for around $250, an extreme premium over a typical $1 per pack baseball card product of the time. Such a lofty price tag positioned the set squarely as a high-end luxury collectible, evoking the same extravagance as premium items in other industries. Limited distribution through hobby shops and memorabilia stores added to the exclusive nature as well. While out of reach for most casual collectors, the attractiveness of encapsulated glossy photos showcasing the game’s biggest stars drove many serious collectors to pursue completing a full Diamond Kings set.

The on-card autographs of superstar players also added immense value to certain 1990 Diamond Kings cards. Autographs were obtained through on-card signings held by Donruss specifically for this release. Among the most coveted signed cards were Barry Larkin’s rookie, Ken Griffey Jr. in one of his early Mariners seasons before widespread fame and success, and Nolan Ryan nearing the end of his Hall of Fame career but still striking fear into the hearts of batters. Obtaining even a single autographed card from the 1990 Diamond Kings set today can easily fetch prices in the triple digits.

In the three decades since its initial release, the 1990 Donruss Diamond Kings set has only increased in esteem and value among dedicated baseball card collectors. Prices for even common players have risen steadily as the bubble-era production amount has thinned in the aftermath. It’s the rookie cards and stars of the set that remain truly iconic – Barry Larkin, Frank Thomas, and Ken Griffey Jr. represent just a few of the all-time great talents first encapsulated as relatively unknown young players in the opulent packaging of Diamond Kings. Condition-graded gem mint examples of their rookie cards today can sell for several thousand dollars or more.

While the overproduction and cash-grab tendencies of the early 1990s nearly destroyed the baseball card industry, certain premium sets like Donruss’s 1990 Diamond Kings have shown their resilience through the test of time. Their aesthetic successes in marrying flashy photography with the same lavish qualities seen in high-end consumer goods ensured this set would be prized and preserved and not discarded as others were. For those who experienced the baseball card boom firsthand as well as younger collectors just discovering the history, the 1990 Donruss Diamond Kings remains the shining symbol of the over-the-top excesses, fortunes made and lost, and future stars first unveiled during that frenzied period.

VALUABLE BASEBALL CARDS TOPPS 1974

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The 1974 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues in the history of the hobby. While it may not be the most valuable set overall, there are definitely some standout rookie and star player cards that can fetch impressive prices when in pristine condition. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the most valuable 1974 Topps baseball cards collectors seek.

One of the true “holy grails” of the ’74 set is the Nolan Ryan rookie card. While not technically his first Topps card (that was in the 1968 set), this was Ryan’s first card as a member of the California Angels. Thanks to Ryan achieving superstar and Hall of Fame status over his legendary 27-year career, his ’74 rookie remains among the most in-demand in the entire hobby. In a Near Mint-Mint (NM-MT) grade from Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA), a Ryan ’74 can sell for well over $10,000. An example grading PSA Gem Mint 10 just sold at auction in January 2022 for $31,200, showing the card still holds tremendous value among investors and seasoned collectors.

Another highly coveted rookie from this set is Detroit Tigers great Lou Whitaker. While “Sweet Lou” was never a huge offensive star like Ryan, he was a consistent all-around player and solidified himself as arguably the greatest second baseman in Tigers history. His slick defense and ability to hit for average made him a fan favorite in Detroit. Like most true rookie cards of Hall of Famers, Whitaker’s ’74 is quite scarce in high grades. CMC (Certified Mint Coin) currently has a PSA 8 listed at $2,499 while Beckett Collectibles priced an SGC (Standard Grading Company) 8 at $1,500 in their latest guide.

Staying in the world of rookie cards, Chicago Cubs flamethrower Bruce Sutter’s debut is also desired. Sutter went on to author a brilliant 12-year career as arguably the best relief pitcher of his era, making six All-Star teams and winning the 1979 Cy Young Award. He led the league in saves three different seasons and helped pitch the St. Louis Cardinals to a 1982 World Series title. His refined delivery and devastating split-finger fastball made him a pioneer as one of the first full-time closers in baseball. A PSA 8 copy of Sutter’s ’74 Topps card recently sold for $1,030.

Superstar outfielder Reggie Jackson had a monster 1973 season with the Athletics, smashing 32 home runs and driving in 117 RBIs. It’s no surprise his ’74 Topps card featuring his OAKLAND A’suniform is a desired piece, even though it isn’t technically a rookie. Copies in NM-MT condition with strong eye appeal can easily attract four-figure bids. A PSA 8 copy recently changed hands for $1,275. Looking slightly further down the grading scale, Beckett has an SGC fair grade listed around the $350 mark still.

