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HOW TO SORT THROUGH BASEBALL CARDS

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Sorting through a large collection of baseball cards can seem like an overwhelming task, but taking it step-by-step and being organized is key to ensuring you can find what you need. The first step is to gather all the cards you want to sort into one location. Make sure to go through every possible place the cards may be stored such as card boxes, binders, storage containers, or loose piles. Spending the time to collect every card up front will save you hassle later on.

Once you have all the cards gathered, do an initial inventory check. Count the approximate number of cards and get a sense of the time period and sports leagues represented. This will help when deciding how to categorize and sort the cards. The next step is to determine your sorting criteria. Common ways people categorize include by sport, year or decade, player, team, manufacturer, or card condition. You can also use multiple sorting criteria by separating cards into initial categories and then further sorting within each category.

Having multiple small boxes, trays or piles designated for each sorting category is ideal to keep things organized as you work. Label each category clearly so there is no confusion. Now it’s time to start laying out the cards in categorized groups. As you review each card one by one, place it face up into the appropriate sorting category section. Continue working methodically through the entire card collection until all have been sorted. This initial sorting session may take several hours for a large collection, so taking breaks is recommended. You can always come back later for additional sorting passes.

Deciding on year ranges is an effective way to categorize baseball cards from the various decades. A reasonable breakdown would be: Pre-1950s, 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s. You may want to further refine categories within certain decades that have more cards such as sorting 1970s cards by early 1970s vs. late 1970s. Team categories are another useful way to group cards. Create separate sorting sections for each MLB franchise as well as vintage teams no longer active. Player name is a logical category for star cards worth showing off individually. Condition is important when trying to spot your best or most valuable cards. Sort sections by Near Mint, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Poor.

Binder pages designated with specific years, teams, or players allow you to neatly arrange and store sorted cards. With binders organized logically according to your sorting criteria, finding individual cards becomes quick and easy. You can further customize storage by designing custom binder sheet protectors or dividers with labels noting the year or content of each page. Magnetic sheets or sheet protectors using magnetic strips on the back are excellent for showing off prized cards in a less permanent way than adhesive-backed toploaders. These allow cards to be easily swapped in and out without damage.

Toploaders are the ideal way to store valuable, rare or graded cards worthy of protection from wear. Sleeve each important card and store in designated boxes separated by year, team, etc. Stacked card boxes organized by your sorting criteria provide compact and durable storage once cards are properly sleeved. Be sure to include a label on the end of each box noting contents. For cards without assigned value but still in decent condition, storing in cardboard boxes sorted by category works well long-term. Looseleaf binders sorted by year or team allow average cards to be easily flipped through and admired versus long-term permanent storage. As collections grow over time, periodic resorting becomes necessary to regain organization. Spending the initial effort to carefully sort your baseball card collection according to logical criteria allows you to maximize protection of assets while easily finding whatever cards you want down the road for trading, grading or enjoyment. Developing a sustainable system tailored to your collection’s needs brings lasting order and allows you to focus on appreciating your investment rather than struggling to locate specific cards amongst chaos.

HOW TO GO THROUGH BASEBALL CARDS

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Going through baseball cards can be a fun nostalgic experience or an exciting hunt for valuable cards. There is no single right way to go through cards, but here are some tips and methods you may want to consider when sorting through your collection:

The first step is to organize your cards. Take out all the cards from their boxes, binders, sleeves, or wherever they are stored. If the cards are not in any particular order, start by sorting them by sport (baseball, basketball, hockey, etc.), then by year, and finally by team. Spread the cards out on a large table or floor space so you can easily see them all. As you go through the cards, remove any duplicates and set them aside – you won’t need to fully examine duplicates.

Once your cards are organized into piles by year and team, you can start your main examination. Go through each pile one at a time so you stay focused. Start with the oldest cards first since those vintage cards from the 1950s-1980s have the most potential value. Handle each card carefully by the edges so you don’t damage them. Take your time flipping through each pile – don’t rush through as valuable gems could be hiding anywhere in your collection.

As you look at each card, check for certain hallmarks that may increase its value significantly. Examine the condition and centering of the front of the card. Is it mint condition and perfectly centered? Look closely at the corners – are they sharp and undamaged or are they rounded/bent? On the back, check for creases, soft corners, or other flaws. Card condition is extremely important for value – a heavily worn card is probably only worth a dollar at most compared to a mint condition card of the same player which could be worth hundreds.

Also study each player featured on the card. Are they a star player, Hall of Famer, or rookie season card? Cards of superstar players tend to hold their value best. You’ll also want to note any special or unique aspects of the design or photo on the card. Error cards missing statistics or stats on the front for example can be quite rare and collectible. Take your time gazing at each card front and back under good lighting before putting it in a keep or common pile.

