ARE THERE ANY VALUABLE BASEBALL CARDS FROM THE 80s AND 90s

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The 1980s and 1990s were a phenomenal time for baseball card collecting. Many legendary players who dominated the sport during this era had their rookie cards released which are now highly coveted by collectors. While there are always fluctuations in the market, here are some examples of cards from this period that are generally considered to be very valuable:

Ken Griffey Jr. 1989 Upper Deck RC – Griffey was one of the most exciting young players to enter the league in decades. His smooth lefty swing and glove in center field reminded many of Willie Mays. The 1989 Upper Deck rookie card, with its bright yellow borders and fun design, perfectly encapsulated Griffey’s joy for the game. Despite being one of the most printed modern rookie cards, examples in Near Mint to Mint condition routinely sell for $150-300. Graded Mint 9 or Mint 10 examples can reach $1000-3000 depending on the auction. This card has proven to be one of the best long term investments from the 1980s/90s.

Frank Thomas 1990 Score RC – Nicknamed “The Big Hurt”, Thomas established himself as perhaps the premier right-handed power hitter of the 1990s. His rookie card from Score featured crisp action photography and has stood the test of time. Even in the current market, near-mint to mint copies sell in the $75-150 range. Higher grades like Mint 9 can bring $300-500. This is a fairly affordable card for such an accomplished player.

Barry Bonds 1990 Topps RC – Bonds cemented himself as arguably the greatest player of the Steroid Era. His intimidating presence in the batter’s box was perfectly captured on his rookie card by Topps. The design has a classic look that collectors appreciate. Near-mint to mint copies sell in the $100-250 range usually. Top Graded Gem Mint 10 examples have sold for over $1000, showing strong confidence in Bonds’ legendary career.

Cal Ripken Jr. 1981 Topps RC – “The Iron Man” Cal Ripken Jr. began collecting batting titles, Gold Gloves, and accolades in the 1980s as a rock solid member of the Baltimore Orioles. His iconic 1981 Topps rookie card features gorgeous sepia-toned photography that makes you feel like you’re seeing history unfold before your eyes. Higher grade copies in the Mint 8 to Gem Mint 10 range are valued between $300-5000 depending on condition specifics like centering. This card is a cornerstone of any collection.

Nomar Garciaparra 1996 Bowman’s Best Chrome RC – Garciaparra had one of the flashiest debut seasons of any shortstop in baseball history, winning the Rookie of the Year award and batting title. His ultra-refractory 1996 Bowman’s Best Chrome rookie is one of the most visually appealing and technically innovative rookie cards ever made. Even today, a Near Mint to Mint copy can fetch $150-300. Gem Mint 10 graded examples have changed hands for over $1000 due to the card’s exquisite presentation of Nomar’s talents combined with the legendary status of the Bowman’s Best Chrome set within the hobby.

Chipper Jones 1995 Bowman’s Best RC – The smooth-swinging Chipper Jones established himself as the cornerstone of the Atlanta Braves franchise for over a decade. His 1995 Bowman’s Best rookie card is considered one of the holy grails from the iconic refractory set. Near-mint to mint copies in a basic slab sell from $150-300 fairly consistently. Top grades of Pristine 10 have sold towards the $2000-3000 range, cementing this card’s status among the most desired issues of the 1990s period.

Derek Jeter 1996 Topps Traded RC – As the face of the Yankee dynasty, shortstop Derek Jeter inspired countless fans with his graceful plays and clutch hits. His added preview card from 1996 Topps Traded is printed on gold borders and has become one of the most iconic in the modern era. Near-mint copies stay above $150 steadily. Gem Mint 10 graded prizes top out around the $2000-3000 range when they change hands due to Jeter’s unparalleled stature within the sport. This one is a guaranteed long term investment for collectors.

Manny Ramirez 1991 Upper Deck RC – The powerful and often moody Manny Ramirez thrilled Red Sox fans for years with his tremendous bat speed and natural hitting ability. His 1991 Upper Deck RC features a pink and teal color scheme that stands out boldly in collections. Near-mint to mint versions bring $75-150 commonly. Higher grades from BGS or SGC in the 9 to 10 range are valued up to $500 or more based on recent confirmed transactions. This is a fun pick for anyone fond of the 90s Indians or Red Sox.