After winning the 1973 NL Rookie of the Year award with the New York Mets, first baseman John Milner had high hopes for his sophomore season. While he didn’t quite live up to expectations statistically, his ’74 Topps card remains a key piece for Mets fans and collectors. In PSA 8 condition, exemplars have sold in the $600 range in recent times. For those hunting affordable graded vintage, a SGC fair example can often be found in the $150 range or so.

Two surefire Hall of Famers with impressive 1974 Topps cards are Hank Aaron and Johnny Bench. Despite nearing the end of their careers respectively, any card featuring either in their signature teams’ uniforms (Brewers and Reds) holds intrinsic value. higher grades of these stars can rival or surpass the rookie cards mentioned above. A Bench in PSA 8 appeared on eBay bidding at $695, whereas distributor Sportlots has a PSA 6.5 Hank Aaron currently listed for $749.99. Both are considered table-setting veterans from this popular mid-1970s issue.

While not the most valuable overall, the 1974 Topps set remains a true icon of the vintage era. Rookies of Ryan, Sutter, Whitaker and more continue to enthral collectors decades later. And staple stars like Aaron, Bench and Reggie Jackson provide reliable Cornerstone Cards that hold great historic significance. For the combination of star power, design aesthetics, and abundant high-grade POP reports, 1974 Topps is a must-have cornerstone of any vintage baseball collection.

While prices have surely risen in recent years alongside growing hobby interest, diligent collectors can still find affordable collecting opportunities across the varying value strata of the 1974 Topps set. Examples like the Milner, later career vets, and commonstars offer vintage cardboard at reasonable price points. And for those deeper pocketed, reaching grail level with a top-graded Ryan or other elite rookie remains a pursuit few can resist in building a true blue chip collection.

BASEBALL CARDS MARKETPLACE

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The marketplace for baseball cards has evolved significantly since the beginning of the hobby in the late 19th century. What started as a promotional tool for tobacco companies to include in cigarette packs has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry. While the heyday of baseball cards may have been in the 1980s and 1990s, the market remains active with collectors and investors trading some of the most valuable cards in sports memorabilia.

Whether it’s chasing rare vintage cards from the T206 set in the early 1900s or hunting for prized rookies from the modern era, the allure of baseball cards continues to capture fans of America’s pastime. Whether kept in shoeboxes, stored in binders, or preserved in protective sleeves, card collections hold immense sentimental and financial value for many. The highs and lows of the collectibles market often mirror the ups and downs of the economy as a whole.

In the late 1980s through the mid-1990s, the sports memorabilia industry boomed as mass production turned baseball cards into a mainstream hobby. Companies like Fleer, Donruss, and Upper Deck released sets that could be found in drug stores, supermarkets, and hobby shops. Young collectors chased after the latest rookies and stars, amassing complete sets and binder pages full of duplicates. An oversaturation of product led to a crash in the late ’90s that tanked values.

It was during this boom period that some of the most iconic and valuable modern rookie cards were produced. Ken Griffey Jr.’s 1989 Upper Deck rookie is one of the most coveted cards ever printed, with high-grade copies selling for well over $100,000. Other legendary rookies like Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa also came from the late 1980s/early 1990s. As these players went on to have Hall of Fame careers, their fresh-faced rookie cards grew steeply in demand.

In the mid-2010s, sports card values rebounded strongly amid renewed mainstream interest. Popular sports memorabilia auctions like the Lelands Spring Classic saw huge prices paid for rare cards like the T206 Honus Wagner, iconic rookie cards, and game-used memorabilia. Third-party grading also took off, with companies like PSA and BGS authenticating and encasing collectibles to assure buyers of a card’s condition and legitimacy. This added valuable authentication that increased collectibles’ worth.

The vintage cardboard market became especially hot, with seven-figure sales for legendary early 20th century tobacco era cards. In 2016, a 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner baseball card sold for $3.12 million through SCP Auctions, setting a new record. Other iconic vintage cards like the 1953 Topps Mickey Mantle, 1933 Goudey Jimmie Foxx, and 1909-11 T206 Ty Cobb routinely sell for six figures when high graded. As more vintage sets near the centennial mark, their rarity grows exponentially.

