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WILL TOPPS MAKE BASEBALL CARDS IN 2023

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Topps has had the baseball card license since 1952 and has produced baseball cards every year since then without interruption. They have the exclusive rights from Major League Baseball to produce physical baseball cards with players’ names, images and statistics. This lucrative license has been regularly renewed by MLB and is a major source of revenue for both the league and Topps.

The baseball card industry overall has been steady in recent years, with around $600-800 million in total annual sales industry wide according to market research estimates. While digital collectibles and NFTs involving sports and trading cards have grown rapidly, physical card sales remain substantial. Topps in particular has continued to be the dominant company in the baseball card space, controlling over 50% of total physical baseball card sales annually.

Topps’ parent company, Fanatics, acquired Topps for $500 million in January 2022. Fanatics is a large sports merchandise company that also owns the exclusive NFL and NBA trading card licenses. This acquisition was seen as a strategic move by Fanatics to gain more control over the entire baseball card category. Fanatics has emphasized that they value Topps’ history in the industry and do not plan to disrupt its baseball card production.

Topps has multi-year contracts in place with MLB and the individual MLB Players Association that renewed most recently in 2021. These contracts lock in Topps’ baseball card exclusive rights through at least the 2025 season. As long as Topps maintains these licenses, they will be obligated to produce a certain number of new baseball card releases every year, including the flagship Topps Series 1 and Series 2 sets. Topps also does special theme sets and limited editions that help drive revenue.

There are no indications that Topps’ baseball card production will be scaled back or suspended for the 2023 season. They have stable access to player images and rights from MLB/MLBPA. Retailers like Target, Walmart and LCS stores continue promoting the hobby and selling Topps cards. Upper management at Topps and Fanatics has said they plan continued physical card releases alongside expanding into digital collectibles. The company posted record financials in 2021, showing the baseball card market remains healthy.

Fanatics likely wants to use Topps to build out a comprehensive digital collectible platform involving baseball cards, but they understand the importance of maintaining the traditional physical side of the business too. Given all of these factors like multi-year contracts, retail relationships, financial performance and management strategy – it is extremely unlikely Topps would stop producing physical baseball cards for the 2023 season which marks their 71st year in the hobby. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, fans can fully expect Topps to deliver another full year of new baseball card sets, packs and boxes on store shelves in 2023 as they have continuously since the early 1950s.

With over 70 years of history in the industry, exclusive MLB licenses through at least 2025, retail partnerships, profitable financials and ownership that values physical cards – all signs point to Topps continuing its tradition of new baseball card releases for the 2023 season. Their position as the dominant force in this space remains secure. Baseball card collectors can rest assured knowing that the steady flow of new Topps cards depicting their favorite players and teams will persist far into the future.

DOES FLEER STILL MAKE BASEBALL CARDS

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Fleer was founded in 1885 by brothers Frank and William Fleer as a chewing gum manufacturer based in Philadelphia. In 1956, Fleer obtained the license to produce major league baseball cards as competition to the dominant manufacturer at the time, Topps. Fleer’s entry into the baseball card market shattered Topps’ monopoly and initiated the modern baseball card collecting hobby.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Fleer produced highly popular sets that competed directly with Topps’ offerings each year. Some of Fleer’s most iconic early baseball sets included their 1963, 1965, 1971, and 1975 issues. Fleer pioneered innovations like color photography, patented border designs, and multi-player cards that advanced the visual style and varieties of cards available to collectors. Stars of the era like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, and Nolan Ryan appeared in their rookie cards through Fleer sets in this period.

As interest in collecting sports cards boomed through the 1980s, Fleer attained licenses to produce NBA and NFL cards as well. Producing cards for multiple major sports leagues drained Fleer’s capital resources over time. A series of ownership changes occurred as larger confectionery and trading card businesses acquired Fleer. In 1992, Fleer’s 61-year MLB license expired and was outbid by rival manufacturer Upper Deck, dealing a major blow.

Through the 1990s, Fleer still held licenses for the NBA and NFL but faced growing competition from new issuers. Fleer’s quality and originality declined compared to competitors. Poor management decisions saw Fleer take on unsustainable debt levels. In 1991, Fleer was purchased by Cadbury Schweppes but by 2000 had filed for bankruptcy protection. Later acquisitions by Topps in 2003 and French company Panini in 2008 failed to revive Fleer’s prominence in the trading card field.

