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WHERE TO SELL BASEBALL CARDS SEATTLE

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Sportscards Plus – This is perhaps the best known and most established baseball card and sports memorabilia shop in Seattle. They have three locations around the city including in Ballard, West Seattle, and Bellevue. Sportscards Plus offers cash or store credit for cards and will evaluate your collection to provide you with a fair price based on the current market values. They buy collections of all sizes. Given their reputation and size, you can feel confident you will get a fair deal when selling to Sportscards Plus.

Dugout Sports Cards – Located in Shoreline, just north of Seattle, Dugout Sports Cards is another great local shop to sell your baseball cards. They have been in business for over 25 years and are well known among collectors in the area. Like Sportscards Plus, Dugout will appraise your entire collection and make you a cash offer. They specialize in vintage cards from the 1950s-1980s as well as modern rookie cards. Dugout pays competitively and is a reliable buyer.

Rain City Sports Cards – For those in the greater Seattle area, Rain City Sports Cards in Federal Way is a good local option. While smaller than the above shops, Rain City is owned and operated by experienced and knowledgeable collectors. They will purchase individual cards or complete collections. Be sure to call ahead to discuss what you have and get an estimated value before visiting their store. Rain City strives to offer fair prices.

Seattle Card Show – For those looking to get top dollar, consider waiting for one of the popular Seattle Card Shows that happen a few times a year. Held at the Tukwila Community Center, these shows bring in dozens of professional card buyers from around the region. With higher volumes of cards changing hands, buyers will be more likely to pay top market value versus a retail shop. There is no guarantee of a sale at the show. You’ll need to do your homework and get cards in top condition to attract serious buyers.

Online Selling – Selling online through platforms like eBay or through group on Facebook is another option that can potentially net more money compared to a local shop, but it requires more work on your part. You’ll need to take high quality photos, write detailed listings including conditions, and handle shipping. It may take time for cards to sell as well. For common or less valuable cards, a local shop offer may be preferable to the hassle of online selling. For rare cards with high values, the effort could be worthwhile. Just be sure to carefully research recent sold prices.

Local Card Shows – Smaller, local card shows, seminars, and conventions held around Puget Sound can also connect collectors directly with buyers. Examples include the Kent Collectors Show, Tacoma Collectors Expo, and the Willows Lodge Sports Collectors Convention. Competition won’t be as strong as a huge national show, so research is needed to find serious buyers and maximize value. But they provide an opportunity for a potentially better return than a shop if your cards warrant high asking prices.

Pawn Shops – As a last resort, pawn shops in Seattle like Eagle Rare Coins & Jewelry, SuperPawn, or Premier Gold & Silver Exchange may purchase baseball cards, especially if looking for a quick sale. They often offer significantly less than fair market value since they aim to quickly resell the items. Consult with other options above first if time allows for potentially getting a much better price.

For maximum return on baseball card collections in the Seattle area, the top options are usually either the large dedicated sports card shops like Sportscards Plus or Dugout Sports Cards, a local card show, or taking the time to sell individually online. Pawn shops should really only be considered if an immediate sale if needed at a lower value. With a collection of considerable worth, the highest prices can often be found through some thorough shopping around.

1969 SEATTLE PILOTS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1969 Seattle Pilots baseball cards were the first and only issue commemorating the short-lived 1969 season of the Seattle Pilots major league franchise. While the team only existed for one year before relocating to Milwaukee and becoming the Brewers, the cards produced showcase a fascinating piece of baseball history from what was a turbulent first season in the Pacific Northwest for Major League Baseball.

The 1969 Pilots cards were produced by Topps and included 107 total cards – 106 player and manager cards as well as one team checklist card. Among the notable players featured were 1969 AL Rookie of the Year Award winner Ted Sizemore, future Hall of Famer Tony Oliva, and veteran slugger Don Mincher. Future MLB managers and coaches like Darrell Johnson and Sal Maglie who served on the Pilots coaching staff that season were also included. The checklist card was numbered 108.

Topps had produced baseball cards annually since 1957 and with the expansion of the American League to include the Pilots and Kansas City Royals in 1969, added sets highlighting the players and coaches of the two new teams. The 1969 Topps baseball set totaled 714 cards. While produced in the same era as the iconic 1968 ‘Super’ set, the Pilots cards utilized a more basic and uniform design common of 1960s Topps issues.

Each card featured a vertical color photo of the player in their Pilots uniform on the front. Statistics from the 1968 season if they were with another team or rookie stats for 1969 were listed on the reverse along with a short biography. One unique quirk of the 1969 Pilots cards was no players were featured smiling – a reflection perhaps of the Pilots dismal performance and ownership struggles during their one major league campaign.

