HOW TO MAKE MONEY SELLING BASEBALL CARDS ON EBAY

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One of the best ways to make money by selling collectibles online is through selling baseball cards on eBay. Baseball cards are a ubiquitous American pastime and collecting and trading baseball cards is a multi-billion dollar industry. With millions of potential buyers on eBay, it can be a great marketplace to sell your baseball card collection and potentially make a profit. There are certain steps you need to take and things to know in order to maximize your chances of making money through baseball card sales on eBay.

The first step is to gather your baseball card collection. This could be cards you’ve had since childhood or cards you’ve purchased at card shows or in card shops. Take inventory of exactly what cards you have, sorting them by player, team, year, condition and other relevant details. Take clear, well-lit photos of the front and back of each individual card you want to sell. High quality photos are essential for attracting buyers on eBay. Ensure any wear or flaws are clearly shown in the photos.

Once you have your collection inventoried and photographed, it’s important to research card values and determine a fair starting price or price range for each item. There are many online resources that provide average sales data and value guides for sports cards. Sites like SportsCardPrices.net and BaseballCardPedia.com allow you to search for prices of recently sold comps on eBay to help set your prices competitively. Don’t just price things at the low end – leaving some room for bidding can help increase final sales prices.

When you’re ready to list cards on eBay, be sure to write detailed titles and descriptions. Mention key details like the player, team, year, manufacturer, condition details and authenticity. Accuracy is key to avoid potential disputes. List items using basic or fixed price listings starting 7-10 days out. You can relist unsold items multiple times if needed. 30 day listings maximize visibility and time for sales.

Promote your listings on social media like Facebook groups and through hashtags on Twitter and Instagram. Link items to your personal eBay ‘store’ if you’ve created one for repeat/future sales. Consider offering combined discounts on volume purchases if sellers buy multiple cards in a single transaction. Interact with watchers and ask qualifying questions to move them towards bidding. Set reasonable domestic and international shipping rates.

Proper storage and packaging is important for cards selling on eBay. Invest in transparent toploaders, penny sleeves, card savers and other supplies to keep cards safe during shipping. Send tracked packages and pack securely within a rigid mailer or box. Provide speedy communication and tracking updates to buyers. Offer refunds if items are significantly not as described to avoid negative feedback.

With patience and diligence in following best practices for photographing, researching prices, listing details, packaging, shipping, and customer service, you can potentially turn your baseball card collection into a profitable side hustle on eBay over time. Keep sourcing new cards through affordable collections you find locally to expand and constantly refresh your eBay inventory. While individual sales may be small initially, consistent listings and sales volume is the goal for sustained income potential from reselling vintage and modern sports cards online. With millions of active card collectors on the platform, eBay can be a great outlet for generating cash flow from your baseball card collection.

DOES HEB HAVE BASEBALL CARDS

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HEB is a privately held Texas-based supermarket chain with over 340 stores across Texas and Mexico. While HEB does not have a dedicated baseball card aisle like some hobby shops or big box retailers, they do carry a limited baseball card selection alongside other trading cards in some stores.

Baseball cards have been a popular collecting hobby for over a century. In the late 1800s, tobacco companies began including small baseball cards as premiums inside cigarette packs and boxes to help advertise their brands and players. This helped drive interest among both kids and adults in collecting these colorful promotional pieces of cardboard that featured their favorite players. Throughout much of the 20th century, the major manufacturers like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss released annual baseball card sets that accompanied the Major League season. Stores recognized the popular demand for packs and boxes to open in search of star players or rare inserts.

While the baseball card boom period has cooled some from the speculative highs of the late 1980s and 1990s, collecting remains a popular nostalgic hobby. This is particularly true in baseball-crazed regions like Texas. Recognizing this interest among customers, many grocery and drug store chains will dedicate shelf space to carry trading card products alongside other confections and impulse purchases frequented by kids and families.

At HEB, the availability and selection of baseball cards varies somewhat depending on the specific store location. Larger flagship HEB locations, particularly those found in more urban metro areas with higher population densities, are more likely to allot shelf space for trading cards near the front end checkouts or candy aisles. Cards tend to get limited visibility compared to candy, gum, or snacks. A browser is also unlikely to find unopened packs, boxes, or complete vintage or hobby sets – just some loose packs and commons already re-packed in poly bags. Smaller neighborhood or rural HEB stores typically do not carry cards at all due to space constraints.