Today, Fleer no longer produces or holds licenses for any major professional sports leagues. Topps has held the exclusive MLB license since 1993. Upper Deck, Panini, and rival companies like Donruss have dominated the MLB card market for two decades. Although historic Fleer sets remain popular with vintage collectors, the company has transitioned to specialty sets focused on nostalgia and pop culture cards instead of active sports leagues.

In summary, Fleer revolutionized the baseball card industry in the mid-20th century but overexpansion and failure to maintain their MLB license ultimately led to the company’s decline. While once a leading competitor to Topps, Fleer has not held the rights to produce official MLB, NFL or NBA cards for many years now. The heyday of Fleer as a pioneering force in the trading card field is relegated to history, as newer companies have assumed control of the modern sports card market.

HOW TO MAKE MONEY FLIPPING BASEBALL CARDS

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Making money by flipping baseball cards is definitely possible, but it does require some knowledge, skills, and effort. The baseball card market can be very lucrative for those who do their research and know what to look for. Here are the basic steps to follow to start flipping cards for profit:

Learn the Basics of the Hobby: Before even thinking about making money, you need to have a solid understanding of the baseball card collecting market and what drives card values. Study up on popular players from different eras, key rookie cards, rare insert sets and parallels, design variations, certified grading scales, and basic supply and demand economics. Read hobby news sites, listen to sports card podcasts, and connect with others in online forums to expand your baseball card knowledge. The more you learn, the better equipped you’ll be to spot financially worthwhile cards.

Purchase Cards Strategically: Now it’s time to start sourcing cards. Attend local card shows and rummage through collections people are trying to sell. Check out online auction sites like eBay for singles, lots, and collections. Pay attention to prices similar cards have recently sold for, and only bid if you’re confident there’s room for potential future appreciation. Always buy below market value whenever possible so you have resale profit built in. Make smart bulk purchases of entire collections only if you’ve thoroughly researched included players and years.

Properly Manage Your Inventory: Store your card collection securely in a temperature-controlled area away from direct light that can damage them. Consider getting higher valued cards graded and encapsulated by a reputable third-party company like PSA or BGS to add brand credibility and easily confirm condition. Organize cards into binders, boxes or racks by sport, player, year or any other criteria that makes your inventory simple to browse through when possible buyers inquire. Keep thorough records of what you paid for each item so you know your profit threshold.

Display and Market Your Cards: To find buyers, list desirable singles and collections for sale on major card selling portals like eBay, COMC, or your own niche websites and social media profiles. Craft well-written listings with high-quality photos that draw attention and entice bids or buy-it-now purchases. Set a competitive market-value price that allows for room above what you paid but still interests customers. Consider consigning cards through larger auction houses or dealers who can reach more serious collectors. At shows, bring well-organized display cases and make sales pitches to other attendees browsing tables. Network with potential cash buyers too.

Stay on Top of Trends: It’s crucial to constantly monitor shifts in the card market that could impact values. Popular players, rare cards, award winners, record breakers, and career milestones will increase desirability of related items. Similarly, injuries, slumps, or retirements may diminish prices briefly. Stay tuned into overall industry news as more investors enter the hobby, threatening to saturate demand if supply outweighs it. Flexibility is key – flip inventory quickly as cards peak and reinvest money earned into the next undervalued opportunity. Study what hardcore collectors are actively seeking and be first to offer it for resale.

Pay Attention to Details: Smudges, bends, creases and other flaws will diminish a card’s perceived grade and price it can command, so only purchase items in top condition or have lower price expectations if flaws exist. Carefully check dates, stats, signatures for authenticity. Include very comprehensive descriptions highlighting positives when listing cards to sell. Promptly ship orders using packages that arrive intact as described. Respond quickly to any buyer inquiries or issues to foster positive reviews and repeat customers. Be conservative estimating potential profits till you gain experience with different card markets and price volatility over time.

Patient Persistence: Flipping cards is rarely a get-rich-quick scheme and requires many hours of research, hunting, listing and relisting items that don’t sell immediately. Build relationships with local dealers to source large wholesale lots at better bulk prices. Consider specializing in a particular player, team, era or card type to become the “go-to” source for those items. Use monthly subscription fees from a members-only website as passive income. Over many transactions, even small profits add up significantly with low overhead costs versus traditional retail businesses. Stay involved in the hobby for the long run through inevitable market ups and downs to maximize income potential from sports cards over the years.

