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DOES HOBBY LOBBY SELL BASEBALL CARDS

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Hobby Lobby does offer a limited selection of baseball cards for sale in many of their stores across the United States. Their baseball card offerings are fairly small compared to dedicated sports card and memorabilia retailers.

Hobby Lobby is an arts and crafts store that specializes in providing supplies and materials for hobbies like scrapbooking, canvas painting, jewelry making, and various other creative pursuits. While they do carry some trading cards and collectibles, their primary focus is on products for arts, decorating, framing, and seasonal/holiday crafts.

Their baseball card selections tend to be located in the trading card section of the collectibles aisle, mixed in with offerings of other sports, non-sports cards, and vintage memorabilia items. Customers typically won’t find huge racks devoted solely to baseball packs, boxes, and individual single cards the way they would at local card shops or big box retailers.

Some of the baseball card items Hobby Lobby commonly stocks include:

Pre-constructed vinyl value packs containing 12-24 random single cards from the past few years of production. Brands may include Topps, Bowman, Panini, etc. Prices range $2.99-4.99 per pack.

Loose packs of 12-15 randomly inserted baseball cards from the current or previous season’s release from Topps, Bowman, Donruss, etc. Priced around $1.99-3.99 per pack.

Small selection of bargain bins with loose individual “commons” dating back 30+ years that customers can scoop out and purchase for $0.25 each or less.

Specialty/premium packs from brands like Topps Chrome, Bowman’s Best, Topps Transcendent containing fewer hits but chasing after autographs and memorabilias. Priced $5.99-9.99 on average.

Occasionally they’ll stock a blaster or fat pack style family hobby box containing 30-50+ loose packs along with retail exclusives. Price points around $19.99-29.99 usually.

While the scope of offerings at each Hobby Lobby can vary location to location, most stores keep the baseball card assortments fairly minimal due to constraints on retail space. The main rows are devoted to crafting supplies, fabrics, picture framing products, floral arrangements, kids activities, etc.

Seasonal sections expand in areas depending on what major holidays are coming up. So the baseball card space has to share rack space with other various collectibles, toys, novelties and gift items throughout the year.

For those hoping to peruse large selections of vintage wax boxes, high-end memorabilia relics/autographs, unopened cases of current release hobby boxes, and supplies – Hobby Lobby is far from your best option. Their goals are providing a casual browsing experience rather than catering to serious collectors.

Selection constraints also mean the store doesn’t participate much in promotions from the likes of Topps, Panini, etc. You won’t find chase parallels, hits, or exclusive merchandise only available through specialty card shops and larger sportcard vendors.

Prices on wax product are fairly in-line with MSRP but individual cards are generally not as competitively priced for those looking to build full sets or target specific needs. The main attraction comes from offering a one-stop-shop for casual fans shopping the isles on a budget.

For parents and grandparents just wanting to pick up an affordable pack or two of the latest release to share a fun activity with a young baseball fan without leaving the store – Hobby Lobby fits that bill. But serious collectors seeking a dedicated sports cards supplier will likely be disappointed by the limited breadth available.

In summary – while Hobby Lobby does carry a token selection of new and vintage baseball cards mixed in with their general collectibles section, their main emphasis is providing materials for do-it-yourself crafting. Serious card traders, investors or set builders in search of extensive modern and retro wax boxes, commons/uncommons, graded hits, and supplies would be better served shopping at an LCS or website specializing exclusively in the card hobby. For a casual browse and low budget rip, Hobby Lobby offers a passable option without much upside beyond that low key experience.

DOES HOBBY LOBBY CARRY BASEBALL CARDS

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Hobby Lobby does carry a selection of baseball cards across many of its stores, but the size and quality of the baseball card selection can vary significantly depending on the individual store. Overall, Hobby Lobby has shifted more towards carrying model kits, craft supplies, fabrics, frames, and home decor items in recent years and baseball cards are no longer a major focus area for the retailer. They do recognize that baseball cards remain a popular hobby and collectors item for many customers so most stores will dedicate at least a small area to baseball cards.

The baseball card selection at Hobby Lobby typically includes packs of newer licensed cards from the last couple years as well as some loose packs of older 1990s and 2000s era cards. Many of the flagship Hobby Lobby locations that are in larger cities will have the largest selection which may include a few unopened wax boxed sets from the past 10-15 years as well. Some stores will also have magnetic stands with a few higher end graded rookie cards, relic cards, and autographs ranging in price from $10-$100. Beyond just packs and loose cards, Hobby Lobby also tries to carry some associated baseball card supplies like magnetic stands, penny sleeves, toploaders, and 9-pocket pages to help collectors properly store and organize their collections.

