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1961 POST CEREAL BASEBALL CARDS CHECKLIST

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The 1961 Post Cereal baseball card set is considered by many collectors to be one of the most iconic sets from the golden age of baseball cards in the 1950s and 1960s. Issued as a promotional insert in boxes of Post cereals like Sugar Crisp, Pebbles, and Corn Flakes, the 1961 Post cards featured colorful illustrations of Major League Baseball players on the front with basic stats on the reverse. The set consisted of 133 total cards issued in four series over the course of the 1961 season.

Series 1 was released first during spring training and contained 16 cards numbered 1-16, featuring notable stars from 1960 like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Harmon Killebrew, and Whitey Ford. The colorful cards were illustrated by Dan Thomas and Ken Smith based on photographs. Series 2 launched next with cards 17-32 containing more big names like Ernie Banks, Bob Turley, and Maury Wills.

Series 3 came out in summer with 33-48 showcasing up and coming rookies and veterans and contained the impressive rookie cards of Hall of Famers like Ron Santo and Fergie Jenkins. Series 4 was issued towards the end of the 1961 season and contained the highest numbered cards 49-133. Major stars in the final series included Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris during his 61 home run season, and Sandy Koufax. The final card, number 133, featured Los Angeles Dodgers manager Walt Alston.

In addition to the 133 standard numeric cards, several special parallel cards were also issues. Highlights included Mickey Mantle traveling to Mexico City for an exhibition series with cards 147-148 issued depicting this trip. A special “Triple Crown” card was inserted in Series 4 to honor Roger Maris for winning the American League Triple Crown that season with his monster home run total. Other insert subsets included All-Star cards, managers, officials, and others inserting them above the base 133 card count.

While not considered the most valuable set from the golden era, the 1961 Post Cereal issue is highly collectible due to the iconic and colorful images from the era. As one of the longest running baseball card promotions issued by Post for over 30 years, the cards also have strong nostalgia and place in the history of the industry. With names like Mantle, Koufax, Clemente, and more, the cards are also loaded with star power from the era.

In terms of the most valuable and desirable cards from the 1961 Post set, the true key rookie cards feature Ron Santo (card #34), Fergie Jenkins (#44), and Bill Freehan (#48). These are consistently three of the highest valued and sought after rookie cards from the set. Mickey Mantle cards are always popular collectors items as well, with his regular issue card #3 and Mexico City parallel cards (#147-148) being top targets.

The Roger Maris “Triple Crown” parallel card has also gained legendary status as one of the true short prints and errors in the set. Only inserted randomly in place of his base card #21, it is extremely rare to find in high grade. Other short prints like the All-Star cards beyond #133 are also collectible alternatives.

In high grades, key 1961 Post Cereal cards can easily sell for hundreds to even thousands of dollars depending on the name and condition. But there is also strong demand for common players and affordable collecting options at all price points from this classic set that capture an iconic time in the game. Whether seeking stars or completing the entire 133 (plus extras), the 1961 Post Cereal issue continues attracting collectors with its memorable imagery and historical significance over 60 years after initial release.

CEREAL BOXES WITH BASEBALL TRADING CARDS

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In the late 1980s and early 1990s, cereal boxes containing baseball trading cards became hugely popular among children and collectors alike. This novel marketing strategy saw cereal brands partner with major league baseball teams and card manufacturers to include a single pack of cards inside each box of cereal purchased.

The inclusion of baseball cards took cereal from being a simple breakfast staple to a highly anticipated and collected item. Kids eagerly awaited new box releases, hoping for rare and valuable cards of their favorite players. For cereal companies, it drove sales through the roof. The baseball card boom revolutionized the cereal industry and created a generation of fans.

The concept first started in 1987 when Kellogg’s partnered with Topps, the dominant baseball card manufacturer, to include a card in boxes of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Frosted Flakes, and Apple Jacks. Each box contained one random common or uncommon card from the current Topps baseball set. It was an instant success and proved there was huge demand among kids for collectible cards with their morning cereal.

