Tag Archives: maine

WHERE TO SELL BASEBALL CARDS IN MAINE

Leave a reply

One of the best places to sell baseball cards in Maine is at local card and collectible shops. There are several shops scattered throughout the state that buy, sell, and trade sports and non-sports cards. Some of the largest and most reputable shops include:

Mighty Baseball Cards – Located in Portland, Mighty Baseball Cards has been in business for over 30 years and is considered the premier sports card shop in Maine. They have thousands of cards in stock and offer cash or store credit for cards brought in to sell. They do expert appraisals and will work to find the best market value for collectors looking to liquidate parts of their collection.

The Card Vault – With locations in South Portland and Bangor, The Card Vault is another long-standing Maine shop that moves a lot of collectible cards each year. They pay cash on the spot for collections that match their current needs or trade allowance on store credit if they don’t need certain cards at the time of sale. Multiple buyers are on staff to assess condition and value.

Game On Cards – Based in Brunswick, Game On Cards hosts frequent card shows, tournaments, and events that draw collectors from around the state. When looking to sell cards, bringing them to Game On provides exposure to the card trading community as well as knowledgeable shop cash offers.

Past Time Cards – In Augusta, Past Time Cards has over three decades in the sports memorabilia industry. In addition to individual card appraisals and cash/trade offers, they often run special sale promotions where collectors can sell complete sets or boxes of cards at once to the store.

For those outside of southern Maine, another solid option is to work directly with some of the mobile card buyers that travel the state. Companies like 603 Collectibles, T & R Sports, and Ramage Auctions regularly make the circuits to card shows and shops. Sellers can contact these buyers ahead of time to arrange an in-person meeting to sell larger lot collections. The buyers pay cash on the spot based on their internal guide needs.

Online platforms have also become more widely used by Maine collectors looking to sell baseball cards. Some of the more popular sites include eBay, COMC (Cardboard Connection), and TradeCardSource. Selling on eBay allows access to the broadest potential buyer pool but comes with listing and selling fees. Sites like COMC and TradeCardSource focus only on cards and charge monthly subscription fees for sellers to list unlimited cards, doing much of the photography, grading, and shipping work.

When selling valuable single cards graded by PSA or BGS, collectors in Maine can work directly with national auction houses like Heritage Auctions or Midwest Trading Cards. Getting estimate cards valued at $100 or more will help these companies better evaluate consignment options. Occasionally they’ll even pay shipping costs to bring valuable collections to their offices.

No matter the method, doing some research on recent card sales trends and comparing asking prices across different platforms can help sellers get the best value when liquidating parts of their collection. Reputable local shops remain a solid option in Maine due to access to knowledgeable staff and regional collectors. Going the online sales route requires more work by the seller but opens up the largest potential buyer pool nationwide. With some shopping around, collectors have many viable selling options here in the Pine Tree State.

BASEBALL CARDS FOR SALE MAINE

Leave a reply

Baseball cards have been a beloved collectible item for over a century, with kids and adults alike enjoying searching packs for their favorite players or chasing rare and valuable cards. The hobby has continued to grow in popularity over the decades, and in the state of Maine there are many options for collectors to buy, sell, and trade baseball cards.

Whether you’re looking to build upon an existing collection, start a new collection, or sell off duplicates and cards of players you no longer follow, Maine offers various avenues. Some of the top places collectors in the state turn to include local card shops, card shows, online marketplaces, and peer-to-peer selling platforms.

Local card shops like Past Time Cards in Portland and The Card Shop in Bangor are mainstays for many collectors in Southern and Central Maine. Both shops maintain extensive inventories of new and vintage baseball cards available to buy either loose or in factory-sealed wax packs and boxes. They also provide a space for collectors to meet, trade, and talk baseball. Shop owners are knowledgeable about the hobby and can help collectors locate specific chase cards.