Other notable cards that have achieved considerable value spanning multiple price ranges include Ken Griffey Jr rookie variations like the 1989 Bowman, 1990 Bowman, and 1991 Upper Deck; Mariano Rivera’s fantastic 1993 Topps Traded RC refractor parallel; Chipper Jones 1991 Bowman RC; Sammy Sosa’s 1989 Bowman RC; Tom Glavine’s 1987 Donruss RC; and Craig Biggio’s 1988 Donruss RC among many others. Condition is absolutely critical when determining the final price a vintage card will sell for, so solidifying the grade through reputable grading services is highly recommended for collectors. There are tremendous opportunities for appreciation across the 1980s and 1990s rookie and star player cards that captured lightning in a bottle for so many future Hall of Famers. With baseball’s storied history and the expanding collector community worldwide, these classic issues remain a promising long term investment decades later.

HOW TO TAKE GOOD PICTURES OF BASEBALL CARDS

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Lighting is one of the most important aspects of photographing baseball cards. You’ll want to use soft, diffused lighting that is evenly distributed and avoids harsh shadows. Natural lighting near a window is ideal, but on an overcast day to avoid too many shadows. You can also take pictures near a window and use a white piece of cardboard as a reflector to bounce light back onto the other side of the card. Another option is to use studio lighting, using softboxes, umbrellas or other diffusers to spread the light out. Avoid using onboard camera flashes as they often produce harsh shadows.

Make sure to choose a plain, neutral background that won’t distract from the card. A simple white or gray backdrop works well. You can use pieces of white or gray cardboard taped together. Avoid backgrounds with busy patterns, colors or textures. Position the card so it is parallel to the background and lighting to avoid unwanted glare or reflections on the surface of the card.

When photographing, you’ll want a high-resolution setting on your camera of at least 12 megapixels to show all the details on the card clearly. Use a macro or close-up setting if available to allow focusing on very small elements from just a few inches or centimeters away. You may need to experiment with different camera positions like standing, kneeling or using a tripod to get the best angle based on the size of your camera’s lens.

Dust any particles off the card before photographing to avoid spots showing up in the photo. Gently blow off any dust using compressed air or a blower brush designed for delicate surfaces. Wipe gently with a microfiber cloth if needed. Avoid touching the surface of the card directly with your fingers, which can leave marks or fingerprints.

Get the card positioned squarely in the frame, taking up at least half but not going right up to the edges. Leave a little negative space around the edges but ensure the whole card is visible and in focus. Take multiple shots at slightly different angles to choose the best one later. This allows choosing an image with no glare or creases visible. Shoot in raw format if your camera allows for more post-processing flexibility.

When the lighting conditions are perfect and the card is perfectly framed, take a series of shots at different focal lengths and distances. Move closer and farther and zoom in and out slightly to see which settings capture the most detail and pop from the image. Take images both horizontally and vertically oriented to see which works better for that particular card. Back up a few inches after for a classic baseball card image or macro shot just of certain elements like logos or signatures.

After photographing, transfer the images to your computer to edit and enhance in post-production software. Check for any dust spots, glare or reflections that need cleaning up. Adjust the brightness, contrast, saturation and white balance as needed to make the colors look their best. You may want to add a subtle vignette or other filter effects depending on your desired finished look. Take care not to over-sharpen or process the images too heavily which could look unnatural or damage finer details on the card surface. Lastly, save the finished images in high-quality JPEGs suitable for online sharing or printing. Following these lighting, composition and post-production tips will yield beautifully detailed photos to showcase any baseball card collection. Let me know if any part of the process needs more explanation!

ARE POKEMON CARDS AND BASEBALL CARDS THE SAME SIZE

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In terms of their basic card stock dimensions, Pokemon cards and most modern baseball cards are generally the same standard size. The vast majority of Pokemon cards as well as baseball cards printed since the 1990s measure about 2.5 inches tall by 3.5 inches wide. This has become the de facto standardized size for trading cards in general over the past few decades.

