The names are etched in sports history. They include greats like Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Ty Cobb, Barry Bonds, Micheal Jordan, and others. The cards that are relics, collectibles, and mementos of these storied sports legends can also reach legendary status. So, the question is, do people still collect cards, or are cards still collectible items? Are they worth collecting?
Do People Still Collect Cards?
The market for collectors’ cards, like any other market, has peaks and valleys. With the dip in card collecting activity years past, it has also begged the question, are cards still collectible, and do people still collect cards today?
The good news is the collectible card market is making a resounding comeback, and it is a good time to be a card collector. That also means the answer to the above questions is yes, and yes.
If there was any doubt about the state of the card collector market, a look at some recent numbers will erase any questions about the viability of collector cards today.
- 1952 Mickey Mantle (Topps): sold January 2021, $5.2 million
- 2009 Mike Trout (Bowman): sold May 2020, $3.9 million
- 1909 Honus Wagner (Tobacco card): sold October 2020, $3.2 million
- 2003 – 04 LeBron James (Upper Deck): sold July 2020, 1.8 million
And the list goes on of recent and high-paying collectible cards. Getting started is fairly simple too, but it will take a little time and research.
How To Become a Card Collector
The first step in getting started is planning. What type of cards do you want to focus on? What cards are hot right now, and what cards have historically strong value? Making a plan and answering these questions will help you get started in the right direction and keep you from spending resources on unfruitful investments.
The next step (and something new for many of those coming back to card collecting) is the acquisition of cards. Today, card buying and trading are done primarily online and using a few hidden gems like collector’s stores. Get familiar with online card retailers and find reliable card trading sites.
Now, you are in the game — just like that. So get ready to find that steal of a trade, that longshot rookie card purchase, and that one card that will put you on the who’s who list of card collectors.
The Book Broker
Welcome to The Book Broker. We are your locally owned and operated used book store. We offer a variety of products, books, and collectibles for everyone in the family. From books and video games to sports cards and vinyl records, you can find that and more at The Book Broker. Contact us to learn more or to find the collector card you have been looking for today.