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WHO BUYS BASEBALL CARDS IN MESA ARIZONA

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Mesa Sports Cards & Collectibles – This is one of the largest and most well established card shops located in Mesa that buys, sells, and trades all varieties of sports cards and collectibles. They have a huge inventory of cards available and their buyers are very knowledgeable about the baseball card market and prices. They pay competitively for cards in good condition depending on the player, year, and other factors that affect value. Sellers like dealing with them due to their fair prices, friendly service, and convenience of their location.

Wrigley Field Sports – This baseball card specialty shop opened in 2018 and quickly gained a strong reputation among Mesa collectors. While smaller than Mesa Sports Cards, their buyers are just as knowledgeable and pay close attention to all the latest stats, trends and developments that impact different players’ and sets’ worth. They welcome people to bring in singles, complete sets from various years, T206 tobacco era cards, cards signed or numbered by the player, and more for potential sale. Their prices paid tend to come in a bit higher than local pawn or thrift shops.

DJ’s Sport Cards – Located near downtown Mesa, DJ’s has taken the approach of combining buying cards with hosting community events to draw more collectors. Their large showcase wall displays some of the best cards in their current inventory that are available for trade. Several times a month they hold draft nights, trivia contests, or autograph signings to attract regulars. Sellers checking in with their current wanted lists will find requests for everything from classic stars to today’s top rookies. Payment is usually made via cash or store credit depending on total sale value.

cardshowcaseonline.com – This online card company has a physical buying location in Mesa where local collectors can visit on designated days each week to conveniently sell cards from their personal collections. The buyers look to fill specific dealer orders and will purchase singles, complete flagship sets, and vintage/premium cards that fit their company’s current focus. They also will pay higher amounts for entire long-term collections from an estate or someone exiting the hobby. Sellers are asked to have cards neatly organized and in protective sleeves if possible to speed up the inspection process.

Any one of these four reputable shops in Mesa is a safe bet for collectors looking to turn cards back into cash. The buyers at each aim to treat customers fairly and pay rates close to the current market value after carefully assessing condition factors like centering, corners, edges and surface issues that can impact a card’s grade and price. While hoping for top dollar, most sellers understand finding a local buyer versus trying to sell online gives them an easier transaction experience along with getting paid promptly in cash. These shops play a key role in keeping the baseball card hobby thriving in Arizona’s largest suburb.

Going forward to some of the other options in Mesa for selling baseball cards:

Some local card and comic book shows are held periodically throughout the year and these attract dealers who will buy collections or individual high value cards. One of the biggest is the Phoenix con held 3 times a year that always draws dozens of professional dealers with tables to purchase from collectors. While competition is higher, these type of settings can lead to getting top market value as dealers look to make purchases that will allow good profit margins once reselling online or to collectors.

The larger chain book/media stores Amazing Discoveries and Bookmans Entertainment Exchange have locations in Mesa where inventory managers may look to buy some cards depending on the day. Due to limited staffing it can be hit or miss, but sellers can potentially find willing buyers if the cards match wanted lists and fall within their loose daily buying budgets. Payment is by store credit only.

As with any collectible, researching current active buyers, checking pricing guides/websites, and having cards in the best possible condition are important steps to maximize income from sales. Card shops provide a convenient local solution but nationwide online auctions may fetch higher bids. Ultimately variety of options gives Mesa area baseball card collectors flexibility to turn cards into cash as needed through trusted local avenues. Keeping cards in the local hobby economy also helps ensure its sustainability long into the future.

BASEBALL CARDS MESA AZ

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The history of baseball cards in Mesa, Arizona dates back to the early 1900s when the hobby first started gaining popularity across the United States. Some of the earliest documented baseball card collectors in Mesa were children who would trade and swap cards on their school playgrounds and at local general stores. By the late 1930s, dedicated baseball card shops started opening in downtown Mesa to cater to the growing number of enthusiasts.

One of the first specialized baseball card stores was Bob’s Baseball Cards, which opened in 1939 at 60 West Main Street. Bob’s became hugely popular among Mesa’s youth, hosting trading sessions, card shows, and serving as a hub for the local baseball card community. During this era in the late 1930s and 1940s, the most coveted cards for Mesa collectors came from sets produced by Goudey and Play Ball. Finding highly sought after rookie cards of legends like Ted Williams, Bob Feller, or Joe DiMaggio was a real thrill.

In the postwar period of the 1950s, Topps gained a monopoly on the baseball card market and produced some of the most iconic designs in the history of the hobby. Their 1954 and 1955 sets became extremely popular in Mesa as kids swapped away duplicates looking to complete the sets. By this time, multiple card shops had opened around town and card collecting was a mainstream pastime. Stores like Swap Meet Cards and Super Baseball Cards hosted tournaments and contests with prizes awarded.

The late 1950s and 1960s marked the golden age of baseball cards in Mesa. With Topps as the sole producer and kids across the nation collecting, the hobby experienced unprecedented growth. Some of the most coveted cards during this period included the 1959 Topps cards, with their innovative design choices like color photos. Rooke stars like Willie Mays further fueled interest. Mesa also gained its first card shows during this era, with events held at the local community centers and convention halls drawing hundreds of collectors.

The 1970s saw new competitors like Fleer and Donruss enter the market and produce innovative sets that captured the imagination of young collectors. Mesa kids enjoyed trading away duplicates of the stars on their favorite teams, which for many included the expansion teams like the Padres and Royals that started playing in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The rise of specialty card shops also continued during this decade, with stores stocking wax packs, boxes, and supplies for collectors. Regional shows grew larger too, cementing Mesa’s place as a hub for the baseball card trade in Arizona.