The Pilots finished the 1969 season with a 64-98 record, last in the American League West division. Despite drawing over one million fans in their debut season at tiny Sick’s Stadium, the franchise never turned a profit and ownership wanted to relocate the team. After just one season, Pilots owner Dudley Phillips sold the franchise to Bud Selig who moved the team to Milwaukee during the offseason and they became the Brewers for the 1970 season.

This tumultuous final season and relocation of the franchise makes the 1969 Topps Pilots set one of the rarest and most interesting in baseball card history. Only produced for one year commemorating a team that no longer exists, the cards are highly sought after by collectors. In near mint condition a complete set can fetch over $10,000 today. Key individual cards like rookie stars Sizemore and Don Mincher in high grade can sell for hundreds of dollars each.

While low production numbers and the team’s brief existence make the cards quite rare, a number of factors have also contributed to the strong collector demand. Seattle fans still hold an attachment to the city’s brief experience with major league baseball in the 1960s and value anything commemorating the Pilots. The cards provide a glimpse at the lone season the team existed as well as many of the players’ rookie cards. Contemporary sets featuring the Brewers do not have the same appeal to collectors.

For dedicated baseball card collectors and historians of the sport, the 1969 Topps Seattle Pilots issue stands out as a captivating piece of a larger story. They commemorated Major League Baseball’s expansion push as well as chronicled a team doomed to relocate after just one disappointing season. Fifty years later, the cards continue to fascinate collectors and serve as an artifact from a unique chapter in the histories of Seattle, Milwaukee, and the American League.

BASEBALL CARDS SEATTLE

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The history of baseball cards in Seattle is a long and fascinating one stretching back over a century. Some of the earliest baseball cards featuring Seattle players date back to the late 19th century when the city was still in its infancy.

Even before Seattle had a major league team, players who got their start in the Pacific Northwest appearing on baseball cards that were popular nationwide. Figures like Edgar Martinez and Randy Johnson who went on to have Hall of Fame careers all had their earliest baseball card appearances when playing in the minor leagues in or around Seattle in the 1970s and 80s.

As Seattle’s sports culture began to take shape in the early 20th century, baseball cards provided an affordable way for local fans to collect pieces of the area’s baseball history. While the teams and players have changed over the decades, the tradition of baseball card collecting in Seattle remains an integral part of the city’s sports legacy.

One of the first notable Seattle players to appear on cards was Lefty O’Doul who got his start with the minor league Seattle Giants in the 1920s. O’Doul went on to have a successful MLB career and later became renowned as a hitting coach, but Seattle fans of his era could find and trade cards featuring the young lefty from his early Pacific Coast League days.

Throughout the 1950s and 60s, Seattle was home to several successful minor league teams including the Rainiers and Pirates who competed in the Pacific Coast League, then a high level AAA circuit. Stars like Rocky Colavito, Maury Wills, and Bobby Richardson all had Seattle-era cards which are now highly collectible for local historians and vintage baseball enthusiasts.

The arrival of the Seattle Pilots in 1969 brought big league baseball to the Emerald City for the first time. Unfortunately, the Pilots only lasted one financially troubled season before relocating to become the Milwaukee Brewers. Their brief existence allowed Seattle fans to collect cards from that inaugural 1969 Topps set featuring the original Pilots like Jim Bouton, Mike Hegan, and Don Mincher.

Pilots cards from that long out-of-print series have grown greatly in value in recent years as Seattle’s baseball history has been rediscovered. For devoted collectors, finding intact 1969 Pilots rookies or commons can provide a tangible link to that lost first season in the city.

After the Pain left, Seattle would have to wait another 16 years before the Mariners brought the MLB back for good in 1977. That season saw future Mariners greats like Alvin Davis and Jay Buhner receive their rookie cards. Since then, collecting Mariners cards has been a staple of Seattle’s baseball fandom.

Over the decades, the Mariners have featured many stars who received widespread coverage in national card sets. Future Hall of Famers like Edgar Martinez, Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr., and Ichiro Suzuki all had legendary card runs with the Mariners. Their rookie cards and prime years remain highly sought after by collectors today.

In the late 80s and 90s, the golden era of baseball cards saw Seattle shops like Magnuson’s, Westlake Cards, and Rainy Day become hubs where kids could trade, buy and sell the newest Mariners and visit players at in-store autograph signings. Brands like Fleer, Donruss, and Upper Deck released Mariners stars in sets that took the hobby to new heights.

