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RICHIE ASHBURN BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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Richard David “Richie” Ashburn (September 9, 1927 – September 9, 1997) was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball who spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies. Ashburn was known for his abilities as a hitter and fielder as well as for his intelligence on the field. His baseball card collecting value has increased significantly since his playing days due to his enduring fame and success as a Phillies star.

One of the most famous and beloved players in Phillies history, Ashburn played 12 seasons for Philadelphia from 1948–1959. He had two stints with the Chicago Cubs in 1960–1961 before retiring. Ashburn was a five-time All-Star, won two batting titles, and led the National League in hits five times. His signature skill was avoiding strikeouts, as he only struck out 489 times in over 8,800 career at-bats.

Ashburn’s baseball cards from his playing days have gained value as his legend has grown. His rookie card from 1948 is one of the key cards for Phillies collectors. In near mint condition, it can sell for upwards of $600 due to its scarcity and significance as capturing Ashburn at the beginning of his career. Any cards showing Ashburn in a Phillies uniform from the late 1940s through 1959 hold value for collectors. Even cheaper cards in lower grades are sought after.

Cards depicting Ashburn’s early Phillies career particularly 1949–1955 currently demand the highest prices. This coincides with his peak performance years that included consecutive batting titles in 1950–1951 and leading the league in hits four times between 1950–1954. Iconic photos of a young Ashburn in red pinstripes and a batting helmet make these early cards aesthetically pleasing to collectors as well. Graded examples can reach over $1,000 if they are in excellent shape.

Cards from Ashburn’s two seasons with the Cubs are less prized by Phillies collectors but still carry value for 1960s baseball fans and Chicago fans. The scarcest Cubs cards tend to be the highest valued. For example, his 1961 Topps card has sold for $300 in mint condition due to limited production that year. Most 1960–1961 Cubs Ashburn cards stay in the $50–$100 range depending on condition. These later years depict a more seasoned veteran but remain noteworthy for completing card sets.

Among the most expensive of all Ashburn’s cards are rare promotional issues that were inserted in packs or given away at games in the 1950s. One such example is his 1953 Topps Wide Pen edition which has sold for over $3,000 in top condition. Only a small number of these special print runs were made so they are exceedingly hard to find. Other elusive variations include different posed photos, oddball sized issues, or test prints. Any uncommonAshburn variations can quickly climb well over $1,000 based on their level of scarcity.

Ashburn cards have endured due to his prolific 12-year career, iconic status with the Phillies franchise, and avoidance of strikeouts. Young collectors who never saw him play still chase his colorful cardboard relics as symbols of 1950s baseball excellence and Phillies history. Modern values are helped by growing Phillies fandom across generations. Cards can rise or fall modestly based on the overall baseball market, but Ashburn’s signature success and legacy ensure a solid long term demand. For serious Phillies collectors, a complete rainbow set including errors and variations would command a substantial six figure price tag. In summary, Richie Ashburn playing career baseball cards hold significant and enduring financial value.

RICHIE ASHBURN BASEBALL CARDS

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Richard David “Richie” Ashburn (September 11, 1927 – September 9, 1997) was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball who spent most of his prolific career with the Philadelphia Phillies. Ashburn was one of the most renowned leadoff hitters and defensive center fielders of his era. His speed, batting prowess, and graceful fielding style made him an exciting player to watch. Ashburn was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995.

Ashburn has been featured on numerous baseball cards over the decades since he first broke into the major leagues in 1948 with the Philadelphia Phillies at the age of 20. From his rookie cards in the late 1940s to vintage cards showcasing his prime years in the 1950s to commemorative retired player issues in later decades, Ashburn cards remain popular with collectors today due to his impressive statistics and iconic status as a “hometown hero” for Philly fans. Here is an overview of some of the most significant and collectible Richie Ashburn baseball cards from throughout his playing career and posthumously:

1948 Bowman Gum – Ashburn’s rookie card is one of the key early cards collectors seek. Issued by Bowman Gum in 1948, it pictures a young Ashburn in a Phillies uniform during his first season in the majors. The 1948 Bowman set includes many other rookie Hall of Famers like Willie Mays and Yogi Berra, making complete sets quite valuable. Graded high copies of Ashburn’s rookie commonly sell for thousands of dollars.

1950 Bowman – This is considered one of Ashburn’s best and most identifiable early cards. It captures him in vibrant color during his breakout years with the Phillies in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The bold pastel colors and action posed photo give this card lasting visual appeal. Higher graded examples can reach $500-$1000 due to the iconic nature of this design.

1951 Bowman – Another classic early color card, this time depicting Ashburn in mid-swing wearing red. It shows off his batting prowess that helped him win a National League batting title in 1950. Like the 1950 Bowman above, this is a key card for any Ashburn collection and one that remains quite affordable for most collectors compared to rarer 1970s/1980s issues.

1955 Topps – As the Topps brand came to dominate the baseball card market, their 1955 set became one of the most significant and widely collected vintage issues overall. Ashburn’s card depicts him in the home Philadelphia uniforms he became synonymous with. 1955 Topps cards for stars of the era remain highly demanded.

1960 Topps – By the late 1950s, Ashburn was still a productive player but nearing the end of his Phillies tenure. This eye-catching card captures him batting left-handed in Kansas City with an action pose. It’s a relatively accessible and affordable Ashburn card for collectors on a budget.

1962 Topps – Ashburn’s final baseball card was issued by Topps after he retired following the 1961 season. It pictures him at the end of an outstanding 17-year playing career spent primarily in Philadelphia, closing out a player collection perfectly.