While the high-end vintage market is reserved for only the most well-heeled collectors, the modern sector remains active across all price ranges. Box breaks, where a case of unopened current product is cracked for online viewers, exploded in popularity in the 2010s. Sites like YouTube allowed the virtual participation of many fans unable to afford full hobby boxes themselves. Chase cards of current stars like Mike Trout, Christian Yelich, and Ronald Acuña Jr. remain highly sought.

The investment potential of modern cards is also a major factor in the current market. With graded rookie cards of young stars like Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr., and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. already selling for thousands – even as those players’ careers are still in early stages – speculation is running high. Investors hope a few decades down the line, if those rookies achieve Hall of Fame careers, their fresh rookie cards could appreciate exponentially like icons from the late 20th century.

Of course, investing in any collectibles carries risks. The sports card market is not immune to the whims of popularity or a broader economic downturn. Overproduction of modern sets during boom periods can also devalue cards for years. Still, as a multi-generational hobby, the passion for baseball cards ensures they will remain a popular area of collecting, speculation and nostalgia for those who love the game. Whether a childhood collection or high-end vintage treasures, these cardboard slices of diamond history hold enduring value.

While the baseball cards market has experienced ups and downs over the decades, it remains a vibrant industry where collectors and investors can buy, sell and trade everything from affordable modern parallels to exceedingly rare vintage cards worth hundreds of thousands. As long as the national pastime of baseball survives, the memorabilia and collectibles inspired by America’s favorite players will continue to be a driving force in the sports marketplace.

BASEBALL CARDS TTM

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Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby for collectors for generations. While assembling full sets and chasing rare cards can provide enjoyment, some collectors take their passion a step further through the thrilling world of through-the-mail (TTM) autograph requests. Sending cards to current and former Major League Baseball players for autographs adds an exciting dimension to any collection.

The TTM process involves carefully packaging cards, writing personalized letters, and mailing them to players in hopes of getting a signed card returned. Success rates vary widely depending on the player, but landing even a single autograph from a favorite makes the effort worthwhile. With some research and patience, TTM can satisfy any autograph hunter’s craving to get signatures from their favorite players, regardless of whether opportunities exist to meet them in person.

When starting a TTM quest, the first step is selecting which players to target. Current players may be less likely to sign due to busy schedules, so retired athletes often provide better response rates. All-time greats that spent their entire careers with one team, like Ted Williams, tend to sign more frequently. Minor leaguers or non-stars can also prove responsive. Researching online TTM databases reveals which players are considered “signers” willing to fulfill requests.

Proper preparation is key to TTM success. Only include a few cards per envelope to avoid overwhelming the player. Never send valuable cards, as there are no guarantees of getting them back signed. Instead, use common base cards or specially printed autograph cards. Be sure to include a stamped, addressed return envelope along with cards. Handwritten letters expressing fandom and appreciation boost response rates over form letters.

Mailing etiquette must also be followed. Only send to a player’s publicly listed address, never to their home. Provide accurate return postage rather than postage due envelopes. Avoid holiday seasons when players are less likely to sign. Timing mailings for the baseball offseason in November through February gives retired athletes more downtime to fulfill requests. Proper packaging is also important to protect the enclosed items.

Patience is a virtue for TTM collectors. Most requests take 4-6 weeks to receive a response, but some can take months or even be ignored. If no reply arrives after 2-3 months, it’s acceptable to send a polite follow-up letter to check on the status. While there are no guarantees, diligent TTM collectors are often rewarded with autographed treasures from their favorite players. Having the patience to go through the process is what separates the enthusiasts from the casual fans.

For those willing to put in the effort, TTM can yield amazing rewards. Landing signatures from Hall of Famers is the pinnacle for many collectors. Getting an autograph from a childhood hero who went on to have a cup of coffee in the majors can feel just as special. Whether targeting superstars or more obscure names, the thrill of opening an envelope and finding a signed baseball card inside makes all the work worthwhile for true autograph hounds.

TTM collecting also fosters appreciation for the humanity of athletes. While they may be larger-than-life figures on the field, through personalized letters fans can develop a sense that they are also real people who remember what it was like to be a fan. Many players clearly take pride in fulfilling TTM requests as a way of giving back to the fans who supported their careers. Their willingness to sign keeps the memories of their accomplishments alive for future generations to enjoy.

