Tag Archives: state

TRI STATE BASEBALL CARDS AND SHOWS

Leave a reply

The tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania has long been a hotbed for baseball card collecting and shows. Spanning three major league markets in New York City, Philadelphia, and parts of New Jersey that identify strongly with both cities, the density of collectors in the tri-state creates a vibrant community and marketplace for the trading and buying of cards.

Major card shows that draw collectors from throughout the northeast and beyond take place regularly throughout the year. Some of the largest and most prominent include the Harrisburg Card Show in central Pennsylvania each January, the East Coast Sports Collectible Show in Edison, NJ each March, and the Somerset Sports Card and Memorabilia Show in Somerville, NJ each May. Each draws thousands of attendees over a full weekend to buy, sell, and trade with dealers and fellow collectors.

While the larger national and regional shows provide high-profile opportunities for serious collecting, the strength of the tri-state area lies in its numerous smaller, more local shows that sustain passionate communities on a regular basis. Countless card shops, hobby stores, libraries, and community centers from northern New Jersey through New York City’s outer boroughs and upstate host monthly or bimonthly shows where collectors of all levels can peruse tables for deals and discuss the latest in the hobby.

One of the most robust local circuits is centered around central and northern New Jersey. Stores like Cardland in Clark, Game On in Flemington, and Great American Cards in Ringoes devote full weekends each month to inviting dealers and collectors together under one roof for browsing and networking. Further south, stores in Howell, Toms River, and Turnersville also tap into the thriving southern New Jersey collector base with well-attended monthly events.

Across the Hudson River, Westchester County and portions of the Lower Hudson Valley north of New York City contain vibrant local card communities supported by shops like Collectors Universe in White Plains and Cardz-R-Us in Yorktown Heights that facilitate local shows each month. Moving into New York City proper, comic book stores, gaming centers, and hobby shops in all five boroughs contribute to the scene by hosting periodic weekend events.

Interestingly, some local shows occupy unique community spaces to draw collectors. For example, the Bi-County Sports Collectors Show takes over the Woodbridge Community Center each month in central New Jersey, while the Staten Island Sports Collectors Club meets regularly at local firehouses and libraries. Seeing a community come together around their shared passion for cards adds to the experience.

Pennsylvania’s large cities like Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Scranton-Wilkes Barre also cultivate rich local collector communities. The Northeast Sports Collectors Club holds a prominent monthly card show at Tobyhanna Army Depot outside Scranton that brings together Northeastern PA collectors. Comic shops, malls and expo centers around Allentown, Bethlehem, Lancaster and Reading fuel collecting passions in Southeastern PA.

While digital platforms like eBay opened up national and global markets, nothing compares to the energy and gratification of meeting face-to-face with fellow collectors at card shows. Browsing tables and making deals with local dealers who know your collections fosters relationships and a sense of community. From beginners just starting out to veteran collectors with encyclopedic knowledge, shows provide a welcoming atmosphere for all. Whether pursuing vintage stars, current rookies, or autographs and memorabilia, the tri-state’s passionate collector communities keep the hobby thriving through their regular local events.

The density of population and enthusiasm for baseball in the region has created a vibrant culture of collecting that sustains collecting communities even today in the digital age. From the major metro areas to small cities and towns, passion for cards knows no borders due to events that bring collectors together on a regular basis to discuss, trade, and seek additions to their beloved collections. With its active scene of local shows supplemented by national destination events, the tri-state area truly stands out as an epicenter of American baseball card collecting.

TRI STATE BASEBALL CARDS DUBUQUE

Leave a reply

Baseball card collecting has been a beloved American pastime for generations. Whether it’s chasing the chase of finding rare and valuable cards or assembling full sets of players and teams, few hobbies are as nostalgic or collectible as baseball cards. In the Tri-States area surrounding Dubuque, Iowa, two stores in particular have been mainstays for collectors far and wide – Tri-State Baseball Cards and Dubuque Sportscards.