By mastering the knowledge, strategies and skills outlined here, an ambitious collector can steadily profit from flipping baseball cards as a serious side business or full-time career. But patience is key, as are constant learning, dedicated effort and prudent financial decisions made using fundamental market research. With time, those who persevere stand to earn consistent income buying and selling cards far beyond a casual hobby level. The market rewards specialists who fill real collector demand while mitigating risk through diversification across different areas of the collecting world. Building solid foundations early on from authentic products, reputable practices and strong customer service will set you up for future success in this exciting niche of rare memorabilia.

WHAT YEARS DID GOUDEY MAKE BASEBALL CARDS

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Goudey is considered one of the most iconic early issuers of baseball cards. They began including cards with players’ images in their gum and candy products in 1933 as a promotional item and marketing tool. That 1933 Goudey Baseball Card set is considered the first mass-produced baseball card set. It featured 161 cards showing individual players. Some of the notable stars included in that set were Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmie Foxx.

In 1934 and 1935 Goudey continued producing baseball cards as inserts in their products. The 1934 set totaled 88 cards and expanded the roster to include players from the AL and NL. Rookies like Dizzy Dean and Lefty Gomez made their card debuts. The 1935 set was similar in size at 82 cards and also featured rookie cards for future Hall of Famers like Joe DiMaggio.

In 1936 Goudey produced one of the most acclaimed and valuable sets in baseball card history, the 1936 Goudey Baseball Cards. Unique for its time, it featured color photographs on the fronts of the cards rather than black and white images. The set totaled a then-high of 252 cards divided into three series. Among the stars included were Ted Williams’ and Bob Feller’s rookie cards which have sold for over $1 million each in recent decades.

Goudey continued their series in 1937 with a set of 199 cards divided among three series. This included rookie cards of future superstars like Bob Elliott. The 1938 set was their last large base set numbering 160 cards across two series. That set contained the rookie cards of Hall of Famers Ernie Lombardi and Billy Herman.

In 1939 and 1940 Goudey issued much smaller 20 card sets as inserts or extras in their gum to promote specific teams rather than the whole league. The 1939s featured the National League All-Stars while the 1940s showed American League All-Stars. These sets are considered invaluable today given their limited production and focus on all-star level players.

Goudey’s final baseball card production before World War II came in 1941 with small 16 card sets focused on either the NL or AL pennant contenders that year. Featuring stars in action shots rather than portraits, they represented the company’s last original baseball cards for over a decade.

In 1953, Goudey attempted a brief revival of their baseball card line to nostalgically remind consumers of their earlier issues. Known as the 1953 Goudey Baseball Card “rebranded” reissue set, it reused 180 cards from the 1933-1941 issues but with a blue border printed around the images instead of the original white or gray. High quality reproductions made it a favorite set for collectors at the time seeking to complete their vintage Goudey collections.

Between 1933 and 1941 as well as with their unique 1953 reissue set, Goudey Gum Company produced 18 different baseball card sets totaling over 1750 individual cards. They helped popularize the modern concept of trading, collecting and enjoying baseball cards as hobby and their beautifully crafted vintage issues remain highly prized by collectors today with individual cards routinely selling for six figures due to their historical significance in the early development of the modern baseball card collecting phenomenon. No other early 20th century baseball card brand left a more indelible mark on the industry.

DOES UPPER DECK STILL MAKE BASEBALL CARDS

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Upper Deck was founded in 1988 by entrepreneur Richard McWilliam. At the time, the baseball card industry was dominated by Topps and Donruss. McWilliam felt there was room to disrupt the market with a new brand focused on higher quality products. Upper Deck released their first baseball cards in 1989 featuring Ken Griffey Jr. on the cover. The cards were of nicer stock and produced using superior photography compared to the competition. This helped Upper Deck gain popularity and market share quickly.

Throughout the 1990s, Upper Deck was one of the big three baseball card manufacturers along with Topps and Fleer. They signed licensing deals with MLB, MLBPA, and the individual teams to produce official baseball cards. Some of their popular releases from this decade included Upper Deck Baseball, Stadium Club, and Ultra. Stadium Club became known for its glossy stock and beautiful photography. Ultra had elaborate inserts and parallels to excite collectors. During the baseball card boom of the early 90s, Upper Deck’s businesses prospered as people of all ages participated in the hobby.