For advanced TTM collectors, additional strategies can increase already solid response rates from favored players. Sending items of significance, like a team-issued book or media guide, may pique more interest than a lone card. Including a small gift, usually something from the player’s former team’s city, is another tactic that can get noticed. Careful tracking of mailings and responses through detailed logs allows collectors to fine-tune their approach over time.

As with any hobby, TTM collecting has its ups and downs. Dealing with the inevitable disappointments of ignored requests requires resilience. For those who persevere, the rewards far outweigh any frustrations. Building relationships with players who become consistent signers creates a unique bond between fan and athlete. Top TTM collectors may amass autographed collections that become the envy of their local card shop. Most of all, it remains a fun way to personally connect to baseball history through the signatures of the game’s all-time greats.

For dedicated autograph collectors, TTM provides a direct line to their favorite players, past and present. With some effort, research, and patience, the signed treasures that result make all the work worthwhile. Even for casual fans, giving TTM a try can yield special memories to last a lifetime. For any true baseball enthusiast, the thrill of the TTM chase is unlike anything else in the hobby.

DECLAN HAS IN BASEBALL CARDS

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Declan’s Baseball Card Collection

Declan has had a passion for baseball cards since he was just 5 years old. One day, his grandfather took him to a baseball game and also gave him his first pack of cards. Declan was instantly hooked on trying to collect as many different cards as possible. Over the past 10 years, Declan has amassed an impressive collection that now numbers in the thousands.

When Declan first started collecting, he didn’t really have a strategy or focus for his cards. He would buy packs whenever he could afford them and add the new cards to his collection. In those early years, Declan’s collection grew quickly but it lacked organization or particular areas of focus. The cards were stored loosely in boxes in his closet. After a few years of this more casual approach, Declan started to learn more about the hobby and decided he wanted to take his collection more seriously.

Around the age of 10, Declan began researching different players, teams, and years online to learn more about the history of baseball cards. He started focusing his collection on specific sets from different eras. One of the first set Declan targeted was the iconic 1952 Topps set. This was one of the first modern baseball card sets released in the post-World War 2 era. Declan loved the classic design of these cards and began searching garage sales, card shows, and online marketplaces to track down the complete set. It took him over a year but he was eventually able to find all the cards in various conditions to finish his 1952 Topps collection.

From there, Declan began honing in on other vintage sets from the 1950s and 60s that captured his interest. Sets like 1957 Topps, 1964 Topps, and 1968 Topps held particular appeal. Declan enjoyed learning about the players and designs that defined these early formative years for the modern baseball card industry. To preserve the condition of these valuable vintage cards, Declan started carefully storing them in magnetic plastic sheets within custom binders. This protected the fragile old cards which continued gaining in value as the years went by.

In addition to vintage set collecting, Declan also took an interest in rookie cards showing when particular star players first appeared in the hobby. He started seeking out rookie cards for legends like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Tom Seaver, and Nolan Ryan. Declan was particularly proud to add a 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie to his collection, a true grail card for any vintage collector. As players’ careers progressed, Declan also enjoyed following them year by year with their subsequent Topps and other brand cards. This allowed him to chronicle whole careers like Reggie Jackson’s through his collection.

By his mid-teens, Declan had amassed a huge collection focused on the early decades of the baseball card industry. But he also didn’t ignore more modern cards. In particular, Declan followed the players and teams he enjoyed watching on television. He started completing sets from the 1990s like 1993 Upper Deck, 1994 Stadium Club, and 1995 Finest. These provided a look at stars from Declan’s childhood like Ken Griffey Jr, Frank Thomas, and Greg Maddux. Declan also made sure to grab rookie cards for today’s young stars as they entered the league like Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts, and Juan Soto.

Organization became a big focus for Declan as his collection grew into the thousands. He developed elaborate binders and boxes to neatly store his cards sorted by player, team, set, and year. Declan also invested in several large filing cabinets to hold all his collections. With his detailed organization system, Declan can now quickly find any card to look at the history of a certain player or set. He keeps detailed inventory lists on his computer to track exactly what is in his collection. Declan’s attention to organization has made his huge collection accessible and allowed his passion for the hobby to continue growing well into his high school years.

Aside from actively collecting cards, Declan also enjoys learning more about the business side of the hobby. He reads sports card industry news and price guides to understand the factors that influence the rising and falling values of different players and sets over time. Declan finds it fascinating to see how certain rookies skyrocket in value if a player breaks out while veterans tend to hold steady values. Scarcity also plays a big role, which is what makes his complete vintage sets particularly valuable. Declan hopes to one day open his own sports card shop after college to share his love of the hobby.