Located just off Highway 20 in East Dubuque, Illinois, Tri-State Baseball Cards has been serving the Tri-State area since 1997. Owned and operated by the husband-wife team of Steve and Jackie Lensing, the 1,500 square foot store boasts an immense inventory of new and vintage baseball, football, basketball and hockey cards as well as supplies for collectors. While their collection of newer products is vast with items stocked shortly after release, it’s their trove of vintage cardboard that truly sets them apart.

Walls of organized long boxes house their vintage collection, ranging from the earliest 1950s and 1960s issues up through the sport’s modern era in the 1990s and 2000s. “We have so much vintage here because we’ve been buying collections for 25 years now,” says Steve. “A lot of the early stuff you just don’t see in stores anymore but we’ve painted every box and cross-indexed everything so it’s easy for our customers to find what they’re looking for.” Whether it’s finding that missing piece to complete a vintage set or tracking down a card of a local hero, chances are if it exists, Tri-State has it or can find it for you.

While browsing their stacks is rewarded serendipity, the Lensings have also developed strong relationships with collectors locally and beyond. “Word of mouth is how we’ve grown,” says Jackie. “Collectors know that when they sell to us, their cards will be well cared for and enjoyed by others. It’s neat to see some stuff cycle back through.” When sellers consign large collections and teams to them, Steve enjoys the history hunt of sorting through every card. “You never know what you’ll find – sometimes it’s real treasure,” he smiles.

This treasure includes some truly one-of-a-kind rarities they’ve uncovered or had consigned over the years, such as a 1909-11 T206 tobacco card of Nap Lajoie in a grade so pristine it ranks among the finest known of its kind in the world. Other true beauties include gem mint examples of Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays’ rookie cards from 1952 and several pre-war Honus Wagner cards. While most of these are part of their “wall of fame” not for sale, getting to admire such irreplaceable pieces of card history under glass is a thrill for any collector.

Of course, not all visiting collectors come seeking ultra-high-end pieces. Younger generations are also finding the hobby through Tri-State. “It’s so fun seeing whole families come in together – mom, dad, kids. The kids especially love looking at the old cards and thinking ‘that guy played back then?'” says Jackie. Seeing the multigenerational aspect of the hobby has been very gratifying for the couple. The Lensings do their best to welcome everyone with their friendly, small-town service. “At the end of the day, we’re just baseball card players having fun,” laughs Steve.

While Tri-State covers the entire Tri-States area with their mail order and their presence at card shows, Dubuque Sportscards reigns as the card hub of Dubuque proper. Owned and operated since 1989 by Kevin “Murf” Murphy and his wife Michele, their downtown shop at 265 Main Street is a sports memorabilia paradise. Upon entering the narrow store, collectors are greeted by floor-to-ceiling rows of long boxes and glass display cases featuring their immense new and vintage inventory.

Much like Tri-State, Sportscards has earned a premier reputation for their unparalleled vintage stock. “We’ve been at this for over 30 years so we’ve seen it all come through here,” Murf explains. Panning some of their sets showcases their treasures like 1919 and 1920 Cleveland Spiders teams, 1930 Goudey baseball mega sets, and 1954 Topps complete sets. They even have examples of some of the true rarities of rarities like 1933 Goudey Big League Chewing Gum cards still in their original factory wrappers. For collectors seeking key vintage rookies or complete vintage runs, Murf and his staff have a deep knowledge to help track items down.

While their vintage is world-class, Sportscards also prides themselves on having every new release as it hits the hobby. Walls of newly stocked products are organized by sport, ready to reinvigorate the collections of dedicated modern collectors. They work directly with all the major sports card manufacturers to ensure they get ample allocations of each hyped release too. Murf has also developed relationships with local dealers to always have a great local sports selection in stock as well.