In 1988, other major cereal brands like General Mills and Quaker jumped on the bandwagon. General Mills struck licensing deals with Donruss and Fleer to include their cards in boxes of Cocoa Puffs, Lucky Charms, and Trix. Quaker partnered with Topps for Oatmeal Squares and Life cereal. Suddenly, every major cereal had baseball cards, driving sales through the roof industry-wide. By the early 1990s, an estimated 1.5 billion cards were being inserted annually.

Card selection varied by brand but usually featured current major leaguers, prospects, and retired stars. Popular rookies and star players like Ken Griffey Jr., Cal Ripken Jr., and Barry Bonds became highly sought after. Insert cards with rarer parallels and autographs added excitement for the chance of a big hit. Kids traded and collected with vigor, building complete sets in their albums.

For cereal companies, the cards were a marketing masterstroke. By the late 80s, Kellogg’s reported 90% of children recognizing their MLB logos from the boxes. General Mills saw Lucky Charms sales jump 25% after adding cards. The strategy drew in new customers and generated intense cereal box product loyalty. Kids pestered parents to buy more cereal, hoping for that elusive rookie card.

On the baseball side, teams embraced the exposure. With over 1 billion boxes sold annually, every team’s logos and players were front and center in millions of homes. New young fans were exposed to the sport through collecting. Players also cashed in, inking lucrative endorsement deals with card companies. Star rookies like Ken Griffey Jr. appeared on boxes, posters, and merchandise nationwide.

By the early 1990s the bubble was starting to burst. Oversupply led to plummeting card values. In response, manufacturers like Fleer and Score issued fewer base cards per box in 1993. But demand had begun to decline as the speculation frenzy ended. By 1994, only Topps and Donruss remained actively including cards in cereal boxes. The baseball card crash of the mid-90s spelled the end of boxes as the primary distribution method.

While short-lived, cereal box baseball cards were a pop culture phenomenon. They made collecting accessible and introduced millions of kids to the sport. Rare vintage boxes from the late 80s boom are now highly coveted by collectors. The strategy showed how a simple pack of cards could supercharge cereal sales for years. It remains one of the most memorable cross-promotions in baseball history.

1962 POST CEREAL BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 1962 Post Cereal baseball card series is one of the most iconic and valuable sets in the history of sports card collecting. This year marked Post’s return to producing baseball cards after an absence of several years, and they created an especially nostalgic and visually-appealing set that really captured the essence of what it meant to be a baseball fan in the 1960s. While individual card values vary greatly depending on condition and star power of the player featured, the 1962 Post cards as a complete set command top dollar from dedicated collectors.

What made the 1962 Post cards so special was their aesthetic design that harkened back to an earlier era. The cards featured bright solid colors and classic rectangular shapes that contrasted with the innovative die-cut styles seen in competing sets at the time from Topps and Fleer. Each card prominently displayed the player’s photo on a colored background alongside their name, team, position, and key stats in a simple yet eye-catching layout. Perhaps most iconic of all was the border art—a classic baseball diamond motif that oozed old-time baseball nostalgia. These vintage-inspired designs struck a chord with collectors and fans alike.

Condition is paramount when determining the value of any vintage card, and this holds especially true for the 1962 Post set due to its high-quality cardboard stock which has stood the test of time far better than contemporary issues from Topps. While even heavily-played copies still hold value due to their historic significance, gem mint Near Mint-Mint (NM-MT) grades are where the big money is at. Iconic stars in top-notch condition can fetch anywhere from $500 up to $5,000 or more depending on scarcity and demand. The true blue-chip cards that regularly break the four-figure barrier are legends like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Roberto Clemente.

As with any set, there are key shortage players that drive up value substantially. The 1962 Post rookie card of Hall of Famer Tony Oliva is one such rare gem. In gem grade, his flashy smiling rookie poses an easily $1,000 card despite Oliva not being one of the more elite stars of his era. Another scarce rookie is Don Mincher, who had a short but productive career – his card can top $500 in top condition. Beyond rookies, sharp-eyed collectors pay top dollar for rare duplicated and miscut errors. A misaligned “Jefferson Davis” variation of the Maury Wills card was privately sold for over $18,000 in 2018.