There are some key differences in the dimensions beyond just the basic card stock size that are worth noting. One difference is that Pokemon cards usually have significantly thicker card stock than standard baseball cards. Pokemon cards are printed on thicker, higher quality card stock that is sturdier and less prone to bends, creases or damage compared to baseball cards. This thicker card stock contributes to Pokemon cards feeling more substantial in the hand.

The next difference relates to the dimensions of the actual illustrated artwork and information area contained within the borders of the cards. On Pokemon cards, the illustrated image takes up almost the entire visible front face area of the card from top to bottom and side to side, leaving only a thin border around the edges. On baseball cards the illustrated player image is generally centered somewhat higher on the front face with blank space below and sometimes blank space on the sides as well inside the borders. This means the actual illustrated area of a Pokemon card is almost always larger relative to the overall card size compared to most baseball cards.

Perhaps the biggest difference in dimensions comes from standard game-related features added to the fronts and backs of Pokemon cards versus baseball cards. Pokemon cards are printed with a large extra box or banner at the bottom of the face for displaying important game stats and attributes like attacks, hit points/health, and weaknesses/resistances associated with that Pokemon character. This large stat/game text box takes up significant extra vertical space, increasing the total height of the illustrated portion of Pokemon cards by close to half an inch on average compared to baseball cards.

The reverse sides or backs of Pokemon cards contain equally large boxes and banners for more detailed game text, abilities, and history relating to that specific Pokemon character. Baseball cards on the other hand normally have little game or player related text or images on their reverse sides beyond basic identification data which takes up far less space. So in total, Pokemon cards with their graphics and game details extending across both sides end up with dimensions closer to 3 inches tall by 4 inches wide on average to accommodate everything.

Aside from basic physical dimensions, there are also differences in card templates and framing depending on the specific Pokemon card set versus baseball card brand and year printed. Some Pokemon league promo cards like from GameStop promotions stray from the norm being thicker and noticeably taller. And vintage baseball cards prior to the 1990s were manufactured in all sorts of variable non-standard sizes as the industry evolved. But taking a broad view, the dimensional attributes described like card stock thickness, illustration sizes, and extra game text all contribute to Pokemon cards having distinctly larger footprints overall compared to standard size baseball cards in common circulation today despite their technical 2.5×3.5 inch dimensions.

While Pokemon cards and modern baseball cards share the same nominal 2.5×3.5 inch basic card stock size, there are considerable differences in card thickness, illustration areas, additional game text dimensions, and templates that result in Pokemon cards usually having noticeably larger total physical dimensions compared to standard baseball cards. The extra features and details printed on Pokemon cards necessitate their slightly larger scale to adequately display the associated art, lore and game mechanics encompassed in each collectible card.

WHAT ARE SOME RARE BASEBALL CARDS

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One of the most famous and rare baseball cards is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card. It is considered the Mona Lisa of baseball cards due to its rarity, historic significance and beauty. Produced between 1909-11 by the American Tobacco Company as part of its most famous “T206” series, it is believed only 50-200 genuine Wagner cards were printed out of the approximately 2.5 million series issued before Wagner demanded his card be pulled due to his opposition to promoting tobacco. Only a handful survive today in collectible condition. In pristine mint condition, it is estimated a T206 Wagner could sell for over $10 million, making it the most valuable trading card in existence.

Another legendary rare card is the 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth rookie card. Only about 50 copies are known to exist today. Unlike most other early 20th century baseball cards that were included in packs of cigarettes, the 1914 News card was given away free with the newspaper. This helps explain its extreme rarity as they did not endure the same mass distribution. One graded PSA NM-MT+8 in 2015 sold for over $4.4 million, setting a new record as the most valuable Babe Ruth rookie card.

A similarly scarce and prized Ruth rookie card is from the 1915 Cracker Jack set. Like its 1914 Baltimore News counterpart, only around 50 are accounted for by hobby leaders. What makes the 1915 Cracker Jack so special compared to other early 20th century players’ cards was that it was one of the first cards inserted in popular consumer products like snacks and candy instead of tobacco packs. One that auctioned in January 2016 through SCP Auctions set a new record for a Cracker Jack Ruth rookie after selling for over $2.1 million.