For those wanting to cast a wider net, some of the largest and most well-attended card shows in New England take place annually in Maine. The Southern Maine Sports Card & Memorabilia Show happens each January in Portland, drawing hundreds of dealers selling everything from common cards to rare game-used memorabilia. In July, the Bangor Card & Memorabilia Show transforms the Cross Insurance Center into a baseball card lover’s paradise. Both shows give collectors a fun day to peruse tables in search of deals.

Online marketplaces like eBay and Mercari have become very popular for collectors in Maine to buy and sell cards remotely. With the click of a button, it expands the potential buyer or seller pool across the entire country. Sites like eBay especially see high card volumes daily. Condition and rarety are important to evaluate on any vintage listing. For authenticated autographed rookie cards of star players, prices can soar into the thousands.

Peer-to-peer Facebook groups focused on Maine sports cards are another effective selling avenue. The largest groups have thousands of members across the state actively buying and selling. Photos are posted of individual cards or entire collections for sale, with secure payment and shipping typically handled through established online platforms. This allows collectors to keep trades local.

While the above options represent some of the most well-traveled paths, collectors should also be on the lookout for pop-up card shops or shows that periodically open in areas like Old Orchard Beach, Freeport or Waterville. Smaller local card stores not focused solely on sports may also carry limited baseball supplies. Yard sales or thrift stores can occasionally yield unexpected finds too.

Whether just starting out or a seasoned veteran, the opportunities to buy and sell baseball cards are plentiful for collectors residing in Maine. With the combination of brick-and-mortar shops, large-scale shows, online marketplaces and social media, finding those key cards to add to your collection or offloading duplicates has never been easier in the Pine Tree State. The community of collectors also helps keeps the rich tradition alive for future generations.

BASEBALL CARDS PORTLAND MAINE

Leave a reply

Baseball cards have been an integral part of American culture since the late 19th century. While cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago may come to mind when thinking of the epicenter of baseball fandom and card collecting over the decades, Portland, Maine has quietly cultivated a vibrant baseball card community of its own.

Some of the earliest baseball cards were included as promotional inserts in packages of cigarettes in the late 1880s. These cardboard pieces of memorabilia helped fuel interest in the growing sport of professional baseball. By the early 20th century, card manufacturers like American Tobacco Company and Bowman Gum began mass producing sets of baseball cards included in gum and candy packs. Kids across the country traded and collected these cards, learning about their favorite players in the process.

Portland was no exception. Young ball fans in the city eagerly awaited the arrival of the newest baseball card series each year. They would scour stores, hoping to find packs with cards of the greats like Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, or Lou Gehrig. In the pre-internet era, these cardboard slices provided one of the only ways for kids to learn about players on other teams around the country. Baseball card collecting quickly became a beloved pastime in many Portland households.

As the decades went by, dedicated sports card shops began popping up in cities to cater to the growing collector market. Portland saw its first baseball card store, Mike’s Sports Cards, open in the 1970s. Located downtown on Congress Street, Mike’s gave local collectors a dedicated place to browse through boxes of cards, inquire about the latest releases, and trade with other fans. Mike’s Sports Cards helped foster a real sense of community among Portland’s growing number of card aficionados.

In the late 1980s, the sports card boom was in full swing across the United States. Television deals were making pro athletes into superstars, and the rise of expensive rookie cards made collecting a lucrative hobby. Portland was no exception, as stores like Mike’s saw business boom. New card shops opened all over the city to meet demand. Places like All Star Sports Cards in the Maine Mall and Bill’s Sportscards on Forest Avenue became essential weekend destinations for collectors of all ages.

During the boom years, shows featuring vendors from across New England would regularly come to the Portland Expo building. Hundreds of collectors would flock to browse tables overflowing with vintage and new cardboard. Some of the most prized vintage Portland cards that surfaced during this time included rare examples of longtime Red Sox stars like Carl Yastrzemski, Jim Rice, and Wade Boggs from their playing days in nearby Maine towns. Finding these relics of local heroes in a collection was always an exciting discovery.

