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WHERE TO SELL BASEBALL CARDS CHICAGO

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Sports Cards Emporium – This shop has been buying and selling sports cards in the Chicago area for over 30 years. They have a huge inventory of cards available for purchase and are also great at evaluating collections and providing cash offers. They are very knowledgeable about the card market and grading. Their extensive experience enables them to accurately assess the value of even older and rare cards. They have two locations, one in Skokie and one in Schaumburg, making it convenient for sellers from all over the city and suburbs.

Dave & Adam’s Card World – Located in the Loop, this shop is a good option if you want to sell cards downtown Chicago. They primarily deal in baseball, basketball, football and hockey cards. Like Sports Cards Emporium, they have decades of experience appraising collections. They look up sold prices of comparable cards to develop a fair cash offer. Selling to a brick and mortar shop provides instant money, though you likely won’t get top dollar compared to selling individually on eBay or through a consignment arrangement.

Card Collectors Universe – This multi-dealer card show has events throughout the Midwest, including regularly in the Chicago suburbs. For sellers, it’s a great opportunity to set up a tables and directly interact with dozens of serious collectors all in one location. By speaking to different buyers, you have a better chance of getting top dollar for your rarer or graded cards compared to a shop offer. There is more work involved in pricing, displaying and negotiating individual sales at a card show versus taking a lump sum offer from a store.

Kellen Sports Cards – Located in Buffalo Grove, this large outlet hosts card shows monthly that hundreds of attendees frequent. Like Card Collectors Universe shows, you can rent a table to sell directly. Their retail space is also a top destination for sellers interested in auctioning larger collections. Kellen deals in everything from older vintage cards to modern issues and memorabilia. Depending on the size and value of your collectio, consigning through an outlet like Kellen that hassuch a huge customer base could potentially net you more money in the long run versus selling to a local store.

r/SportsCardTracker – For sellers willing to do transactions remotely, this subreddit provides an alternative to local brick and mortar shops or card shows. By posting what you have available for sale, collectors from all over can view images and leave offers. Shipping cards securely is an extra step versus meeting in-person, but working with individual buyers through the subreddit allows you to negotiate the best deal for rarer finds compared to a one-time offer from a store. Payments are handled through secure third-party platforms like eBay to protect both buyers and sellers.

The top options for selling baseball cards in Chicago range from large local shops with decades of experience, to regular collector shows with hundreds of prospective buyers, to the option of listing cards for sale remotely through a dedicated subreddit. Factors like collection size, goal of getting top dollar versus a quick lump sum offer, and comfort level with in-person versus online transactions all play a role in deciding the best approach. With these reliable resources, sellers have several excellent choices for finding baseball cards new homes in Chicago.

SELL BASEBALL CARDS CHICAGO

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Chicago is a Major League Baseball town with some of the most passionate baseball fans in the country. As such, it is also a hot market for buying, selling, and trading baseball cards. Whether you are looking to get rid of old cards collecting dust in your attic or start a new collection, Chicago offers plenty of opportunities to sell baseball cards.

One of the best ways to sell cards in Chicago is by consigning them to a local card shop. There are numerous independent baseball card stores scattered throughout the city and surrounding suburbs that buy and sell cards on consignment. When you consign cards, you leave them with the shop to sell on your behalf in exchange for a percentage of the sale price, usually around 50%.

Some of the most popular baseball card shops in Chicago that accept consignments include Burbank Sports Collectibles, Jabs Sports Cards and Comics, and Chicago Sports Collectibles. These shops all have large retail stores with shelves of cards organized by team, player, and year available to browse. They also attract heavy foot traffic from diehard collectors. Consigning allows your cards to be seen by thousands of potential buyers while not requiring you to be present for transactions.

Another option for selling cards in Chicago is to set up a vendor table at one of the many card shows held in the area throughout the year. Shows like the Illinois Card Show, Cook County CollectorFest, and Midwest Sports Collectible Convention are major events that draw hundreds of attendees looking to buy, sell, and trade. Vendor space usually costs around $100-200. Shows provide direct access to serious collectors with deep pockets without any upfront consignment fees. You’ll need to transport your inventory and be present all day to negotiate deals.

If you don’t have a large enough inventory or rare enough cards to warrant consigning or attending shows, peer-to-peer marketplaces are a good fallback. Facebook groups like “Chicago Baseball Card Collectors” and “Chicago Sports Card Buy/Sell/Trade” have thousands of active members constantly posting cards for sale. Buyers on these pages are mainly hobbyists and flippers rather than top-dollar vintage collectors. Make sure to read group rules, price competitively, and only accept payment through protected platforms like PayPal to mitigate risks.