As the card industry declined in the 2000s, Seattle shops closed or transitioned to focus more on memorabilia. The city’s card collecting tradition lives on through today’s thriving online community. Sites like Mariners Card Collector allow fans to share their collections, discuss the team’s card history, and arrange meetups and group breaks.

Seattle’s long baseball past is preserved through the cards collected over decades by fans young and old. Whether seeking vintage greats or today’s emerging stars, card collecting remains a favorite hobby for Mariners supporters across generations. The cards not only commemorate players, but the memories and community built around the city’s love of America’s pastime.

SEATTLE MARINERS BASEBALL CARDS

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The Seattle Mariners baseball franchise joined Major League Baseball as an expansion team in 1977. Since then, Mariners players have been featured on a variety of baseball cards from the team’s inaugural season up to the present day. In this article, we’ll take an extended look at the history of Seattle Mariners baseball cards and some of the most notable players and sets featured over the decades.

One of the earliest and most recognizable Mariners baseball card sets is the 1977 Topps set. This was the first year that Topps included Mariners players after the team’s entrance into the AL. Rookies like Dan Meyer, Julio Cruz, and Ruppert Jones received early cardboard representations from Topps. The design mimicked Topps’s standard approach from the late 1970s with a vertical photo and team logo below the name. These early cards help chronicle the first year of Mariners baseball.

In the 1980s, Donruss began featuring Mariners players alongside their Topps competitors. Notable early Donruss rookie cards included Alvin Davis, Scott Bankhead, and Rafael Landestoy. The Expos and Cardinals also had newly released rookie cards in these sets as expansion cousins of the Mariners. Topps and Donruss rotated as the main producers of Mariners team sets through the 1980s with occasional releases from Fleer and Score as well.

Some of the most iconic Mariners player cards emerged in the late 1980s and early 1990s as Ken Griffey Jr. exploded onto the scene. His dominant rookie season in 1989 made him one of baseball’s emerging superstars. Griffey’s rookie cards from 1989 Fleer, Score, and Donruss sets became highly coveted by collectors. But it was his 1990 Upper Deck rookie card that stands out the most. Featuring vibrant color photography on higher quality card stock, Griffey’s rookie UD card took the hobby by storm. Obtaining unscathed copies of this card in mint condition remains very difficult and expensive for collectors today.

Alongside Griffey, starter Randy Johnson also emerged as one of baseball’s best pitchers in the early 1990s. “The Big Unit’s” rookie and early Mariners cards gained popularity as his arsenal of fastballs and sliders led the Mariners’ staff. Rob Dibble and Omar Vizquel also had collectors after their rookie and early Mariners offerings as the team gained more national attention. Score, Pinnacle, and Leaf emerged as additional card manufacturers using photography and creative designs to feature this talented Mariners squad.

After a brief flirtation with regional Northwest-focused sets in the mid-1990s from companies like Stadium Club Northwest and Mariner Greats, the late 1990s saw the emergence of Ultra and Finest parallel sets that incorporated refractors, patches, and autographs of stars like Griffey, Johnson, and Alex Rodriguez. These ultra-premium cards helped raise the stakes for high-end Mariners collecting.

Mariners teams of the 2000s and 2010s continued to produce stars with their own rookie cards and career highlights featured across mainstream releases. Ichiro Suzuki electrified baseball with his 2001 MVP season and became a star on baseball cards in his own right. Pitchers Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma also gained strong followings from collectors with their dominant seasons and premier cards from sets like Topps Chrome.

In today’s current market, newer releases from 2017 through 2022 have also elevated the profile of emerging Mariners talents like Jarred Kelenic, Julio Rodriguez, and Logan Gilbert. Their rookie autographs, memorabilia cards, and parallels sell at strong prices as optimism rises around this new generation of Mariners players. Vintage Griffey, Edgar Martinez, and Randy Johnson cards still carry high values as well for dedicated Mariners collectors.

Over four decades the Seattle Mariners franchise has yielded a deep history captured through their players’ appearances across countless baseball card sets. Icons like Griffey and Johnson anchor the team’s collection, but each era of the Mariners from the 1970s expansion through today remains well-documented in the cardboard hobby. Whether starting or building a Mariners-centric collection, fans have a wide array of vintage and modern cards from which to choose.

SEATTLE MARINERS TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS

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The Seattle Mariners began play as an expansion team in 1977, joining the American League West. That inaugural season marked the first year the Mariners franchise appeared on Topps baseball cards. Topps had been the exclusive licensed producer of major league baseball cards since the 1950s, so it was fitting that they issued cards to showcase the new players and uniforms of the Emerald City’s first big league club.