1980 Hall of Fame – After retiring as a player, Ashburn went on to a long, successful broadcasting career as a beloved Phillies announcer. When he gained induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1995, Leaf produced commemorative post-career sets honoring inductees. Their elegant portrait card of Ashburn remains one of his most visually stunning looking cards.

1991 Leaf – To celebrate Ashburn’s remarkable career feats, Leaf produced an update “Portrait” set in 1991. It features a distinguished black and white headshot of Ashburn with team logo and big stats below, honoring his NL batting titles, hits records, and Hall of Fame enshrinement.

1993 Full Flare -Produced by Full Flare/NNO, this holographic card stands out with shimmering 3D imaging. It captures the mystique of Ashburn’s popularity persisting decades after his playing days ended. Holographic parallels can reach $100-200 in top grades.

2008 Topps Allen & Ginter – Still beloved by Phillies fans years later, Topps paid tribute to Ashburn with a memorable retro-style card included in their prestigious Allen & Ginter set that honors baseball history. It stands as one of his final new major release cards posthumously.

In summary, Richie Ashburn’s prolific 17-year career and induction into the Hall of Fame ensured he would be featured on many iconic cards produced from the 1940s through modern day. Whether seeking his elusive rookie issues or affordable vintage highlights, Ashburn collecting remains a staple of vintage baseball card hobby. His popularity in Philadelphia especially continues to drive interest that keeps valuable graded examples trading hands for impressive prices befitting one of the true greats of the Phillies franchise.

BASEBALL CARDS ASHBURN VA

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Baseball Cards in Ashburn, Virginia: A History of the Hobby

Ashburn, Virginia has long been a hotbed for the hobby of collecting baseball cards. Located in Loudoun County just outside of Washington, D.C., Ashburn and the surrounding area is home to many passionate collectors and dealers in vintage baseball memorabilia. While the roots of the baseball card collecting scene in Ashburn can be traced back to the early 1900s, it was not until after World War II that the hobby truly took off among locals. Since then, Ashburn has developed a vibrant baseball card collecting community that continues to this day.

Some of the earliest documented baseball card collectors in Ashburn date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. During this time, tobacco companies like Allen & Ginter and Old Judge began inserting baseball cards into cigarette packs and candy as promotional items. Young boys at the turn of the 20th century would eagerly collect and trade these early cardboard treasures depicting their favorite players. While record keeping was not as thorough then, there are accounts of Ashburn youth organizing some of the first informal baseball card shows and swap meets in the area during the 1910s and 1920s.

World War II had a profound impact on the growth of baseball card collecting nationwide. With many American men overseas fighting, baseball provided a patriotic pastime and distraction for those left behind on the home front. Major League attendance skyrocketed during this period. The increased interest in the national pastime extended to collecting players on cardboard as well. Production of baseball cards boomed with the most iconic sets like 1941 Play Ball and 1948 Leaf being released during the war years. Many local collectors in Ashburn cite their fathers or grandfathers first getting hooked on the hobby through packs of cards found in local shops in the 1940s.

In the postwar economic boom of the 1950s, the modern baseball card collecting scene began taking shape in Ashburn. New sets from Topps in the early 1950s like 1952 Topps and 1954 Topps introduced the classic design that is still used today. Meanwhile, the first dedicated sports card shops and shows emerged. Ashburn resident and longtime collector Bob Johnson recalls his father taking him to the earliest baseball card shows in the region held at local armories and VFW halls in the late 1950s. “That’s when the hobby really started to catch on with kids my age,” Johnson says.

Through the 1960s and 1970s, the baseball card boom continued in Ashburn as it did nationwide. Major League stars of the era like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Johnny Bench graced the cardboard in sets from Topps, Fleer, and others. Local card shops proliferated on Evergreen Mills Road and other parts of Ashburn to meet collector demand. Weekend outings for many Ashburn youth included stops at shops like Frank’s Sportscards, Wally’s Baseball Memorabilia, and Dan’s Sportscards to browse the latest releases, trade with friends, and stay up-to-date on the hobby.

The junk wax era of the late 1980s and 1990s that produced billions of mass-produced cards did not diminish enthusiasm for collecting in Ashburn. While values of common cards from that period plummeted, many local collectors continued to enjoy assembling complete sets as a fun pastime. Meanwhile, the scarcity and value of older vintage cards from the 1950s and 1960s boom periods skyrocketed among advanced collectors. Ashburn became home to some of the biggest names in the hobby who amassed truly impressive collections of pre-war tobacco cards and early Topps issues.

In the 2000s, the baseball card scene in Ashburn entered the digital age but lost none of its local charm. Online communities like TradingCardDB and forums like Sports Card Forum connected collectors worldwide, yet the area continued hosting bustling card shows on a monthly basis. Local businesses like Manassas Card Shop and Ashburn Sportscards provided an important social hub. Meanwhile, a new generation of kids became hooked after pulling coveted rookie cards of players like Bryce Harper in packs of Topps Series 1 and 2.

Today, Ashburn remains a hotbed for baseball card collecting with a strong sense of community. Monthly card shows still draw hundreds, and local shops provide supplies and a place to meet fellow collectors. While the internet changed how many build collections, the roots of this hobby stretch back over a century in Ashburn. Multiple generations of families have passed down their love of cardboard to kids who now collect stars like Mike Trout, Christian Yelich, and more. The baseball card scene here shows no signs of slowing, ensuring its cherished place in both local history and the future of the pastime.