Websites such as eBay and Mercari have also become popular selling venues for individual cards or large collections. They charge small transaction fees but provide the widest potential buyer reach, especially for unique, high-dollar items. Search sold listings on the platforms to properly value your cards before posting to be competitively priced. Always thoroughly describe conditions, include plenty of photos, and promptly ship insured with tracking to make the online experience positive for buyers.

For unloading huge bulk lots of common cards, the Chicago Vintage Baseball Card Show offers a once-monthly blowout event where dealers buy collections by the pound. While you likely won’t get top dollar, it’s a hassle-free way to liquidate cards quickly in a single transaction. Another wholesale option is backpagebaseballcards.com, a website run by Midwest buyers who purchase collections sight-unseen for pre-negotiated per-pound prices based on condition and marketability. Just pack securely and ship.

You have the choice of directly selling cards to individual buyers. Make listings on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or community bulletin boards with descriptions and prices. Meet buyers safely in well-lit public areas like coffee shops or card shops to complete sales. Understand some collectors may try to lowball, so research values beforehand to avoid getting taken advantage of as an individual seller. With patience and persistence, you have the potential here to find buyers willing to pay appropriate prices.

For those looking to offload baseball card collections, Chicago offers various reputable in-person and online venues to sell to collectors. With some research and legwork, collectors should be able to find buyers and maximize profits no matter the size or grade of inventory they have to sell in the Windy City’s thriving baseball card market. Learning supply and demand values will ensure happy transactions all around. Chicago truly is a collector’s paradise.

BASEBALL CARDS CHICAGO

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Baseball cards have a long and rich history in Chicago dating back to the late 19th century. Some of the earliest baseball cards were produced featuring players from Chicago’s two pioneering professional baseball teams – the Chicago White Stockings (now the Cubs) and the Chicago White Sox. These early cards helped grow the popularity of the national pastime in Chicago and across the country as baseball mania took off.

In the early 1880s, cigarette and tobacco companies began inserting promotional cards into their packs and rolls featuring professional baseball players as a way to market their brands. This is considered the first mass production of baseball cards. Companies like Goodwin & Company and American Tobacco Company issued sets featuring star players from major league teams, including many members of the Chicago White Stockings who were one of the dominant early clubs. Stars like Cap Anson, Adrian “Cap” Anson, and Jimmy Ryan who played for the White Stockings appeared on some of the earliest widely distributed baseball cards in the 1880s and helped make the White Stockings one of the most popular early franchises.

In 1888, a Chicago-based tobacco company called Buck Card Company issued the first true baseball card “set” with cards only featuring players rather than a mix of athletes and non-sports celebrities. This set had cards of Chicago White Stockings players mixed with other teams, one of the earliest single-subject baseball card releases. This helped establish Chicago as an early epicenter for baseball card production and collecting as the city’s teams were among the most successful and popular in professional baseball’s early decades.

In the 1890s and early 1900s, cigarette companies like Allen & Ginter, Goodwin & Company, and American Tobacco continued cranking out new baseball card sets each year featuring the biggest stars from Chicago and around the major leagues. Chicagoans could find cards of the White Stockings/Orphans/Remnants/Colts (later Cubs) and White Sox mixed in with the top players from other clubs. Stars like “King” Kelly, Cap Anson, Ed Delahanty, Ed Williamson, Fielder Jones, and Doc White who shone for Chicago’s teams were some of the most popular cards nationwide in the early 20th century.

As baseball grew even bigger in the early 20th century, new card companies emerged like Cleveland-based American Caramel Company which had a virtual monopoly on baseball cards from 1908-1911. Their cards featured many Chicago players and helped drive interest in the two clubs among collectors in Chicago and beyond. In the 1920s, Chicago-based card manufacturer Batter Up Company issued sets focused on the major leagues including both Chicago teams which were staples for collectors in the city during the Deadball Era.

The golden age of baseball cards arrived in the 1930s-1950s. By then, gum and candy companies like Goudey, Play Ball, and Topps had taken over production and their colorful and vibrant cards were a childhood rite of passage for many kids. Chicagoans collected cards depicting the heroes from the Cubs and White Sox teams during this period. Icons like Gabby Hartnett, Billy Herman, Bill Veeck, Luke Appling, Ted Lyons, Nellie Fox, Minnie Minoso, and others who starred for Chicago’s teams were hugely popular in the city on baseball cards during this time period.