The 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card is also firmly established among the most valued baseball cards ever due to its historical significance as capturing the Yankees great at the beginning of his storied career. Though part of one of the first modern cardboard sets produced by Topps, which helped launch the post-war baseball card boom, very few of the original print run are believed to still exist in high grades today. One that earned a PSA Gem Mint 10 grade sold for nearly $2.9 million in 2018, second only to the T206 Wagner’s in price realized for a single sports card.

Cards commemorating other pioneering players from the early decades also qualify as rare, such as 1913 E90 Similar Billy Sunday, considered the “Black Betsy” of pre-WWI cards due to less than a dozen surviving high grade copies. Another coveted pre-war gem is the 1914 Cracker Jack Nap Lajoie, which in a 2012 Heritage auction earned over $100,000 for its strong visual appeal and historical character as a sought after early star.

Jumping ahead several decades, rookies of modern stars like the 1957 Topps Sandy Koufax and 1964 Topps Ken Griffey are prized finds today since the print runs were far larger than the preceding 100+ year old cards. Still, in top pristine grades less than 10 examples are estimated to remain for each. In recent years, a BGS/BVG 10 Griffey sold for $657,000, while a PSA/DNA Mint 9.5 Koufax fetched over $400,000.

Unique error cards commanding major bucks include the 1914 Craze Sporting Life “Emil” Bender, incorrectly featuring the A’s hurler without the “i” in his first name on the printing plate and only a small number known. One authenticated copy with strong visual appeal was acquired by collector Ted Patterson for nearly $80,000.

Finishing with possibly the rarest and most valuable non-vintage modern era card, the 2007 Bowman Chrome Draft Prospect Autographs Mike Trout/Stephen Strasburg dual auto parallel 1/1 holds an unsurpassed pedigree. Capturing the top two picks from the most hyped MLB draft ever, combined with the one-of-a-kind parallel designation, puts this single card’s estimated worth at well over $1 million if it were to become available.

Whether dating back over 100 years or within the past couple decades, the unique stories and unprecedented scarcity around these legendary specimens within the world of sports memorabilia collecting explain their multi-million dollar values and permanence among the rarest of the rare baseball cards. As interest grows and historical artifacts continue to disappear from the marketplace, such hallowed pieces of cardboard may appreciate even more spectacularly in the future.

HOW MUCH ARE SIGNED BASEBALL CARDS WORTH

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The value of a signed baseball card can vary greatly depending on many factors, but they generally are worth significantly more than an unsigned card. Some of the main things that determine the value of a signed card include the player who signed it, the condition and grade of the card, the notoriety of the signature, and the circumstance in which it was signed.

The player is obviously a major factor, as superstar Hall of Famers will command much higher prices than lesser players. For example, a mint condition rookie card of someone like Mickey Mantle signed directly on the card could be worth tens of thousands of dollars or more. A star current player like Mike Trout would also make a signed card very valuable, while a role player’s signature may add only modest value. Vintage players from the early 20th century are also highly sought after by collectors since their signatures are relatively more rare.

The condition and grading of the card also plays a huge role in its value. Just like an unsigned card, one that is in pristine “mint” condition could be worth 10 times more than one that is worn and beat up. Since a signed area is more vulnerable to damage like creasing or pen marks, aprofessional grading from companies like PSA or BGS is important to prove its authenticity and assessed condition. The higher the official grade, from 1-10, the more collectors will pay.

Whether the signature itself is neat and legible or a messy scrawl also impacts the price, with cleaner autographs preferred. An up-close “on-card” autograph signed directly on the picture increases the value versus one signed on a sticker or certificate of authenticity attached to the card. The circumstance of the signing also matters – for example one obtained by the collector directly from the player in-person carries more clout versus one purchased already signed through a dealer.

Naturally, the rarer the signature the more collectors are willing to pay a premium. Signatures from players who are now deceased are more rare than living players, and signatures from early stars over 100 years old fetch astronomically high bids. Even different variations in how some players signed over the years makes certain autographs tougher to acquire.