As you examine, group the cards you think may have special value into separate “premium pile(s)” based on player, condition, design etc. These are the cards you’ll want to research further. Use a card collecting price guide book, magazine or card database like Baseball Card Price Guide or PSA SMR Price Guide to look up estimated market values for each premium card in your piles. Checking recently sold listings on eBay is also a great way to gauge real world prices people are paying currently.

Once you’ve identified cards that appear especially valuable, consider getting them professionally graded. Companies like PSA, BGS, SGC assign official grades of mint, near mint etc. and slab the card in a hard plastic holder. This authentication significantly increases value for high-end vintage and rookie cards. Be aware that grading also requires money – usually $10-30 per card submitted depending on turnaround time. Only cards likely worth $50+ raw should be considered for grading usually.

The rest of your common cards, you can pretty quickly sort by team into binder pages, boxes or plastic card holders for storage and easy access later. Organize them alphabetically by team to have an easy to browse collection. Any problem cards in particularly rough shape could be candidate for the recycling bin if condition is too poor to reasonably expect anyone would want them.

Put your premium and graded collection in a safe, but don’t forget to continue enjoying your other cards by periodically taking them out to look through memories of great players and games. Revisiting old cards is half the fun! With the right organization, care and research, you may even find a hidden valuable that could help fund your next card collection adventures. Taking the time to thoroughly examine cards is well worth it for both nostalgia and potential reward.

HOW TO SEND BASEBALL CARDS THROUGH THE MAIL

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Sending baseball cards through the mail requires taking some precise steps to ensure the cards arrive safely at their destination. First, you’ll need to select the appropriate shipping method based on the number of cards and their overall value. For single cards or just a handful being sent a plain white envelope with tracking is usually suitable. For larger lots of cards or those with significant monetary value, a box is advisable for added protection.

Once you’ve selected your packaging materials, it’s important to prepare the cards properly before placing them inside. Individual higher end or rare cards should always be stored in soft plastic sleeves to prevent scratches or other damage during transit. Common cards can be placed loose in the package but it’s still a good idea to stack them gently in a way that prevents rubbing or bending. Proper support materials like paper or cardboard dividers can help separate stacks from one another.

For envelopes, make sure to reinforce the seams with clear packing or shipping tape. Go around all four sides at least once for security. Double check there are no open flaps where cards could slip out. With boxes, reinforce all openings the same way and stuff extra padding or air pillows inside if space allows to cushion any shifting during transport. Whether an envelope or box, be sure to label with your return address in case it gets separated from other mail.

When taking cards to the post office, trading card rate postal boxes are preferable to regular boxes if using larger quantities as they are designed specifically for non-rigid items. These are less likely to be damaged in handling equipment. Bring your package pre-taped to speed the process. Purchase insurance if desired based on declared value which gives compensation if lost or damaged in transit. Always get proof of mailing like a receipt in case any issues arise later.

The specific postage required depends on package weight, size and choice of service level. Many prefer First Class which has tracking included as the default level. Consider Priority Mail for higher value cards if seeking faster estimated delivery timeframes. Avoid international shipments unless using a tracking service like Global Tracking as customs delays pose risks. Retain mailing records like receipts, waybills in your records in case a claim needs to be filed down the road.

After applying postage and getting your receipt or waybill, address the package properly to avoid delays. Use the recipient’s full name and address including street, apartment number, city, state and full postal code. For baseball cards, consider including team names to assist sorting if name/address is hard to read. Seal any open flaps afterwards. Drop packages at the post office or collection box rather than a personal mailbox for pickup. Notify the recipient of expected arrival date ranges based on the service used for tracking purposes.

With care taken in preparation and using a tracking service, baseball cards can usually travel safely through the postal system. But sometimes unexpected events can occur in transit leading to damage, loss or delays. By documenting the packaging and contents prior to mailing, any issues after delivery have a better chance of being resolved by insurance claims or finding lost packages if lodged promptly. Following these packing and shipping best practices will help ensure collectors receive the cards as intended when sent through the mail.

BOWMAN BASEBALL CARDS THROUGH THE YEARS

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Bowman Baseball Cards: A Brief History from 1948 to Today

Bowman Gum Company has been producing baseball cards for over 70 years, documenting players, teams, and the evolution of America’s pastime through colorful cardboard collectibles. What started as a small promotion for their chewing gum has grown into one of the hobby’s most iconic brands. Let’s take a look at the rich history of Bowman baseball cards through the decades.

The Early Years (1948-1955)

Bowman debuted their first baseball card set in 1948, including 160 black-and-white cards inserted into packs of gum. Some notable rookie cards from that inaugural set include future Hall of Famers Willie Mays, Roy Campanella, and Hank Aaron. The 1949 and 1950 issues continued in a similar vein before Bowman made the jump to color photos starting in 1951. These early Bowman sets helped popularize the modern baseball card collecting craze.