The baseball card market crashed in the mid-1990s due to overproduction. Too many cards were released, which decreased values. Also, the internet was becoming more widely used, which led collectors to seek vintage cards instead of new products. This downturn significantly hurt Upper Deck and Fleer, as Topps had more financing to weather the storm. Fleer even filed for bankruptcy in 1991. Upper Deck survived but scaled back set releases and employee numbers in the late 1990s.

Into the 2000s, Upper Deck remained in the baseball card industry but took on smaller roles. They maintained their MLB license but no longer had the resources or market share of the 1990s heyday. Some popular releases included Ultimate Collection, which had high-end memorabilia cards. From 2005-2007, Upper Deck also produced MLB player lot licenses, allowing individual player contracts. These licenses expired and were not renewed long-term. Throughout the 2000s, Upper Deck focused more on hockey, basketball, and other sports versus baseball cards.

Today, Upper Deck still holds the MLBPA player license, which allows them to use active ballplayer names and images. However, Topps has the exclusive MLB tobacco card license through 2030. Within these parameters, Upper Deck produces modern baseball sets like Goodwin Champions on an annual basis featuring current stars. They have also released retro-style products like Ultimate Collection: Hall of Fame that revisits the 1990s design aesthetics. Additionally, Upper Deck authenticates and grades vintage/historic baseball cards through their Sports Authentication and Grading Services division.

While no longer one of the primary producers due to Topps’ MLB license, Upper Deck remains involved in the baseball card industry over 30 years after their founding. They have adapted their business model to focus more on set authentication, grading, and specialty nostalgic releases instead of mainstream annuals. Upper Deck’s high-quality beginnings also secured their place in the hobby’s history books. As long as there is collector interest in the sport, Upper Deck will likely find ways to participate creatively in the baseball card market for years to come.

WHAT YEARS DID DONRUSS MAKE BASEBALL CARDS

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Donruss began producing baseball cards in 1981 and continued making sets annually for over 30 years until filing for bankruptcy in 2012. Here is a breakdown of the years they produced sets and some key details about the most notable releases each year:

1981 – Donruss released their inaugural baseball card set in 1981. The design featured a picture of the player on the front with their name and team written in a banner across the top. The backs contained basic stats. Some top rookies included Fernando Valenzuela and Rick Sutcliffe.

1982 – The design stayed similar in 1982 with mostly the same front and back layout. Notable rookies included Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. This was one of the more common early Donruss sets to collect.

1983 – The 1983 set saw Donruss begin including team logos on the fronts of cards above the player photo. Rookies like Kirby Puckett and Wade Boggs started to establish themselves. Mike Schmidt appeared on the cover card.

1984 – Not much changed design-wise but some key rookies included Dwight Gooden and Johan Santana. The 1984 set is still reasonably obtainable and affordable to collect today.

1985 – This set featured foil lettering on the fronts for player names and positions. Rookies like Roger Clemens andBarry Bonds started proving their future stardom. Mark McGwire graced the cover.

1986 – Donruss modernized the designs in 1986 with a cleaner white border framing the player photo. Rookies like Tom Glavine emerged. The Jeff Bagwell card from this set remains a popular, valuable rookie card for collectors.

1987 – Subtle stripes were added to the borders in 1987. Rookies Greg Maddux and Mike Piazza took their first cardboard steps. Ozzie Smith got the cover treatment.

1988 – Designs remained clean and consistent into 1988. Big rookies included Frank Thomas and Ken Griffey Jr, both of whom wound up on very popular and valuable rookie cards. Nolan Ryan served as cover athlete.

1989 – Not much visually changed but key rookies Chipper Jones, Jim Thome, and Brad Radke started their careers. This was another strong, common set that holds nostalgic appeal for collectors of the era.

1990 – Designs stayed consistent as the ‘90s dawned. Rookies like Mo Vaughn, Derek Jeter, and Todd Helton debuted. This was the first Donruss set after the company was acquired by Fleer.

1991 – The 200th anniversary of the Bill of Rights was commemorated on many cards this year. Rookies included Jeff Kent, Mike Mussina, and Juan Gonzalez among others. Don Mattingly appeared on the cover.

1992 – Donruss used an orange color scheme with darker borders for the 1992 release. Big rookies included Fernando Vina, Marquis Grissom, and David Wells. This is a underrated set that can still be found at reasonable prices.

1993 – With baseball recovering from the 1994 strike, the ‘93 Donruss set captured the returning excitement. Standouts included Jason Giambi, Charles Johnson, and Paul O’Neill. Nolan Ryan again graced the cover.