When considering all these factors and comparing recent sales records of similar signed cards, estimated values can range tremendously. A signed Mickey Mantle rookie could sell for $50,000, while a signed Aaron Judge rookie may bring $1,000. But a signature on a 1970s bench warmer may add only $20-$50 to the card’s normal value. With the huge collectibles market, the value of signed memorabilia always depends on finding the right enthusiastic collector who desires that specific player autograph. In the end, prices are highly subjective with signed cards worth what someone is willing to pay based on current supply and demand.

WHERE ARE ALL THE BASEBALL CARDS IN FAR CRY 5

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While baseball cards were not a major gameplay element featured prominently in Far Cry 5’s marketing, there are indeed baseball cards hidden throughout the game’s vast open world for the player to discover and collect. Collecting all of the baseball cards in Far Cry 5 is not necessary to complete the main storyline or unlock achievements/trophies, but it does provide players with an additional optional collecting activity to engage in to help extend the length of their playthrough and exploration of Hope County, Montana.

The baseball card hunt adds a bit of nostalgic flavor to Far Cry 5’s setting by appealing to a more innocent pastime that seems out of place amidst the violent skirmishes with cultists. In total, there are 30 unique baseball cards that can be found, each depicting players from past MLB seasons. Finding all of the cards rewards players with a special backpack charm remembering simpler times.

Card locations are scattered all across the maps different regions: Holland Valley, the Whitetail Mountains, and the John Seed’s region. Some are in plain sight out in the open world, while others require entering buildings, caves, or other interiors to discover. A few also have contextual clues leading players to their location. Tracking down all the cards encourages thorough exploration of every nook and cranny in Hope County.

Some example baseball card locations include:

In the backyard of a house near Falls End, tucked under a picnic table.

Inside a bookstore in Falls End on a shelf amongst collectible books.

On a desk inside a ranger station in the Whitetail Mountains.

Inside a grow room at a weed farm in Holland Valley beside harvested marijuana buds.

At the top of a radio tower, requiring climbing skills to ascend and find tucked in the control room.

Inside a crashed airplane wreck near a lumber mill, amongst the scattered debris.

Hidden under a floorboard inside a boathouse near a lake.

Taped underneath a kitchen table inside an abandoned prepper bunker.

Inside a locked safe in the basement of a church that must be broken into.

Tucked inside the metal tin of an old baseball on a mantle at horse stables.

In a glass display case at the John Seed ranch house amongst cult memorabilia.

Locations like these reward players for thoroughly searching every nook and cranny across the expansive maps. Some require overcoming obstacles or puzzles to reach remote hard-to-find spots. Finding them all provides a fun optional collecting side activity for completionists to engage in beyond the main story.

The baseball card collecting adds welcome nostalgic flavor and optional depth to Far Cry 5’s open world. While not crucial to the main plot, hunting them down rewards exploring every corner of Hope County and provides a fun additional challenge. Their locations encourage uncovering every hidden crevice and encourage taking in beautiful vistas across the vivid landscapes along the way. While a small element, the baseball cards help expand Far Cry 5’s appeal and longevity with this optional but rewarding additional collection for those interested in fully experiencing everything the game’s world has to offer.

WHERE CAN YOU SALE BASEBALL CARDS

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Local Card Shops
Local card shops are still one of the best places to sell individual baseball cards or complete sets. Even in today’s digital world, many card shops still exist and they serve as a marketplace for collectors and dealers. Card shop owners know the value of different players, grades, sets and have a network of buyers and collectors. They can provide you with an immediate cash offer for your cards on the spot. Some advantages of selling to a local card shop include convenience and the ability to get cash right away. You usually won’t get top dollar since the shop needs to make a profit when they resell.

Online Marketplaces
There are several popular online marketplaces where you can setup a store, list your cards for sale, and potentially reach collectors all over the world. The two largest marketplaces for selling sports cards online are eBay and Amazon. With millions of active buyers for trading cards on both sites, you have a very good chance of finding buyers as long as you accurately describe the cards, provide clear photos, and list them at competitive prices. It may take some time for the items to sell compared to a local shop, but you’ll likely get a higher total price than selling bulk to a shop since buyers can bid up the price on sites like eBay.