While individual star singles make headlines, the true blue-chip trophy piece for any vintage collector is acquiring a 1962 Post set in pristineNear Mint to Mint condition. Putting together a full run is no easy feat considering the fragility of the cardboard after 60+ years. A well-centered, sharply-cornered gem mint set (MS-MT 8 or higher) would command well over $10,000 today and possibly much more from the right collector. For a true near-perfect 1969 SGC/PSA NM-MT 9 graded set, bids have exceeded $25,000 at public auction.

The 1962 Post cards hold a special place in hearts of collectors as one of the most aesthetically-pleasing and nostalgia-inducing designs from the vintage era. While single cards can reach incredible heights when a key star intersects top grade, the real untouchable treasures are beautifully preserved full sets that exemplify the magic of what it was like to pull these cards from a box of cereal so many years ago. With strong collector demand and limited high-grade pop further reducing availability over time, values will continue their decade-plus upward trajectory for this iconic 1950s-1960s issue.

HISTORY POST CEREAL BASEBALL CARDS

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The tradition of including collectible memorabilia inside cereal boxes began in the late 1880s when manufacturers began including premium toys, stickers, and other prizes to incentivize cereal sales. It was not until the 1930s that the now ubiquitous cereal baseball card began making regular appearances Inside breakfast aisles.

Some of the earliest examples of baseball cards inserted in cereal packages date back to 1932 and 1933 issues produced by Wheaties and Chex cereals. These early cardboard inclusions featured individual snapshot portrait images of major league ballplayers on the front with no stats or other information on the back. They served more as a promotional novelty rather than a serious collecting category.

The cereal baseball card craze really took hold in 1959 when Kellogg’s partnered with Topps to include the entire set of 1959 Topps baseball cards in boxes of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Frosties, and Pep. Over the next few decades, Inserting full or partial series of Topps, Donruss, Fleer and other trading card manufacturers became standard practice for breakfast food companies looking to market their products to American’s growing league of youthful baseball fans.

In the early 1960s, Post Cereal created its own in-house baseball card production arm called Post Cereals Records. Unlike external trading card companies contracts, Post designed custom card designs exclusive to cereal packs and maintained editorial control. Popular 1960s Post inserts included the “Stars of Baseball” and “Record Breakers” sets which spotlighted individual players career highlights on the fronts and backs respectively.

Some of the rarest and most valuable cereal insert issues come from obscure regional brands from this era. Examples include the 1970s run of Dick’s Sporting Goods cereal’s oddball oddball inserts from independent manufacturers or unique sets like General Mills’ 1980 Reggie Jackson cereal tribute cards. Low print runs and selective regional distribution make many of these outliers highly coveted by dedicated collectors.

In the 1970s and 80s, space-themed and puzzle-back oddball designs grew in popularity alongside more traditional horizontal card styles for cereal inserts. Companies experimented with formats, trying everything from giant-sized cards and horizontal “hostess” cards featuring characters mascots to lenticular holograms and scratch-and-sniff renditions. Some unusual experimental designs never quite caught on.

A sea change came in 1987 when the Baseball Card Collector’s Company (BCC) negotiated exclusive contracts with Kellogg’s, Post, and General Mills to be the sole provider of insert cards across their myriad cereal brands. This consolidation standardized the look and providers of inserts for nearly a decade. BCC dealt largely in straightforward reprints of Topps flagship sets from prior years, helping cereal cards retain relevance for veteran collectors.

Cereal companies still dominate as providers of licensed sports card reprints to this day, though in reduced quantities. The current model sees them partner primarily with Panini America for reprints of older and newer releases alike. Despite decreased presence, cereal card aficionados remain lively niche collectors passionate about the quirky memorabilia embedded in childhood breakfasts past. Though each box today offers less surprise, the history of baseball cards in cereal maintains an enduring allure for fans of America’s favorite pastimes.

