HOW TO UNSTICK BASEBALL CARDS

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The first important thing to understand is that once baseball cards have stuck together, you will likely never separate them perfectly without causing some damage. Therefore, the goal should be minimizing further damage rather than futilely trying to pry them apart perfectly. Sticking occurs due to the paper breaking down over time from environmental factors like humidity, heat, light exposure, etc. and becoming sticky. This often happens along the edges and corners first before spreading.

To start, examine the stack of stuck cards carefully without moving them yet. Look for any cards that are not as stuck and may be separable without assistance. Gently try sliding a few of these out to the side as practice test cards. You want to do this part very slowly and carefully to avoid forcing and tearing the paper fibers. Set these aside for later inspection.

For the bulk of the stuck stack, you need to rehydrate the paper fibers to make them supple enough to separate gently rather than tear. Place the stack card-side down directly into a shallow baking pan or other non-metallic container. Slowly add just enough distilled or boiled (cooled) water to come about halfway up the side of the stack without soaking the tops of the cards. You can also use a humidifying tray or container. Let this sit undisturbed for 12-24 hours to allow thorough wetting.

After the soak time, check the water level and top it off if needed, then let sit for another 6-12 hours. The goal is to hydrate fully without risk of warping from over-soaking. Gradually wicking water in allows it to penetrate deeply and evenly. At this stage, don’t even attempt separation yet – more soak time is needed.

You want the paper to be pliable but not soggy when you start to separate them. Give the stack a total soak time of 48-72 hours, checking and topping off the water every 12 hours or so, before proceeding. Quick or uneven soaking can cause tearing or creasing. With patience you minimize risk of further damage.

When the soak is complete, gently slide the saturated stack out of the water container card-side up onto a dry, non-abrasive surface like a clean towel or blanket. Starting from the top, use your fingernails positioned along the edge to try sliding a card away from the stack in a single slow, constant motion without jerking or stopping.

Go very gradually and don’t force it if resistance is met, to avoid tearing. Have dry paper towels handy. As cards separate, wipe and blot them dry one by one before laying them flat aside to dry fully. The goal is to dry them before re-sticking occurs as the paper fibers re-solidify. Slight nicks or creases may form despite care – this is better than shredding whole sections by forcing separation. Repeat for each card, soaking, sliding and drying one at a time from top to bottom.

As cards are removed, keep rotating the process so lower layers have time exposed at the top to soak further before attempting separation. Some tiny paper particles may come off in the water or on card surfaces – these can be carefully wiped away after full drying is complete to avoid detracting from card condition down the line.

Monitor for mold growth during long soak times – add a teaspoon of white vinegar to the water as a preservative if needed. Once fully dry with no residual wet stickiness, use protective sleeves for storage to prevent recurrence of sticking issues in the future. Handle carefully from here on out to preserve condition. With patience, the process allows stuck cards to be successfully separated while minimizing further damage to the fragile paper. Collection care requires diligence.

WHERE CAN YOU FIND BASEBALL CARDS

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Baseball card shops: Dedicated baseball card shops are naturally one of the best places to find baseball cards. You’ll find the widest variety of cards for sale at shops that specialize exclusively in trading cards of all types, including all sports and non-sports cards. They will have the latest pack releases as well as boxes of older vintage cards for sale. Most well-stocked card shops will have cabinets organized by sport, league, team, player, and/or year to make browsing their inventory easy. Some card shops even allow you to trade-in, sell, or consign your cards.

Sport card shows/conventions: Regional and national sports card shows are events where hundreds of collectors and vendors gather to buy, sell, and trade their collections. The vast diversity of cards available at these shows is immense since vendors travel from all over to bring their wares. You’ll be able to find rare game-used cards, autographed memorabilia cards, and complete vintage or modern sets all under one roof at prices that can be better than retail shops. Notable annual conventions include the National Sports Collectors Convention and Arizona Sport Card & Memorabilia Show.

Online marketplaces: With the rise of internet commerce over the past 25+ years, buying and selling cards online has become a huge business. Popular hobby marketplace websites like eBay, COMC, Beckett Marketplace, and Amazon provide an around-the-clock virtual card show experience. Individual collectors as well as full-time dealers list thousands of new baseball cards daily across all price points. You can find virtually any card you’re looking for on sites that act as a central hub to bring buyers and sellers together from across the globe.

