Tag Archives: with

WHAT TO DO WITH BASEBALL CARDS FROM THE 80s AND 90s

Leave a reply

If you have a collection of baseball cards from the 1980s and 1990s stored away, you have a variety of options regarding what you can do with them. The first step would be to carefully inventory your entire collection to see what cards you have and their conditions. This will help you understand the potential value.

Take the time to look up sold prices for your key cards on websites like eBay to get a sense of estimated values. Look at recently sold listings of cards in similar condition to yours to get a good price comparison. Focus your search on the specific year, team, and player to find value data points. Noting these estimated values will be crucial when deciding your next steps.

With that valuable inventory and pricing data compiled, your main options are either selling the collection yourself or having it professionally appraised and sold via an auction house. If you want to handle the sale yourself, the first choice would be selling on eBay. You can individually list and sell your higher valued ($20+) cards to maximize profits. For common cards or those in lower grades, you could “lot” similar ones together to appeal to collectors completing sets. Doing individual card photos, grading condition accurately in the descriptions, and packing securely will be important to attract buyers and receive positive feedback.

Another self-sale method would be taking your entire organized collection to a local card shop that buys collections. They will make one cash offer for the full lot, but the rate will likely be less than individual sale prices. Consider getting offers from multiple shops to get the best deal. You trade instant money for less potential long term profit this route.

A third party selling method is using an online sports card consignment website like BlowoutCards or consign with an established auction house like Heritage Auctions. They will handle photography, descriptive listing, grading/authenticating, marketing, and conducting the online sale for a percentage of the final hammer price (usually 10-15%). With their expertise and large collector base, certain rare cards could potentially achieve well above individual eBay prices. The tradeoff is giving up a portion of profit and having to wait until after the auction concludes to receive payment.

Whichever sales method you ultimately choose, start by grading your most valuable vintage cards using the established Photo Grading (PSA/BGS/SGC) services before selling. Even lower end vintage cards can increase 3-5 times in value simply by being professionally slabbed and authenticated in an officially recognized grade. For example, a raw 1980s Donruss Roger Clemens rookie in excellent condition could fetch $50-100 raw but $150-250 graded Mint/Gem Mint. The upfront grading costs are easily outweighed by the profit boost on desirable cards like rookie seasons of Hall of Famers.

If your entire collection turns out to be relatively common cards in lower grades, a local card shop bulk buy or consignment through an online sports auction may be your fastest and simplest liquidation options. But take the time for proper research – you could discover specific high value rookie cards, serially numbered parallels, autographs, or memorabilia cards that significantly increase profit potential through individual sales over time. Proper handling, photography, and grading will be needed to fully capitalize.

An alternative to outright sale is long-term storage and investment. Old vintage baseball cards from the 1980s boom period are starting to see renewed interest and values climb as those children who collected them reach adult income levels with nostalgia for their childhood hobby. Rookie cards like Griffey, Piazza, and Johnson could be worthwhile holding another 10-20 years as they near Hall of Fame inductions. Short print parallel cards with numbers/signatures of current stars like Trout may also appreciate as careers progress. Careful preservation through temperature controlled storage, acid-free holders, and slabbed grades can maintain or increase an investment collection’s long term growth.

Carefully researching values of key cards in your 1980s/90s baseball collection will show the options that make financial sense. Properly grading high end vintage rookies is a must before selling individually or wholesale. Either liquidating now through well-managed sales or long term preservation/investment all have financial merits depending on your situation and collecting goals. With the proper strategy, these vintage cards from your past can potentially bring a worthwhile return in the present. Let me know if any part of the process needs further explanation to help maximize the value of your sports memorabilia assets from that era.

DO THEY STILL SELL BASEBALL CARDS WITH GUM

Leave a reply

One of the major companies that still produces cards with gum is Topps. Topps is widely considered the most prominent brand in the baseball card industry today, holding the exclusive licenses to produce cards for Major League Baseball. Every year, Topps releases sets of new baseball cards at the start of the season. Their main flagship set is called Topps Series 1, which comes out in spring and contains over 300 base cards along with special parallel and insert cards. Topps Series 1 packs still contain a small piece of chewing gum alongside the cards, harkening back to the original Topps design from the 1950s when they helped popularize the integration of gum and cards.