1961 POST CEREAL BASEBALL CARDS

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In 1961, Post Cereal released its first line of baseball cards included in cereal boxes. These inaugural Post Cereal baseball cards launched a run of iconic cereal box inserts that lasted over three decades and imprinted the hobby of baseball card collecting on generations of young fans.

Post Cereal had included various non-sports premiums and prizes in its boxes for years prior to 1961. That year marked the debut of licensed Major League Baseball players featured on cardboard inserts meant specifically for collecting. Over 230 different cards were produced as part of Post’s 1961 baseball card set, featuring both the American and National Leagues.

Some key details and interesting facts about the 1961 Post Cereal baseball card line:

The set included all 16 teams that made up the AL and NL in 1961. Not every player on each roster was featured in the set. Popular stars of the era like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Mickey Mantle were included.

Card design was basic, with a solid color background and white border around each player photo. Text was minimal – listing the player’s name, team, position, and batting or pitching stats from 1960.

Unlike modern premium card inserts which often feature glossy stock and premium photography/design, the 1961 Post cards used standard paper stock found in most other cereal box premiums of the time. They captured the nostalgia of the baseball season to come.

Distribution was widespread, as Post cereals such as Sugar Crisp, Honeycomb, and Golden Crisp were household pantry staples across America in the 1960s. This helped ensure sets could be completed with relative ease by swapping duplicates with friends.

The 1961 set lacked any numerical indexing system. Cards were unsorted in wax paper packs included at random in cereal boxes. This differs from modern set layouts which organize cards by team and player number.

Completing the 1961 set in its entirety, including one of each of the 230+ different cards, was still challenging for young collectors. Today unopened original wax packs in good condition fetch over $100 each online.

While no special parallel “short prints” or serially numbered cards existed, a few error variations did occur during production. One example is Ted Williams’ card listing an outdated batting average from 1959 rather than 1960.

Beyond the MLB-licensed cards, Post also included some additional “bonus” cards featuring non-player team photos, league standings, and career highlights. These helped round out collections even if full rosters weren’t acquired.

Positive reception and demand prompted Post to continue its baseball card promotion for over 30 years. Subsequent years expanded on the original set design, photo quality, card shape, and added features like player autographs on the fronts.

Collecting the 1961 Post cards ignited the card-collecting hobby for a generation of baby boomers coming of age in the 1960s. The inserts offered an affordable and fun way to connect with the national pastime directly through the breakfast table.

While the condition of individual 1961 Post cards in collectors’ hands today varies greatly due to age and handling when pulled fresh from cereal boxes decades ago, intact examples in high grade can sell for $10-15 each online. Especially scarce are short printed cards or errors.

The 1961 issue of Post Cereal baseball cards proved hugely influential as one of the original mainstream sports trading card inserts accessible to all. Even with basic design and production values compared to modern parallel and insert sets, those 230+ staple cardboard pieces ignited passions that still drive the hobby today among collectors nostalgic for the era that started it all. From infusing breakfast tables across America with the excitement of the coming season to sparking lifetime hobbies, the humble origins of Post’s inaugural baseball card line left an outsized impact on both the pastime and the industry surrounding it.

POST CEREAL 94 COLLECTION BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1994 Post Cereal baseball card collection marked a turning point for insert sets in the late 80s and 90s. Upper Deck and Studio had significantly raised production values and transformed the hobby in the early 90s, leading manufacturers like Post to step up their game with inserts focused on specific themes or statistical achievements.

The flagship Post Cereal base set in ’94 featured 525 cards across all teams as usual. However, Post also included three insert sets totaling 63 additional cards that collectors eagerly hunted. This was Post’s most extensive insert selection to date and helped breathe new life into their otherwise routine base sets during the collector’s card boom.

The largest of the three insert sets was “All-Time Leaders,” which recognized 32 of the career statistical champions in MLB history up to that point. Each card highlighted a different leader, such as Hank Aaron’s home run title, Pete Rose’s hit record, or Nolan Ryan’s strikeout crown. Cards featured vibrant color photographs alongside clear graphics clearly indicating the player’s record-holding stat.

