Baseball Collection

Baseball cards have been collected and treasured by little boys, and big boys, for decades. Not only because baseball is the great American pastime, but because it’s a relatively easy collection to start.

Your collection can be started for just a few dollars. However, if you’re really passionate about it, you can spend hundreds of thousands of dollars and own some of the most valuable cards in existence.

Baseball cards started a long time ago, when the tobacco companies gave them out as promotional tools.  Then, in the 1930’s, gum replaced the tobacco. The result of this was, the cards became the core focal point, rather than the bubble gum it was given away with.

By 1951, the Topps company held the only position as the only baseball card manufacturer. This last until 1981 when Fleer and Donruss came upon the scene, followed by Upper Deck in 1989.

A few of the most popular cards these days are:

Rookie Cards

A player’s first baseball card, is said to be the most valuable card for him. Before 1970, rookie cards were easy to spot. There was only one card made for each player. However, after that, more and more sets are being made, even for new players.

So, while they’re all considered rookie cards, their value will depend on how rare the card is and what kind of shape it’s in.

Unopened Cards

For some reason, the unknown offers a certain charisma and enticement, even with baseball cards. Unopened sets are almost always worth more. In fact, an unopened set of baseball cards from the 1950’s can easily go for many thousands of dollars.

Inserts

This is the latest craze in baseball card collecting. Basically, they take limited edition cards, possibly add pieces of bats or gloves or jerseys, and make them in limited quantities.

And, although it has raised some eyebrows in the attorney general’s office in some states, sometimes older cards are included in the packs.

Of course, always and still, the most popular baseball cards have been the ones for the most popular players. True, the condition of the card and how readily available it is plays a part in determining its value, it’s ultimately the face on the card that makes or breaks it.

For instance, even though he played over 40 years ago. Mickey Mantle’s cards are still the most popular and generally, the most expensive.

Then again, there was a player you may never have heard of, Honus Wagner, who was completely anti-smoking. When he learned that the tobacco companies were giving away his card with their products, he put a stop to it. As a result, only a few remain. Because of this, his card is, currently, the most valuable card in the world.

Basically, there are two ways to buy baseball cards; you can buy them in packs, and hope you get lucky with a valuable card, or you can buy them one card at a time from private parties.

So, the bottom line is, baseball card collecting has room for everyone, whether you are spending your allowance on a pack of cards, or your entire life savings on one card.

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