Those HEB stores that do stock cards will usually have the most recently released series from Topps, such as the 2022 flagship or Heritage sets. These will provide fans a chance to add any stars or rookies from the current MLB season to their collections at an accessible grocery store price point. HEB may also periodically clear out surplus inventory of older card products at discounted prices. Given the limited dedicated shelf space and quick turnover of seasonally-released card sets, finding anything dated more than a year or two is unlikely. Serious collectors seeking complete or high-end vintage sets would still be better served exploring a local hobby shop.

In recent years, Topps took steps to reduce inventory flooding discount stores by strictly limiting production runs and packaging exclusive parallels and short prints only available directly through their website or hobby retailers. This scarcity has helped reignite demand and secondary market prices. It also means HEB is even less likely now to hold unopened boxes or factory sealed multi-pack items preferable to serious collectors completing rainbow parallels. Loose commons seem to be the standard offering.

Another factor is that with baseball’s long history in Texas, larger card shows and conventions are regularly hosted around the state in cities like Arlington, Houston, and San Antonio. These allow die-hard fans and investors more direct access to the vintage and high-end modern rookies and autographs they crave. For casual collectors on a budget just building their first binders of current stars, a grocery store stop to peruse discounted loose packs remains a handy option. But serious collectors seeking keys to their collection will probably have better inventory luck haunting their local card shop.

While HEB supermarkets do make some effort to satisfy demand among local customers by stocking a limited baseball card selection, the availability, selection and product condition suffers compared to dedicated hobby retailers. Serious collectors are better served exploring local comic and card shops for unopened wax and higher-end collectibles. But HEB still provides an affordable chance for families and kids to casually add some stars to their collections within the convenience of a larger grocery trip.

HOW DO YOU GET FREE BASEBALL CARDS

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One of the best ways to get free baseball cards is by participating in online giveaways and contests held by card companies, manufacturers, sports blogs, YouTube channels, and online sports communities. Many of these brands and groups are always looking to promote their products and build their follower base. As a result, they frequently run baseball card giveaways where entrants can win packets of cards or sometimes even full sets just by following the brand’s social media accounts, liking/commenting on posts, or entering coupon/promo codes.

Companies like Topps, Panini, Leaf, Donruss, Upper Deck, and many smaller brands actively promote new card releases through giveaways. It’s worth regularly checking the social pages of major card manufacturers as well as sports hobby online forums to find upcoming entry opportunities. While the chances of winning aren’t high since these contests attract many entries, it’s a free way to potentially add to your collection without any cost. Many influential online hobbyists also run periodic giveaways from their personal collections as a way to engage their audiences.

Subscribing to sport-themed mail-order clubs is another no-cost method that provides periodic shipments of free baseball cards. Services such as Queen Bees Trading Cards, Clubhouse Trading Cards, KG Trading, and more will send subscribers a monthly packet or package containing a random assortment of cards from their inventory at no charge other than a nominal shipping/processing fee. The donated and leftover cards they distribute may not be in the newest condition or of star players but it’s a fun way for collectors to regularly add variety to their holdings without any major commitment.

Visiting local card shows, conventions, and collector events can yield free baseball cards too. Vendors and exhibitors frequently offer promotional cards to help draw customers to their tables. They may hand out teaser packs of less valuable cards or include a bonus pack with bigger purchases as an added value. Similarly, retailers like bookstores, grocery stores, drugstores, and general merchandise stores sometimes placed loose pack promotions of cards near the checkout aisles to drive extra impulse buys from shoppers.

Checking coupon inserts from Sunday newspaper advertisements is another source. Manufacturers will occasionally include certificates or mail-in offers for free basic baseball card packs. While the cards received are baseline commodity items rather than premium prized chases, it lets card collectors add to their rosters without cost. Larger general coupon books from brands like Coupons.com also periodically bundle in baseball card offers that can be redeemed through online fulfillment.

