Austin Manahan has been collecting baseball cards for as long as he can remember. Now at age 30, his collection has grown to over 50,000 individual cards and is worth an estimated $250,000. It all started when Austin was just 5 years old and received his first pack of cards from his grandfather. That initial spark turned into a lifelong passion and hobby.
Austin grew up in a small town outside of Detroit, Michigan. As a kid in the late 1980s and early 90s, baseball cards were incredibly popular among children his age. All the neighborhood kids would trade cards, play games involving the cards, and talk endlessly about the stats and players featured on the cardboard collectibles. Austin quickly became obsessed and would save any allowance or gift money to buy more packs at the local convenience store or card shop.
In elementary school, Austin started focusing more on completing full sets from the current season. He also began paying more attention to the values and grades of older and rare cards. In middle school, Austin began attending card shows in the Detroit area where he could buy, sell, and trade with other collectors. This exposed him to a whole new world of vintage cards, autographs, and one-of-a-kind collectibles that further fueled his growing passion.
By high school, Austin had amassed a collection numbering in the thousands. He kept meticulous records of each card in binders organized by team, player, season, and other categories. In addition to building full sets, Austin also pursued stars, rookies, and rare variations. He joined online communities and publications to stay on top of the latest industry news and market trends. During summers, Austin would work various jobs to finance his card buying habit, whether it be mowing lawns, babysitting, or working construction with his dad.
Austin attended Central Michigan University where he studied business administration with a focus on finance. Between classes, Austin worked at a local card and memorabilia shop where he learned the ins and outs of the booming sports collectibles industry. After graduating in 2008 amidst the recession, Austin decided to take his passion full-time and opened his own online store to buy, sell, and grade cards.
Starting as a small operation out of his childhood home, Austin Manahan Sports Cards grew rapidly during the early 2010s. Fueled by the rise of the internet and online marketplaces, Austin’s clientele expanded nationwide. He purchased entire collections, handled consignments from other dealers and collectors, and networked within the industry to source rare finds. Austin also became a certified authenticator and grader, further adding value and trust to the cards he sold.
While the online store was taking off, Austin continued building his personal collection. He focused on high-end vintage cards from the 1950s and 1960s, including rookies of legends like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron. Austin also pursued complete Rainbow Foil and Refractor sets from the late 90s “junk wax” era that were gaining popularity with collectors. Through relentless searching, savvy negotiating, and a little luck, Austin acquired some truly one-of-a-kind gems for his collection over the years.
Some of the crown jewels in Austin’s vast archive include a 1909-11 T206 Honus Wagner, rated Mint 9 by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). Considered the “Mona Lisa” of sports cards, the Wagner is among the most valuable cards in existence, with high-grade examples fetching millions of dollars at auction. Austin also owns a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle in pristine near-mint condition, graded PSA 8.
Other prized possessions are a 1933 Goudey #53 Babe Ruth, a 1956 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie (PSA 6), and a complete 1959 Topps set including a Hank Aaron rookie (PSA 8). Austin has also pieced together impressive collections of complete vintage sets like 1957 Topps, 1969 Topps, and 1975 Topps. For modern cards, he holds 1/1 printing plates and memorabilia cards featuring stars like Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, and Shohei Ohtani.
In 2017, Austin decided to shift his focus solely to his personal collection. He sold off his online store to a larger industry competitor. This allowed Austin to dedicate more time to preserving and displaying his extensive archives. He worked with professional framers and display designers to meticulously showcase his prized cards in a custom-built basement “museum” in his Detroit-area home. Each piece is stored and exhibited in acid-free holders in climate-controlled frames under specialized lighting.
Today at 30, Austin’s collection has grown to over 50,000 individual cards valued at over a quarter million dollars. He continues to purchase new additions and pursue ambitious “want lists” of the rarest vintage and modern gems. While the value has certainly increased over the years, Austin insists the monetary worth is secondary to his love of the history, art, and nostalgia encapsulated in each cardboard relic from baseball’s past. He hopes that one day he can pass down this collection, and the joy it has brought him, to his future children. Austin’s story is a testament to the enduring appeal of baseball cards and how a childhood hobby can blossom into a full-blown passion.