Alongside their main inventory, Showcases hold an array of interesting signed memorabilia including game-worn jerseys, bats, helmets and photos. Personalized shelves around the store also display Murf’s own Hall of Fame collection of autographed items from baseball and football legends. On any given day, you never know who might be stopping in for a friendly chat with Dubuque’s most renowned sports memorabilia aficionado too.

Now in their third generation of passionate collectors, Tri-State Baseball Cards and Dubuque Sportscards will surely remain hubs for the hobby for years to come. While the internet changed some aspects of card collecting, their model of deep vintage stocks, knowledgeable service and small town charm has kept collectors coming back. For both new and experienced collectors across the Tri-States, these shops will continue fueling the fun of the card collecting experience for generations more. Whether it’s chasing stars of today or reliving memories of the game’s earliest eras, these beloved local institutions are sure to remain destinations that inspire discovery and nostalgia in sports enthusiasts of all ages.

BASEBALL CARDS STATE COLLEGE PA

Leave a reply

Baseball cards have been collected by fans for over 100 years and State College, Pennsylvania has a rich history with the hobby. Located in central Pennsylvania, State College is home to Penn State University and has long been a hotbed for baseball card collecting and trading.

Some of the earliest baseball cards were produced in the late 1880s by cigarette and tobacco companies like Allen & Ginter and Old Judge as promotional items to include in their products. These original cards featured some of the biggest stars from the early years of professional baseball like Pud Galvin, King Kelly, and Mickey Welch. While it’s unknown exactly when the first baseball cards arrived in State College, it’s likely locals were acquiring and swapping these early tobacco issues in the late 19th century as the hobby started to take hold across America.

In the early 20th century, the baseball card boom truly began. More cigarette companies like Fatima, Sweet Caporal, and Hassan began inserting cards of current players into packs. Production increased and sets became more elaborate with color lithographs and biographies on the back. State College’s small shops stocked boxes of these tobacco cards and kids could be found trading duplicates on street corners, just as the national pastime of collecting was growing exponentially.

The Goudey Gum Company issued some of the most iconic baseball cards of all-time between 1933-1941, known for their vibrant color portraits and distinct design. These highly sought after “gum cards” made their way to State College as well. Young collectors could purchase packs of Goudey gum with a card enclosed at local drugstores and confectionaries hoping for stars like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, or Joe DiMaggio. Well-preserved examples of these vintage Goudey issues remain highly valued by collectors today.

Topps dominated the post-war baseball card boom starting in 1951 with their revolutionary design of smaller player photos on a large color illustration background. Their monopoly lasted for decades. In State College, these modern cardboard treasures were available at newsstands, corner stores, and even vending machines as kids tore through wax packs in hopes of completing their sets. Topps’ annual issues became the most anticipated hobby product every spring.

The 1960s saw card collecting truly explode in popularity across America. In State College, card shops started to pop up to cater to the booming market. Stores like BJ’s Baseball Cards at 123 S. Pugh Street and Penn State Sportscards at 234 E. Beaver Avenue became vital hubs where collectors gathered on weekends to browse inventory, discuss the latest releases, and arrange trades. Penny arcades at the local mall also housed card vending machines stocked by distributors.

Into the 1970s and 80s, the rise of special editions, oddball issues from smaller companies, and the arrival of star athletes on the scene like Nolan Ryan, Mike Schmidt, and Cal Ripken Jr. kept the hobby red hot. Expos and conventions were regularly held around State College where collectors could meet with dealers, get autographs from alumni players, and show off prized possessions. The opening day of a new baseball season was cause for celebration as the first shipments of that year’s Topps and Donruss sets arrived in town.

While the baseball card market has boomed and busted many times over the past 30 years, it remains an integral part of sports culture in State College. Local card shops like Penn State Sports Cards have been mainstays for decades. Online groups like State College Sportscards on Facebook provide a digital meeting place for collectors of all ages. Vintage local shops like BJ’s are remembered fondly. And the first day of spring still means a new generation of kids tearing packs, chasing stars, and fueling their dreams at the card shop just as so many collectors did before them in this Pennsylvania town with a storied baseball card history all its own.