Retail stores: Big box stores such as Target and Walmart usually have a trading card aisle stocked with the current-year set releases from Topps, Panini, etc. Chains like Hobby Lobby and Michaels sometimes carry loose packs and supplies as well. Sporting goods stores like Dick’s also devote shelf space to the major licensed card brands. Cards at these general retailers provide an accessible starting point for new collectors but selections are limited compared to specialized shops.

card shows): Regional and national sports card shows are events where hundreds of collectors and vendors gather to buy, sell, and trade their collections. The vast diversity of cards available at these shows is immense since vendors travel from all over to bring their wares. You’ll be able to find rare game-used cards, autographed memorabilia cards, and complete vintage or modern sets all under one roof at prices that can be better than retail shops. Notable annual conventions include the National Sports Collectors Convention and Arizona Sport Card & Memorabilia Show.

Online auctions: EBay is far and away the largest online auction marketplace for sports cards but others exist too such as Heritage Auctions. Sellers list individual premium cards, autographed memorabilia, and collections on a 3-7 day timed bidding period. While auction prices can be volatile, it allows collectors a chance to potentially acquire unique items they otherwise may never encounter from all over the globe. Many world record baseball card prices have been set at auction.

Card shows and flea markets: Periodically throughout the year on weekends, smaller local card/memorabilia shows and flea markets take place where you’ll find a mix of casual collectors selling duplicates from their personal collections along with some small-scale dealers. Often located in hotel meeting rooms or fairground exhibit halls, it’s a low-pressure atmosphere to browse an eclectic selection at fair prices with very little overhead compared to a retail environment.

Secondary venues: Less directly associated merchants like antique stores, coin shops, garage sales/estate sales sometimes surface overlooked sports card treasures amongst their miscellaneous inventory. Independent used book/media shops too will rack common cards for customers to sift through. The odds are not as reliable as a dedicated cards outlet but branching out exposes you to serendipitous finds people elsewhere may miss.

Directly from other collectors: Person-to-person trades comprise a bedrock of the baseball hobby. Many collectors enjoy interacting and building relationships with like-minded people as much as acquiring new cards. Swapping duplicate cards helps everybody fill gaps or work towards sets at fair mutual trade value outside traditional markets. Online collector forums, social media groups, card shows enable finding trusted trading partners on any budget.

Dedicated card shops will offer the best organized browsing experience but a smart collector exploits the entire marketplace spectrum from retail stores to auctions, shows, and person-to-person buying/selling/trading. The key is having multiple active search methods to maximize new card discovery and build a well-rounded collection over time from varied sources. With patience and knowledge of available outlets, any dedicated fan can track down cards to represent their favorite players and moments in the game.

WHAT ARE 1979 BASEBALL CARDS WORTH

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The year 1979 produced some very desirable baseball cards that collectors seek out. The values of the 1979 cards can vary quite a bit depending on the player, the card’s condition and grading, and other factors. Some key things to know about 1979 baseball card values include:

Top rookie cards from 1979 that can be quite valuable include Keith Hernandez, Robin Yount, Buddy Bell, Steve Carlton, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray, and George Foster. A mint condition rookie card of these players could range in value from $50-$200 for lesser names up to $500-$1000 for stars like Yount and Murray. True gem mint 10 graded cards of their rookies could fetch $2000+ each.

Superstar hall of famers that had career years in 1979 also have desirable cards. A highlight is the Nolan Ryan card from the California Angels. In 1979 he struck out a record 383 batters. His card in relatively clean condition is worth $10-20 but a graded gem mint version could sell for $500 or more. Dave Winfield’s 1979 card while with the San Diego Padres also holds significant value due to his MVP season, with estimates of $50-100 for a solid copy and $200+ for a high grade.

Other 1979 stars that remain sought after include George Brett of the Royals, who won the batting title that year. His cards in decent shape sell in the $10-20 range but mint could be $50-100. Mike Schmidt’s 1979 Phillies card, depicting his back-to-back MVP campaigns, usually fetches $15-30 average but $100+ for an excellent specimen. Tom Seaver and Steve Carlton also have popular 1979s from their dominant pitching seasons, valued at $10-30 normal or $50-150 graded mint.