Golden Age of Design (1956-1961)

The mid-1950s saw Bowman hit their creative stride with innovative card designs and colorful illustrations. The 1956 set showcased action shots on a yellow background, while 1957 switched to close-up headshots on a light blue field. Perhaps the most iconic Bowman design came in 1958, featuring borderless close-cropped portraits on a white background. These simple yet striking cards captured the essence of the players and established a classic Bowman aesthetic.

Topps Dominance and Bowman’s Hiatus (1962-1981)

In 1962, Topps gained the exclusive Major League Baseball license, forcing Bowman out of the standard size card market. They continued to produce smaller 3×5 photo cards into the mid-1960s before discontinuing baseball cards altogether. During their absence, Topps established themselves as the clear market leader. Bowman wouldn’t return to the hobby until 1981.

The Comeback Kid (1981-1994)

Bowman made their long awaited return in 1981 with a set featuring player photos on a blue bordered design. They hit the ground running with innovative initiatives like the ’82 set featuring team logos and the ’83 issue containing oddball parallel subsets. The late 1980s saw Bowman introduce exciting rookie cards of future stars like Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, and Tom Glavine. While still playing second fiddle to Topps, Bowman had reestablished themselves as a major force.

Modern Era Innovation (1995-Present)

Starting in 1995, Bowman began releasing sets at a much faster annual cadence with innovative concepts. Highlights include the premiere Bowman Chrome and Draft Picks & Prospects sets focusing on minor leaguers in 1996, as well as introducing autographs and memorabilia cards in the late 1990s. Into the 2000s, Bowman continued finding new ways to spotlight prospects with releases like Prospect Premieres, Draft, and Best of the Best. Today, Bowman issues over a dozen baseball card products each year across multiple tiers, documenting the next generation of MLB stars from prospect to professional.

Over its 70+ year history, Bowman Baseball has grown from a small regional gum company insert set into one of the hobby’s cornerstone brands. Through innovative designs, attention to prospects, and documenting the game’s rich history, Bowman cards continue to capture the essence of America’s pastime on cardboard. Their iconic designs and rookie cards of legends cement Bowman’s place as a standard bearer in the collecting community for generations to come. Whether reliving childhood memories or discovering future Hall of Famers, Bowman Baseball cards remain a gateway for fans new and old to experience the joy of the game.

TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS THROUGH THE YEARS

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Topps baseball cards have been an integral part of American baseball culture since the 1950s. The Topps Company first introduced gum-backed baseball cards in 1952 and dominated the baseball card market for decades. Over the years, Topps cards captured the history of MLB through memorable rookie cards, All-Star profiles, and more. Let’s take a look at the evolution and significant moments of Topps baseball cards through different eras:

The Early Years (1952-1969): Topps released their first post-World War II set of baseball cards in 1952. Each pack included a piece of chewing gum and typically featured 111 cards of current MLB players and managers. Some legendary rookie cards from this era included Mickey Mantle (1952), Jim Palmer (1965), and Johnny Bench (1967). Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, the cardboard size, design aesthetic, and production values improved greatly. In the late 1960s, Topps began experimenting with color photos, foil signatures, and sticker variations that ushered in a more modern era for the cards. This initial period established Topps as the mainstream brand that documented MLB’s Golden Age.

The 1970s: Competition started to heat up in the 1970s as Fleer joined the baseball card market in 1981. Looking to stand out, Topps introduced innovative sets like the high-gloss 3D cards from 1972. This was also the decade when stars like Bench, Palmer, and Steve Garvey had prime card years. Topps also began focusing on star power more than team rosters. Rookie cards of future Hall of Famers like George Brett and Mike Schmidt emerged. Toward the end of the 70s, design and photography advanced with full bleed images and action shots coming into style.

The 1980s: Led by superstar rookie cards of Donruss’ Roger Clemens and Fleer’s Mark McGwire, competition intensified in the 1980s. Topps responded by experimenting with card sizes, stickers, and oddball parallel sets that highlighted specific achievements. They also produced premium subsets with rarer autographs and memorabilia cards of stars like Wade Boggs, Ozzie Smith, and Kirby Puckett. The rise of Derek Jeter’s career through Topps cards in the late 80s foreshadowed the next golden age.

The 1990s: Often called the “junk wax era”, the early 1990s saw an overproduction of cards that has decreased the value of most from that time. However, Topps still documented iconic seasons like Barry Bonds’ 73 home run year in 2001. They continued to captivate young collectors with creative insert sets and rare parallel variations. Rookies of future hall of famers like Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, and Miguel Cabrera also debuted. The ultra-premium Finest and Topps Chrome parallels gained popularity toward the end of the 90s.