As the sports card market cooled in the 1990s, many shops closed across the country. However, Portland’s passionate community of collectors ensured its remaining stores survived. Places like Sports Cards Plus on Park Avenue and Bob’s Baseball Cards in South Portland continued catering to both casual fans and serious investors. These shops became gathering spots not just to buy and sell, but also talk baseball and reminisce about the sport’s history.

Into the 2000s and beyond, while online selling transformed the market, Portland’s brick and mortar stores still thrived. New generations of kids grew up frequenting these shops, marveling at displays of rare vintage cardboard that documented the history of the game. Stores still hosted frequent trade nights and special events that kept the local card culture vibrant.

Today, Portland remains home to a dedicated group of lifelong collectors. While the internet allows fans worldwide to connect, the city’s card shops remain essential community touchpoints. Multigenerational families still spend weekends searching boxes together at stores like Pastime Collectibles and Uncle Henry’s. Vintage local stars remain highly sought after pieces in collections across the area. Through ups and downs, Portland’s baseball card community has proven as resilient as the game itself, keeping its time-honored hobby alive for new generations to enjoy.

CRAIGSLIST MAINE BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Craigslist has become a popular marketplace for collectors to buy, sell, and trade various collectibles including sports cards, comics, coins, toys, and more. In the state of Maine, craigslist is frequently used by baseball card collectors and dealers to move inventory. Whether you’re looking for vintage cards from the 1950s and 60s, modern rookie cards, complete sets, or just a few singles to add to your collection, craigslist Maine can be a good place to find baseball cards.

Some key cities in Maine that see regular baseball card posts on craigslist include Portland, Bangor, Augusta, Lewiston, and Waterville. Larger metro areas tend to have the most active markets as there is a larger population of potential buyers and sellers. Even smaller towns in Maine will occasionally see someone listing cards they want to sell. Posting frequency can vary depending on the time of year as the hobby tends to be more active during the spring and summer months when the baseball season is underway.

When browsing craigslist, you’ll typically find three main categories for baseball cards – individuals or singles for sale, complete sets for sale, and want ads from people looking to buy cards. Singles can include anything from common cards to rare vintage gems. Prices vary widely depending on the player, year, condition, and more. Complete sets are usually listed by sport and year, such as “1988 Topps Baseball Complete Set”. These are ideal for collectors looking to fill holes in their collections. Want ads tend to be more general, stating something like “Buying vintage cards from the 1950s-1970s, paying cash.”

In terms of condition of cards listed on craigslist Maine, it varies. Some postings will have detailed photos and clearly state the condition using standard grading scales like PSA/BGS. Others may just say “used condition” without images. It’s generally best to ask the seller for detailed photos of any higher value cards to inspect condition before agreeing to purchase. Always beware of cards being called “near mint” or “mint” without documentation from a reputable third party grading service.

Pricing on craigslist is all over the place as well. Some sellers research recently sold eBay listings to price competitively while others may be unrealistic. It’s a good idea to use resources like eBay’s “Sold Listings” feature or check price guide websites to get a general idea of fair value. You can often find good deals, but you’ll need to weed through listings as well. Communication with sellers is key – ask questions upfront to avoid surprises later.

Cash is typically the preferred payment method for craigslist transactions since it provides anonymity. Some sellers may accept PayPal depending on their level of feedback. Always meet craigslist buyers/sellers in a public, busy location for safety. Most transactions go smoothly, but using common sense precautions is recommended.

The Portland, ME area in particular tends to see a good volume of baseball card activity on craigslist. As the largest city in Maine, it has the critical mass of collectors. Local card shops like Bull Moose and Good Games also help foster the hobby in southern Maine. Vintage Red Sox and Yankees cards from the 1960s seem to be the most frequently listed. Modern rookie cards of Maine natives like Eric Gagne and Sean Doolittle also surface from time to time.