Some other Topps sets that come with gum year after year include their Topps Series 2 set released in midsummer with another 300+ cards, as well as special themed collections such as Topps Chrome, Heritage, Allen & Ginter, and more. While these supplemental releases are not quite as large in scale as Series 1 and 2, they provide additional opportunities for collectors to rip wax packs containing both cards and gum throughout the season. The familiar snap of opening a fresh pack and then peeling back the wrapper to reveal the gum and cards inside has been a enjoyed by generations of baseball enthusiasts.

In addition to Topps, some smaller independent companies have tried to fill a niche by intentionally evoking the aesthetic of the historical gum-and-card combination. One such brand is Leaf, who incorporates little round balls of chewing gum that resemble the Hubba Bubba bubbles of decades past into their sports packages. Another is Donruss, a vintage brand revived in recent years. They pair their retro-styled designs with sticks of banana-flavored Bubblicious gum tucked into the backs of bundles. While these newer retro-inspired lines do not have the scale or market share of Topps, their emphasis on resurrecting the charms of early baseball cards through still including gum has appealed to collectors seeking a more authentic old-school experience.

Meanwhile, the giants of the general sports card industry like Panini and Upper Deck that work with licenses from other professional leagues almost never enclose gum nowadays due to various manufacturing and health concerns. Their baseball sub-brands such as Donruss Elite and Bowman Draft remain quite popular with collectors even without the added bonus of chewing gum as fans simply appreciate the attractiveness of card designs, quality of production, and prospects highlighted in those releases. Even so, devoted fans of vintage gum-and-card culture continue advocating for its preservation within the baseball-specialty scene where it originated and still thrives under Topps’ yearly flagships.

While chewing gum is now an optional extra for most modern sports card production lines across the board rather than an absolute given like in the early days, it remains a treasuredLINK within the sphere of traditional baseball cards. Topps strikes the perfect balance of maintaining theirthrowback gum-card ritual with their marquee MLB properties alongside exploration of new formats, ensuring this venerable combination enjoys ongoing popularity. Smaller niche firms additionally keep the format attainable for collectors seeking as vintage-authentic an experience as possible in today’s market. As such, the pairing of baseball cards and stick of gum retains its status as a commemorated tradition within the pastime, with certain dedicated manufacturers sustaining it for fans both new and old.

WHAT TO DO WITH BOXES OF OLD BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

If you have boxes of old baseball cards collecting dust in your attic or basement, there are several options you may want to consider for what to do with them. First, it’s a good idea to sort through the cards and assess their overall condition and value. Even common cards from the 1950s-1980s in mint condition could hold some value for collectors. Take the time to organize them by sport, year, player, and carefully examine each one for bends, creases or other signs of wear that could decrease its value. You’ll want to separate out any particularly rare, valuable or well-preserved vintage and rookie cards to give them extra care and consideration.

Once you’ve sorted and evaluated your collection, some of the main options for what to do with boxes of old baseball cards are:

Sell the collection – Whether whole or in smaller lots, you can look to sell your baseball card collection through online marketplaces like eBay, specialized trading card auction sites, local card shops or collector shows/conventions. Research recently sold comparable lots to understand fair potential sale prices. Carefully pack and ship cards or meet buyers in person if selling valuable individual cards. Proper grading certification from services like PSA or Beckett can help authenticate condition and increase sale prices for high-end vintage cards.

Donate to charities – As a tax-deductible option, you could donate your entire baseball card collection or choose only to donate duplicates to charitable organizations. Places like the Boys & Girls Clubs, libraries, hospitals and youth sports leagues may be eager to accept donations of trading cards to use as rewards or prizes for kids’ programs. Consider donating rarer keepsakes to sports museums as well.

Conserve as an investment – Instead of immediately liquidating your collection, you might choose to have valuable vintage cards professionally graded and conserved as long-term investments. Top-rated rookies and stars from the pre-1980s era have seen explosive growth in value in recent decades as more money flows into collecting. Proper long-term storage and conservation could exponentially increase the future resale or inheritance value of your most prized baseball cards. High-end graded investments may appreciate hundreds or thousands of percent over decades.

Display in your home – Why not create a fun baseball card display to show off your favorite players and moments from the past? Carefully arranged in protective toploaders or albums, you could rotate exhibit pieces in your recreation room, man cave, bar or sports memorabilia display cabinet. Consider framing a few darling vintage cards as wall art too. This lets you creatively showcase your nostalgic collection without selling it. Just be sure to store display cards carefully to avoid light/temperature damage.