Rookies and star players from winning teams tend to carry higher prices. Therefore, cards like Keith Hernandez’ 1979 St. Louis Cardinals rookie are more valuable since they won the World Series that year. Team set collectors also drive prices up for common players from playoff squads like the ’79 Pirates, Orioles, and Reds. Even role players onlosing teams have affordable 1979s around $1-5 each.

The condition and grading of a 1979 baseball card hugely influences its worth. Simply reading “Near Mint” or “Excellent” on a listing is ambiguous – precise grading alleviates uncertainty. The most trusted authorities are Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Beckett Grading Services (BGS). Their mint 9 or gem mint 10 slabs exponentially increase values. For example, an average Hank Aaron from 1979 might sell for $10 raw, $30 PSA 9, and $100-200 PSA/BGS 10. Precise grading provides collector confidence.

Some other key points about 1979 baseball card values include:

Error cards are highly sought after by specialty collectors and can sell for hundreds in high grade
Superstars in rare original photo variations are valued significantly above the common version
Complete 1979 team or league sets need all the tough subsets/inserts added and are worth a premium over singles
Cards from the popular flagship Topps, Kellogg’s, Post, and Donruss sets carry the most demand and dollars
Supply also matters – stars on scarce low print run brands are relatively more valuable

In conclusion, 1979 produced many memorable baseball cards as the hobby continued booming in popularity post-1976. Rookies of all-time great players, stars from playoff teams, superstar hall of famers, and high grade or rare specimens continue to attract collectors and command healthy prices decades later. Condition, grading, players, and other specifics strongly impact values, but in general 1979 remains a rich and rewarding vintage for the cardboard collecting community.

DOES ACADEMY HAVE BASEBALL CARDS

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Academy Sports + Outdoors is a large sporting goods chain with over 260 stores located across 16 states in the Southern and Midwestern United States. While their primary focus is on sporting equipment, apparel, and footwear, they do carry a variety of collectibles and novelty items related to sports. This includes trading cards for many major professional sports leagues.

Within their stores, Academy typically devotes some shelf or section space to trading cards near the front of the store alongside other memorabilia merchandise. The extent and selection of trading cards does vary some between individual store locations based on factors like local demand and available space. Baseball cards are almost always included in the assortment found at Academy stores nationwide.

They stock the standard baseball card packs, boxes, and loose packs from the major licensed card manufacturers like Topps, Upper Deck, Panini, and others. This covers current year releases as well as some retro and vintage offerings that are continually restocked. Some of the specific baseball card product lines typically carried by Academy include Topps Series 1, Series 2, Allen & Ginter, Stadium Club, Triple Threads, Inception, and Topps Chrome. For vintage cards, repack boxes containing assorted years from the 1960s-1980s era are common.

In addition to the standard trading card season releases, Academy also receives some special promotional cards released exclusively through certain retailers. These limited edition parallel or autographed card inserts can provide an opportunity for collectors to find unique, store-exclusive content not available everywhere. Around the release dates of NFL football and NBA basketball cards in late summer through early fall, their selection of baseball products may decline some as shelf space is reallocated to focus on the emerging sports.

The quality and selection of individual Academy stores’ baseball card offerings can be somewhat dependent on the designated buyer for that particular location. Larger flagship stores in major metro areas usually have the widest and deepest inventory across all the leading card brands and years. Smaller, rural stores still stock the core seasonal products but depth may be reduced. However, Academy’s regional warehouse distribution allows stores to special order any out-of-stock items to meet collector demand.

Dedicated baseball card collectors consider Academy a reliable, convenient retailer to find the latest releases and build their collections. Their pricing is generally competitive with national chains and online retailers as well. Because individual cards/packs are sold loose rather than in set form, Academy isn’t always the ideal source for completing full team or player sets. For that, a local card shop may offer more value compared to Academy’s focus on singles/random packs.