Regardless of location in Maine, it’s a good idea to check craigslist periodically if you’re looking to buy or sell baseball cards. Patience may be required as postings don’t appear every day. But with some searching, you can likely find collectibles to enhance your collection or move cards from your inventory. Just be sure to practice safe trading as with any online marketplace. With a bit of diligence, craigslist can deliver baseball card finds for collectors throughout the state of Maine.

SELL MY BASEBALL CARDS IN MAINE

Leave a reply

Selling Baseball Cards in Maine: Tips for Maximizing Profits from Your Collection

Do you have a collection of baseball cards sitting in boxes in your attic or basement that you’d like to sell? As a passionate hobby for many, baseball cards hold nostalgic value for their owners but can also represent a source of untapped financial potential if sold correctly. Whether you have common cards or rare finds, selling your baseball cards in Maine requires knowledge of the local market and industry best practices. Follow these tips for preparing, pricing, and marketing your collection to interested collectors in order to get top dollar for your cards.

Sort and Organize Your Collection

The first step is to take inventory of what you have. Carefully remove each card from its protective sleeve or toploader and sort by sport, team, player, and year. This allows you to grasp the scope and focus of your collection. It also makes the cards easier to evaluate. You may find valuable rookie cards or serial numbered parallels mixed in that would merit individual sales listings rather than being sold in bulk lots. Make note of any defects like creases, fading, or worn corners as these impact pricing. Also flag any particularly rare vintage cards for extra research. Getting organized lays the foundation for a successful sale.

Do Your Research on Current Values

Now that your collection is sorted, it’s time to determine what each card is worth on today’s market. The value of even common cards varies based on current demand, so you need to research recent sale prices. Sites like eBay allow you to search “Sold Listings” to view exactly what identical cards have actually sold for, not just what sellers are asking. Be sure to only compare to sales of cards in similar condition to your own. Sites like Sports Card Database and Beckett provide price guide estimates as well but actual sales are more accurate. Research will help you price your items competitively to attract buyers and maximize income potential.

Decide Where to Sell Locally in Maine

There are various local options for selling your baseball cards in Maine depending on the size and value of your collection:

Sports card shops: Places like Sportscards Maine in Portland buy collections outright or take cards on consignment for a percentage. They have the expertise to move items.

Card shows: Regular events in areas like Augusta or Biddeford allow face-to-face selling to serious collectors. Rent a table to display your items.

Online classifieds: Facebook Marketplace or sites like Craigslist and OfferUp reach a wider local audience. Take clear photos and be detailed.

Auction houses: Higher end collections may suit auction through companies operating in Maine like FiscalFast or Bid n Bangor.

Choose venues matched to your collection’s profile to find interested in-state buyers. Local sales minimize shipping costs which is particularly important for larger lots of common cards.

Price Items Individually or in Lots

For maximum profits, price notable individual cards based on your research. But common duplicates or smaller collections do best grouped into themed lots. Carefully curate lots by player, team, or set to maintain collector interest. Provide full counts in each lot description along with clear, well-lit photos showing fronts and backs. Consider bundling complementary lots together for package deals. Low starting prices can attract bidding wars that surpass estimates. Competitive pricing and presentation is key to enticing serious local collectors to bid on and purchase your cards.

Promote and Market Your Sale Actively

Getting the word out about your baseball card sale through social media, emails to sports clubs, and targeted online ads is important for reaching Maine-based collectors. Create listings that highlight any exceptional cards while also providing full lot images and descriptions to efficiently show the entire collection. Prompt, friendly communication with any inquiries keeps buyers engaged. You may want to run a limited time sale with volume discounts to create urgency. Consistent marketing over several weeks combined with competitive pricing should allow you to sell through your entire collection to passionate local fans.

With some upfront effort put into organizing, researching values, choosing sale venues, effectively pricing cards and lots, and actively promoting, a carefully run sale allows baseball card collectors in Maine to liquidate decades-old collections and put unused assets back into play. Following these tips maximizes the profits sellers can realize from their nostalgic baseball card investments right in their own backyard. Given the popularity of the sport in the state, motivated local buyers are out there for interesting vintage and modern offerings.

