Cans Can Baseball Cards: A Unique Way to Display Your Collection
Baseball cards have been collected by fans of America’s pastime for over a century. While many collectors display their cards in plastic sheets, binders, or boxes, one unique way to showcase baseball cards is by storing them inside cleaned out food cans. Known as “cans can” displays, this creative display method allows collectors to put a fun spin on exhibiting their cherished cardboard pieces of baseball history.
The idea behind cans can displays is quite simple – empty out food cans, clean them thoroughly, and insert baseball cards standing upright inside. The cans are then arranged and stacked to form an eye-catching display case for one’s collection. While the concept may seem unusual at first glance, cans can baseball card displays have grown in popularity in recent years due to their retro aesthetic appeal and the nostalgia they evoke of days gone by.
There are a few reasons why food cans have become such a popular storage and display medium for baseball cards. For one, cans have a vintage feel that harkens back to the early days of the hobby in the late 19th/early 20th century. Baseball cards were originally inserted as incentives inside tobacco products like cigarettes and chewing gum in the 1880s-1890s. So displaying cards inside cans gives collectors a tangible connection to the roots of the hobby.
Cans also allow for creative customization and personalization. Resourceful collectors can decorate plain cans with stickers, team logos, vintage ads or other retro designs that match their collection theme. Some go as far as painting or airbrushing customized graphics directly onto cans. This allows each collector to put their own unique spin on their cans can display. The cylindrical shape of cans also makes for an eye-catching three-dimensional presentation compared to flat sheets or boxes.
In terms of the practicalities, food cans are quite sturdy and provide solid protection for cards without the need for additional sleeves or holders. As long as cans are thoroughly cleaned and dried, they prevent cards from bending or damage that can occur with other storage methods. Their metal composition also deters potential issues like warping or discoloration over time. Well-sealed cans can literally preserve cards for decades.
When first starting a cans can display, collectors will need to gather empty food cans, most commonly 12oz soup or vegetable cans. The cans must be completely emptied of contents, then washed thoroughly with soap and hot water to remove any residue. It’s important they are dried fully to prevent moisture issues. Older cans may require extra scrubbing but with patience can be sanitized for safe card storage.
Once cans are cleaned, collectors can begin choosing cards from their collection to insert upright. Many opt to theme their displays by player, team, year or some other category to give their cans can project focus and cohesion. Single cards are gently pressed or rolled to stand on their own inside each can. Multiple cards can also be grouped together per can for larger displays.
Arranging the filled cans is where creativity comes in. Cans can be stacked in orderly rows or unique patterns. Some collectors build miniature stadium replicas out of arranged cans. Others suspend cans from walls or shelves like hanging file folders. A few have even constructed freestanding baseball card “cities” using cans as the structural materials. No matter the layout, a neatly organized cans can display is sure to be a real attention-getter for visitors.
As baseball card collecting continues strong into the 21st century, creative new display methods keep the hobby fresh and fun. While plastic sheets in binders remain the most common presentation style, cans can baseball card displays offer collectors a charmingly retro way to exhibit their cardboard treasures. With some imagination and dedication to cleaning, resourceful fans can turn everyday food cans into memorable custom showcases for their baseball card collections.