Overall, Academy Sports + Outdoors provides solid availability of mainstream baseball card products for the casual/hobby collector browsing their local store. With consistent stocks of Topps, Upper Deck and more across all their US locations, Academy ensures easy access to new releases, sets, and repack/vintage content for building a baseball card collection year-round. While they won’t replace a dedicated local shop, Academy gives consumers a predictable option when other sources aren’t as readily available in their area.

While Academy Sports’ primary business focuses on equipment and apparel, their inclusion of a trading card selection makes them a worthwhile destination for baseball card collectors. With stocking practices established to provide accessibility across their broad national footprint, Academy reliably carries the major brands and releases collectors look for in pursuing their hobby. They may not replace the specialized service of a local card shop, but within the chain retail space, Academy has collectors covered.

WHAT BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH 1 MILLION

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One of the most valuable baseball cards is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card, which is considered the “Mona Lisa” of baseball cards. Only around 60 authentic Honus Wagner T206 cards are known to exist today in private collections. Just a few years ago, one in pristine gem mint condition sold at auction for $3.12 million, which was a record at the time.

What makes the Honus Wagner so rare and valuable is that the American Tobacco Company, which produced the hugely popular T206 series from 1909-11, decided late in the process to pull Wagner’s card from production at his request. Wagner, a staunch anti-tobacco guy, did not want his likeness associated with cigarettes. Only a small number had been printed before they were recalled, making the surviving populuation of authentic Wagner cards incredibly small.

Another T206 card that can sell for over $1 million is the 1909 Edward William “Eddie” Plank card. Plank was a star pitcher for Connie Mack’s Philadelphia A’s dynasty in the early 1900s. His T206 in gem mint condition recently sold at auction for $1.2 million, demonstrating the huge amount of money vintage cards in pristine condition can demand from wealthy collectors.

In the post-WWII era, high-grade rookie cards of all-time legends can also crack the $1 million threshold. One of the most expensive post-war rookie cards ever sold was a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle in near-mint to mint condition. In late 2016, an 8.5-graded Mantle fetched $2.88 million at auction, shattering records. Mantle’s legendary career and status as a sports icon is a big reason why his top-condition rookie card can sell for amounts normally associated with fine art.

Another post-war rookie card to break $1 million is the 1957 Topps Frank Thomas rookie in mint condition. In late 2018, a 9-graded “Big Hurt” card was sold privately for $1.47 million. Stats-wise, Thomas may not have the career resume of Mantle, but his ’57 Topps rookie has long been one of the most sought-after and valuable cards from the post-war period due to its scarcity in top-grade.

Vintage rookie cards for other all-time sluggers like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Ted Williams and Babe Ruth can also sell for $1 million or higher if preserved in pristine mint condition from when they were originally packaged. Another category of cards in such condition that consistently crack eight-figures are the rare pre-war tobacco era stars like Honus Wagner, Cy Young, Ty Cobb, Nap Lajoie and Walter Johnson.

Condition, of course, is always absolutely critical when it comes to worth for vintage cards. Even otherwise historically significant and valuable cards can be worth mere hundreds if worn, faded, creased or damaged. Collectors pay millions for vintage cardboard precisely because so few survive in gem mint state after over a century of being owned, traded and potentially subject to the elements.

In recent years, we’ve also seen some modern-era sports cards join the million-dollar ranks. In 2007, a rare 1994 SP Authentic Ken Griffey Jr. was sold for $100,100, marking the first modern card to cross six figures. Then in 2016, a rare unopened case of 2012 Bowman Chrome Draft Superfractor cards featuring top prospects like Mike Trout, Manny Machado and Bryce Harper sold as a complete set for $1.02 million.

Any mint-condition vintage T206 Honus Wagner or T206 star rookies along with gem-graded iconic 50s/60s rookie cards of Mantle, Mays, Aaron and Williams are routinely million-dollar cards today. Beyond condition, the ultra-rarified air of all-time legendary careers seems to be a hallmark of those pieces of cardboard collectibles that can sell for record sums. While the sports memorabilia market boomed during the 1990s and 2000s, vintage inventory remains finite and scarce – which is why the best of the best can still demand fortunes among elite collectors.