Start a new collection – If you find yourself drawn back into the collecting hobby after reviewing old favorites, consider using your current cards as seeds to rebuild targeted new collections. Perhaps focus modern efforts on specific players, teams, positions or subsets that interest you most. Or assemble complete rainbow collections chasing parallel and serial numbered parallel cards in particular sets. Many find renewed joy in curating fresh collections themed to their new interests as collectors evolve over time.

Trade duplicates – Online trading card communities let you potentially swap duplicate cards for ones you’re still chasing to complete sets or build new collections. Sites like TraderBase and Sports Card Forum connect collectors globally to facilitate card-for-card swaps. Carefully document all trades to avoid potential scams. Or check with your local card shop about running duplicates through their trade nights to land needs for a fraction of purchase price. Trading is a great social hobby and the best way to actively build collections on a budget.

In the end, deciding what to do with boxes of old baseball cards requires assessing your overall goals. Are you looking to simply declutter or make some money back? Do you want to conserve an investment or spark a new collecting passion? Consider your options carefully based on the condition, value and memories represented in your nostalgic card collections sitting dormant. With a little effort, there are many rewarding ways to thoughtfully manage your baseball card holdings for future enjoyment, charitable donation or financial returns down the line. The path is yours to choose.

WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY OLD BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

If you have a large collection of baseball cards that you no longer want or have room to store, one option is to consider selling your collection. Even cards that may not seem that valuable on their own can add up to a decent amount if sold as a complete collection. To sell your baseball card collection, you will first need to take an inventory of all the cards and carefully organize them. Make a spreadsheet or database listing each card along with the player name, year, brand (Topps, Fleer, etc.), and condition. Taking high quality photos of each individual card or groups of cards will help potential buyers evaluate the collection.

Once your collection is fully inventoried and catalogued, you can choose to sell it yourself through online marketplaces like eBay, or seek out a reputable sports card shop or auction house to handle the sale for you. Selling online yourself allows you to set the price and terms, but you’ll need to handle packing, shipping, payments, and any returns yourself. Consigning your collection through an established dealer means letting the pros market and sell it for you in exchange for a commission, usually around 20-30% of the final sale price. They have the experience and buyer connections to potentially get a better overall price.

Before listing your collection for sale, it’s a good idea to do some research on recent sold prices for comparable collections to help establish a realistic asking price. Consider the quality, condition and completeness of the cards, as well as any key rookie cards or stars from championships teams that could increase interest and price. Sets that are complete from top to bottom tend to demand a premium. For consignment, the dealer will also give you their professional opinion on valuation. Once priced appropriately, market your collection aggressively on the various selling platforms with clear photos, a full descriptive listing and fair payment/return policies to attract serious buyers.

If selling your baseball cards as a collection doesn’t appeal to you or doesn’t generate enough interest from potential buyers, another option is to choose a handful of valuable individual cards to sell separately. Before picking cards to individually sell, you’ll want to closely examine each one to identify any especially rare, valuable or sought-after pieces. Check online price guides, recent auction results and trading/selling forums to get a sense of current market values for top cards in various conditions from each year and set. Grading services like PSA/BGS can also accurately assess a card’s condition, which directly affects its price. Once you’ve selected cards likely worth more money individually versus as part of a full set, list and market them the same focused way described for a full collection sale.

Rather than selling your baseball cards, another option is donating them to raise funds for charity. You could contact local youth sports leagues, libraries or schools to see if they’d be interested in displaying your cards or using them for fundraising prizes or auctions. Donating cards as a collection in this way comes with a tax deduction receipt based on the collection’s fair market value as determined by an independent appraisal from a dealer. Many dedicated sports card collectors looking to complete sets are also always on the hunt and may appreciate your cards finding a new long-term home in their collection in exchange for a tax-deductible donation.

If you don’t want to sell or donate your baseball cards but also no longer have room to keep the full collection, consider organizing and displaying just your favorite cards or your child/grandchild’s favorites on the wall in protective holder pages or frames. Pulling out sentimental rookie cards or autographs adds a fun personalized touch to your home décor too. The rest of the sizable collection you could box up and store away safely long-term in case future generations take an interest someday or you decide later to sell portions online. Storing your collection off-site in a temperature controlled facility or rented safe deposit box can protect cards from moisture, heat/cold fluctuations or damage over time too.