The 1977 Topps set included 181 total cards, with the Mariners represented by 17 rookie cards showing the team’s first year roster. Some of the notable Mariners featured were shortstop/third baseman Rodney Craig (#76), first baseman Tommy Harper (#83), left fielder Richie Zisk (#96), pitcher Bill LaFleur (#104), and catcher Mickey Cochrane (#159). The cards featured action shots of the players in their navy blue and gold uniforms with “Seattle” across the front. It was exciting for local kids to collect cards of the hometown Major League squad for the first time.

In the years that followed, Topps continued to issue cards annually that included the evolving Mariners roster. Many young fan’s favorite players emerged over the next dozen years, including first baseman/designated hitter Alvin Davis, third baseman Wade Boggs, outfielders Jay Buhner and Ken Griffey Jr., and pitchers Mark Langston and Randy Johnson. The cards provided an opportunity to follow and appreciating rising Mariners stars.

A notable Topps Mariners card from the 1980s was Ken Griffey Jr.’s 1989 rookie card (#91). Widely considered one of the most iconic baseball cards of all-time, it features a close-up image of the supremely talented 19-year-old “Kid” in his second major league season for Seattle. Highly prized by collectors even today, a near-mint Griffey rookie in excellent condition can fetch thousands of dollars. It perfectly captures the budding superstardom of one of the franchise’s all-time great players.

In 1995, Topps captured the excitement around the Mariners on the diamond and the optimism of the city with its franchise-record 116 win season. That year’s Topps set included cards highlighting Seattle stars like Griffey (#166), Randy Johnson (#244), Edgar Martinez (#344), and rookie Alex Rodriguez (#551). The cards conveyed a sense of destiny as the team aimed for its first playoff appearance and World Series title. While they fell short of a championship that year, the accomplishments cemented the Mariners as a contender for years to come in the hearts of Northwest baseball followers.

As the Mariners enjoyed success throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, reaching the postseason multiple times, Topps kept producing quality cards marking the achievements. In 2001, they issued an “Ultimate Millennium Team” card (#U-6) spotlighting the franchise’s best players from the first 25 seasons like Griffey, Rodriguez, Buhner, Martinez, Johnson, and Jay Buhner. A special Millennium team card (#U-40) paid homage to fan favorite outfielder “The Bone” Buhner smashing baseballs over the left field wall at the Kingdome.

Another notable Topps Mariners card from the 2000s commemorated Ichiro Suzuki’s rookie season of 2001 (#73). Like the Griffey ’89, it has become a highly sought after issue because it was the first card issued of the surefire Hall of Famer in his record-breaking MLB debut campaign when he won AL MVP and Rookie of the Year honors. Ichiro went on to have one of the greatest careers by an import player in baseball history during his years patrolling right field in Seattle.

Today, nearly two decades after Ichiro’s arrival, the Mariners franchise continues striving to bring a World Series title to the Northwest for the first time under new ownership led by John Stanton and the Nintendo family. Their quest to return to prominence rolls on as Topps keeps faithfully documenting each season’s roster with a new card series. For Mariners fans and collectors alike, Topps baseball cards remain a fun and nostalgic way to cherish the memories of favorite players from the club’s first forty-plus years in the majors and hope for more championships ahead.

1970 SEATTLE PILOTS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1970 Seattle Pilots baseball cards were the only official set issued during the short one-season existence of the Seattle Pilots Major League Baseball franchise. While the team only played in Seattle for one year before relocating to Milwaukee and becoming the Brewers, these cards remain an important part of Seattle sports history and cards related to the team have taken on great nostalgia and value for collectors in the decades since.

The 1970 Pilots baseball card set was produced by Topps and consists of 107 total cards including 100 player cards, 2 manager cards, 2 checklists, and 3 promotional/team cards for a total of 107 cards. Some key things to know about the 1970 Seattle Pilots baseball card set:

The designs featured a simple blue and red color scheme matching the Pilots uniforms with a color photo of each player on a blue background. The team name “Seattle Pilots” is featured prominently at the top with the player’s name and position below.

Cards were sold in wax packs of 5 cards each with the checklist cards found about 1 per box. The 3 promotional/team cards were insert cards found about 1 per 10 packs.

Roster included all the expected stars like catcherup Dan Meyer, outfielder Tommy Harper, and pitchers Diego Segui and Jim Bouton. Many players did not stay with the team long after the relocation.

Notable rookie cards included Buddy Bradford, Craig Chamberlain, Mike Marshall, and Tommy Harper who all made their MLB debuts with the Pilots in 1969. Tom Burgmeier also has a Seattle Pilots rookie card despite debuting in 1968 with the Angels.