1994 – Proving their resilience, Donruss still managed to release a full set amidst the player strike. Designs stayed similar. Rookies like Hideo Nomo and Derek Bell made their entrance.

1995 – Designs received a subtle facelift with lighter borders and bigger player photos. Standouts included Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Weaver, and Mariano Rivera. The Griffey Jr. card remained a hot commodity.

1996 – Donruss continued adding modern photo touches. Big names like Javy López, Andruw Jones, and Scott Rolen got their starts. The Sammy Sosa rookie became a highly desirable, pricey card.

1997 – More rounded, cartoony designs took over, moving away from the classic sharp corners. Stars like Kerry Wood, Todd Helton, and Nomar Garciaparra continued to shine.

1998 – Wild, multi-colored borders paired with clean photos made for a fun, vibrant 1998 design. Names like Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Beltrán, and Joe Mauer started to surface.

1999 – Fin de siecle designs emphasized brighter, bolder colors. Big names like Lance Berkman, Mark Mulder, and Jason Varitek started arriving. Griffey Jr. adorned the prestigious final Donruss cover.

2000 – Returning to classic-styled designs, the 2000 set helped usher in the new millennium. Names like Bobby Abreu, Carlos Lee, and Freddy Sanchez filled the rookie ranks.

2001 – New stars Curt Schilling, Carlos Beltrán, and Chan Ho Park emerged amidst dramatic post-9/11 events. Designs started incorporating player statistics on the back.

2002 – Featuring a colorful explosion graphic, the ’02 Donruss set highlighted rookies Joel Pineiro, Mark Prior, and Freddy Garcia. Backs added more advanced stats.

2003 – Clean, classic designs mixed with new stars Francisco Rodríguez, Matt Cain, and Ervin Santana. Information density grew on card backs.

2004 – Big names Grady Sizemore, Justin Verlander, and Prince Fielder broke out. Donruss continued polishing flagship set designs and info density.

2005 – Rookies Ryan Zimmerman, Ryan Howard, and Huston Street carried the promise of talent into the mid-2000s era. Graphics became a touch more subdued.

2006 – Young standouts Chad Billingsley, Jon Lester, and Joey Votto debuted. The company started experimenting more with parallels and inserts.

2007 – Mike Trout, Stephen Strasburg, and Buster Posey took their first cardboard steps. Donruss emphasized parallels, refractors, and autographs in increasing quantities.

2008 – Designs embraced clean, classic looks again paired with stars like Evan Longoria, Clayton Kershaw, and Colby Rasmus. Parallel inserts dominated the secondary market.

2009 – Pitchers Zach Britton, Madison Bumgarner, and Stephen Strasburg emerged. Donruss faced increased competition from license-holders like Topps and Upper Deck.

2010 – Players Christian Yelich, Julio Teheran, and Taijuan Walker debuted amidst the company’s financial struggles. Insert sets overwhelmed the flagship releases.

2011 – Donruss managed one final standout rookie class including Mike Trout, Craig Kimbrel, and Danny Salazar. But it would prove to be their final hurrah.

2012 – Releasing their final flagship set featuring stars Bryce Harper, Yu Darvish, and Manny Machado, Donruss declared bankruptcy and ceased operations soon after. Their long legacy in the hobby ended but the cards live on for collectors to enjoy.

In over 30 years, Donruss established themselves as a creator of high quality, visually striking baseball cards that captured the eras and launched the careers of countless future Hall of Famers from their rookie seasons. Their sets hold nostalgia and significance for collectors to this day, keeping the memory of the brand alive even after their untimely demise.

HOW TO MAKE MONEY IN BASEBALL CARDS

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There are several ways that people make money through buying, selling, and trading baseball cards. Some of the most common and reliable methods include:

Rookie Card Investing – One of the best ways to potentially make a lot of money is by purchasing rookie cards of players who go on to become superstars. Rookie cards are a player’s first mass produced trading card, usually from their rookie season in Major League Baseball. If you can identify potential future Hall of Fame players early in their career and acquire their rookie cards, the value can skyrocket dramatically if they have huge careers. For example, rookie cards of players like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, Mookie Betts, Ronald Acuña Jr. could be worth tens of thousands someday if they continue on their current trajectories. When scouting for rookies to invest in, look at prospects with huge talent who play for premium franchises in big baseball markets.

