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BASEBALL CARDS EVERY COLLECTOR SHOULD HAVE

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Baseball cards have been around for over 150 years, with the earliest known cards dating back to the late 1860s. Since then, the hobby of collecting baseball cards has grown exponentially with millions of people worldwide amassing collections of cards featuring their favorite players both past and present. With so many cards produced over the decades, it can be difficult to narrow down which specific cards every serious collector should aim to add to their collection. There are certainly some standout cards that are widely considered must-haves for any baseball card aficionado.

One of the most iconic and valuable baseball cards ever made is the 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner card. Produced by the American Tobacco Company as part of their landmark T206 series, the Wagner card is arguably the most famous trading card in existence. What makes the Wagner so coveted is not just the fact that it features one of the early game’s greatest stars, but also that Wagner demanded his card be pulled from production since he did not want to promote tobacco. As a result, it is estimated fewer than 60 genuine Wagner cards still exist today in collectible condition. In the past decade, examples that have graded PSA NM-MT 8 or above have routinely sold at auction for over $1 million, with a record $6.6 million paid in 2016. No collection is truly complete without owning a high-grade Wagner, even if just a modern reprint.

Another seminal issue for any collector has to be one of the early tobacco cards known as the 1909-11 E90-1 set produced by the Edward Cigarettes company. While not quite as iconic or valuable as the T206 set overall, the E90-1s were among the earliest mass-produced baseball cards and helped popularize the hobby in its early 20th century infancy. Key cards to seek out include stars like Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Nap Lajoie. Even well-worn low-grade examples can be quite affordable relative to their historical significance. The E90-1s are a must for any collection focusing on the earliest decades of the pastime.

Shifting focus to the post-World War II golden age of baseball cards, one of the most essential sets is without question the 1952 Topps set. As the first cards produced by Topps, who would go on to dominate the baseball card market for decades, the ’52 Topps set helped revitalize the industry and remains a landmark issue. Top rookie cards in the set include such all-time greats as Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, and Whitey Ford. High grades of any of these rookie cards would be prize possessions, with a PSA 10 Mantle among the most valuable collectibles in the world at over $5 million. But even low-grade common players hold value as important pieces of card history. No serious collector can say they have a top-tier collection without examples from this groundbreaking set.

Continuing with iconic 1950s issues, the 1957 Topps set is considered another cornerstone release. Produced during the so-called “Golden Age” of the sport when national interest was at a peak, the ’57 Topps set was the first to feature color photography on the cards. Rookies included future Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson. Key chase cards include the iconic Mickey Mantle card, with its dramatic action shot cementing its place as one of the most visually appealing and sought-after cards ever. Even in low grades, examples can still fetch thousands due to their historical importance and recognizable Mantle imagery. For those chasing the best of the best, pristine PSA/BGS 10 examples of stars like Mantle and Aaron routinely sell for over $100,000.

The 1960s saw baseball card production boom as new competitors like Fleer and Leaf entered the market. Among the essential sets from this decade, two stand out as truly indispensable for any collector – the 1965 Topps and 1968 Topps sets. The ’65 issue featured the debut of four-color process on cards, enhancing the photography significantly. Rookies included future Hall of Famers like Sandy Koufax in his final season before retirement. High-grade examples remain reasonably affordable. Meanwhile, the 1968 Topps set saw the debut of superstar rookie cards like Johnny Bench, Reggie Jackson, and Nolan Ryan. A PSA 10 Bench rookie would be the crown jewel of any collection, valued well into the six figures. Even common cards maintain value from this iconic release. Both sets are must-haves to represent the late ’60s boom period.

The 1970s were a transitional period that saw the rise of the annual set and the inclusion of more in-depth player stats on cards. Two releases that should not be missed are the iconic 1973 Topps and 1975 Topps sets. The ’73s introduced the first annual set format focused on active players. Rookies included a young George Brett. Meanwhile, the ’75 issue featured the debut of stars like Fred Lynn and Don Baylor of the 1975 Red Sox. Highlights would be a PSA 10 condition George Brett rookie or Fred Lynn rookie/rookie star card. Both remain reasonably affordable in top grades compared to earlier stars. These sets captured a pivotal time and introduced several all-time great players to the hobby.

The late 1980s saw the peak of the junk wax era with mass production of cards. Two releases from this period have stood the test of time – the 1987 Topps set and the iconic 1989 Upper Deck set. The ’87 Topps issue featured rookie cards for Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Greg Maddux. Even in low grades, these rookie cards hold value. Upper Deck then revolutionized the industry in 1989 with its premium quality, glossy cards, and stricter print runs. Rookies included Ken Griffey Jr. and Chipper Jones, with the Griffey the single most valuable card from the set. High-grade Griffey and Chipper rookies would be the pinnacle, but the entire set holds nostalgia from reviving the industry. No collection is truly complete without examples from the 1980s peak.