For a hands-on hobby option, you could start a fun new tradition of organizing team binders, trading cards online/at shows, building complete vintage sets or even playing Strat-O-Matic baseball sim games with your grandkids using your real card rosters. Kids especially enjoy learning about different eras through handling actual cards from their favorite players which can spark lifelong passions. If building full vintage sets appeals to you as a personal collecting project, many avid sports card collecting communities also meet regularly for friendly swaps to help each other fill gaps in sets spanning decades – it’s a social way to put cards back to active use while preserving baseball history too!

With a sizeable baseball card collection you’ve outgrown, your best options are thoughtfully assessing what to keep and sell/donate to raise funds for charity or pass down your passion to others. Carefully inventorying, researching values, consigning higher end pieces and maximizing market exposure through online auction sites and dealer consignment can maximize your financial return versus a quick bulk sell-off too. Displaying sentimental favorites, collecting with family or swapping with fellow fans also keeps your cards actively circulating within the sports collectibles community for enjoyment versus long-term storage. With some planning and effort, there are many rewarding ways to put your treasured cards from the past to their best next use.

HOW TO PLAY A GAME WITH BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

Baseball card games allow collectors to have fun and interact with their collections in engaging new ways. One of the most classic and popular card games is called “Topps Baseball”. To play, each player is dealt a random hand of 5 cards from the entire baseball card collection. Players take turns drawing one card at a time from the remaining deck, playing must either be a pitcher or batter card. Pitcher cards list the players pitching stats like ERA, wins, strikeouts etc. and batter cards contain their batting stats like batting average, home runs, RBI. Whoever plays the card with stronger stats gains ownership of the played cards. The first player to collect all 52 cards in the full deck is the winner.

Another variation on this game is called “Score More Runs”, where each stat on the cards is assigned a numeric point value. Pitcher cards contain negative points for their allowed stats like ERA, losses etc. Batter cards hold positive points for their stats like batting average, home runs etc. Players take turns drawing and playing cards, and after each play the points are totaled. The player with the higher score at the end of the hand keeps the played cards. Play continues until one person collects all the cards. This introduces an element of strategy as players try to play defensive pitcher cards against offensive batter cards to minimize their score changing during each play.

A game called “Diamond Dreams” tasks players with building the ultimate team by collecting cards of baseball players spanning across different eras from the 1950s to present day. All cards are dealt out evenly among players and placed face down in front of them. On their turn, the active player flips over one card to start their team lineup, placing it in their batting order. Others can then play response cards of defensive players, playing a pitcher against a batter for example. The player who played the card with the stronger statistical matchup gains both cards for their growing roster. Games go until one person completes a pitching rotation and full batting lineup, being crowned the champion General Manager. Variations allow for trades between players as another strategic element.

For younger kids or those just starting their baseball card collections, a simple memory-based game works well called “Baseball Card Memory”. All cards are shuffled and placed face down in rows and columns on a table. Two cards are flipped over on each turn, and the player tries to find a match – such as two cards of the same baseball player. If a match is made, they keep those cards. If not, they are flipped back over and it passes to the next player. Matches are removed until all cards are cleared from the board. The player with the most matches wins. This gives kids a chance to learn player names, pictures and teams through visual memory.

A variation on traditional card war is possible too, called “Card War – Baseball Style”. In this game, each player is dealt a number of cards face down to form their ‘baseball roster’. On a turn, both players flip over the top card of their roster simultaneously. A simple comparison is then made of some stat on the cards, such as the batting average on batter cards or earned run average on pitcher cards. Whoever has the higher number keeps both cards and adds them to the bottom of their roster. Play continues until one person collects all the cards. Kids and collectors of all ages can enjoy this fun take on card war with their baseball card collection.

Some of the most exciting and strategic games involve multiple players all competing simultaneously in a game of elimination. One such game is “Grand Slam Baseball”. Players are each dealt a hand of 5 cards to start, with the remaining cards placed face down in the center to form a draw pile. Players can then play cards from their hand face up in front of them to build different infield and outfield ‘positions’ like shortstop, third base, centerfield and more by matching stats. On their turn, the active player draws a card and can place it in an open position on the field. Others then get a chance to respond by placing better statistical cards on top to ‘rob’ that position away before returning the turn to the next player. After every turn, players with empty fields are eliminated from the game. Strategic playing and card placement will help you stay in the game the longest.