At this point in his collecting journey, Declan’s baseball card collection numbers over 5,000 individual cards in carefully curated sets and players. The sheer size, organization, and focus areas of Declan’s collection consistently draws admiration from other collectors. But above all, Declan simply enjoys baseball and the nostalgia of reliving history through his cardboard treasures. His collection is a true testament to a lifelong passion that started with that first pack from his grandfather so many years ago. Declan’s baseball card collection will continue growing for years to come as he passes on the hobby to the next generation.

DON’s BASEBALL CARDS PORTLAND MAINE

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Don’s Baseball Cards: A Portland Institution for Over 50 Years

Tucked away on Forest Avenue in Portland, Maine lies a humble storefront that has become a mecca for baseball card collectors across New England – Don’s Baseball Cards. For over 50 years, Don’s has been providing the local community with everything related to the hobby of collecting baseball cards. What started as a small collection that owner Don Henderson grew as a boy in the 1950s and 1960s has blossomed into one of the largest and most extensive collections of cards, memorabilia, and supplies in the Northeast.

In 1968, after finishing his military service, Don decided to pursue his lifelong passion of baseball cards as a business. He opened the first Don’s Baseball Cards store right in Portland. Those early years saw Don building relationships within the collector community and growing his inventory through purchases from local collectors looking to sell parts of their collections. Word of Don’s selection and fair prices slowly spread. By the 1970s, Don’s was a staple hangout for countless kids and adults in Portland who enjoyed trading and discussing the latest cards.

A key part of Don’s success over the decades has been his commitment to vast selection and grading accuracy. While internet retailers today can offer new cards and larger collections with a few clicks, Don prides himself on having something for every collector no matter their interests or budget. In the store you’ll find vintage cards from the turn of the 20th century all the way to the latest 2021 releases. Don’s selection of commons from the 1980s and 1990s that many collectors today are seeking to complete sets is unrivaled in New England.

But it’s not just new products that draw customers, it’s Don’s thorough knowledge of grades and conditions. Back in the pre-grading company days, Don and his son David developed an expertise evaluating the centering, corners and edges of each vintage card to determine its relative condition. This attention to detail and accuracy has always separated Don’s from shops just pushing volumes of cards. Whether it’s a 1909-11 T206 tobacco card being considered for a seven-figure price tag or a 1985 Topps Mark McGwire rookie in need of grading, collectors trust Don’s evaluations above all others in the region.

Beyond the store, Don’s became a meeting spot for the Portland card community. Throughout the 70s and 80s, many lifelong friendships were forged over boxes of cards spread out on the counter as collectors swapped, discussed the Red Sox/Yankees, and planned for upcoming shows. While the internet has allowed greater connectivity worldwide, the sense of local community was a special part of the early Don’s experience. David Henderson now runs the store alongside his father full time, continuing that small town atmosphere valued patrons.

The growth of the business coincided with explosive rises in the hobby through the late 80s and 90s. Ken Griffey Jr.’s Upper Deck rookie in 1989 was a watershed moment that brought in new generations of collectors. Television coverage of sports also ballooned, feeding more interest. Don’s expanded its retail space multiple times to keep up with rising demand that showed no signs of slowing. Popular sets like Finest, Topps Chrome, and Bowman Draft Picks kept collectors coming back to rip packs and add to their PC’s (personal collections).

While the internet changed how many choose to collect in recent decades, diminishing local card shop viability, Don’s proven track record of selection and expertise has kept collectors making the trip. Now spanning two storefronts and over 10,000 square feet, finding what you need at Don’s is effortless. Nearly any card imaginable from over a century of the hobby reside within. The walls are lined with valuable vintage cabinets holding treasures carefully organized by year and set. Behind the counter in protective cases sit some of the world’s most coveted specimens waiting to be brought out for examining.

Into the 2020s, Don’s serves as much as an historical archive of baseball cards as it does a bustling business. For over half a century, collectors from all over New England have made creating memories at Don’s part of their baseball card experience. Whether buying packs as a kid, searching long boxes for finds as a collector, getting cards graded or just shooting the breeze about the latest Red Sox acquisition, Don’s special blend of personable expertise, curation and community fosters a unique and welcoming atmosphere. And as long as there are fans of the game cherishing cards and following their favorite players’ careers immortalized in plastic, Don’s looks assured of thriving for generations more as the regional hobby institution collectors look to first. With Don and David’s stewardship, this Portland gem reminds us all why local businesses anchored in passion and service are so valuable.

