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Baseball Cards

The world of baseball card collecting is nothing short of an evolution. From its early roots of advertising cards to its mass-printed days of gumless foil packs, the hobby is still attracting millions of people—whether for investment or simply for love of the sport.

The first baseball cards were produced by tobacco companies in the 1880s, followed soon after by candy, gum, and clothing companies, among others. Goudy Gum produced multiple highly prized card sets in the ‘30s, while Leaf and Bowman Gum cards were popular in the ‘40s. Topps became a frontrunner in the next decade, nearly holding an industry monopoly until the ‘80s, when other companies began producing card sets.

An apparent overproduction time period in the '80s and '90s was dubbed, “The Junk Wax Era,” by many collectors, and card collections were often dismissed as worthless. However, a number of standouts do exist from that time period. A look at a recent online baseball card auction can help determine value.


Quick Facts

  • The most valuable card thought to exist—the T206 Honus Wagner—was printed in limited quantities by the American Tobacco Company between 1909 and 1911. Only 50 to 70 cards are said to remain
  • Trimming or gluing a baseball card to improve its condition will bring its value down
  • The TV series “Antiques Roadshow” discovered a baseball collection worth over $1 million when a woman brought in a group of old Boston Red Stockings cards and memorabilia. The items had been sitting in a desk drawer prior to appearing on the show

Learn more about the Most Valuable Baseball Cards Ever Sold on the Invaluable blog.

Recommended Items at Auction

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1967 Topps Mickey Mantle Psa 4
Feb 10, 2:00 PM EST
1967 Topps Mickey Mantle Psa 4
by Saco River Auction
Est: $100- $200
$12017 Bids
1958 TOPPS# 30 HANK AARON
Feb 11, 10:00 AM EST
1958 TOPPS# 30 HANK AARON
by Vintage Auctions
Est: $250- $300
$7013 Bids
Lot of 2 Error FUCK FACE Billy Ripken RP Baseball Cards
Feb 16, 10:00 AM EST
Lot of 2 Error FUCK FACE Billy Ripken RP Baseball Cards
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$13012 Bids
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1948 Baseball's Greats Hall of Fame Exhibits Honus Wagner
Mar 01, 11:00 AM EST
1948 Baseball's Greats Hall of Fame Exhibits Honus Wagner
by Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$2612 Bids
1888 Scrapps Tobacco H. Richardson Sgc 1
Feb 10, 2:00 PM EST
1888 Scrapps Tobacco H. Richardson Sgc 1
by Saco River Auction
Est: $200- $300
$17012 Bids
(9) 1909-11 T206 Cards Piedmont/sweet Caporal
Feb 10, 2:00 PM EST
(9) 1909-11 T206 Cards Piedmont/sweet Caporal
by Saco River Auction
Est: $400- $500
$13011 Bids
1965 Topps Willie Mays Psa 6
Feb 10, 2:00 PM EST
1965 Topps Willie Mays Psa 6
by Saco River Auction
Est: $100- $200
$11011 Bids
1967 Topps Willie Mays Psa 6
Feb 10, 2:00 PM EST
1967 Topps Willie Mays Psa 6
by Saco River Auction
Est: $100- $200
$9510 Bids
1982 Fleer CAL RIPKEN Jr. Rookie Baseball Card
Feb 16, 10:00 AM EST
1982 Fleer CAL RIPKEN Jr. Rookie Baseball Card
by South Florida Auction & Estate Sale Services
Est: $6- $1,000
$459 Bids
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2023 Panini Prizm Baseball Sealed Blaster Box
Feb 19, 7:00 PM EST
2023 Panini Prizm Baseball Sealed Blaster Box
by Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$159 Bids
(166) Different 1957 Topps Baseball Cards
Feb 10, 2:00 PM EST
(166) Different 1957 Topps Baseball Cards
by Saco River Auction
Est: $200- $300
$1309 Bids
1888 Scrapps Tobacco C.h. Getzen Sgc 1
Feb 10, 2:00 PM EST
1888 Scrapps Tobacco C.h. Getzen Sgc 1
by Saco River Auction
Est: $200- $300
$1209 Bids
1888 Scrapps Tobacco Jc Rowe Sgc 1
Feb 10, 2:00 PM EST
1888 Scrapps Tobacco Jc Rowe Sgc 1
by Saco River Auction
Est: $200- $300
$1709 Bids
(19) 1957 TOPPS STAR CARDS W/MAYS
Feb 11, 10:00 AM EST
(19) 1957 TOPPS STAR CARDS W/MAYS
by Vintage Auctions
Est: $60- $120
$359 Bids
1954 TOPPS #10 JACKIE ROBINSON
Feb 11, 10:00 AM EST
1954 TOPPS #10 JACKIE ROBINSON
by Vintage Auctions
Est: $300- $400
$218 Bids
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1948-49 Leaf Warren Spahn RC #32
Mar 01, 11:00 AM EST
1948-49 Leaf Warren Spahn RC #32
by Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$1158 Bids
1970 Topps #712 Nolan Ryan PSA 6 EXMT
Feb 27, 1:00 PM EST
1970 Topps #712 Nolan Ryan PSA 6 EXMT
by Premier Auction Galleries
Est: $300- $400
$2308 Bids
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1969 Topps Reggie Jackson RC #260 PSA VG 3
Feb 12, 7:00 PM EST
1969 Topps Reggie Jackson RC #260 PSA VG 3
by Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$758 Bids
1954 TOPPS #90 WILLIE MAYS
Feb 11, 10:00 AM EST
1954 TOPPS #90 WILLIE MAYS
by Vintage Auctions
Est: $425- $500
$608 Bids
1969 TOPPS #500 MICKEY MANTLE
Feb 11, 10:00 AM EST
1969 TOPPS #500 MICKEY MANTLE
by Vintage Auctions
Est: $300- $600
$808 Bids
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1967 Topps Mickey Mantle #150 PSA VG-EX 4
Feb 12, 7:00 PM EST
1967 Topps Mickey Mantle #150 PSA VG-EX 4
by Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer
Est: $0- $0
$1458 Bids
1955 Bowman Willie Mays Psa 5
Feb 10, 2:00 PM EST
1955 Bowman Willie Mays Psa 5
by Saco River Auction
Est: $400- $600
$1108 Bids
1973 Topps Baseball Near Set Missing 2 Cards
Feb 10, 2:00 PM EST
1973 Topps Baseball Near Set Missing 2 Cards
by Saco River Auction
Est: $700- $800
$2508 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Baseball Cards


Saco River Auction

Saco River Auction

Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer

Richard L. Edwards Auctioneer

Vintage Auctions

Vintage Auctions

Premier Auction Galleries

Premier Auction Galleries