So I think I’m getting back into cards for the first time since I was a kid, just bought into my first break and bought a couple 1st Bowmans.
Any tips for a newbie?
Topps and Bowman (owned by topps) have MLB licenses. Other companies don’t. So those other companies cards will have players in blank jerseys and only say “Baltimore” rather than Orioles or have a logo. Personally, I don’t get why a baseball fan would collect those, but to each their own.
Pick a lane for what you want to achieve.
If you’re doing it for the hobby, enjoy it. You’ll spend a lot and end up with a lot of cards, double triples, of guys that are irrelevant. I probably have 16 Rio Ruiz’ from 2020 Topps for example. But it’s awesome when you rip pack after pack and find something really awesome. Generally, you’re not going to get cards worth more than the packs/boxes in the long run. But if that’s not your goal, and you want to rip packs, build a set, it’s all good.
If you want to collect just O’s, then getting into breaks where you can pick the team might be the play.
If you have your eyes on specific players, scour eBay and Reddit. Can probably buy let’s say a Coby Mayo 1st Bowman autograph for the price of 2 Bowman blaster boxers that might not have anything in them.
If you want to flip cards, use collecting as an investment, treat it like the stock market. Buy prospect cards from Bowman low, sell them high. Graded 10, 1st Bowman, and autographed, basically checks the boxes of what will be worth most one day. If it’s colored, # 1/1, 1/5, 1/25, 1/50, etc… will be worth more at each level.
Grading with PSA basically isn’t happening unless you come into a $1000 card. So buying already graded on eBay is the path I’d go if you’re into that. PSA and Beckett (BGS) are respected. SGA is about to be. Others, not sure. Heard a rumor on a pod from the national card show that just happened that a card graded by SGA is going up for auction soon and expected to break more records. Basically would legitimize SGA as a credible 3rd grading option.
My problem is depending on the week depends on what I want to do. I’ll have my eyes on graded cards for my personal collection and check out eBay periodically for a deal. I’ll also rip packs every now and then for fun. So I don’t have enough rips to complete a set. And my personal collection is lacking too. Lol.
Recently discovered on Reddit guys will trade. I traded a Jake Croenworth and Daz Cameron RC to a guy for a handful of Orioles cards he had no use for himself. Mullins RC, Mancini 1st Bowman, Mountcastle RC, couple others. So finding I can take things from ripping packs, and some out there might want it, and I can add to O’s personal collection that way.