In terms of brands carried, Hobby Lobby mostly sticks to the major licensed MLB card producers like Topps, Panini, and Stadium Club. Some stores may have a few unopened sets from lesser known brands like Leaf and Donruss in the backstock as well. Finding original vintage cards from the 1950s-1980s at Hobby Lobby is quite rare. They focus mainly on modern product releases. The quality and condition of the individual cards sold loose or in repackaged bundles is also generally low-end at Hobby Lobby with most being common cards suitable just for set building rather than high-value rookie cards.

Like many areas of the Hobby Lobby in-store assortment, the baseball card selection can often be disorganized and picked over due to the large volume of customers casually browsing the aisle. Many of the pack-fresh cards may get damaged from kids pulling them out or cards getting shuffled around. Dedicated collectors usually prefer a specialty hobby shop for a more curated selection of supplies and higher-end individual cards. However, Hobby Lobby is a commonly available option for a casual collector just looking to rip open a few packs on a budget. Store employees generally have modest sports card knowledge as well if you need help locating certain products.

The size of the baseball card aisle space allocation comes down to the individual store manager’s discretion based on what sells well locally. Larger flagship locations that attract many sports fans in their area tend to allot 4-6 feet of shelving space for cards while smaller suburban or rural stores may only keep a 12-18 inch sliding drawer for cards. Demand has softened in recent years across the industry as the rise of e-packs and rip cards on YouTube has taken off more with younger collectors. So space given to cards at Hobby Lobby will likely continue shrinking gradually unless broader trends change.

In conclusion, Hobby Lobby provides a passably accessible but low-end option for the casual baseball card enthusiast or collector on a budget to occasionally purchase some newer packs or supplies. More dedicated collectors seeking premium vintage cardboard or a curated shopping experience will prefer a local card shop. But for the occasional rip of a pack amid a craft or home decor supply run, Hobby Lobby fulfills the role of being one of the few nationwide brick-and-mortar retailers with any baseball cards at all left on shelves these days. Just expect lower quality loose cards, disorganization, and a very limited selection of higher-priced items.

BASEBALL CARDS HOBBY LOBBY

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The baseball card hobby has been a beloved American pastime for over 150 years. Originally included as promotional inserts in tobacco products in the late 1800s, baseball cards evolved into a collectible phenomenon. Today, the hobby thrives with collectors of all ages hunting for rare finds and building complete sets at hobby shops, card shows, and online marketplaces.

The first baseball cards were produced in the late 1860s as promotional inserts for cigarette and chewing tobacco brands looking to capitalize on America’s growing love for the sport. Companies like Goodwin & Company and American Tobacco Company began including small printed cards in their products featuring baseball players and stats from that season. These early cards were not particularly rare and were simply meant as advertisements for the tobacco products. They ignited the passion for collecting that would define the baseball card industry for generations to come.

In the late 1880s, cigarette manufacturers began mass-producing baseball cards as premiums included in their packs and tins. Brands like Allen & Ginter, Old Judge, and Sweet Caporal issued sets featuring major leaguers from that era. These sets helped popularize the stars of the day like Cap Anson, Pud Galvin, and Jim O’Rourke. They also increased interest in collecting among children and adults alike. By the early 1900s, the golden age of tobacco baseball cards was in full swing with colorful, beautifully illustrated cards coming out annually from nearly every major tobacco brand. Sets reached their peak in the 1910s with the famous T206 and E90 issues.

As the popularity of the hobby grew, so did the secondary marketplace. Collectors would trade, buy, and sell cards to complete sets or obtain rare finds. The rise of organized baseball card shows in the post-World War II era helped fuel this trading culture. In the 1950s, the Topps company revolutionized the industry by signing exclusive licensing deals with major and minor leagues, allowing them to use team logos and player photos on their cards for the first time. Topps issued highly collectible sets each year that remain classics to this day.

Mounting health concerns surrounding tobacco use led to the decline of cigarette baseball cards by the 1960s. Topps and other new competitors like Fleer and Donruss stepped in to fill the void with bubble gum and candy included in wax packs instead of cigarettes. These updated the nostalgic hobby for a new generation of collectors. In the 1970s, stars like Hank Aaron, Reggie Jackson, and Nolan Ryan appeared on these modern cardboard issues that are still prized possessions for many collectors today.

The 1980s saw unprecedented growth in the sports memorabilia industry as a whole. Iconic rookie cards were produced for Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, and Ken Griffey Jr. that have since appreciated greatly in value. The boom continued into the 90s with the arrival of ultra-premium sets like Finest, Ultra, and Signature Series that featured swatches, autographs, and refractor parallels adding to the collectibility. The overproduction of modern issues in the late 90s led to a crash that changed the industry forever.