Chicagoans also had a special affinity for sets that focused specifically on their hometown White Sox and Cubs. In 1933, Goudey issued the first modern set devoted solely to one team – the Chicago Cubs. This 80-card beauty set the standard for modern team-centric sets and was a must-have for young Cub fans in Chicago. In 1951, Bowman issued a 129-card set devoted to the White Sox which had a similar impact on the South Side. These were some of the most coveted and valuable sets for Chicago-area collectors during the golden age of cards in the mid-20th century.

Even as the baseball card boom faded in the late 1950s after the advent of television, Chicagoans maintained their passion for cards of their hometown heroes. Iconic Chicago players like Ernie Banks, Ron Santo, Billy Williams, Luis Aparicio, and others graced the cardboard in the 1960s from Topps and other producers. And in 1969, Topps issued one of the most famous and valuable baseball card sets ever which included rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron and Nolan Ryan – as well as Chicago native Fergie Jenkins in a Cubs uniform on one of the most iconic rookie cards in the history of the hobby. This cemented Chicago’s place as one of the epicenters of baseball card fandom and collecting nationwide.

In the 1970s-1980s, Chicagoans snapped up cards from the many new producers like Donruss, Fleer, and Score showing future stars like Ryne Sandberg, Harold Baines, Carlton Fisk, and others. And in the late 1980s, the baseball card market exploded into the modern era. Chicago was at the center of this boom as collectors eagerly sought rookie cards of hometown heroes like Frank Thomas, Jack McDowell, Wilson Alvarez, and others who would lead the “New Look” White Sox and Cubs to success in the 1990s. This boom period cemented Chicago as one of the biggest baseball card markets in the country.

Today, Chicago remains a hotbed of baseball card collecting activity. Both the Cubs and White Sox have large and active fan bases among card collectors seeking the latest stars like Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, Lucas Giolito, Eloy Jimenez, and more. Vintage sets remain popular as collectors seek out heroes from the past. And Chicago is home to some of the largest and most prestigious sports card shows and conventions nationwide that draw collectors from around the world. From the earliest tobacco cards to the modern era, Chicago has played a pivotal role in the history and culture of baseball cards for well over a century. The Windy City remains a vibrant hub of the baseball card hobby.

CHICAGO CUBS BASEBALL CARDS

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The Chicago Cubs are one of the most historic franchises in Major League Baseball. Founded in 1874, the Cubs have produced some of the game’s all-time greatest players and enjoyed periods of tremendous success. Naturally, many of these star players and memorable moments have been commemorated on baseball cards over the decades.

Some of the earliest Cubs cards date back to the late 1800s from sets produced by tobacco companies like Allen & Ginter, Old Judge, and Goodwin Champions. These antique cardboard treasures capture some of the Cubs’ pioneer players from the early National League era. Stars of that time like Cap Anson, Adrian “Cap” Anson, and Fred Pfeffer were among the first Cub greats immortalized on cardboard.

In the early 20th century, tobacco sets continued to spotlight Cubs talent. The T206 collection from 1909-1911 featured future Hall of Famers like Mordecai “Three Finger” Brown and Johnny Evers. Brown’s impressive career stats and his famous pitching motion with three fingers following a farming accident made him one of the sport’s early icons. Evers’ defensive skills at second base also helped establish his legendary status.

The Goudey Gum Company issued the first modern design baseball cards between 1933-1939. These contained many memorable Cubs from the 1930s dynasties including Gabby Hartnett, Billy Herman, and Stan Hack. Hartnett’s “Homer in the Gloamin'” walk-off shot from 1938 that kept the Cubs in the pennant race became one of the most famous plays in franchise lore thanks to cards featuring his image.

Topps became the dominant card manufacturer starting in the 1950s. Ernie Banks’ rookie card from their 1957 set showcased one of the game’s greatest sluggers in his early Cubs years. Known as “Mr. Cub,” Banks hit over 500 home runs for the franchise and was a 14-time All-Star. Other notable early Topps Cubs cards included Billy Williams, Ron Santo, and Ferguson Jenkins.

The 1960s Cubs teams that featured Santo, Banks, Williams, and Jenkins competing for division titles produced many stars memorialized on cardboard. A highlight was the 1969 “last place Cubs,” who overcame huge odds and a modern-day record playoff run to reach the World Series. Topps and Fleer captured icons like Glenn Beckert and Don Kessinger from that underdog “Miracle Mets” squad on classic cards.

In the 1970s, Cubs greats like Jenkins, Bill Madlock, and Rick Monday had their careers immortalized on Topps and the new arrival, Donruss cards. Jenkins won the 1971 Cy Young with a 24-13 record for a last place Cubs team featured on his ’72 Topps card. The 1984 Fleer set contained rookie cards for future All-Stars Shawon Dunston and Rafael Palmeiro from that era.