DON’s BASEBALL CARDS PORTLAND MAINE

Leave a reply

Don’s Baseball Cards: A Portland Institution for Over 50 Years

Tucked away on Forest Avenue in Portland, Maine lies a humble storefront that has become a mecca for baseball card collectors across New England – Don’s Baseball Cards. For over 50 years, Don’s has been providing the local community with everything related to the hobby of collecting baseball cards. What started as a small collection that owner Don Henderson grew as a boy in the 1950s and 1960s has blossomed into one of the largest and most extensive collections of cards, memorabilia, and supplies in the Northeast.

In 1968, after finishing his military service, Don decided to pursue his lifelong passion of baseball cards as a business. He opened the first Don’s Baseball Cards store right in Portland. Those early years saw Don building relationships within the collector community and growing his inventory through purchases from local collectors looking to sell parts of their collections. Word of Don’s selection and fair prices slowly spread. By the 1970s, Don’s was a staple hangout for countless kids and adults in Portland who enjoyed trading and discussing the latest cards.

A key part of Don’s success over the decades has been his commitment to vast selection and grading accuracy. While internet retailers today can offer new cards and larger collections with a few clicks, Don prides himself on having something for every collector no matter their interests or budget. In the store you’ll find vintage cards from the turn of the 20th century all the way to the latest 2021 releases. Don’s selection of commons from the 1980s and 1990s that many collectors today are seeking to complete sets is unrivaled in New England.

But it’s not just new products that draw customers, it’s Don’s thorough knowledge of grades and conditions. Back in the pre-grading company days, Don and his son David developed an expertise evaluating the centering, corners and edges of each vintage card to determine its relative condition. This attention to detail and accuracy has always separated Don’s from shops just pushing volumes of cards. Whether it’s a 1909-11 T206 tobacco card being considered for a seven-figure price tag or a 1985 Topps Mark McGwire rookie in need of grading, collectors trust Don’s evaluations above all others in the region.

Beyond the store, Don’s became a meeting spot for the Portland card community. Throughout the 70s and 80s, many lifelong friendships were forged over boxes of cards spread out on the counter as collectors swapped, discussed the Red Sox/Yankees, and planned for upcoming shows. While the internet has allowed greater connectivity worldwide, the sense of local community was a special part of the early Don’s experience. David Henderson now runs the store alongside his father full time, continuing that small town atmosphere valued patrons.

The growth of the business coincided with explosive rises in the hobby through the late 80s and 90s. Ken Griffey Jr.’s Upper Deck rookie in 1989 was a watershed moment that brought in new generations of collectors. Television coverage of sports also ballooned, feeding more interest. Don’s expanded its retail space multiple times to keep up with rising demand that showed no signs of slowing. Popular sets like Finest, Topps Chrome, and Bowman Draft Picks kept collectors coming back to rip packs and add to their PC’s (personal collections).

While the internet changed how many choose to collect in recent decades, diminishing local card shop viability, Don’s proven track record of selection and expertise has kept collectors making the trip. Now spanning two storefronts and over 10,000 square feet, finding what you need at Don’s is effortless. Nearly any card imaginable from over a century of the hobby reside within. The walls are lined with valuable vintage cabinets holding treasures carefully organized by year and set. Behind the counter in protective cases sit some of the world’s most coveted specimens waiting to be brought out for examining.

Into the 2020s, Don’s serves as much as an historical archive of baseball cards as it does a bustling business. For over half a century, collectors from all over New England have made creating memories at Don’s part of their baseball card experience. Whether buying packs as a kid, searching long boxes for finds as a collector, getting cards graded or just shooting the breeze about the latest Red Sox acquisition, Don’s special blend of personable expertise, curation and community fosters a unique and welcoming atmosphere. And as long as there are fans of the game cherishing cards and following their favorite players’ careers immortalized in plastic, Don’s looks assured of thriving for generations more as the regional hobby institution collectors look to first. With Don and David’s stewardship, this Portland gem reminds us all why local businesses anchored in passion and service are so valuable.