Manager cards were issued for Joe Schultz and Eddie O’Brien. This was the only Topps set to feature manager cards until 1987.

Checklist cards promoted the set and listed statistical information about the players, managers, and team from the 1969 season in Seattle.

Promotional cards highlighted attendance figures, team colors/logos, and stadium information for Sick’s Stadium, the Pilots’ home ballpark.

When issued in 1970, the cards retailed for about 10 cents per pack. Because the team only lasted one season, the cards did not see wide distribution and many were lost to the ravages of time. This scarcity has led to the 1970 Pilots cards gaining immense value among collectors today. Here are some key highlights about their collectibility and values:

In nearly mint condition, a 1970 Topps Seattle Pilots complete set could fetch over $10,000 today. Singles of star players can sell for hundreds on the secondary market.

The promotional/insert cards are the most scarce due to low print runs and are amongst the most valuable from the set regularly selling for $500-1000 each.

Jim Bouton’s rookie card is especially key being one of his earliest MLB cards issued and in high demand from collectors. Graded examples have sold for over $2000.

Lower grade and common cards still sell readily for $20-50 even in played condition due to the finite survival rate and Seattle-based nostalgia.

As the cards are now over 50 years old, high grade specimens are extremely elusive with even well-centered examples usually grading no higher than EX-MT 6 at best.

The 1970 set is one of the most sought after among Pacific Northwest collectors seeking to commemorate their local baseball history. Cards attract premium dollar amounts within this regional collection niche.

While not a long-term MLB franchise, the one-year Seattle Pilots have become one of the most famous failed or relocated teams. Their cards satisfy collectors interests in oddities and milestones within the hobby.

Despite a franchise history limited to just one season in 1969, the 1970 Topps Seattle Pilots baseball card set has achieved great notability among collectors. The scarcity of the cards combined with representing the sole depiction of the Pilots on cardboard has elevated them to an icon status within the Seattle/Pacific Northwest sports collectibles market. Over 50 years later, these cards continue to delight and fascinate collectors as a reminder of what could have been for baseball in the Emerald City.

BASEBALL CARDS STORE SEATTLE

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Baseball cards have been a beloved hobby for generations, allowing fans to collect pieces of their favorite players and teams. For those looking to build or admire impressive baseball card collections, Seattle offers several excellent specialty stores dedicated entirely to the trading card pastime. Whether you’re a casual browser or serious collector, these local shops provide knowledgeable staff, vast inventories, and a fun community atmosphere for all things related to baseball cards.

One of the largest and most well-established baseball card stores in the Seattle area is Sports Card World, which has two locations in the city. Founded in 1990, their original store is located in the Wallingford neighborhood and stocks over 500,000 individual cards along with unopened boxes, sets, and related merchandise. Sports Card World prides itself on having an immense selection spanning all eras of the game from the 1800s to present day. In addition to singles and sealed product from the major manufacturers, they also carry rare vintage and autographed items. Knowledgeable buyers are on hand to appraise collections and make fair cash offers too. The store’s newer Queen Anne location opened in 2014 and maintains a similar extensive inventory while also hosting regular events like group breaks. Both shops are a fun place for collectors of all ages and experience levels to browse, trade, or find that elusive card to complete a set.

Another long-running destination is Seattle Sports Cards, which has served the local card community for over 25 years out of its storefront in the Central District. While smaller than Sports Card World, they make up for it with deeply knowledgeable staff, competitive prices, and a warm neighborhood feel. Seattle Sports Cards focuses on moving inventory quickly at fair prices to keep the hobby affordable and accessible. In addition to carrying all the latest releases, they have a solid selection of vintage and higher-end items. The shop is a great spot for casual collectors to fill in missing cards from sets or find affordable team and player lots. Serious traders will also appreciate the store’s buylist program for efficiently acquiring store credit. Seattle Sports Cards is proud to be a neighborhood institution and welcoming place for all.

A relative newcomer compared to the above stores but quickly gaining a loyal following is The Card Kingdom, located in Ballard. Founded in 2011, Card Kingdom started as an online retailer but opened their physical location in 2015 to meet growing local demand. While they do carry some sports cards, their primary focus is on trading card games like Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon. Their baseball card selection is extensive and well-organized, with singles, boxes, and supplies for builders of all levels. Card Kingdom stands out for hosting multiple organized events each week, from group breaks and drafts to tournaments, ensuring there is always friendly competition and community to be found within their spacious storefront. Novice collectors will appreciate their helpful staff and curated starter packs, while serious players have come to rely on Card Kingdom for acquiring valuable chase cards.