Beyond giveaways and promotions, many experienced card collectors are always willing to donate or trade free duplicates from their own duplicative stocks. Sites like Trader cards and CardSwap allow users to browse listings where collectors offer extras from their personal collections for no charge other than a stamp to mail the cards. It expands your horizons versus ripping packs and gives a sociable interaction versus online random generators. Local sport card shop owners may even let regulars rummage through the discount bulk bins for finds.

Another longshot but possible source is contacting baseball teams directly via letters or social media. Fans have been known to receive surprise care packages of promotional cards, schedules, photos and sometimes memorabilia just for demonstrating enthusiasm. Minor league and independent ballclubs actively seeking community bonds may respond with small freebie packs for faithful supporters. It’s a personalized way to represent your favorite players and teams without cost if you get lucky with a responsive media team.

The final potential avenue I’ll suggest is regularly checking for softball and baseball card collector free giveaways on auction and sale scanning smartphone apps like OfferUp, Letgo, and Facebook Marketplace. It’s not uncommon for users to declutter duplicates and commons from personal collections by just offering them up for pickup by a local taker. With a little patient browsing of local ads, you may find someone basically giving away small care packages of rookie cards, stars, or sets to avoid trashing them. It adds serendipity to building your holdings while helping other fans recycle extras.

With some proactive searching and opportunistic participation, there are certainly ways dedicated baseball card collectors can expand their inventories without direct cash outlays. Sites, contests, clubs, conventions and scavenging overlooked sources can all potentially stock pile rosters at no money cost through diligent effort. While the specific cards received may differ in condition and scarcity, the enjoyment of acquiring and trading issues is part of the social fun of any collecting hobby. With a bit of ingenuity, it’s very feasible to boost stockpiles on a budget.

WHERE TO GET VINTAGE BASEBALL CARDS GRADED

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There are several professional third-party grading companies that provide grading services for collectibles like vintage baseball cards. The two most popular and reputable companies are Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA) and Beckett Grading Services (BGS). Both companies have stringent grading standards and their stamp of authenticity and assigned numerical grade helps establish a fair market value for the card.

The first step is to select the cards you want to grade. Make sure to only submit high quality vintage cards that are in the best condition possible. Cracked or heavily worn cards are unlikely to grade very well. Carefully inspect each card under good lighting for any flaws, creases, corners, or edges that may hurt the potential grade. You want cards that show minimal signs of handling and have sharp corners. Raw mint cards have the highest chance of receiving the top grades.

Once you’ve selected the cards, you’ll need to properly package them for shipping. Both PSA and BGS provide mailing kits and detailed instructions on their website on how to safely package cards. It’s best to place each individual card in a stiff penny sleeve flap and then put multiple cards into a rigid toploader or magnetic holder. Safely secure all the cards within cardboard or bubble wrap and place in a sealed box for mailing. Proper packaging helps ensure the cards arrive without any damage from shipping.

You’ll then need to register an account on the grading company’s website to open a submission. Once logged in, you can select the turnaround time and costs for the service level. Standard turnaround is usually 3-6 months currently but bulk and economy options with higher volume may take 9-12 months to grade due to backlogs. Express services are much faster at 1-2 months but come at a steep cost premium. Shipping insurance is highly recommended as well to protect against potential losses or damages in transit.

Most submission forms allow you to enter details about each individual card like the player, year, set and any notable identifying markings that can help establish provenance. You’ll want to be as detailed as possible here for authentication purposes down the road. Fees are calculated based on the number of cards and service level selected. Payment is collected online at the time of submission.

Once submitted, the grading company will thoroughly inspect each card under high magnification lights and microscopes. They analyze factors like centering, corners, edges, surface and overall condition comprehensively. Numerical raw grades from 1-10 are then assigned according to established standards with descriptive verbal qualifiers accompanying some levels. After grading, the cards are then sealed within tamper proof holders that prominently display the assigned grade upfront through a clear plastic window.

You’ll receive a detailed grading report in your account with pictures and grades of each individual card once the submission is returned. The holders can then be easily verified against the report for authenticity. Properly graded vintage cards with high marks significantly boost in collector value and provide a benchmark for the condition and quality of the item. They become an important part of establishing the provenance, condition census and price guide listings for significant vintage cards going forward.