In the 1980s, the entire sports memorabilia industry exploded as collectors pursued rare vintage cards and new stars like Rickey Henderson attracted younger fans. Stores in Mesa added inventory like signed balls, bats, jerseys and other types of memorabilia to meet growing demand. The rise of the internet also started in this decade, with early adopters using sites like Baseballdugout.com and Tradingcarddb.com to research new finds. Some of the most iconic rookie cards released in the 1980s like the Upper Deck Ken Griffey Jr. and Donruss Jose Canseco found eager buyers in Mesa.

The modern era of the 1990s to today has seen highs and lows. While interest grew enormously with the arrival of superstars like Ken Griffey Jr. and collectibles like game-used memorabilia, the overproduction of cards in the late 1990s caused a crash. Mesa’s card shops weathered this downturn and have since rebounded. Today, the city has numerous hobby shops and large annual shows that draw collectors from across the Southwest. Online groups also foster connection between collectors. Historic archives have been created to preserve Mesa’s rich baseball card collecting legacy. With new stars always emerging, the hobby shows no signs of slowing down in this longtime Arizona hotbed.

Baseball card collecting took root in Mesa in the early 20th century and blossomed and evolved alongside trends in the national hobby. Generations of collectors have pursued their favorite players and sets, fostering connections within the community. Today, Mesa maintains a vibrant baseball card culture with roots dating back 80 years, ensuring its place as an important part of both the city’s history and the future of this beloved hobby.

BASEBALL CARDS COSTA MESA

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Baseball cards have been a beloved part of American culture and childhood for generations. In Costa Mesa, California, the hobby of collecting baseball cards remains vibrant with numerous shops catering to fans of all ages. Located in Orange County just south of Los Angeles, Costa Mesa has developed a reputation as a baseball card hotspot with a variety of stores offering cards from the early 20th century up to the present day.

One of the most well known and longstanding baseball card shops in Costa Mesa is Dave & Adam’s Card World, located in the South Coast Metro area at 2310 Newport Boulevard. Founded in 1985, Dave & Adam’s is a sprawling 10,000 square foot store filled from floor to ceiling with cards from every era. Whether you’re looking for vintage stars like Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson, or Mickey Mantle or modern stars like Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, or Shohei Ohtani, Dave & Adam’s vast inventory is sure to have what you’re seeking. In addition to singles, the shop stocks factory sets, boxes of packs, supplies for collectors like magnetic holders, toploaders, and binders. Dave & Adam’s knowledgeable staff can also assist customers with valuations, grading submissions, and custom card searches. The store hosts frequent group breaks, autograph signings, and special events that draw collectors from across Southern California. Dave & Adam’s longevity and central Costa Mesa location have cemented its status as a premier baseball card destination.

Another baseball card shop that has been serving the Costa Mesa area for decades is Pacific Sports Cards, located about 5 miles north of Dave & Adam’s at 2912 Bristol Street. Pacific Sports Cards opened in 1988 and like its South Coast Metro competitor, features floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with cards from the earliest decades of the hobby through modern issues. In addition to singles, sets, and boxes for building collections, Pacific Sports Cards stocks memorabilia from autographed balls and bats to framed jerseys and photos. The shop is also a dealer at card shows around California and specializes in high-end vintage cards, with many rare pre-war tobacco cards and vintage rookie cards in its extensive inventory. Pacific Sports Cards is known for its expertise in grading and authentication, making it a trusted source for valuable vintage cardboard. The friendly, knowledgeable staff are always happy to help customers find that special card to add to their collection.

While Dave & Adam’s and Pacific Sports Cards are two of the largest and most prominent baseball card shops in Costa Mesa, there are also several smaller, locally owned stores that have been fixtures in the city for years and cater to the close-knit baseball card community. One such shop is Orange County Sportscards, located at 3010 Harbor Boulevard in the Westside area. Opened in 1994, Orange County Sportscards packs its small 800 square foot space with new releases, boxes, supplies and a vast selection of vintage cardboard, much of it reasonably priced. The shop holds regular Saturday morning meetups that draw collectors of all ages to trade, sell and admire each other’s collections. Another neighborhood favorite is All Star Sportscards, located about 10 minutes east of Dave & Adam’s at 2742 Harbor Boulevard. All Star Sportscards opened in 2003 and its 500 square feet are jam packed floor to ceiling with boxes organized by sport and era. The shop is known for its deep selection of football and basketball cards in addition to baseball.

In addition to its brick and mortar shops, Costa Mesa is also home to one of the largest and longest running baseball card shows in Southern California. The Orange County Baseball Card Show has been held monthly since 1987 at the OC Fair & Event Center, attracting hundreds of dealers and thousands of collectors from around the state. Vendors fill the cavernous halls of the Event Center, transforming it into a baseball card lover’s paradise. In addition to tables packed with cards from dealers near and far, the show features autograph signings from retired players, memorabilia displays from local collectors, and contests and giveaways. It’s not unusual to spot a former Major Leaguer casually signing at a dealer’s booth. The size and history of the Orange County Baseball Card Show underscore Costa Mesa’s significance as a hub for the hobby in Southern California.

Whether you’re a lifelong collector or just starting to build your collection, Costa Mesa offers the passionate fan plenty of options to feed their baseball card habit. With shops that cater to collectors of all budgets and interests as well as one of the nation’s top card shows, it’s no wonder Costa Mesa has become synonymous with the baseball card scene in Southern California after decades of dedicated hobbyists and small business owners cultivating the city’s reputation. For the true aficionado of cardboard treasures, Costa Mesa is baseball card heaven.