While the direct sales market declined after the crash, the secondary marketplace and hobby shop culture thrived. Card shows and conventions popped up across the country each weekend allowing collectors to buy, sell, and trade with vendors and each other. Local card shops also served as hubs where fans could build sets, trade duplicates, and follow the latest in the hobby. Websites like eBay further expanded the reach of the collecting community online. Today, the baseball card industry remains a multi-billion dollar business driven by nostalgia, investment, and the thrill of the hunt for the next rare find.

Whether searching local hobby shops like Hobby Lobby or attending huge national conventions, collectors of all ages can still find treasures to fuel their passion. At card shows, collectors peruse long rows of vendor tables stocked with wax boxes, binders of stars, and miscellaneous singles at every price point. Hobby shops provide a home base for building sets, tracking down needed cards, and bonding with other collectors over the shared love of the game. Online marketplaces also allow collectors to easily buy, sell, and trade 24/7 from anywhere in the world.

While the modern cardboard landscape is very different than the golden age of tobacco issues, the hobby remains as strong as ever. New collectors are still discovering the thrill, while vintage enthusiasts continue hunting for that one card that could complete their dusty old set. Whether chasing rare vintage stars or following today’s hottest young players, the baseball card pastime is here to stay. From local card shops to national conventions, the industry will continue cultivating new generations of fans and fueling the dreams of collectors for years to come.

HOBBY LOBBY BASEBALL TRADING CARDS

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Hobby Lobby began as an art supplies store in Oklahoma City in 1972. Founded by David Green, it has since grown into one of the largest privately held arts and crafts retailers in the world. Over the past few decades, Hobby Lobby has amassed one of the largest private collections of baseball trading cards and related sports memorabilia in existence.

Baseball cards have been produced and collected by fans for over 150 years. They first emerged as a popular collectible during the late 19th century when cigarette and tobacco companies included lithographed cards featuring baseball players in their products. The Old Judge and Goodwin & Company brands issued some of the earliest major sets of baseball cards during the late 1880s. Production ramped up significantly through the early 1900s as the burgeoning tobacco industry realized cards were a popular marketing tool.

By the mid-20th century, the modern era of dedicated sports card production was underway. Companies like Topps, Fleer, and Bowman began issuing annual sets exclusively devoted to baseball players each season. This helped solidify trading cards as a mainstream hobby. Collectors would eagerly await the release of the new year’s cards to find rookie cards of up-and-coming players and chase after stars of the day.

It was during the 1950s that David Green first caught the collecting bug himself. As a young boy growing up in Oklahoma, he began amassing cards featuring the stars of that era like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron. This initial passion would eventually blossom into one of the most extensive collections in the world. By the 1990s, Hobby Lobby had been successfully operating for over 15 years and Green had identified collecting cards as a worthwhile investment opportunity as values continued rising steadily.

Hobby Lobby soon began actively pursuing acquisition of complete sets, rare individual cards, autographed memorabilia, and other related items showcasing the history of baseball. Early tobacco sets from the 1880s-1890s were of particular interest as the rarest and most valuable within the collecting community. The company earned a reputation amongst dealers as an aggressive buyer with deep pockets willing to pay top dollar for elite pieces to add to their holdings.

In subsequent years, Hobby Lobby pulled off numerous major coups. One acquisition was a near-complete run of the historic 1909-1911 T206 tobacco series, regarded by many as the most iconic set of all-time due to the dazzling color portraits and inclusion of hall of famers like Honus Wagner, Cy Young, and Ty Cobb. Another was a pristine 1968 Topps complete set containing the ultra-rare rookie card of Nolan Ryan, widely considered the single most valuable baseball card in existence today at auction prices upwards of $500,000.

By the late 1990s, Hobby Lobby had amassed one of the top five collections worldwide and the finest institutional one in America. Major holdings included prized possessions like a PSA Gem Mint T206 Wagner, virtually every key pre-war tobacco issue, and comprehensive runs of 1950s/60s/70s Topps and Fleer sets primed for growth. Each year, new acquisitions were made to strengthen identified weak areas. Behind the scenes, an entire team was devoted to cataloging, grading, storing, and displaying portions of the growing treasure trove.

The 21st century has only served to further expand the scope and prominence of Hobby Lobby’s baseball card collection. Multimillion-dollar auctions, private sales, and donations have all played a role. A serious focus has also been placed on acquiring unique, one-of-a-kind artifacts not found elsewhere such as uncut prototype sheets, test printings, autographed artwork, and other promotional materials. Some highlights from recent times include a signed Babe Ruth model bat from the 1920s and an unopened case of 1984 Fleer featuring rookie cards of Ryne Sandberg and Don Mattingly.

Today, the Hobby Lobby collection stands as one of the finest representations of the rich history of baseball card publishing ever amassed under one roof. Comprised of hundreds of thousands of individual items, it features complete or near-complete runs of the most significant sets from the 19th century origins all the way through modern productions. Such an exhaustive assemblage is truly unmatched by all but a small handful of the world’s most elite collections and institutions. For fans and historians, it functions as an unparalleled time capsule preserving the long tradition of these classic cardboard collectibles.