91 POST BASEBALL CARDS

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In the late 19th century and early 20th century, before modern baseball cards began being mass produced, POST Cereal Company produced and distributed small baseball cards as part of their breakfast cereal packaging. Known today as “POST cards”, these early promotional baseball cards helped popularize the players and teams of the day at a time when baseball was still establishing itself as America’s national pastime. While many vintage baseball card sets and issues from the turn of the 20th century are very collectible and valuable today, POST cards from 1891 hold a special significance as arguably the first true baseball cards to be inserted in cereal boxes and traded by children.

Origins and Production
In 1891, the POSTUm Cereal Food Company was founded in Battle Creek, Michigan by C.W. Post. That same year, Post began including small lithographed cards in POSTUm Cereal packaging that featured individual baseball players from the National League and American Association. Each card measured approximately 2 1/4″ x 1 3/8″ and typically featured a headshot portrait of the player along with their name, team, and position. It’s believed Post produced and distributed around 50,000 sets of these cards in 1891, making them the first mainstream baseball cards inserted as promotional premiums in cereal boxes and traded by children.

Design and Content
In terms of design, the 1891 POST cards utilized a simple and uniform layout. All cards had a bright blue border with the words “POST CEREAL CO.” and “BASE BALL” at the top. They then featured an individual headshot photo of the player occupying most of the space. Below the photo was a line identifying the player’s team, followed by their name and position in larger font. The backs of the cards were left blank. In total, POST cards that year featured 18 players from the NL and 11 from the AA for a set total of 29 different baseball stars. Notable players includedCy Young, Charles Comiskey, King Kelly, and future Hall of Famers Cap Anson and Kid Nichols.

Later Productions and Discontinuation
In subsequent years from 1891 through 1909, POST continued producing and distributing baseball cards of current players to promote the cereal and baseball. Some key production highlights:

In 1892, the set was expanded to 50 cards featuring NL, AA and Players’ League players.
In 1894-1895, two sets comprised of 37 cards each spotlighted the NL and AL after the AA folded.
From 1897-1909, annual sets ranged from about 24-66 cards and focused solely on NL players.
Starting in 1903, the cards switched to a smaller, postcard size of about 2 1/2″ x 4″.
The final POST baseball card set was issued in 1909 before production ceased.

While the exact reasons for discontinuation are unclear, it’s believed that POST cereal may have become less profitable or lost market share compared to competitors by the early 1910s. Growing standardization in the baseball card industry and rise of major manufacturers like American Caramel likely made baseball cards produced in-house less attractive from a business standpoint.

Collectibility and Value Today
As the first mainstream baseball cards inserted in cereal boxes for children 90 years earlier, 1891 POST cards are enormously significant pieces of baseball and card collecting history. Their status as the original issue and small surviving population make complete sets incredibly rare and valuable. In the past few decades, individual 1891 POST cards have sold for over $100,000 when higher graded examples come to auction. PSA-graded examples in top-graded Gem Mint 10 condition have achieved prices up to $275,000 each. Even more common mid-grade 1891 POST cards still regularly fetch thousands due to their scarcity and status as the first baseball trading cards.

While subsequent yearly POST card sets from the 1890s-early 1900s are also quite rare, they generally don’t command comparable prices to the seminal 1891 issue. Finding any high-grade 19th century POST card in a collection still makes for an important and valuable piece of early baseball memorabilia. Their simple yet iconic designs also help showcase the roots of what would become a billion dollar modern sports card industry. For serious vintage baseball card and trade card collectors, acquiring any example from this groundbreaking early POST production run remains a highly sought after achievement.

The small promotional baseball cards produced and distributed by the POST Cereal Company in the 1890s-early 1900s were tremendously innovative and impactful for both the cereal and sports card industries. By inserting baseball trading cards right into cereal boxes, POST helped popularize the players and establish baseball card collecting among children. The seminal 1891 issue stands out as the first true baseball cards inserted as premiums, making complete sets among the most significant and valuable in the entire collecting hobby. While no longer in production, POST cards continue having immense historical significance and recognition from collectors as the original baseball trading cards that helped shape the modern sports card industry.