TRI STATE BASEBALL CARDS SHOWS DUBUQUE IA

Leave a reply

The Tri-State Area of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin has long been a hotbed for baseball card collectors and traders. Nestled on the Mississippi River at the border of these three states lies the city of Dubuque, Iowa, which has developed into a hub for the hobby in the region. For decades, collecting shows catering to both casual fans and serious investors have been held in Dubuque, drawing collectors from a wide radius.

One of the longest-running and most prestigious shows is the Dubuque Classic Collectible Show, hosted each spring and fall at the Grand River Center. First established in the 1990s, the Dubuque Classic has grown into a major Midwest event that now spans two full days each season. Vendors come from across the Midwest, South, and beyond to set up tables and sell everything from vintage tobacco cards to complete modern sets. Show promoters estimate attendance has averaged 1,200-1,500 collectors per edition in recent years.

Local organizers credit the central location of Dubuque near the Illinois-Wisconsin borders as a major factor in the success of the Dubuque Classic and other shows. Being situated roughly halfway between the metropolitan areas of Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago, and the Quad Cities allows collectors within a few hours’ drive to make it a destination trip. The city has adequate meeting space at the Grand River Center to host large numbers of vendors and shoppers under one roof. This convenience is appealing compared to shows that may be spread out over multiple hotels.

Beyond just the twice-annual Dubuque Classic Collectible Show, the local hobby scene remains active year-round. Multiple card shops in the area serve as the hub for collectors to trade, buy, and sell. Arguably the best-known is Sports Cards Plus, located near the intersection of Rhomberg Avenue and John F. Kennedy Road. Opened in the 1990s, Sports Cards Plus hosts weekly trading events that draw 50-100 collectors of all ages, as well as monthly regional TCG Player Championship Qualifiers. Owner Cory Niehaus has witnessed the sport’s rise in prominence and strives to create a welcoming environment. “It’s about more than the cards or games, it’s about the sense of community. We aim to preserve that,” he stated.

Niehaus and other local businesses play a prominent role in the planning of shows as well. Alongside advertising in hobby publications, word of mouth within the tight-knit Tri-State card scene has been pivotal in drawing crowds. When collecting experienced a downturn in popularity during the late 2000s, Niehaus credited local organizers for not giving up on the Dubuque shows and keeping interest alive until renewed momentum emerged. Today, many attending collectors of all ages fondly recall discovering the hobby through shops like Sports Cards Plus or early trips to shows as kids. This fosters loyalty and brings fans back time and again to trade with familiar faces.

Beyond baseball cards shows, Dubuque has shown signs of reviving in-person play for trading card and miniatures games as the COVID-19 pandemic recedes. Wyvern Gaming, located near Kennedy Mall, hosts events several nights per week where customers can battle in Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon TCG, and Warhammer. With a comfortable play space and enthusiastic community, Wyvern aims to recreate the social aspect that was lost online. “The human connection is so important to why people enjoy these hobbies. Being able to high-five your friends after a cool play or get advice face-to-face can’t be replaced,” GM Ryan Wear stated.

On the competitive circuit, Dubuque has produced notable players over the years as well. Professional Magic: The Gathering player Jacob Wilson cut his teeth playing at local hobby shops and making the long drives to Grand Prix-caliber tournaments in nearby cities as a teen. He has since gone on to achieve a #1 ranking on Magic Online and over $100,000 in career winnings playing the game full-time. Meanwhile, Dubuque native Michael Schutte has become a household name in baseball card collecting circles, amassing seven-figure collections and frequently appearing as an expert on Discovery Channel programs.

Schutte remains actively involved in the local scene when time allows, often stopping by hobby shops or shows. He fondly remembers early experiences at the Green Meadows Mall card shop as a formative time learning the basic of the industry. “These local communities are so crucial for new collectors in discovering their passions and meeting people with like interests. I’m grateful for all the kind folks back in Dubuque who made collecting such a fun journey for me early on. It’s great to see the shows and shops there still bringing that experience to new generations,” Schutte said.