Modern stars like Greg Maddux, Ryne Sandberg, Mark Grace and Sammy Sosa have had iconic Cubs moments captured on cardboard by manufacturers like Upper Deck, Score, and Leaf. Sandberg’s MVP seasons in the 1980s that saw him set the NL record for doubles in a season by a second baseman live on through contemporary cards. Sosa’s chase of the single-season home run record against Mark McGwire in 1998 enthralled the nation and is remembered on special inserts and parallels.

Even the franchise’s 2016 World Series championship team that ended their 108-year drought found cardboard commemoration. Javy Baez’s game-saving tag at second base against the Indians in Game 7 and Ben Zobrist’s Series MVP performance now have permanent places in Cubs card history. With such a rich baseball traditions, Chicago Cubs cards from over a century continue to collect and preserve the memorable players and achievements of one of MLB’s premier franchises for future generations to enjoy.

CHICAGO CUBS BASEBALL CARDS WORTH MONEY

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Chicago Cubs Baseball Cards that Could be Worth Money

As one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball with a rich history that dates back to 1874, the Chicago Cubs have issued countless baseball cards over the decades. While most common Cubs cards from the modern era have little monetary value, there are certain rare and vintage Cubs cards that could hold significant value for collectors. In this article, we will explore some of the most valuable and sought-after Cubs cards that you’ll want to keep an eye out for.

T206 Honus Wagner (1909) – Arguably the most famous and valuable baseball card of all time, the T206 Honus Wagner is essentially the holy grail for collectors. Even in poor condition, examples can sell for over $1 million. What makes this card so rare is that Wagner demanded his likeness be removed from the series, resulting in only 50-200 known copies. Extremely unlikely any Cubs fan has this in their collection, but it sets the bar for the most valuable baseball card.

T205 Gold Border Frank Chance (1909) – As one of the earliest Cubs stars and managers who led the team to two World Series titles, Frank Chance is a significant figure in franchise history. His rare T205 card with a distinctive gold border surrounding the image could be worth $25,000+ for a high graded example. Only around 10 are known to exist in collectors’ hands today.

1933 Goudey #53 Billy Herman – Billy Herman was a key member of the Cubs in the 1930s and made the All-Star team multiple times. His scarce 1933 Goudey card is one of the most coveted and valuable pre-war issues, with high grade copies selling for upwards of $15,000. In worn condition, it’s still a four-figure card.

1951 Bowman #359 Hank Sauer – Hank Sauer was the NL MVP in 1952 after leading the league in home runs and RBI for the Cubs. His solo 1951 Bowman rookie card is exceedingly rare, with the highest sales reaching $12,000-15,000 depending on condition. Even low-grade copies in the $3,000 range.

1969 Topps #500 Fergie Jenkins – A Hall of Famer who won the Cy Young Award during his time with the Cubs, Fergie Jenkins’ rookie card from his breakout 1969 season is a must-have for any serious Cubs PC. High grades have sold for $7,000+, with most examples bringing $2,000-4,000.

1974 Topps Traded #T87 Ron Santo – Ron Santo made the All-Star team multiple times as the Cubs’ star third baseman and is still beloved by the fanbase today. His scarce 1974 traded card shows him in an Expos uniform after being dealt late in his career. Near-mint copies have reached $6,000 at auction.

1984 Donruss #34 Ryne Sandberg – Considered one of the greatest second basemen ever, Ryne Sandberg was a franchise cornerstone for the Cubs in the 1980s. His rookie card from Donruss is highly sought after, with a PSA 10 recently selling for over $5,000. Most grade in the $1,000-2,000 range.

1989 Upper Deck #1 Gregg Maddux – Before becoming a legend with the Braves, Greg Maddux broke in with the Cubs and won the first of his four Cy Young Awards in 1992. His sparkling rookie card is highly valuable at $3,000+ for top condition. Even well-worn copies still fetch $500.

2002 Bowman’s Best Refractors #R4-4 Mark Prior – Mark Prior broke out as one of baseball’s most exciting young arms before injuries derailed his career. His refractor rookie from 2002 Bowman’s Best in pristine condition has reached $4,000 at auction. Most grade around $1,000-1,500 still.

2003 SP Authentic #75 Sammy Sosa – One of the most prolific power hitters in Cubs history who led the NL in home runs multiple times in the late 90s/early 00s. A Sosa autograph card from 2003 SP Authentic in high grade sold for $3,000. Autographs always add value.