Grading and Slabbing Cards – One way to add value is by having valuable cards professionally graded and slabbed by companies like PSA, BGS, or SGC. This involves removing the card from its normal plastic holder and securely encasing it between two plastic panels with the assigned numeric grade visible. Well-centered cards in mint condition can often grade highly and increase significantly in value. Top grades of rare cards can be worth 10X or more ungraded. You can purchase raw cards, have them graded yourself, and then resell to take advantage of the premium slabbed cards demand. Be selective though, as grading does have costs that need to factored.

Flipping at Shows/Online – Purchasing undervalued cards at card shows or online auctions/marketplaces and then immediately reselling them for profits is a time-tested strategy. Develop expertise in identifying cards being sold below market rates. Factors like a seller’s lack of research, urgency to move inventory, condition issues not noticed can result in deals. Then quickly flip those finds online through platforms like eBay, COMC, or on social media groups. Make 5-10% profits on numerous small deals and the margins add up over time. Keep good records for tax purposes.

Set Building – Putting together complete sets of iconic vintage or modern cardboard releases is another avenue. People enjoy having sets to showcase or keep intact in their collections. This creates demand for the higher-end inserts, parallels, autographed/memorabilia cards needed to finish rarer sets. You can purchase the common base cards cheaply in bulk then sell hard-to-find chase cards individually or as complete sets. Popular sets for this include flagship releases by Topps, Bowman, Stadium Club etc. Vintage favorites are also solid investments as completionists drive the markets.

Memorabilia/Autograph Cards – Signatures, patches,jersey swatches etc add intrinsic value beyond just the player picture on a normal card. If acquired at release for MSRP, these specialty “hit” cards tend to appreciate well over time as exclusive numbered pieces. The rarer 1/1 versions are especially prized. Become adept at securing these sought-after parallel/insert cards whether through breaks/group breaks, personal box/case purchases, or trades. High-grade 10 examples of stars’ auto/mem cards from their playing days retain collector interest for decades.

Seasoned Dealers – More established dealers leverage years of experience to really maximize profits. They have deep rolodexes of buyers/sellers, are plugged into the pulse of the markets, and constantly network on the show circuit. Their huge on-hand inventories allow cherry-picking the best flips. Larger outfits with online stores can also offer extras like consignments that bring in more traffic/inventory. If wanting to become a serious “card shop” one day themselves, working for one to gain that knowledge base over time can prove very valuable.

Gradually building up inventory levels over years of consistently using the methods above is key. Always sell for fair market prices, cultivate positive online/in-person reputations, and provide great customer service to keep buyers coming back. Success also depends on continuously learning the ever-evolving cardboard collectibles industry. While risks exist with any investment, baseball cards remain a fun and potentially lucrative hobby/side business for those willing to put in the work. Following proven long-term strategies outlined here can seriously pay off financially down the road for dedicated collectors.

HOW MUCH CAN YOU MAKE SELLING BASEBALL CARDS

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The amount of money that can be made from selling baseball cards varies dramatically depending on several factors. While it’s possible to earn some spare cash selling common cards in poor condition, those hoping to make a significant income or profit will need to obtain rare and valuable cards and sell them strategically. On the low end, sellers might expect to earn $5-10 per thousand by liquidating bulk common cards. With the right cards and sales approach, annual earnings from baseball cards could reach five or even six figures for dedicated sellers.

One of the biggest determinants of baseball card value and sales potential is the card’s year, set, player, and condition. Older vintage cards from the 1950s-1980s tend to be worth significantly more than modern issues due to their scarcity and historical significance. Within those vintage years, high-value sets would include the classic 1952 Topps, 1954 Topps, 1957 Topps, 1972 Topps, and 1975-1976 Topps sets. Rarity is also important – the harder a card is to obtain in mint condition, the more collectors are willing to pay. In terms of players, rookie cards for all-time greats like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and others can sell for thousands depending on grade.

Naturally, a card’s condition is also a huge factor. Near-mint “ex-mint” or mint “gem mint” graded cards protected in plastic sleeves often sell for 10-100x the value of the same card in worn “poor” condition. Using professional grading services like PSA, BGS, or SGC allows sellers to objectively communicate a card’s condition to interested buyers. A 10/10 “black label” gem mint graded rookies from the 1950s-1970s could garner $10,000+ at auction, while a 4/10 “good” copy might only sell for a few hundred dollars. Multiple high-grade examples fetch decreasing returns.