Peer-to-Peer Selling Sites
Sites like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and reddit trading forums allow you to connect directly with buyers in your local area or niche collecting communities online. You don’t pay any sales commission like on eBay, but your potential audience is smaller. These peer-to-peer sites work best if you have valuable vintage cards, complete runs of sets, or team collections that serious collectors are actively searching for. You’ll need to exercise common safety precautions to avoid scams. Meet local buyers in a public place to complete the sale.

Auction Houses
If you have especially valuable and rare baseball cards graded gem mint 10 condition or one-of-a-kind vintage cards, auction houses provide exposure to serious high-end collectors who can pay top dollar. Major auction houses like Heritage Auctions, SCP Auctions, or Robert Edward Auctions will feature select individual cards or collections in their sports auctions. Consigning cards to a reputable auction house takes more time but you may realize prices thousands of dollars higher than any local offer. Auction houses take a percentage of the final sale price as their commission.

Person-to-Person at Card Shows
Regional or national sports card shows are still very popular events that draw hundreds of dealers and collectors each weekend. As a seller, you can rent a dealer table and bring your cards to display. Card show attendees actively look for bargains from individual dealers and you won’t pay any platform fees unlike online marketplaces. You need to price cards aggressively to make on-the-spot sales versus waiting for buyers. It also requires more work packing, transporting, and socializing your items all day long at the show.

Collectors and Serious Buyers Online
If you’ve amassed a true treasure trove of iconic vintage rookie cards like a Mickey Mantle, you may be able to locate serious vintage card investors and buyers via hobby message boards or through your social media networks. Work with a reputable grader first to verify Conditions. Well-connected collectors/dealers may pay excellent prices, but you need to be extremely careful about authenticating the buyer and their ability to pay before shipping high priced items. Snail mail or major payment platforms provide some protection.

In Summary, when selling your baseball card collection, I’d recommend using several of the available options to reach the widest possible audience of buyers. Begin by taking your best vintage and impressive graded rookie cards to local and national shows. Then, consign top-tier, unique pieces to auction. Lastly, list the remaining cards across platforms like eBay, collector Facebook groups or your local card shop. Pursuing a multi-faceted sales approach will give you the greatest chance of maximizing returns and selling everything over time. Just be sure to research values, strategically market items, and transact safely with verified buyers.

HOW TO BUY BASEBALL CARDS ON EBAY

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Setting up an eBay account is the first step to buying baseball cards on the site. Go to eBay.com and click on the “Register” or “Create an Account” button. You’ll need to provide your name, address, email, and choose a password. Make sure to use credentials you’ll remember as you’ll need your login to access purchased items and manage your account going forward.

Once registered, you’re ready to start browsing listings. On eBay’s homepage, search for “baseball cards” or a specific player, team, year, or set you want. You can filter results by category (sports memorabilia, trading cards, non-sports cards), price range, condition, sold/unsold listings, and more. Take your time looking through various listings to get a sense of typical prices and what’s available. Read full descriptions for included details and photos of actual item condition.

When you’ve found a listing you want to bid on or buy outright, click the title or “Buy It Now” button to view the item page. Double check the photos match what’s being sold and read any details from the seller regarding grading, shipping terms, returns policies. Pay close attention to the listing format – is it an auction with bidding or a fixed “Buy It Now” price? Auctions end at the time listed so factor that into your watching and bidding strategy.

If bidding, set a maximum amount you’re willing to pay and have eBay bid for you incrementally up to your limit. You can increase your maximum bid amount at any time before the auction ends. With “Buy It Now” listings, adding the item to your cart and checking out secures it at the set price immediately without risk of outbidding. Make sure to factor in any calculated or flat shipping rates shown during checkout.

