Baseball Card Information

History

• The history of baseball cards goes back to the 1850s, the same time the first professional baseball leagues were coming into existence. The first sets of cards were more of an advertising ploy than a collectible. In the 1880s, mass-produced cards began to be packaged with tobacco products. While these cards were also a marketing ploy for the tobacco companies, they were the precursors to modern baseball cards. During World War I, tobacco companies stopped making baseball cards but bubble-gum and candy companies began packaging baseball cards with their products. Soon, the baseball cards began to become more sought after than the candy and, by the 1950s, Topps and Bowman had become the industry leaders in producing baseball cards.

Companies

• Major baseball card companies include Topps, Bowman, Fleer and Upper Deck. There are many other companies that have dabbled in the manufacturing of baseball cards over the years but these companies have the longest histories and are still producing baseball cards. Topps is traditionally viewed as the most historically dominant baseball card company, even going so far as to bring the Bowman name back under the Topps umbrella in the late 1980s.

Specific Cards

• When looking at baseball cards, it is important to notice the different types of cards. The most common form of baseball card depicts a picture of a player on the front and his statistics on the back. A card for a first-year player is called a rookie card. There are also cards that show multiple players or specific feats. The final common type of card is a checklist card. Checklist cards generally have a picture on the front (often depicting entire teams) and a list of cards in the set sorted by their numbers.

Grading

• Baseball cards, like most collectibles, are worth far more money if they are in good condition. Baseball card grades run from poor, the lowest grade, to gem mint, the highest grade. The major things to look for in grading a baseball card are centering (how well the card is centered), condition of the corners, condition of the edges and surface quality. In order to get top value for a rare card, a collector must have his card graded by an official grading company like Becket Publications or Professional Sports Authenticator.

Card Stores

• The local baseball card store is an excellent place to learn about baseball cards. There a collector can talk to the owner, look at the displays and buy pricing guides as well as the cards themselves. Baseball cards have a long and storied history, so it is a good idea to use the resources at the local baseball card store to learn as much as possible about baseball cards before you buy.

Price Guides

• The value of a collection of baseball cards can most easily be ascertained with the help of a baseball card price guide. Becket Publications is the industry leader in sports card price guides but there are alternatives, including Tuff Stuff's free online price guide. When looking at the prices of a baseball card, the price shown is usually for a relatively high-quality card. If your card is faulty in any major way, it may not be worth as much as the guide indicates.