This covers some of the most essential baseball card releases that truly defined eras and featured legendary players. Of course, there are many other noteworthy sets that could be included as well. At the end of the day, assembling examples from these seminal issues, in whatever grades a collector can afford, will form the solid foundation for an impressive lifelong collection celebrating the history and best individuals of America’s pastime on the diamond.

EVERY YEAR OF TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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Topps baseball cards have been a staple of the baseball card industry since the company released its first set in 1952. Over the past 70 years, Topps has developed iconic designs, included innovative features, and captured the personalities and performances of generations of baseball stars through photographs on these small trading cards. Here’s an in-depth look at Topps baseball cards released each year from 1952 to the present:

1952 (Ted Williams) – Topps’ inaugural baseball card set featured 382 cards of current players, managers, and umpires. The cards had a pinkish border and player stats/details on the back. Some key rookie cards included Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle. This set helped launch Topps as the dominant baseball card company.

1953 – Topps released another 382 card standard size set. The design was similar to 1952 but with a green border. The ’53 set is notable for including the rookie cards of future Hall of Famers Hank Aaron, Al Kaline, and Eddie Mathews.

1954 – Topps switched to a smaller card size, known as the “mini-format.” The design had a yellow border and included 400 cards. Rookie cards included future stars Frank Robinson and Billy Pierce. This was the first Topps set that included team logos.

1955 – The design remained largely the same as ’54 but with a blue border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Orlando Cepeda and Bob Gibson. This was the first year Topps included a “Traded” subset to showcase players who switched teams.

1956 – Topps issued another 400 card set with a red border. Rookie cards included future stars Jim Bunning and Luis Aparicio. The design remained very similar to previous years.

1957 – Topps introduced a new design with a white border and team logo at the bottom. The set included 387 cards. Future Hall of Famer Willie McCovey made his rookie card debut.

1958 – Topps issued its first “high-number” cards beyond the base 399 card checklist. The 1958 set totaled 502 cards. The design had a purple border. Notable rookies included future stars Bob Allison and Bill White.

1959 – Topps released two separate sets – the standard size and a larger “Premium” set. The base set had a green border and included future stars Pete Rose and Tony Oliva in their rookie cards. The premium set featured All-Star cards on thicker cardstock.

1960 – Topps issued its first “traded” and “record breakers” subsets. The base set had a red border and included future Hall of Famers Dick Allen and Tom Seaver in their rookie cards. This set also included the first color photos on baseball cards.

1961 – Topps released another standard size set with a blue border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Reggie Jackson and Tom Phoebus. This set also featured the first multi-player cards showing two or more players together.

1962 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border and included future stars Dick McAuliffe and Don Drysdale in their rookie cards. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1963 – Topps introduced the first “action” cards featuring photos of players in motion. The base set had a green border and included future stars Willie Stargell and Joe Torre in their rookie cards.

1964 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Dick Allen and Lou Brock. This set also featured the first “managers” subset cards.

1965 – Topps introduced the first “gum” cards where the card was stuck to a piece of gum inside the pack. The base set had a blue border and included future stars Johnny Bench and Joe Morgan in their rookie cards.

1966 – Topps released a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Reggie Jackson and Bill Freehan. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1967 – Topps introduced the first “team/league leader” subset cards highlighting statistical leaders. The base set had a green border and included future Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk in his rookie card.

1968 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk, and Joe Morgan. The design was largely similar to previous years.

1969 – Topps introduced the first “record breakers” subset cards. The base set had a blue border and included future stars Thurman Munson and Bert Blyleven in their rookie cards. The design remained largely similar.

1970 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers George Brett and Dave Parker. The design was largely similar to previous years.

1971 – Topps introduced the first “team cards” showing an entire team’s lineup. The base set had a green border and included future stars Fred Lynn and Keith Hernandez in their rookie cards.

1972 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Robin Yount and George Foster. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1973 – Topps introduced the first “action packed” subset featuring multiple action photos on one card. The base set had a blue border and included future stars Mike Schmidt and Phil Niekro in their rookie cards.

1974 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Jeff Burroughs and Paul Molitor. The design was largely similar to previous years.

1975 – Topps introduced the first “mini” cards in wax packs as an insert bonus. The base set had a green border and included future stars Eddie Murray and Dave Stieb in their rookie cards.

1976 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Andre Dawson and Dave Parker. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1977 – Topps introduced the first “league leader” subset cards highlighting single-season statistical leaders. The base set had a blue border and included future stars Cal Ripken Jr. and Wade Boggs in their rookie cards.

1978 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Ryne Sandberg and Ozzie Smith. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1979 – Topps introduced the first “team leader” subset cards highlighting career statistical leaders for each franchise. The base set had a green border and included future stars Donruss Wagner and Ozzie Guillen in their rookie cards.

1980 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Darryl Strawberry and Tim Raines. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1981 – Topps introduced the first “Starmate” dual player cards combining two stars together. The base set had a blue border and included future Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt on the cover.