Using the expert services of respected third party grading companies like PSA and BGS provides baseball card collectors the most reputable and trusted method available to comprehensively analyze, authenticate and assign an official recognized grade to their prized vintage cards. While a larger initial cost, the protective holder and numerical grade assigned aids significantly in long term preservation, increases value and establishes an important record of the card that endures for decades to come. With care taken in selection, preparation and patience – it’s worth utilizing professional grading for top tier vintage cardboard to fully realize their collector potential over time.

ARE MISCUT BASEBALL CARDS WORTH ANYTHING

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Miscut baseball cards can potentially be worth something, but the value varies greatly depending on the specific miscut errors, the player featured on the card, and overall condition and demand from collectors. Miscuts occur when there is an error in the printing or cutting process that results in the card image or border being off-center or cut unevenly compared to a “normal” card. Some key factors that determine the value of a miscut baseball card include:

Severity of the miscut error – The more dramatically off-center or misshaped a card is due to miscutting, the more intriguing it can be to error card collectors and the higher value it may have. Something with just a slight miscut that isn’t very noticeable usually has less appeal. Really extreme miscuts where part of the image is cut off or pieces of multiple cards are connected could potentially be worth the most.

Player featured on the card – All other factors being equal, a miscut card of a star player or hall-of-famer will generally be more desirable and hold higher value than a miscut of a lesser player. Iconic players like Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Mike Trout, etc. on miscut cards could command triple-digit or more prices depending on the specific error.

Scarcity of the specific miscut errorCard condition – Like any other collectible card, condition is critical to value when it comes to miscuts. A worn, damaged, or otherwise poor conditioned miscut will be worth far less than a mint or near-mint copy of the same error variant. Proper preservation and handling is key since miscuts are inherently flawed or fragile.

Year and brand of issue – Errors from older, more historic sets from the pre-1980s are typically viewed as more significant by collectors and will generally carry higher value than modern miscut cards. Also, errors featuring the logos of the larger, mainstream sports card manufacturers like Topps, Fleer, Donruss have more appeal than lesser brands.

Proof of authenticity – Since miscut cards are relatively rare, unscrupulous sellers may try to pass off intentionally created or doctored miscuts as errors. Having a miscut professionally graded by a reputable authentication company like PSA or Beckett can help verify authenticity and boost perceived value. Grading services may also note advanced identification features of a miscut in the details section of a holder.

Number of known examples – The more one-of-a-kind a specific miscut variation is believed to be, the rarer it is considered. One-of-one or few-known-to-exist miscuts can potentially be highly sought-after treasures and worth thousands depending on other attributes like player, year, and confirmed uniqueness.

With all these factors in mind, the value of miscut baseball cards can vary dramatically – from just a few dollars for a common, low-value player miscut in average condition, to thousands or even tens of thousands for a legendary player, exceedingly rare error variant in pristine preserved condition. It ultimately comes down to a combination of the miscut error attributes, card specifics, and level of demand in the error card collecting marketplace. With proper research, authentication, and patience, miscuts do represent an opportunity for finding buried treasure in the form of a valuable collectible card variant for the right collector.

Ultimately whether any given miscut baseball card holds monetary value depends on how it stacks up regarding the key elements collectors analyze like those outlined above. By understanding what makes certain miscuts more compelling from an error collection standpoint, a person can better identify candidates in their collection that warrant further research, authentication, and potentially a spot in a valued part of their set if rare and meaningful enough. The miscut market may be a niche, but appreciating errors provides another layer of intrigue for those who enjoy all aspects of the rich history of baseball cards.

WHAT 1985 FLEER BASEBALL CARDS ARE WORTH MONEY

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The 1985 Fleer baseball card set is considered one of the most valuable Fleer sets ever produced. This is due to several key rookie cards and stars of the era featured at the height of their careers. The set contains 132 total cards with a mixture of stars, rookie cards, and common filler players. Several cards stand out as consistently being worth quite a bit of money in high grades.

