Alan Beck was an American professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1959 to 1970. While his MLB career was relatively short and unremarkable statistically, Alan Beck baseball cards have become quite collectible in the decades since he retired from playing. This is largely due to his rookie card being one of the more scarce and desirable rookie cards from the early 1960s. As a result, Alan Beck cards can often command high prices when available for sale on websites and marketplaces that cater to sports card collectors.
One of the largest and most reputable online marketplaces for buying and selling sports cards is COMC, short for Cardboard Connection. COMC has built a large business around providing a safe, secure platform for collectors and dealers to buy, sell, and trade cards. Their extensive inventory includes thousands of Alan Beck baseball cards across his playing career with the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, and Philadelphia Phillies. Given the scarcity and demand for his rookie card, it unsurprisingly tends to be one of the more expensive Beck cards available on COMC at any given time.
Beck’s rookie card is from 1961 Topps and is considered one of the key rookie cards from that entire set, which is one of the most iconic and collected vintage issues. In high grade it can sell for well over $1000 on COMC. Even in lower, EX-MT grades it typically sells in the $300-500 range. This is quite steep compared to what most other non-star players from that era go for. It speaks to both the rarity of finding the card in nice condition after 60+ years as well as collectors’ strong desire to add this piece of cardboard to their vintage rookie collection.
In addition to his rookie, other standout Alan Beck baseball cards that attract serious collector interest on COMC include his 1962 and 1963 Topps issues. These follow-up cards are also quite scarce to find well-centered and in high grades of NM-MT or better. For example, a 1963 Topps Beck in NM-MT condition may sell for $150-250 depending on recent sales comps. His 1964 and 1965 Topps are also on the more desirable side for collectors of cards from the first half of his MLB tenure with the Cubs. Prices tend to range from $50-150 based on grade.
After being traded from the Cubs to the Reds in 1965, Beck’s cards from 1966-1969 with Cincinnati are also in demand on COMC. This includes his 1966, 1967, and 1969 Topps issues which can often sell in the $25-100 range based on factors like centering, corners, and overall appeal. His 1968 Topps is a bit more common so prices tend to be in the $10-50 range. Collectors seem to show the most interest in capturing Beck’s Reds tenure in high grades to complement the scarcer Cubs cards in collections.
Beck’s final MLB season was 1970 when he played very briefly for the Philadelphia Phillies. Reflecting the short stint, his 1970 Topps card has much less collector demand compared to his Cubs and Reds issues. On COMC it typically sells for $5-20 depending on condition, making it one of the more attainable Beck cards for collectors looking to fill out their set. Still, in pristine mint condition even a common 1970 could fetch $30-50 due to strong vintage Phillies collectors.
In addition to his main Topps flagship cards, Alan Beck is also represented in some of the popular oddball and regional sets of the 1950s-60s. This includes issues from Kellogg’s, Post, Red Man, Bazooka, and others. These eccentric parallel cards tend to be quite scarce in any grade. On COMC, mint condition examples can often sell in the $50-150 range. Even well-centered but lower graded copies may find buyers in the $20-50 range due to the niche, specialty nature of these oddballs.
Whether chasing rookie cards or following Beck’s career across his Cubs, Reds, and Phillies tenure, COMC is a great resource for collectors pursuing this underrated player’s cardboard. With reasonable prices, a vast selection across all his major issues, and a trusted buyer/seller system, COMC provides a low-risk way to acquire Alan Beck baseball cards. For those seeking a specific card to add to their vintage collection or fill out their Beck album, perusing his listings regularly is recommended. You never know when a key card in a sought-after grade may become available.
While Alan Beck didn’t have huge MLB stats to write home about, his baseball cards from the 1960s have developed quite a cult following in the collector world. Led by the ultra-scarce 1961 Topps rookie, his Topps flagship issues and oddball parallel cards can be found trading hands regularly on COMC. For fans of vintage Cubs, Reds, and Phillies cards, or collectors pursuing complete rainbow sets from the early 1960s, Alan Beck’s cardboard remains a popular niche collecting segment in today’s sports memorabilia marketplace.