Archive for October, 2008

Does anyone know a service that catalogs baseball cards?

Friday, October 31st, 2008
baseball cards
Justin M asked:


I have a fairly extensive baseball card collection (several thousand cards) and although the cards are organized accoring to manufacturer and in number order, I do not have a full list of what I have. I would like to sell the collection, but realize that a list of cards is going to be important. Is there a service that will do this for a fee and save me the time?

Ronald

Can you give me some tips on starting collecting baseball cards?

Thursday, October 30th, 2008
baseball cards
daughters_a_wookie asked:


My son wants to start collecting cards, and I looking for a little help :)
I believe its best to stick with just one companies cards/brand but which is the best fo a beginner? And does he just go get a couple packs or save up fo a box, etc?

thanks in advance for your answers and any other misc. advvise you may have on collecting baseball cards.

Adrian

Babe Ruth Rookie Card Ranks Second in Value to That of the Honus Wagner Card

Thursday, October 30th, 2008
baseball cards
Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Babe Ruth is known to many baseball fans as being one of the greatest baseball players ever to have lived. While his exploits as a baseball player are well known it is his rookie days that draw people to collect these cards. The Babe Ruth rookie card is one that any baseball lover can be glad to have in their collection. This card of Babe Ruth was issued in 1914.

This was soon after Babe Ruth started his career as a baseball player. During this time he was only in an unknown minor league team. While most baseball cards have a great many of them published for the public there are only 9 Babe Ruth rookie cards that can be found in existence today. This rarity of the Babe Ruth rookie card makes finding such a card a prize that is well worth the price that has to be paid.

The newest babe Ruth rookie card that came to light is currently up for auctioning. While the card itself is not in mint condition there are still many who will be bidding to own this card. The current reserve price that is set for this card by the Robert Edwards Auctions is $10,000. When you look at the other baseball cards which are on the market you will notice that for baseball card collectors this card ranks second in value to that of the Honus Wagner card.

The usual condition of baseball cards is fairly good unless you have been handling them quite a lot. The many different cards which collectors look for like the Babe Ruth Rookie are ones that while not in mint condition are still valuable. Cards which have creases and corner wear are still ones that can command high prices if they are in the rare bracket.

You will see that the Babe Ruth Rookie card fits into the category quite well. This is in part due to the limited cards which can be found in the market. One of the Babe Ruth Rookie cards which are in demand is that of the 1914 card. Unlike many of the other baseball cards in existence this card type is thought of being able in the future as topping the Honus Wagner card in value.

For the baseball card collector the many different cards that you can find are still only okay cards to look at. The Babe Ruth Rookie card on the other hand is one of the better cards which you can have in any collection.



Maximilian

Three Places to Find Babe Ruth Baseball Cards

Tuesday, October 28th, 2008
baseball cards
Harry Hooper asked:


The evolution of the internet has truly leveled the playing field and made it considerably easier to locate and purchase vintage baseball cards. Fifteen years ago, collectors were generally limited to hitting large baseball card dealers (which were only available in big cities), card shows, live auction houses, and garage sales. Searching for a specific card was obviously a long and drawn-out effort. A collector could spend years searching for any of the four 1933 Goudey Babe Ruth cards, and would be forced to settle for whatever was available.

Today, the market has opened up and prices have evened out considerably. For the first time in a couple of decades, rare Babe Ruth cards are within reach of everyday collectors. Other than the major auction sites (e.g. Amazon and eBay), where can a collector look for vintage Babe Ruth cards? Here are a few places to start.

1. Specialty Websites - some sites do offer a very targeted set of cards for collectors. A collector searching for Babe Ruth cards can quickly find and purchase a very specific card. In addition, these sites often offer collectors additional details about a card or set. Looking for a 1929 Kashin Ruth? You can not only buy the card you are looking for, but see what it looks like and learn more about the set. Many of these sites scour the internet for the specific type of card, giving collectors a simple website to find what they are looking for.

2. Major Auction Sites - much as they were 15 years ago, major auction houses are still a key force in the vintage baseball card market. Heritage, SCP, Mastro, and Robert Edward are the big names in the rare sports memorabilia market. When a highly valuable Babe Ruth card, such as the 1914 Baltimore Sun card, is available for sale, one of these auction services will probably facilitate the sale.