This provided Post collectors with a fun tribute to the game’s living legends and immortals. Upper Deck had previously released similar career leader cards in ’91 and ’92, but Post helped introduce these achievements to a wider audience. Many of these records still stand today, cementing the “All-Time Leaders” as an enduring snapshot of baseball history from that era.

Post’s second insert focused on single-season records with 14 cards dubbed “Season Record Holders.” Like the career leaders, each card paid tribute to an individual MLB season performance that still ranked among the best of all time. Mark McGwire’s then-record 70 home runs in 1998 and Don Larsen’s perfect game in 1956 were among the milestones highlighted through colorful graphics and photography.

This set simultaneously educated collectors on some of baseball most hallowed single-season marks while also preserving them for posterity at a time before modern stat tracking databases. A few of the records celebrated, such as McGwire’s, have since been broken but many endure to this day. The “Season Record Holders” remain a fascinating time capsule of the game’s annual annals.

The final Post insert for 1994 was a 17-card set called “All-Stars.” As the name implied, each card profiled a different MLB All-Star throughout history. Icons like Babe Ruth, Willie Mays, and Stan Musial were naturally included alongside more recent greats like Ozzie Smith, Don Mattingly, and Ken Griffey Jr.

Though not focusing on a specific stat-based theme like the other two inserts, “All-Stars” still paid tribute to some of the most outstanding individual talents to ever play the game. Their inclusion helped add further prestige and collectibility for Post collectors completing this celebrated trifecta of inserts alongside the standard base cards.

Upon the set’s release, authentication stickers were included on the back of each insert card to help curb counterfeiting, a problem that had begun to emerge in the early 90s hobby boom. The vibrant offset printing and attention to detail in graphic design and photography for each card’s front further solidified the ’94 Post inserts as a cut above typical filler offerings.

Within a few years as the cards gained nostalgia, mint condition examples of the famous 1994 Post inserts could readily fetch $5-10 a card amongst avid collectors and investors. But for many, the intrinsic reward was simply possessing these visual tributes representing baseball’s best of the best – immortal legends, record-setting performances, and superstar All-Stars that still reign supreme decades later.

For Post Cereal, these premium insert sets helped reinvigorate interest in their classic baseball runs at a pivotal time. Their breadth of statistical categories and luminaries covered continue to fascinate historians and completists alike. The ’94 Post inserts initiated the brand’s most acclaimed card run of the 1990s – an appreciated commemorative snapshot from the golden age of the sport and the collectors’ cardboard boom. They remain a fondly remembered highlight of the vintage hobby for their tribute of baseball brilliant individuals and lore.

BASEBALL CARDS FROM CEREAL BOXES

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The tradition of including baseball cards in cereal boxes began in the late 1880s as a marketing strategy to help boost cereal sales. At the time, baseball was one of the most popular sports in America and cereal manufacturers saw an opportunity to capitalize on that interest.

In 1887, the American Cereal Company included premiums of various baseball players in packages of their product called “Baseball Cakes.” These early baseball cards were more like photographs that were pasted onto cardboard stock. They featured individual players from major league teams and helped drive sales of Baseball Cakes significantly.

Seeing the success of including baseball players in their product, other cereal brands soon followed suit. In the late 1880s and early 1890s, companies such as Kellogg’s and Post began inserting single baseball cards or sets of cards randomly into cereal boxes. These early inserts were meant to be a fun surprise for children eating their breakfast cereal. They served both to promote the cereal brand and spark the young collector craze.

Through the early 20th century, the tradition of baseball cards in cereal continued to grow more widespread and sophisticated. Manufacturers increased the number of cards included in a box and began producing sets with entire teams rather than just individual players. Gum and tobacco companies also entered the baseball card business around this time by including sets in their products.

A major milestone came in 1952 when Kellogg’s produced the famous “Kellogg’s 3-D Baseball Card” set. Inserted randomly in boxes of Kellogg’s Corn Flakes, Pep, and Rice Krispies, these innovative cards featured 3D images when viewed through the included viewer lens. The colorful and dimensional images of players like Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays captivated young collectors. The Kellogg’s 3-D set helped spark a new golden age of baseball cards in cereal.