WHAT ARE 1990 BASEBALL CARDS WORTH

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The value of 1990 baseball cards can vary widely depending on several factors, but on average many of the prominent rookie cards and stars from that year hold significant value among collectors today. 1990 was an important year for the hobby as it was during a time known as the “Junk Wax Era” in the late 80s and early 90s when production of cards was at its peak, which had the initial effect of depressing values. However, 30 years later many of these cards from the tail end of that era have regained popularity and solidified themselves in the marketplace.

Some key details that impact the value of 1990 baseball cards include the player featured, the player’s status as a rookie or star, the card’s condition, and the rarity of certain parallels and serially numbered insert cards. All-time greats like Barry Bonds, Ken Griffey Jr., and Frank Thomas had prominent rookie cards in the 1990 Upper Deck, Bowman, and Donruss/Score sets that are highly sought after, even in lower grades. A PSA 10 Gem Mint Griffey rookie could fetch over $10,000 while a PSA 9 Near Mint Bonds or Thomas rookie might sell for $1,000-3,000 depending on bidding activity.

Hall of Famers like Roberto Alomar, Craig Biggio, and Darren Daulton also had noteworthy rookie or star cards in 1990 that can reach $100-500 for desirable PSA 8-9 graded copies. Stars of the day like Wade Boggs, Rickey Henderson, Kirby Puckett, and Ozzie Smith had highly produced base cards in 1990 Donruss and Topps sets that have relatively lower values of $5-20 for commons in average condition, but graded mint copies could sell from $50-200. Parallel and serially numbered versions of star players from 1990 Fleer, Leaf, and Score Traded sets hold additional scarcity value.

Rookie cards of players who had solid careers like Dante Bichette, Bobby Bonilla, Moises Alou, and Chuck Knoblauch tend range from $10-50 across the major manufacturers even in low grades thanks to their debut status. Short print variations, errors, or special parallel and serially numbered insert cards introduced that year by brands like Fleer, Leaf, Score, and Upper Deck catered towards the growing collector population and have gained more cachet as rarities over time. Examples could sell over their individual checklists prices.

The condition, or grade assigned by professional authenticators like PSA and BGS, is paramount to the long term preservation and ultimate value of any vintage sports card. Well cared for 1990 cards that earn high Mint or Gem Mint grades have the highest chance of long term appreciation compared to those with creases, corners or edges damage, or stains that lower condition marks. As older cards rebound from the 1990s market oversupply, condition and scarcity will continue to separate the desirable from the common in the eyes of collectors.

Overall, 1990 represents the tail end of the boom period for baseball cards but also featured some truly iconic rookie cards that have etched themselves into the history of the hobby as classics. Factors like cross-referencing pop reports and recent sales on platforms like eBay can help determine an individual card’s demand and predictive worth based on comparison to similarly graded copies. While 1990s commons remain fairly accessible, blue chip rookies and valuable serial/parallel cards have the momentum to keep appreciating over the next decades as that generation’s coveted vintage material. With care and conservation, prized pieces from sets like 1990 Upper Deck, Bowman, and Donruss/Score stand to gain the most value going forward in the marketplace.

In summary, 1990 baseball cards showcase both star players and rookie talents that remain must-haves for enthusiasts of the era. After weathering the early market saturation, many key cards have rebounded strongly and earned their place alongside their counterparts from the late 80s golden age. While condition is paramount, the right 1990 rookie or serially numbered card still has the potential for significant upside. After three decades, the year 1990 represents both the heyday and the beginning of the corrective period for the modern baseball card collecting phenomenon.

WHAT ARE THE BEST BASEBALL CARDS TO INVEST IN

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One of the top baseball cards to consider investing in are rookie cards of star players who have had exceptional careers. Rookie cards tend to hold their value very well or even appreciate significantly over time if the player goes on to achieve great success in the majors. Some examples of expensive rookie cards that have done extremely well as investments include Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, Aaron Judge, and Ronald Acuña Jr. While these are very costly now, their rookies came out within the past decade when cardboard was not as valuable. Cardboard from the 1980s and prior has seen much bigger price increases on star players compared to only 10-20 years ago.

Iconic star players from the 80s, 90s, and earlier whose rookie cards have skyrocketed include Ken Griffey Jr, Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, and Greg Maddux. For these all-time greats, even high-grade copies of their rookie cards from Topps, Fleer, or Donruss have appreciate tremendously over the past 30+ years. Vintage rookie cards in mint condition for Hall of Famers are some of the best long term investments in the hobby. Be prepared to pay top dollar for the most coveted originals considering how long they have been investments appreciated greatly in value.