For those seeking a more specialized shopping experience, two locally owned stores cater specifically to vintage baseball cards. Based in the Interbay neighborhood, Rain City Vintage focuses exclusively on pre-1980 issues in excellent preserved condition. Whether browsing their meticulously organized boxes and long boxes or perusing a showcase of high-end authenticated gems, collectors are sure to find treasures from early Topps, Fleer, and Kellogg’s sets and more obscure regional issues rarely seen elsewhere. Knowledgeable staff are always happy to discuss the history and stories behind individual cards too. While their prices reflect the condition and scarcity of the vintage items, Rain City Vintage is still a must-visit destination for enthusiasts of the early hobby era.

Located across town in Wallingford, The Card Attic specializes in vintage cardboard from the 1960s through the 1980s. While their selection spans many sports, the bulk of their impressive inventory is dedicated to vintage baseball. In addition to carrying graded vintage singles at fair prices, The Card Attic is also known for their monthly group breaks of unopened wax boxes where participants go home with a curated selection of randomized vintage packs and cards. The shop’s friendly, family-owned atmosphere and knowledgeable staff make it a fun place to discuss memories and stories from the hobby’s earlier decades. Whether looking for commons to complete childhood sets or key vintage RCs and stars, collectors are sure to find treasures amid The Card Attic’s organized long boxes and display cases.

Whether seeking the vast selection and community of the larger sports card shops or the specialized vintage focus of the smaller specialty stores, Seattle offers local hobbyists several excellent brick-and-mortar destinations to fuel their baseball card passions. With knowledgeable staff, fair prices, and a welcoming atmosphere, these local businesses help keep the card collecting tradition alive for fans both casual and serious. From unearthing childhood memories to acquiring valuable pieces for impressive collections, Seattle’s baseball card stores provide a fun shopping experience for collectors of all ages.

SEATTLE PILOTS BASEBALL CARDS

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The 1969 Seattle Pilots were a popular and historic Major League Baseball franchise despite only playing one season in Seattle. While the team itself only lasted a single year before relocating to Milwaukee and becoming the Brewers, the legacy of the 1969 Pilots lives on today through vintage baseball cards featuring the memorable players and coaches from that Seattle squad.

The 1969 Topps baseball card set included cards highlighting members of the Seattle Pilots inaugural roster. Topps was the dominant baseball card manufacturer at the time and their inclusion of Pilots players in the ’69 set helped ensure those cards would become highly coveted pieces of sports memorabilia for collectors in the decades since. A complete set of the 1969 Topps Seattle Pilots cards offers a fascinating photographic history lesson on the brief but important one year run of the MLB’s former Pacific Northwest franchise.

Some of the most notable and valuable Seattle Pilots cards from the 1969 Topps set include the rookie card of Pilots pitcher Jim Bouton, who authored the groundbreaking “Ball Four” book about his time with the team. Bouton’s card shows him in a Pilots uniform and is one of the most iconic from the set symbolizing the franchise. Other highly sought after 1969 Pilots cards show popular players like outfielder Don Mincher, who led the team in home runs that season with 23, as well as catcher Duane Josephson and pitchers Diego Segui and Bill Hemmen.

The Pilots manager cards from 1969 are also especially collectible pieces of history.cards were issued for both Seattle’s manager Joe Schultz as well as coaching staff members Darrell Johnson and Jose Davison. Catching coach Wes Stock also received a card highlighting his time with the upstart Pilots franchise. While managers and coaches cards are usually less valuable than star player cards in most sets, the historic significance of the lone Seattle Pilots season makes their personnel cards seem genuinely important to collectors today.

Beyond just the players,Topps’ 1969 set also included unique team cards showcasing aspects of the Seattle franchise like the Pilots team logo, home and road uniforms, team photo, stadium snapshot and full color team card. These pieces help to preserve the tangible visual history of what it looked like to root for and represent the 1969 Seattle Pilots on and off the field. For modern fans, collectors and historians, these team-oriented cards amount to invaluable primary source material.

Seattle Pilots cards from the 1969 Topps set have increased steadily in value over the decades as the franchise has taken on greater historical meaning with time. While common players and duplicates could be acquired relatively cheaply in the past, strong mint condition examples of the highest priority Pilots rookie and star player cards now routinely sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars online or at major card auctions. First-year issues of managers and team cards also now present worthwhile financial investments for knowledgeable collectors given the unique ephemeral one season tenure of the original Seattle MLB team.