Understanding current market values and recent sales comps is important for pricing vintage cards correctly. Websites like PWCC Marketplace, Goldin Auctions, and eBay ‘s “Sold Listings” feature allow sellers to research estimated values. In terms of sales approach, individual exceptionally rare key cards could achieve top dollar at public auction. Groups of mid-range quality cards may do best in online classifieds or marketplace listings, where buyers assemble sets. Bulk common duplicates are easily liquidated to local card shops or online dealers for 50-60% of standardized price guide values like the Beckett Price Guide.

A full-time vintage baseball card dealer with an extensive inventory, deep market knowledge, and experience moving high-end material could reasonably expect to produce $150,000-$300,000+ in annual revenue depending on the economy, with profit margins of 30-50% after expenses. For a more casual part-time seller with a few valuable individual cards to move per year through auctions or consignment, $10,000-$50,000 in annualized sales is an achievable target. Returning a profit often requires buying low and holding cards for years until their values appreciate based on collective market forces and growing collector demand.

Those seeking steady income throughout the year may prefer a diversified sales approach leveraging multiple platforms. Selling directly to collectors through established grading company websites like PSA & BGS, specialized hobby forums, or social media groups provides a steady stream of smaller individual sales. Meanwhile, consigning prized pieces to major auction houses yields big payouts but less frequently. Retail shops, vintage sports card shows, and major collector conventions are also venues for face-to-face transactions. Keeping inventory clearly organized and stored safely in acid-free supplies helps protect valuable assets.

Earning a solid living from baseball cards takes dedication to researching the market, securing high-demand inventory over the long run, and developing relationships within the collecting community. While riskier than traditional investing or employment, running a successful vintage sports cards business as a full-time endeavor can potentially yield six-figure annual revenues for top operators with extensive portfolios. For casual hobbyists, consistently selling the right cards through preferred channels offers the opportunity to supplement income each year. With a strategic approach, baseball cards remain a viable way for dedicated collectors to profit from their passion.

WHAT COMPANIES MAKE BASEBALL CARDS

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Topps Company, Inc.

By far the biggest and most well-known name in the baseball card industry is The Topps Company. Topps has been producing baseball cards since the early 1950s and was the sole producer of major league player cards from 1954-1980 under an exclusive licensing agreement with Major League Baseball. Some key facts about Topps:

Topps began regularly producing baseball cards in 1955 and has continued to be the dominant card company each year since. They hold multi-year licensing deals with MLB, MLBPA, and most professional leagues and teams.

In addition to standard trading card sets, Topps produces high-end sets like Topps Chrome, Topps Transcendent, Topps Sapphire, and various retro/throwback sets paying homage to their older designs.

Topps also markets sports/entertainment cards beyond just baseball, including football, basketball, soccer, wrestling, and movies/TV shows. Some of their biggest non-baseball properties include Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and Marvel comics characters.

Through the years Topps has experimented with unique card features like 3D cards, autographed memorabilia cards, dual-player cards, framed ‘poster’ cards, and horizontal/vertical card formats.

The company’s headquarters are located in New York City and they have branches worldwide to support their extensive international licensing deals and distribution network.

Topps remains a privately-held, family-owned company led by current CEO Michael Eisner, former Disney CEO. They have endured as the long-time market leader despite competition.

Panini America

Panini America is the largest and most serious competitor to Topps in the baseball card space. Some details:

Panini is an Italian company who first expanded into the US sports trading card market in 1991. They have steadily grown their baseball presence.

Panini relies on sub-licensing deals with players associations (MLBPA, NFLPA, etc) to produce cards after Topps existing deals expire. For baseball, they currently hold the MLBPA licensing from 2021-2025.

Their baseball sets include Donruss, Contenders, Flawless, Chronology, and various inserts. Panini tries to keep up with Topps innovations like parallels, retro designs, and memorabilia cards.

Panini has made a push for higher-end products like Prizm, Immaculate, and 1/1 printing plate/relic parallel cards to capture collectors beyond packs/boxes.

They also license non-sports properties like Disney, WWE, video games, and movies to diversify like Topps.

Additional Panini divisions include sports/gaming cards, limited-run luxury releases, sticker/album collections, and vintage/themed sets.

Panini America is based in Paramus, New Jersey with international offices supporting their world market reach.

Fleer Corporation

Fleer predates Topps and Panini in the baseball card space, though they are no longer as big of a presence:

Fleer began producing baseball cards in 1909 and was the main competitor to Topps during its 1954-1980 MLB exclusive license period.