While it’s unlikely any casual Cubs fan has a true blockbuster card in their collection, there could be some valuable gems from players like Banks, Williams, Jenkins, Sandberg, and more worth having appraised and graded. Taking the time to properly store and protect your cards is key to preserving their condition and potential value over the long run as well. With the Cubs’ century-plus history, there are plenty more valuable cards we didn’t cover too. Happy hunting!

CHICAGO CUBS BASEBALL CARDS TEAM SET

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The Chicago Cubs are one of the most historic franchises in Major League Baseball. Founded in 1874, the Cubs have won three World Series titles and played in the National League since its inception in 1876. Over the decades, the Cubs have been featured on countless baseball cards highlighting some of the game’s greatest players and moments. Let’s take an in-depth look at some of the most notable Cubs team sets issued over the years in the form of trading cards.

One of the earliest Cubs team sets was issued in the 1930s by Goudey Gum Company. This 80-card set featured multiple players from the Cubs roster at the time as well as managers and owners. Some notable Cubs included in this set were Hack Wilson, Gabby Hartnett, and Charlie Grimm. The cards featured simple black and white photographic images with basic player stats and information on the back. These early Goudey Cubs cards are highly collectible today given they capture a unique time in the franchise’s history before World War 2.

In the post-war 1950s, the Bowman Gum Company issued colorful new Cubs cards as part of their main sets. Players like Hank Sauer, Randy Jackson, and Dee Fondy received colorful new cardboard issues during this decade. Topps also began including Cubs in their annual sets starting in 1956. Iconic players like Ernie Banks and Billy Williams had their rookie cards featured in Topps sets of this era. The late 50s/early 60s Topps and Bowman issues of these all-time Cubs greats are extremely valuable in top-graded condition today.

The 1960s saw the rise of the famous “Billy Goat Tavern” Cubs that made the playoffs multiple times. In 1965, Topps captured this era with an exciting 100-card Cubs team issue set. Featuring the likes of Banks, Williams, Ron Santo, and Ferguson Jenkins, this colorful vintage set is a highly sought after piece in any Cubs PC. Around this same time period, the Philadelphia Gum Company also issued a 1960s Cubs team set highlighting the roster from that memorable decade.

Topps continued their Cubs team sets into the 1970s with a 1975 release honoring that year’s team which featured Santo, Jenkins, and Rick Monday. Cards in this 100-card set showcased action shots and player portraits. The 1980s then saw Donruss issue Cubs team sets in 1986 and 1987 during the Andre Dawson and Ryne Sandberg led teams. These sets captured the players and styles of that mid-to-late 80s time period in Cubs history before the dominance of the 1990s.

Speaking of the 1990s Cubs, this decade saw some of the most iconic team sets released. In 1991, Score issued a classic “Wrigley Field” design Cubs team set featuring Sandberg, Dawson, Greg Maddux, and others. This nostalgic 120-card set captured the North Side atmosphere perfectly. Then in 1998, Upper Deck issued one of the most visually stunning Cubs team sets ever produced to commemorate that year’s Wild Card winning team. Featuring sharp action shots and unique parallel “field level” parallels, this remains a true work of cardboard art among Cubs collectors.

Entering the 21st century, trading card companies continued chronicling the Cubs in team sets. In 2003, Fleer Greats issued a “This is Next Year” Cubs tribute set focusing on young stars of that era. Then in 2015, Topps Archives released a “Wrigley Field Turns 100” Cubs salute set commemorating the iconic ballpark’s centennial. Most recently, 2021 Donruss released a “We Love Baseball” themed Cubs team set highlighting the franchise’s rich history and traditions.

In conclusion, Cubs team baseball cards sets over the decades have captured the franchise’s greatest players, eras, and moments for collectors to enjoy. From early 20th century Goudey issues to modern releases like Topps Archives, these sets preserve Cubs history for fans on cardboard. Whether it’s rookies of Banks and Williams or tribute sets for the 1998 wild card team, Cubs team sets hold a special place in the hobby for collectors of the North Siders.

1969 CHICAGO CUBS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1969 Chicago Cubs baseball cards are famous among collectors for marking a transitionary period for the franchise. Coming off their previous World Series championship in 1908, the Cubs struggled throughout most of the 20th century with playoff droughts and near misses. By the late 1960s signs of promise were emerging that a new era might be dawning at Wrigley Field.

The 1969 Cubs squad finished in a surprising second place in the National League East with an 83-79 record, just 3 games back of the New York Mets. While still not good enough to reach the postseason, it represented measurable improvement from their prior seasons and fostered hopes that the Cubs were building something sustainable under manager Leo Durocher. Top young talents like Ferguson Jenkins, Glenn Beckert, and Ron Santo were entering their primes and forming the core of the lineup.