One variation on this focuses on team-building as the objective, called “League of Champions Baseball”. Players start with an empty roster, with cards dealt out face down in front of each person. On a turn, the active player can flip over a single card from their deals to start building their team’s lineup and rotation. Others then get chances to counter by playing BETTER cards of the same position, bumping the original card off that roster spot. The twist comes when you’re allowed on further turns to then ‘draft’ cards left over in front of other players by outstatting what they had been saving there as well. Building the ultimate roster through strategic claims and counterclaims makes for engaging gameplay.

Besides position-based games, some focus simply on stat totals to keep things fast-paced and competitive. “High Card – Baseball Edition” follows the classic gameplay where all cards are shuffled and dealt evenly face down to all players. On a turn, each player flips their top card face up into the center. The highest individual stat total on any of the cards wins all the face up cards, and players continue drawing and competing until one person has won all the cards. Variations can be made to focus on specific stats like batting average or home runs depending on preferences. Games like these are ideal for busy or travelling card collectors to easily enjoy a quick match.

Whether focusing on collecting full sets and rosters or high-scoring card plays, any of these games provide a way for organized interactive fun with your baseball card collecting hobby. Each has basic rules that can be easily taught but strategic nuances that vary with experience. Part of what makes trading card games so engaging long-term is the constantly evolving skill ceiling. So whether you’re a casual player or serious competitor, tabletop baseball card games offer enjoyment at any level with friends and family through friendly competition around America’s pastime. Using cards collection for games enhances an already beloved hobby.

WHAT TO DO WITH WORTHLESS BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

If you have a collection of older baseball cards that have little to no monetary value, there are still a few things you can do with them rather than just throwing them away. Even though they may not be worth anything financially, those cards still hold sentimental value from your childhood and the memories of collecting them. Here are some suggestions:

One option is to keep the cards and start a personal scrapbook or baseball card album solely for enjoyment and nostalgia. You can organize the cards by team, player, year or any other category that brings back fun memories from when you started your collection. Add other memorabilia like ticket stubs, programs or photos to enhance the nostalgia. Looking through this personal album is a great way to reminisce about your love for the sport and the hobby of collecting even if the cards themselves aren’t monetarily valuable anymore.

You could also consider donating your old baseball card collection to a local library, retirement home, youth organization, school or little league team. While the individual cards may be worthless, as a whole collection they could provide enjoyment and entertainment for others. A library might display them or include them in programming for young children. Retirees may enjoy looking through them and reminiscing about the players and games from their youth. A youth group or little league team might find inspiration from them or use them for educational purposes when teaching kids about the history of baseball. Your donation of the entire collection would allow the cards a second life bringing joy rather than being thrown in the trash.

Another donation option is to give your baseball card collection to a card and memorabilia show organizer. Many towns and cities hold periodic sports card and collectible swap meets, and the organizers are always looking for donations of older collections to sell or include in fundraiser auction packages. Proceeds from sales could go towards charitable causes supported by the show. Your cards may only be worth a few cents each individually, but as a lot they could earn a few dollars for a good cause. It’s also possible a collector at the show could find value or use for your complete set you can’t.

You might also consider trying to sell your old baseball card collection online through a site like eBay. Even though individual common cards from the 1980s and earlier are essentially worthless, you could try listing your entire accumulated set or team collections as one lot. Provide clear photos and an accurate description of what’s included. You never know, there may be a collector looking to complete their childhood team sets who would pay a small amount, like $10-25, for a bulk grouping of unused cards. At least this way there’s an outside chance you could earn a few bucks instead of just getting rid of them. And if they don’t sell, you can always donate the unsold cards.

If there are any unique, valuable, or star rookie cards mixed in with your worthless common cards, it’s worth taking the time to sort through the collection again carefully or even have them evaluated by an expert. On rare occasion, a $500 Mickey Mantle rookie or $100 Ken Griffey Jr. find is discovered amidst junk wax era cards. A card shop may buy individual high value cards or perhaps a full set of a year’s issue if it’s complete enough to have collector interest. But for the average useless common cards, one of the previous donation or resale ideas would be more practical.

Another creative reuse option is to turn your old baseball cards into new works of art. You could create a collage by gluing cards onto a canvas in interesting patterns or images related to baseball. Or cut out individual player photos to arrange into a framed collection. With the right adhesive, cards can also be stuck onto wooden plaques, mirrors, or other surfaces to decorate a game room or man cave. For kids, cards make unique backdrop materials for school dioramas on seasons or famous players when glued to heavy cardboard. There’s no limit to the crafts you can design that give your old cards new life repurposed as wall hangings and sculptures.