1982 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1983 – Topps introduced the first “Traded” subset highlighting midseason trades. The base set had a green border and included future stars Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry in their rookie cards.

1984 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Don Mattingly and Kirby Puckett. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1985 – Topps introduced the first “Glossy Sendbacks” mail-away promotion for autographed/memorabilia cards. The base set had a blue border and included future stars Mark McGwire and Barry Larkin in their rookie cards.

1986 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future stars Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1987 – Topps introduced the first “Sticker” cards as a bonus insert in wax packs. The base set had a green border and included future stars Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine in their rookie cards.

1988 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Barry Larkin, Randy Johnson, and Tim Raines. The design remained largely similar.

1989 – Topps introduced the first factory-sealed wax pack “Factory Sets.” The base set had a blue border and included future stars Jeff Bagwell and Kenny Lofton in their rookie cards.

1990 – Topps issued a standard size set with a purple border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famers Edgar Martinez and Larry Walker. The design remained largely similar to previous years.

1991 – Topps introduced the first “Embossed” parallel card sets. The base set had a green border and included future stars Chipper Jones and Jim Thome in their rookie cards.

1992 – Topps issued a standard size set with a red border. Notable rookie cards included future Hall of Famer John Smoltz and stars Derek Jeter and Nomar Garciaparra.

1993 – Topps introduced the first “Photo File” parallel card sets featuring different photos than the base cards. The base set had a blue border and included future stars Jason Giamb

EVERY DAY LUIS BUYS 5 MORE BASEBALL CARDS

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Every Day Luis Buys 5 More Baseball Cards

Luis was a 12-year-old boy who lived in a small town and loved collecting baseball cards. He had been amassing his collection for the past few years by begging his parents to buy packs of cards whenever they went to the grocery store or drug store. Luis’s parents tried to limit how many packs they would buy him each week to around 2 or 3 since the cards could add up in price, but they indulged their son’s hobby since he enjoyed it so much.

Baseball card collecting had become extremely popular among kids Luis’s age in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Companies like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss were pumping out millions of baseball cards each year featuring current players, rookie cards, stars of the past, and more. Kids traded cards on the playground, discussed players and stats at lunch, and added to their collections whenever possible. For Luis, it was a fun way to learn about the game of baseball and his favorite players while also enjoying the thrill of the chase to find rare and valuable cards in his packs.

One summer day, Luis had an idea. He went to his parents and asked if instead of just getting 2 or 3 packs a week, what if he was allowed to buy 5 more cards each day. So on the first day he would get 5 cards, the next day 10 more for a total of 15, then 20 more the following day for 35, and so on. Luis promised he would pay for the additional cards each day out of his own allowance and chore money. His parents thought about it and decided it seemed like a fun way for Luis to stay engaged with his hobby over the summer break from school. They agreed to his proposal as long as he stuck to his commitment to use his own funds.

Excited for his new plan, Luis went to the drug store right after getting his parents’ approval. With $5 from his wallet, he bought a pack containing 5 cards. He was thrilled to pull a rookie card of pitcher Tom Glavine, a future Hall of Famer, in that first pack. Each day for the next week, Luis faithfully went to the store and bought 5 more cards as per the deal. By the end of the first week he had accumulated 35 cards total.

As the summer progressed, Luis’s daily haul and collection size grew rapidly. By the end of the second week he was up to 70 cards, then 105 after three weeks. At this point he was spending around $10-12 of his money each day. Luis’s parents began to worry this was getting expensive but Luis insisted he had enough funds saved from his chores to keep the streak going. He was so engaged and excited about his growing collection that they didn’t want to put a stop to it yet.

Halfway through the summer, Luis had amassed an impressive total of 231 baseball cards. By now he was spending around $20 per day on his daily allotment. His parents sat him down and had a talk about budgeting and making sure he was still saving some money for other fun activities over the break, but Luis convinced them he had it under control. Each day he would carefully go through the new cards, discussing any notable pulls with his parents and siblings over dinner. Baseball card talk became a regular part of their family conversations.

As the summer neared its end, Luis had increased his daily purchase amount to 120 cards, costing around $35 out of his own money. In total over the two-month period, by buying 5 more cards each consecutive day, Luis had managed to add over 3,500 baseball cards to his collection! Some of his favorite and most prized cards included rookie cards of Derek Jeter, Chipper Jones, and Sammy Sosa, as well as vintage greats like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Sandy Koufax. Luis’s parents were amazed at how dedicated their son had been to seeing this plan through until the very end.

Once school started back up in the fall, Luis’s daily baseball card shopping came to a halt. But he would never forget the fun and excitement of that summer where he increased his haul by 5 cards each day. His collection had grown exponentially and included so many memorable cards. Even years later, Luis still looks back fondly on that two months that helped fuel his lifelong passion for the game of baseball. The “Every Day Luis Buys 5 More Baseball Cards” summer experiment was a smashing success and created memories Luis would cherish for decades to come.