3. Baseball Card Shows - baseball card shows continue to be a great place to find Babe Ruth Cards. Card shows are held all over North America every weekend, allowing collectors to interact with dozens of dealers and other experts. Baseball card shows are also a super place to find deep discounts on rare cards. Dealers arrive at these shows intending to make deals and build a client base. Collectors can use this environment to their advantage. Several websites carry listings for card shows in your area. Do an online search for Baseball Card Shows and you will likely find a show near you.

Adding Babe Ruth baseball cards to your collection is easier than ever before. Prices are as low as they have been in years and collectors are buying them up. Knowing where to find these old baseball cards is the hard part. Picking and choosing the perfect card is the fun part. Whether you go with a 1935 Goudey, a 1948 Leaf, or a Babe Ruth reprint card from the 1980’s, you will have fun building and showing off your collection.



Mitchell

How much value do older baseball cards have now-a-day?

Monday, October 27th, 2008
baseball cards
Gallo asked:


Was at my family’s house for the holiday weekend, was going though some old stuff and came across tons of baseball and football cards I used to collect back in the day. I have some complete baseball sets from back in 88-89-90, Fleer, Topps and Upper Deck. They were in surprisingly good condition.

Would something like this have value to somebody 18-20 years later?

Gael

Are Old Playing Cards Are Right For You?

Friday, October 24th, 2008
baseball cards
Brian Garvin And Jeff West asked:


Purchasing old playing cards can be a lot of fun. Some people collect shot glasses, others collect baseball cards, and then there are those who take a special interest in casino cards. The kinds that have been used in the casino and then once their lifespan has lapsed, people like you and me can take a deck home for conversation. Then again, playing with them can be just as entertaining, especially if you have stories to tell if you were there.

One Deck - MANDALAY BAY Casino Cards

Poker Stars Direct has different options available, but we felt it was important to start off with a casino like the Mandalay Bay because most people have heard of them. Keep in mind these aren’t the kind of old playing cards where the casino drills a hole in them so they can’t be used anymore. Instead they lightly cut the corners where it is virtually unnoticeable so households and charity events can use them for a little extra fun.

Retired Casino Cards from Harrahs Casino

Now here is another casino everyone should know about or have at least heard of before. If you want old playing cards with a sense of style and elegance, Harrah’s is one of the best to purchase. Even though they are inexpensive already, Poker Stars Direct offers a fifteen percent discount to entice those who are interested even more. One thing we have to suggest with these is that their company is constantly restocking so keep going back to make sure you get yours.

Hard Rock Cafe Used Casino Cards

When anyone goes on vacation and there is a Hard Rock Cafe around, it’s always a must see. Taking in the hotel and casino is even more of an entertaining experience and bringing a piece of it back with you can be important. Many memories are triggered by keepsakes and old playing cards are a way to spark a great conversation about the trip while you were there. If anything else, playing with them will be enough to enjoy those events with family and friends alike.

One Deck - EXCALIBUR Casino Cards

Excalibur is a casino like no other and many times is overshadowed by the big names in the gaming industry. Owning this unique style of old playing cards after they have outlived their stay is something many will be intrigued by. Poker Stars Direct can offer you this deck of cards for three dollars in a red styled box along with red face cards as well. One of the best parts about the Excalibur cards is that they almost look like new when you start playing with them.

Overall View

We found out that of all the old playing cards Poker Stars Direct offers, the Harrah’s and Fitzgerald are the most popular. So keep this in mind because if you want these two types of decks, it will be a good idea to keep checking for restocking days. However, there are nine different ones to choose from and anyone of them will be a nice addition to your collection. Hopefully in the near future, they will offer even more great casino playing cards for everyone to enjoy.



Craig

The Birth And Rising Popularity Of Trading Card Games

Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
baseball cards
Joe Goertz asked:


Just about fifteen years ago trading card games hit the world and ever since it has remained on top with many of the younger generation people in this world. Since their invention, trading card games have swept across the world, creating fans at every turn. The diversity of the games is the biggest draw, bringing in throngs of people to their ranks every year. Clubs and tournaments have sprung up and draw thousands through the doors with the promise of a long and grueling match.