All signs point to the thriving Tri-State baseball card and gaming communities centering around Dubuque remaining sustainable well into the future. With multi-generational families still actively involved, dedicated local organizers, and iconic destinations like the biannual Dubuque Classic Collectible Show, the hub shows no signs of slowing down even as interests come and go within the broader industry. For collectors near and far, the friendly faces and welcoming atmosphere found in Dubuque shops and events promise to keep the hobby social and personal for years to come.

TRI STATE BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

The tri-state area of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut has a rich history of baseball card production and use dating back to the late 19th century. Some of the earliest baseball cards originated from companies located within this region, helping to popularize this collectible hobby across the United States. Even today, decades after the golden age of baseball cards, the tri-state area maintains an enthusiastic community of collectors preserving this history.

One of the pioneering producers of baseball cards was a printing company based in New York City called Goodwin & Company. In 1887, Goodwin produced what are considered among the first ever mass-produced baseball cards as promotional inserts included in packages of cigarettes. Known as the Goodwin Champions set, it featured 29 players from the National League on crude cardboard stock. While not a huge commercial success at the time, it helped demonstrate there was consumer interest in trading collectible images of baseball players.

In the early 1890s, another New York-based company took baseball cards to a new level of popularity. The Tobacco Card Company, located in Brooklyn, produced sets under the brand name of Old Judge and included them in cigarette packs across the country. Their innovative marketing strategy of inserting iconic Yankees superstar Babe Ruth as a rookie in 1916 helped take off demand for baseball cards and established the modern format that cards companies still follow today of including stats on the back.

Throughout the early 20th century, several major card manufacturers called the tri-state area home and produced some of the most valuable vintage sets collected today. In New Jersey, the Pre-War Goudey Gum Company released highly coveted sets in 1933 and 1934 that featured innovative color photo technology. Also headquartered in New Jersey, Topps Chewing Gum became the dominant card maker post-World War II and launched what is considered the golden age of baseball cards from the late 1940s to the 1960s with their flagship set still issued annually today.

While larger companies produced cards on an industrial scale, many mom-and-pop shops across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut also got in the business. Stores like Bowman Gum in New York City or Fleming-Dooley Company in New Jersey produced short print regional sets exclusively for sale in the tri-state area during the 1930s-1950s. Designed more as promotions for local businesses rather than national distribution, these obscure vintage sets can be some of the most desirable for advanced collectors today.

A hotbed of enthusiast activity also sprang up among tri-state youth in the post-war era. The easy availability of cards from local candy and corner stores fueled an explosion of backyard baseball card trading and speculative ventures. In neighborhoods across the region during the 1950s-60s, kid entrepreneurs looking to profit off the card craze were known to scour shops daily hunting for rookie stars to immediately flip. Still other enterprising young collectors amassed vast accumulation libraries tracking stats that inspired the creation of organizations like the Society for American Baseball Research.

While the direct economic impact of baseball card production largely shifted overseas today, the tri-state area continues fueling collector passion. Major card shows like the National Sports Collectors Convention return to New Jersey year after year packed with tens of thousands of attendees from across the globe. Vintage shops specializing in old stock along with high-end auction houses ensuring steady demand value. Meanwhile, regional card clubs and organizations keep the social hobby elements alive through card swaps, auctions and educational initiatives celebrating the area’s long contribution to the growth of the collectibles industry.

As one of the true birthplaces of baseball cards, the heritage and influence of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut remains firmly etched in this slice of Americana pop culture. From the first fledging cardboard releases in the late 19th century to the golden age boom decades that cemented cards as a mainstream pastime, the trails blazed here shaped our modern understanding of sports memorabilia. Even in an increasingly digital world, the tri-state area endures as a vibrant nucleus where enthusiasts young and old continue experiencing the thrill of the chase and fellowship through this classic collecting realm.

