Baseball cards are a fun and engaging way for newcomers to learn about America’s pastime. While collecting can seem daunting at first, with a bit of guidance anyone can start their own baseball card collection. Here are some tips for baseball card beginners to get started on the right foot.
To start, it’s helpful to understand the basics of a baseball card. Most modern cards feature a color photo of a baseball player on the front along with their name, team, and other identifying information. The back of the card usually provides stats from that season as well as a short biography of the player. Cards vary in size but the standard for most of the 20th century was 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, known as the standard size. Larger cards known as oddballs also exist but are less common.
In terms of production history, the oldest surviving baseball cards date back to the late 1800s but the modern era is generally considered to have begun in 1909 with the introduction of tobacco cards inserted in cigarette packs and chewing tobacco as incentives to buy the products. These early cards are highly collectible but in very short supply today. The most iconic set is the T206 issued between 1909-1911 which is one of the most valuable in the hobby.
When starting a collection, it’s best to focus on a particular theme whether that’s a certain player, team, era or set to collect. This helps avoid getting overwhelmed by the tens of thousands of different baseball cards out there. Popular choices for beginners include collecting the base set rookies from the current season, a favorite hometown team, or Hall of Fame players. It’s also a good idea to collect modern cards from the past 10-15 years which are easier to find and more affordable.
In terms of acquiring cards, there are a few main options. Retail stores sell new wax packs or boxes with a random assortment inside. Individual sought-after cards can also be purchased online through sources like eBay. Card shows are a fun way to browse tables from multiple sellers in one place. Another affordable method is collecting commons and base cards from the 50s-80s era which can often be purchased in bulk lots online for just pennies per card.
Proper storage and organization is important to preserve a collection. Many collectors use baseball card pages, sheets or boxes to safely hold cards in numerical or team order. Toploaders or penny sleeves are recommended for valuable or prized cards. Storing in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight also helps prevent damage over time. Organization books can be purchased to catalog collections and fill out team rosters or sets.
Grading is another aspect of the hobby where collectors can assess the condition or grade of a card. The two main third party authentication companies are PSA and BGS who assign grades on a 1-10 scale based on factors like centering, corners and surface. Higher grades of 7 and above can substantially increase a card’s value for serious investors. However grading is not necessary for most casual collectors.
While collecting for monetary value is one aspect, many find enjoyment simply learning about the players and teams through building their collection. Community is also a big part through interacting with other collectors at card shows or online discussion forums. With some initial guidance, anyone can start an enjoyable baseball card collection at their own pace focused on what interests them most about America’s favorite pastime.