2000s-Present: Entering the modern post-PIOGU (Pacific Insert On Gum Underside) period, Topps maintained mainstream relevance while competitors like Upper Deck fell off. Digital printing allowed short-print parallels and hits like jersey cards to flourish. Topps rookies of Bryce Harper and Mike Trout captivated new generations of collectors. Between 2006-2008, Topps lost MLB rights briefly but regained them and has since stabilized. In the 2020s, Topps continues to adapt by embracing technology like online releases alongside traditional card packs. Digital platforms allow them to archive the complete history of baseball through card images and provide new ways to experience the hobby.

Over 70 years Topps became synonymous with baseball cards by persevering through industry changes and competitor challenges. While sets and inserts evolved greatly over eras, Topps consistently documented MLB’s top players, moments, and historical milestones and introduced innovations that advanced the collectibility of cards. They established baseball cards as both an investment and fun connection to America’s pastime enjoyed by both casual and serious hobbyists. Topps resilience ensured the enduring tradition of their cardboard treasures living alongside the story of baseball itself.

FLEER BASEBALL CARDS THROUGH THE YEARS

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Fleer baseball cards have been a staple of the baseball card collecting hobby since the 1950s. What started as a small competitor to Topps in the baseball card market grew into one of the largest and most prominent card manufacturers through multiple decades.

Fleer began producing baseball cards in 1956 with their Series 1 release. Their goal was to compete with Topps, who had dominated the baseball card world since the early 1950s. Fleer’s 1956 release featured many star players like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Duke Snider. Their photography and production values lagged behind Topps. The cards featured a thinner stock and poorer printing quality compared to Topps sets from that era. Still, Fleer succeeded in carving out about a 10% market share from Topps in those early years.

Throughout the late 1950s and 1960s, Fleer continued releasing annual baseball sets that competed with Topps for licenses and distribution. Their photography and design improved over the years but still trailed Topps. Notable Fleer releases include their 1960 set with stars like Hank Aaron and Bill Mazeroski on the cards. Their 1963 release stood out for its innovative multi-player checklist cards, showing what stars could appear later in the set. While still playing second fiddle to Topps, Fleer proved their longevity and commitment to the baseball card market.

In 1981, Fleer made waves by acquiring the MLBPA license and producing the first successful competitor to Topps in decades. Their 1981 Fleer baseball card set featured true on-card photos of major league players, something Topps hadn’t done since the early 1970s due to a legal battle. This landmark set reinvigorated interest in baseball cards and shattered Topps’ monopoly. Notable stars featured in the 1981 Fleer set included Nolan Ryan, Pete Rose, and Joe Morgan. The card stock quality and photography finally surpassed what Topps was producing.

Throughout the 1980s, Fleer and Topps dueled every year to produce the best sets possible as true competitors. Fleer released innovative sets like their 1982 update series, colorful 1984 and 1985 issues, and high-gloss photo style cards of the late 1980s. Fleer rosters also featured up-and-coming young stars like Roger Clemens, Wade Boggs, and Barry Bonds early in their careers. The competitive marketplace established by Fleer made both companies push creative boundaries with each new release. Fleer remained the clear #2 brand behind Topps through the decade.

In the early 1990s, Fleer began experimenting with new insert sets like Ultra and Extended Series parallel cards. They also produced the memorable 1992 Fleer baseball card set celebrating Ken Griffey Jr, recognized as one of the greatest rookie cards of all time. However, Fleer took their innovative spirit too far and over-produced inserts and parallels throughout the mid-1990s in a move some see as damaging to the intrinsic value of each card released.

Fleer’s overproduction came to a head in 1996 when parent company SkyBox International went bankrupt after massive losses, ending Fleer’s run as a baseball card manufacturer. The brand was acquired by Playoff Corporation and production continued through the late 1990s with lower quality sets lacking star rosters or design uniqueness compared to earlier decades. By 2000, Playoff lost the MLBPA license and Fleer baseball cards came to an end after over 40 years in the hobby.

In 2007, Fleer brand assets were purchased by The Upper Deck Company. They have since produced a number of retro-themed Fleer sets paying homage to the brand’s classic 1950s-1990s designs and photography styles. True vintage Fleer cards from the golden eras of the 1950s-1980s remain hugely popular with collectors today. Prices for stars like Mantle, Mays, Aaron, and Ripken from their original Fleer sets can reach thousands of dollars graded and preserved in mint condition.

Through ups and downs, Fleer played a transformative role in the baseball card market for over 50 years. They went from small competitor to market leader alongside Topps, establishing the competitive modern marketplace. Fleer innovated the hobby in many ways and featured some of the most historic baseball cards ever produced before eventually losing the MLBPA license. While no longer an active manufacturer, the Fleer brand significance endures for collectors of its classic vintage sets from the golden age of baseball cards.