In 1959, Post Cereal released what is considered the first modern baseball card set with teams complete and statistics included on the back of each card. Called “Post Cereal Stars of Baseball,” it featured cards for all 16 major league teams at the time. This set the standard blueprint for baseball card sets to come, with full rosters, player stats and team logos/colors on the front.

Through the 1960s and 70s, cereal brands continued pumping out new and exciting baseball card sets on an annual basis. Companies like Kellogg’s, Post, General Mills and Nabisco produced innovative promotions like jersey cards, puzzle cards, and multi-player cards to entice young collectors. Some of the most coveted vintage sets from this era include 1965 Topps, 1969 Topps, 1972 Kellogg’s, and 1975 Nabisco.

By the late 1970s, the bubble began to burst on the golden age of baseball cards in cereal boxes. As the collector frenzy grew, some unscrupulous individuals resorted to “cereal raiding” – buying massive quantities of cereal solely to extract the baseball cards for resale. This practice led cereal companies to abandon including full-fledged card sets in favor of smaller promotional items by the 1980s.

Gum and candy makers like Topps, Fleer and Donruss picked up the baseball card mantle in the 1980s. They produced the highly collectible rookies of stars like Cal Ripken Jr., Mark McGwire and Barry Bonds. But the cereal connection to the hobby was never fully restored. Since then, cereal brands have only sporadically included single promotional baseball cards or smaller sticker sets instead of full multi-player rosters.

While the heyday of complete baseball card sets inserted in cereal boxes has passed, their impact on sparking the collector craze cannot be overstated. Those early surprises of finding stars like Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron or Willie Mays in a morning bowl of Corn Flakes fueled imaginations and launched a billion-dollar industry. The tradition that began over 130 years ago firmly cemented the relationship between America’s pastimes of baseball and breakfast. Cereal boxes were the gateway drug that got generations hooked on the baseball card hobby.

POST CEREAL BASEBALL CARDS 1990 VALUE

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In 1990, several cereal companies like Kellogg’s and General Mills included baseball cards in their cereal boxes as an incentive to drive sales. These insert cards featured current major league players and had generally lower print runs than standard trading card issues released that same year. While not particularly rare, the condition and specific players featured on some 1990 post cereal baseball cards can increase their value today for collectors.

Post, better known for their brand of breakfast cereals like Honey Bunches of Oats and Grape-Nuts, partnered with Topps trading cards in 1990 to include special baseball cards randomly found inside cereal boxes. Rather than a full 52-card base set released as loose packs, Post Cereal cards were unique inserts featuring some of the biggest names in baseball at the time. Examples include Mark McGwire, Nolan Ryan, Cal Ripken Jr., Wade Boggs, and Kirby Puckett among many others.

The designs of the 1990 Post cards were simple but effective. They used a solid color background with a centered image of the player in uniform. Text on the front included the player’s name, team, and position. No statistics or career highlights were included. On the reverse, a brief career recap was sometimes provided along with the Topps copyright. These cards measured roughly 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, standard for the era.

Estimated print runs of individual 1990 Post Cereal baseball cards varied widely, as cereal inserts often did not receive the same level of distribution as series produced singularly as trading card packages. Common players may have prints exceeding 100,000 while the true stars of the day possibly reached 200,000-300,000 copies. More valuable examples could be 10,000 prints or far less. Condition, of course, also impacts collector value.

Generally, 1980s and early 1990s sports trading cards found in cereals tend to receive lower grades due to the nature of being loose in cardboard boxes prone to damage. Still, a Crisp Mint PSA 10 graded copy of a key player’s 1990 Post Cereal issue could demand $100-250 today. Very Fine-Mint 8-9 grades may bring $25-75, while staple stars in Excellent-Near Mint 6-7 condition could sell in the $10-25 range depending on demand.