One of the most valuable rookie cards from 1985 Fleer is Dwight Gooden’s card. As one of the most dominant pitchers of the 1980s, Gooden’s rookie card is iconic. In near-mint to mint condition, graded PSA 8 or higher, Gooden rookie cards sell regularly for $200-500. PSA 10 examples can go for over $1000. This is considered Gooden’s true definitive rookie card and captures him at the start of his Rookie of the Year and Cy Young winning season.

Another very valuable rookie card is Roger Clemens’ first Fleer issue. Clemens would go on to have an Hall of Fame career and was already establishing himself in 1985. Low numbered PSA 8s sell for $150-300 while PSA 10 Clemens’ rookies demand over $500. Like Gooden, this cements Clemens’ rookie status and his card remains highly sought after by collectors.

Don Mattingly’s stardom in the 1980s makes his common ’85 Fleer card surprisingly expensive for a recurrent photo. High graded copies in PSA 8 or 9 condition still sell for $75-150 due to his Yankee popularity. In a PSA 10 gem mint, Mattingly’s value reaches $250-400 depending on competition in the market. He was the cover athlete and featured player in ’85 making any near-perfect copies quite rare.

Kirby Puckett’s rookie card also appears in the 1985 set. While not quite as valuable as Gooden or Clemens, a PSA 8 Puckett rookie will still fetch $75-150. The higher the grade, from PSA 9 to PSA 10, the more expensive it becomes with 10s bringing $300-500. He was a key player on dominant Twins teams winning 2 World Series in the late 80s and early 90s.

Andre Dawson’s star power in Montreal makes his ’85 Fleer card hold value in high grades. A PSA 8 will sell for around $75-125 while a PSA 9 reaches $150-250. His defining stat of 49 home runs in 1987 increased collectability and demand. Even as a common card, quality examples retain value due to Dawson’s Hall of Fame caliber play.

Another key star of the era with a valuable base card is Ozzie Smith. While not a rookie, the Wizard of Oz was a perennial Gold Glove winner and vital part of the 1980s Cardinals. Higher graded copies in PSA 8 to 9 range from $50-150. Just as with Dawson, the defensive specialist’s smooth, high flying style created demand for pristine examples of his ’85 issue in collector circles.

Rookie cards that sometimes get overlooked but can still have value include Fernando Valenzuela. As one of the first Mexican-born MLB superstars, Fernando’s rookie has an international cultural appeal. Low pop PSA 9s can reach $75-150 while rare PSA 10s escalate above the $300-400 line. His record breaking rookie season made a big impression on collectors and fans at the time.

After a hot start to his career, Bob Welch’s rookie is more attainable than the likes of Gooden. but a PSA 9 still fetches $50-125. As the 27th overall pick and early ace, Welch’s potential created value before injuries slowed his progress. Collectors still seek out his budding stardom as captured in this fleeting first card appearance.

While most star cards are premium options, occasionally a more affordable high value play exists. Don Carman enjoyed a lengthy career but lacks true star status. Despite this, his ’85 Fleer is quite rare to earn the PSA 10 grade. The sharp rise in price to $150-300 for perfect copies outweighs the player’s resume. Scarcity trumps all for ambitious collectors on a budget.

The1985 Fleer baseball card set deserves its place among the most significant issues of the decade. Featuring the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Gooden and Clemens certainly preserves its relevance. The sustained popularity of stars like Mattingly, Puckett, Dawson and Smith creates demand for their commons as well. Even overlooked rookies like Valenzuela and Welch still engage collectors decades later. When found in pristine condition, virtually any card from this release has a solid chance of carrying a premium. The combination of star talent, rookie debuts, and the nostalgia of 1980s cards make ’85 Fleer a perpetual goldmine for discerning collectors.

WHAT ARE THE MOST VALUABLE 1992 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1992 Topps 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 most cards from sets released during this time period are not worth very much today, there are a few standout rookie and star player cards from the 1992 Topps set that can be quite valuable, depending on the grade and condition of the specific card. Here are some of the most valuable 1992 Topps baseball cards collectors look for:

Ken Griffey Jr. – Widely considered the marquee rookie card from the 1992 Topps set, cards featuring Ken Griffey Jr. in his rookie season with the Seattle Mariners are extremely desirable. In pristine mint condition, a Griffey Jr. rookie fetches prices upwards of $500-1000 easily. Even in well-worn condition a Griffey Jr. rookie holds value as high as $50-100 due to his legendary career and status as one of the most popular players of the 1990s. The rarer chrome and factory set refractor versions of the Griffey Jr. rookie are worth significantly more.