For payment, eBay accepts major credit/debit cards, PayPal, a linked bank account. Often sellers won’t ship until payment clears. Items purchased from the US can take 1-2 weeks standard shipping internationally depending on the carrier. For larger card collections/lots, shipping may cost extra based on weight/size. Consider sellers with positive feedback and read any negative reviews left by other buyers to assess quality of packing/customer service before committing to a purchase.

Upon delivery, immediately inspect cards for any damage not mentioned in the listing and check the condition matches the stated grade if it was graded by a professional service like PSA or Beckett. Contact the seller promptly about replacements or refunds for significant issues. Leave timely feedback on your transaction experience once the item arrives and you’re satisfied. Positive feedback helps sellers and paying promptly builds your own reputation on eBay.

Some tips for buying baseball cards on eBay – check sold listings to gauge true values rather than just asking prices, stick to reputable sellers with many previous transactions, beware of cheap “lots” that may contain mostly commons, read full item descriptions closely for inclusions/exclusions, compare multiple listings if searching for a specific card to find the best deal. Most importantly, have fun and trust your gut – if a price seems too good to be true it often is. With some practice searching, watching, and bidding strategically, eBay can be a great place to add to your baseball card collection affordably. I hope these tips help you successfully navigate the buying process on the site. Let me know if any part of the guide needs further explanation.

WHERE TO FIND BASEBALL CARDS AT WALMART

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Walmart is one of the largest retail stores in the United States and they typically have a dedicated section for trading cards like baseball cards. The exact location and organization of the baseball card selection can vary depending on the specific Walmart store. Some general tips for finding baseball cards at Walmart include:

Start in the toy department near the front of the store. Most Walmarts will have a trading card section located within the larger toy aisles. Look for signs above the aisles that say “Trading Cards” or “Collectibles.” The baseball cards will usually be stocked on shelving units within this section alongside other sports cards like football and basketball. If you don’t see a designated trading card aisle right away, ask a Walmart employee for assistance in locating the cards.

Check near the sports equipment. Some Walmart stores organize their baseball cards next to sports balls and bats rather than with the traditional toys. Look in the sporting goods department towards the rear of the store. The cards may be on an endcap display at the end of an aisle or on shelves mixed in with other sports merchandise. Sports memorabilia like jerseys are also sometimes nearby.

Explore the entertainment section. For Supercenters and larger Walmart locations, consider browsing the movies, music, and games area near the electronics. Baseball cards could potentially be filed with DVDs and books related to the sport. Or they may be stocked on an aisle mixed in with other trading card games and collectible card games. Entertainment sections sometimes have a row dedicated just to various trading cards.

Check seasonal/impulse areas and endcaps. At certain times of year like baseball season, Walmart may prominently display new baseball card releases and pack options on aisle endcaps or in cardboard displays throughout the store where other seasonal toys and gifts are shown. These high traffic areas spotlight popular new items.

Visit the checkout lanes. When all else fails, look by the cash registers before you exit. Occasionally Walmart keeps small impulse displays of chewing gum cards, sticker books and other collectibles next to the candy racks and magazines by the frontCheckout lanes as last chance upsell items.

Now that you know the general areas to scout, here are some tips specific to finding different baseball card products within those sections:

For current year sealed packs from the latest releases like Topps, Donruss, etc look on the primary trading card shelving units. These will be stocked by year from newest to oldest packaged in multi-pack boxes or loose packs. Individual newly released high value rookie cards from those sets may also be stocked separately in plastic sleeves.

For unopened classic boxes and sets look lower on the shelves for 1990s and earlier years packaged in plastic wrap or sealed boxes. Vintage pre-1990 sets are sometimes found this way too but availability varies greatly based on specific store stock. Ask employees to check in back for older out of production items.

Loose discount bins are a good spot for buying individual commons, uncommons, and outdated base cards fairly cheaply by the pound. But rarer pulled hits may occasionally be mixed in as well. These are usually kept near the primary trading card aisles.

Magazine style racking units hold specialty annuals, magazines with cards packaged inside that tell the history of the sport and players. These are sometimes racked with physical magazines/books nearby as well.

Endcap displays and cardboard headers are key for special promotional packs, value boxes around holidays, and new special tribute parallel releases from brands. Check these impulse buy areas first.