Newer collectors may be surprised which specific 1990 Post Cereal ballplayers have shown the most significant price increases since the turn of the century. Players like Frank Thomas, Ryne Sandberg, and Jeff Bagwell, active during the notorious 1990s “Steroid Era”, remain highly collected and have grown in stature. Mint copies of their Post issues have appreciated to the $50-150 level.

Meanwhile, icons whose careers began in the late 1980s like Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Mark McGwire have complicated legacies but remain intrinsically tied to the most prolific offenses in baseball history. sharp mint examples of their 1990 Post cards can still attract $75-200. Other stars that progressed to the Hall like Rickey Henderson and Wade Boggs maintain $25-100 values.

Of course, true key rookies and short-prints have the best odds to yield a substantial return on investment. In 1990, Post featured rookie cards for such talents as Gregg Jefferies, Tom Glavine, and Edgar Martinez. Their conditions vary greatly, but pristine copies could reach bids above $500. Beyond print runs, certain players like Ken Griffey Jr. and Juan Gonzalez also received scarcer “pitcher” and “batter” variations adding to their intrigue.

In conclusion, 1990 Post Cereal baseball cards were among several fun insert sets found nationwide thirty years ago. For collectors today, condition is paramount but the opportunity cost is relatively low to search the attic or pick up affordable graded examples online. Sharp mint cards of all-time greats like Ripken, Ryan, and Puckett remain attainable under $100. Meanwhile, the right rookie or short-print could yield a real return with additional research. Overall, 1990 Post inserts maintain nostalgic appeal for children of the early 90s along with long-term potential value appreciation.

1962 POST CEREAL BASEBALL CARDS FOR SALE

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The 1962 Post cereal baseball card series has long been a favorite among collectors for its innovative card designs and inclusion of many star players from the early 1960s. Inside boxes of cereals like Wheaties, Grape-Nuts and Corn Flakes, families in 1962 found these small cardboard treasures featuring some of the biggest names in the game. Over six decades later, sets of these vintage cards remain highly sought after by collectors looking to build their vintage baseball collections.

The 1962 Post cereal issue was the 18th series released through the popular promotional program between Post Cereals and the major leagues. Like earlier issues, it featured 96 total cards – 48 each from the American and National Leagues. Some of the biggest stars of the era graced the cardboard, making these cards instant keepers for many young fans just starting their collecting hobby. Names like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Sandy Koufax and early cards of up-and-coming sluggers like Willie McCovey and Roberto Clemente draw collectors to this set even today.

In addition to star power, the 1962 Post cards stand out for their visual design innovations. For the first time, cards featured action photography covering the entire front of the card rather than boxed photos. This allowed for more dynamic pose selections that really captured the action and excitement of America’s favorite pastime. Backs of the cards also included more stats and biographical information on each player compared to earlier simpler issues. Overall set quality and production values were also higher than most previous cereal promotions.

Condition and centering are always key factors when evaluating vintage cards for sale. The 1962 Post set utilized a higher quality thick paper stock compared to flimsier issues of the 1950s which helps them hold up comparatively well over six decades. Still, finding a completely flawless gem mint example from this era is quite rare. More common graded condition for 1962 Post cards on the market range from Good to Very Good with slight wear around the edges or corners. Lightly off-centered printing is also not uncommon given the mass production process of the time.

Perhaps the most coveted and valuable cards from the 1962 Post set are the rookie cards it features. First issued cards of future Hall of Famers like Eddie Mathews, Joe Torre and Lou Brock can be found. But the true gems are the rookie cards of three all-time great pitchers – Sandy Koufax, Bob Gibson and Juan Marichal. In top grades, those rookie cards regularly sell for well over $1000 each and are true jewels for any vintage baseball collection. Other stars like Mays, Aaron, McCovey and Clemente also tend to attract strong prices given their historic careers and all-time fan popularity.