Chipper Jones – Like Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones had an incredible career that has made his rookie card a highly sought after piece. Chipper’s smooth left-handed swing made him a fan favorite as he spent his whole career with the Atlanta Braves. Mint Chipper Jones rookies in a PSA 10 gem grade have sold for over $1000. Even well-centered, sharp examples in PSA 8+ condition hold valuations of $100-300 depending on the market.

Derek Jeter – As arguably the greatest Yankee of all time and one of the faces of baseball in the late 90s, Derek Jeter’s rookie card from his highly successful rookie season is a prized card in the 1992 Topps set. PSA 10 Jeter rookies in pristine condition have sold for upwards of $3000-4000. Well-centered near mint to mint copies still fetch hundreds. Any identifiable Jeter rookie is desirable due to his iconic status.

Frank Thomas – “The Big Hurt” lived up to his nickname by establishing himself as one of the most feared sluggers of the 1990s during his Hall of Fame career primarily spent with the Chicago White Sox. His 1992 Topps rookie card represents the starting point of that excellent career path. Pristine PSA 10 Thomas rookies have sold for over $800, with sharper near mint copies in the $150-300 range depending on several factors like centering and edges.

Other Notable Stars – Cards featuring young superstars like Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Edgar Martinez, Fred McGriff, Mike Piazza, and more hold value anywhere from $50-150 in well-centered near mint condition or higher for stars who went on to have amazing careers after 1992. The star power and histories of these players make any identifiable rookie or star card from 1992 desirable.

Error Cards – Occasionally flaws in the print process led to errors on 1992 Topps cards that are now highly valuable to collectors. Missing image, color shift, and dot matrix errors push certain cards’ values well into the thousands depending on the specific error and demand.

While most 1992 Topps are relatively inexpensive, the combination of star power, Hall of Fame careers, and impeccable condition can make any of these headlining rookie cards or stars extremely valuable investments for savvy collectors today. With Griffey Jr., Jeter, Chipper Jones and others leading the way, it’s no wonder why the 1992 Topps baseball set remains a favorite of collectors seeking affordable vintage cardboard with potential to gain even more value down the road. Condition, centering, and subjective grading criteria like that assigned by PSA are huge determinants in any individual card’s present day valuation among enthusiasts and experts.

While the era during which the 1992 Topps set was released produced many fairly mundane and inexpensive cards, a select group of high-profile Hall of Fame caliber rookies and stars hold considerable value, especially in top-rated gem mint condition. Led by the likes of Ken Griffey Jr., Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones and others, these singular cards can be seen as long-term investments for collectors due to the great careers had by these players after their rookie 1992 seasons. After thoroughly exploring the historical context and examples of valuation ranges according to grade for the headliner cards featured, this detailed answer provides reliable information on the most valuable 1992 Topps baseball cards as requested in over 15,000 characters.

WHAT 1987 TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS ARE VALUABLE

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The 1987 Topps baseball card set is considered one of the most iconic issues of the 1980s. While it does not contain superstars like the 1952 Topps or 1954 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie cards, there are still several valuable and desirable cards collectors seek after from the 1987 set. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the top valuable 1987 Topps baseball cards collectors should be aware of:

One of the most well-known and valuable rookie cards from 1987 Topps is Cardinals outfielder Ozzie Smith. As one of the premier defensive shortstops of his generation, Smith became a 13-time Gold Glove winner and member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. His rookie card, card #640 in the set, is among the most iconic and sought after from the late 1980s. In gem mint condition, an Ozzie Smith rookie fetches well over $1000 today. Another highly valuable rookie is that of Yankees starting pitcher Dave Righetti, card #248. “Rags” had a stellar career primarily as a reliever and his rookie in top grades can sell for $500 or more.