That optimism was reflected in the baseball cards issued by Topps that year. For the first time, the entire Cubs roster was included on cards rather than just select players. Minor leaguers and backups got their own cards alongside the stars. The design was also notably updated from prior years with cleaner graphics and bigger closer photos of the players. Gone were the old-fashioned rounded edges, replaced by square modern cuts that showed the Cubs wanted to leave behind their losing past.

Perhaps the most intriguing card from the set was that of Jenkins, who had just come off a Cy Young Award winning season in 1968 where he led the NL with 27 wins and 309 strikeouts. His dominance on the mound made him an early face of the Cubs rebuilding effort. But even Jenkins’ great 1968 didn’t prepare collectors for what was to come – over the next several years he would cement his status as one of baseball’s truly elite pitchers and carry the Cubs to within a game of the 1969 World Series.

Other young position players like Beckert and Sando also had exciting flashy cards that year that hinted at brght futures. Beckert was coming off a breakout 1968 where he hit .342 and established himself as an on-base machine at second base. His card depicted him crouched into his unique open stance at the plate. Sando’s showed him towering over the catcher ready to unleash on a pitch after clubbing 25 home runs in 1968.

More established veterans on the 1969 squad like Willie Smith, Don Kessinger, and Randy Hundley also received due recognition from Topps. Each had been integral cogs for the Cubs throughout the 1960s. Smith was a versatile outfielder and hitter while Kessinger anchored shortstop with his slick defense. Hundley provided pop from the catcher spot. Their longevity in Chicago made them fan favorites as the Cubs tried changing their fortunes.

The 1969 Cubs baseball cards were also a final way for collectors to remember fading stars from the past era likeBilly Williams and Adolfo Phillips before they moved on. Williams remained a productive outfielder but was nearing the end of his Cubs tenure. He blasted 27 homers in 1969 before being traded after the season. Phillips had fallen out of regular playing time but popped up for sporadic at-bats, and his card served as a nod to his contributions earlier in the 1960s.

While the 1969 season itself didn’t end in a trip to the postseason, it set the stage for greater success to follow. Within the next few years, manager Leo Durocher and the young Cubs core led by Jenkins, Beckert and Sando broke through to capture the NL East title in 1971. They pushed the powerful Pittsburgh Pirates to a fifth and final game in the NLCS before falling just short of the World Series. By the mid-1970s, Chicago was a regular October presence riding the talents developed from that late-1960s rebuilding process. The 1969 baseball cards reflected how a new day was emerging at Wrigley Field and for the long-suffering Cubs franchise. They captured a memorable transition year that planted seeds for future championships. In the collector market, those cards still resonate as some of the most iconic from the franchise’s history.

2022 CHICAGO CUBS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 2022 Chicago Cubs baseball season saw plenty of changes and new faces for the franchise as they continued their rebuilding efforts after several playoff appearances in the early and mid 2010s. This new era is reflected in the 2022 Cubs baseball card releases from the major card companies like Topps, Bowman, Panini and more. With mainstays like Willson Contreras and Ian Happ joined by exciting young talents like Christopher Morel and Sebastian Amaya, Cubs cards this year told the story of a team transitioning into the next chapter.

Topps continued to be the MLB’s official card provider and their 2022 baseball card series featured Cubs standouts new and old. Their flagship Topps Series 1 set highlighted Contreras on the cover and included rookie cards for Brennen Davis, Sean Newcomb, and Danis Correa. Topps Series 2 in May had rookie cards of Brandon Hughes and Owen Caissie among its Cubs offerings. In August, Topps Update brought rookie cards of Morel, Amaya, Nelson Velazquez, and Caleb Kilian to capture the emergence of the Cubs’ new young core. Topps also released special sets like Topps Heritage High Numbers focusing on retired players, and Topps Finest recapturing the shiny refractors collectors loved in the ’90s and 2000s.

Bowman is baseball’s premier prospecting brand, and their 2022 releases continued profiling Cubs potential stars of tomorrow. Bowman Draft had paper rookies of the Cubs’ 2021 draftees including Jordan Wicks and Jake Bennett. In Bowman Chrome, the prized refractors included rookies for Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kevin Alcantara, and Javier Assad. Bowman Platinum held ultra-short print autos and patches for the organization’s top prospects. Bowman Transcendent expanded on that with serial-numbered 1/1 printing plates recognizing the absolute cream of the Cubs farm system crop.