If none of those reuse or resale ideas appeal to you, the most eco-friendly solution is to recycle your worthless baseball cards. Carefully break or cut them up so they are not intact and can be more easily broken down. Place the shredded pieces loosely in your recycling bin. The paper stock can be reprocessed into new paper products rather than ending up in a landfill. Be sure to remove any plastic wrappers or sleeves first so only the pure paper goes into your recycling. This way your old cards can continue their existence in a new recycled form rather than taking up unnecessary space in the trash.

Even though worthless common baseball cards from the junk wax era have no monetary value, there are still better options than simply throwing them away. Whether it’s preserving them for nostalgia, donation to worthy causes, attempting resale online, extracting any rare gems that do have value, creative repurposing into crafts, or environmentally friendly recycling – your cards can still have purpose and new life beyond your original childhood collection. Hopefully one of these suggestions provides a use for your baseball cards that allows the memories they hold to still bring a smile.

WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

There are many different things you can do with baseball cards once collected. Some of the most common activities included trading, selling, collecting sets, and displaying your collection. Let’s take a deeper look at each of these activities.

Trading baseball cards is a fun way for collectors to build their collection and acquire cards they want. There are several ways to trade. You can trade directly with friends who also collect, go to local card shops that host trading nights, or send cards in the mail through online trading communities and message boards. When trading, it’s a good idea to assign relative value to cards based on their age, condition and the player featured. Trading requires some negotiation to make sure both sides feel it’s a fair swap.

Selling individual cards or full collections is another popular option. High value vintage cards from the 1880s-1980s in near mint condition can fetch hundreds or even thousands of dollars if they feature hall of fame players. Online auction sites like eBay make it easy to sell cards. You’ll want to include clear photos, accurately describe the condition using industry standard terms, and carefully package the card for shipping. Researching recently sold similar cards on the major auction platforms can help you determine a fair starting price. Local card shops may also purchase collections, though often at a lower price than what could be obtained selling individually online.

Building complete baseball card sets from a single season, league, brand, or career is a task that takes dedication but can be quite rewarding. The challenge is in finding all the tough final cards to finish off the set. Swapping duplicates with other collectors and periodically checking stores, shows, and online are good ways to eventually locate that elusive last piece. Once a set is complete, protectively storing it in a custom binder or box for display and appreciation of the achievement is common. Some very valuable and historic complete sets from the sport’s early years can sell for tens of thousands of dollars.

Displaying your favorite cards is a great way to enjoy your collection even if not actively trading or selling. Cards can be kept safely in protective plastic sleeves or pages within binders organized by team, player, year or category. Entire binders or curated selections in wooden or acrylic display cases look very neat for setup on a desk or shelving. For truly high-end exhibit-worthy presentations, some collectors work with framers to have prized vintage cards professionally framed behind protective glass like artwork. And don’t forget about your personal baseball card album that may hold cards from childhood – looking through the memories can be quite fun and nostalgic!

Beyond the initial fun of hunting packs for new cards, there are many engaging ways collectors put their baseball cards to use including trading, selling, set building, and display. Each activity helps extend the hobby and bring enjoyment from one’s collection in different ways. With care taken to properly store and protect the cards, their nostalgic charm and value can be preserved for many years to come whether cashed in or passed down to future generations of fans. The world of baseball cards truly offers something for all levels of collectors and fans.

WHAT TO DO WITH OLD BASEBALL CARDS REDDIT

Leave a reply

There are several fun and potentially profitable options for what to do with old baseball cards you find while cleaning out the attic or an old storage unit. Baseball cards are a true American collectible that have been around for over 150 years, so there’s a good chance you have some gems in your collection that are worth showing off or could generate some cash.

The first step when going through old baseball cards is to carefully examine each one and identify any that seem to be in especially good condition. Near mint or mint condition cards from the early 1960s or prior have the biggest chance of significant value. Look closely at the corners, edges and surface for signs of wear or damage that could hurt the grade if you chose to have them professionally appraised. Aside from condition, cards featuring legendary players like Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and more from their rookie seasons or early career are usually the highest value.