Some of Fleer’s most iconic designs include their post-WWII baseball stars and 1960s/70s sets featuring colorful borders and retro artwork styles.

Fleer ceased production of baseball cards after 1981 but later re-entered the market with licensed sets like Fleer Ultra in 1989 and Flair in 1998.

Ownership changed hands multiple times over the decades until Upper Deck acquired Fleer’s sports card division and brand/IP rights around 2008.

Today Fleer exists as a brand name producing occasional retro/throwback sets partnered with Upper Deck but no longer has independent production.

Still, Fleer remains a memorable part of baseball card history and their vintage designs from the 1950s-1970s are highly collected today due to nostalgia and aesthetic appeal.

Other Companies

Several other smaller companies produce limited baseball card releases:

Leaf – Produces high-end release like Leaf Trinity and holds player/league sub-licenses from Panini/MLBPA.

Press Pass – Specializes in unique on-card autographs, memorabilia cards and serial-numbered parallels.

Donruss – Donruss brand now sits under Panini America after original 1990s Donruss company folded.

Stadium Club – Production ceased in 2009 but brand has occasional retro releases through Leaf/Panini.

Triple Play/Score – Other short-lived brands that held sub-licenses in the late 20th century.

So in summary – while Topps has been the longtime category leader, Panini has emerged as the main competitor through savvy licensing and innovative premium products. Meanwhile Fleer, Donruss and others still hold nostalgia value among collectors today for defining the early growth of baseball cards. The competition they provided helped drive Topps innovations as well.

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN STRAT O MATIC BASEBALL CARDS

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The first step is to pick the players you want to create cards for. You can choose current MLB players, players from past seasons, or even make cards for fictional players you invent. Be sure to research the players thoroughly to get their stats and abilities correct. Some key info to collect includes their batting average, home runs, RBI, stolen bases, pitching stats like ERA and wins, as well as fielding abilities. It’s also important to determine each player’s rating for important Strat-o-Matic abilities like batting eye, power, speed, fielding range, arm strength, pitching control, and stamina.

Once you’ve selected your players and gathered all their stats, it’s time to start designing the cards. You’ll need card stock paper to create the front and back of each card. For the front, include the player’s name, team, position, uniform number, and headshot or illustration. You can draw these by hand or use a computer to lay them out. Don’t forget any relevant awards or accolades like MVPs or World Series rings. For the crucial stats, you’ll need to calculate a rating from 0-9 using the Strat-o-Matic rating guide as a reference. Things like batting average directly translate, while abilities need to be rated based on the player’s career performance and skills.

On the back of the card, include all the key annual stats for that player. For hitters, list their batting average, hits, doubles, triples, home runs, RBI, stolen bases, walks, strikeouts, at bats and games played. For pitchers show their wins, losses, ERA, innings pitched, hits allowed, walks, strikeouts, home runs allowed, complete games and shutouts. Again use Strat-o-Matic’s statistical conversion charts to accurately rate their stats as numbers from 0-9. You may also want to include any relevant injury or condition codes to reflect a player’s career arcs and declines. Take your time to ensure all the stats and ratings are thoughtful and accurately reflect how that player would perform in a Strat-o-Matic season simulation.

Once the card designs are complete, you’ll need to cut them out following Strat-o-Matic’s standard card size and layout. Test printing a few on regular paper first before cutting the actual cardstock. When cutting, use a ruler and sharp hobby knife or scissors. Carefully cut along the edges, being sure not to damage the card faces. Consider using card protectors or sleeves to prevent bending or damage to the finished cards. You can also consider laminating them for extra durability, especially if the cards will see heavy gameplay.

With your homemade Strat-o-Matic cards created, the next step is to organize and catalog them. Place the cards in numeric order by uniform number inside a baseball card box, binder or custom Strat-o-Matic folder. Consider including Position, Team and other Index cards to help locate players more easily during a game. You can also photograph and keep digital records of the cards stats for easy future reference. Playtest the cards against each other to check that the ratings and abilities seem balanced and reflective of real MLB performance. Make any small adjustments to stats or ratings as needed based on your test plays.

With practice, patience and attention to detail when researching players and converting their stats, you can create fully customized and uniquely personalized Strat-o-Matic baseball cards from scratch. Being able to simulate seasons and play head-to-head matchups with your very own players and team builds brings the classic Strat-o-Matic experience to an entirely new level. With the right materials and following Strat-o-Matic’s guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to crafting your own homemade deck of playable Strat-o-Matic baseball stars.