While not an official MLB partner, Panini continued cranking out innovative Cubs card products as well. Donruss Baseball featured rookie inserts of Morel and others. Contenders focused on parallels and hits for established names like Contreras and Happ. Mosaic Deluxe brought tremendous visual designs including a die-cut Contreras. Prizm included rookie refractors of the likes of Amaya. And Donruss Optic inserted rookies captured through their cutting edge printing techniques.

Upper Deck also joined the Cubs card party with releases like Goodwin Champions and Ultimate Collection. And independent brands like Leaf produced special parallel sets concentrating specifically on Cubs stars. Regional mint Topps Living also allowed fans to customize Cubs cards celebrating Wrigleyville and the North Side.

As the Cubs worked to develop their farm system depth, prospects rose to the majors to get their first cardboard while mainstays stayed featured. Contreras led the way with one of the top MLB seasons at the plate in 2022 and kept appearing on cards through the end of the season and into awards-themed cards. Happ provided consistent production and earned special Cubs parallels. Morel’s torrid summer launch of magical home runs made him an instant Cubs fan favorite on cards.

All the while, the rookies just arriving in professional ball like Pete Crow-Armstrong and Kevin Alcantara generated excitement as the future core on cards from sets like Bowman. Cubs collectors in 2022 thus had no shortage of new cardboard to chase, with the season crystallized across releases chronicling this transition year. As long as Wrigley Field stands, the Cubs will remain one of baseball’s most storied franchises andcard companies ensured their players stayed among the collecting community’s most coveted commodities on the secondary market. Whether holding Contreras heroes or stockpiling prospects, Cubs cards in 2022 brought the rebuilding joy of baseball to shelf after shelf.

1953 CHICAGO CUBS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1953 Topps baseball card set marks a significant year for Cubs cards and the early years of modern cardboard collecting. Issued shortly after Topps obtained the exclusive rights to produce gum-and-card sets, the ’53 Topps offering featured for the first time key Cubs players who would help define the franchise for generations of fans.

Containing a total of 407 cards, the ’53 Topps set showcased 22 individual Cubs players through colorful artwork commissioned from various freelance illustrators. Among the notable Cubs included were shortstop Eddie Stanky, outfielders Bill “Swish” Nicholson and Bob Will, and pitchers Harry Brecheen and Jackie Collum. Three Cubs in particular — center fielder Andy Pafko, third baseman Ransom “Randy” Jackson, and first baseman Dee Fondy — received significant card numbers that acknowledged their importance to the team at the time.

Pafko, a five-time All-Star during his Cubs career from 1943-1953, was featured on the highly coveted card #1 of the ’53 Topps set. A versatile player who could both hit for average and power, Pafko slashed .285/.353/.431 with 181 home runs and 771 RBIs in 1,656 games for Chicago from 1943–1950 and again in 1953. His offensive production made him a fan favorite on many losing Cubs teams. Pafko’s #1 card remains one of the most historically significant Cubs cards ever produced.

Jackson, who played for Chicago from 1951-1956, received card #25. A three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner at third base, Jackson was coming off back-to-back .300 seasons for the Cubs in 1952-53 and was viewed as one of the team’s rising stars. He would go on to slash .272/.327/.415 with 101 home runs and 488 RBIs in 799 career games for Chicago before being traded to the Dodgers in 1956. His #25 card captured Jackson in the prime of his Cubs career.

Fondy, the Cubs everyday first baseman from 1949-1953, was featured on card #330. A versatile glove man who could also hit for average, Fondy batted .287 with 48 home runs and 272 RBIs in 548 games during his 5-year Cubs tenure. While not a true superstar, Fondy was a consistent, well-rounded player who fans could rely on at the plate and in the field on a daily basis. His presence in the later series of the ’53 Topps set reflected his standing on the Cubs roster at the time.

Beyond their notable individual cards, Pafko, Jackson, and Fondy exemplified the core position players for manager Phil Cavarretta’s 1953 Cubs team, which finished 76-78 and in fifth place in the National League. While not pennant contenders, the ’53 Cubs remained competitive with these core players leading the offense. Their inclusion in the debut Topps baseball card set helped etch these players further into Cubs franchise lore for fans and collectors just starting to snap gum and save cards during the early post-WWII era.

As baseball cards grew exponentially more popular throughout the 1950s, the ’53 Topps Cubs subset took on further historical significance. Pafko was traded after 1953 and Fondy’s career ended, but Jackson’s breakout performance in 1954 cemented him as one of the early era’s most iconic Cub stars. Young baby boom collectors could study the images of these pioneering Cubs on their colorful cardboard and imagine them playing at Cubs Park. Over decades, the condition and rarity of specific ’53 Topps Cubs players, especially high numbers of Pafko, Jackson and Fondy, have increased exponentially in price.