I hope these tips help provide a strategic direction for finding and exploring the baseball card selection available at your local Walmart store. Don’t hesitate to ask employees directly if you need any assistance tracking down specific products or have additional questions during your search. With a big box chain retailer carrying thousands of stock keeping units across all departments, targeted guidance really helps optimize your in-store card shopping experience. Let me know if you need any other advice!

WHAT IS THE RAREST BASEBALL CARDS

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One of the rarest and most valuable baseball cards is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card. It is widely considered the most coveted and valuable trading card in existence today. Only around 60 authentic Honus Wagner T206 cards are known to exist today in varying conditions. What makes this card so rare is that Wagner demanded his card be pulled from production due to not being compensated for its usage. Only a small number of cards made it into circulation before the full print run could be stopped. This scarcity has driven prices of authentic cards to astronomical levels.

In the 1980s and 1990s, prices for Wagner cards were a few thousand dollars but by the 2000s they started selling for over $1 million. In 2007, one card received a record price of $2.8 million at auction. In 2016, another pristine graded example sold for $3.12 million. In 2021, another mint condition Wagner card set the all-time record when it achieved $6.6 million at auction. The 1909-11 T206 Wagner is now valued over $10 million for a gem mint PSA 0 graded copy, making it the most valuable collectible card in the world.

Another extremely rare pre-war card is the 1909-11 T206 Sherry Magee card. Only 116 are believed to still exist in all conditions combined. High graded examples of this card have sold in recent years for over $1 million, making it one of the most valuable non-Wagner cards from the iconic T206 set which had over 500 different player cards issued. Like Wagner, Magee’s rarity comes from very low original print numbers.

A few other select pre-1930 cards that command huge prices due to their extreme rarity include the 1933 Goudey Billy Jurges (#178) and the 1909-11 T206 Fred Clarke. Only a handful are known to exist for each of these cards and they can sell in the $500,000 range when top-graded. Some consider the Jurges and Clarke to be on par with the Wagner for their historical significance and low populations.

Moving into the post-war 1950s and 1960s era, one of the rarest standard issue baseball cards is the 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie card. Only a small original run was produced making it scarce, and high grades are exceptionally rare. Pristine mint condition copies have sold for well over $1 million.

The 1964 Topps Hank Aaron rookie (#5) is similarly prized as it is iconic but also quite rare in pristine grades due to print quality issues. Recently a BGS-graded 9.5 example achieved $1.8 million at auction. Other super rare post-war cards that sell for six figures include the 1954 Topps Roberto Clemente (#313), 1959 Topps Sandy Koufax (#253), 1967 Topps Tom Seaver rookie, and 1969 Topps Johnny Bench rookie. All of these have iconic subjects and populations under 100 pieces in the highest grades.

In the 1970s, two star rookies stand out for their rarity – the 1975 Topps George Brett rookie and the 1979 Topps Cal Ripken Jr. rookie. Both of these influential players have exceptionally low populations of their debut cards in pristine condition. Recently a PSA 10 Ripken sold for over $400,000. The Brett rookie is similarly scarce and high graded copies sell comparably.

Some ultra-rare error cards also command big money. The 1939 Play Ball Dazzy Vance Post Office Error is one of the most valuable as only 5-10 are known. A PSA 5 example of this error sold in 2016 for $360,000. The 1925 Exhibits Cobb Back Variation is considered the most famous baseball card error. Only two PSA-graded copies exist and both have achieved over $150,000 at auction in recent times.

The rarest and most valuable baseball cards combine iconic players with extremely low original print numbers resulting in populations under 100 pieces for the highest graded specimens. Cards like the T206 Honus Wagner, T206 Sherry Magee, 1933 Goudey Billy Jurges, 1909-11 T206 Fred Clarke, 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle, 1964 Topps Hank Aaron, and 1975 Topps George Brett rookie all fit these criteria of rarity and player significance to be worth over $500,000 in top condition. With new records being set every few years, the scarcest early 20th century cards as well as pristine 1970s stars rookie cards remain the Holy Grail treasures for serious collectors.