BASEBALL CARDS NEAR PORTLAND MAINE

Leave a reply

Baseball cards have been a beloved pastime for collectors across the United States for over a century. In Portland, Maine and its surrounding areas, baseball card collecting remains a popular hobby for both seasoned veterans and those just starting out. Whether you’re looking to build your collection, trade duplicates, or find rare vintage gems, southern Maine offers several excellent options for baseball card enthusiasts.

One of the top destinations for baseball cards in the Portland area is Maine Sports Cards, located in South Portland. For over 30 years, Maine Sports Cards has been the premier shop for all things sports cards and memorabilia in the state. Stepping into their spacious store is like entering a baseball card lover’s paradise, with shelves upon shelves of new and vintage packs, boxes, and individual cards spanning all eras. Their knowledgeable staff can help you find exactly what you’re looking for or make recommendations based on your interests. In addition to an immense inventory of cards on-site, Maine Sports Cards also facilitates online sales and runs a robust consignment program to continuously bring in new items. Regular events like group breaks, autograph signings, and card shows make it a fun place to meet the local collecting community too.

For a more curated vintage card shopping experience, consider visiting That’s Entertainment in Portland’s Arts District. While smaller than Maine Sports Cards, That’s Entertainment punches above its weight with a carefully selected stock of higher-end older cards. Proprietor Matt Gagnon has over 30 years of experience in the hobby and takes pride in finding condition-graded gems from the early 20th century bubblegum era all the way up to the 1980s. Prices tend to be higher to reflect the quality, but collectors serious about building a true vintage collection would be remiss not to check out what That’s Entertainment has to offer. Matt also buys collections and individual vintage cards, so it’s a good spot for seasoned collectors looking to sell.

Another Portland-area destination is Pastime Cards & Collectibles in Westbrook. Located in the Maine Sports Cards building, Pastime focuses specifically on vintage cards from the 1960s through the 1980s. While they don’t carry the breadth of newer products that Maine Sports Cards does, Pastime more than makes up for it with the depth and selection of their vintage stock. Whether you collect stars from the Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays eras or want to track down oddball issues and regional variations from the 1970s, Pastime is very likely to have what you’re after. They also hold periodic vintage card shows and buy collections, making them a valuable resource for collectors in the greater Portland region.

For those in more rural areas outside of Portland, Scarborough, and Westbrook still have options. In Biddeford, the recently opened All Star Sports Cards provides a smaller but well-curated selection of new and vintage baseball cards. Owner Chris takes pride in finding unique and condition-graded vintage gems to bring to his shop. Meanwhile, up in Brunswick, collector Dan Gaudet runs a home-based business called Dan’s Sportscards out of his garage. While appointment-only, Dan has an immense stock of reasonably priced vintage cards from his personal collection spanning the 1950s to 1990s. He’s happy to work with collectors throughout southern Maine to find what they need.

When it comes to actually building a collection from cards purchased locally, the greater Portland area also has resources for supplies, storage, and accessories. Hobby shops like Time Warp Comics in South Portland carry trading card supplies like toploaders, binders, magnetic holders and more. Meanwhile, The Card Saver in Westbrook specializes exclusively in supplies for collecting, grading, and protecting all types of trading cards. They’re an invaluable partner for any serious collector looking to properly store and showcase their growing collection. For those wanting to show off their prized cards, several local businesses like That’s Entertainment and Maine Sports Cards also facilitate consignment and displays at their stores.

Between the extensive brick-and-mortar options and talented local collectors and dealers, baseball card fans in Portland, Maine have all the resources they need right in their backyard. Whether just starting out or with a lifelong collection, this coastal city and its surrounding towns provide a thriving community and top-notch shops to fuel any collector’s passion. With such a variety of inventory and expertise available, southern Maine has truly become a baseball card lover’s paradise.