For newer investors working with more moderate budgets, post-rookie cards early in the careers of franchise players before they broke out can offer strong appreciation potential if the player blossoms into a superstar. Examples include cards from Juan Soto, Ronald Acuña Jr, Fernando Tatis Jr, Vlad Guerrero Jr, Ozzie Albies, Juan Soto and Shane Bieber’s first few major league seasons. These provide an opportunity to invest in the early years of what could become generational talents at a lower price point than exorbitant rookie cards. Patience would be required to allow their careers to unfold and the cards to potentially increase substantially in the long run.

Since the 1980s saw the birth of modern sports card collecting fueled by the arrival of stars like Sandberg, Clemens, McGwire, and Bonds, that decade’s cardboard is some of the most sought after, and therefore expensive/appreciated cards. The iconic 1986 Topps set led by Ken Griffey Jr., Donruss and Fleer rookies for Chipper Jones, Jim Abbott, and Billy Ripken are legendary. Pre-war tobacco cards from the 1910s featuring legends like Cy Young, Walter Johnson, and Honus Wagner are highly valuable but inaccessible for most collectors. There are plenty of cost-effective vintage investments from the 1950s-70s as well that can stash away profits over the decades. Players like Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, and Nolan Ryan have affordable starting points for their older cardboard that can gain value in the long haul hold period.

When considering specific sets, series, and years from the late 80s through the 90s steroid era are top performers for growing investments. This period saw explosive interest in the hobby and record sales. Stars of that generation like Bonds, Griffey Jr, Clemens, McGwire and Sosa engrossed the entire nation in home run chasing which spiked demand and prices for their cards. Specifically, fleer and score series from 1989-1992, Topps Finest and Ultra cards from 1995-2001, and SP Authentic and Topps Chrome rookies/refractors through the 2000s are prized by collectors and have appreciated greatly. Later in the 2000s and 2010s, Topps Update and Topps Chrome retail exclusives featuring prospects, parallels, and autographs gained incredible traction and prices for stars like Harper, Acuna, deGrom and more.

While the spotlight shines brightest on star players, sets and parallel/insert cards can deliver handsome returns as well. Complete flagship sets like 1972 Topps, 1955 Bowman, 1987/94 Fleer, and 1989 Upper Deck are blue-chip investments respected across the hobby. Autograph and Memorabilia cards late 90s through today’s era for household names like Jeter, Chipper, Trout, Judge provide accessibility at reasonable beginner levels too. Parallel and short-print cards tend to gain collector enthusiasm fast which spikes demand – making rainbow collector building a lucrative specialty area especially for parallels from the 1990s-2010s.

When investing in vintage or modern baseball cards, focusing on star players throughout history whose careers have stood the test of time as well as higher-end serial numbered parallels offers long-term potential for strong appreciation. Rookies, early career success years, complete sets from booming eras, and auto/mem cards provide a blend of cost levels to allow growth portfolios for any budget. With patience, a keen eye on the careers and collecting trends, and buying low – baseball cards can deliver handsome and often surprising returns that easily outpace traditional investments over decades.

HOW MUCH DOES PSA CHARGE TO GRADE BASEBALL CARDS

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PSA, or Professional Sports Authenticator, is one of the leading third-party grading services for collectibles like sports cards and memorabilia. They authenticate and assign grades to items to assess their condition and increase their value. For baseball cards, PSA has several different membership and submission tier options that determine the cost of having cards graded.

One of the most affordable options is PSA’s value tier program, which has a flat fee structure and offers the cheapest per card rates. For submissions of 25 cards or less, the cost is $10 per card for regular service taking around 75 business days. For bulk submissions with 26 or more cards, the value tier rate drops to $8 per card. Major league cards from the modern era can be submitted under this tier.

For collectors wanting faster turnaround times or to submit higher value vintage cards, PSA offers several premium membership and submission plans. The standard tier, targeted at the mainstream collector market, charges $15 per card for regular 45 business day service, or $22.50 per card for a 20 business day express option. Submissions in the standard tier are limited to 500 cards.