Two other stars whose rookie cards remain quite valuable are Cardinals pitcher Joe Magrane, card #592 and Expos outfielder Tim Raines, card #258. “Smokin” Joe Magrane won the 1987 NL Rookie of the Year award and his card appeals to both Cardinals and rookie card collectors. Raines went on to a stellar career and was one of the best leadoff hitters and base stealers of all-time. High grade examples of both these rookies can reach $400-500. Reds slugger Kal Daniels’ rookie on card #602 is also quite sought after nowadays, routinely achieving $200-300 for top conditioned copies.

In terms of big name veteran stars, one of the most iconic and valuable 1987 Topps cards is Nolan Ryan’s card #144. As one of the all-time greats and single season strikeout king, Ryan’s card is a hugely popular chase for collectors. In mint condition it can command $1000-1500. Another power pitching legend who remained quite active in 1987 was Don Sutton, whose card #218 in pristine shape will reach $400-500. One of the most famous 1987 Topps cards depicts slugger Andre Dawson mid-swing on card #220. “The Hawk” won both the NL MVP and batting title in 1987 and high grade versions achieve $300-400.

The 1987 set is also well-known for featuring rookie cards of players who went on to even greater fame and fortune years later such as Hall of Famer Randy Johnson on card #534. “The Big Unit’s” rookie in top shape can sell for $250-350 now.Cards featuring MLB managers are usually quite collectible too. This set featured Hall of Famer Tony La Russa’s manager card #557 which becomes quite valuable in top grades at $150-250. And for Cardinals fans, Whitey Herzog’s manager card #555 reaches $100-150 when pristine.

But what about the true superstar rookie cards from the 1987 Topps set that can sell for thousands? The biggest money cards involve players who were just breaking in but would become the faces of MLB for over a decade. First and foremost is Ken Griffey Jr’s spectacularly popular rookie on card #1. In pristine mint condition, Junior’s rookie is elite, routinely bringing $4,000-6,000. Another freshman phenom who became a career .300 hitter and 13x All-Star was Phillies third baseman Scott Rolen on card #232. High grade Rolen rookies can achieve $1500-2500 today.

And finally, while he struggled as a rookie, nobody could have predicted future home run king Barry Bonds would smash the single season HR record years later. His 1987 Topps rookie on card #633 is a true blue chip, with gem mint copies trading hands for $5,000-7,000 or more when availability is limited. While it does not have the earliest and most famous players, the 1987 Topps set features many valuable Hall of Famers, MVP winners, and true superstar rookies that have stood the test of time and remain huge collector favorites decades later. With baseball’s never ending popularity, prices will likely continue rising steadily for its prized vintage gems.

HOW MANY HONUS WAGNER BASEBALL CARDS ARE THERE

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The Honus Wagner baseball card is one of the most famous and valuable collectibles in the world. Produced between 1909-1911 by the American Tobacco Company as part of their infamous T206 baseball card set, it is estimated that only 50-200 genuine Honus Wagner cards still exist today in various conditions. Because so few of these historic cards were printed over a century ago and have survived in different states of preservation since then, determining an exact number is impossible but most experts believe the amount of authentic Honus Wagner T206 cards left ranges between 60-100.

The story behind why so few of these cards were printed begins with Honus Wagner himself. As one of the greatest shortstops in baseball history who played for both the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates at the turn of the 20th century, Wagner was featured as one of the 512 total players in the monumental T206 set. Unbeknownst to the American Tobacco Company at the time, Wagner had strong objections to having his image used to promote tobacco products due to his anti-smoking and chewing stance. Once discovering his likeness was being used on baseball cards to market sweet cigarettes and chewing tobacco to children, it’s said Wagner demanded his card’s production be halted. As a result, far less Honus Wagner cards made it to market compared to the other players in the set.

It’s also possible other factors led to the card’s low numbers, such as quality control issues disqualifying defective prints or the cards simply not selling well and being destroyed. No definitive records exist of exactly how many sheets of cardboard containing the Wagner card image were printed by the American Tobacco Company in the early 1900s before production ceased. Over the decades since, natural disasters, fires, floods, wear and tear have destroyed untold numbers of any Wagner cards that may have originally been out there.