Once you’ve picked out potential standouts, your options include showing them off on a subreddit like r/baseballcards where other collectors can offer opinions on value. Be sure to include clear, well lit photos showing all details. The baseball card community on Reddit is large, knowledgeable and usually honest about estimates. You may find interest from another collector looking to add a key piece to their collection. Another online marketplace to potentially sell singles is eBay, where careful packaging and description is a must to attract serious buyers.

For the bulk of common cards, you have a few choices – sell the entire collection as a lot on eBay, donate them to a school or local card shop, or organize them in binders or boxes for your own enjoyment or a younger family member. Even common run-of-the-mill 1960s-80s cards in good condition can sell as a large lot for $50-100 depending on the total count. Donating keeps the hobby going for new generations.

If submission/grading is an option you’d like to explore, identify your 10-20 best cards that could realistically grade as mint condition gems. Know that modern cards have a much higher chance of a perfect grade due to improved printing, while vintage cardboard is difficult to preserve flawlessly over 50+ years. The top two card grading services, PSA and BGS, offer economical bulk submission programs to get an expert opinion on condition and Protect cards in high grade slabs. Even graded mid-range cards over $50 could cover the cost of getting the whole group assessed. Raw ungraded cards are riskier to sell online.

For true high-end valuable classics, work with a reputable sports auction house like Heritage Auctions who will provide insurance and promotion to achieve the best possible price. Consign rare Hall of Famer rookie cards or mint examples of the earliest cards from the late 1800s knowing they have the expertise and buyer network to maximize your return. Auctions charge commission rates around 20% but give access to a global pool of serious collectors.

However you choose to share or sell your old baseball cards, take your time going through them for personal enjoyment first before making any decisions. The hobby can provide entertainment and sometimes income down the line. With care and diligence, that box of childhood memories has potential to connect you with new people who appreciate the history and art of the cardboard treasures of America’s favorite pastime.

In summary – carefully examine for value, showcase online, sell singles or bulk lots, donate to schools, organize your own collection, consider PSA/BGS grading, or consign true high-dollar gems to auction if you’d like to potentially profit from old baseball cards found in your home. Most of all, enjoy the nostalgia of rediscovering a piece of baseball history in your own possession.

WHAT TO DO WITH 90s BASEBALL CARDS

Leave a reply

If you have a collection of 1990s baseball cards gathering dust in your collection, there are several options you may want to consider for what to do with them. While the 90s might not be viewed as the golden era for baseball cards like the late 80s were, many of those cards still hold value and interest for collectors today.

The first thing you’ll want to do is go through your collection and do a thorough inventory. Take stock of exactly which players, teams, and years are represented in your cards. Make a full list or use a baseball card organization app to properly catalog everything you have. Taking a close look at the condition and detailed information on each card is important for determining their potential worth. You’ll also want to consider the ever-changing marketplace for certain years, players, and sets when deciding how best to dispose of or profit from your collection.

Once fully inventoried, you have some choices as to what direction to take with your 90s baseball cards. If you enjoy collecting yourself and want to hold onto the cards long term, proper storage and protection is important. Many collectors will put together team sets, player collections, or work to complete full season or brand sets from the 90s. Organizing in protective sheets, binders, or custom boxes will keep the cards safe over time. You may also want to have valuable singles graded if seeking a higher return down the line.

If holding onto the collection no longer appeals to you but you don’t want to simply get rid of them, selling some or all of the cards privately or through an online marketplace is an option. eBay remains one of the most popular platforms for individual collectors to sell sports cards. You’ll need to take quality photos of the fronts and backs of any expensive individual cards or completed sets looking to sell at a higher price. Be sure to clearly describe conditions, include closeups of any flaws, and be upfront and honest about grade. For bulk 90s cards, selling lots grouped by year, team or player is an easy way to liquidate larger portions of a collection. Know that graded and higher end rare cards from the 90s can still attract serious bids, while common cards in poor condition will have minimal value aside from those looking to fill out team or year sets cheaply.

Consignment through a local or online sports card shop is another path that takes less work but will net you a lower percentage of the final sale price compared to selling everything yourself. Reputable shops can better assess conditions and market trends to maximize returns. They also have an existing customer base already looking to buy through their business. Any rare, valuable, or “key” cards in your 90s collection are ideal candidates for consignment. If you end up with store credit instead of a cash payout, take time to choose cards that align with your current interests rather than settling for bulk you aren’t excited about holding long term.

