Collecting Sports Cards

By Dee Dee Smith

The origin of sports cards dates back to the late 1800s, when tobacco companies began including them in their packages to market their product.  The first sports cards commemorated baseball greats such as Captain Jack Glasscock, Honus Wagner and Herman Schaefer.  These cards quickly became collectibles.  The front side of the card showed a photo and facts about a player, and information about the product was printed on the back side.  Other companies quickly began producing their own baseball cards, including the Goudey Bubble Gum Manufacturer, Cracker Jack and Wheaties. 

Although most of the early cards featured baseball players, boxer Jack Dempsey and other athletes were also celebrated with their own cards. Later, basketball, hockey and football cards also became popular collectibles. 

Sports cards were one of the first collectibles and still remain to be a very popular form of collecting.  Many children become introduced to the hobby of collecting when they are given or purchase their first pack of cards. 

Sports Card Terminology:

Rookie Card - The first official card released during an athlete‘s career.  This card is usually the most valuable card for an individual player. 

Professional Grading - The authentication of a sports card or card collection.  The process involves an independent, third-party grading service reviewing or conducting an analysis of the quality and condition of the card(s).  They will also authenticate a signature if applicable.  Cards are typically given a grade of 1-10, 10 being the best.

Inserts - Rare or special cards incorporated in a set.  Some cards may be gold leafed, autographed, or may include a memoir from that player such as a piece of a used bat. 

Commons - The lowest grade and less valued of all of the cards in a set.

Base Set - The core set or group of cards for a manufacturer. Base cards are included in every pack of cards. 

Limited Edition – A designation give to a card or set of cards that the manufacturer has only released a specific number of.  Limited edition cards should be assigned a number to show in what order that card was released, i.e. first in the set or number 200 of the set.

Error Card - A card with mistakes or errors on it.

Many companies produce cards, but it is safest to buy from manufacturers licensed by major league sports.  Some of these companies include Upper Deck, Donruss, Fleer and the Topps Company.  Seasonally these companies along with others release a new set of cards, i.e. hockey cards are released in the early winter, and basketball in the early fall.   Additionally these companies offer buyers several different collection options.   Collectors can choose from a standard set of cards or a premium set, which offers more quality or action photos.  Also available are vintage cards (they copy the style of vintage cards) and commemorative sets (commemorates old time players). 

Because older cards are more rare and expensive, most hobbyists collect new cards.  Cards can be purchased in packs at sports collectible and memorabilia stores or card shows.  New collectors typically begin by buying packs of cards as opposed to purchasing single, rare cards.  Each pack of cards contains a combination of base cards (the majority of the pack), inserts and limited edition cards.

Most collectors strive to build either a team or player collection.  Others collect more specialty items such as rookie cards.  Another way to build a card collection is to build complete sets, like the 2001-2002 Fleer WNBA set.

Some serious hobbyists and investors are more interested in vintage or older cards.  This kind of collecting requires a serious commitment as vintage cards in good condition are rare and difficult to find.  Nonetheless, these collections are likely to yield the greatest financial return.  Some sought after cards include Mickey Mantle, Jackie Robinson and Yogi Berra.  Other rare cards sought after by collectors include cards with errors or typos or autographed cards. 

Unprotected cards will yield little or no future value.  The most inexpensive way to safely store your cards is in a protective sleeve.  More valuable or special cards should be stored in a top loader.  Additionally, you’ll want to purchase a sports card box to hold your protected cards.  This can be purchased at any sports card store. 

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