Meanwhile, as the memory and mystique of the 1969 Pilots continues to be rekindled among Pacific Northwest baseball fans, interest in acquiring pieces of the franchise through vintage cards also remains high. While the team was short lived, cards preserve an authentic window into the uniforms, faces and history of this important chapter in Seattle and Major League Baseball’s past. When complete, a collector’s 1969 Topps Seattle Pilots set amounts to pure nostalgia on cardboard and a portal back to a brief, but beloved moment in the city’s sports story before the team was unjustly taken away.

Nearly 50 years later, the handful of baseball cards produced by Topps’ 1969 set commemorating the Seattle Pilots endure as coveted artifacts of that lone but unforgettable MLB season in the Emerald City. More than just sports memorabilia, these cards take collectors, historians and fans back in time, capturing the style, personalities and excitement of that pioneering Pacific Northwest ball club through colorful images frozen in time. While old, fragile examples continue to disappear from the collecting marketplace, Seattle Pilots cards will always retain their inherent nostalgic value tied to the team’s important, if fleeting, role in baseball and civic history.

SELL MY BASEBALL CARDS SEATTLE WA

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Selling Baseball Cards in Seattle, Washington

For many people who have collected baseball cards for years, there comes a time when they need or want to convert that collection into cash. Whether it’s to fund a new hobby, pay bills, or for another reason entirely, selling baseball cards can be a way to get value from ones sitting in shoeboxes or binders. With so many cards in varying conditions and from different eras, sorting through a collection and getting fair prices can seem daunting. This guide will provide collectors in the Seattle, WA area with information on the different options available locally for selling their baseball cards and getting top dollar.

Pricing Your Cards

The first step in the selling process is properly pricing each card according to its condition and importance. Taking the time to review each individually and assigning value will help maximize profits down the road. Some key factors that determine a card’s price include:

Year/Era: Older cards from the early 20th century are almost always worth more than newer issues from the last 20 years.

Player/Prominence: Rookie cards or those featuring star players have higher values than backups or role players. Iconic players command top prices.

Condition: Near mint cards in mint sleeves can fetch 10x what a worn, folded card does. Grading protects condition and value.

Rarity: Parallel prints, autographs, relic cards are scarcer and hold premium values. Check population reports.

Once assessed, cards can be sorted into categories – premium vintage stars, modern stars/rookies, commons/uncommons. Pricing guides like eBay “Sold” listings, Beckett, and PSA/BGS registry data provide market-based prices to list individual cards or whole sets for sale.

Selling to Local Card Shops

Seattle has multiple local comic and sports card shops that buy collections, though sellers need to understand they offer much lower prices than individual sales. Shops aim to make a profit when reselling and factors in their costs. That said, shops provide a quick sale with no fees involved. Some reputable options include:

Uncle’s Games in Redmond – Large store with experienced buyers. Accepts full runs or individual high-end cards.

Green Lake Cards and Comics – Friendly staff, focus more on short-term cash than top dollar. Good for bulking common runs.

Phoenix Comics in Shoreline – Flexible with purchase amounts, pay promptly. May offer store credit too for extra deals.

Shops will inspect condition closely so present well-organized cards in sleeves for maximum offered amounts. Be prepared to accept 60-70% of estimated eBay values for whole collections sold at once.

Selling Online Through Auction Sites

For collectibles with stronger individual values, auction sites like eBay provide access to a huge worldwide collector base to maximize prices. EBay and other platforms charge seller fees (typically 10%) on final sales amounts.

When listing on eBay, take detailed, well-lit photos showcasing fronts and backs of cards. Describe condition thoroughly and compared to universally accepted grading scales. Provide tracking whenever an item is sold and ship securely.

For high-dollar singles, use platforms like PWCC Marketplace which cater specifically to major card buyers but take larger (15%) fees. Auctions allow for bidding wars to increase final prices but require more time investment to monitor listings.

Consignment with Specialty Shops

Rather than sell directly to card shops or online, collectors in Seattle have the option of consigning valuable cards and collections through prominent dealers on a commission basis. The dealer assumes responsibility for marketing, security, and transactions in exchange for a percentage (20-30%) of whatever the cards end up selling for.

Some top consignment options in the city include:

Goldin Auctions in Downtown – Nationally renowned auction house, stronger buyer pool than eBay.

PWCC in Bellevue – Buyers fly in from around the world to purchase from their inventory. Global exposure.

Sports Kokomo in Ballard – Personal touch with fewer high-end offers but local seller support.

For rare vintage MVP baseball cards $500+, consignment maximizes values as dealers network and strategically time market releases. The tradeoff is losing a portion of profits upfront which some collectors find worthwhile for ease and security.