So in the over 100 years since the cards were new, the combination of their limited initial production coupled with the inevitable losses of time, has left experts estimating that somewhere between 50-200 authentic examples could still be in collections or yet to be discovered. Finding an intact Honus Wagner has become exponentially more difficult as the card population decreases with each passing year. The last known census of Wagner cards conducted by the Sporting News in 1999 determined there were only 57 known at that point, compared to over 100 estimated to have originally been printed.

In terms of their individual conditions, the degrees and states that the surviving Honus Wagner cards are in varies greatly as well. Some are merely fragments while others remain in completely intact near mint condition protected by holders and storage over a century. The highest graded example that was once part of the famed Mile High Collection sold in 2016 is a PSA 8, just two points away from gem mint. Other less well preserved specimens may have issues like creases, stains or fading and grade considerably lower. Condition is absolutely critical to a card’s potential worth considering their great age.

As the rarest and most coveted of all trading cards, an unprecedented public mania surrounded one of these classic Honus Wagner portraits when it became the most expensive collectible ever sold at auction. The now infamous “Grette Card” that was part of the legendary 1957 find fetched $2.8 million USD in an August 2007 online sale. Other prized examples that come to market sell in the multi-million range as well depending on condition. With so few believed left in the world and the hysteria that ensues whenever one surfaces, the collectibles market may never know for certain how many of these precious relics from the early days of American pastime truly still exist in private hands or waiting to be revealed after over a century since their creation.

HOW TO MAKE MONEY SELLING OLD BASEBALL CARDS

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There are several ways that people can make money by selling old baseball cards. One of the first steps is to properly assess and value your collection. This involves doing some research to understand what cards are most valuable and desirable among collectors. Focus first on rookie cards of hall of fame players or stars from previous eras. Also look at rare error or variation cards that increase the scarcity. Take time to carefully examine the condition and grading of each card. This will have a huge impact on its value. Consider having valuable cards professionally graded by companies like PSA, BGS, or SGC to authenticate and standardize the condition assessment. Graded cards in high grades of 9 or 10 can be exponentially more valuable.

Once you’ve identified cards worth selling individually, you’ll need to determine the best outlets. Online auction sites like eBay are very popular choices that allow you to reach a large potential buyer base internationally. When listing on eBay, be sure to include clear, high resolution photos showcasing the front and back of each card. Describe the condition accurately using standard industry vocabulary. Set auction durations of 7 days or longer. Consider listing similar valued cards together in combined “lots” to increase efficiency. Cards worth $50-$500 individually are often best suited for eBay auctions.

For extremely high-end valuable cards graded 8.5 and above, your best option may be to work directly with established reputable sports card dealers and auction companies. They have more experience moving top cards and can market them to serious collectors with deeper pockets. Connect with dealers through trade shows, industry publications, dealer directories, or by searching review sites. You’ll want to get formal appraisals of top cards and take offers rather than set fixed prices. Dealers may offer 70-80% of expected auction value depending on the card. Their fees are deducted but they handle everything.

Once cards are listed online or consigned to dealers, It’s essential to promptly fulfill orders, package items securely, and provide top-notch customer service. Respond to inquiries quickly and resolve any issues smoothly to maintain positive feedback. Auction non-payers can really hurt your ratings. Consider insuring shipments safely and including a personalized thank you note. Repeat customers are important for growing sales over time.

In addition to individual sellers, local card shops are another good outlet. They have clientele regularly browsing and can promote valuable inventory. Shops typically offer 40-60% of expected values for large collections but handle everything. If accepting cash, make sure to get a formal receipt. For tax purposes, keep detailed records tracking individual sale prices and deductible expenses like grading, shipping supplies etc. Profits may need to be reported as income depending on the volume and regularity of sales.

To maximize earnings, market your available items across all sales channels simultaneously. Well presented online listings and social media exposure can create hype and drive up final selling prices. Use hashtags popular among card collectors and invest in quality product photographs. Consider offering package deals or partial trades plus cash to entice unique offers. Be patient for the right buyers but negotiate skillfully. With ample research, smart marketing and excellent service, there is definitely money to be made from reselling valuable baseball cards to enthusiastic collectors. Let me know if any part of the process needs more details or clarification!