For serious Cubs card collectors today, finding high quality, centering ’53s of these influential early Cubs is the pinnacle. The debut Topps baseball card franchise’s first depiction of these pioneering North Siders serves as a portal into understanding the history and great traditions of the Cubs – right from the postwar period when kids first started peeling back that gray flimsy paper to uncover the colorful stars inside. In capturing Pafko, Jackson, Fondy and their teammates for posterity, the 1953 Topps baseball card set helped ensure the legacy of that pioneering Cubs squad for generations of fans to discover.

CHICAGO CUBS BASEBALL CARDS EBAY

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The Chicago Cubs are one of the most storied franchises in Major League Baseball, with a history dating back to 1874. As one of the oldest teams in the game, Cubs players have been featured on baseball cards for over a century. Today, vintage Cubs cards can be found on eBay from some of the earliest issues all the way up to modern rookies. Whether you’re a die-hard Cubs fan or looking to invest in the memorabilia market, here’s an in-depth look at some of the most valuable and interesting Cubs cards that frequently appear on eBay auctions.

T206 Honus Wagner (1909): While Wagner never played for the Cubs, his legendary T206 card from the early 20th century remains the holy grail of baseball cards. Just 60-80 examples are known to exist, making any in good condition worth well over $1 million. The card depicts Wagner of the Pittsburgh Pirates but was part of the larger American Tobacco baseball portfolio.

Goudey Cubs Team (1933): One of the earliest team sets, this Goudey issue featured multiple Cubs including Hack Wilson, Gabby Hartnett, and Charlie Grimm. High grades can sell for $5,000+. Notable because it was produced during the Depression era and captured iconic players from the franchise’s early 20th century history.

Hack Wilson (1933 Goudey): As one of the most prolific power hitters of his era, Wilson’s home run records stood for decades. His 1933 Goudey rookie card in near-mint to mint condition has sold for over $15,000 in recent years. Captures “Hack” during his record-setting 1930 season when he slugged 56 home runs and drove in 190 runs.

Gabby Hartnett “Call Out” (1934 Goudey): One of the most famous moments in Cubs history was Hartnett’s “Homer in the Gloamin'” game-winning home run against the Pirates on October 1, 1934. His 1934 Goudey card showing him calling out a play perfectly captures the moment and legend. Highly sought after by Cubs PC collectors.

Billy Williams (1964 Topps): As a member of the Cubs from 1959-1975, Williams was a mainstay and one of the franchise’s most popular players. His 1964 Topps rookie card in mint condition has sold for over $4,000. Captures “Sweet Swingin'” Billy during his early career before multiple All-Star and Gold Glove seasons.

Ron Santo (1964 Topps): Another Cubs legend, Santo played third base and was a five-time All-Star for the North Siders from 1960-1973. His 1964 Topps rookie is one of the more iconic and affordable cards from this era, often selling in the $100-300 range depending on condition.

Fergie Jenkins (1971 Topps): Acquired in a 1967 trade, Jenkins went on to have an incredible career as one of the Cubs’ most dominant starting pitchers. He won 20 games three times and threw four no-hitters. His 1971 Topps card in high grade can sell for over $1,000.

Ryne Sandberg (1981 Topps Traded): One of the most accomplished second basemen of all-time, Sandberg spent the majority of his Hall of Fame career with the Cubs from 1981-1997. His 1981 Topps Traded rookie card is highly sought after, with PSA 10 gems selling for over $2,000.

Sammy Sosa Rookie/Update (1989 Bowman/1989 Upper Deck): Sosa emerged as one of baseball’s biggest stars during his 13 seasons with the Cubs from 1992-2004. His rookie cards from 1989 are iconic representations of the Dominican slugger’s early career. High grades can reach $500-1000 each.

Kris Bryant Bowman Chrome Auto (2013): As the 2nd overall pick in the 2013 draft, Bryant quickly developed into an MVP and cornerstone of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series team. His prized 2013 Bowman Chrome rookie auto refractor in gem mint is one of the most valuable modern Cubs cards, regularly selling for over $2,000.

This covers some of the most significant and valuable Cubs cards that frequently surface in auctions on eBay. With over a century of history, Cubs collectors can find iconic representations of legendary players from almost any era. For dedicated PC builders or investors, high grade vintage and star rookie cards from this storied franchise will always remain a strong long-term hold.