No matter the option selected in Seattle, with care, research and patience, collectors can convert their baseball card collections into valuable cash while preserving their history for future generations of fans to appreciate. Proper pricing and marketing are keys to obtaining the strongest returns and finding the cards good new homes.

SELL BASEBALL CARDS SEATTLE

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Selling Baseball Cards in Seattle – The Ultimate Guide

Seattle has a rich baseball history and strong fan culture, making it a great place to buy, sell, and trade baseball cards. Whether you have a collection from your childhood or you enjoy seeking out rare finds, learning how to sell baseball cards profitably in the Seattle area requires understanding the local market and having the right strategies. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to maximize your returns when selling cards in and around Seattle.

The Seattle Baseball Card Market

The Seattle area is home to legions of Mariners fans as well as supporters of other MLB teams. Thus, there is decent demand locally for cards featuring players from all eras who have suited up for the Mariners or other clubs. Top selling cards from the Mariners dynasty years of the late 1990s through early 2000s usually fetch the highest prices. Other Pacific Northwest cards like those from the Portland Beavers or rain city icons like Edgar Martinez are also popular. National stars tend to sell well too, especially legends of the game from the 60s through 80s. Auction site data shows the average Seattle area baseball card sale price is around $15-20 but key rare finds can go for hundreds or thousands.

Determining Card Values

Before listing cards for sale, it’s crucial to properly evaluate what each one is worth. Look up recently sold prices on eBay, COMC, or through sports collectibles price guides. Consider the player, year, condition, and any special subsets/variants when researching value. Top factors boosting price include star/HOF caliber players, vintage years, hugely significant stats/moments on the card, and especially condition (the closer to mint, the better). Take the time to carefully examine each card front and back under bright light and a loupe to accurately judge its condition grade. Higher end rare finds may require professional grading authentication as well to maximize returns.

Where to Sell Baseball Cards in Seattle

There are a variety of good options locally for finding buyers and selling baseball cards in the Seattle area:

Online Marketplaces: eBay remains a huge baseball cards marketplace with millions of buyers worldwide searching daily. Make sure to include clear photos showcasing front/back condition. Sites like COMC, Mercari and Facebook Marketplace also have local Seattle area users.

Local Card Shops: Plenty of shops in the Seattle metro can sell your cards on consignment or buy collections outright including Good Guys Comics and Cards, Big Time Collectibles and West Seattle Baseball Cards. Consignment gets your cards in front of collectors but takes a cut of the sale, while selling outright gets you an instant payout.

Flea Markets and Shows: Check events calendars for the numerous card/comic shows held around Seattle including at venues like the Seafair Expo Center. These multi-table events give exposure to hundreds of potential buyers in a day.

Specialty Forums: Websites like Sports Card Forum have active Seattle/PNW regional marketplaces to sell high-end finds to serious collectors.

Pricing Strategies and Negotiating Skills

Set fair competitive pricing when selling cards based on current market values. Use the price charting data from sales history to determine fair list prices. Set auctions to end on evenings/weekends for maximum visibility and bids. Be willing to offer volume discounts or negotiate slightly on multiples purchases. Don’t sell yourself short – hold out for top dollar on your best cards. Have backup prices in mind though in case interest is lacking, and be open to offers within reason. Developing good communication and negotiation abilities will help you close sales smoothly.

Shipping and Packaging

If selling online, take extra care with packaging to protect valuable cards during transit. Use penny sleeves and toploaders or magnetic holders within a rigid mailer or box with ample padding. Overwrap the whole package securely with strapping tape. Purchase tracking and insurance for added peace of mind, especially on higher value shipments. Local meetups tend to be safer than shipping so weigh risks accordingly based on dollar amounts involved.

Tips for Storing Inventory and Growing Your Collection

It’s important to keep duplicates and unsold inventory stored properly to maintain quality over time. Protect cards in penny sleeves, toploaders or magnetic holders inside acid-free boxes in a cool dry place away from direct light exposure. Log new acquisitions electronically and cross reference with purchase/consignment records to stay organized. Continue learning the market and prospecting for deals to grow your collecting knowledge and inventory over the long run. Participating in local card shows and networking with fellow collectors is a great way to expand your horizons in the Seattle area hobby scene as well.

By taking the time to understand the local baseball card market, properly evaluate your inventory, choose reliable sales channels and hone sales/shipping best practices – you’ll be well equipped to profitably sell baseball cards from your collection in the vibrant Seattle area collector community for years to come. With enough effort and expertise gained over time, it may even become a sustainable part-time business model to seriously consider.