The forerunner of this phenomenon is the ever popular Magic the Gathering. Based largely on the Dungeons and Dragons role playing game, Magic was a sure fire hit for the young people of the world. Combing all they loved about D and D, but in a much easier to use and play format, Magic worked its magic with the masses and became an overnight success. People flocked to the stores to pick up the cards as they were brought out. Gaggles of teens grouped together to play the game and stores that dealt with nothing more than Magic cards started to open to hungry consumers. The cards themselves are sold like baseball cards, in small packs or huge sets. Everyone is interested in building their deck to the maximum power.

Trading card games are still very popular to this day. Magic still remains a force in the market and enjoys the run of the land. They come out with a new set of cards each year that continue to go up in price over time. Huge collections have been amassed, some of which have values that exceed any other card game currently known.

The basic premise of a trading card game is simple. The cards are made up of character cards, objects and powers. Each person selects the deck they will play with and the cards are shuffled at random before play begins. The rest of the game is played similar to may other card games, where cards are laid out and the winner is stronger. The rounds continue until one or the other has been defeated. The strategy is based solely on the cards that each player has in a deck. For the most part the players depend on the strength of individual cards in the deck to become the winner, but in the end there is a lot of luck that comes into play. Because the cards are drawn at random no player knows what will come next to keep it all very fair.

Since the beginning which is commonly attributed to Magic, more and more companies have joined the ranks. The ever popular Pokemon was instantly famous with the even younger groups. Less violent than Magic, Pokemon seemed to appeal to the more family friendly crowd. Some of the cards became very rare in the early goings but can now be had for a few dollars or less. This is the case with a lot of the different trading card games as well. Many of them started out with a lot of popularity and because of some clever manufacturing, a lot of rare cards. This causes the price for the whole game to go up and therefore allows the game to enjoy a thriving secondary market as a whole.



Saul

How much should I sell my baseball cards for?

Monday, October 20th, 2008
baseball cards
TBL asked:


I’ve got 405 Topps baseball cards. They’re all from 1988-1993. They’re in mint condition, inside card holders, in a binder.

All the cards are random, from every team out there, too.

I know nothing about baseball cards.. so, yea.

How much should I sell these for on Craigslist? $20? $200?

Juliana

Where can I get some old baseball cards appraised?

Monday, October 20th, 2008
baseball cards
Mizz Juicie asked:


I have some really old baseball and basketball trading cards. Where can i get them appraised and sold somewhere in the Memphis,Tn area if possible?

Jamal

Honus Wagner Baseball Card is the Holy Grail Among Baseball Cards

Thursday, October 16th, 2008
baseball cards
Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


There are many baseball players that are considered as being favorites of their fans. While these people are famous among their fans, to become truly famous it is necessary to have a baseball card made of themselves. These baseball cards range in value depending on the player that is depicted on the card. One of the most famous baseball cards is that of the Honus Wagner baseball card.

This card is considered among the collectors of baseball cards to be the Holy Grail among baseball cards. There are many theories as to the popularity of the Honus Wagner baseball card. One of the reasons may have to do with the amount of cards that are readily in existence. Since baseball cards are usually printed in large amounts the lack of Honus Wagner baseball cards may be considered as being the reason for collectors desiring to find and buy this card.

To make you understand this point even more clearly you need to know that there were only 60 of these printed. Out of the 60 there are only 50 cards that can be found. When a Honus Wager card is discovered there is a general excitement. Honus Wagner is well known among baseball fans by his reputation as the Flying Dutchman.

During the entire span of his career Honus played just about every position on the field. He is well known for stolen bases, home runs which at that time in baseball history were very rare. Additionally Honus Wagner had the ability of hitting triple runs as well as the usual home runs.

To give you an idea of how valuable a Honus Wagner baseball card you will find that the current going price for a baseball card is about the 2.35 million US Dollars. The only other baseball card which comes close to this card is that of the Babe Ruth rookie card. When you look at this card you will discover that the number owners for a Honus Wagner baseball card were well known celebrity persons.

The past owners of this card are the shopping conglomerate Wal-Mart, Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and finally LA Kings owner Bruce McNall. Besides these many groups a Honus Wagner was also owned by a Las Vegas casino owner. This enterprising individual used to display his Honus Wagner baseball card in various places and functions.

The value of this card can be attributed to the better quality of the Honus Wagner baseball card as compared to other cards. To make sure that the Honus Wagner baseball card is kept safe cards like this are kept safely within Lucite sheeting. For all of these reasons you can see why a Honus Wagner baseball card is thought of by baseball cards fans as being the Holy Grail among baseball cards.



Damien