Above the standard tier is the premium membership, which removes restrictions on submission quantities and lowers rates. Premium members pay $13 per card for regular service or $19 per card for express 20 days. This tier is beneficial for dealers or larger collectors submitting hundreds of cards on a regular basis. The elite tier charges $11 per card for regular service or $16 per card for express, and also provides concierge support from PSA representatives.

In addition to membership fees, there are also optional value-added services collectors can choose to utilize. For example, there is a $5 listing fee to have a card and its grade reported online in the PSA authentication database, providing resale value. An authentication sticker service adds $2 more to ensure the authenticity of vintage cards. And insurance coverage ranging from $0.25 to $1 can be purchased per card to protect against damage or loss during the grading process.

For high-value vintage cards, PSA also has special submission programs that cater to the needs of major leagueauthenticated cards dating back to the 1800s. The vintage tier for pre-1980 cards charges $30 per card for regular service or $45 for a 10 business day priority, with higher bulk rates available. Similarly, the ultra-modern tier for 1980 to 1999 graded cards charges $20 regularly or $35 for priority service.

In addition to the per card fees, PSA also collects a one-time non-refundable submission registration fee for each order processed, ranging from $15 to $50 depending on membership tier. And for international submissions, extra shipping fees usually need to be factored in as well. The combined cost of membership dues, tiered card rates, and optional add-on services means that submitting a large collection to PSA for authentication and grading can easily add up to hundreds or thousands of dollars. For many collectors and investors, it is seen as a worthy investment to greatly enhance the value and liquidity of their vintage sports card assets.

In summary, PSA offers a full spectrum of membership and submission tiers to fit various collecting and budget levels, with per card rates starting at $8 for bulk value submissions and topping out around $30-$45 each for highest priority service on pre-1980 vintage cards. While requiring a substantial initial outlay, the added legitimacy and easy resell potential that professional grading provides to collections usually enables collectors to earn back their costs once cards are re-marketed with their new certified PSA grades attached. That additional value is what drives many serious sports card traders and investors to utilize PSA’s authentication services despite their added expense.

ARE ANY 1991 UPPER DECK BASEBALL CARDS WORTH ANYTHING

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The 1991 Upper Deck baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic and valuable sets from the ‘junk wax’ era of the late 1980s and early 1990s. While many cards from 1991 Upper Deck are essentially worthless today due to the massive production numbers, there are still a handful of cards that can hold significant value depending on the grade and condition of the specific card.

One of the most valuable and sought after rookie cards from the 1991 Upper Deck set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Often considered the greatest baseball card of the modern era, Griffey’s rookie quickly became one of the most popular and valuable cards even as the bubble was bursting in the early 90s. In pristine mint condition, Griffey’s rookie can fetch thousands of dollars today for the highest quality examples. A PSA 10 graded Griffey rookie has sold for over $100,000 at auction, while raw ungraded copies in perfect condition can bring $5,000-$10,000. Even well-centered copies in excellent worn condition have value, with a PSA 8 potentially selling for $500-$1,000. The Griffey rookie is by far the most valuable card from the 1991 set.

In addition to Griffey, there are a few other notable rookies and stars from the 1991 Upper Deck set that can hold value depending on condition. Perhaps most notable is the Barry Bonds rookie card. While not as iconic or sought after as Griffey, the Bonds rookie is still an important modern card. High quality PSA 10 examples have sold for $4,000-$6,000, with 9’s bringing $1,500-$2,500 and raw mint copies around $1,000. Other stars like Cal Ripken Jr., Ozzie Smith, Wade Boggs, or Nolan Ryan also have commons that can reach $50-$100 in pristine PSA 10 condition, though their values fall off significantly for lower grades.

There are also a handful of stars from the early 90s whose rookie cards were in 1991 Upper Deck that could carry value for the highest quality copies. Examples include Chuck Knoblauch, David Justice, Terry Pendleton, and Darren Daulton. A PSA 10 of any of these key early 90s players could reach $100-$300, with lower grades falling off rapidly. Most of these are very tough pulls in mint condition however. Beyond individual star cards, there are also a few valuable inserts and parallels from the 1991 Upper Deck set that collectors seek.