TRI STATE BASEBALL CARDS PHOTOS

Leave a reply

Tri-state area baseball cards from the 1950s and 1960s provide a unique window into the history of the sport during that era. The tri-state area refers to the Mid-Atlantic states of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. During the post-World War 2 era, these states were major population and industrial centers where baseball fandom thrived. Consequently, many baseball cards from that time period feature players photographed in the tri-state area.

Examining these old baseball cards and the photos on them reveals fascinating glimpses of bygone ballparks, stadiums, and local settings associated with certain teams and players. The photos were often staged or candid shots that depicted everyday scenes from a baseball player’s life off the field. As such, tri-state baseball cards photos offer a compelling look at the human sides of the athletes and how they interacted with local communities.

Many cards from the 1950s and 1960s featured New York Yankees and New York Giants players photographed around New York City and the surrounding areas. Yankee Stadium and the Polo Grounds stadiums were regularly captured in the background of posed player portraits. Teams would also travel to New Jersey and Pennsylvania to play games versus the Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates. When top stars visited those cities, local photographers sometimes shot candid photos that ended up on their baseball cards.

For example, a 1957 Topps card of Mickey Mantle shows the Yankees star posed casually on a sidewalk, presumably somewhere in Philadelphia. In the background, a street sign identifies the intersection of 19th and Walnut Streets in that city. Similarly, a 1959 card captures Willie Mays in a pensive mood sitting on a curb, likely photographed on a Pittsburgh street during a Giants road trip. These intimate urban settings personalized popular players and tied them to specific off-field locations outside New York.

In addition to big city photos, tri-state area baseball cards from this vintage era frequently depicted players in more pastoral rural and small town settings. Mickey Mantle has a 1958 Topps card that shows him smiling while holding a baseball bat, with barn silos and rolling fields in the background landscape. The caption explains it was shot at a dairy farm in Sussex County, New Jersey during spring training. Other cards portrayed ballplayers fishing along Jersey shorelines, having picnic lunches on Pennsylvania farmland, or signing autographs for crowds of local children in small New York hamlets.

Such candid snapshots personalized larger-than-life stars and connected them to everyday American landscapes and activities during the offseason. They suggested ballplayers were approachable community members, not just distant sports celebrities. The photos implied fans could run into their heroes enjoying bucolic county fairs, swimming at small town beaches, or simply grabbing a quick snack between games in a nearby diner or luncheonette. These types of regional tri-state photos fostered closer bonds between players and local fans in the Northeast.

The photos on 1950s-60s era tri-state baseball cards also offer historic glimpses of bygone ballparks, arenas, and stadiums around the region. For example, photos outside defunct venues like Brooklyn’s Ebbets Field, the Polo Grounds in Upper Manhattan, and Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia remind modern fans of the iconic old ballparks that have long since been demolished. Cards from the late 1950s picturing the original Yankee Stadium and Philadelphia’s Shibe Park/Connie Mack Stadium bring to life these cathedrals of baseball no longer standing today.

Even photos taken outside still-active venues like Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field and Fenway Park in Boston offer a window into the past. Fans see these classic ballparks as they appeared in the 1950s-60s before modern renovations. Landmarks visible in backgrounds like the original B&O Warehouse near Memorial Stadium in Baltimore capture a bygone baseball era. These historic images documented on vintage tri-state cards transport fans back to experience the atmospheres and settings of a period now lost to time.

Baseball cards produced from the 1950s-1960s that featured photographs taken around the tri-state area of New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania provide many enduring benefits. They offer intimate glimpses into the off-field lives and interactions of legendary ballplayers within local communities. Tri-state area photos also preserve historic images of iconic but now vanished ballparks forever etched in nostalgia. Whether depicting rural farm settings or busy city streets, these candid snapshots personalized larger-than-life stars and fostered closer connections between players and Northeast region fans. Baseball cards from this vintage era containing tri-state area photos thus preserve invaluable windows into the sport’s history.