Baseball Cards for Sale in Plattsburgh, NY: A Rich History of Collecting

Plattsburgh, located in upstate New York near the Canadian border, has a long history of baseball card collecting and trading. The hobby first took off in the area in the late 19th century as kids started swapping cards that came with packages of chewing gum and cigarettes. Local shops sprang up where kids could find cards for their collections. Even during the World Wars when card production was halted, older collectors held onto their childhood collections and card shows began to emerge. Today, Plattsburgh remains a hotspot for finding vintage and modern baseball cards for sale from local collectors and shops.

The earliest baseball cards sold individually in Plattsburgh date back to the late 1800s from companies like Old Judge, Goodwin, and Allen & Ginter. These tobacco era cards featured some of the game’s first superstars like Cy Young, Honus Wagner, and Nap Lajoie. In the early 1900s, candy companies like American Caramel took over production and issued sets with player photos for the first time. Plattsburgh kids of the time could find these at local general stores and drug stores to add to their collections.

Through the 1930s and 40s, gum companies like Goudey and Play Ball issued sets that could be purchased in Plattsburgh. World War 2 paper shortages led to the cessation of new baseball cards, so local collectors held onto their childhood Goudey and Play Ball rookies of stars like Ted Williams, Bob Feller, and Stan Musial. After the war, Bowman and Topps began releasing colorful, photograph-centric sets that could be found in Plattsburgh shops like Woolworth’s and Kresge’s 5&10. Kids flocked to these stores, hoping for rookie cards of Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and more.

In the 1950s, Topps gained the exclusive MLB license and issued highly collectible sets year after year. Plattsburgh collectors could find these new releases at drug stores, news stands, and hobby shops. The ’52 and ’57 Topps sets were particularly popular among local kids, featuring photos of legends like Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, and Sandy Koufax. The ’59 Topps set marked the beginning of the modern era of design and photography. At the same time, regional Gum Inc. issued competing but scarce sets that could turn up at local shops.

Through the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, Topps continued to hold the MLB license and release highly collectible sets in Plattsburgh. Kids flocked to stores hoping for the rookie cards of Reggie Jackson, Nolan Ryan, and Cal Ripken Jr. The ’75 and ’87 Topps sets were particularly prized among local collectors. At the same time, the rise of the hobby boom led to new card shops opening in Plattsburgh where collectors could find unopened wax packs and boxes of new releases as well as singles for sale from local collectors looking to move duplicates. Shows also began popping up where collectors could trade and sell.

In the modern era, Plattsburgh remains an active hotbed for baseball card collecting and sales. Local card shops like The Card Corner and Upper Deck Collectibles stock new releases from Topps, Panini, Leaf, and more. Unopened boxes and cases of sets can be pre-ordered. Singles from the latest sets featuring stars like Mike Trout, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Shohei Ohtani are available. At the same time, vintage cards can be found from local collectors downsizing their collections, including key rookie cards from the 1950s-80s. Regional shows also take place where collectors can buy, sell and trade. Online groups have formed where locals can buy and sell amongst each other as well. Whether you’re a new collector or have been at it for decades, Plattsburgh continues to be a great place to find baseball cards for your collection.

The history of baseball card collecting in Plattsburgh stretches back well over a century. Generations of local kids and adults have grown up swapping, buying and selling cards featuring their favorite players. Even during World War 2 when production halted, collectors held onto their childhood collections. Today, both vintage and modern cards can still be found in Plattsburgh shops and from local collectors through online groups and shows. The rich tradition of baseball card collecting in the Plattsburgh area lives on, with new and experienced collectors alike always on the hunt for their next addition to their collections featuring legends of the game from baseball’s earliest era all the way up to today’s superstars.