One such insert is the Ken Griffey Jr. “Diamond Anniversary” parallel, which marks Griffey’s 100th home run. Only 100 of these were inserted into packs and they carry premium value today. A PSA 10 example sold for over $4,000. There is also the Derek Jeter rookie “Jetermania” insert that was a lucky pack pull. High grades of this coveted parallel can reach $1,000+. The Andy Van Slyke “Star Rookie” parallel from 1991 is one of the true short prints from Upper Deck’s early years. A Near Mint example could conceivably bring $200-$500.

Beyond the high-dollar hits, there are also strategic buylists of common cards that make up sets where 1991 Upper Deck cards can have value. For example, completing a full base set in excellent centered Near Mint condition could conceivably be worth $100+ to the right collector, as finding a truly pristine example of every card takes dedication. Alternatively, team/regional buyer sets centered around a favorite local franchise like the Mets, Dodgers or Yankees could give common player cards extra value.

While the vast majority of 1991 Upper Deck cards hold little intrinsic value today purely due to the sheer production numbers from the junk wax era, there remain a handful of true stars, rookies, inserts and parallels that maintain significance and command respectable prices – especially in the highest grades. Condition is absolutely critical, with even small flaws eliminating much of the potential value. The 1991 Upper Deck set contains some of the most iconic and valuable modern-era cards for dedicated collectors, with Ken Griffey Jr.’s famous rookie leading the way.

WHERE CAN YOU GET YOUR BASEBALL CARDS GRADED

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Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) – PSA is widely considered the leading authority for sport card authentication and grading. They have been in business since 1991 and have graded hundreds of millions of cards over the years. To submit cards for grading with PSA, cardholders first need to register for a PSA member account on their website. They can then purchase shipping labels to send their cards in for grading. It’s recommended to carefully research PSA’s submission guidelines and pick the appropriate grading service level depending on turnaround time and cost. Cards submitted will be thoroughly inspected and assigned a grade on a scale of 1 to 10 based on several factors like centering, corners, edges and surface. The assigned grade greatly impacts the value of the card. Once graded, the cards are then heat sealed in protective plastic holders with the grade clearly labeled, making them easily identifiable for potential buyers.

Beckett Grading Services (BGS) – Founded in 1992, BGS is another highly respected name in the card grading industry. Like PSA, they have precise standards used by expert graders to assess cards. BGS made some enhancements to their traditional 10-point scale by introducing plus (+) and minus (-) qualifiers after certain numbers, allowing for a greater degree of separation between grades. For example, an 8.5 would be higher than an 8 but lower than a 9. Their online submission process and guidelines are straightforward. BGS also offers special service packages for bulk submissions. The turnaround times can vary from economical 30-day options to rushed 5-day express services.

Hobby Certification Services, LLC (HCS) – While not as large as PSA or BGS, HCS has still graded millions of cards since 1996. They use a similar 10-point scale for consistency. HCS prices are often more affordable compared to the big two. The cards do not carry the same pedigree and may attract lower prices from collectors. They are still a decent option for common/uncommon cards not worth the premium grading fees from PSA/BGS but needing authentication in a holder. HCS offers quick turnaround budget choices as well as higher-end elite verification packages.

Sportscard Guaranty, LLC (SGC) – Launched in 2000, SGC has steadily grown by targeting collectors who want an alternative to the higher costs of PSA/BGS submissions. They charge reasonable pricing and strive to match those companies’ standards. SGC holders adequately preserve cards in multi-panel black holders displaying the numeric grade up front. While resale values may not be quite as high as with PSA or BGS currently, SGC certainly provides a solid option for cost-conscious collectors.

There are a few other smaller grading services available too, but the above four are among the biggest names most trusted by the collectibles community. Ideally, cards intended for long-term preserving and potentially resale should be submitted to PSA or BGS, as their certification holds strong value recognition. But the others can still nicely serve the purpose of authentication in protective slabs for cards of lesser rarity and condition without breaking the bank on grading fees. Doing research to understand the submission processes, pricing structures, turnaround times and relative pedigree of each company is prudent before deciding where to get valuable baseball cards professionally graded.