Donating your 90s baseball cards could be an option worth exploring as well, especially if they hold little perceived value. Search online for any local charities, schools, libraries or youth programs that may be interested in accepting sports card donations for fundraising purposes or to build collections for others to enjoy. Obtaining an official receipt for your records may offer tax deductions as well. While you won’t financially profit, donating has the benefit of keeping the cards circulating within the collector community rather than risking being trashed or landfilling once removed from your care.

The final thing to consider if none of the above appeal is having a large yardsale or garage sale to offer your entire 90s baseball card lot or boxes for one low bulk price to a motivated buyer. Promote it well in advance locally and be prepared for low-ball offers, but it ensures the collection goes to a new home quickly without much effort. Cards in very rough condition might have no market at all aside from a lot purchase by someone intrigued by the overall vintage selection rather than individual value.

It’s worth giving your 1990s baseball cards proper consideration as to their potential worth and condition before making any rash decisions to simply dispose of them. With some organizing, research, and patience, you have options through private sale, consignment, or donation to potentially profit or put the cards to good use once again within the collector community. Taking the time for a full inventory and assessment is the first step towards determining the best path forward for your personal collection from that era. I hope this detailed overview provides you some ideas and guidance for what to do with your 90s baseball cards moving forward.

DO TOPPS BASEBALL CARDS STILL COME WITH GUM

Leave a reply

The tradition of including gum with baseball cards started in the late 1930s when the Topps Chewing Gum Company began packaging their baseball card collections inside wax paper wrappers that also contained a piece of chewing gum. This innovative business model helped popularize collecting baseball cards as kids enjoyed both chewing the gum and trading the cards. For over 50 years, nearly every Topps baseball card release came bundled with a stick of gum. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, several factors led Topps to phase out including gum with their baseball cards.

One of the major reasons Topps stopped bundling gum was for safety and sanitation purposes. Medical experts determined that leaving gum exposed inside wax paper or plastic wrappers for long periods of time posed a risk of the gum becoming moldy or developing bacteria. There were also concerns that some children may have choked on pieces of dried out gum. Eliminating the gum component helped address these public health issues regarding the long-term freshness and edibility of the gum. Shipping and storing bundled cards and gum packages posed unique challenges in terms of keeping the gum fresh and intact inside the wrappers during long warehouse and distribution cycles. Removing the gum simplified the packaging, manufacturing, and logistical process.

Another key business factor was that baseball card collectors in the late 80s and early 90s were generally older children and adults rather than the younger demographic that originally drove the market. Therefore, the gum incentive was less important to this collector base. Also, revenues from card sales alone were sufficient without needing to bundle gum as a marketing gimmick. Pure collectors were primarily interested in chasing complete sets and chasing rare cards rather than the low-value pieces of gum included. The rise of the memorabilia market blurred the lines between cards being sold purely as collectibles versus kid-friendly confectionery items that also promoted chewing gum. As the baseball card niche matured, the focus shifted from casual chewing gum buyers to serious hobbyists and investors.

At the same time, escalating costs associated with including sealed gum with each individual pack made it impractical and unprofitable for Topps to continue the decade’s long practice. Gum ingredients, packaging, logistics, and child safety regulatory factors collectively increased production expenses substantially per pack when including gum. For Topps, the marginal revenue generated from very low-price gum sales no longer outweighed these rising gum-related costs. Without the gum, profit margins were higher since card sales revenue was maximized as the sole revenue stream per pack.

Collectors at hobby shops and card shows had grown accustomed to buying factory-sealed wax packs without gum and saw the gum itself primarily as a choking hazard debris item cluttering vintage collections across their basements as the decades went by. Younger e-commerce oriented collectors today are even further removed from any nostalgia for those classic Topps cellophane bundles. Thus, demand and attachment to the original gum packaging had substantially faded by the 1990s.

In short, the combination of shifting consumer demographics, rising costs, safety issues, and changing business priorities ultimately led Topps to cease wrapping gum with their baseball card releases. While they have experimented with small licensed gum promotions since then, Topps flagship baseball card sets sold at hobby shops and mass-market retail outlets today do not contain gum. The tradition of bundling cards with gum started over 80 years ago helped define Topps’ brand identity for generations and remain an iconic part of baseball card history, but modern economics and safety standards necessitated moving away from that classic marketing formula. Though the gum era of baseball cards has passed, the popularity of collecting baseball cards themselves continues unabated to this day without the need for included confectionery incentives.