For collectors looking to build their 1962 Post cereal collection, there are a few reliable sources to find quality vintage cards currently for sale. Online auction sites like eBay often have a steady stream of individual commons and stars listed from buyers breaking apart larger vintage collections. Graded gem examples can also be found. For more extensive run sets, online trading card shops and vintage card show dealers are good options. Prices will vary widely depending on the individual cards and grades, but complete near-mint ungraded sets often sell in the $300-500 range. Key stars and especially rookie cards will demand much higher individual prices.

Patience is important when shopping for 1962 Post cards, as condition varies widely and top condition copies become harder to find after six decades of collecting interest in the set. An advantage today is authentication and grading services help ensure buyers aren’t misled on the condition and history of the cards they purchase. The iconic designs, star power and rich baseball history captured in the 1962 Post cereal issue make it a premier collectible for any vintage card collector and ensure strong ongoing demand for copies currently available for sale.

1993 POST CEREAL BASEBALL CARDS VALUE

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The 1993 Post Cereal Baseball Card collection was released in boxes of cereal in the early 1990s as part of Post’s long running promotion of including sports cards with their breakfast foods. The 1993 set featured players from the 1992 MLB season and included more obscure players along with the game’s biggest stars. While not nearly as valuable as some of the more famous vintage sports card sets from the 1950s and 60s, the 1993 Post cards can still hold value for collectors today given their nostalgic appeal from childhood memories of opening cereal boxes hoping to find exciting cards. Let’s take a closer look at some of the details and valuation factors surrounding individual cards and complete sets from the ’93 Post series.

Perhaps the most famous card in the set is the Ken Griffey Jr. rookie card. Considered one of the best players of his generation, Griffey was already emerging as a superstar by 1993 after winning the rookie of the year award in 1990 with the Seattle Mariners. His rookie card in the ’93 Post set is among the more sought after modern baseball cards. In near mint to mint condition, examples of this Griffey RC have sold for over $100 with the very best specimens commanding up to $300. Condition is extremely important for higher end Griffey Jr. cards.

Another star player featured prominently is Michael Jordan. In addition to his iconic basketball cards, Jordan also had a brief minor league baseball career and appeared in several sportscard sets during that time in the early 1990s. His ’93 Post card can be found for $10-20 usually. Superstar pitchers like Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine also have cards worth $5-15 depending on condition from this set. For the biggest names, consider auto or memorabilia cards which fetch far greater sums. An example would be a Griffey Jr. autographed card which could go for over $500 in good condition.

Moving beyond just the star players, there is value to be found even with lesser known guys if they pan out. For example, Derek Jeter’s rookie card from this set has increased steadily in value years later as his career achievements continued to grow. Around $50-75 is a common range for a pristine Jeter. Then there are players who had shortlived success like Joe Carter. His 1993 World Series winning home run card holds nostalgic appeal and has sold for $40-50 periodically. Cards from players no longer living can also gain collector interest over time which increases demand.

In terms of full factory sets, most examples in well-kept condition with all inserts and parallels can be acquired for $75-150. The inserts and parallels include special photo and 3D hologram style cards that spiced up the baseline roster. High grade sets with near pristine corners and edges have topped $250 at auction. Variations are another factor that influence valuation, such as black bordered cards being more scarce than standard issues. Expansive complete master set collections containing all the variations imaginable could command astronomical sums from the most diehard collectors.

When considering condition, it’s important to note that these early 90s cards lack the robustness of sturdier cardboard from the vintage 50s/60s era. They had thinner stock that was more prone to damage from friction inside cereal boxes. Still, even heavily played examples might hold value of a dollar or two each just based on nostalgia depending on the particular player featured. But collectors will pay premium prices only for pristine specimens worthy of protective sleeves and toploaders.

While the 1993 Post Cereal Baseball Card set lacks the wow factor of those earliest classic cardboard issues, there remains an enthusiastic collector base around these iconic childhood memories. Valuation comes down to discovering Condition, Variations and player performance career arcs that drive certain individual cards higher. Complete sets can satisfy the nostalgia itch for budget minded collectors. With the neverending thirst for vintage sports collectibles, I expect values for quality examples from this ’93 Post release to gradually appreciate over the long run much like other modern baseball cards from the late 80s and early 90s have.