The collection remains actively curated within temperature-controlled vaults at Hobby Lobby headquarters. Portions are also regularly displayed at their on-site museum for public viewing and educational tours. While never put up for sale as a whole, rare items are sometimes made available to serious bidders through public auctions or private transactions. Going forward, the company seems dedicated to safeguarding these pieces of baseball history for future generations to appreciate just as founder David Green first did so many years ago as a kid with a box of cards and a dream.

HOBBY LOBBY BASEBALL CARDS

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Hobby Lobby is an American retail company that is perhaps best known for its constitutional challenge to the Affordable Care Act’s contraceptive mandate. The Oklahoma City-based arts and crafts chain also sells a variety of collectibles, including sports memorabilia like baseball cards.

The company got into the baseball card business in the 1980s when it started carrying packs, boxes, and individual cards alongside its arts and crafts supplies. By stocking popular brands like Topps, Fleer, and Donruss, Hobby Lobby was able to cater to the growing number of collectors in the United States. It found that cards were a natural extension of its inventory of tradeable memorabilia like coins, stamps, and comics.

In the early days, Hobby Lobby sourced its baseball card offerings through distributors. This allowed the retailer to test demand for cards in a cost effective manner without needing to invest heavily in inventory itself. Topps in particular worked hard to get Hobby Lobby to carry its flagship products each year. By the 1990s, the partnership was strong enough that Hobby Lobby received cards directly from Topps ahead of general retail availability.

As the collectibles market continued to grow, Hobby Lobby expanded its baseball card departments in many stores across the country. Larger locations set aside towering endcaps and even dedicated aisles just for cards, supplies, and protective accessories. Product selection varied significantly depending on region – coastal stores carried more cards oriented toward local baseball markets.

A major boom occurred in the late 1980s and early 1990s as mass producers like Fleer Ultra, Score, and Upper Deck entered the scene. With an abundance of innovative rookie cards, parallels, and inserts hitting the market, collecting grew into a mainstream hobby. Hobby Lobby met demand head-on with specialized weekly shipments and even designated “card drop days” that cultivated excitement.

Some of Hobby Lobby’s most notable early card offerings included the iconic 1988 Topps Traded Griffey rookie, 1990 Topps Traded Bonds/Clemens/Piazza rookies, and 1992 Ultra Mike Piazza autographed rookie refractor. High-end chases like these kept customers coming back to stores each week. While secondary pricing couldn’t compete with dedicated card shops, selection and accessibility set Hobby Lobby apart from mass retailers.

The 1990s also saw Hobby Lobby begin carrying unopened boxes at sizable discounts compared to distributors. This provided an appealing group break option for collectors looking to split cases. Chainwide “National Card Day” promotions on Saturdays further boosted traffic, sales, and excitement within departments. Hobby Lobby even took special product distribution arrangements that yielded exclusive parallels or bonus packs exclusively for its customer base.

As the hobby faded in the late 90s, Hobby Lobby downsized but did not fully abandon baseball cards. Through the 2000s it remained a viable option for retro sets, oddball products, and bargain bin finds. The company also capitalized on resurgences created by high-profile rookie classes like 2007 Topps Troy Tulowitzki and 2009 Topps Stephen Strasburg. By maintaining a solid but scaled-back assortment, Hobby Lobby adapted to changing collector preferences.

In 2011, Hobby Lobby restructured its baseball card allocation by implementing a category management system. This strategic overhaul aimed to optimize shelf space utilization, variety, and turnover based on regional sales patterns. Category specialists evaluated departments nationwide before rolling out new planograms, assortments, and merchandising strategies store-by-store.

The results were highly localized assortments that emphasized what actually sold best in each local market. While some locations narrowed focus, others expanded carrying Opening Day, Bowman, Prizm, and exclusive regional issues that previously received little distribution. Popular licensed sets like Topps Star Wars, Mars Attacks, and Garbage Pail Kids also found shelf space under the new paradigm.

Today, as the modern card boom reshapes the industry, Hobby Lobby remains an intriguing limited-run and bargain option for collectors. Despite slashing a significant number of underperforming SKUs industry-wide over the past decade, the retailer allocates shelf space efficiently based on proven demand. While its selection will never rival an LCS, savvy collectors still find gems amidst the glut of mass-produced vintage reprints. In the process, Hobby Lobby has carved out its place serving collectors on a national scale for nearly four decades.

So in summary, Hobby Lobby has seen baseball cards evolve from a speculative 1980s novelty to today’s robust secondary market. By adapting intelligently each step of the way, it has sustained its presence within the wider collecting community. Above all, the company shows how non-specialty retailers can still engage hobbyists by prioritizing the right products at reasonable prices tailored to local demand.